Jennifer Schaerer

It’s time for another look behind the scenes here at Paper Crafts magazine, and I’m your enthusiastic tour guide for this one. We’re always curious to hear what parts of the magazine production process are intriguing to you, and if you follow our page on Facebook you know that we occasionally put up a post that invites you to ask those burning questions.

It was in that very spot that Kelly Sasman asked us to spill the beans on this mysterious element: “I would like to hear more about the photography process: who, how, where is this done for the projects we see in the magazine?” While I can answer the “who” and “where” in less than a sentence (Brian Smith and his team at BPD Studios, just down the road from our editorial offices), the “how” part of this question will take you on a pictorial odyssey.

Brian Smith, the wizard behind the curtain…er, shutter.

It really starts and ends with a talented photographer, and Brian is it. He has the unique balance of an artistic eye and technical skill that really makes our photography extra special. He’s also a whiz with lighting, and that’s what makes or breaks a shot – over the years he’s captured the photographic magic in so many areas, from still life and fashion to nature and food. Take a peek at some of his portfolio shots and I guarantee you’ll gasp at least once. And if you gasped at Holiday Cards & More, Vol. 5 when it came out a few months ago, it was Brian’s collaboration with our art director Matt Anderson that resulted in the ultra-reflective white Plexiglas set for the projects in that issue.

See how the reflective Plexi adds a whisper of depth to these gift card holders by Anabelle O’Malley?

A great photographer and an equally talented art director are an unstoppable team. If you missed it, I gave you a peek into our studio process HERE, when I shared some candids from our studio time for the Go-to Sketches special issue. And Matt told you a little bit more about that project and our interesting approach to custom props HERE. But occasionally you’ll catch a quick glimpse of human in a project photo, and most of the time that person is someone you know and love.

Do you recognize these feet?

When Latisha Yoast was inspired by this elegant pair of strappy sandals for the January/February 2011 Get Inspired column, we knew we’d need a foot model. A foot model who wears a size 7…who could be bribed with a company-paid pedicure…who turned out to be none other than our intrepid graphic designer Holly Mills!

Do you recognize this hand?

When we do step-out photos, we generally use whatever pair of hands isn’t too busy to spend an hour or two in Brian’s studio. This particular hand is used more frequently than others…still stumped? Need a hint?

Has been known to sport a chandelier-sized blingy ring…

Yes, our step-out photo hand model is usually our multi-talented and bling-tastic Susan R. Opel!

Watch for this ring in our next set of step-out photos!

We’ve also used team family members as models when needed, with best-behavior bribes that range from Oreos for breakfast to the promise of a top-shelf new toy after the photo shoot.

Aila Anderson, daughter of art director Matt, helped show off Latisha Yoast’s adorable headband for our most recent issue of Holiday Cards & More.

But by far one of the most interesting uses of an editor was for step-out photos in an upcoming special issue – for a section on coloring stamps with markers, we had to show the step of breathing on the stamp to remoisten the marker.

Sarah Francom was a good sport when we asked her to demonstrate, um, breathing.

Next time we’re in the studio shooting an issue, I’ll put myself in your shoes and capture some shots that show some of the more interesting things about the way projects are photographed for the issues. For now, I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s tour!

Your photographic tour guide,
Jennifer

Jennifer Schaerer

We try not to, but sometimes we get so focused on publishing our magazines that we lose sight of the final product once it’s “out there.” We’re so used to Christmas in July and Mother’s Day in December that we’re always well on our way to the next inspiring issue. 

That wasn’t the case with Go-to Sketches. From the very first moment we sat down to discuss the concept, we were giddy with anticipation. It all came together so perfectly, including the photo shoot that coincided with our annual editorial board meeting. As Paper Crafts Go-to Gal Teri Anderson said, it was an instant connection for our newly-minted Go-to Gals even though they had never been all together as a group before. 

Oh, the laughter! The teasing! 

And, of course, the primping. Since these six lovely ladies had to pose not only for their official headshots (the black and whites we use here and in the magazine), but also the colorful opener shots AND group shot for Go-to Sketches, you can only imagine the quick changes and hair brushing going on. 

Brian takes a test shot and looks back at the monitor to check the lighting.

One of many attempts at a group shot. Can't you just hear the laughter?

Then it was on to the individual shots for the section opening pages. Not only were there six boisterous Go-to Gals in the studio, there was also an audience of editors to help keep things lively. 

Is it any wonder there are dozens of outtakes for each one of these shots?

And here’s your insider secret for the day: although the final shots in the issue are just beautiful and appear effortless, each one was meticulously arranged and checked on the monitor. 

