David Orr Photography

Hong Kong Days and Shanghai Nights

2012-01-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

Read about our January 2012 travels in Hong Kong and Shanghai here

PayPal Holiday Party

2011-12-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled to provide photographic coverage for PayPal's 2011 holiday party at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. The event and decor was seamlessly and beautifully organized by William Pailley of Artistic Surroundings. Guests were welcomed Hollywood style, complete with a red carpet, papparazzi and adoring fans begging for autographs. The evening's musical entertainment and MC was provided by Ray the DJ. Guests also had a chance to try their hand at blackjack and poker in a casino room.

Amber and Jeff Engagement Session, Tempe Center for the Arts, AZ

2011-12-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

Amber and Jeff met us this past October at the Tempe Center for the Arts for their Engagement Session photo date. Although we've photographed here before, we're constantly amazed how this location transforms over the course of a day, with new photo opportunities presenting themselves each hour.

We started out in the soft diffused shade of the Center's building and courtyard. As the sun started to set, we then moved to the new pedestrian bridge, just completed on October 18th of this year. The 912-foot long bridge connects the north and south end of Tempe Town Lake for pedestrians and bicyclists, and also shades and cools the repaired dam system. Best of all, it provided a beautiful backdrop for Amber and Jeff's pictures! After the sun went down, we headed back to the Center, where orange fire pits sprung to life against the blue of the pedestrian bridge in the distance.

Amber and Jeff first met each other at work back in 2007. They were recently engaged this past April at sunset on a secluded La Jolla beach, and are looking forward to their April 2012 wedding at Regale!

Katie May and Andy Wedding, The Farm at South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

2011-12-08T16:37:00.001-07:00

Katie May and Andy found our wedding photography services at the bridal show nearly a year ago. We were thrilled they chose us to be the photographers for their Farm at South Mountain wedding. (Amanda and I almost got married here ourselves.)

Their wedding was full of personal touches and tradition that represented the melding of these two, their families, and cultures. Some of the rustic embellishments included kerosene lanterns on shepherds hooks down the ceremony aisle; green apples (representative of Andy's small Washington hometown); Katie's homemade apple jam; mason jars; and apple and heart-shaped cookies.

Andy presented each of his groomsmen with NFL-themed cufflinks--Seattle Seahawks being the hometown favorite--as well as embroidered navy ties.

An amazing variation on the standard guestbook was Katie and Andy's fingerprint tree. A hand-drawn tree representing the families was inked and signed with the fingerprints of attending family and guests!

These two celebrated long into the evening on the Morning Glory Patio, absolutely enchanted with each other. We know this will be an enduring relationship and we wish them the best!

Sara and Jason's Wedding, Regale! at DC Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ

2011-11-21T20:29:00.001-07:00

Sara and Jason's October wedding took place alongside the splashing sandstone waterfall in the Plaza on Market Street. Scattered red rose petals and blooming yellow palo verdes accented the ceremony.

Before and following the ceremony, Market Street's plethora of backdrops--stuccoed walls, brick fireplaces, wood-grained concrete, and lush grass lawns--made for wonderful photo opportunities. And we were graced with yet another gorgeous sunset in all the hues of the rainbow.

The upstairs ceremony at Regale! featured plenty of dancing and celebration, including the Newlywed Game and its signature bride and groom rubber duckies.

Every wedding at Regale! is a joy for us, working with a close-knit family of vendors to create a memorable experience for special couples like Sara and Jason!

Jaime and Paul's Wedding, Regale! at DC Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jaime and Paul's wedding marked the beginning of our fall season at Regale! at DC Ranch. Their wedding was full of beautiful autumn flourishes, from Jaime's calla lily bouquet and the flowergirl's handmade dress to the wedding cake and Unruly Red wine parting gifts for guests.

Jaime and Paul are remarkable together and we wish them a lifetime of happiness!

Arely and Jose Maternity Portrait Session

2011-10-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

We met up with Arely and Jose for their maternity portraits at local photographers' mecca Freestone Park in Gilbert, AZ. Thankfully it was a peaceful afternoon and we mostly had the park to ourselves. We then continued the portrait session at their home with the addition of their other family members, two cute (and feisty) Jack Russell Terriers!

Arely and Jose are so happy together--we know these two will make wonderful parents!

Charlyn and Jeremy Wedding, Vistas Recreation Center, Peoria, AZ

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

They say it's who you know; we were given the opportunity to photograph this beautiful wedding by way of a longtime (and super talented!) jewelry client of ours, Diane Sepanski, whose son Jeremy was getting married. We had a wonderful time documenting Charlyn and Jeremy's wedding day and getting to know more about what brought these two together.

Mercediez and Andrew Engagement Session, Mill Avenue, Tempe, AZ

2011-10-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Mercediez and Andrew braved a dusty monsoon with us in September for their Engagement Session photos. We headed down to Mill Avenue and wandered downtown Tempe in search of some fun photo ops. We discovered a great vantage point overlooking Mill and the Gordon Biersch brewery--which worked out perfectly as Mercediez and Andrew told us they had their first date at a Gordon Biersch restaurant. We can't wait for their wedding!

Another Phoenix Haboob

2011-09-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

I've lost count of the extreme dust storms we've had this summer of 2011, but it seems like we're up to at least seven here in September. Amanda and I saw this haboob about 6:30pm as we drove toward Tempe, on our way to scout out Mill Avenue for an upcoming engagement session. This storm wasn't nearly as impressive as the July haboob, but it was still pretty amazing as it rolled over the Salt River and swallowed the sunset.

