The Iris Book...

The Iris Book is one of my favorite albums. The simplicity is modern and beautiful. The weight and quality of the pages highlights the photography. This Heirloom album is the ultimate flush-mounted album, completely handcrafted, for many generations to enjoy! Come see this beautiful Heirloom at WPPI, February 20-22.

Images by Jose Villa

Product Images by Yvette Roman

Cozy Time....

Looking forward to spending time with my kids and husband tonight reminiscing. It's one of my favorite things to do with my family. We'll pile on top of each other on the couch and look at one of our albums. This is one of my favorite albums of our family. I can't wait to hear them talk about themselves in the pictures....trying to remember, imitating when they were younger, laughing, recalling stories.....there is nothing like it! ....Happy Weekend Everyone!

Dena's Weekly Highlight

I love this Heirloom Iris Book & Presentation Box that we created this week. It features one of our new accent details. These one-of-a-kind vintage pieces are a great way to personalize your box and add a touch of vintage elegance. To add this detail to your order send us your images, we will review them and hand select 3 vintage pieces for you to choose from via email. Email maria@cypressalbums.com for more information.

How to Avoid Holiday Production Delays

We know how important your holiday orders are and don't want to see them delayed. As part of our ongoing effort to ensure that your holiday orders are processed accurately and efficiently, we offer a few simple tips. Follow these guidelines and you'll help us to avoid the most common production delays.

Borders: When designing prints with borders for the Iris and Whistler flush-mounted albums, allow a minimum 1/2 inch border between the image and the outer edge of the print. This is to guarantee that the border remains and is balanced after trimming. Please note up t0 1/8 inch will be trimmed off of the outer 3 sides of each print.

Full Bleed: When designing full bleed prints for the Iris and Whistler books allow for trimming to prevent awkward crops. Up to 1/8 inch will be trimmed off of three sides of each print. The side of the image that touches the inside spine (gutter) WILL NOT be trimmed.

Layout: Email or submit a hard copy of a layout guide to assist our artisans in constructing your custom album.

Additional Helpful Reminders:

- For The Iris & Whistler albums, the print size is the same as book size. A 10x10 book has 10x10 prints mounted to the edge of each page. Please send files or prints to size.

- Don't forget to supply a cover image with your files or prints, if applicable.

- Finally, look over your order form thoroughly before submitting and call with any questions.

Don't hesitate to contact us! We are always happy to help guide you through the process.

Contact: gia@cypressalbums.com or maria@cypressalbums.com 818.551.0023

FaceTime a Huge Success....

We are thrilled to report that our FaceTime session today was a success! Several customers from around the world, Wyoming to Ireland, were able to see our products and have their questions answered in an instant. Thanks to everyone that made an appointment. It was wonderful to both speak to you and see you! We are very excited to offer this service and we are now accepting appointments Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm (PST).

Please contact : adria@cypressalbums.com to schedule an appointment.

Cypress Launches New FaceTime Service!

Thursday October 20, 2011

9:00am-2:00pm (PST)

Holiday Deadlines are rapidly approaching and we want to help ensure that you get your order right and on time. Have you been wondering about the differences between the Iris & Whistler books? Would you like to know more about custom imprinting? Do you want to see some of the options available for the Cypress Album? If so, schedule a FaceTime appointment for answers!

Schedule an appointment with adria@cypressalbums.com

We're excited to offer this new service. If you are unable to schedule an appointment this Thursday, but would be interested in using this service in the future please let us know as we plan to offer it more regularly.

The Holidays Are Coming!

We are preparing for a busy, wonderful holiday season! Please mark you calendars with our holiday deadlines. And, as always, don't hesitate to call us if you have any questions!

Nov. 10 : Custom Albums & Presentation Boxes (without printing services)
Nov. 3 : Custom Albums & Presentation Boxes (WITH printing services)

Nov. 23 : Self-Mounted Albums (without printing services)
Nov. 16 : Self-Mounted Albums (WITH printing services)

Nov. 30: Folios

*Dates above ensure GROUND delivery. If order is placed within 5 days after deadline it MUST ship EXPRESS delivery.

**Orders placed after 5 days, must be RUSHED and will need to ship EXPRESS (for holiday delivery)

***All holiday orders must be marked, Must Have for Christmas, in the remarks section of the order form.

A Little Peek....

