Calling all newborn photographers! You are NOT going to want to miss today’s feature and giveaway.

Julie Rollins is the mastermind behind one of the best collections of newborn backdrops, wraps, and headbands that I’ve ever soon. You HAVE to go check out her shop. Right now. I’m telling you – if you’re a newborn photographer, you’re going to flip out when you see her shop!

I was SO excited when I received my box in the mail from Julie. Everything was gorgeously packaged, and the quality of her products is amazing.

Here’s the Multi Color Swaddle wrap in Fuschia – the combination of pink and orange is stunning. It’s especially gorgeous for babies with darker complexions!

If you’re like me, you probably wonder where newborn photographers get the gorgeous fabrics to use as backdrops for their squishy beanbag poses. I’ve searched and searched at fabric stores, but just haven’t been able to find the right combination of material, color, and width to work for me. Well, I don’t have to worry about that any more – Julie has fabrics in a huge variety of colors and textures, and they’re long enough AND wide enough to make perfect backdrops!

Don’t you just love this Perfect Knit Backdrop in Raspberry? And the Luxe Headband in Plum is just the icing on the cake!

Have you noticed the ruffle fabrics that are all the rage recently? Yup! Julie has those, too. I was a little nervous to try using mine, because I really love lighter toned backgrounds for my newborn portraits. But this stuff photographs BEAUTIFULLY! I fell in LOVE when I uploaded the images to my computer. I’ll be buying some of this fabric in every color! Here’s the ruffled ribbon fabric in Violet.

Her store also offers several colors of fur. And she doesn’t skimp on the size and send you a tiny li’l piece of fur that can only be used as a liner for trench bowls and baskets. Nope. You’ll receive a full size piece of fabric that measures 37″ X 60″. The Frosted Violet (shown below with the Open Weave Swaddle Wrap in Eggplant) is so much fun, and I also plan on purchasing moss and camel fabrics ASAP.

Want a nice stretchy wrap? She has those, too. In any color you could possibly want. The Stretch Knit Swaddle Wrap shown below is a color called Iris. It’s super long, which means you can wrap your baby in a variety of different ways.

I absolutely adore her Two Tone Swaddle Wraps. They’re also super long and plenty wide, so you can use them for swaddling OR for hanging (always make the baby’s safety your number 1 priority when attempting any sort of hanging pose – composite your images together in Photoshop so that the baby is never actually hanging in a sling without being supported by an adult).

Did I mention that Julie also sells headbands? She does! I’m serious folks – her new store is a one stop shop for newborn photographers! Just check out these Luxe Headbands in Serendipity and Siena. Simple, sweet, and absolutely adorable!

I instantly fell head over heels in love with this Ornate Headband in Antique Gold. What a perfect way to add a little drama to your portraits of newborn girls. Every time I’ve used this headband for a session, I’ve had the baby’s mom ask where she can purchase one.

In addition to props and backdrops, Julie also sells a FABULOUS set of newborn actions. Her Newborn Basics action set is an absolute life-saver. She’s combined ALL of the standard newborn post processing steps in one easy to use action.

The action is incredibly easy to customize, but I’ll be honest – I usually don’t have to do any sort of tweaking on any of the layers within the action (and that’s saying a LOT coming from someone who is rarely, if ever, pleased with how actions look at 100% opacity). Every single one of the images posted in this blog post was processed with the Newborn Basics Action – I love it that much! I actually use it to process ALL of my studio sessions – not just newborns!

The Newborn Basics Action even includes a skin softening layer. I’m a die hard fan of Portraiture, but I hate how time consuming it is to run it on every newborn image and then mask the effect off of baby’s eyes, lips, hair, etc. Julie’s softening action is VERY similar to Portraiture – softens skin without looking overly airbrushed.

If you like your newborn portraits to have a touch of haze, be sure to check out her Newborn Sweetness and Newborn Softness sets.

Sooooo… Are you ready for some super awesome news? Julie Rollins is giving away an amazing prize to one lucky Prop Insanity reader. What do you win? EVERYTHING you’ve seen in this blog post. That’s a total value of $257, kids!!! Here’s a recap of everything that’s included in this incredibly generous prize package.