Beads by Gail G. Finney

2011-09-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here is some beautiful new work by glass artist Gail G. Finney of Corona Beads. Gail asked me to photograph her beads for submission to the upcoming Women in Glass issue of The Flow Magazine. What's amazing about Gail's work is the wide range of techniques she incorporates in her designs.

This brooch combines a lampworked glass bead and heart of felted dog hair.

This lampworked glass bead features a "painted" technique using enamel.

These ceramic beads are decorated with an underglaze pencil technique.

Day Trip to Jerome, Arizona

2011-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Amanda and I took a quick day trip to the historic mining / ghost town of Jerome, Arizona. The town is part artists' community, with a mix of galleries, gift shops, biker bars, and bed and breakfasts--truly a great escape just under two hours from Phoenix.

This image is looking directly down Audrey Shaft (part of the Audrey Headframe Park), a sheer 1400-foot drop before reaching the groundwater table. The total depth of the shaft is 1900 feet, taller than the Empire State Building. There is a glass viewing plate that rests directly over this shaft, so you can stand above it if you so choose.

One of the many great shops to check out in Jerome is Nellie Bly's Kaleidoscopes. This store is the largest kaleidoscope store in the world (in terms of sheer number of kaleidoscopes) and features over 90 kaleidoscope artists. The owners encourage you to pick up all the kaleidoscopes and even take photos through them.

We stopped in at Alice's Restaurant for lunch. Their apple pie is amazing--warm cinnamon apples served straight up (without all the gooey filling) in a flaky crust.

Amanda hamming it up in an antique car outside the Jerome Grand Hotel.

The Jerome Grand Hotel, once a hospital, is purportedly haunted, and offers ghost hunt tours for guests.

The view looking across Jerome and north toward the Verde Valley and Sedona.

San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo Murrini Cane by Kevin O'Grady

2011-08-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is an amazing murrini cane project I photographed for glass artist Kevin O'Grady. His borosilicate glass cane depicts the historic mission, San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo, in Carmel, California.

Kevin put together the finished cane from his various original cane components, handmixing the color of each component himself. The completed murrini measures 2.25" across, and Kevin then pulls this cane down to a usable size to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. He has logged several hundred hours into creating this particular mission cane, and has made it his goal to depict all 21 historic Spanish Missions along the coast of California.

Jewelry by Kristen Frantzen Orr and Gail Rappa

2011-08-22T08:00:00.003-07:00

Here is a beautiful glass, metal and stone pendant, a collaboration between Kristen Frantzen Orr (mom!) and Gail Rappa. I photographed this piece for their submission to the Wild Women Artists' annual postcard.

New Accordion Wedding Books

2011-08-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

We're always on the lookout for innovative new ways for you to share your wedding and portrait photos--so we were thrilled when one of our pro photo labs introduced these awesome Accordion Books! Each book is printed (double-sided) on fine art pearlized paper, and bound between two thick, durable metallic covers. The custom covers feature photos of your choice, and the book is held closed tight with concealed magnets.

The 3x3" Accordion Book features an astounding 30 images, yet is compact enough to easily fit in your purse.

The 4x6" Accordion Book features 10 large image panels, and looks great sitting open on an office desk or bookcase.

We also offer quantity price discounts for 5 or 10 copies of each book, perfect when you're looking for a special gift for each member of the bridal party or family.

Metal Jewelry Designs by Gwendolyn Youngblood

2011-08-04T08:00:00.002-07:00

Metalsmith and jewelry artist Gwendolyn Youngblood asked me to photograph her jewelry designs for classes she teaches at national shows such as Bead & Button and Bead Fest. (Gwendolyn was referred to me by one of my favorite jewelry clients, Jill Wiseman. I love referrals!) Gwendolyn's work beautifully incorporates a variety of techniques and materials. Below is a small sample of her designs.

Business Headshot Portraits On Location

2011-07-26T08:00:00.013-07:00

Integrated Financial Strategies in Scottsdale recently had me back to photograph headshot portraits for several of their agents. This time around, rather than using Canon speedlites, I brought in full studio lights, including a large softbox and two umbrellas. It was a tight fit with all the equipment in their reception area, but I think the results were well worth it!

Ms. Carol's Gymkids

2011-07-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

We were recently invited to photograph a dress rehearsal at Ms. Carol's Gymkids gymnastics studio in Mesa. The gym is tucked away in a nondescript office complex, but inside there's plenty of space for classes of all kinds: gymnastics, ballet, dance, hip hop, break dance, fitness, etc. Carol's philosophy is to provide non-competitive fitness classes to help each child reach their personal best level of achievement. These kids were definitely having a great time and getting a good workout in the process!

Catalog Photography for Arlee Kasselman Jewelry Design

2011-07-06T08:00:00.002-07:00

We had a lot of projects this past spring that didn't make it to the blog. Now that summer's here and I'm feeling a bit caught up, I wanted to share a few of our new images. One of these projects was catalog photography for Arlee Kasselman Jewelry Design.

Each collection features a necklace, pendant, bracelet and earrings designed around a positive theme (eternal peace, powerful energy). In addition to using exotic gemstones--such as rutillated and honey quartz, golden citrine, kyanite and lapis--Arlee hand designs the silver and gold vermeil components, as well as the chains, of each piece.

Jewelry Designs by Karen Sugarman

2011-07-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

Scottsdale jewelry designer Karen Sugarman's necklaces look like glittering treasures plucked from a crystal-encrusted cavern or washed up on a tropical beach.

