PictoBooks

PictoBooks will be closed on Monday, July 5th

2010-07-01T15:58:00.002-04:00

The PictoBooks office and production facility will be closed to business on Monday, July 5th in observance of the Independence Day Holiday.

We will resume our normal business hours on Tuesday, July 6th.

Could your album be included in today's "album of the week"?

2010-05-17T14:21:00.000-04:00

Every day we hear the oohs and aahs as albums are completed and set on the shipping tables for all employees to see, so we got to thinking, "why should we be the only ones to enjoy these amazing creations?" Now you can "see it before it ships"...

Introducing PictoBooks' albums of the week. Each week we'll be hand selecting a few albums to feature on our Facebook page, and we've already begun posting!

Check out the latest Mystique albums from Maria Angela Photography and Cameron Nelson Photography, or the most recent Bijou Suede albums from MTrue.Photography and Bump & Bambino.

Fan us on Facebook today, because the next album could be yours!

Introducing the Fantasie Series - Two Toned Flushmounts with Flair

2010-05-03T12:19:00.000-04:00

New Bijou Covers!

2010-04-01T13:51:00.000-04:00

Truly Captured Photography

2010-03-17T10:44:00.000-04:00

Hi,

I received the albums today, and I'm happy to say, they are flawless. Everything from the printing, to the binding, to the packaging is absolutely top notch. The album screams quality beyond any other album I have ever purchased. I am thoroughly impressed and my client is going to be blown away.

Thanks for getting these out to me in time. I look forward to doing business with you in 2010 for most of my weddings.

Best Regards,

Nicholas Hamawi
Truly Captured Photography

Meir Photography

2010-01-06T10:33:00.000-05:00

I received my sample "Bijou" album and I am very Happy! You guys did a wonderful job on the design! Please forward this on to your designer because whoever worked on my project deserves a big Thank You. You took what I gave you and made a layout that really turned out awesome, you even did some things in the layout with duplicate color and black and white shots that I was thinking of but did not know how to do. I am now waiting to receive my sample "Signature" album. I am convinced that these albums will sell themselves once people see how beautiful they are.

Thanks again!

Greg Meir
Meir Photography
Janesville, WI

Wishing you a happy holiday season.

2009-12-11T15:41:00.001-05:00

Brian Hall Photographers

2009-11-18T16:22:00.000-05:00

Thank you for following up and confirming our request. We are not used to this attention, our last album manufacturer's customer service has been disgraceful at best. I would also like to note that every time I have called your company, each person that has answered the phone has been able to answer all of my questions quickly and has full knowledge of the product without having to transfer me or place me on hold to get answers. So far every aspect of working with your company has been great and we are looking forward to using PictoBooks as our main album supplier.

Kind regards,

Brian Hall
Brian Hall Photographers
Cedar Rapids, IA

Margaret Lanier Photography

2009-10-15T14:01:00.002-04:00

I have long awaited for an album company at your caliber! I received one of several albums I have ordered and am still smiling and amazed at the craftsmanship of the album. I realize the album is much more expensive to produce, but I do not think I can even begin to offer my clients anything but the best, and that would be your albums. As a first time buyer I was also impressed with the ease in ordering and the customer service I received. From placing the order, to seeing my client's tears when she received it, was at last an unbelievable experience.

Thank you so much!

Margaret
Bradenton, FL

Picto does Vegas at WPPI 2009

2009-03-04T16:44:00.038-05:00

Our trip to Las Vegas started ordinary enough for the PictoBooks crew. As we were getting ready to check our baggage, exclamatory statements from those in charge of “unpacking” the carpool were getting more and more excited and anxious as they realized what they had forgotten.

“Did you get it?”…
“No, I thought you got it.”…

“Oooooh no. Trouble. We have to get it.” This was the statement that led one associate back onto the shuttle bus, to the parking lot, to the almost empty car where the Precious Metal Album lay unnoticed on the seat, carefully wrapped in its carrying case, back onto the shuttle, to check-in, through security, and finally, to our gate, with its deserted tarmac...................... We missed our flight.

