Business to Business Photography

J and L Tonewoods recently contacted me about some images they needed for a publicity brochure and their website they were in the process of creating.  J and L Tonewoods harvests and manufactures Northwest native woods into blocks that eventually become guitars.  It is a unique and unknown business in the local area but it is a regional, even international business in a niche market.

This was a bit of unique product photography and I happened to have just the right type of lighting for a medium sized product (in this case about 22" by 30").

In addition to product photography, they wanted "head shots", manufacturing images and photos of the interior of their business.  With my portable studio, I was able to accomplish all of this in just outside of an hour.  I may have made them a few minutes late for a Friday morning golf appointment though.

Regardless, I am pleased to be available to local businesses for their photography needs.  If your business needs images for your marketing plan, please give us a call.  I am very confident we can help in a short timeline and well within your budget.

It was a pleasure to work with J and L Tonewoods of Winlock, Washington!

GAP Photo, Winlock, Washington

Images of Alex, a Local Senior

Senior Photos

Around this time of year, there are a handful of seniors, not terribly gung-ho about the concept of senior portraits, clamoring to have them done.  Deadlines, whether it be the school yearbook or graduation itself is fast approaching and even the most camera-shy of the class of 2011 are beating a path towards their local photographer.

Probably pushed by mom, Alex chose our top package which dwarfs most photographers in price and returns unheard of quantities of images to the family.  In the future, the price will rise, but digital rights will always be a part of the service. 

Alex is a well-known athlete and chose for one of his three shoots to occur on the grounds of his high school.  Specifically, on the football and baseball fields where he spent a lot of hours racking up great athletic memories.

Our second shoot was the first ever in Anthony Ingils's "Off the Beaten-Path" Studio which is still under construction and development in a historic building in Downtown Winlock.  The studio is being used as a co-op and has a lot of potential once the participating photographers obtain more backdrops and props.

The final shoot was a short drive away at Lewis & Clark State Park, a historic piece of public land the preserves a beautiful grove of cedar and fir on an above a wetland.  An interpretive walkway just off of Jackson Highway made one of many great natural backdrops.

Three separate shoots with an unlimited number of changes is standard fare for these shoots.  The better my subject looks and feels, the better I look as a photographer. 

GAP Photo can do all types of shoots, not just for high school seniors.  We now offer the publishing of memory books for every type of event in addition to portraits.  Have you been thinking about a project?  Talk to us how we can present your memories!



New Equipment, Older Subject

In the past few months, I have accumulated some new equipment to take the GAP Photo act on the road; not just in informal, natural settings, but also into my clients' homes and businesses.

I now have a backdrop with several options as well as a modest amount of portable lighting.

In this particular shoot, we chose not to set up the lighting as this particular home has a solid amount of ambient light.  In addition, for young children, safety is first and curious kids can knock over strange objects like lighting stands.  In addition, the backdrop presented a fairly scary initial scene but if I brought in the rest of the mobile studio into her house the shoot might not have gone so well.

This is a youngster that I have now been able to shoot several times in her first year.  Thanks to mom's help and encouragement, we were able to capture quite a show!

There are many reasons why you could consider having a children's shoot done in the home.  The child is already fairly comfortable.  I mean, how often has the doctor or dentist come to your home in this day and age?  In addition, the house is typically filled with familiar and meaningful props.

Think of all the images we can create with our little portable studio!  If you need some great portraits or head shots, but don't want to go to a studio.  Contact us, maybe we can come to you!

GAP Photo, Winlock, Washington



Opening Doors with a Look

Latrell moved west first to Salt Lake City and then to Seattle where he has dabbled in construction and now as an executive chef.  Like many of us, he has a couple of side gigs that may help him make his next career move.  Bodybuilding may be combined with modeling to move into his next step.

Latrell, we wish you the best in whatever comes your way.  You are a class act.

This shoot took place in Seattle on the grounds of Seattle Community College.

A Visit to the Chehalis Garlic Festival and Craft Show

The Food is the Focus at Garlic Fest

Jonathon Devers offers Cupcakes for Kit Carson Restaurant at Garlic Fest.