The first piece, entitled "Shell of an Idea III," features pink and white shell beads, pink rhodochrosite, baroque pearls, and an antique, angel skin coral cameo with a 10K gold bezel. To give the image a natural, sunlit look, I used a diffused backlight at a low angle to emphasize the contours of the cameo and glittering texture of the black sand. The second piece, entitled "Melodie Necklace," features an 88-carat Swiss-blue topaz briolette, accented by multicolored tourmaline briolettes. The challenge here was to capture the glow of the faceted briolettes without washing out the tones of the graduated background.

Mandy and Jeff Wedding, Regale! at DC Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ

2011-06-21T23:01:00.000-07:00

In spite of what some might superstitiously consider a spooky date, Mandy and Jeff's Friday the 13th wedding went off quite beautifully and without a hitch. The intimate ceremony took place in the Plaza on Market Street, reverently performed by minister Larry James. Mandy and Jeff included some special touches, including a rose exchange, and a sand ceremony using both heart-shaped vessels and a monogrammed, heart-shaped vase.

How We Spent the "Apocalypse"

2011-06-06T08:00:00.003-07:00

Not surprisingly, the world didn't end on May 21 as Harold Camping had predicted on Family Radio. Amanda and I happened to be camping on that day at Colcord Ridge on the Mogollon Rim, between Payson and Heber. It was a great time to disconnect and immerse ourselves in the natural rhythm of the world.

Canyon Creek

Horsetail along Canyon Creek

Nelson's Larkspur near Valentine Ridge Campground

Rocky Mountain Iris

Silver-spotted Skipper

A Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake that slithered across the highway as we drove south of Young. It brings to mind a helpful rhyme I learned in my scouting days, to distinguish between the very deadly coral snake, and this non-venomous kingsnake: "Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. Red touches black, friend of Jack." Either way, I wasn't about to pick this guy up!

The view overlooking Roosevelt Lake from the east, with some blooming Ocotillo.

The view overlooking Roosevelt Lake toward Four Peaks, with blooming Prickly Pear.

What camping trip would be complete without chili dogs!

Amy and Travis Engagement Session, Tempe Center for the Arts

2011-06-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Back in April, we spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon with Amy and Travis photographing their Engagement Session at the Tempe Center for the Arts and Tempe Town Lake. It's amazing how complementary orange, gold, and blue hues seemed to work their way into every image we captured--but more importantly--how the photos glow with the infectious smiles of these two together!

Ethan's First Birthday and Doljabi

2011-05-06T08:00:00.001-07:00

Susan and Eugene invited us to document a very special milestone in their son's life: his first birthday and doljabi. The doljabi is a Korean tradition that foretells a child's future: the child is placed in front of a table of symbolic objects (string, books, money, rice, etc.) and then encouraged to pick one. In this case, Ethan selected a stethoscope, foretelling his future occupation as a doctor! His "dol" table was also stacked with colorful rice cakes and towering fruit, symbolizing a life of prosperity. It was truly a blessing to witness this special celebration!

Kim and Greg Wedding, Regale! at DC Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ

2011-05-04T08:00:00.001-07:00

Kim and Greg's wedding at Regale! was a real trendsetter, with unique details that made it memorable for all in attendance. Their ceremony took place on a Saturday afternoon in the park just off Market Street. Antique chandeliers were hung from mesquite trees in the park, above a circle of pink rose petals scattered on the grass. During the ceremony, the parents of the bride and groom placed special messages in a "time capsule" cigar box, for Kim and Greg to read on their 1-year anniversary.

The reception upstairs in Regale! was equally extraordinary. The head table was adorned with glassware handpainted by the bride for the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and guest tables featured vintage picture frames and candleholders. After a long evening of dancing and celebration (including a rowdy cake cutting!), the night ended with a dramatic sparkler farewell, and Kim and Greg were whisked away in a waiting limousine.

Sunny and Jason Wedding, Regale! at DC Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ

2011-04-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

Sunny and Jason's cozy wedding took place at the Plaza on Market Street, set against a backdrop of a sandstone waterfall and bronze mountain lion sculptures. In the evening, we were treated with an exceptional view from Regale!'s patio of the supermoon rising over the McDowell Mountains. The full moon that evening was the closest to Earth in the past 18 years, and appeared roughly 12% larger than normal. Sunny and Jason held perfectly still for the nearly 1/2 second, tripod-mounted exposure necessary to capture the moon!

Stephanie and Sean Wedding, Regale at DC Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ

2011-03-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Sean exchanged vows on a beautiful March day at the Park at Regale at DC Ranch. Following their late afternoon ceremony, we were treated with a deep magenta and royal blue sunset as we strolled Market Street. We then headed upstairs to Regale, where Stephanie and Sean's love of music permeated throughout the reception, with music-themed tables and a CD of their treasured songs for each guest in attendance.

Handcrafted Metal Jewelry by Bonnie Beyer

2011-03-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to photograph some of Bonnie Beyer's unique, handcrafted jewelry. Bonnie has been designing pieces for 33 years using a variety of materials such as Swedish horseshoe nails, hand-hammered brass and copper, sterling silver and wire. If you happen to be in Chautauqua, NY, you can check out Bonnie's one-of-a-kind, seasonal art gallery/gift shop, the Art Loft. The spacious gallery has 40-foot ceilings, 5 rooms, and represents the work of over 100 artists in all mediums.

Geoff and Mavis Wedding, Wynn Las Vegas

2011-03-08T23:06:00.000-07:00

On January 19, 2011, at the Wynn Las Vegas, I had the privilege of not only being the photographer, but also the best man at a very special wedding--my brother Geoff's. It was truly awesome to see Geoff so happy, and to welcome Mavis into our family!