Now overdue, we finally arrived at the MGM. At this point, most booths were already constructed, wiped clean and long abandoned by slot machine seeking personnel, so ours was easy to spot. It was the only booth with...

...absolutely NOTHING IN IT!...

...save for the solitary palate of PictoBooks’ possessions, protected from the pending precipitation outside, and as if it wasn’t obvious enough, someone nearby came over to exclaim, “I have never seen anyone wait until the last minute to set up their booth before!” While this conversation was going on, someone else was fighting with the shrink wrapped palate like an “as seen on TV” commercial depicting someone who can’t figure out that pesky masking tape, which somehow always results in a wrapped hand resembling a mummy.

Unwrapped, unpacked, taken out of its boxes, and assembled at lightning speed (please note: lightning speed = trouble-free, easy-going, laid-back, and relaxed), the PictoBooth came together piece by piece with its custom PictoSwatch tables, LED PictoSign, PictoRugs, and PictoMums in their flowerpots. There was even spare time enough to position each and every PictoCube (PictoCube: a 3-dimensional device for sitting) to achieve the perfect angle at which to view the PictoSpeakers give their presentation at the PictoBooth. (These were eventually removed, to the dismay of the “positioner” to reside under the tables until the following day)

Goal achieved for the evening, we ventured out onto the flickering Las Vegas Strip to investigate the Buffet situation, where later we were instructed by the PictoBoss to leave the buffet with no less than 5 helpings. The next three days proved fast-paced enough for our various PictoPeople. PictoBooks were continuously being opened, closed, opened closed, scrutinized, turned, lifted, closed, touched, opened, knocked on (no, they’re not hollow), and closed. PictoBags were handed to anyone passing by who looked like they would start handing out free information from “enter company here” because they had too much to handle, and PictoBrochures were flying off the shelves…no seriously, those things are slippery! Needless to say, we were all a bit drained by the end of the third day, apparent by our blank expressions and catnaps on the PictoCubes as we awaited our empty storage to arrive.

Now Enter: Palate of PictoBooks’ possessions from empty storage.

With a renewed energy emerging for the tear-down and packing up of the PictoBooth, we found ourselves more energetic and animated than we all knew what to do with. Wound up and unable to settle down as we awaited the delivery of a supplemental palate, we entertained ourselves, to the amusement of those surround us, by trying to stack PictoCube on top of PictoCube on top of PictoCube…………………on top of PictoCube until there was a towering column of seating leaning like Pisa, and resembling Jenga. This was all in good fun until we realized that getting the top one down would be a lot harder than it was getting it up there. The leaning tower of Picto quickly became an insignificant stack of boxes as we attempted to relieve the tower of a single Cube, but a total of three decided they wanted to go base jumping.

There was also a moment when everyone was nonchalantly watching the PictoBoss do all the hard work by shrink wrapping both palates as fast as his legs could take him around, and around and around and around………….and around again until suddenly, the shrink wrap was snatched from his hands by the PictoPerson closest to him, who continued to wrap the palate while two others held him tightly against the palate. Alas, there are no pictures :(.

All in all, WPPI 2009 was a great show. We unveiled our new Mystique series, due to be available for online order within the next month or so. And we wrapped the bossman to our outgoing palate. What more could we ask for?

WPPI 2009 PictoBooth Speakers: Rodney Bailey, Clay Blackmore, Ben Chen, Daniel Doke

Testimonial from a Happy PictoBooks Customer

2009-02-02T17:17:00.004-05:00

As we contemplate what could be so very important that we'd want to Blog about it (such as delicious Magnolia cupcakes...) we've decided to leave you with a most satisfying note from a PictoBooks Customer. Enjoy!

