Monthly Archives: July 2010

Tiffany & Co. Launches iPhone® App for Engagement Rings

Yep, there’s an app for that! Find your ring ladies!

Here’s the press release:

NEW YORK, NY  — The Tiffany luxury shopping experience goes mobile today with an iPhone® app that features new ways to explore the world’s most exquisite diamond engagement rings.
As the premier jeweler for engagement, Tiffany takes its celebrated diamonds directly to the customer with the Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder, the jeweler’s first iPhone® application. In response to a growing customer desire for mobile and interactive shopping,the app offers users the tools for selecting the perfect Tiffany diamond engagement ring, from viewing the range of styles to learning about the superior qualities of Tiffany diamonds.
The app includes an accurate Ring Sizer, the first tool of its kind from a jeweler, that lets users determine their size by placing an actual ring directly on the screen and aligning it with the correct circle in the guide. Browsing the collection according to shape, setting, metal or design is equally simple. The rings are shown true-to-size and each style may be viewed with diamonds of six different carat sizes. Users may zoom in on a ring’s exquisite details, pair the rings with wedding bands, and save or share their favorites via e-mail, Facebook® and Twitter®.
In addition, users can make an appointment for a diamond consultation via phone or e-mail. The app will appear in English (in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia) and Japanese, with prices in local currency. Prices will not appear in the Chinese version or in the international English version that is available to all other countries.
For those looking to buy or hoping to receive a Tiffany diamond ring, the app is an extension of the world’s diamond authority, reaching out with its exceptional brand of service to deliver the ultimate in quality and beauty.
To access the Tiffany & Co. Engagement Ring Finder: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tiffany-co-engagement-ring/id375427126?mt=8

Things You Should Ask a Wedding Photographer Before You Book

I read this article on Photoshelter and thought it was a great way to assess photographer personality before booking! I really liked the directness of number 4. If asked this, I’d have a ton of great success stories with clients in so many funny on-the-wedding-day-situations. I would be laughing while telling a potential bride, and very quickly, she would see my personality shine right through! Great list of questions.

10. How are your people management skills?
9. Are you familiar with my type of wedding ceremony?
8. Can you show me a complete, unedited wedding shoot?
7. Are you comfortable with providing direction?
6. Can we arrange to do an engagement shoot first?
5. What is your turn-around time?
4. Are you easy to get along with?
3. How long have you been shooting weddings?
2. Do you work with an assistant and what’s their role in photographing?
1. Can you describe your photographic style?

Read the Full Article on Photoashelter by Grover Sanschagrin

Yes, I am easily excited!

I have a growing collection of creative seating cards from my weddings. These tiny token of affections from brides and grooms are my favorite things. I am not always seated at events due to scheduling, how a certain wedding venue works, guest list, yadda yadda. And that’s totally OK. I wouldn’t expect a bride to make me one of these — at all. If you are in my 2010 season, don’t stress out about adding this last minute, please. That said, when I get one for my collection it totally makes my night. You gals also add fun stuff… like ‘our amazing photographer’ or like here on Jessica and Ryan’s (images just released in yesterday’s blog) card ‘our awesome photographer.’

This works for me. That’s right, flattery will get you everywhere ladies. And I’m easily excited by your kind, kind gestures! Thanks! Te he he.

Eastland Park Hotel: Jessica and Ryan

Jessica and Ryan (ummm, maybe more Jessica) had a vision of their wedding from the start. Navy and pink. Fun but formal. Catholic-light. Large wedding party. Hot dress. Live music. Trolley car. Three portrait locations. Great flowers, perfect cake.  Yes, for over a year, they planned the works and hoped for the best. On one of the busiest weekends here in Vacationland, the July 4th Holiday weekend, Jessica and Ryan achieved a downtown Portland, Maine wedding that was to die for. Take a peek.

Girls getting ready, having some fun and checking their zippers.Jessica is a classic beauty… I personally think she looks like Julia Roberts… or maybe Julia looks like her!

Ryan and George at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Portland, Maine. 

Jessica and her ladies head into the church. The trolley car was excellent, fun transportation for the wedding day.

Jessica and her father dad  start up the isle at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.Jessica laughs as their vows get twisted up a bit! Very funny.

Jessica and Ryan take waive as man and wife to their friends and family before finishing up the service. Married! Jessica and Ryan on the doc at the Eastern Promenade at Fort Allen Park.Jessica and her friends fly their pink paper parasols at The Prom.

Jessica on the cobblestone streets in the Old Port.

The ballroom at Eastland Park Hotel Portland, Maine was lit, dressed to the nines and ready to rock. Loved the double cork seating cards!
This is personally my favorite shot of the day. This is Ryan swinging Jessica around during their first dance. In the back are Ryan’s parents. I love the light, motion, meaning and color of this shot. Love this shot too… With tears in her eyes from the toasts, Jessica says cheers to Ryan and their new marriage. Great moment!Eat drink and be married…. and have the couple’s signature drink, The Champtini!
Jessica and Ryan’s rings.
You’re in trouble if you have half of your wedding party underneath you…. for any reason. Love the faces in this frame! Ryan, I can only think of one word you might be saying here!Ryan and Jessica dance a last slow song together. So much more to see! Great wedding! To see the entire set of photos from this wedding when they are released, visit: http://pictage.com/796588

Credits:

Health and Disability Insurance

Our studio recently took the steps to shore up our health insurance. This topic is a bit overwhelming for many small business owners, including myself, so I will let you know what we did and give you an expert contact to let you explore it further. I think insurance is very important to keep you healthy and your family secure in case of death or disability. Even though photographers are in a creative field, we still need to smart about our life business.

For starters, we have auto, home, life (We use Liberty Mutual) and commercial insurance for our business. (My original blog on commercial business insurance for info & our agent.)

For health insurance, our business went to a health insurance agent to find a policy that fit our family. I’m not going to lie to you, health insurance stinks in term of plan options and expense in the state of Maine. (I will skip my rant on this subject.) Still, Brian and I have it as self employed business owners because we have a child and we ‘re not willing to take chance if someone gets seriously sick. I can say that Roberta, our agent at O’Hearn in Portland, Maine, gave us great information and comparative charts that allowed us to get what was best for us.

And for us, we chose a newer plan model— a health savings account. We opened the HSA account with Blush Imagery LLC as the owner of the policy. It is basically an insurance plan as well as a savings trust. We still pay a monthly fee for a family of 3, but it also allows us to move money into the account tax free. For example, say I make $50,000 in gross income in any given year. I can move $5,000 income into the account and my adjusted gross income would be $45,000 for tax purposes. That’s a good, purposeful write-off. I can then withdraw that money for any approved health need. (This year was a growth year for us, so without a gob of cash at hand, we took the funds from an old, small IRA, rolled from my work back at newspapers, and transferred it to the HSA to fund it for the first year! That’s allowed too—up to a certain amount!)

Other sources for health plans can be found at your local chamber of commerce or professional photography organizations. Most pro groups offer a group health plan as a membership perk.

We also added short and long term disability coverage. For not much more, this adds to your health policy to protect you from more realistic life injuries— not a death, but injuries that would keep you from your photography work. Let’s face it, one broken leg and you may be out of your studio for a long time. We have physically demanding jobs!

So stay healthy and protect your family and business as you grow!

(Tell her Blush Imagery sent you.)

O’Hearn Insurance Agency
Roberta Lane
Portland, Maine Office:
1087 Forest Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103
Office
207-797-9400 |