• Stretch Knit Swaddle Wrap in Iris
• Two Tone Swaddle Wrap in Berry-Sage
• Open Weave Swaddle Wrap in Eggplant
• Multi Color Swaddle Wrap in Fuschia
• Ruffle Ribbon Backdrop in Violet
• Faux Fur Prop in Frosted Violet
• Perfect Knit Backdrop in Raspberry
• Ornate Headband in Antique Gold
• Luxe Headband in Plum
• Luxe Headband in Siena
• Luxe Headband in Serendipity

But guess what? There’s MORE!! Julie is offering 25% discount off her already INCREDIBLE prices to all of our Prop Insanity readers. Use the coupon code PROPINSANITY25 at checkout between now and November 28th, and stock up on your favorite newborn goodies.

Do you want to be entered into Julie’s mega giveaway? Well, I’m sure you know the drill, but I’ll tell you again. First, go visit Julie on her Facebook Page and make sure to “like” her and leave a li’l love from Prop Insanity. Then, visit her shop, and browse through the plethora of newborn wraps, backdrops, and headbands you’ll find there. Then head on back over here, and leave us a comment letting us know which item in her shop is your absolute favorite.

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Filed under: Cool Finds, Discounts & Sales, Featured Shops, PROPaholic, Props & Stuff by shallyse
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(First off I wanted to say today is my 30th birthday and doing this review was such a gift!)

As a photographer I’m always looking for props that express my style.  I love Bold, colorful and FUN.  LOTS OF FUN. So when I was introduced to Photo Props and More I fell in love.

This shop is that little touch that  takes your images to the next level.  Headbands, clips, top hats and so much more (and their name implies)

 Top hats are all the rage right now.  Many of the designers have them on a stretchy elastic. My kids have never been fans of that and lucky me.  These top hats are made with clips that have a strong grip to hold tight to even the fine/thin hair on my three year old.

 The color and fabric combos used in their designs are funky and bright.  MY FAV!

  Aren’t these ruffles TO DIE FOR?!?!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

One lucky PI reader will win this FAB lace flower. To enter: Please visit Photo Props and more on Facebook and tell them that the PROP-a-holic from Prop Insanity sent you, Check out their awesome ESTY page, take a look around and come back and tell us what your favorite design is. If you have a special little lady or even photographer in your life think about getting them some goodies from Photo Props and More for Christmas.

 Till next time…

My name is Carina and I’m A PROP-a-holic!

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Filed under: Contests & Giveaways, Featured Shops, PROPaholic, Props & Stuff by Carina Olsen
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Ceiling tiles are all the rage in backdrops right now.  So when I found Decorative Ceiling Tiles on Facebook a few months ago I had to test them out for myself.

This is the 20×20 R 14 Styrofoam Victorian Ceiling Tile. They are very light weight. maybe a few ounces each. When I first watched the videos they had posted on their site I was worried that the tiles would be flimsy and very fragile. That is not the case.  The foam is very sturdy and I’ll admit… I stepped on one. Not one scratch.

I headed to the “ORANGE BOX UP THE ROAD” and picked up two paints. I’ve discovered that the sample sized (around $3 each) was sufficient. I chose a brown that had some red to it knowing I did not plan to primer my tiles. The turquoise would be my accent color. (any water based paint will do)

We start off by painting the entire tile. For the look I was going for I did not want even coats.  Rather went for a more rustic look.

Goodness I love this tile!

(my lovely assistant. Hi Jen!)

Next we dry brushed the blue.  Slightly dip your brush into the paint. Just enough to get on the tip. Then on a some newspaper we dabbed the paint till it was a little lighter and more spread out on the bristles. From there you run the brush over the rigid areas to give it a nice patina like look.

For my studio I chose to make 2-40×80 panels out of 3/4 inch insulation foam (normally come in 4×8 but I cut them down). This is much more manageable for me. Using a caulk gun and a couple of tubes of LIQUID NAILS we glued each tile to the foam. Be sure to press firmly so that it will dry flat.

These panels may look heavy but they are deceiving. They’re maybe two pounds each.  Not to shabby!

I love my new backdrop from Decorative Ceiling Tiles!

One of the great things about this company is that if you don’t have the time to paint your own foam tile you can also buy any one of their tiles from their Faux tin line and just glue or Velcro to a wall of foam board. Head on over to Decorative Ceiling tiles and check them out.  The staff is super friendly and very helpful.