Hi,

I just received my first Bijou album in the mail and I had to write you to tell you that it is absolutely beautiful! I had seen samples at Imaging USA and in person at your store, but the one that you made for me just blows those away! Seriously, you've outdone yourselves. Thank You. I know that these small books will have the perfect niche in my album offerings and I can't wait to show them. Already, the first bride I showed your full cameo Signature album and Bijou as a companion album immediately upgraded her package to include both of your books. Thanks for creating such a great product!

Sincerely,

Kelsey Thompson
K. thompson photography

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T15:20:00.000-05:00

Into the Holiday Season

2008-12-24T15:04:00.002-05:00

It's Christmas Eve, and PictoBooks is closing early today!!! WHOOO HOOOOO, it's time to go home, throw on our most comfy pair of sweatpants and watch all cheesy Lifetime movies for the next four days while drinking a nice cup of hot cocoa... ...filled to the brim with miniature marshmallows of course!

We've spent the last few weeks constantly processing orders, answering phones, checking on shipments, and making sure everyone got exactly what they wanted for the Holidays this year... ...their wedding albums! The good news is, we got through it without any major delays and were able to participate in the making of a few Christmas Miracles throughout the nation.

With that being said, our Holiday rush has come and gone, and now it's onto the next rush... ...making sure you get your Bridal Show Samples on time to lure all those newly engaged brides to your booth. Needs some tips? Lets us know!

In the meantime, let us leave you with this...

There is no time more appropriate to say...

...Thank You and wishing you a Happy Holiday Season!

From All of Us at PictoBooks

Back from New York

2008-10-28T15:05:00.000-04:00

We returned from New York with a squished cupcake and exhausted feet on Saturday. Believe it or not, it was all worth it. This year's PDN PhotoPlus Expo was our most successful to date. We met a number of photographers interested in PictoBooks, and caught up with our current clients. I have to say, it's nice putting a face with a name. Just keep in mind that if we have a look of surprise on our face when we meet you for the first time, it's most likely because we pictured you as a brunette instead of blonde.....it's an honest mistake ;)

Anywho...

Let me explain the squished cupcake. If you're ever near the Rockefeller Center in New York you absolutely HAVE TO try a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery. We "discovered" it our first night out and about and we kept going back every night after that. I know what you're thinking,
"how good can a cupcake be?" Well, I'm here to tell you that you haven't really had a cupcake until you've tried Magnolia's. It was so good that I bought an extra one to bring home and share. The only problem with that scenario was that since we ordered more than our usual two, they gave us a larger box. I then decided to leave my cupcake in the trustworthy hands of another PictoBooks associate while I made my way to "The Top of the Rock". When I came back down, my cupcake was no longer safely inside a Magnolia cupcake box, but wrapped in a few napkins, at which point I decided it would be safe in my own personal bag. Well, after another walk around Times Square, a quick re-packing in the hotel, and a 4-hour drive back home, my cupcake was demolished beyond recognition; however, I'm happy to report that it tastes just as good in the shape of a cupcake as it does when it's squished inside a bag. TRY MAGNOLIA BAKERY!

So, we're back in Maryland for the time being. We've getting ready for our free seminar going on tomorrow evening at the Rockville VisArts Center, and then next month, it's off to Ohio for the PPO's 2-Day Fall Conference. I wonder if they have a yummy bakery there, mmm...

Going to PDN PhotoPlus 2008

2008-10-22T10:35:00.000-04:00

We are headed to New York in about five minutes where we will be attending the PDN PhotoPlus Convention. We're all set for four days in the Big Apple, which inspired the Apple Red Font ; )

Personally, I've only been there once, it was dark and raining, and didn't even know I was standing in the middle of times square when I was. So, needless to say, I'm looking forward to our short trip out there, if only to be able to see how tall the buildings are without having my eye impaled by a raindrop.

Hope to see all you there!

Our New Albums

2008-10-16T13:27:00.000-04:00

Well, a year has gone by since my last post and we have yet another addition to the fabulous PictoBooks line of albums. In a way, this new series is a stand alone product (Introducing "enter your favorite name here", by PictoBooks).

