Muy Thai

January 10th, 2012

Early in December I was contacted by a high school student who needed/wanted to shadow a photographer for a class assignment. That was the only weekend we didn’t have a shoot scheduled in December so we batted around a few ideas on what would we want to do if it was us. We almost shot motorcycles at sunset in the hills but it was windy.

A few phone calls later and we had Adrian and Ilana scheduled to come in. If you’ve never seen Muy Thai (the national sport of Thailand) I highly recommend checking it out. It’s fast paced and absolutely worth it for the sound.

Thanks to Adrian, Ilana, and Debra for being part of the shoot and Judie (Adrian’s mother) who piped up during the discussion that Adrian would love to come in for a shoot. Both of them will definitely be featured in another session that isn’t planned in the course of 15 minutes.

New Year’s Resolutions

January 8th, 2012

Happy 2012 all.

I only actually have one resolution this year. To post more frequently to this blog, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. I really do appreciate all of you that follow me on one or more of those services. As much as I might not sound like it at the time I do appreciate my clients that push me to post more regularly. A couple of you in particular know who you are. =)

Today I have selected an image from an engagement session yesterday.

Robin and Jim are getting married in July and we’re excited to be helping out with the process. She is an aspiring photographer that has worked with me on a couple of projects, both behind and in front of the lens. Jim is a pilot in Port Angeles and they took the plane in the photo up for their first date. As a pilot myself I suggested it would be a great prop for the session and getting a bit technical we batted around some composition and lens choices. A fisheye is on Robin’s “photo gear bucket list” and brings a bit of a surreal nature to the background.

 

 

Vacation! Lake Kachess

September 7th, 2011

While to many it may seem odd that I took a vacation in what has been my busiest summer ever those who have known me for years know that the Labor Day camping trip dates back to before I was born. The location has changed, and what family comes each year and how close we all camp together varies from year to year, but by and large we always go camping. Many cousins are there and life is good.

The past few years we have moved from Ohanapecosh on Mt. Ranier to Lake Kachess which is conveniently located about 15 minutes from Hyak, and I happen to have access to some showers there… camping is better with showers. Two years ago on the trip I spent an evening producing what has been one of my most popular art prints (and I don’t do a lot of art prints) “Midnight Man.” This year, though I felt I had been too busy and didn’t take a camera beyond my phone. Luckily Ben brought one along, so my iPhone photo joins some of his.

All in all the trip was really great, both from a seeing friends and family and from a just mental recuperation from the summer. I’ve had some time to think about where we’re going as far as blogging, facebook, etc. Marcia and I have carved out some time to spend on blogging and I’m looking forward to it. Blogging is, I admit, a lot about self-promotion and search engine rank… but it’s also another way I get to express creativity in a totally different way. I have the option of hiring someone to manage it, and in the end I may, but right now I’m shooting for about a post a week. I have a couple of series that I am going to be working on with some clients so we can share some of the writing and hopefully give more of an inside look to the photography process to those interested but who haven’t booked yet.

Tony Roma’s 8 Band Bash

July 30th, 2011

We’re in the same building as Tony Roma’s and so are a participating sponsor in the bash tonight until 2am. Probably won’t be here until 2am, but we are shooting some photos now that it’s underway in ernest. See more at the photo gallery.

Monday Again (but a special one)

June 27th, 2011
Debbie Macomber with John and Marcia MacDonald

Debbie Macomber with John and Marcia MacDonald

My calendar says this is Hyak Blog Day (All Day) and so I should be blogging. Those who read my wife’s site, aKnottyHabit.com, or have dropped by recently know one of the reasons I’ve been busy.

For those that don’t: Debbie Macomber, New York Times bestselling author multiple times over was here on Friday. The photo to the right is after the event and it’s completely unfair that she can still look good after a 4 hour drive, 2 hours signing books, and preparing for a 4 hour drive back.

It’s also our 2 year wedding anniversary today and just over 1 year for the yarn shop and the (I’m still going to say new) studio. Thanks to everyone who has helped us come this far.

Six photo sessions are in the editing stage this week and, as always, client work trumps blogging. I’ll finish up some of the draft posts later this week. I also have some upcoming ad deadlines mid-July that require a huge amount of work to get the shoots done in time to get them off to Ben who creates most of the wonderful advertising material you may see of mine.

I do promise to get back to my promised blogging schedule after that, and I will do my best between now and then.

Where’d the posts go?

June 22nd, 2011

Despite some rumors to the contrary, I haven’t died. Last week was, I believe, the busiest I’ve ever had and this week is shaping up to be similar. Last week’s and this week’s real posts are sitting as drafts to be finalized. We have some exciting changes to the children and family plans that I’m really happy with.

We’ve also added another school to the list of fall sports we are sponsoring and I’m hustling to get a couple of new sports-related photo shoots off to Ben for the ads. If you (or anyone you know) is 16-20 or so and has some sports equipment and wants to be in some of the ads, there’s free stuff involved. Session must be in the next two weeks, contact if interested.

Debbie Macomber, New York Times best-selling author will be at Sheep’s Clothing 3-5pm this Friday (June 24). Great time to stop in and see her, but given that you go through Sheep’s Clothing (my wife’s yarn shop) to reach the studio, probably not a good day to see me unless you already have a morning time slot.

2011-2012 Senior Portrait Fliers

June 9th, 2011

See a more detailed description of packages on our services pages.

It’s that time of year again spring is waning, school’s almost out: summer routines are about to begin.

If you have a student who’ll be graduating in 2012, or know someone who does, stop by the shop to pick up one of our flyers to keep or give away.

