General | di Sogno Photography

Category: General

Unique cars, characters and restorations!

2 Comments July 14, 2009|Tony|General

Cars and Characters…

This past holiday, we went to our old home town of Cincinnati, OH to catch up with some family. Knowing that each 4th of July, the city of Aurora, IN (near Cincinnati) holds a judged car show, I made sure to bring my camera along. (Like I ever go on a road trip without it!) There were many different types and ages of cars there and I felt that two of them stood out from the rest.

The first was this 1957 Chevrolet Corvette. It was finished in a beautiful red/white and of all of the ‘vettes there, my attention just kept coming back to this one. Probably because it was almost as old as me! The only nit was that the mechanical restoration wasn’t original. Even with that, it still grabs me even in a vintage black and white image.

The second one, that I thought was the most unique car at the car show this year, is a 1929 Chevrolet 3-Door Woody. It is totally customized with a 327 cu. in. engine bored out to .060 over the standard cylinder size and has 3 two-barrel carburetors . For those that don’t understand car-speak, that is a modern engine that has been made larger and more powerful to give better performance, not gas mileage.

The owner of this vehicle seems to be honoring our military personnel, past and present. The chalkboard dedication says “In honor of all our Military Hero’s, POW * MIA”.

He displayed what is called a Soldier’s Cross. It’s often placed at a spot of a fallen soldier and represents the final march of the last battle – items the soldier no longer needs. It is also displayed as a memorial to those who didn’t make it home.

The fuel tank seems very dangerous indeed…surrounded by .50 caliber rounds and fragmentation grenades! And his passenger (below) has a very ominous stare.

Since this was over the 4th of July holiday, I suppose the sentiment was well meant, but some of the imagery was fairly gruesome. I guess the owner was trying to add a bit of reality.

Speaking of unique things, I captured this individual walking around at the car show and I thought he was the most unique person there. After all, how many people do you see walking down the street with a pet Boa Constrictor wrapped around their neck! Unique INDEED!

All in all, it was a fun morning at the car show.

Saving Memories

A few months ago a friend of ours lost her mother to an illness. While going through old photos, she realized that she didn’t have any photos of her mother other than snapshots taken at differing times in the past. She asked if I could take a couple of the images and help her save some memories by creating a formal images from the snapshots.

She wanted to use this image because of the great smile on her mother’s face. The original 4×6 image was taken about 10 years ago and her mother and friend appeared very small in comparison to the whole image. To separate her mother from her friend, and create a formal image, the crop needed to be very small. After scanning the image to a digital file and cropping, a lot of the original film grain could still be seen. This meant that it wouldn’t be a clean, sharp image, so I cleaned up the scratches and dust spots and softened it a bit to remove the graininess. Printed on water color paper it looks more like a piece of hand drawn art rather than a photograph.

This image of her mother was taken at their rehearsal dinner. I cropped in a bit to help remove the background clutter and added a vignette. That almost completed the work but her face was a bit washed out by the flash, so I hand colored it to make it look more natural. And that finished the work on the images.

Our friend purchased both a desk size and wall size of each image. I am glad I could help her save some memories.

Head Shots

We’re still doing a good business with corporate head shots. Even with a slow economy, folks understand the need for a professional image and are coming in to have me create it. Remember that the image you show on your website or collateral, IS the image people see of your business. Make sure it conveys what you want it to!

That’s all for now. Be sure to follow us on Twitter or become a fan of our Facebook page! You can also follow all updates by subscribing to the RSS feed on this page. Take care!

New Product and Special Pricing!

0 Comments July 9, 2009|Tony|Commercial, General

Last month we mentioned a new product we were creating. Curtain Call has now been launched.

Curtain Call is a product of di Sogno Photography, and is specially designed for ladies to celebrate their womanly charms and to re-energize and reconnect after life has gotten in the way once too often.

You enjoy a private photo party* where you and up to 4 of your lady friends spend a fun evening creating spicy, HOT images for you, or to share with that special someone.

From now until August 28, 2009 we will give a 30% price reduction on items purchased as a result of a Curtain Call party. Mention that you saw this on the blog to make sure that you receive it!

