Sharing my Family with all of you this Holiday Season

Say what you will about the movie Mary Poppins, but when I was a little boy maybe 7 or 8; I loved the idea of popping in and out of chalk paintings and riding the foggy winds of London using only a Umbrella.

 To this day alot of the work I do in my Wedding Photography and Portrait Photography was inspired heavily by the imaginative movie called Disney's Mary Poppins. You see the color and sincere joy in almost every image I capture. It all comes from that inspiration.  Everything about the movie from the colorful scenes to the dancing and catchy music kept me searching my whole life for that one chalk painting that I could pop in and out of whenever life got me down.
 33 years later with an amazing wife and son, I am still obviously inspired by that very kid friendly movie. My grandmother always told me that you are only as old as you feel. Somedays, after a hard days work; I feel pretty old. On the other hand, with days like today where I get to spend it shooting our Christmas Portrait for my own family... I feel like I am a kid again. I wanted to recreate that magic I felt when I was younger. I wanted to see what it would be like to take my family there; to share that magic with them.

 With all of this in mind. Don't ever lose your imagination. Don't lose that love for one another or those things that made you happy as a child. And above all... If you can't find that magic, that one thing or moment that made you happy as a kid; Then, Re-create it. If you can't re-create... there will always be someone to help you share in that quest. Perhaps if we are lucky enough, Photo Phrame Photography can re-imagine that special moment for you.  Happy Holidays to all.

So This is the Holidays....

Whenever I have families come over to my Studio. I usually see an initial impression of their expectations such as when they say... "where's the backdrops, scenery, Colorful Props,...etc?" And after that I usually tell them... its up here (as I point to my head). Its Imagination that triggers the creativity and that helps build all these strikingly different, exotic and fun images.

To me, Life is too Ordinary to not be Extraordinary. We live in a world filled with routine, monotony, and the same old same old. On the other hand, my 2 and a half year old son sees everything new for the first time. He says, "Wow Daddy!" and "Cool." Thats what I want out of life for my family and for myself. I want to be Wowed and in turn I want to Wow my families I photograph who have never been apart of something that can be so extraordinary.
 The Ramos and Kaulfuss family pictured here were so much fun to work with. If your reading this and haven't decided yet just what you'd like to see in your family photo. Perhaps take a moment... close your eyes, use your imagination and help me create something extraordinary for you.

Xmas comes early for this lovely family.

I've been very blessed as a photographer and here is why...
Almost a year ago (ok not that far away but).. back in April, David and Crystal were married. Their cute little daughter Jayda was one of the flower girls and what a wonder high energy wedding this was. They were an amazing couple to photograph. A few months later their photos were done and although I felt very accomplished, I always hoped to shoot them again....  not just as a married couple... but as a family.

 As luck would have it, Crystal contacted me and showed interest in doing a fun creative Holiday Photo Shoot with her Hubby and Jayda. What a great time it was. They sure didn't disappoint, and I was sure proud to create something unique and appealing; perhaps something they've never seen before. Its times like this I am so excited to have started Photo Phrame Photography. I Thank You Ramos Family. Until next time! Peace.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from Photo Phrame Photography. I embedded a Living Picture below just for fun. Feel free to click on the image, let it load and you can click all over to focus and refocus the image. My wife and son went to the Zoo and Aquarium yesterday and I brought back some Anemones for you! Enjoy guys. Have a Safe and Happy Turkey Day.

Maternity Shoot with Imagination

I wanted to do something different. I wanted to capture a maternity photo shoot that was inspirational, thoughtful, and imaginative. At the same time these images should be above all tasteful. and beautiful and pure. These are commonly the thoughts that travel around my brain when I am creating a photo shoot for a mother to be.

For Shelly and Marc, this Mommy and Daddy to be... I had thought of taking their colorful and uplifting personalities and translating that into real timeless almost artful images that tell a bit of a story. Too many times I've seen maternity images that capture a moment perfectly, yet seem to fall off a cliff, or fall short of true story telling. Sometimes you have to push your creativity further, outside your comfort zone.