It is called the Bijou, a name that came after much trial and error in the development room. It features thinner pages and in return you can bind more spreads...up to 50!! That's 100 pages!!!

Need more convicing? Turn around time is only 3 days!!! Nope, that's not a typo...because less materials and production time is involved with the Bijou Series, we can package it all up in three days or less and have it on the way to your doorstep! That is of course, IF we receive all your stuff at the same time. We know it's hard to keep track of all the things you have to do in your busy studio, but let's be honest, we can't push an album through production if we don't have image #75, so be sure it's all in the package before you ship it!

We're so excited about our new albums that we're featuring them on our show specials for the upcoming Trade Shows. I send out emails now and then telling you where you can see us next......not on our mailing list? Shame on you! Contact us today before we drive past you on the freeway on the way BACK to the airport.

Radio interview with VTalkRadio

2007-10-24T15:30:00.000-04:00

with Expert David Levine

of www.pictobooks.com

Play Show

Check out our radio interview!

PictoDesign

2007-09-24T14:11:00.001-04:00

Well we finally launched our new design site www.PictoDesign.com. The response so far has been very good. It seems that many many photographers are really backed up with designs. I wonder what will happen if we get a few thousand designs the first week. Oh well, who needs sleep. I do think we are up to the challange.

MySpace

2007-09-13T15:41:00.000-04:00

The whole mySpace (www.mySpace.com/PictoBooks) thing is going fairly well. I am trying to keep it growing without spending all day every day working it. I do enjoy the fact that I get to see many many images from the general population there. There are some amazingly funny postings and some that are by far too way out to mention. I'm sure you have all seen some of each. I will try to keep adding content related to photography - in some respect. I hope you find it interesting and I would appreciate any feedback you may have. Please give us some links! We want to climb in our google rating, so if you mention PictoBooks, then add the http://www.pictobooks.com/.

2007-08-30T14:19:00.000-04:00

I thought some people may find this site useful. Photoshop is relatively easy if you know what you are doing. The real challenge is figuring out WHAT can be done. This site has a weekly show with tutorials and other info. Its kind of cool.

The website is www.PhotoshopUserTV.com Enjoy!

I would also suggest checking out some of the tutorials at Sean McHugh's website. He has some really good technical info there.

www.CambridgeInColour.com

Another rant

2007-08-21T11:24:00.000-04:00

We have received our new wooden boxes. They look very nice, but not perfect. It is very tough to find a product with the quality we demand at the price we expect. Are we asking too much? I don't think so. Our photographers want the same from us. The best albums at a reasonable price. Either way, more prototypes are on the way. We will endlessly continue to search for something better so that we can pass the quality down to you.

We are focusing most of our efforts these days on service. Having the information about the books available, getting them made correctly the first time and building the books quickly and efficiently. This is the most important aspect of our mission here. If you are happy with us then we all do well. When this breaks down we must find a way to make it right again. You will never hear me swear to perfection, but we must all strive.

Getting Started

2007-08-21T11:06:00.000-04:00

Ok... I am giving this a try. Blogging is definitely a huge trend in information sharing and we at PictoBooks are in a constant battle to utilize technology to our advantage while still maintaining the quality of our handcrafted books. We want you, the consumers to be able to interface with us to simplify your work flow. I am not sure what kinds of information or photos I will post here, but I can be sure that it will evolve on its own.

Now that we have fully rolled out our line of wood album covers, we are ready for something new. We have made some changes to our service line to seperate our design service. Very soon we will be sending our email advertising our new service at a new low price. The address for this new service is http://www.pictodesign.com/. We are now providing a design on DVD - even if you want to make the book at one of the other unmentionable book companies!

So... I won't put too much here for this first entry. I will save something juicy for my next entry. Until then, please check out our products at http://www.pictobooks.com/.