Armor & Martel

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…

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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.

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It started a week ago at the Prelude at Oceancliff. The Blue Box created a lot of buzz at the show. if you are an Armor & Martel bride with an upcoming wedding, we will be contacting you soon. At the event the florist asked me what’s in the box? “I can’t tell” A groom walked over, looking through albums. “Can I answer any questions?” I asked. “No, we already have a photographer, but my fiance wants to know what’s in the box.” “I can’t say- you have to be an Armor & Martel bride” if you received the blue box already, Let me say thank you for choosing Armor & Martel. Let’s keep this our secret; Don’t tell your florist or videographer (both asked) or any other A&M brides! Just smile and tell them, well, you’re an Armor & Martel client!

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Last week at Rosecliff, Jay Lane helped us out with a gorgeous floral piece for our display.  Jay’s energy and enthusiasm is boundless, and it’s always a pleasure working with him.  It seems when the flowers are delivered to the brides, it’s always what they envisioned.  Thank you Jay, hope to see you soon…(You can view examples of Golden Gates work on their site, or at the Armor & Martel fan page on Facebook, here.

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The Prelude at Oceancliff on the 21st was a nice opportunity to touch base with Newport Experience clients, and make new friends as well. I’ve worked at many venues up and down the East Coast and beyond, and I’ll tell you that the service here is outstanding, and second to none in the industry. My beliefs are always confirmed as brides exit the dining room and gush about how good the food was! I’m looking forward to summer and some beautiful events!

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The anticipation of the coming ceremony, the frenetic urgency of the race out to the drive for pictures, and back before the ceremony, winter sunlight streaming in during the ceremony, creating dramatic lighting and images, a bright red and yellow sunset on a cold February evening. Happy Valentines Day…see it here

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A special thank you to Paul at Broadway florist. Paul delivered a fantastic bouquet for our table at the Newport Wedding Expo yesterday at Rosecliff. He mentioned his impending move just across town and I wish him all the best. Having just moved my studio only two years ago to our new studio location I can understand the complexities of having to move your entire business even just a short distance. There’s definitley a little stress involved, but also the opportunity to shake things up and reinvigorate- I love my new locale, and wish Paul all the best in his new digs!

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It’s a perfect day in Newport. We’ll be at Roscliffe today meeting brides and grooms.  here’s a little clip from an Armor & Martel wedding featured in Newport Wedding magazine this year.  We’ll see you at the show…

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Every year in February, we offload and begin the purge of digital files from sessions the previous year that were never ordered upon. We love creating pictures but ultimately, if they are not chosen for purchase we must face the hard decision that they be banished to the ether, for storing them indefinitely in the hopes they’ll be wanted later is not a financially viable solution. This past month we just completed a major server upgrade, expanding our multi terabyte raid server, essentially doubling the space. We replaced all the hard drives,  (shown in the box above) some of which had been continually spinning 24/7 for the last five years. Personally, I don’t believe that pictures belong on hard drives as their final use. We use them as a brief pitstop, on their way to an album or portrait, book or in your wallet. That is where pictures belong, and incidentally will last their longest, immune to the changes in hardware and technology.  What do you think?

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The approach of spring can mean only one thing- road trip. Every year, just before May, I set out on a cross country trip by motorcycle. Last year’s run out to Texas and New Orleans was excellent, but a trip to Europe has tossed a wrench (figuratively) into the highway- escape plan.  I expect to take at least a 3 day out of town at least as far south as the Carolinas, a longtime favorite.  You can follow along via the blog and Twitter, or there’s still time to join us – get your leathers and license- we’re leaving soon…

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