This time I wanted to see if building atmosphere's and environments around the subject would engage a more emotional response. In this case, Shelly and Mark were super in front of the camera. Their dedication to each moment was 110% and it helped make every single one of these images work. At the end, I felt very confident that we would come away with a collection of images that would almost look like a storyboard pieced together to tell a Fairy Tale.

Fairy Tales played a big part in my childhood growing up and will play an equally large part in my young son's childhood as well. So it felt wonderful to give a little bit of those moments of myself to someone else who would enjoy them. I am talking about my son, but also Shelly and Marc. God Bless Shelly and Marc and you both will no doubt be amazing parents.

Vicky and PJ celebrate a new beginning...

Vicky and PJ, a splendid couple I wish I had more time to get to know. I first met Vicky at her mother's home with our first consult. At the time she had her adorable baby boy (Jacob) with her and was curious about what we could do to help create that special wedding day. I found out about Vicky and PJ thanks to a very nice neighbor of mine who referred me to the brides mom. Without Vicky's mom and dad allowing me to visit them and giving us (my father and I) a chance to prove ourselves, this whole wedding never would have happened for us photographers. SO I felt immediately appreciative and welcomed.

After the consult, I felt instantly positive about the visit. I loved the family. They were very straight forward and honest, a true family value not easily found from the very beginning. Robin and Mark, the parents of the bride just wanted the best for their daughter... and I sincerely appreciated that. At that point the challenge was set before my father and I and Vicky and Pj's wedding was months away. I met the groom, PJ, for the first time at the wedding, a first for me as I usually meet the groom in advanced as well, but yet again immediately felt comfortable capturing him and the guys as well as the girls getting ready and preparing for this day.

Vicky and PJ.... Enjoy this sneak preview and thank you for letting me be there for you guys. Your images will be nearly complete, hang tight.

Dominique and John's Wedding Day

A little over a year ago I had the pleasure of meeting Dominique and her Mom at the Albany Marriot off of Wolf Road. It was the first bridal expo I've done for that year and it was quite nice. These two gals came over and seemed to like the services we provided. I explained I keep my overhead as low as I possibly can and try to provide a sincere quality experience both before the wedding and after. A little while later Dominique and John booked with us and I was very proud to accommodate.
 Very few people understand that I am passionate about more than my images. I believe everyone should not only be able to afford a photographer, but have a photographer who will capture the event true to the love and life of the couple. It's so important to connect with the couple you are sharing their special moments with.

 SO next I met John for the first time during our engagement shoot. First off I thought, "holy smokes! She's taller than he is!" But well... So is my brother in law and his wife.... so then I guess its not too uncommon as I once thought.
As we were shooting the engagement outdoors it was blazing sunlight, 90 degrees or better, high humidity, downtown Albany with lots of reflective windows on the buildings, hot concrete... it was rough; but Dominique and John did outstanding. With all the sweat and heat and everything... they both smiled brightly the whole way through. After that I knew that this family would do well in life. They would endure through every obstacle as they did on that one "hotter than hell" Summer Day
. The day of the wedding came and it rained for most of it; but that didn't put a damper on this event. Everyone seemed pretty content and excited at the same time. The Baptist church was the perfect setting for the ceremony and the reception reflected that celebration of a new beginning. Both John and Dominique shared laughs, lots of kisses, and fantastical dancing especially with their great family and close friends.

 John and Dominique I thank you both for allowing me to be there for your engagement as well as your wedding. It feels like I earned a few new friendships along the way... and ya know.... it feels quite good. Your wedding images are almost done!! Hang in there guys!

