This past Summer, I invested in a great little app called Preveal that allows me to place scaled images right on a client’s wall before ordering anything. I have to admit that even to me it was an eye-opener!

Let’s play a little game… I’ll post a couple of room images with canvases on the wall and you see if you can guess the size. (Answers are below the photos. No peeking!)

What did you guess for Image #1? It’s actually a 16×20… a size most people consider to be very large.

Image #2? That canvas is 24×36.

This is the same wall with a 30×40:

Much better, right? How about one more step? Look at this gorgeous 70×40!

I know, I know… if you’re like me, you might be thinking that your spaces are a bit smaller so maybe that 11×14 will be perfect. So let’s look at a small corner… what size do you think is hanging here? 8×10 perhaps?

If you guessed 8×10, you’re a bit off! That’s actually an 11×14! As you can see, even in this corner, the 11×14 doesn’t work well. How about something like this:

This is a gorgeous grouping that contains one 20×32 and three 10×13′s!

Are you surprised by some of these images? I have to admit, that I was a bit surprised myself so I went ahead and took a quick photo of my own dining room. I guessed that a 24×36 would look great. Here is the result:

Not too bad, right? But I went ahead and looked at the the 30×40 and decided that’s what I would put in that space.

And I fell in love with this too. This grouping has four 14×14′s and one 20×30:

I hope that clears things up a little bit! It’s very important that we have a good idea of your wall size in order to get the correct size piece for your space. Fuzzypants always offers design consultations with all sessions so you can feel absolutely confident that your images will look great in your home for many years!

I was reviewing my website and realized that I’ve never showcased my product offerings! I’m so excited about the items that I’ve chosen to offer my fabulous clients, so over the next few posts I’m going to share some of the things that make these items so awesome.

First up: The Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is by far the client favorite! When I first started my business, I was looking for wall pieces that were new an innovative and completely unique. While “trendy” is a wonderful idea as a secondary offering, I found that the canvas is the wall piece around which I wanted to build my collections. Why? Because it is a classic! It’s timelessness makes it perfect for fitting into any decor even as tastes, designs and trends evolve over the years. They never go out of style and they look great in both traditional and contemporary homes.

My canvases come from only the best professional labs in the industry. They are tightly wrapped around their frames, have a thick backing complete with hanging hardware, and rubber bumpers to protect your wall surface. The colors, texture, and quality come together to create a unique work of art that you will be proud to display in your home for many years!

Let me preface this by saying that I have recently started offering digital images to my clients. Digital is hugely popular. We love being able to share by emailing, posting and blogging. But I have to admit that digital images are my least favorite offering.

Why? Because I still believe in the power of paper. I still have a need to hold it in my hands, to see it wrapped in the perfect frame and hanging proudly in the perfect place. To read the little notes on the back.

I have a shoebox from my grandparent’s closet that is filled with images and memories dating back to their first years together. I started scanning the images to make sure I could never, ever lose them and it hit me. These photos are 76 years old. Seventy six!

Now, I lived in Costa Rica from 1999-2001 and shot a lot of photos during my time there. A mere 10+ years ago. Where are they? They are likely lost forever because they are “backed up” to floppy discs and zip discs. Do you remember those? Technology moves too fast to count on it as a reliable keeper of things so important. But paper? Prints? They can be hung and framed and carried and moved. They can travel with us through new homes and changes in technology and crashed hard drives. They can be passed down to your grandchildren so they can see how important that moment was to you. While I was scanning, I realized that it wasn’t just the images that made the album so meaningful for me. It was the way they were thoughtfully arranged in the album. It was the careful notes and dates that Pop-pop wrote next to them. It was the whimsical little drawings that he added to let us know what the event meant to them.

Commit them to paper. Have them printed by me or by your favorite lab but have them printed. I promise you won’t regret it.

So many new things this summer! First, I am now working on Fuzzypants full-time! That’s right, shoots and ordering sessions can now be scheduled 7 days at week, making it even more convenient to get those gorgeous photos of your fuzzy companions. I’ve added some wonderful new items to the Product Line and I’m really excited about being able to offer them. How can you not love these Artsy Couture Gallery Blocks™ and custom Organic Bloom™ frames? The custom options for both of these pieces are endless!

Here are some of the colors available for the frames… in addition to a variety of shapes!

Some changes have been made to the website as well. I thought it would be nice to update the “About” page (now called “Behind the Lens”) to tell you more about my inspiration, why I do what I do and how much I understand what your pets mean to you.

Which brings me to the next topic… pets and finding forever homes for some wonderful animals. I’ve been working with the fantastic, dedicated people at the Animal Welfare League of Frederick County and this Sunday is the K9′s in the Vines event! I’ve been so excited about this event for months and it is finally here. It takes place on Sunday, August 21st at Linganore Wine Cellars and I will be on hand to take pet photos in the vineyard. Imagine pictures of your pup against the beautiful backdrop of miles of grape vines! There will be pet vendors and wine tastings as well. Please check out their website for registration information and join us for a gorgeous day out so that AWLFC can continue their amazing work.

Next up will be Autumn! It’s not too early to start thinking about foliage shoots. I’m already booking into October so please email if you’d like to get those photos during the peak of Fall color. And even though it’s still sweltering here in Northern Virginia, it’s not too early to start thinking about those Christmas card photos either! I promise more on special Christmas card sessions when the weather cools just a bit

I hope everyone is having a great Summer…

~ Carina