Name That Promotion, The Voting Begins

First, let me apologize for the last nature of this post. I am a victim of my own success. With all the wonderful wedding, seniors, babies, and families calling, it was hard to make time for this. But, I have made my selections from the many excellent suggestions. Here are my Top 5. You have until April 28th to vote. Now, this is an excellent opportunity to stack the deck. If you see one of your suggestions, and you want to win, tell everyone you know to vote for you. Don't forget, the Grand Prize is a FREE beach session (or equivalent for those not at St Simons). Please email votes to neal@inwardstudio.com with "Name That Promotion" in the subject line.

St. Simons, Sand, Snap!
Neal’s Sizzlin' Summer Sessions in St. Simons
Capturing Island Time
Simon Says Smile
Coastal Memories

Here are a few samples from Tybee Island.

One of My Favorite Things

I get great joy from seeing a great idea to fruition. I recently found the new Wall Street Journal campaign, Every Journey Needs a Journal . I loved the simple, story telling images, and knew I could recreate it. I decided it lent itself very well to senior photography. Renee was so kind as to help me create this example. Best of all, she is quite an accomplished young woman. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Kate Looked Great!

Yesterday afternoon, Kate, her mother, and I braved the heat to make some amazing bridal images of Kate. Her dress is very modern, so we decided to do some in a very traditional environment (Woodruff House) and some in a very contemporary one (Gateway Plaza). The results are wonderful...better than I could have imagined. Kate was a trooper. She didn't complain once. I can't wait for the wedding next month. Here are a few of my favorites.

It Was Cold

Last Saturday, Summer and Mike joined me downtown for their engagement session. There isn't really anything noteworthy about that except it was freezing...literally. They suffered through the weather, and I think the results were worth the pain. Here is my favorite. I was trying to warm them up. There are a few more in the engagement section on the website.

A Funny Thing Happened on Tybee

I am amazed by the odd things that happen sometimes. I was approached by three young guys on the beach a few weekends ago. The proceeded to tell me they were a band from Atlanta... Joshua Fletcher & the Six-Shot Romance (click on the title of this post to link to their myspace page). They asked if I would take their picture on the beach. ABSOLUTELY! Band photography is liberating. There are no rules. I happened to have my 1950s, German made, Zeiss Ikon camera with me. So, I shot a few frames of film. Here are the results. It was a blast, and I hope I get to do more. The band has an album coming out the end of the month, so check them out.

Where I Want To Go!

I really enjoy photographing weddings in new locations. I have a few "dream" destinations. Middleton Place Plantation in Charleston is probably the closest. Other notable locations include Ireland, Jamaica, and Banff. Actually, any sunny island would be good. Any European country would be good (I've heard Prague is nice). Actually, I envision a bride and groom in a lush, green field, surrounded by grazing sheep, with a castle in the background. OR, a couple running in the surf with the bride's veil flowing behind like superman's cape. OR, a freshly wed husband and wife flanked by snow covered peaks.

SO, if you or someone you know is planning a wedding in one of these locations (or somewhere similar) please give me a call. As I always say... "the better the location, the cheaper I am."

Something New

I am always looking for new ways to display prints. The newest addition is the Photo Rope. I metal cable with a weight on one end. Small magnets hold the prints to the cable. The Photo Rope is a simple, contemporary way to display small images without a frame, and it is very easy to change the prints. The pictures below probably illustrate it better than my explanation.

If you would like one of your very own, they are available for $40. If you would like it with six 4x6 or 5x5 prints, it is only $100. It would make a great Mother's Day or Father's Day gift.

Who Knew This Would Work

I've got it! Let's make a Broadway musical out of a 70's cult film.

Not only did it work, but it won several Tony's. Spamalot is the musical version of the cult classic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Now the traveling version is in Atlanta. There are only a few shows left, so get tickets if you can. I'm going Sunday.

The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts

The story behind a movie is sometimes as interesting as the movie. During the preshow for the Oscar's Sunday, three Mexican directors were interviewed. I knew nothing of them, except that I had seen a few of their movies. Alfonso Cuaron, director of "Children of Men", Guillermo del Toro, director of "Pan's Labyrinth", and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, director of "Babel" talked about the effect of their friendship on their movies. Three men who are great because of their relationships with each other. They discuss screenplays and editing to make each other better. They don't worry about beating each other, but uplifting each other. They celebrate each other's successes. Individually, they might have been good at their craft, but together they are great. I think we could all learn from this example.

Take time to watch this Charlie Rose interview with them. It is a little long, but inspiring.

Name That Promotion

So, I know you have all been waiting with baited breath to find out about the contest. It is easy. As you might have noticed, I am now scheduling sessions for St Simons during the week of July 4th. The problem is that I need a name for these sessions. "Beach Sessions at St Simons" lacks pizazz. So, I leave it to you, my faithful blog readers, to come up with an imaginative name for the promotion. It can be funny, campy, or just silly. Email your suggestions, along with your contact information, to neal@inwardstudio.com. Put "Name That Promotion" as your subject. You are allowed to enter as often as you like. You have until March 31st to send your suggestions. Then, I'll select my top 5, post them on the blog, and the voting starts. Voting will last until April 14th. The winning idea will be featured on the website, blog, and other promotional materials. Want to know what you are playing for? A FREE beach session, which thanks to you won't be called that, including $150 print credit. Now, I know some of you are saying, "I'm not going to be at St Simons for the 4th." So, you have two fantastic options. You can give the session as a gift to a friend, or you can use it for a local session. Either way, it is a great opportunity for a family session. Good luck!

