World Poverty Help

Wicker By Design supports efforts to relieve world hunger and the causes of economic disparities in the world. We believe that world peace can only come when our world is free of hunger and economic disparities. Every 3.6 seconds, someone dies of hunger. 75% are children.

Visit The Hunger Site every day and donate cups of food for the world’s hungry — at no cost to you. When you click on the “Give Free Food” button on the home page of The Hunger Site, funding is generated for the purchase and distribution of staple food to those in need. Funds are paid by site sponsors. In 2000, daily clicks yielded over $3.4 million for the frontline hunger relief organizations working to provide food and hope to the hungry around the world. That’s over 20 million pounds of food made possible by people like you, who simply took a moment to click a button each day.

The United States has joined the rest of the developed world in committing to eight Millenium Development Goals (MDG’s). You can also view the actual Millenium Declaration.  These goals range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.

The Episcopal Church of the United States has endorsed these MDG goals and many Dioceses has been this effort a major priority, including our own home Diocese, The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.  In particular, the Episcopal Church challenges church members and churches themselves to give .7% of their income to help these goals, not just our government.

You can also support these other fine organizations (Wicker By Design’s poverty focus is on the Philippines):

Posted in More About Us and our Props, Uncategorized

Photo Prop Tips from Susan Day Moore

Susan Day Moore of Wicker By Design offers tips learned from her over 15 years of experience of working with portrait photographers. Click to learn more about Wicker By Design.
Rubberized shelf liner can be an extremely useful tool for preventing slipping of babies, children, cushions etc. Just put a small piece under the baby’s bottom and they will not slip! We supply this prop accessory (in appropriate colors) as part of the package for two products, the Baby Round Back Chair and the Adult Fainting Couch.

There are several options on how to set up our wicker, metal or willow swings.  Click here for guidance on how hang the swings or for alternatives usage ideas.

Slipcovers for the Backstand Chairs and Christening Bench can be used to create a “Old Masters” look without the expense of buying an upholstered piece of furniture. Our slipcovers come in moss green, brick red and ivory for the Backstand Chairs (all sizes) and the moss green and brick for the Christening Bench.

Many local (North Carolina and Virginia) photographers take advantage of our 10% discount on purchases in our warehouse. Please call ahead 800-731-6666 to arrange an appointment.

A number of our wicker props have metal in the frame, thereby giving extraordinary strength and durability beyond other wicker products sold to photographers. The Adult Fainting Couch is so strong that it easily holds 400 pounds.

Tulle and netting (available at fabric stores or bridal shops) are often used by photographers to soften or accent one of our props.

Wicker furniture props from Wicker By Design are made to last. However, damage can always occur. Click here here for tips on care of your wicker, advice on simple repair and other wicker resources.

Sand bags are sometimes used to add weight with the 18″ Backstand Chair to prevent the toddler from tipping it over. Place the sandbag under the seat on the braces.

Our Beanbag Baby Poser is our most popular posing prop. It can be used for newborns and older babies. We always supply a Baby Poser instruction sheet with each poser. Click here for tips on using this prop. The Beanbag Baby Poser cannot be washed and needs to have a cover to protect it from dirt and baby “accidents.” We will soon be selling a wrap around cover that can be easily washed.

The pillow liner is an affordable, yet very useful accessory for the Baby Basket
the Baby Carriage . The liner is a quick, easy way to boost the baby without the trouble of multiple pillows and fabric. The liner is available in white, walnut/brown or tan/ivory.

Some of our pieces are exceptionally “road worthy.” For example, school, day care and pre-school photographers often use the following props on the road:

We certainly understand that many studios carry dozens if not hundreds of props and accessories. Storage can be very real problem. Shelving is the best option since it supports the prop. However, some photographers use hangers. We urge care with hangers if they are used for wicker. Another idea for photographers who double studios in their homes is to place your wicker and accessories in the home. For example, the wicker Adult Divan makes a wonderful accent piece in a bedroom. We certainly do not want you to succumb to the “disaster” that afflicted our friend and photographer Warren Driggers of Columbia, South Carolina.

Our metal gates can be left outdoors for limited periods of time, since it has a powder coat. However, with extended exposure to the elements (months), they will rust.

Our Fotowhite pillow (soon to be online)can be easily used with our Christening Benches and our Sleigh/Bassinet. Click here for examples of this prop accessory being use. Similarly, we carry an “eyelet ruffle” accessory that can be wrapped around the base (with velcro attachment) of the Sleigh-Bassinet. Click here to see examples of this prop accessory being used. The eyelet ruffle can also fit around the base of the Christening Benches.

