Wanamaker Photography Blog

Behind The Scenes Of A Photography Studio

Last week, Franklin Sussex Automall, one of our local clients in New Jersey, was looking to have some promotional shots done for a ‘Duke Fest’ event later in August. Using Kelly, one of their employees, as Daisy Duke and their newest addition, the Dodge Challenger, we set out to take some shots for posters, advertisements and cutouts to help promote the event.

With not a single cloud in the sky and temperatures approaching 85 degrees at 9:30 in the morning, we positioned the car in a local setting that overlooked a valley below. We setup Kelly in a few poses and snapped some shots …

During the shoot, we found out a little background information about the Dodge Challenger and Bill’s Duke Fest. It seems that the manager for John Schneider (the original Bo Duke) has purchased the car. In return for the incredible deal that Bill worked out for him, John’s manager has arranged an appearance of Bo Duke (John Schneider) for Bill’s Duke Fest in August. As an added bonus, three of the original General Lee Dodge Chargers will also be on hand for the event as well as a local classic car club called the Wanderers.

The event Bill has planned looks like it is going to be incredibly huge and we will definitely be on site that day to capture all of the action as it happens!

Last Friday, Chris Healy, owner of Above The Clouds Hot Air Balloon Rides, invited us out to photograph and film two of his hot air balloons as they carried passengers in whatever direction the wind took them. Having seen some of our previous work (including a shot of his balloons that I took when I first started with photography), Chris thought it would be great to have some ‘professionals’ on site to capture some updated images of his balloons as well as the experience for the passengers.

In order to photograph his balloons properly and capture the entire experience from beginning to end, we had to arrive at Randall airfield early. Since the balloons inflate quickly, we needed to be there before they even began to get things ready so we could position ourselves without getting in anyone’s way.

Chris had both balloons laid out on the field and when the last passenger arrived, he began blowing them up. Since the balloons are extremely long, a wider lens was definitely needed to capture as much of the balloon as possible. Once they were inflated enough, Chris started firing the propane flames into them …

My brother, Sean, was doing all of the filming for us and at one point was given the permission to walk into the top of the balloon and film Chris shooting the flames. If you’ve ever been near one of these things, you know that when those flames fire … they are very, very hot! I thought I lost my eyebrows at one point!

Once both of the balloons were up, the passengers moved in. Since Chris was looking for new shots for his website, I moved in closer and laid on the ground the grab a shot of the passengers with part of the balloon, basket and flame in the shot …

This gave me some great images of the passengers and the excitement that they were experiencing. Since the balloons are slow to get off the ground, this provided me the opportunity to grab some individual shots of the balloons as well as wider shots of the two of them. Because they take a little bit to get going, I had plenty of time to mess with my settings to capture different looks in-camera so Chris had a variety of images to choose from …

Once the balloons had cleared the field, we followed the chase cars around Middletown and Goshen. Since the calmest weather is early in the morning or later in the evening (about two hours before sunset), we knew that we’d get some great shots with the sunset as well. Even though balloons are very colorful, I find that a nice silhouette shot can be just as powerful …

As both of the rides came to an end and we started capturing the final images for the day, we made sure to stay out of the crew’s way as they have a lot to do before the sun goes down and they run out of light. One of the balloons landed in a parking lot while the other touched down in the black dirt onion fields of Goshen.

Part of the tradition of hot air ballooning includes a champagne toast at the end of the ride (to find out the full story as to why, book a flight with Above The Clouds … you won’t be dissappointed!). We were close by when the newly engaged couple, who landed in the onion fields, received their toast which capped a beautiful flight for them …

In the next few weeks, we will be flying with Chris and Above The Clouds to capture the second series of shots and video of his balloons from the air. We’ll be sure to bring those shots to you as well!

We have great news for all of the seniors we’ve had the chance to follow through football, wrestling, lacrosse and baseball this year …

We’ve been asked to photograph the 2008 Minisink Valley Graduation on June 27th! We’ll be out in full force on the field capturing each and every senior receiving their diploma as well as all of the candid moment between friends. We look forward to sharing this incredible day with all of you!

Busy … Busy … Busy … That’s about the only way that I can describe the last month or so! Things have kept us going so much so that we haven’t even had a chance to update the blog!

Soccer, Baseball, Lacrosse, School and all of our other Spring events have all come to an end … which means we now have a chance to breath a little and look at what we’ve accomplished! It also gives us a chance to work on our creative ‘eye’ while getting things ready for the fall season!

As we look back over the last few months, we’ve covered numerous Minisink Valley Lacrosse and Baseball games, attended two of the area’s largest Irish Dance Feis Events, photographed Youth Soccer Players, attended Prom as a couple’s personal paparazzi, continued with our Senior Portrait Sessions and captured loving moments between couples during their Engagement Photo Session. Needless to say, we have a lot of photos ready to be blogged about!

Looking over the calendar for the next few months has a much lighter schedule for us, but plenty of exciting work we cannot wait to get to! The 2008 Eldred High School Graduation, an annual Puerto Rican Pig Roast, summer sports portraits for i9 Sports, numerous Weddings and some additional Senior and Family Portrait sessions!

Next month, we’ll also launch our new Wanamaker Photography VIP program … so details will soon follow!

Overall, it will be nice to have a bit of a breather where we can recharge our own batteries, enjoy what is shaping up to be a beautiful summer and start getting our gears into motion for the fall. Be sure to come back and check out our blog and website often as we’ll be updating it a lot with many of the incredible images we’ve captured over the last few months!

Pregnancy and birth are miraculous journeys. This amazing time of life is full of mystery, anticipation, joy, hope, and wonder. Feeling the powerful energy of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. These things humble and amaze. These are the things that we celebrate when a baby is born.But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. There is an unexpected place in this journey where some families may find themselves. When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.

This excerpt was taken directly from the website for an incredible organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. This organization provides a helping hand and a healing heart for families overcome by the grief and pain of losing their newborn child. While the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them, offering a gentle, compassionate photography service done in a sensitive manner is the heart and soul of the organization.

 
Image Courtesy NowILayMeDownToSleep.Org

The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation (NILMDTS) administers a network of nearly 3,000 volunteer professional photographers in the United States and eight International countries. At a family’s request, a NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer will go to a hospital or hospice location and conduct a sensitive and private portrait session. The portraits are then professionally retouched and presented to the families on an archival DVD or CD that can be used to print portraits of their cherished baby.

We at Wanamaker Photography may not be emotionally ready to accept such incredible responsibility, but we feel the need to contribute to this organization any way we can.

Image Courtesy NowILayMeDownToSleep.Org

We have decided to label May 2008 as “Mother’s Month” in recognition of all the moms that have children and for those who have suffered the loss of a child. During the entire month of May, for any Maternity, Newborn or Young Child portrait session booked, we will donate $50 to the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation, in your name, to help them continue this wonderful service.

To help give you a closer look at what the organization does and how it got started, we’ve edited a video (based on footage obtained from Photo Vision) that will take you on an emotion trip to the event that started it all. Sandy Puc, one of the founding members, recounts her first session with a little boy, named Maddox, who’s life was cut short before it even had a chance to really begin. Before you watch, I highly recommend that you keep a box of tissues close by!

If you are interested in more information on Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, please visit their website, with information for Photographers and Families alike, at http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org. If you are interested in more information about our sessions, please contact us directly at 1-866-832-4001.

I hope this video impacts you as much as it did me!