Sara and I spent a wonderful day with photographer Yvette Roman creating these great images. We've been working hard on our new, upcoming website and this is a little preview of some of the beautiful images that you can expect to see! I can't wait to share more of them with you! Thank you, thank you Yvette!

The Folio, Proof Box, Iris Book & Presentation Box were created with Vintage Linen Fabric and Tea Rose Ribbon.....one of my favorites!

This Week At Cypress...

This is a beautiful set of heirlooms that we created for Corbin Gurkin Photography. They are so exquisite! The albums are custom Iris Books with Platinum fabric and a custom oval opening on the front cover for the logo used throughout their wedding. The Iris Book was perfect for highlighting these amazing images taken in Paris. These heirlooms are such a gift and will be treasured for many generations! We love them!

Presentation...A Gift.......

I am always emphasizing great presentation for your images. I think it's so, so important. When a client receives loose images that are in an envelope or a black cardboard box it sends a different message than if they receive them in a handmade box or matted or carefully wrapped in ribbon. Good presentation emphasizes the value and the great artistry that has gone into creating your images. You communicate to your clients with presentation. Not only are the products that you choose important, but don't forget about packaging. It's just as important. Again, it communicates to your clients and when done well, it says, "there is something special inside." Get your clients excited before they open it!! Everyone loves to unwrap ....your images are a gift!

My Family/Pregnancy...

Ask my family to sit for a family picture and it's probably not going to happen. Our idea of a family picture is more like wrestling....which I love!! I really love how the spirit of our family is captured in these images. I delivered about 3 weeks after this photo shoot and we welcomed Miss Atlee CrimsonT into our family. Having a baby is such a special time and we are so lucky to have these images. Now we have one more to add to the wrestling match for the next family photo shoot!!

Special Thank You to Yvette Roman for taking wonderful family/pregnancy images of all three of our kids...we will cherish them forever.

Images by Yvette Roman Photography

Just Can't Resist...

Sometimes I just can't resist showing one of my own little ones. I love this image of my little guy..and yes, as a mom, I love, love images of my kids!

Thank you Yvette Roman for this beauty!

Photographer Kallie Brynn...

Love this Kallie Brynn collection of our Iris Book and DVD Folio. It's so beautiful and perfect with Kallie's images. Thanks Kallie for these beautiful images!

Photographer Teri Genovese...

Thank you Teri for these beautiful images! The Iris Book, The 5x7 Proof Box, and The Folio.....Love them!!

Aesthetics....

I love how beautiful these Heirlooms are simply resting on the shelf with a celebration on life inside them!

Custom Covers...

I love this! Photographer Tanya Alexis had this great idea for (2) one inch circles on the cover of an Iris Book and it worked perfectly. It was such a great collaboration. We always enjoy collaborating with you to create that one-of-a-kind album. This heirloom album is truly special! Thank you Tanya for the great images too!

Complimentary Colors...

Many people ask us about colors. I really love using complimentary colors on our Heirloom Albums. I like the contrast and you can really enhance the colors in the wedding and/or event by choosing colors that go with the images. For this book, we used ice blue and verde green fabric. It was perfect for the images and the color combination is stunning. If you need help choosing colors, don't hesitate to call us! We want your Heirloom to be perfect!

Folios for Families and Children...

Folios are not only the perfect gift for grandparents and other family members, they are also great little books and frames to have in your home. I love the warmth and feel of the them. I have one on my desk, one on my dresser, and one in the family room. The kids love seeing their pictures in the Folios too! And yes, now we will have to make a "quad" Folio with our new arrival!

Custom Proof Binders...

We just finished these custom proof binders for a photographer and they are stunning. Covered in the English Linen fabric to create an elegant, sophisticated binder. As always, we love to create special products for you!

New Ribbon Option...

We are now offering a new "Accent Ribbon" option for all of our Presentation Boxes. This new option shows a simple ribbon without a bow. It's simple and sleek and guides you to the opening side of the box. I love this new feature! Simply request it on your order form.

Fine Craftsmanship....

I love this image of Dana creating a small Folio. Creating with your hands is magical. As a master craftsman, Dana can make any of our products at Cypress. She loves creating our albums, boxes and folios by hand. Each and every detail is meticulously crafted for the finest quality products. Handcrafting is one of the many ways that we make our albums & boxes very special! Visit Cypress and see the magic!