At photography studios across the country, just like this one, it means it’s time to gear up for senior portraits for the 2012 graduating class. This year we’ve expanded the lifestyle, reworked what comes in packages, and also added a studio fashion package.

The Fashion Package is almost exactly what it sounds like. Working with Sheep’s Clothing we organize fashion shows and also produce a lot of photos featuring garments supplied by a variety of companies. Since we have the experience, the lighting, and a fantastic makeup artist (whose kit we’ve stocked full of makeups that survive the intense lights that this throws at it) the next step seemed to be to start offering it as a service. Fashion senior portraits were born.

Returning this year are senior trading cards, these are press printed on a heavy semigloss paper and then die-cut to give rounded corners. Each one is customized to be exactly what you want and we have a variety of templates to start out with. Put your contact info on and either hand out at school or drop in graduation announcements in the fall so everyone knows how to get a hold of you when school’s out.

Speaking of grad announcements, they’re here this year! We’ve settled on a couple of formats, the ones included with several packages are 5×7 cards on the same heavy semigloss paper as the trading cards. Not only are they fantastic, customized to be unique, and containing any information you want without having to fill in blanks on generic cards they are priced competitively to the major school graduation supply shops.

 

Senior Portraits

June 8th, 2011

Lifestyle Portraits

Get out and about for your photos and show off who you really are. We can go almost anywhere in the Tri-Cities and encourage you to bring what’s close to your heart; sports uniforms, letter jackets, or stuffed animals.

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Road Trip $675

You will spend a combined two hours in the studio and at the location of your choice in the Tri-Cities. The Road Trip package brings you the best of both worlds and provides the products you want to show off. Included are a 16×24” gallery wrapped canvas, two 8×10” prints, six 5×7” prints, ten 4×6” prints, twenty-four die-cut wallet prints, fifty custom trading cards, and seventy-five custom 5×7” cards with envelopes that can be grad announcements or whatever you see fit.

Adventure $450

With an hour at the location of your choice the Adventure package brings out your personality and gives you plenty of photos to give out. Included are a standout mounted 11×14” print, two 8×10” prints, six 5×7” prints, ten 4×6” prints, twenty-four die-cut wallet prints, fifty custom trading cards, and seventy-five custom 5×7” cards to send out.

Scenic $250

Capturing the real you with the best of lifestyle photography, the Scenic package brings you a traditional set of prints. Included are an 11×14” print, two 8×10” prints, six 5×7” prints, ten 4×6” prints, and twenty-four die-cut wallet prints.

Studio Portraits

Show your personality in a relaxed studio setting, bring a few outfits and props and see how getting your picture taken really can be fun. Shoots last up to an hour and there’s no other limit on poses or outfit changes.

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Fashion $250

Not everyone picks modeling as their career after school, but there’s no reason not to have senior portraits where you look like one. Our Fashion package includes professional make-up and the same fashion lighting we use for fashion show clients. The package also includes fifty 8×10” press-printed modeling composites of the best images from your shoot, fifty custom trading cards,  and two 8×10” prints.

Studio $150

Have fun in our studio, pick up set of traditional prints and hit a sweet price point, or start here and build to exactly what you want with a la carte products. Package includes three 8×10” prints, two 5×7” prints, five 4×6” prints, and twenty-four die-cut wallet prints.

All Packages

All Packages include online gallery with images suitable for web, e-mail, facebook, etc that you can choose to be public, hidden, password protected, or require a login at no charge.

Love Portraits

June 7th, 2011

My wife and I are coming up on our 2 year wedding anniversary this month. We have found in the sea of what’s available for photography sometimes we can feel left out. It always seems that we focus on a few specific events in our lives to celebrate with photography: school graduation, engagement, the wedding, maternity, newborn, children, and family. What we often don’t celebrate often enough is our simple love for each other.

To celebrate the love that we share, and that other couples share, we’re proud to roll out “Love Portraits.”

Love portraits are for couples in any stage of their relationship, new love to 90th anniversary and anything in between. We’ve spent the past months putting together some packages that fit what we would look for as a couple. We’d also like to thank those like Terris and Cheryl (pictured) and their new puppy (yup, dogs are allowed!) as well as the others who helped out with the development process. You’ll see many of those who helped out in the advertising this year.

Packages start at $150 and include a large print for your home and silk accordion books to keep or give away. In studio, out and about, both, or an entire day of your choice anywhere within reasonable driving distance. Several of the packages also include custom cards that can be used for announcements, wedding invitations (love portraits make great engagement gifts), Christmas cards, or anything else you can think of.

We hope you’ll love Love Portraits as much as we do. Drop by the studio or call for more information or to book your portraits.

If you are a US military service member who is about to be deployed, home on R&R, or just home from deployment your love portrait session is free.

Memorial Day 2011

May 30th, 2011

It is Memorial Day again. For many people this means a weekend of sales, picnics, camping, water sports, etc.

To many others the day represents a day to remember the sacrifices those serving in our military through the years have made. Whether one agrees or disagrees with current or former military actions our country stands today because of our military over the years, starting with our war of independence and continuing through the years to today.

For almost 2 years now we’ve offered a free photo session and print to current and former members of our military. This is not changing.

However, next week we’ll be rolling out a new series of packages called “Love Portraits.” These packages are for couples of any age or state of their relationship that want to have fun and get photos together. Full discussion of that next Monday.

So, why did I bring that up? Service members who are going to be deploying soon, are home on R&R, or just returned from a deployment can get love portrait session at no cost with no strings attached up to once a year.