Graphic & Web Design | Desirai Labrada

As a Graphic Designer I spend a lot of time looking at the work of other designers. I’ve also been trying to expand my shop to include invitations and announcements which is why I’ve been visiting a lot of stationery stores lately. While searching the internet and Etsy for examples I came across Sandy Photo Art AKA Lani Blue Cards.

Sandy Aichner is a photographer that went from selling her photos on Etsy to later selling designed invitations. “I’’ve been involved with photography since high school but really began a serious business about 6 years ago. I made my first card at age 6 but my first paid job was 4 years ago. I worked with my local hospital as a freelance newborn baby photographer and offered custom birth announcements as part of the photo package. This was so fun! There is something about creating a keepsake that will be part of a family’s history that makes me all warm and fuzzy.” Sandy mentions.

“I am a part-time professional photographer and image-editing specialist. I specialize in family, nature, sports, and commercial photography and editing. I also work with my husband, who is a staff photographer for “Surfer Magazine”, shooting on location and image editing for him. My stationery design business, Lani (la-knee) Blue, lani is Hawaiian for sky or heaven, started in this past February. My photography clients had been requesting quality announcements and invitations for years and I realized that I just love to do it!! I taught myself Photoshop about 5 years ago to help my husband and I transition from film photography to digital photography easier. Long, story shorter, I’’m now a registered Photoshop addict…For now, my stationery business is part-time but I hope to build it into a full time lucrative business by next year.”

Sandy’s Designs are gorgeous and it truly surprised me to see that her sales were so few. I almost wished I was getting married in the near future so that I could order some.

In addition to selling on Etsy Sandy’s photography can be found in Hawaii at the “Nohea Galleries of Hawaii”.

When asked what kind of advice she had for others Sandy said “do your thing well”, take the time do learn your craft. Quality is so important. Also, learn the business side of being an artist. Everything from setting your prices to make a profit to quality shipping practices to cut down on shipping damage costs. The little things are what you should pay attention to because they will get you in the end.”

You can view and purchase Sandy’s photos and invitations at:

Sandy Photo Art on Etsy
SandyAichner.com
1ike.com