The Wynn offered a number of beautiful photo backdrops, and was decked out in anticipation of the Chinese New Year, the year of the rabbit.

Keegan and Scott Engagement Session, Market Street and DC Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ

2011-03-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

We had a great time photographing Keegan and Scott's engagement session at and around the Market Street and DC Ranch area. They came prepared with plenty of fun props, including some awesome cupcakes from Sprinkles, representing their unabashed love for dessert and spending special time together. We also stumbled upon a great old tractor, that reminded Keegan of her small-town roots, and a beautiful Arizona sunset.

Photography at the Tucson Best Bead Show, Spring 2011

2011-02-06T08:00:00.007-07:00

Here are some fairly unedited preview images of jewelry I photographed at the Tucson Best Bead Show.
Martha Brown and husband Steve drove down to the Tucson show all the way from Illinois. Like many of the show's attendees, they were expecting to have escaped the frigid weather of their home state, and were a bit surprised when arriving in Arizona! They brought several of their beautiful PMC and bronze clay pieces to be photographed, two of which are below.

My mom, Kristen Frantzen Orr, has been exhibiting with the Best Bead Show since the beginning. She and I used to go down to the Tucson show together when I was just a kid in grade school, hunting for the next amazing find for my mineral collection. She helped get me into jewelry photography, and I've had lots of practice over the years photographing her incredible floral lampwork beads! Here are a couple of her designs for sale at the current show.

Suzanna DiMarco Jewelry Fashion Portraits

2011-02-04T08:00:00.001-07:00

Here are some recent jewelry fashion portraits we photographed to highlight Suzanna DiMarco's amazing jewelry designs. We created these images in our home studio over the course of three hours. Special thanks to the gracious models!

Thank you for visiting us at the Bridal Fashion Debut show

2011-01-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth this past weekend at the Bridal Fashion Debut show in the Phoenix Convention Center. It was great meeting all of you and hearing your plans! We are looking forward to a year filled with many beautiful weddings!

Toddler Portraits in Our Home Studio

2010-12-30T13:41:00.005-07:00

Our good friend Megan brought over her now 19-month-old daughter for some portraits in our home studio. Megan gave the photos as a surprise Christmas gift to daddy Erik.

It's great to see how this little one has grown over the past year and a half!

Thanksgiving-Christmas in St. Johns, AZ

2010-12-22T09:00:00.003-07:00

Having families in different states prompts Amanda and I to get creative with how we celebrate the holidays. This past Thanksgiving we also celebrated Christmas in St. Johns, at Amanda's parents'.

Our first night there brought an early dusting of snow, which added to the Christmas feel of things! This is Amanda's grandfather's house.

Some grass in the front yard with a frosting of snow.

Pyracantha berries and snow.

Rocher enjoying a good run over the cold snow. She's never seen this stuff in Phoenix!

Rocher and her buddy Sailor romping around.

Rocher sitting unusually still.

A Christmas tree topper to end all Christmas tree toppers.

One of these things is just like the other.

The world's largest Christmas stockings, courtesy of Monica.

This year Amanda's mom Nellie introduced us to a new Christmas tradition, wreath making. The girls were incredibly talented and came up with some award-worthy designs. I, on the other hand, will probably just stick to photographing the completed wreaths! :) (Guess which one's mine.)

Amanda, Monica, and Nellie, and their finished creations.

Contemporary Silver and 18K Gold Jewelry by Suzanna DiMarco

2010-12-01T18:30:00.001-07:00

It's been almost exactly a year since I first met Suzanna and discovered her beautiful jewelry designs. This year she brought several new silver and 18K gold pieces for me to photograph. Her ring designs are especially cool as they consist of three interlocking pieces that combine to form a unique whole. You can browse more of Suzanna's work on her website.

All designs are copyright ©2010, Suzanna DiMarco.

Petroglyph Glass Bracelets by Kevin O'Grady

2010-11-16T08:00:00.004-07:00

I recently photographed these new petroglyph bracelets by glass artist Kevin O'Grady. Each bracelet features cutaway windows that reveal intricate petroglyph designs inside the bracelet. I also had the opportunity to photograph one of Kevin's vortex marbles. The image you see here is a composite of 5 separate images, which were necessary to capture the depth of the marble and to minimize the reflections of the studio lights.You can see more of Kevin's work on his website.

All designs are Copyright ©2010, Kevin O'Grady.

Antique Bracelets by Pam Amputh

2010-11-13T16:53:00.002-07:00

Jewelry designer Pam Amputh (pamsopa at yahoo dot com) puts a new spin on antique silverware, crafting forks and other items into wearable, one-of-a-kind bracelets. The designs are both suprising and elegant.

Lampworked Glass Jewelry by Anita Farrah

2010-10-28T16:15:00.001-07:00

These beautiful, lampworked-glass, lotus pendants were created by artist Anita Farrah. Anita's talents don't stop at glass beadmaking; she is also a life coach and yoga teacher. She describes the process of creating her glass beads as a "moving meditation." Check out more of her amazing work on her website.

Why Hire a Professional Wedding Photographer When My Friend Can Do the Photos?

2010-10-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

With the downturn in the economy, brides and grooms have to be creative to find ways to afford the wedding they want. You may be tempted to save money on your wedding by hiring a friend, family member, or student to do your wedding photos. While this does offer an attractive and immediate benefit (saving money), the long-term consequences can be very devastating: low quality photos; a poorly planned and stressful wedding day; strained relationships with that friend or family member; and in some cases, no photos at all.

Professional photographers offer a wealth of knowledge and experience, and provide many benefits over hiring a friend or family member.