Rodney Givens of the Backfire Band looked out at the crowd during the Friday evening stage show and quipped “it smells like garlic out there. Does anybody have garlic breath?” A good portion of the crowd raised their hands in commonality. “There may be bad breath, but there is some good food out there,” laughed Givens.

The Backfire Band played for the audience at Garlic Fest on Friday evening.

Food, especially garlic, wine arts and crafts were featured prominently at the Garlic Fest but one thing the casual observer at the 14th Chehalis Garlic Fest and Craft Show should have is a map. The vendors are a collection of artists and food enthusiasts that represent a diverse geographical spectrum.

The operator of “Garlic Festival Foods” in Gilroy, California, Gregg Staples enjoys some great food at Garlic Fest.

Take for example Gregg Staples, a vendor from Gilroy, California or at least so he says initially, in a conversation as he enjoyed some wonderful food of his own production at the Garlic Festival. In expanded dialogue, Staples admitted being a native of the Pacific Northwest but he and his wife live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and tour various Garlic Festivals with his company “Garlic Festival Foods”, largely to avoid the heat of home.

Elias Zamora ties bunches of garlic together for one of the vendors at the Chehalis Garlic Fest.

Under the roof of a Southwest Washington Fairgrounds Exhibition building, “Papa Rays’ had product set out in poetic and rhythmic fashion on shelves developed through experience. Visiting with customers was Monik and Ray Lansing from Spokane. “We go to a lot of these festivals but this is the most fun”, said Ray. “People here are friendlier and they take the food seriously”.

Down the exhibit row and around the corner Elias Zamora was tying bunches of garlic together. Zamora was slightly more extreme but typical of the vendors at the festival. After a little thought, he admitted that he lived a solid portion of the year in Tijuana, Mexico, but travels and works all over the west.

Chandra Runnels offers service to customers at “Kali’s Table”, a vendor at Garlic Fest.

To the west thirty yards or so, Chandra Runnels served customers at “Kali’s Table”, a merchant from Yelm. Like many vendors at Chehalis Garlic Fest, this one has an internet presence and displays at various garlic events in the northwest. The days of a brick and mortar restaurant in Yelm are now just a memory.

Jerry “JB” Bentley on guitar, Michael Shea with the saxophone and one of the “Shaker Girls” perform as “Blues Attitude”. The band from Olympia entertained the Garlic Festival crowd on Friday afternoon.

In the meantime, Winlock’s Meg Jordan enjoyed a weekend near home. This stop for “Just Jordies” is close to home but most of her weekends are spent in places farther from her residence in Lewis County.

Winlock’s Meg Jordan watches over her “Just Jordie’s” Delectable Culinary Delights booth at Garlic Fest on Friday.

It was Lansing of Papa Ray’s that explained the difference between the Garlic Fest in Chehalis and other similar events in the northwest. “We used to go to events in Nevada, but now attend festivals from Boise to the Canadian Border. Some of them are dominated by arts and crafts dealers and buyers but if you don’t like garlic, you shouldn’t be here” (at the Chehalis Garlic Festival) he laughed.

Bryce's Senior Photos

Bryce is a Senior at Winlock High School.  Not only is he an excellent student, but he is playing football this fall and has historically played basketball and soccer.  Some would call that a three sport athlete!  Regardless, Bryce's senior photo package includes three separate shoots over through the fall months.  This first one took place in Centralia with historic buildings as backdrops.  There will be more to come when we use the WHS athletic facility as well as a local creek setting.

Seniors in the Winlock, Toledo and Napavine area have rapid access to discounted wallet and 4 X 6 prints any time of the year! If you would like more information about High School Senior photos, please email us or contact GAP Photo at 360-508-7507.

Portland in Black & White

Sometimes there is a day to just play.  Remember how photography got in your blood to begin with.  In reality, it is a danger.  To those that can see them, there are images to be made.  We walk the streets, looking at all angles to see if they will expose themselves.  We must be careful not to become so engrossed and forget those objects that are not images.

On this Sunday, I decided to see everything in black and white. 

The city, not just Portland gives so much form and imagery that is just hidden amonst the clutter.  When one finds the images, it can be a special treat for the eyes!