We have several portrait photography link pages that may be helpful to you:

Posing Tips for Photographers
Partner links of photography vendors with whom we work closely.
Industry photography links that we like.
Portrait Photography trade associations that we have found on the web.
For more portrait photography resources, click here. Do you have a question for Susan? Click here to contact us at Wicker By Design with your question.
Wicker By Design recognizes the work and talent of the people who actually produce our props. We contribute back to that country for economic development purposes. Click here to learn more about what you can do.

Posted in More About Us and our Props, Uncategorized

Care and Repair of Wicker Props

Susan Day Moore of Wicker By Design offers some of her tips learned from her over 15 years of experience of working with portrait photographers. Click here to learn more about how Susan started out in wicker restorations and antique reproductions and she eventually came to designing and selling props to portrait photographers.

Wicker By Design’s wicker props are designed to be durable and strong. We hear reports from many photographers that have used our pieces for hundreds of sittings. However, all furniture is going to be damaged from repeated use, no matter how careful the photographer. Here are a few tips from Susan on wicker care plus some useful web sites for more advice.

Never leave wicker in the elements or in a hot dry place; even extended exposure to the sun will dry and bake the reeds, and they will break. When the wicker reeds begin to crack or break, it can only get worse.

It is a good idea to wash your wicker down on an occasional basis with a hose to remove dust and to “hydrate” the pieces (dried out wicker is more prone to be brittle and break).

You can reglue the wrappings with Elmer’s Glue.

For small spots or blemishes on the wicker where the paint is chipped, use whiteout for white or whitewash finish or brown artist’s felt tip pen for walnut (brown) stained finishes.

In general, wicker can be repainted. Wicker with a brown/walnut finished can be painted white but you must first apply a stain blocking primer like “Kilz.” Unfortunately, white wicker cannot be stained to look brown or walnut. However, white wicker can be repainted ivory or tan. In addition, it is possible to repaint white wicker to have a “whitewash” look. We know of photographers who have applied ivory/tan paint on white wicker and sponge/wipe off that ivory/tan coat to create the whitewash or two-tone finish.

To prepare the paint job, lightly sand the wicker; apply one or two coats of primer with finish top coat in semi-gloss or gloss paint. Always use an oil based paint. You can use spray paints in a can (look for a high quality brand) or an electric power sprayer. Of course, you can always employ a professional painter.
We do supply replacements for the cushions. The price ranges from $20 to $75.

Simple repairs can be done with supplies and more tips from the sources/links below:

Canning supplies at caneandreed.com/bookstore.htm
Lots of wicker sales links at aboutchair.com/wickerchairs/
Great advice on wicker care from the wickerwoman.com
More advice from wickerwoman.com, this time on wicker repair
Wicker repair sources from wickerwoman.com
Frank’s Supply for can and reed
Wicker repair advice from diynetwork.com
More on the care and repair of wicker from refinishfurniture.com

Click here for portrait photography tips or click here for more portrait photography resources. Do you have a question for Susan? Do you have a question for us about wicker or wicker repair? Click here to contact us at Wicker By Design with your question. Or email us at info@wickerby.com.

Wicker By Design recognizes the work and talent of the people who actually produce our props. We contribute back to that country for economic development purposes. Click to learn more about what you can do.

Posted in All About Wicker and Rattan, Uncategorized

Photo Prop Tips from Susan Day Moore

Susan Day Moore of Wicker By Design offers tips learned from her over 15 years of experience of working with portrait photographers. Click to learn more about Susan Day Moore and Wicker By Design.

  • Rubberized shelf liner can be an extremely useful tool for preventing slipping of babies, children, cushions etc. Just put a small piece under the baby’s bottom and they will not slip! We supply this prop accessory (in appropriate colors) as part of the package for two products, the Baby Round Back Chair and the Adult Fainting Couch.

  • Many of our props comes with very high quality cushions in white, tan or dark brown.  While they are very durable, they can be stained by food or other materials.  To clean, the cover must be take off and sent to a dry cleaning service.  If you wash the cover, it will shrink.

  • We are often asked for ideas about how to hang our swings.  Please click here for guidance for hanging instructions and for other alternatives for setting up the swings for posing.