Find out more about Curtain Call by going to the web site or calling the studio at 770-817-0945 for information.

Call now to reserve your party time!

*Individual sessions are also available.

Facebook and Twitter

0 Comments June 4, 2009|Tony|General

I’ve finally done it. I’ve opened an account on Facebook and Twitter. Tweets can be followed at ‘tfiorda‘ and you may search on my name or ‘di Sogno Photography‘ for the Facebook account.

I’ll be periodically posting to them with information about happenings at the studio or to let you know about stuff you may be interested in.

I promise not to post housekeeping stuff, just good stuff!

Take care!

I’ve been neglecting my blog! Arrrrrgh!

0 Comments May 26, 2009|Tony|General

Since the last time I updated this blog at the end of January I continued building the commercial side of the business, put a new product together, attended group shoots and took some time off to rejuvenate. Ahhhh!

A lot of business people understand that in the down economy lays an opportunity to grow their business or to start a new one. I’ve been doing business photography like at no other time. I’m pleased to see that this portion of my business is still alive and kicking as I really enjoy helping small businesses advance their brand through photography.

My wife and I have been busy putting together a new product for our studio called Curtain Call. The production is for ladies only, and provides a night out with a few of her best friends on a closed set with wine and hor d’ourves for some of the best, relaxed images of all time. We’ve done a couple of these and have received great feedback. Call us for information if you can’t wait for the website to be completed. We’ll post more information about it here with links when it’s done.

I don’t know if many of you have heard of Meetup Groups, groups of people that join together to pursue their interests and likes. I’m an assistant organizer of the Kennesaw Photographers & Modeling Meetup Group. This group meets once a month at a studio run by a friend and normally has an outdoor meetup once a month, too. About 30-40 pro and amateur photographers and models get together to talk shop, trade stories and shoot, adding to their portfolios while filling the experience with a lot of fun and camaraderie. I don’t get the opportunity to attend the outdoor meetup as much as I’d like, but I have attended a few. Two of these were in Acworth and Kennesaw, GA. Both locations are beautiful, small communities north of Atlanta. We shot the models and the locations and below are Chrissy and Alicia from those meetups.

After all of that, I really needed some time off to refuel. And I did over at the Huntsville, AL, Space & Rocket Center. I grew up in the space age and I really enjoyed remembering the pioneering projects of Mercury, Gemini and Saturn! If only they could ‘Fly me to the moon!’ Here is a shot from that trip.

So until the next time, stay tuned and subscribe to the RSS feed to catch of the updates to the blog.

Another month gone…

0 Comments January 29, 2009|Tony|General

…and I don’t know where it’s gone to. It was just New Year’s Day yesterday wasn’t it?

Starting a new year is tough, and a lot of it doesn’t involve shooting. Things like getting the taxes together, holding annual meetings, putting together this year’s business plan, putting new products together, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

With all of this stuff going on, you’d think I didn’t have time to shoot anything. Well a good photographer always finds some time to shoot and you’ll be happy to know that I did too.

Moda Spa and Salon had their grand opening this month with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a fashion show and a live photo shoot. Guess who the photographer was. It was me! Their stylists did the hair for five models that modeled dresses from Lola’s Boutique, and they brought in a makeup artist. While the evening progressed, I shot each of the models in a Hollywood/dramatic lighting style while guests mingled in and out of the shooting area. The images created will be used by the stylists and the salon for their look book and some will even be hanging on the walls of the salon.

Later in the month I had the opportunity to shoot at a workshop. It was interesting and a few ladies were there to add to their portfolios. I was able to get some interesting fashion images and here are a few examples.

That’s it for now, don’t forget to check back often for updates or add us to your RSS feed to get the updates automatically.

What’s been happening at the studio?

0 Comments December 28, 2008|Tony|General

Wow! Has it really been two months since I’ve posted to the blog?! Either time flies when you’re having fun or I’m not very good at keeping you informed about what’s been happening at the studio. I prefer to think it’s the former.