1) A Well-Planned Wedding Day:
A professional photographer will sit down with you and your wedding planner, to establish a schedule for the photos on your wedding day. The photographer does this with you and your guests in mind, seamlessly blending photos into your schedule, while maximizing the time you get to spend with your guests. You’ll know exactly when the dressing room, bridal party, and extended family photos fit in your day, letting you focus on enjoying your wedding stress-free.

2) Experience:
A professional photographer has worked dozens of weddings, and has a solid understanding of the typical flow of events. This means they will always be in the right place at the right time, capturing fleeting moments that an amateur may miss. You won’t have to wait to cut your cake or do the bouquet toss while somebody searches for your photographer.

3) Back-Up:
What happens in the event of an equipment failure? If you hired a friend or family member, probably nothing. The wedding will have to continue on without any photographic record of those special, once-in-a-lifetime moments. However, if you hired a professional, they will be ready with a backup camera, memory cards, flashes, batteries, etc., to make sure the photos continue uninterrupted. And a professional will have an assistant or backup photographer on hand to assist with the photography.

4) Quality:
Would you hire an amateur contractor to install your new swimming pool or gas barbecue? Hopefully not. Besides obvious safety concerns, the quality of your finished pool or barbecue could be compromised, meaning you’ll need expensive repairs down the line. In the end, the money you saved by going with an amateur will be spent later in repairs. Unfortunately, low quality wedding photos can’t be repaired or reshot. A professional can guarantee that your wedding photos are well lit, color-balanced, properly composed, and above all, beautiful.

5) The Finished Product:
Another area where professional photographers excel over amateurs is in the presentation of your finished images. An amateur will most likely provide you with digital images on a CD. And it’s likely that’s where they’ll stay, collecting dust on a bookshelf. Professionals, on the other hand, offer a variety of heirloom quality, handmade products that you can’t purchase at your local Walgreens or CostCo: handmade, leather-bound albums; signature frames with museum-quality glass; and wall-sized metal prints and canvas wraps. Professionals work hard to build relationships with photo labs, album binders, and other providers to offer you a diversity of beautiful keepsakes.

Getting married is a big commitment that requires careful planning. When it comes time for your wedding day, the last thing you want to worry about is whether or not your photographer will provide quality service. So choose carefully and go with a professional, so you and your groom can focus on the bliss of your wedding day and the beginning of your new life together!

Rachel and Sean 10/10/10 Wedding at Freestone Park, Gilbert, AZ

2010-10-21T11:26:00.002-07:00

Rachel and Sean had an intimate wedding ceremony at Freestone Park in Gilbert, joined by their adorable daughter and immediate family. Reverend Crystal Lloyd of Ceremonies by Crystal provided her expert officiant services for the ceremony.

Besides being a cool date, 10/10/10 held additional significance for Rachel and Sean, who are fans of author Douglas Adams. 101010 is 42 in binary, which in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy happens to be the "ultimate answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything." Continuing with the theme, everyone posed for some fun shots with towels, which according to Adams is "the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have."

On-Location Business Headshot Portraits

2010-10-15T08:00:00.012-07:00

We're always thrilled to hear from previous customers of ours as they journey through life. J.D. and Quanna (not pictured below) first came to us for their engagement session and wedding in 2007. J.D. then came back to us in June of 2009, for business portraits in our home studio. J.D. is now with Integrated Financial Strategies in Scottsdale, and referred us (thanks J.D.!) when his coworkers (below) needed business headshot portraits.

These portraits were done on location in the entryway of IFS' office. Since space was limited, I brought in smaller, portable Canon speedlite flashes (rather than our studio lights), and a 5'-wide, white seamless backdrop.

Postcard Graphic Design and Photography for Margaret Gordon

2010-10-13T15:15:00.002-07:00

Amanda and I get the chance to collaborate on some creative projects from time to time. For this project, we assisted the very talented artist and beadweaver Margaret Gordon with designing an oversized, 9x4" postcard for her direct mail marketing campaign. This postcard design is the second in a series that features Margaret's original pendants hanging from a colorful chopstick. Amanda whipped up some clever graphic design to complement my photography and Margaret's beautiful pieces.

Freak Hailstorm in Phoenix, Arizona

2010-10-05T14:33:00.002-07:00

We had a freak hail-and-rain monsoon hammer Phoenix this afternoon. The hail was bouncing off the windows of the house, but thankfully none broke. Some of the hail approached quarter-size. I'm glad I wasn't driving out in this weather! This has been such a nice relief from the 100+ degree temps we had just a week ago!

Holiday Family Portrait Sessions and Greeting Cards

2010-09-23T17:41:00.002-07:00

This fall we are offering a special on holiday family portrait sessions, complete with photo greeting cards that you can mail to your family! We'll help you keep your loved ones updated on the year's happenings with beautiful portraits and a personal message. As part of this portrait special, we'll bring the studio to you, lights and all, and set up in the comfort of your home.

Our on-location family portrait sessions include 1 or 2 hours of professional photography in your home and your choice of beautiful 4x8" photo greeting cards or 5x7" folded photo cards. Here is a small sample of the dozens of greeting card designs available. For pricing, click here.

Stephanie and Sean Engagement Session at Market Street and Regale in DC Ranch

2010-09-13T18:26:00.001-07:00

Regale and Market Street at DC Ranch provided the backdrop for these fun engagement session photos. We spent two hours of a late afternoon/evening on a photo date with Stephanie and Sean. These two are a beautiful couple that are truly meant to be together! We can't wait to photograph their wedding!

