Katrina and Tj shared their stories on this Armor & Martel Cinema production recently in Newport. We had a blast shooting the session, and Mark’s editing and camera work is right on- giving credit where it’s due! Armor & Martel Cinema films are new this season, and are in limited availability. We hope you like the film. If your interested in a perfect complement to your A& M still coverage, and a departure from the usual, check in with us for your wedding date….
I can’t tell you how many times a client comes in to order and says, “I still have to take my portrait to the frame shop, I’ve been putting it off.” Time is precious, and at Armor & Martel we’re always looking for new ways to make enjoying pictures easier.
Brand new this year, I have some new ways to get pictures up on the wall quick, easy and with the focus on quality and style. Now, instead of an extra trip to the frame shop, we’ve got a complete solution- You can order a portrait, complete with mat, quality wood frame and acrylic glazing (better than glass), backed and wired, for one great price. The quality wood frame is available four different frame colors, and the shatterproof acrylic won’t damage your print should it suffer an accident. You’ll be hard pressed to get a better deal at the local frame shop, and it will save the hassle of one more out of the way trip. View one at your next studio session!
I was in Newport this week photographing Governor Carcieri’s visit to Newport Biodiesel. The company recycles and converts waste grease from restaurants and the like into a fuel that could help offset dependency on oil. The RI company collects the waste grease from business’ for free, keeping it out of our sewers and landfills. The company is seeking RI companies to increase its capacity. One employee put it very succinctly- Rhode Island is basically sitting on it’s own oil well, it just needs to be tapped to increase output. In Rhode Island it’s not drill baby, drill, it’s fry baby, fry!
I was in a gallery in Vegas the first time I saw this classy, modern alternative to traditional framing. Standout prints are mounted flush to the edge of heavy gatorfoam board. This portrait sits completely flush to the wall, with a clean, minimalistic, but strong presentation. Regardless of size, the print is very light and easy to hang. You can order a standout online or stop in the studio to see one for yourself!
I had the pleasure of meeting Marylin Wieman this week. Following the photo shoot, she gave me one of Aflac’s trademark ducks- the little duck is perfect for coaxing smiles in a childrens’ session. Marylin then told me the story behind this small gift. “We (all Aflac agents) purchase the little ducks to give away as we approach new businesses every day. The duck is our spokesman but so much more. All of the money that we spend on the little ducks goes to a Children’s Cancer Hospital in Georgia. In Rhode Island and Southern Mass. we have given over $500,000 to that Children’s Cancer center. That Children’s cancer center has in turn been able to develop innovative treatments and therapies for Childhood cancers. The cure rate for childhood cancers is now up to 90% due in part to our little ducks!- Pretty powerful. And Aflac has promised to keep going to 100% curable. I would say that is one very powerful duck!!”
I would agree! I’m happy to be associated with Marylin. You can connect with her on Linkedin, or just call me and I’ll introduce you.
Karen Motta was in studio this week. Karen is a wedding planner who’s knowledge in taking care of clients in the hospitality industry makes working with her easy. We talked all things wedding, and the time quickly flew by. At one point we discussed the relationship between photographers and planners. So here’s my two cents- while photographers are a bit autonomous by nature, (we know we have to be attentive to every one’s schedule. At the same time we have to be sure to keep the ball rolling all the way to the reception, get the whole story, but not monopolize or be obtrusive.) I’m very happy to work closely with a wedding planner. A good planner is a brides’ advocate on theme, schedule and style. I can go to the planner for answers and input on all those small details on or before the wedding day, keeping everything on track and running smoothly and stress free for the couple. Also a great planner is your matchmaker, with host of professional contacts at her fingertips. So, if the wedding plan is starting to spin out of control, and you need a little help, you can do it without breaking your budget. Success always starts with great planning….
I had to do a little work in Photoshop today. I rarely use this application, maybe once a month. When I mention this people seem surprised. “If you’re a photographer you shouldn’t you be using it everyday?”
Um, nope. A few years back, I needed it a bit more, but newer cameras have very good color, and I can do all my post shooting processing in software better suited to creating the look I want – dramatic, but natural, not computerized. Besides, if you shoot a clean, well lit set of pix, and manage your lighting, you don’t need to “fix” it in photoshop. There are thousands of memorable timeless images that have been created over the last century without the aid of today’s overused filters. Yes, I still cook some work in pshop, but I’m leery of my images (or yours) of being remembered as the overly enhanced pix of the 2K era. If it works for ya, fine. Just remember running the drybrush on it doesn’t necessarily make it a better picture…
The recent prelude at Oceancliff was a fabulous event. When I was invited to participate, I knew a woman’s touch was needed in decorating my display. I asked florist Toni Chandler for her input, and am so glad I did. Toni’s centerpiece was stunning and perfectly matched to the linens she picked for the display. You can visit her website here, and see more examples of her work from the Prelude at the Armor & Martel fan page on Facebook.
“When you find yourself beginning to feel a bond between yourself and the people you photograph, when you laugh and cry with their laughter and tears, you will know you are on the right track.” by Weegee