  • Slipcovers for the Backstand Chairs and Christening Bench can be used to create a “Old Masters” look without the expense of buying an upholstered piece of furniture. Our slipcovers come in moss green, brick red and ivory for the Backstand Chairs of all sizes and the moss green and brick for the Christening Bench.

  • Many local (North Carolina and Virginia) photographers take advantage of our 10% discount on purchases in our warehouse. Please call ahead 800-731-6666 to arrange an appointment.

  • A number of our wicker props have metal in the frame, thereby giving extraordinary strength and durability beyond other wicker products sold to photographers. The Adult Fainting Couch is so strong that it easily holds 400 pounds.

  • Tulle and netting (available at fabric stores or bridal shops) are often used by photographers to soften or accent one of our props.

  • Wicker furniture props from Wicker By Design are made to last. However, damage can always occur. Click here for tips on care of your wicker, advice on simple repair and other wicker resources.

  • Sand bags are sometimes used to add weight with the 18″ Backstand Chair to prevent the toddler from tipping it over. Place the sandbag under the seat on the braces.

  • Our Beanbag Baby Poser is our most popular posing prop. It can be used for newborns and older babies. We always supply a Baby Poser instruction sheet with each poser. Click here for tips on using the Beanbag Poser. The Beanbag Baby Poser cannot be washed and needs to have a cover to protect it from dirt and baby “accidents.”  Use a “moisture barrier” between the poser and the cover for added protection.

  • The pillow liner is an affordable, yet very useful accessory for the Baby Basket
    the Baby Carriage. The liner is a quick, easy way to boost the baby without the trouble of multiple pillows and fabric. The liner is available in white, walnut/brown or tan/ivory.

  • Some of our pieces are exceptionally “road worthy.” For example, school, day care and pre-school photographers often use the following props on the road:
        • Regular Christening Bench
        • Economy Christening Bench
        • 18″ Backstand Chair
        • 24″ Backstand Chair
        • 32″ Backstand Chair
        • Child Turkish Chair
        • Art Nouveau Gates
        • Wicker Baby Poser
        • Small Willow Loveseat
        • Large Willow Loveseat

  • Storage of props can be a problem in many studios.  We certainly understand that many studios carry dozens if not hundreds of props and accessories.  Shelving is the best option since it supports the prop. However, some photographers use hangers. We urge care with hangers if they are used for wicker. Another idea for photographers who double studios in their homes is to place your wicker and accessories in the home. For example, the wicker Adult Divan makes a wonderful accent piece in a bedroom. We certainly do not want you to succumb to the “disaster” that afflicted our friend and photographer Warren Driggers of Columbia, South Carolina.

  • Our metal gates can be left outdoors for limited periods of time, since it has a powder coat. However, with extended exposure to the elements (months), they will rust.

  • The Fotowhite pillow (soon to be online) can be easily used with our Christening Benches and our Sleigh/Bassinet. Click here for portraits examples of the Fotowhite pillow being use. Similarly, we carry an “eyelet ruffle” accessory that can be wrapped around the base (with velcro attachment) of the Sleigh-Bassinet. Click click to see examples of this prop accessory being used. The eyelet ruffle can also fit around the base of the Christening Benches.

We also have several portrait photography link pages that may be helpful to you:

Click here for more portrait photography resources or click here if you have a question for Susan.


Wicker By Design recognizes the work and talent of the people who actually produce our props. We contribute back to that country for economic development purposes. Click here to learn more about what you can do.

Posted in More About Us and our Props, Uncategorized

Rangefinder Senior Photography

Rangefinder Magazine highlists two of Wicker By Designs’s metal props, the Adult Fainting Couch and the Art Nouveau Gates in a recent issue. The article, entitled Senior Portrait Roundup, reviews props, backgrounds, equipment and other resources for Senior Photographers.

“With nearly a dozen different products designed specifically for use with senior portraits, Wicker by Design emains popular among professional photographers.  Two of the most popular products or the studio include the Adult Fainting Couch Solid with flowing lines and wicker weave at the armrests. This 4-foot ong couch has a 30-inch seat and includes a long cushion and bolsters pillow and sells for $389. The Art Nouveau Gates are made of rust-resistant metal and comes in muted antique green finish with graceful curves to make it a charming addition to a garden” setting for a price of $189.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Hanging the Swings Tips

Wicker Swing

Susan Day Moore of Wicker By Design offers some tips and advice on hanging and setting up the wicker, metal and willow swings. Click to learn more about how Susan started out in wicker restorations and antique reproductions, and eventually came to selling props to portrait photographers by clicking here.

