Monday Mention: Petula Pea Photography

Meet the amazing Patty Brutlag from Petula Pea Photography!  Petula Pea Photography specializes in family, baby, wedding and lifestyle photography. She is based out of Carlsbad, CA but books photoshoots throughout San Diego County.  Petula Pea photographs are the perfect combination of beautiful and fun!  Read more to learn how she got started in photography and what keeps her inspired.  Take a moment to enjoy a few of her beautiful photographs throughout the interview and also keep your eyes peeled for an amazing special she is offering all Creative Travel Mugs fans!


"I find joy in making memories for you! My style is stunning, colorful & crisp ~ I love photographing people & weddings. " - Patty

What inspired you to start your own photography business?

My husband & my baby girl! Owning my own photography business was a dream of mine since I graduated college. But since timing is everything, it didn’t happen when I was young. When I knew I was going to marry Andy & the thought of being a mommy someday, we both wanted to make sure that when we had babies I could stay home with them & work for myself (instead of working for corporate like I had done since college). Having photo shoots in the evenings and weekends allowed for a 2^nd income and my passion to bloom.

How long have you been a photographer?

Hahaha, I could say since I was a child when I took that perfect photo with my parents polaroid, but I’ll date it back to Jerry Halfman’s class my freshman year in High School, then continued into college. So, 24 years!

How would you describe your style?

 My photography is very colorful & modern, yet timeless. I like to stay true-to-color when I edit so when my client
looks back at the photos, they are timeless, not some of the trendy looks that are going around right now.

What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?

It’s usually my prime Canon lens 50mm f/1.4 but lately it’s been my EF 100mm f/2.8L

Where is your favorite place to have a photo shoot and why?

I don’t have one particular place… if it offers heavenly light and a gorgeous backdrop, I am bound to find it!


What has been your most memorable assignment and why?

This is such a tough question! Each session is unique with amazing memories. I LOVE photographing a wedding because it’s one of the most memorable & joyous days for my client. Yet, a gorgeous maternity session I shot last month just resulted in a precious newborn baby girl. Can I say all of them are memorable?

If there was one thing you could have people say about your photos, what would it be?

I’d be lying if I said that didn’t care if people liked my photography. I get the most incredible compliments from strangers and my clients. I sometimes have to pinch myself because I can’t believe that Petula Pea exists. I am so appreciative if 1 person likes what I do.   But as long as I love the outcome (and my husband) that’s all what maters J


What is your best tip to share with a beginner photographer?

Find a local photographer that you admire & whom you love her/his style, then ask if you can work for free!
Having a degree in photography is great but experience is key!!!

Anything else you would like to add?

Yes! I also wouldn’t have been able to do this without my very own wedding photographer (now dear friend), Susie Linquist.
I boldly asked her when I hired her to be my photographer if I could work for her someday for free.

I firmly believed that she said yes because I believed in myself. I interned with her, then became an associate for Susie Linquist Photography until just recently.  She taught me everything I know about the business and shooting weddings. Thank you Sus!!!

Do you have a promotion you would like to offer our fans?

Sure! They can take $100 off any portrait package.
Or, $300 off any wedding package!
(Book by April 15th, 2012)

Website:www.petulapea.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/petula.pea.photography

Twitter: (someday!)

Phone: 760.815.0109

Please leave a comment below and let us know what you think of Petula Pea Photography!!

Monday Mention: Confections by Shara’s Paperie

Shara Danziger is the Owner and Designer at Confections by Shara’s Paperie, a unique online gift shop that allows visitors to shop and add their own personal design touch to a wide variety of products. Confections is based out of Memphis Tennessee and offers the sweetest line of personalized gifts, stationery and invitations. Their line of custom goods includes iPhone cases, clipboards, cutting boards, pillow cases, melamine plates and bowls, sticky note cubes and more!



"All design work is created by the Confections team of designers and is applied to the product line. Personalize any item with a name or monogram to add a final touch. With a Confections product, you are sure to receive an item that is uniquely your own." - Shara

What inspired you to start this business? Confections grew out of my brick and mortar store, Shara’s Paperie.  I wanted to be able to offer my clients what they wanted and be able to change colors, designs, fonts without having to go through another company, so Confections was born.  Then I realized how much I love designing for products!

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received? To get good advice!  Find people that you can truly trust and have them help you make the tough decisions.  Make sure that they have your back, and your best interest at heart…not their own.

What is your most popular product? That is probably a tie between our personalized tempered glass cutting board-

and our personalized iPhone cases-

If there was one thing you could have people say about your company, what would it be? That we try with each and every client to make it perfect, and perfect in the client’s eyes.

What product of yours are YOU most fond of and why? That is a tough one…but I would have to say the framed magnetic dry erase boards.  They are so functional as well as absolutely fabulous!

Do you have a promotion you would like to offer our fans today? Certainly!  20% your entire order from March 19 – March 25!  Coupon code: MUGS

Anything else you would like to add? Thank you for the feature!

Where is your business located? Memphis, Tennessee and www.shopconfections.com
Website: www.shopconfections.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/confectionsbysharaspaperie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharaspaperie


There are so many great products to choose from on the Confections by Shara’s Paperie website!  Which one is your favorite??  Let us know in the comments section below!