Below is an 8 x10 20-sided album design for an engagement session by photographer Chad Pilster. Chad loves the work I do for his clients in putting forth that extra-added creative effort in original designs. The only drawback is deciding which of 300-400 images to place on 20 pages, but overall he has trust in my editing skills and know I can get the job right each time.

I wish I had more time to spend with this beautiful and wonderful couple, as they were most patient and complying models in assisting me in creative exploration. It was the most fleeting five hours I’ve experienced, but of course we all know that ‘fun’ seems to escape natural time flow because there are sadistic forces out there turning up the conveyor of time.

There was a  touching, emotional moment as Jen was lying relaxed on Ed’s lap, both gazing at each other, when a tear trickled from her cheek to expose and confirm the sincerity of emotional bond she feels for Ed. I look forward in the newborn session and wish them the best in their parenting journey!

Meet Jack Hope…known to his inner circle as “Big Jack.”  Purveyor of engaging stories. Impeccable talent for recall. Champion bowler. An affable gentle soul who wishes no harm to humanity other than the opposing team of his beloved Bengals on any given Sunday.

This is the Zen of  Big Jack Hope.

Below are a few of my favorite images from a reception I captured on Nov. 14 held at The Atlantic Center for the Arts in beautiful New Smyrna Beach, Florida. This famous artists enclave founded by Doris Leeper is nestled along the historic Intracoastal waterway and surrounded by thick mangrove forests. The Center is a surreal art community with it’s contemporary structures and guest houses, all connected by boardwalk trails meandering through the thicket of unscathed nature, preserved as it may have looked centuries before when the Timucuan natives inhabited the area.

That Saturday could not have been a more beautiful day to host a wedding reception: clear blue cloudless skies with a comfortable breeze void of the Florida humidity that one can never get used to. The union of natural forces and human expression forms an esoteric concept: PERFECTION!

Click here to VIEW a slideshow of the entire gallery

Click here to VIEW a slideshow of the entire gallery

I believe I’ve designed enough of these albums to embark on a full-fledged album design business, thanks to my client Chad Pilster of Pilster Photography. So stay tuned!

Below is a 13-spread album showcasing the day’s events unfolding for Beth and Kyle at The Shores Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. I remember my buddies and I trying to reserve a table there for high-school prom back in 1988, but was booked. Wow! Where has the time gone between then and now?

[View with PicLens]

Well, the trip wasn’t as we anticipated as the weather was not cooperative for most of the four-day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The rain was intermittent for the first three days, so there were brief periods of breaking out the gear and grabbing a few shots. Most of the shots below were taken within the park, with the exception of a few that were taken in and around Chimney Rock, NC.

I think the most poignant part of the trip was in Chimney Rock, where we visited an art gallery after shooting an abandoned hotel that struck my fancy. The gallery owner said if I wanted to see something really rustic, to follow this cobblestone trail head next to her gallery that meandered a sharp 50-foot ascent to a rustic home perched on a flat parcel, and camouflaged by the hillside thicket. It looked like a restored museum piece, complete with porch accouterments of rocking chairs, firewood and blankets. It seemed so eerily surreal that this part-time residence was completely surrounded by lush vegetation, as if it was purposely placed in defiance of a humanly populated world, but only a stones throw away; a non-fictional time portal.

The house is the summer home of an elderly couple in their 80s from Florida, who the gallery owner stated, “would take them close to an hour to reach from the trail head.” I’m willing to bet they didn’t venture away from the house frequently during those summer months.

Forest scene along the Laurel Falls trail within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

[View with PicLens]

This recently completed album of Oona Moon McMoneagle, a spry little two-year-old bundle of joy, is especially poignant for me; not only because I shot the images, but the fact that she’s my god daughter. The images were taken over a 1.5 year span, from her baptism to occasional visits in Tampa Bay. So, it’s no wonder I spent more time designing this album than others.