Wicker By Design carries four different swing props in its product line.

Adult and Chid Wicker Swing Adult and Child Wicker Swing (two different sizes)
Metal Swing Metal Swing
Willow Swing Willow Swing

All of these swings are extremely strong and can easily hold the weight of a 175 pound adult. This means that how you hanging the swing is important. The most common way is the following:

  1. Secure two sturdy eye-hooks in a beam in the ceiling joist or any available structural ceiling supports.
  2. Extend a short length of large link chain from each hook.
  3. Using an S-hook or snap-on hook on each top rope loop, you can adjust the height of the swing up and down the chain for different subjects. Also, you can level the swing.
  4. This method prevents tying knots for different heights.
  5. Babies should be low or even on a disguised box under the swing.
  6. If you do need to shorten the swing, tie knots at the top – not at the swing base.

Another alternative is to hang the swing from a short A-Frame (swing set frame) that can be made or purchased as a kit from a hardware store.  This option is especially good for situations in which you can hang from the ceiling or in which you setup and tear down “on location.”

Some photographers do not even bother to “hang” the swing. Rather, they place the swing on a stool or a bench. They then place tulle or other translucent fabric around the base of the swing and drape the rope over an overhang (that does not need to be strong). The effect is the illusion of the swing “hanging” with the positive benefit that the child cannot “diddle” on the swing.

We also have more portrait photography tips and more portrait photography resources. Do you have a question for Susan about the swings or other props? Click here to contact us at Wicker By Design with your question. Or email us at info@wickerby.com.

Wicker By Design recognizes the work and talent of the people who actually produce our props. We contribute back to that country for economic development purposes. Click to learn more about what you can do.

Posted in More About Us and our Props, Uncategorized

All About Wicker

Wicker By Design’s wicker props are designed to be durable and strong. We hear reports from many photographers that have used our pieces for hundreds of sittings. However, all furniture is going to be damaged from repeated use, no matter how careful the photographer. Here are a few tips from Susan on wicker care plus some useful web sites for more advice.

Never leave wicker in the elements or in a hot dry place; even extended exposure to the sun will dry and bake the reeds, and they will break. When the wicker reeds begin to crack or break, it can only get worse.

It is a good idea to wash your wicker down on an occasional basis with a hose to remove dust and to “hydrate” the pieces (dried out wicker is more prone to be brittle and break).

You can reglue the wrappings with Elmer’s Glue.

For small spots or blemishes on the wicker where the paint is chipped, use whiteout for white or whitewash finish or brown artist’s felt tip pen for walnut (brown) stained finishes.

In general, wicker can be repainted. Wicker with a brown/walnut finished can be painted white but you must first apply a stain blocking primer like “Kilz.” Unfortunately, white wicker cannot be stained to look brown or walnut. However, white wicker can be repainted ivory or tan. In addition, it is possible to repaint white wicker to have a “whitewash” look. We know of photographers who have applied ivory/tan paint on white wicker and sponge/wipe off that ivory/tan coat to create the whitewash or two-tone finish.

To prepare the paint job, lightly sand the wicker; apply one or two coats of primer with finish top coat in semi-gloss or gloss paint. Always use an oil based paint. You can use spray paints in a can (look for a high quality brand) or an electric power sprayer. Of course, you can always employ a professional painter.
We do supply replacements for the cushions. The price ranges from $20 to $75.

Simple repairs can be done with supplies and more tips from the sources/links below:

Canning supplies at caneandreed.com/bookstore.htm
Lots of wicker sales links at aboutchair.com/wickerchairs/
Great advice on wicker care from the wickerwoman.com
More advice from wickerwoman.com, this time on wicker repair
Wicker repair sources from wickerwoman.com
Frank’s Supply for can and reed
Wicker repair advice from diynetwork.com
More on the care and repair of wicker from refinishfurniture.com

Click here for portrait photography tips or click here for more portrait photography resources. Do you have a question for Susan? Do you have a question for us about wicker or wicker repair? Click here to contact us at Wicker By Design with your question. Or email us at info@wickerby.com.

Posted in All About Wicker and Rattan

Pet Photography

From Karen Leaf Photography Blog

Bailey decided to join me while setting up for a session tonight. She sat on my fabulous Wicker By Design baby lounger and looked so sweet and innocent. For the 2.5 seconds she remained stationary.