Tanya and Bills Wedding at Jimbo's on the Point, Brant Lake

When I first sat down with Tanya and Bill, we met at Panera's in Clifton Park. The first thing I realized about them was there incredible ability to be so down to earth. Maybe I get lucky as a Photographer or as a person who happens to attract "down to Earth" individuals; regardless... I was once again blessed with a couple that has been together for a while, who love life and love each other. That was my first impression. My second impression was when I saw them both nearly a year later, and on the day of their wedding. We were at Jimbo's on the Point at Brant Lake, an extraordinary venue full of tall fall oak trees and surrounded nearly entirely by a body of water. Watching Tanya and Bill come together for the first time as Husband and Wife was a moving experience for me, and I've seen a lot of weddings. After that I knew it was fate for these two good people Tanya and Bill please enjoy the following images and I am so happy and proud to have been apart of your wedding day. Your Photo Gallery will be up soon!

Sick of Voting on Politicians? Create your own dream Photo Shoot! And vote on it!

Well I was thinking, I wanted to give the creative side of my brain a rest for a change and ask my good friends, loyal followers, clients and readers to create something for me. I am asking each and every one of you to come up with an idea for a "Family" Photo shoot. From now until November 11th (Veterans Day) I will be collecting your ideas. Once collected I will post a Public Poll that will last for 2 weeks (the end of November). During those 2 weeks, I will allow everyone and anyone to vote on the most exciting, innovative and fun shoot yet. Whoever gets the most votes, wins that Photo Shoot for Free.

  Here are the rules: 1.) The photo shoot... MUST BE possible to create. (No actual photo shoots on the planet Mars... sorry! Which brings up rule #2...
 2.) It must be a shoot in studio OR on location and you must be able to drive to the location within 45 minutes or less from your home.
3.) The shoot can not be something you saw in a Magazine or a Movie. I read lots of magazines and watch tons of movies, believe me, I'll know. :-)
4.) The shoot must have between 2-6 people (Family or friends) involved. No pets, or animals of any kind.... unless they are an intricate and main part of the idea.
  What do I win again? So if your idea wins, what do you get?
 -A free 2 Hour Photo Shoot with your idea used (and credit given to that person or family who comes up with the idea)
 -An 8x10 Metallic Print of your winning idea.
- 10% off of purchased Future Photo Shoots and Prints for a WHOLE YEAR. Jan 2013 - Dec 2013.
  Submission: How do I get my idea to you? You can send all submissions to tjfbryant@gmail.com. Please let us know how best to contact you (in the email) if you happen to be the winner. The deadline to submit is November 11th Veterans Day!!
  What are the deadlines once more? -November 11th is the deadline for Submission of your idea (don't forget to send it to my email address listed above) -November 12th through the the end of November 30th we will post a Poll on this Blog and on our Facebook Page MY Business Page so everyone can vote on and choose the winner. -December 1st we will reveal the winner and contact them.
  SO Think Creatively, Its gotta be fun, fresh, and something no one has ever seen before. Most Importantly, If you win (and someone WILL win)... this may be the most exciting Photo Shoot you and your family has ever been involved in! Get thinking! We are waiting for your ideas!!

A New Look for our Blog! See! See!

Wow.. this is one Hot Blog... :-) Yeahhh.... we're proud of it! Most Importantly, we can't wait to post our next Video sneak peek right here on Tanya and Billy's wedding almost 1 week ago tomorrow. Boy, are they going to be excited! I sure am!

"Living Pictures" are here for you to Experience for your Wedding Day

Tanya and Bill had a wonderful wedding this past weekend. As I promised, we wanted to show everyone what "Living Pictures" can do to enhance the viewers experience. Click below to focus, refocus and adjust the image to explore the entire frame. Click on the rings to see every facet of detail. Have fun with it. Enjoy

Re-imagining and Retelling a Visual Story

Re-imagining and Retelling a Visual Story

I am always in search of new and exciting experiences to give to my clients. Something that keeps me on the cutting edge but at the same time always trying to keep it “real.” Imaginative yet practical.

So I came up with this idea one morning.

 What if… The client and his/her family could literally refocus an image to retell a “visual story” of the wedding or event a little differently? What if participation was vital to the success of retelling an event visually, not just creatively by the photographer but by the person actually viewing the image?