To witness the growth and maturation of these little people is nothing short of miraculous; from mobility aides to dancing on her little feet in such a short span, the notion that life is precious amplifies a sense of well being despite unfavorable events surrounding our fragile world. I peer into those captivating blue eyes and witness a zeal for life; a mirthful child absorbing all the love given to her by wonderful parents, and reciprocating back with equal amounts of affection. I have to admit, it’s emotionally gratifying when a two-year-old rushes towards you with all the energy she can muster, gives you a hug and peck on the cheek, and exclaims, “I love you, Uncle Yim Yim!” Life is GRAND!

Here’s the latest wedding album design for  Pilster Photography of the Ponte Vedra, FL wedding of Sara and Bryan on June 6, 2009. I assisted during the shoot and most of the pics were taken by me on the sides containing images of the ceremony.

Here’s a good article I retrieved from articlesbase.com regarding the important aspects of a business having a website.

Why you Should Have a Website

Author: Tampa Website Design

If one more person asks you, “what’s your website address?” you can politely tell them, www.i_dont_have_one.com. After all, building a website is not on your list of priorities and with all of the costs of doing business, why should you spend money on a website when you don’t “need one?”

As the owner of a website design company in Tampa Bay, I can give you 10 Reasons Why You Should Have a Website:

1. Marketing

A website is a great way to compliment your existing marketing strategy and when compared to radio commercials, tv ads, billboards and even the yellow pages, nothing is as economical and versatile as your website. In the United States there are more than 220 million internet users; developing a website that will enable you to reach this market-share should be part of any businesses’ marketing plan.

2. Educational

People want to know what you can do for them and what you have done for others. More and more consumers use the internet to get information about products and services so include testimonials from other satisfied customers; provide background information about personnel, give some history about your company or post some photos. People like doing business with people they know and trust, so make your website informative and educational and you maybe surprised at the results.

3. 24/7 Access

Customers shop and compare prices now more than ever before and the internet offers a powerful, quick and efficient way to do so. If your competition is online, you should be there also. Your customers can go online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get answers and information about your business.

4. Resource

Your website gives customers and potential customers all the information about your business they need. This can include a map (if you have a bricks and mortar location), your hours of operation, contact information (phone, fax, email) etc… Customers will have an immediate resource with important information about you business.

5. Interaction with Customers

Your best customers are repeat and referred customers and there is no better way to interact with new and potential customers than keeping in touch with them online. Through your website you can post a newsletter, take a polls or surveys and promote special deals. When you keep in contact it shows customers you care and will keep you “top of mind.”

6. Instant Legitimacy

As a customer you want to know the company you are buying from is legitimate and runs a reputable business. A well designed website lends legitimacy to your business and can lead to increased sales.

7. Marketing research

The web is interactive and can provide valuable information about what your customers want and need. To get a handle on your potential customer base you can set up a survey to figure out exactly what visitors are interested in. By finding out what they are looking for you can also learn what new trends are on the horizon. This marketing research will help you efficiently grow your business.

8. Level the Playing Field

Look and act bigger than you really are. Every big business has a website and every small business should too! A well designed website presents a more professional image than a larger competitor whose web presence appears weak or amateurish.

9. It is Lucrative

If you develop an effective online marketing strategy, your website will bring in new business and new customers that you may not have acquired through other traditional advertising strategies.

10. Customers Expect It

Isn’t this where we started? In today’s business world, the internet is the way we do business and without a web presence, your business risks never being found by prospective customers.

Now that you understand why you should have a website, your next step it to determine what you want your website to achieve and then get to building! Questions? Just send me an email and I’ll be happy to help provide you with a variety of website design services!

About the Author:

Tampa Website Design

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Why you Should Have a Website

Pilster Photography was so kind to mention me in their recent posting regarding wedding albums. I have been working with Chad Pilster, a Central Florida-based wedding photojournalist for several months now, designing albums in various sizes for his clients. It thrills me to witness the actual work in a beautiful leather-bound album, rather than on the LCD screen. It makes the effort more rewarding!

I don’t use templates and approach each design with the intention of producing something original and unique that accentuates, yet does not detract from the photographer’s vision of the couple’s special day. It’s great to work with Chad, since he gives me full reign to the layout, and trusts my design skills to get the job done right every time.

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