Perseid Meteor Shower

2010-09-08T20:58:00.001-07:00

Despite the name of this post, there aren't any actual Perseid meteor photos that follow. But we did have a lot of fun stargazing and capturing some images of the Arizona night sky. On a peak night of the August Perseid shower, we headed down the Apache Trail toward Canyon Lake, to escape the glow of Phoenix's city lights. After finding what looked like a very well-graded dirt road, we turned off in search of a clear space to set up. It wasn't long before we encountered a very ambiguous yet threatening sign that read "Go No Further," with a bunch of legalese about criminal prosecution at the state and federal level. Not wanting to risk torture in a secret government facility, we turned around and headed further down the Apache Trail, past Canyon Lake, settling on a clearing just past Tortilla flat.

From our vantage point we saw about 15 Perseids streak by over the course of a couple hours--none bright enough to show up in camera, but still quite beautiful. The exposures that follow are 10 seconds and 25 minutes respectively, which created the curving star trails that look like the surface of a record.

A couple of things we learned about photographing stars: 1) Bring lawnchairs to sit up off the ground. We had brought a blanket, and were surprised to discover a scorpion and other bugs roaming around within a minute of parking. 2) Bring bug spray. A flashlight in the desert night is a magnet for biting mosquitoes. 3) Open up the aperture (f-stop) on your camera to the widest available, such as 2.8. Since the distance of stars are essentially at infinity, you won't need any depth of field. 4) Keep your exposure under 10 seconds, or less if you are using a telephoto lens. This is the minimum duration of time that won't capture any movement or blur of the stars due to the earth's rotation. (Unless you want to photograph star trails).

All in all we had a great time. I can't wait to try some more star shots!

Baby Portraits

2010-08-31T14:18:00.001-07:00

It's been nearly three years since we photographed Susan and Eugene's wedding, and they recently invited us into their home to photograph their adorable 3-month-old baby Ethan! I brought my studio lights and backdrop and set up in their living room. We had a good time catching up with each other and keeping little Ethan entertained.

Wedding Portrait Session at Regale at DC Ranch

2010-08-27T18:59:00.001-07:00

We recently photographed another mock wedding session at Regale at DC Ranch in Scottsdale. It seems we discover new photo opportunities every time we go there. The sunset and evening lighting made for some very dramatic portraits! We can't wait to photograph our first wedding at this new venue. Special thanks to Alli Mandoske of Life Through a Lens Photography for providing models Susan and Allan!

Lampworked Glass Beads from the Arizona Society of Glass Beadmakers

2010-08-13T09:00:00.006-07:00

I was fortunate enough to be selected to photograph the ASGB's postcard project again this year, along with some other jewelry pieces by these very talented glass artists. Here is just a small selection from the project. The artists, from top to bottom, are: Penny Dickinson, Michele Coletti, Kathryn Guler, Gail Finney, Dolly Ahles, Diane Sepanski, Diane Rogers, Anita Farrah, Kiersten Kern, Diane Sepanski, Penny Dickinson, Michele Coletti, and Gail Finney.

What? Is There Something in my Hair?

2010-08-11T14:33:00.001-07:00

Amanda and I seem to have a knack for finding these little guys at the tops of mountain peaks every summer. The ladybugs swarm all over tree trunks, branches, and even radio towers. We found this particular group after a mile hike to the top of Madera Peak, in the Pinal Mountains just outside Globe. I love the way they tucked themselves into the bark of alligator juniper trees.

New Work by Artist Margaret Gordon

2010-07-29T11:15:00.001-07:00

Margaret Gordon works with a variety of mixed media to create truly unique jewelry. Some of my favorite pieces are her beaded corncobs, which combine colorful "Indian" corn, intricately woven seed beads, and both modern and antique glass. Here are a couple of her latest designs.

GPS and Digital Frame Product Photography

2010-07-26T14:47:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of products I photographed in the studio for a client's marketing campaign. Each of these images required multiple exposures to capture the right lighting balance for the product, reflection, and LED screen.

Jewelry Photography for Metal Heads / Feats of Clay Postcard

2010-07-02T18:28:00.001-07:00

These are some jewelry images I recently shot for a postcard project for the group Metal Heads/Feats of Clay, the Phoenix chapter of the PMC Guild. Members of the this group specialize in jewelry made with silver clay (precious metal clay). As you can see, they have achieved some beautiful results with their talents! The pieces, from top to bottom, were created by Diane Sepanski, Donna Lewis, Gretchen Olberding, Cindi Shaffer, Lynn A. Strolin, Tina Christie, and Florence Coleman.

Wedding Portrait Session at Regale! in Scottsdale

2010-06-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

We are excited to be working with a beautiful new wedding and reception venue in north Scottsdale, Regale! Regale is located on Market Street at DC Ranch, and offers a variety of indoor and outdoor locations for wedding ceremonies. Newlyweds Carolyn and Brendan graciously volunteered to be our models for an evening as we explored the various photo possibilities Regale has to offer.

Thanks for Visiting Us at the Bridal Fashion Debut Show

2010-06-09T15:10:00.002-07:00

Thank you to everyone who braved the 110-degree heat and visited us this past Sunday, June 6th, at the Bridal Fashion Debut Show. We hope you enjoyed our cushy new booth. We look forward to hearing about your plans for your wedding day!

Regina and Ron Memory Book Design

2010-05-27T12:32:00.001-07:00

Here are a few pages from a hardcover Memory Book we recently designed for Regina and Ron's wedding. They chose a beautiful pearl finish for the inside pages, which really brings out the color and luster of the images.

