1. As to where to print them most modern labs have similiar products and dimentions. I use WHCC exclusivly but your can use millers,bay photo ect. They all have simliar prodcuts and sizes to some extent. I think a handful of items are exclusive to some labs. ei. I dont think any one else but millers has 4x8 accordians. But i can be wrong.

2. As for selling them NEVER link back to OS/DA or any site you have purchased a template for. That is very unprofessional. What we did in our studio to promote template items is we created a pdf catalogue (unbranded) and send them to people on request and we have them printed in my publisher photo books to look at in the studio.

Dont like actions personally. Everyone will probably tell you otherwise. But i dont like them bc you cant see what your doing till afterwards. At our studio we use topaz adjust and Nik Color and Silver Efex.

As far as DA, and printing, they have recommendations on printers etc in their files. All printers have their own specifications. You will have to place a few orders until you find one you like.

I order extra cards with every order and keep a variety of them on rings in the studio. I also keep sample albums, canvases and image boxes.

My advice is to think about what you want to sell, and focus on those items & streamline those items into your sales process. It's way to easy to become overwhelmed with all the products available to to us.

Most of my editing is done in lightroom. I shoot only in RAW.

I tend stay away from most photoshop actions because the images take on a style that isn't mine. However I do use a digital makeup kit to highlight bone structure, add shine to hair, enhance eyes, whiten teeth, soften skin tones and remove age.

Again, I'm new here, so still getting the hang of the rules. I know that in the requests & releases forum it is considered spam to comment just to say thank you, but I'm hoping that since this is a discussion thread that it will be ok to express my gratitude. I really do appreciate you both taking the time so answer in such a detailed and kind helpful way. You've given me lots to think about, thanks so much. What an awesome community this is.

As for presets and actions, I use both. I actually started in Lightroom, so I got used to that first. I use Lightroom and presets that I have customized myself and do the majority of editing there. But then I take my favorite handful of pics or ones that need some fixing, and I use photoshop on them. I like actions, but they take more time and so I mostly I use them for fixes and for the few photos I can afford to spend some time on. I like to be intentional about the editing I am doing, and so it has taken a long time for me to really get to know my actions and presets and what they will do to a photo. Take some time and really play around with lots of pics in both and you'll find which one you prefer. Everyone is different.

I also use WHCC, but there are lots of places to try. As for selling, simple is best, especially when starting out. You can always add more products, but getting samples and trying to market a lot of items is tough. Especially if they aren't going to be something clients actually ever order. Just a few tips!

Ok new question, if anyone looks at this one again... just wondering about pricing. How do you determine pricing on announcements, accordion albums, etc. Do you just figure out what the printer charges and then mark up a certain percent after that? Thanks Again!

Yes .. You need to check out and get PPA's "How to make Money" book they send you when u join. VERY on target for figuring and pricing correctly for cost of goods and your biz overhead .. esp if one day you want to hire help! LOL .. most PDF's I see on pricing are not from a biz standpoint and are not charging enough to maintain a business let alone make a living per year! PPA has hired accountants and do business management programs you can take which is worth it to get an understanding of how to do this correctly and not ending up few years later burnt out because you didnt price things high enough.

Ok awesome! Thanks LucyDog7! Just one question, what is PPA? :)Could you possibly share a link?

heybecka, my advice to you is to take a few business courses and get a feel for the industry before jumping into creating your "business." You need to know what PPA is! You also need to register your business and get a tax ID in order to operate legally. Finally, before even considering what products to offer or how to price them, sit down and create a business plan. Take a look at Stacy Reeves pricing kit as a starting point.

Thanks bootymcbear, we have a Tax ID and a business plan.
We just don't offer announcements or cards at the moment.

I prefer presets. photoshop confuses me honestly. I use gimp (free version of photoshop) for my templates/creations and lightroom for presets. its fast, its easy, its professional. anyone knows about photoshop. lightroom is the aspiring photographer's best-kept secret!

Trust me .. Lightroom is no longer a secret. Even everyday consumers are buyin it .. pros usually will use between LR and Cs5. They both have their functions but there are jus some things ya cant do in literoom!

If it's on the table....please, could you point out the main "+"s of Lightroom....I admit, ZZI have it and never use it:((((Could you "convince" me to try it? I'm using ps!