Well I found a device that did just that. Its the newest technology out there for photography; so new in fact that its still literally in beta testing. Yet, I believe we can utilize this device to RE-tell over and over again a whole collection of images that family and friends can creatively re-imagine all on their own.

If you could alter an image to tell a different story, even if it was a slight modification… wouldn’t you want to try? If only to see what it would look like?

Finally the idea is here, and a test of my idea is just below.

Either way… you have to admit it is an intriguing idea.

Click on the “Living Image” Link above to start focusing and refocusing anywhere on the image. Doing this will change and alter the image slightly or even drastically. Have fun with it, explore with it. If this works, it will be another experience that we can give to our awesome Brides, Grooms and their family’s and friends.

 

Your Sneak Peek Gideon and Clea...

Your Sneak Peek Gideon and Clea...

Thank you both for having such a fantastical Wedding!
When you guys first contacted me, I wasn't sure what to expect. As a Photographer, I always like to feel a little comfortable and yet a little nervous at the same time during all my photo shoots and sessions.
When all was said and done and I traveled to your venue, all I felt was excitement. The rain and bad weather didn't even stop us from having what I would consider to be one of the most "down home" beautifully stunning weddings I've had the honor of Photographing. You, Gideon and Clea were kind, fun loving and above all.... you treated everyone there as family. That brought this wedding home for me on a very sincerely personal level. Its an emotion like this that most Photographers don't have the liberty or freedom to have while on the job. I embraced it. I saw the love you have for each other. 
While the images are not complete yet I wanted to leave you both with this video. I hope you and your family enjoy this video and feel the passion that I felt creating it especially for you.

 

After 1 year of Marriage, Stacy and Chris Salas are still looking toinfinity and beyond!

Donna and Phil at the Century House

Photo and Wedding Albums for the Modern Couple!

When my folks were married they hauled around a HUGE wedding album to show family and friends. They would carry this 8 pound collection of photos around in the back seat of their car when they were invited over for a family gathering. That was over 35 years ago. Only 10 years ago when my wife and I got married, we too purchased one of those heavy albums from a great local photographer.Throughout these past 10 years, we might have taken the album with us once or twice to show immediate family.(Of course you realize this was before the social networking days and online photo sharing.

Now days everyone has a smart phone or portable digital device that holds all of our beautiful images to bring everywhere, to show anyone. And that's great.

Lets face it though.... we are showing the very best of our Wedding on a 3-4 inch screen? Really?

Where is the OMG factor?

Well, I figured... If you really wanted to WOW your friends and family, why not purchase a Wedding Album thats about 80% lighter, The colors pop off of the page and its on a 10 x 10 sized Binding. Check this out...

This Photo Album above is a 10 x10 Lay Flat Photo Album with my signature high gloss metallic cover and seamless binding. It weighs in at about 1 pound and believe me when I tell you, THIS is how all weddings should be displayed. Plus every page inside is Metallic coated to allow the contrast of every image to fly right off the page. Its truly like displaying a 10 inch LED photo monitor to your friends. It is indeed a beautiful sight. Lets take a look inside...

So if your getting married and thinking about smaller packages, better deals and saving where ever you can. That is the smart way to feed your budget yet limit your ideas. Remember... Images and moments like these come around once in a lifetime. You can decide to show off your wedding on a 3 inch screen or ... you can still "go big and beautiful" without looking like your stuck in time warp! :-)

These awesome albums also come leather bound with cameo cover or matte finished with a full sized image on the cover. If you'd like to see the album in person, lets setup a face to face and I'd be proud to show you the fit and finish of this product.

 

 

Kristi and Kevin a Sneak Peek Video for you!

[caption id="attachment_16" align="alignleft" width="678"] Kevin and Kristi braving their Wedding day and Traffic![/caption]

Kristi and Kevin Bucci.

When I first met you guys in person, It was at a Dunkin Doughnuts off of Central Ave. On a Father's Day I believe no less. With all the uncertainty that usually surrounds Photography Consultations and intricate wedding details; One things was clear you guys were in love from the moment you approached me. No uncertainty there. I was really pleased to see a couple so into each other and so down to earth. Its a rare thing to see in the world we live in. Also as a photographer you both were so willing to try out and capture sooo many different moments and ideas we had. You both are a Creative Photographers DREAM COUPLE!