Matt, Brian and stylist Claudia Daniels check the all-white set on the monitor.

It was only after their shots were complete that the Go-to Gals remembered to have a quick bite to eat. After all, we literally whisked them straight from the airport right to the studio and then ordered them to smile pretty. 

Maren, is that a little lettuce between your teeth? Just kidding!

This has truly been a fun and fulfilling journey bringing this very special issue from early concept last August to the newsstand a few weeks ago. Your other insider secret for the day: we’ve got something else up our collective sleeves for later this summer, so you might want to hang around and find out more. Shhhhhhhh. Don’t tell anyone, though. 

If you haven’t already gotten your copy of Go-to Sketches, you can check out our sneak peek HERE. (Psst…today’s the last day for the 20% off plus free shipping offer! Just enter the promotion code “SKETCH20″ HERE.) 

I’m sending heartfelt thanks to our fantastic group of Go-to Gals for making this week so much fun with all the blog hopping and exclusive new projects using some of the sketches from this issue, because we sure couldn’t have done this without the group effort. You ladies are the very best! 

And since our readers are the very best, too, I’ve got three more copies of Go-to Sketches to give away! Leave a comment telling me your favorite aspect of this promotional week (so far!). All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Friday, April 9. 

Jennifer 

P.S. The fun is just beginning! Hop over to Moxie Fab World as Cath talks about stretching a sketch to suit different styles, purposes, occasions, holidays, gender, age, etc. And the Go-to Gals each take a single sketch and turn it six different ways to create six unique new projects!

Brynn Lillywhite

Welcome to Magazine Monday! Isn’t it incredible the things that are created just by paper and ribbon (and a few other supplies)? I’ve always thought of myself as creative; however, as I see the masterpieces in the pages of Paper Crafts magazine, I realize that I still have a lot to learn in the world of paper crafting.

When I heard from our wonderful managing editor, Brandy, that Paper Crafts was looking for a design intern and that I had the job, I was thrilled! This internship is the best of both worlds. I get to design (my career of choice) and I get to do it surrounded by crafty people and projects (my passion).

I spent my first day in the photo studio helping our art director, Stace, stylize and photograph cards for an upcoming issue. We created a scene for each set of cards using props and different background colors. I was surprised by the level of detail that goes into making each shot absolutely perfect. I guess I never really thought about how a magazine is put together, but I definitely never imagined that cards were first created by designers and then photographed before being added to each page in the magazine. I definitely learned something new and it was fun to lay the groundwork for the issue in such a tangible way. 

Here's our photographers Brian Smith and Symoni Johnson looking at an image on their computer. Notice the rainbow of colorful drapes and background boards behind them.

My next assignment was to design a few Simple Sentiments downloads. That was much harder than it looked! I tend to make my projects much too involved and get in way over my head. Stace helped me to see that with these designs, less is more. It took some time, but I finally created simple designs that I’m very excited about. Go figure, Simple Sentiments are supposed to be simple!

Since I started over a month ago, I’ve grown and experienced things that I didn’t think I would learn from a paper crafting magazine:

• I’ve experienced the freedom of creating and been given the opportunity to potentially see my work in a finished publication.
• I’ve experienced the joy of becoming friends with people I might not have met otherwise, and to see them be a part of each other’s lives, both in and outside of work.
• I’ve experienced the excitement of seeing a magazine take shape from start to finish, and to be a part of all the behind-the-scenes events.

I now understand that the Paper Crafts team, the readers (all of you), each individual page and every detail in between make up something greater – the finished product. I have loved being part of that and look forward to the next several weeks here at Paper Crafts!

Your design intern,
Brynn Lillywhite

P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from Matt’s Lone Design Man post from last week! Here they are in no particular order:

1. Rachel Hope (May 7, 9:19 a.m.)
2. Ginger Hollner (May 7, 6:52 a.m.)
3. Mary (May 8, 6:08 a.m.)

Each of you will receive a collection of magazines featuring Matt’s amazing openers! Kelly will be e-mailing you shortly for your mailing addresses! Thanks to all who left comments and played along!

P.P.S. It’s also time to announce the three winners from Kelly’s Freebie Friday – Matt, Mom and a Blooming Giveaway post! Here they are in no particular order:

1. Darlene (May 8, 2:02 p.m.)
2. Sammie (May 8, 7:13 a.m.)
3. Elizabeth S. (May 8, 10:04 a.m.)

Each of you has won the flower-themed prize package! Kelly will be e-mailing you shortly for your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left so many great bits of motherly advice!