Well here’s what’s been happening at the studio. Last month we started a new email newsletter that we’ll use as another way to keep you informed of upcoming events, specials and general news involving the studio. If you’re interested you can sign up by clicking this link. SIGN ME UP! If you like it, forward it off to friends and family that you think would find it interesting. Of course you may opt-out at any time if you wish.

The holiday season brought a visit from Santa Claus. Circa History Guild had an Old Fashioned Christmas party at their location and I was able to shoot Santa…with my camera of course. He was there visiting with the children for a couple of hours and this is one of the images from that shoot that we used on our Holiday Card.

Family Christmas images were busy also. The Diaz family was particularly enjoyable to work with. The girls, Kendall and Kayla, kept Ann busy while I shot Krystal and Mark. Here’s the image they chose for their Christmas cards.

We also had numerous business clients in during this time. Ivan Ruiz of Georgia Brace and Spine, who’s putting together a product catalog showing the different styles of back and body braces used after spinal surgery, is using a number of our images in their catalog which is being assembled by MMI Creative.

Melissa, Kelly, Chuck and Sam were in need of head shots for ads, new web pages, and business cards. This is Melissa.

I took part in a Fire and Ice workshop. Yes, fire and ice. On day one, we built an array of six propane gas burners that were set up behind a model. Then we lit them up. We got some very interesting shots and we were kept busy keeping the place cool so as not to set off the fire alarm from the heat created by the burners.

The next day we built a set to hold the ice and water. Two 350 pound blocks of ice were brought in and the models posed either in the water or on the blocks of ice or a combination of both. I’ll just say they were troopers and I’m glad I wasn’t in that water.

That just about wraps up the last two months around the studio at di Sogno Photography. As you can see it’s been busy. I’ll endeavor to update it more often in 2009. We’ll have some new things to talk about soon, so check back or add us to your RSS feed to get the updates automatically.

We hope you have had a great holiday and a safe and Happy New Year.

A Novel Exchange

0 Comments October 20, 2008|Tony|General

I had the pleasure of photographing an event this past week called A Novel Exchange. It’s a social, a book exchange and a fund raising event created and hosted by Dale Israel. Around 50 readers from the Roswell and Alpharetta area attended and enjoyed snacks, socializing and exchanging books as well as hearing local author, Brad Cohen, talk about his story and his latest book.

The event benefited the Tourette Syndrome Association of Georgia. The guest speaker, Brad Cohen, author of the book “Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had” has been featured on Oprah and in People Magazine as well as other print and electronic media. Hallmark Hall of Fame has produced a movie based on Brad’s book that will air on CBS the evening of December 7, 2008.

Brad shared his extremely interesting story about living with Tourette’s for most of his life and how, after college, when given the opportunity to teach at a Cobb County elementary school, he not only excelled at it, but was named recipient of the Sallie Mae First Year Teacher of the Year Award for the State of Georgia!

To learn more about Tourette Syndrome and Brad, check out their websites by clicking on the links in the above paragraphs. To learn more about A Novel Exhange, contact Dale Israel.

A good time was had by all and here are some of the images from that night.

Dale Israel, Brad Cohen, Tricia Kardon
Dale, Brad, Tricia

Brad Cohen and his Wife Nancy

Socializing prior to the book exchange.

Brad telling his story.

The audience listening intensely!

That’s it for now. Take care and leave your feedback or questions in the comments section. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed if you wish. Until the next time!

Fun, Fun, and More Fun!

0 Comments October 10, 2008|Tony|General

Well it’s been another busy couple of weeks around the studio. A few models, a few family sessions and business head shots, some commercial work and one really fun shoot with a photographer friend of mine! Essentially it was a fun couple of weeks here at di Sogno Photography and here are some highlights.

A young lady and an aspiring model, Aura, needed some lifestyle images for a local agency so she could start her portfolio. The agency wanted at least five different looks and one formal studio style head shot. She has some really great photos from her session, don’t you think?

Aura was a pleasure to work with; she’s a natural in front of the camera and takes direction very well. I think she’ll go far and I know I’d work with her again.