I wish you both an extremely exciting and magical marriage.

It was great to be apart of it.

I created this video just for you, your whole family and friends!

Another few days and you'll be having your Photo Gallery with all of your images for all to see Live.

Keep an eye on your email... its coming!

Click below for your Video!

Kristi and Kevin Together Forever!

Its been a while... I am sorry... I've been busy!

Typing on this blog is like pulling teeth for me. Its so difficult to set enough time aside to write a meaningful article, and yet still find time for family, 2 full time careers and (dare I say) self interests. So far this year since the first of January, We've had 2 very successful Bridal shows, Wedding and Portrait bookings up the Wazoo (yep I said it), and of course constant hard work building a business. Its interesting, that it is so easy to dismiss the sheer amount of effort needed to sustain a photography business. Especially photography. Lets face it, everyone owns a camera. Anyone can capture a wedding or an event... or even do portrait work. But I've found its not the camera that makes the photographer... its the photographer itself. Its the learned skill and instinctive passion to make it happen and not miss a beat. So I say why worry about business when what I do is so life full filling!? Moving along... You know I take alot of pictures of my son. My wife always gets mad at me for capturing great moments, BUT I never print them out or sharing them in print form with family. Its always about sharing it on Facebook. Well, the truth is good quailty prints are a bit pricey. Sure I can go to Walmart or a 1 hour photo hut, but Frankly... my family is worth to me more than a less than acceptable 50 cent 4x6 print. My family desrves better. The image itself deserves better. This is why I've dedicated my time during my photography business and during my free time to creating images that I wouldn't mind looking at 10 years later and still appreciate. I want timeless moments. I want Classy moments. And most importantly I want meaningful moments, posed and candid. Above is my son, Eli. For the firt time he accepted posing instructions from his professional photographer, (his Daddy). I wanted a serious facial expression and ... I got it. What a proud moment for me. And what an amazing time for the both of us. Did I mention he's not even 2 years old yet? Moments like these will live with me forever, as a photographer and most importantly as a Father.

A Shameless Plug... why not!

I've always wondered how people would feel about a small company plugging and self promoting their own business to the point of being annoying. Not that I feel our promotions aren't helpful or anoying. On the contrary, I feel our promotions and deals are very helpful and encouraging to potentional clients and good friends of mine interested in having Professional Photography in their lives. Word of Mouth is typically always the best form of promotion, but self promoting can't be bad either. So with that in mind... here is our shameless plug. Sit down with me for a photographic consaultation and if you decide to book with us for your 2012 wedding by March 31st 2012. You will receive a Free Engagement Photo Shoot included in your package deal. Any size, any shape package. You can customize it all. Sky's the limit. So there you go. Not a bad deal. But most importantly ....incredibly helpful; Especially if you've always wanted to have an engagement shoot done but didn't have it in the budget for one. Its truly just another way I am attempting to build my business that consciously takes into account "real" people, hard working people, who have earned the right to have a Professional Photographer at any event for any reason without the crazy costs.

A Moment of Clarity

I've realized after 12 years of working in Photography, I've been thinking about this business the wrong way. I've seen Professionals and Amateurs fight and struggle to get their name out there. They are fighting to be somebody in this industry. They are fighting for a piece of the pie. Recently I've come to a moment of clarity about myself, my business and what Photo Phrame Photography is all about. My photography is about family, its about fun, and its about working your own personality (in this case my personality) into everything I do in this industry. I seem to have built so many fantastic connections with great people such as new friends, family and clients. In the end, its about creating that business family. Its about building relationships that will endure my lifetime. Those relationships have made and will continue to make Photo Phrame Photography successful. So I wanted to thank all those who continue to make my little photography business so great. I totally appreciate that. Here is too a great 2012 Wedding Season!