DESIGNER PORTRAITURE
A NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED SEMI-OCCASIONALLY
Spring 2001
Designer Portraits
The Ultimate
Experience in Photographic PortraitureWhat is a Designer Portrait? We are constantly refining our technique and service until it has evolved into a whole new product line. It is absolutely the finest work Thomas or Bruce can produce. It requires preplanning, appropriate advanced photography techniques, assistance in choosing the right image and suggestions in finishing, framing and displaying the final piece of Photographic Art.
The process usually begins with an extensive consultation to determine the feeling you would like to have when viewing the finished image on your wall. Your past portrait history and future needs may be reviewed and an in-depth discussion of clothing colors and styles will be held. Thomas or Bruce will then normally want to visit the location for the photography session (if not at our indoor-outdoor studio) and view the area in your home where the finished portrait will hang. The final effect of the masterpiece can be greatly enhanced by incorporating the right mood and colors for the room in the clothing, location and framing. The procedure is not unlike commissioning an oil painting.
Then, after the wonderful experience of the photography session itself, we will arrange for the "showing" of your images. Thomas or Bruce will help you in selecting your favorites. They will also be directly involved with the darkroom processing and any corrective artwork which may be needed. The final step is choosing the proper framing to produce exactly the right effect for the area in which the portrait is to hang. The goal is to create a piece of Portrait Art so stunning that you would enjoy viewing it even if you did not know the subjects. This product line is most effective for family groups and individual portraits of children or adults.
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THE NEWS MEDIA IS PROMOTING
A RECESSION—WE HAVE DECIDED NOT TO
PARTICIPATE!!_________________________
"SPECIAL DAYS"
We are introducing in April a new product line completely different from the designer portraits described at the left. This is intended for those "in between" times when you need a nice portrait yet don’t wish to invest the expense and effort required for a designer image, but want better treatment than the discount stores. These inexpensive portrait packages are a very special promotional photography offer which will be available only on a few days each year with appointments on a first come, first served basis.
Each "special day" will follow a different theme and will allow one outfit with a limited amount of time and proofs. However, they will still look like Thomas & Bruce portraits, avoiding artificial or hokey situations.
APRIL 16: Playtime-Captivating images of your child engrossed with a variety of toys. Best with medium to dark clothing.
APRIL 19: Easter Clothes-Beautiful portraits of your child with their newest and best.
APRIL 26: Denim Day-Casual is great for children and denims photograph perfectly.
APRIL 27: Classic-Timeless Formal poses and
clothing.
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BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
In our last issue we were planning to have an exhibit of Fine Art Archival Black & White portraits. With Murphy’s law in full force it has taken a lot longer than planned, but finally —–
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US
July 31, 2001 - 4:30 to 8:30 PM
West Des Moines Marriott - Board Room A
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Where is Home, Sweet Home??
Since our last newsletter, we feel like the line in the song: "we’ve been everywhere, man." Some of the recent highlights— JoAnn, who in her other life is very big in quilting, went to Japan last November to teach a class at the International Quilting exposition. She also was able to do some sight seeing and spend several days in the home of a Japanese quilter. In March she went to England and Wales with her sister to visit her niece who is taking a semester there. In February, Thomas and JoAnn were in Texas where she teaches quilting at various quilt guilds (Thomas plays golf and works on his laptop). At the end of the month they traveled over to Tybee island in Savannah, GA and were joined by Bruce and Randi and Wayne and Shari with their families. The Certified Photographers of Iowa held a week-long seminar with national speakers on working with high school seniors.
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What’s new in High School Senior Photography??
Thomas & Bruce are recognized as top Senior photographers in the Des Moines area who offer outstanding quality portraiture and incredible variety to graduates wanting the best. Could you believe the best is getting even better??? After studying with some of the top photographers in the nation they are offering a photography session which incorporates everything that could be desired by a high school senior and their parents.
They are offering the Master Series Designer Portrait session described on the front page. This will produce the finest series of portraits possible and starts with an individual one-on-one consultation and planning session. They will take the time to get to know your personality, interests and activities and recommend the right clothing, backgrounds, locations and props. In addition to doing many poses indoors and outdoors here at the studio, you may go to the locations of your choice to create the portraits that truly represent you. You will receive much more of our time and many more poses to chose from. We will have more freedom to truly create PORTRAITS of you.
As always you will benefit from their ability to analyze your facial structure and use just the right lighting and angles with the correct selection of camera lens and film. Most important of all is this whole experience will put you at ease and allow them to get just the right natural expressions.
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What is a "Master of Photography"
The degree "Master of Photography" is the highest honor presented by the Professional Photographers of America association and is a lifetime goal for most professional photographers. The degree is earned by accumulating "merits" in photographic competition, service to the profession and continuing education. Of the required 25 merits, 13 must come from photographs scoring 80 or above in national print judging. Thomas and his son Bruce are the only full time professionals in the Des Moines area to have this honor.
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CLIENTS CORNER
Mark’s birthday presents—
Archival Black & White Portraits of their Children
Kelly wanted to give Mark something special for his 30th birthday. She thought of photographs of the children and stopped by to visit with us about the possibilities. In looking through the different product lines we offer she was awestruck by the fine-art archival black and white "relationship" type images. She was sure Mark would enjoy the portraits but was a little concerned about the cost of the investment. Not to worry—when Mark came in for the photography session (he was involved in the images, but not featured), he could immediately see that this product was on a level far above just a picture. This was truly a portrait, and certainly worth the purchase price.
When they were looking through the multitude of images from the session, Thomas pointed out the ones that appealed to him and had the "feeling" that portrayed each of the children. Mark and Kelly agreed and you can see the results above. Thomas really liked the strong guiding hand of her father with little Sarah. He also suggested the lower right spacing in the composition of Colin’s portrait conveying the thought of his mature and sensitive nature, yet showing that he is still a young child relying on his parents.
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GRANDCHILDREN’S COMEDY CENTER
Two year old Dakota, Keith & LaGaya’s oldest, has discovered he can sing along "with vigor" on Sunday morning. However, he noticed his five month old baby sister wasn’t participating so he climbed over and held the hymn book about two inches in front of her face.
Hey—–somebody has to be responsible...
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Thomas, Bruce and JoAnn All Win National Awards!!
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This image entered by Thomas, titled "Father’s Reassurance" earned a National Merit and was chosen for the National Loan Exhibition. It also won Honorable Mention at the Professional Photographers of Iowa Convention. The subject, Dakota, is one of our grand- children. He is a very happy and outgoing child like his parents, but the expression on his face as he encounters something new in the world shows the need for his parents’ hand |
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"Water . . . .Nature’s Magnet" is a portrait showing the true nature of a child. The subject is Bruce’s second son caught in a truly candid moment. It placed second in the state and received a national merit plus it was selected for the National loan collection in Las Vegas. Its high score helped Bruce place second overall in the Masters division for the state of Iowa.
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"A Glimpse of Florence This black and white photograph was taken crossing the bridge in Florence, Italy. Presented under multi-width white mattings, JoAnn received an award at the Heart of America Regional photography convention. The print also was awarded a national merit at the Professional Photographers of America exposition in Las Vegas |
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TIME FOR ANOTHER BELLING FAMILY PORTRAIT
Here is our 40th anniversary family portrait.. We’ve had a family group portrait made every 5 years since we were married. These are priceless memories.
From the left — Bruce and Randi with Doug, Matt, Bryan and Tad: Tom and JoAnn: Keith and LaGaya with Elizabeth and Dakota: and Wayne and Shari with Brooke, Corbin and Tyler.
Our entire family has appreciated your friendship and patronage through the years.
