Dena's Notes

We are very excited to offer you this newly designed Folio for your flash drives.  Handmade and designed exclusively by Cypress, this beautiful new Folio brings the style of the flash drive to a whole new level.  The unique design allows you to simply slide the drive in and out of the Folio.  The Folio can be created in any of our bookbinding fabrics.  The included flash drive is available in 8GB or 16GB. Select from two great styles:  Bamboo or Crystal.  Our new Flash Drive Folio adds an authentic style, grace and beauty to your presentation!  You and your clients will love it!  Enjoy!

As we all know, there are many aspects to presentation.  Client meetings are one part of your presentation that should be carefully planned to create an experience for your potential client.  When preparing, decide where you will meet with your client and style the space for an experience.  Simply set a table (or coffee table) with a beautiful tablecloth, candles, fresh flowers and an album of your work.  Add some wedding details to your table, but don’t clutter.  Be authentic and make it yours.  By creating a beautiful space you will be communicating to clients what they can expect when they work with you.   It also lets your client know that you are passionate about your work. It’s a gift.

When I walk into a room and see a beautiful table set-up, I am immediately excited.  It puts a smile on my face and I am ready for what’s coming.  It’s setting the stage.  It gives you confidence.  You’re prepared and the meeting can just flow with your guidance.  You set expectations and add value.

Also, if you’re meeting a potential client outside of your studio/office, bring everything with you.  Take a small tablecloth or a beautiful piece of handmade paper to show your albums and images on. You always want to be in control of how a client is experiencing your work.  Again, you’re setting expectations and adding value.

When you love your presentation and take control of it, your potential client will feel your confidence, your passion and attention to detail. Your client meetings are not just about your work.  Clients are looking at your entire presentation visually, consciously, unconsciously, touching, feeling, and listening.  Create an experience and make it great! Enjoy!

Our 2012 Holiday Deadlines have passed and we are busy handcrafting all of your beautiful heirlooms. If you weren’t able to get your Holiday order in before the deadlines, I have great news!

Today we launched an online store offering our Available Now Collection. This Collection features a selection of Cypress items including Folios, Artisan Books, C Albums, Proof Boxes and Presentation Boxes ready to ship within two business days. Check back often as the available offerings will be continuously updated.

Visit the Available Now online store

At this time shipping is only available within the United States via FedEx Ground. If you are interested in purchasing an Available Now item with expedited or international shipping, please contact us directly at (818) 551-0023 or info@cypressalbums.com

The Available Now online store is only available to registered professional photographers. If you have already registered with Cypress you may use the same password to access the store. If you have not yet registered you can do so here.

Album Images by: Jose Villa Photography

Many photographers have asked me for several years to offer leather covers on Cypress Albums. As most of you know, I have been hesitant to offer leather due to the immense negative impact most leather production has on the environment. We are not only committed to preserving your photographs, we also work to have minimal impact on the environment. The materials we use to create all of our heirlooms are carefully selected for their minimal impact on the environment. It was important to everyone at Cypress to approach the addition of leather to our offerings with the same philosophy. After many years of research, I am happy to announce, we have finally found a leather that meets our environmental standards. It’s very exciting! I love the look of an Iris Book in leather complimented with an English Linen Presentation Box…it’s stunning.

 The Details:

•          - Chrome-free tanned, vegetable re-tanned and water based finishing (no solvents)
•          - Elaborate recycling and water purification systems in place
•          - Strict low emission procedures
•          - State of the art Italian tannery using the most advanced environmentally friendly techniques available
•          - Produced in accordance with the high environmental standards of the EU
•          - Hides are a by-product of the meat industry
•          - Beautiful, high-quality leather
•          - Available January 2013 on any Iris Book

If you have any questions, or would like more information, please contact our Customer Care Team at 818.551.0023 or info@cypressalbums.com

Presentation is an important part of any business, especially photography. Careful consideration must be given to all aspects of your business including your attire, meeting laces, website and how you present your images and offerings. Your presentation comunicates your passion and who you are.

My strong passion for presentation has led me to begin a new series of Cypress events called, Wrapped. These creative events inspire and educate photographers on the importance of presentation and offer ideas for creating your own one-of-a-kind presentations. It’s fun, full of ideas, creative and most importantly, it’s about bringing your love and passion for photography into all aspects of your presentation. The same love and passion that started your business.

We launched the first Wrapped a week ago in New York with huge success and I am already so excited to bring this event to more locations in the coming year. We treated our guests to an evening filled with inspiring ideas, great conversation and special Wrapped gifts. Thank you to all of the lovely guests that joined us to make this evening to wonderful. It was truly a special, creative event!

Remember… Presentation = Communication… it’s an experience!

As many of you now know, after 6 great years with the Cypress family, Gia is off on some traveling adventures. Thank you Gia for all of your wonderful work! We look forward to hearing about her travels.

As we say goodbye to Gia, we are excited to welcome Michelle to the Cypress Customer Care Team. Michelle comes to Cypress with a background in hospitality, photography and fashion. She has planned events, weddings and worked in a photography studio. Her creativity and spirit is already inspiring all of us. Please join us in welcoming Michelle to the Cypress family. She can’t wait to meet everyone!

Wow, we can’t believe how quickly the Mini Folios sold out this year! Sara, our shipping coordinator, is busy packing up and shipping stacks of Mini Folios this morning.

If you didn’t get your order in before the Mini Folios sold out yesterday, I have good news! Due to the overwhelming love and demand for these special little folios we have decided to create one more limited run. We expect to have a new inventory ready to ship within 1-2 weeks! Keep an eye on our blog, Facebook and Twitter for updates on when the new inventory will be available!

I am excited to announce that it is finally Mini Folio time at Cypress! These exceptionally cute and portable folios make excellent gifts for weddings and portraits. Mini Folios are sold in sets of assorted colors and are available in two sizes (Double & Quad), both made to fit 2×2 inch prints. We make these special little folios only once or twice a year and they are only available for a limited time so place your order soon, they will go quickly!

To order, navigate to the Photographer Login section, download the Mini Folio Order Form to your computer at the top of the page, fill it out and email the completed form to info@cypressalbums.com or call (818) 551-0023 to place your order.

The 2012 holiday deadline for all orders with first time Cypress Print Services is November 2. At Cypress we know that quality prints are an investment. Our Print Services will ensure that your prints are made to our specifications. Additionally, with Cypress Print Services there is no risk of prints being damaged during shipping and you can trust the results because our prints are tested and guaranteed to work with our books. This means you can avoid costly reprints as well as many of the common issues that delay orders in production during the holidays.

Our Print Services give photographers complete control over file preparation, meaning we make prints directly from your files. However, prior to printing we inspect all files to ensure that they are prepared to our specifications and first time print orders have an approval process that allows you to get familiar with our print quality. All images are printed on Fujicolor Crystal Archive, a silver halide, fade resistant matte paper that will stay beautiful for decades to come.

Ordering prints with Cypress is easy, too. Once your album design is complete simply email your order form and layout guide to info@cypressalbums.com. We will send you FTP upload instructions for your files, or you may use the file sharing program of your choice (Dropbox, YouSendIt, etc.)

Color Calibration Kits, containing a print sample and CD with a monitor calibration file, are available. Please email info@cypressalbums.com or call 818-551-0023 to request one.

I have loved using Instagram lately as a way to share quick glimpses of my loves and passions. I am completely obsessed with beautiful papers and bookbinding ideas. And, of course, I’m equally obsessed with my family …….and fresh food! To see more you call follow me @cypressalbums