Elizabeth and Chris Portrait Session, Tempe Town Lake, Arizona

2010-05-17T13:06:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth and Chris needed a single portrait for their wedding invitation, so we modified our engagement session to create a short and sweet Invitation Session for them. Tempe Town Lake provided a beautiful (and windy!) backdrop and lots of composition opportunities.

Finally, After Five Years

2010-04-19T16:43:00.001-07:00

About five years ago, we were given a non-descript little cactus in a medium-sized tupperware container. We were told the cactus had amazing red blooms. Although most of our front yard is landscaped with native plants, we didn't have any cactus, so we kept the little guy going in its tupperware for awhile, and a few years later moved it up to a much larger planter once the roots cracked through the brittle plastic container. Year after year we patiently waited for the fabled red blooms, wondering if we were giving the right amount of water, or if we needed to fertilize the cactus due to a lack of nutrients in the planter. Finally this spring, we were pleasantly surprised with what initially looked like some sort of parasitic growth on the cactus spines. The cactus is now in full bloom with nine red blossoms, and they are truly magnificent!

Spring Flowers at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, AZ

2010-04-01T11:55:00.001-07:00

This "winter's" (does Phoenix have a winter?) heavier than normal rainfall has made for an exceptional wildflower season this spring. We drove out to Boyce Thompson Arboretum to see what was in bloom, and found globemallow, lupine, poppies, and penstemon along the way (not to mention some perturbed cows that got caught in the cholla), as well as climbing roses and yucca at the arboretum itself.

Granite Dells and Rocamadour Bed & Breakfast, Prescott, AZ

2010-04-01T11:17:00.002-07:00

Amanda and I took a quick break to escape Phoenix and explore the Granite Dells of Prescott. We had driven through the area on several occasions, but never stopped to actually explore. We found a wonderful bed & breakfast, Rocamadour, in the heart of the rocks between Willow and Watson Lakes. Hosts Mike and Twila Coffey are very knowledgeable of all things Prescott, including the best places to hike and dine. They are also accomplished landscape photographers, and have many of their beautiful prints of Arizona on display and for sale. We highly recommend a visit before the weather starts to warm up!

We also took a detour on the way home and toured architect Paolo Soleri's project Arcosanti. They offer free tours of this experimental arcology every hour.

Marin and Matt Wedding, The Raven Golf Club at South Mountain, AZ

2010-03-16T11:13:00.033-07:00

Marin and Matt's wedding took place on a stellar spring day at the Raven Golf Club at South Mountain. The bridesmaids' fuschia dresses and groomsmen's apple-green vests were the perfect complement for the outdoor ceremony. A highlight of the reception was the bridal party's raucous Rock Band cover of "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Living on a Prayer."

Jewelry Photography at the Tucson Best Bead Show

2010-03-04T23:08:00.004-07:00

Here is just a sampling of the beautiful jewelry that we photographed at this spring's Best Bead Show in Tucson. The artists, in order from top to bottom, are: Angi Graham, Cyndie Smith, Cyndie Smith, Jirivil Wood, Kevin O'Grady, Nanette Charif, Patty Lakinsmith, Patty Lakinsmith & Cyndie Smith, and Susan Bartlett. (All designs are copyright ©2010 their respective artists.)

Regina and Ron Wedding, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Arizona

2010-02-23T15:36:00.002-07:00

Thanks for Visiting Us at the Bridal Fashion Debut Show!

2010-01-13T12:30:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see us this past weekend at the Bridal Fashion Debut show! We look forward to hearing about your plans and working with you on your big day!

Von Burg Family Portraits

2010-01-08T23:40:00.002-07:00

Some of you may remember Megan and Erik from their maternity portrait session nearly 10 months ago. The holidays brought them and their family together for a casual outdoor portrait session, along with their now 8-month-old baby girl. She looks just like her parents!

Suzanna DiMarco Jewelry

2009-12-23T13:32:00.004-07:00

Suzanna did a run of art shows here in Arizona while visiting from England, and brought some of her beautiful, contemporary jewelry for me to photograph. Her work is truly one-of-a-kind! See more on her website: SuzannaDiMarco.com
All designs are Copyright©Suzanna DiMarco.

Truschke Family Portraits at Mesa Arts Center

2009-12-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

It's always a blast photographing our friends the Truschkes and their two wild boys, Simon and Oliver! The Mesa Arts Center provided the perfect backdrop for lots of mischief!

Marin and Matt Engagement Portrait Session, Hyatt Regency, Scottsdale, AZ

2009-12-01T16:37:00.001-07:00

Le Ann and Matt Wedding, Phoenix, AZ

2009-12-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

Marianne Kasparian Raku Jewelry

2009-11-07T15:05:00.002-07:00

Marianne asked me to photograph some of her beautiful designs to submit for an upcoming Lark Books publication. You can read up on the Raku ceramic process, and see and purchase Marianne's amazing work here: http://www.makustudio.com All designs are copyright (C) 2009, Marianne Kasparian.

Tim and Daniela Wedding, Tempe, Arizona

2009-10-23T14:46:00.001-07:00

We followed Tim and Daniela on their wedding day, from the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tempe; over to picturesque Papago Park, for a beautiful monsoon sunset and full moonrise; then on to the Mill Avenue Bridge over Tempe Town Lake; and finally, to the House of Tricks restaurant for their reception party. Tim and Daniela handed out custom keepsake tins of hibiscus tea to their family members and wedding party.

Model Shoot for Kevin O'Grady Art Glass

2009-10-05T14:57:00.001-07:00

Our kitchen was temporarily transformed into a dressing room for a recent model shoot. These images were created in our home studio, and will be used to market Kevin O'Grady's beautiful glass bracelets. You can see more of Kevin's work on his website. Heather Wilson provided the amazing makeup and hairstyling. Visit Heather's site here.