Till Next time…

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Filed under: Featured Shops, Fix It's and How To's, PROPaholic by Carina Olsen
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Swanky Stitch | Lens Friends

Are you always looking for a fun and easy way to get the attention of the kiddos you shoot?
Always find yourself shaking a silly toy in their face, and leaving only one hand to your camera?
Well junkies… come over and meet Swanky Stitch | Lens Friends!!!

Starting at $14 each, these lil baby pleasers will be sure to do 2 things..
1) get you some great smiley shots!
2) leave your hands free to zoom and snap away!
3) Lens Friends also come with squeakers {FREE upon request}! So you can stop making silly noises yourself! hehe

Simply pop them onto your lens at body… and wiggle away!

Smiles will be coming your direction…
and your hands are free to zoom!

WOOT WOOT!

Did I mention… they also make DSLR strap covers???

WHO WANTS TO WIN?!

One lucky PI reader will win a LENS BUDDY and a matching STRAP COVER!!!!!!!!

To enter, simply visit their facebook page and LIKE them>>>FB: http://www.facebook.com/SwankyStitchFanPage
Then come back HERE and leave a comment that you did so…

Want an extra entry… visit their Blog: http://swankystitch.blogspot.com/
then come back HERE and leave a 2nd comment that you took a peek around, and let us know what you liked!

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Filed under: Contests & Giveaways, PROPaholic by Tracy Joy
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Today’s confession: My Frame LOVE AFFAIR.

I must admit. I’m a lover of all things funky. So when I found Organic Bloom it was like a match made in Heaven. Curvy, spunky, and elegant designer frames sold wholesale exclusively through professional portrait photographers. They’re unlike anything else out on the market and a true crowd pleaser.

Organic Bloom is bases out of  Tulsa, OK and is the brain child of MR. and MRS. Bloom as they like to be called.

As a photographer/wholesaler you’re entitled to one set of 10- 8×10 or 10×10 studio samples at a discounted price. You pick the colors and sizes you want. When you receive your frames it will truly feel like Christmas. This big brown box will arrive on your door step. Ok… now this is where I go all “CHRISTMAS STORY ON YOU”.  You know the scene. The one where they open the package and start digging through all the stuffing?  Yeah.. you’re going to have to work to find them all because these guys go out of their way to be sure your new little pretties are safe.  Every frame is wrapped like a gift. My first package was like getting my very own Red Ryder BB gun. Pure glee.

Each Organic Bloom frame has:
A rubber stopper (one on each corner)  and two hangers so that you may hang vertically or horizontally.

and rubbed edges

(Easel backs and glass are not standard but available upon request.)

As a PROPaholic I love re-purposing items so that they can work in several ways. I’ve used them for many of my sessions and even in my home for decor with and with out pictures.

Here are two in my entry I’m using as St. Patrick’s Day decorations…

I’ve also used them for engagement sessions as well as Maternity.

Just for fun I made a chalk board out of one of the backings.  This is a fun way to make a honey do list, write a note  for a loved one or just make a statement. Here’s a brief tutorial on how I make them.

First remove the backing from the frame and place on news paper or a protected surface in a well ventilated area. This is where I might recommend you use a primer. I didn’t the first time I made mine and now wish I had because the wood back sucked the paint right up.

You can buy chalk board paint as a spray or in a can. This time I used the spray version from Rust-oleum.

Using long even strokes cover the entire surface.  You may want to do several coats.

Let dry over night  and then place back in frame.

Pull out the chalk and have some fun!

Organic Bloom frames currently come in over 50 colors …

and 11 shapes (Johnny not shown)

So now for the fun part. Head on over to Organic Bloom on Facebook and become a fan on their page. Then come back here and post a comment that you’ve done just that.  This will be your one and only entry into this give away. You may also want to check out their BLOG. Mondays are a blast when they do their fun frame giveaways.

When we close entries we’ll use Random.com

So I guess you want to know what you get?

One lucky winner will get 1-8×10 frame from Organic Bloom. You get to pick the  style and color.

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Filed under: Contests & Giveaways, Featured Shops, Fix It's and How To's, PROPaholic, Uncategorized by Carina Olsen
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