Karen Leaf photo of dog

Posted in Uncategorized

Business of Photography Part I

From Marathon Press 


Given the unprecedented number of photographers entering the portrait/wedding industry each year, the increased level of competition makes it even more important for both new and experienced photographers to master the fundamentals of business management if they expect to achieve financial success. These key success strategies are outlined in the industry's first Financial Benchmark Survey published by Professional Photographers of America in 2006. Here are some important highlights:

Gain experience before you quit your day job.
Learn about the business of photography by operating a part-time business while still drawing a salary from stable employment. Don't go out on your own until you can:

  • Develop a following among your target market, so that you can gain client referrals.
  • Develop consistent cash flow from your part-time business. Most experts agree that a photographer should be grossing between $50,000 and $100,000 annually before it is wise to consider a full-time business in a home studio and at least $150,000 before considering a move to a retail location.
  • Create an efficient workflow that will allow you to deliver orders on time.
  • Bank enough cash to live on until your business becomes profitable. This can take from two to five years.

Control your start-up overhead.
Starting a home-based business will help you to control operating costs and provide the additional benefit of writing off some home expenses as legitimate business deductions. Not every home lends itself to business operations because of zoning and/or image considerations. So if you must start a business outside the home, search for a low-rent location such as a community-based business incubator until your business can afford costlier facilities.

Understand financial and operational requirements.
Don't go into business until you understand the financial requirements of doing business. Vital areas of concern are:

  • Being fully aware of all business costs, from investment capital to monthly expenses and product production costs.
  • Knowing how many sessions or events you must photograph to cover these costs and earn a profit.
  • Learning how to price your photography according to industry standards that assure profitability.

PPA's Studio Management Services covers these issues at their Business Basics Workshops PPA Headquarters in Atlanta. The next Portrait-Wedding Basics workshop is scheduled for July 19-20. A Business Basics Workshop for Wedding Photography is scheduled for August 10-11. You can learn more about these workshops by clicking here.

 

Budget your capital investments very carefully.  
Too much debt will doom a business from the start. Remember: Your business must be able to generate enough revenue to pay you (or the bank) back for the capital investments you make. Even if you have the cash to invest in capital items and don't have to go into debt, that cash might be needed to help you survive the early business years when most studios do not generate enough revenue for the owner to draw a salary. Once you have the business start-up essentials, a good rule of thumb is to purchase only those extras that you can pay for within 12 months.

Once you do take the plunge into a fulltime business, build business volume as fast as you can, doing whatever it takes to get clients in the door.  
PPA's Benchmark Survey confirms what business authorities know: The difference between financial success and failure often turns on the ability of a new business to build sales volume quickly. That's why many recommend not starting a full-time business until you already have a loyal following from running a part-time business. Even so, a full-time business will require additional strategies for building sales. Get the word out any way you can: through networking with other businesses; hosting a series of open house events for different community segments; get involved with charitable organizations by donating photography to their fund-raisers; look for "marketing partners" to help spread the word; get displays of your work on the walls of retail businesses and/or professional offices; and even offer "invitational sessions" for the purpose of "expanding your advertising portfolio" or making samples. Building your business base early will establish sales levels high enough to sustain your business over the long term.

Develop a clear business focus that

consumers can easily understand. 

Don't expect prospects to be attracted to your business if you fail to create a business concept that is easily understood by consumers or one that lacks compelling products to excite their fancy. Sometimes it pays to direct your new business to only one or two niches, such as family and children's portraiture or wedding photography. Limiting your business in this way will help you to develop a strong focus that consumers can readily understand, and it will greatly simplify your marketing efforts.

Study effective marketing methods.

Learn how to create year-round marketing strategies designed to:

  • Attract new clients.
  • <
    font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="3" color="#3d271c">Market back to existing clients, finding ways to reward them for their loyalty.

 An excellent resource for learning about marketing methods as well as helping you to create a marketing plan is the Marketing Resource & Activity Planner for the Professional Photographer, available from Marathon Press at MarathonPress.com or call 800/228.0629.

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

A few interesting photography links

Interesting photography links January 5, 2008

Along the way for the past several, I have seen a few interesting photography links ranging from history of photography to composition and lighting:

Photogrophy related blog http://invertebrate.ws/archives/category/photographytips/

Hints, tricks, beginner's advice http://www.88.com/exposure/

Hisotry of photography http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/p/photography.html

Posted in Uncategorized

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