Labor Day Scrabble Game

2009-09-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a snapshot of our Scrabble board this past Labor Day. Amanda was the big winner with "xenon" and "quiz" clenching the victory. Sonny wins points for the most "creative" word selection--I'll let you guess which ones are his.

Arizona Society of Glass Beadmakers Postcard

2009-09-03T17:46:00.002-07:00

The Arizona Society of Glass Beadmakers (ASGB) asked me to photograph their beads for their annual postcard again this year. It always fun to see such a variety of incredible lampworked glass designs! To see more of their work, visit their website at: www.azsgb.org . You can also visit with the artists and even purchase their work at the upcoming fall Best Bead Show in Tucson, September 11-13, 2009. The beads pictured, from top to bottom, were created by: Lucinda Rave, Nancy Pilgrim, Celeste Sotomayor, Carol Saker, Adiel Garrison, and Jane Praxel.

Tatum and Cory Wedding, Viewpoint Golf Resort, Mesa, AZ

2009-08-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

We first met Tatum at the Bridal Fashion Debut show, and photographed her and fiance Cory's engagement session this past March. When they told us they would be getting married in August (our first August wedding in the Valley of the Sun) we knew we'd be in for a warm day! Viewpoint Golf Resort in Mesa provided a beautiful backdrop and comfortable setting for their vows and reception. Personal touches included lavendar and white bridesmaids dresses and a 4-tier fondant cake frosted with romantic script!

New Jewelry by Diane C. Smith

2009-08-13T13:35:00.002-07:00

I recently photographed some beautiful pieces for artist Diane C. Smith for her new website. Many of Diane's necklaces feature intricately carved Japanese netsuke (animal figurines carved from fossilized mammoth ivory, naturally shed hippo tusks or ebony wood), semi-precious gemstones, and silver components from Thailand Hill Tribe villagers as well as from artisans in Tibet and Bali.

Diane donates a large portion of her sales to various animal rescue organizations. You can see and purchase her amazing work here: The Artist's Eye.

Borosilicate Glass Bracelets by Kevin O'Grady

2009-07-30T10:34:00.004-07:00

Here are some beautiful borosilicate glass bracelets I recently photographed for artist Kevin O'Grady. Kevin creates each bracelet by hand by working glass rods over a propane and oxygen torch. You can see more of his incredible work here: Kevin O'Grady
All designs are Copyright ©2009, Kevin O'Grady.

So Long 4x5"

2009-07-27T11:44:00.002-07:00

The time finally came to sell our large format 4x5" film camera. I remember when we first got the camera in college and couldn't wait to try it out. We had set up an elaborate shot of broken glass and cut flowers on the bed in my dorm room. We had a light meter to tell us what exposure was needed, but no lights! After much calculation, we determined that it would take about 40 flashes from a regular 35mm handheld flash while the shutter on the camera was left open for around 3 minutes. Those were the days!

I thought it would be fun to share a couple of images we shot on this amazing piece of equipment. The 4x5" took large sheets of film (only 10 sheets to a $50 box), that were several times larger than a 35mm negative, and thus allowed us to create images that could be blown up with great clarity. When composing an image, the scene was reflected backward and upside down on a ground glass screen. The only way to see the image on the ground glass in bright daylight was under a dark cloth draped over the back of the camera. We used a magnifying loupe to check the focus and details of the composition, and then proofed the scene using black and white polaroid film! Taking photos with the 4x5" was a very meditative process, allowing us to really immerse ourselves in the landscape, as a typical image would take an hour or more to create.

Nelson Reservoir, White Mountains, Arizona

San Francisco Peaks, Arizona

Mandy and Dan Wedding, Fiesta Fountains, Mesa, AZ

2009-07-17T13:00:00.003-07:00

Mandy and Dan had a cozy and intimate wedding ceremony at Mesa's Fiesta Fountains. We were only there for an hour, but found plenty of great image making opportunities! Their unique ceremony included a traditional Celtic handfasting, performed by Reverend Crystal Lloyd. We wish Mandy and Dan a lifetime of happiness!

Fourth of July Weekend in Flagstaff, AZ

2009-07-13T14:18:00.002-07:00

Amanda, Rocher (our french bulldog) and I took advantage of the 3-day Fourth of July weekend and headed up to Flagstaff for some rest from the Phoenix heat. We tried out two new dog-friendly hiking trails--Bismarck Lake and Walker Lake--both of which are small seasonal water holes that have formed in collapsed cinder cones. They were quite beautiful and Rocher enjoyed frolicking off-lead in the grass and water! We were also treated to a good soaking rainstorm which brought out the fresh scent of the ponderosa pine needles.

On Saturday we drove up Mount Elden in the hopes of seeing Flagstaff's fireworks from overhead. We learned two things; Mount Elden has two peaks, one of which blocked our view of the fireworks, and fireworks don't go up that high. We were maybe 1700 feet above Flagstaff and the fireworks didn't clear the hill in front of us. Still, we had an exceptional view of the city lights and Route 66, and even caught the tiny bursts of fireworks at distant Lake Mary and Winslow!

New Jewelry by Carolyn Henderson

2009-06-26T19:28:00.002-07:00

I recently photographed some amazingly colorful and fun jewelry designs by Carolyn Henderson of Artistic Beadwear. These pieces are handcrafted using lampworked glass beads and anodized aluminum. To see more of Carolyn's work and find her at a show, visit: http://www.artisticbeadwear.com/