How Three Simple Print Products Helped Her Grow a Full Time Photography Business
At PrintingCenterUSA, we love helping artists transform their vision into print products that showcase their talent, elevate their brand, and connect them with their audience in meaningful ways. For South Carolina based nature photographer Mary Ile Taylor, print has become an essential part of how she shares her work and builds relationships with clients and collectors.
Her latest project, a beautifully crafted Bird Portfolio Book, takes her work to a new level, offering clients a hands on, gallery quality experience that digital viewing simply cannot match.
About Mary Ile Taylor
Mary is a nature and wildlife photographer who captures the serenity, beauty, and character of the Lowcountry. Her images are known for their rich color, emotional depth, and sense of place. For Mary, print is not just a product. It is a way to share her vision exactly as she imagines it.
“As a photographer, it is important to me for my work to look the way I envision it when I send it to the printers,” Mary shared. “You all get it right every time.”
Over the years, Mary has printed calendars, greeting cards, and now a full scale fine art portfolio book that highlights her bird photography. What started as a simple calendar suggestion from her clients has grown into a popular annual product and an effective marketing tool for her studio.
The Challenge
Mary needed a print partner who could consistently deliver precise color that reflects her vision, high quality materials suitable for fine art photography, professional finishes that feel luxurious in hand, a premium book she could use during client consultations, and products that match the professionalism of her brand.
She wanted her portfolio book to feel elegant and substantial, something her clients could flip through, experience, and connect with. Digital galleries are helpful, but nothing compares to the impact of a physical art book.
The Printing Solution
Mary partnered with PrintingCenterUSA to produce her Bird Portfolio Book, a 60 page fine art collection featuring her most striking bird photography. Every detail was chosen to enhance color, clarity, and the tactile experience.
Bird Portfolio Book Specs
Size: 8.5 x 11 inches
Quantity: 10
Pages: 60
Binding: Perfect Bind
Cover Paper: 100 pound gloss cover with soft touch lamination
Inside Paper: 100 pound gloss text
Ink: Full color throughout
Packaging: Shrink wrapped bundles
The soft touch laminate gives the book a velvety, upscale feel, while the gloss text pages enhance every feather, texture, and color. Perfect binding provides a clean, professional spine that clients instantly recognize as high quality. The finished book exceeded Mary’s expectations.
The most recent Birds Portfolio book is beyond expectations, Mary said. It will be used to provide a hands-on version of my work rather than needing to search online as I speak with clients.
The Impact
Mary’s printed products have become an essential part of her brand. Her calendars are a yearly favorite among clients and an effective marketing tool. Her greeting cards allow customers to share scenes from the Lowcountry with friends and family. And her new portfolio book provides a premium, in person experience that elevates her client meetings and showcases her work at its fullest potential.
“Everyone comments on the quality”, Mary shared. “The product you provide is so much more professional than any I have seen.”
Print allows Mary to present her photography with confidence, offer clients a tactile and memorable experience, use her books and cards as powerful marketing pieces, stand out in a crowded digital landscape, and share the beauty of the Lowcountry with people near and far.
The Two Print Products Every Photographer Should Be Offering Right Now
In addition to her new portfolio book, Mary has steadily grown her business by offering high quality calendars and greeting cards featuring scenes from the Lowcountry. What started as a simple client suggestion has evolved into a core part of her brand and a reliable revenue stream. Her calendars sell out year after year, and her greeting cards have become a favorite among clients who love sending images of the coast, marshes, and local wildlife to friends and family.
These products help Mary stay connected to her audience throughout the year and give her clients something tangible to share with others. They also serve as powerful marketing tools, introducing new people to her photography in an authentic and memorable way.
For artists and photographers looking to grow their business, Mary’s approach is a perfect example of how expanding into multiple print products can strengthen brand recognition, create new income opportunities, and keep your work in front of customers long after they first discover you. A single image can live many lives, and print makes that possible.
The Easiest Way to Create a Greeting Card, Calendar, and Art Book for Your Growing Photography Business
If you are a photographer or artist looking to expand your offerings the way Mary has, creating greeting cards, calendars, and art books is easier than most people think. Each product can be built using our free online design tool or our free Adobe templates, giving you a professional head start no matter your design skill level.
1. Greeting Cards
Greeting cards are one of the simplest ways to showcase your photography and give customers a beautiful, giftable product.
Steps to get started with your photography Greeting Cards
- Pick a strong horizontal or vertical photo that works well as a cover image
- Use the free online design tool to drag in your photo and add simple text if needed
- Or download our free Adobe templates for full creative control
- Choose a cardstock finish that matches your brand style
- Print in small batches so you have cards ready for markets, client gifts, and everyday sales
Greeting cards are perfect for photographers who want an easy, low cost product that sells all year long and keeps your work in the hands of customers in a meaningful way. Create your own with the Free Online Design Tool or Adobe templates at PrintingCenterUSA.
2. Calendars
Calendars are one of the most effective products for photographers because they keep your work in front of clients for twelve full months.
Steps to get started with your photography calendars
- Select twelve of your strongest images that flow well together
- Upload them into our free online design tool and choose a template layout
- Or use our free Adobe templates to build your design in your own software
- Add simple text such as location names, quotes, or notes
- Pick a paper stock that enhances your images
- Print in bulk to keep your cost per piece low and your margins high
Calendars are an ideal choice for artists who want to showcase their work all year, build brand recognition, and generate consistent seasonal sales. Start designing your next calendar using the Free Online Design Tool and free Adobe templates at PrintingCenterUSA.
3. Art Books
An art book or portfolio book gives you a premium product that feels gallery ready and elevates your work.
Steps to get started with your photography art books or portfolio books
- Choose a curated collection of photos that tells a cohesive story
- Use the free online design tool to create a clean, gallery style layout
- Or start with our free Adobe templates for advanced customization
- Select thick, glossy paper to bring out rich detail and color
- Add a soft touch laminated cover for a high end finish
- Print in small batches for client meetings, reviews, and art shows
Art books give photographers a premium way to present their images with impact, making them perfect for client meetings, galleries, and collectors. Bring your portfolio to life using the Free Online Design Tool and Adobe templates available at PrintingCenterUSA.
Looking Ahead
Mary continues to expand her print offerings and use physical products as part of her artistic and business strategy. Her work brings the quiet beauty of the Lowcountry to life, and print helps her share that experience with clients in a personal, lasting way.
Explore more from Mary Ile Taylor Photography
Website: https://artforhope.zenfolio.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maryiletaylorphotography
At PrintingCenterUSA, we are proud to support artists like Mary Ile Taylor who use print to elevate their craft and connect with their audiences in meaningful, lasting ways. Start your custom book project today at PrintingCenterUSA.