Clock Work Orange

So, as many of you know, I tie my print boxes with orange ribbon. I'm always on the lookout for unusual orange ribbon, but I'm having a hard time finding new designs. So, I thought I would put all my loyal blog readers to work. Each client who brings in a spool of orange ribbon will received a FREE 5x7 print. Now, while my logo is what I like to call "burnt pumpkin", I will accept any orange ribbon. It can be all orange, mostly orange, or contain orange with other colors. Most important is that it is cool. For really great ribbon, you will receive a FREE 8x10. Keep your eyes peeled.

(No, the title doesn't really have anything to do with it, but it was the first thing that came to mind.)

But Wait, There's More!

Monday, I will announce the first (of what I hope are many) blog contest. Get your thinking caps on and check back Monday. Tell you friends and family...the more the merrier.

Simple Pleasures, Part Trois

I'm trying to learn French. I decided to throw it into conversation to help me learn. But, I digress.

Simple Pleasures
1. Popcorn
2. Grilled hamburgers (they're always better at home)
3. Blue sky days (while not necessarily great for photography, great otherwise!)
4. Smiles (they're infectious, free, and yet very valuable)
5. Clean sheets

OK, enough for now. Please leave your suggestions in the comments section. Comments rock.

Mabry Returns

Well, it wasn't your usual Monday morning. For those of you who don't know, I am not a morning person. I fake it well. Oddly, babies tend to be happiest in the morning. So, I do what is best for my clients. Thankfully, photographing babies is quite enjoyable. Mabry was all smiles...again. It was too easy. Here is one of my favorites, but there are more in children portfolio. Thank you, Mabry, for making my morning. Kathy, you'll have to tell her since she doesn't read, yet.

July 4th Beach Sessions

I am planning beach sessions at St Simons Island July 3-6, 2007. There will only be two sessions early each morning and two sessions near sunset each evening. The beach is a great location for large family portraits, small intimate family images, or just the children playing in the surf. Each session is $250 with a $150 print credit. There is no extra charge for large families so consider a multi-generational portrait. Sessions are very limited so don't delay reserving your time. I look forward to seeing you all for a fun week at the beach.

Macon Monogramming

I have started a print display at Macon Monogramming (next door to the studio). I have two of the new Fine Art Gallery Prints hanging right now. Hopefully, there will be more soon. If you get a chance, stop in for a peek. Also, take a look at all Macon Monogramming has to offer. Their prices are amazingly reasonable.

Kristen and Chad

Kristen and Chad met me at the studio for their engagment session Saturday. Chad, who had had a very little sleep, was a trooper. After a few minutes at the studio, we headed downtown for some fun. It was quite cold, but Third Street park and Josua Cup were great locations. Good coffee is always important. Kristen and Chad were up for all my crazy ideas. Thank you.

Bridal Show

I just wanted to thank everyone who came out in the rain for the Macon's Wedding Ring Bridal Show. I had the opportunity to meet many really interesting people, and I hope to speak with many of you again. It is always fun to get out before the populous to show my work. Fine Art photographers have gallery openings with wine and cheese to reveal their latest work. Portrait and wedding photographers have studios, but it is different for me. I think I should have an "opening." I'll start working on that.

What I Learned in San Antonio

I learned two lessons while in San Antonio. Actually, I learned one of them at 41,000 feet somewhere between Houston and Atlanta.

First, don't judge a book by it's cover. Gregory Heisler, a well know editorial and portrait photographer who appears to be 60 years too late, spoke one evening. He wears black round glasses, a suit with a bow tie, and a fedora hat. Not your normal photographer's attire. Needless to say, I was expecting a boring lecture about his work. I was wrong. I laughed through most of his presentation. He had a fresh take on some old problems. He was even a little blue. I could not have been more surprised.

Second, a sense of humor is important no matter your occupation. "Hello from the pointy end fo the airplane!" That was new one for me. A pilot with a sense of humor. "We're cruising at 560 miles per hour...but, not that you could tell...don't spill your drink!" It made the flight seem shorter and smoother than it was. I was quite impressed.

I'll post some images from my trip in the next couple of days. I'm playing catch up with phone calls and emails. Have a good day.

San Antonio

I'm heading to San Antonio for the first time tomorrow. The Professional Photographers of America convention is the reason for my visit, but I've wanted to go since I was a child. I saw a movie (Cloak and Dagger, I think) with a chase scene through the river front. Ever since, San Antonio was on my list of places to visit. Unfortunately, the list of places I don't want to visit is now shorter. I won't be back until Wednesday, so please call if you need something. 478.361.2500 I'll post pictures when I get back.