Jay, owner of web design company Kapp Koncepts, contacted me because he was creating a new web site for a local company that makes turbine engine parts and needed fresh images. This project included head shots of the company leaders, images of four to five computer controlled milling machines while in operation, general images of some of the parts produced and images of the building.

I captured everything over a few days of shooting, did initial editing of the images and turned them over to be used on the site. I am happy to say that Jay was pleased with the results our collaboration.

Model Mickie Lynn was scheduled in the studio for some additional images for her portfolio and we wanted something elegant for her to wear. Stephanie, the owner of Lola’s Boutique, often allows me to borrow outfits for use by the models. This time Stephanie lent us a stylish black and white dress and a very cute white top. I shot Mickie in both of the outfits we borrowed and the images turned out great. In return, I printed two images from the shoot that Stephanie is using on the walls of her boutique.

This is one of the images. If you want to see the others, stop by Lola’s…and check out her selection of clothes while there.

Now for the fun shoot. Friend and fellow photographer, Valerie Smith, invited a few select photographers and models to her studio a couple of weeks ago for an “anything goes” fun shoot. Since the format was totally open, the photographers collaborated with the models to create scenarios and capture different images.

Sometimes they were casual…

sometimes they were sophisticated…

and others were just plain fun.

As you can see, the ladies dressed up in very loud and colorful outfits, made up their faces as small children, put their hair in pig tails, blew bubbles and licked oversized lollypops! It was a blast!

Well that’s about it for now. Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed and if you like, leave some feedback in the comments section. Until the next time…

People, Places, and Events

0 Comments September 15, 2008|Tony|General

I’ve been away from blogging lately because I’ve been busy shooting a variety of subjects ranging from high school seniors to big fish. You’ve seen one of the seniors in the blog entry labeled “Personality…” Shannon was a blast to shoot and she just loved the images we made together.

Although I don’t shoot weddings, when newlyweds receive images back from their photographer without formal images of the bride and groom, or the images are just not good for whatever reason, the newlyweds sometimes panic. Other times they settle for what they have and still others find another photographer to create those formal images. Well, Rachel and Jeff found themselves in the third situation and came to my studio. They enjoyed getting dressed in their wedding attire again and we created some great images for the album that they are putting together.

A few head shots satisfied clients updating web sites and business collateral and a client appreciation day at Care More Chiropractic was fun for all. There were visits from the Roswell Police and Fire Departments showing off some of the equipment they use and they shared the spotlight with a young Irish Dance group that performed for the crowd.

Finally over the Labor Day weekend my wife and I decided to become tourists and took a short vacation to Chattanooga, TN to visit the Tennessee Aquarium. Although we have visited the River Journey multiple times, we had not yet visited the Ocean Journey, the salt water aquarium that opened a few years ago. I would recommend a visit if you haven’t seen it yet. Just don’t become shark bait!

During the weekend we took a two hour cruise down the Tennessee River Gorge on a boat built specifically for this purpose. It’s a 70 passenger, hydrofoil assisted catamaran with quad 850 horsepower experimental diesel engines. This boat really flies down the river at speeds in excess of 50 mph. And it can stop in less then two boat lengths and can turn a 360 degree circle “on a dime”. We know because the Captain had fun going from high-speed to a crawl a few times and he did the 360 degree turn…because he could. Check it out at this URL, Tennessee River Gorge Explorer Boat.

That’s it for now. If you have questions or suggestions, be sure to leave a comment for us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Personality…

0 Comments August 20, 2008|Tony|General

…whether it’s bright and bubbly or dark and growly, we all have a personality. When a photographer captures an image of us, we want our unique personality to come through, and as a photographer I can tell you that it isn’t always easy to make that happen.

With Shannon though, my latest high school senior, it wasn’t difficult at all. Whether she was outdoors, letting the wind blow her hair, or in to the studio with a change of clothes and some cowboy boots, her playful, bubbly personality just shines through!

I really enjoy creating images that let my clients’ unique personality come through. If you’d like to have an image that captures your personality, contact us today to schedule a session!

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