A Thomas Image Has Booth At Shop Lake County 2012

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Tom

Check out the details on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/221663951232192/

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Corked, Labeled, Waiting to AGE!

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Tom
A Thomas Image, f-stop cellars, wine, home made

My personal stock a Cabernet Sauvignon.

I am pleased to introduce you to my personal stock of Cabernet Sauvignon for 2012 under the label of “f-stop cellars”.  What else can one do during the winter in N-E Ohio?

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The “Scattered Family” Portrait Photography

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Tom
Portrait of the scatered family

When's the last time your family sat for a family portrait?

 

When’s the last time you actually had the entire family together in one room?  If you’re like most today, you have family members living in multiple states.  Or if you’re like me, I still live in my home-town, but my Mom lives in another state!

 

So if it’s difficult to get everyone in the same room, when is the last time you had a portrait created for the entire family?  For some reason that just doesn’t seem to happen much anymore.  Recently a business acquaintance of mine had his entire family in town for the Christmas holiday.  It wasn’t my friend, but his wife who made the decision to have the portrait created.

 

The good thing about the time we live in is; all of the family members will be able to use technology to view proofs and make decisions on the selection of that perfect family portrait.  They’ll be viewing proofs on-line and talking via email to make their selections.

 

Ahhh, time just keeps marching forwards – doesn’t it?

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Having Photography Fun With An Oversized I-Phone

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Tom

 

Recently some of my business friends and I promoted our businesses during the local holiday lighting ceremony.  Since this was the first time anyone exhibited during the event and our location was somewhat remote, no one was sure what size crowd to expect.  Part of the strategy was for my studio to set up the oversized I-Phone prop out in the entry area to draw in the crowd.

It was intriguing to see how people had to be encouraged to use the I-Phone prop with their own smart phone.  But after some cajoling, they took advantage
of the opportunity.  Here’s a couple of images from that night.  It was fun to see some folks get a bit crazy.  Hope you enjoy!

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How Photographers Spend Their Time

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Tom

If you’re a photographer or other business owner, you’ll probably get a kick out of this article.  Remember to look over the pie charts identifying the tasks performed by a photographer vs the perception.

http://www.ispwp.com/the-secret-life-of-wedding-photographers.html

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Photographer, A Member Of Award Winning Creative Team

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Tom
Photographer Apex Award

Lake Communicators 2011 Apex Gold Award

My good friend and client Erica Kosinski had a vision for a combined educational and marketing periodical for a local supplier of architectural
granite.  Realizing that “stock” photography would not convey an accurate view of the business.   Some images used were obtained from the client’s partner businesses.  A gap was present in the images needed to convey the entire message.  Erica decided to contract with my studio to fill in the photographic gap that exhisted.

 

Photographing granite certainly doesn’t rank up there with photographing
supermodels on a Caribbean beach, but it does pose some real challenges.  Architectural granite has brightly polished surfaces.  So every little environmental feature represents a potential reflective flaw in each exposure.  That required very tedious attention to every detail of every shot.  Thank God for
digital photography and the ability to see immediate results in the camera display.  Imagine trying to shoot this assignment on film, waiting for proofs only to find an unwanted reflection!

 

This assignment also required showing the diverse inventory and expansive warehouse.  Fortunately, like most warehouses a forklift truck and experiences operator were available.  This allowed photographing up in the air to strategically pose staff members in the warehouse.  These images were able to show the expanse of the inventory and warehouse. In addition, I could show customers making their selection and the role of the customer service representatives in the sales process.

 

Erica decided to enter the final magazine product for competition in the Lake Communicators annual “Apex Awards”.  The result was the project won an Apex – Gold in the Marketing Business To Business category at the November 9, 2011 Awards Ceremony.  Others contributing to the award are:  Villa Beach Communications, Erica Kosinski and Mike Setta Creative Directors, Doug Karn Art Director, Tom Szabo Photographer, Erica Kosinski Copywriter, Debbie Graehling-Tomsic of Graphic Repros the printer.

 

Congratulations to Erica and everyone who participated.  It was a pleasure to be part of a great creative team helping to make this Apex Award possible.  The assignment was pure enjoyment and let’s face it, recognition like this is a very humbling experience.  My thanks to everyone!

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When The Bride And Groom Make Wedding Photography A Blast

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Tom
bride groom wedding kiss

The Kiss as "Man & Wife"

bride groom reception dance

The first dance.

bride groom reception dance

The Dip!

bride groom dance on sidewalk

Just gotta dance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s face it – weddings can be one of the most stressful photography assignments. It gets worse if something goes wrong during the day. The problem that occurs might not even have to do with the photographer. Maybe the flowers were late. Maybe the cake was wrong. It doesn’t matter, at that point the bride or grooms nerves might be shot.

I recently shot a wedding for a “not typical wedding age” couple. You know they weren’t in their late teens or early twenties. In addition, the bride and the groom were of the mind-set, nothing could ruin their day and they were just going to enjoy themselves. That easy-going attitude made shooting their wedding much easier. In addition, they were ready to have fun with the photographer.

Did they have a list of specific shots they wanted? They sure did. Did we get them done? We sure did. But they were having Fun. The end result was the images caught the joy and fun in their face and eyes! They also decided to have fun with some of their poses.

Their attitude sure helped me make the best of a lot of mixed lighting, some close quarters and allowed me to create some images that captured their special day. I hope you enjoy a couple of their images.

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High School Senior Portrait Photo Session

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Tom
 

A Thomas Image, high school, senior, portrait
Portrait Session for high school senior Carry.
A Thomas Image, photography, portrait, high school, senior

High school senior portrait session for Carry

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Let’s think back to our senior year of high school.  Ok, Ok, maybe for some of you that’s going back a long way, but bear with me here.  Remember how you seemed relaxed.  Didn’t you just feel happy to be a senior?  Friday night  football games were a lot more fun to attend.  Cruising with friends was a blast.

 There was a lot to be happy about.  That’s what makes creating high school senior portraits a blast to shoot.  Parents are happy and proud of their child.  The excitement in the subject shows when they are photographed.  All in all, these emotions help the sitting go so much smoother.  Happy people make better subjects.

 Here are a couple of proofs from Carry’s sitting.  I think she looks very happy. 

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Dancing Photographer Participates in “Dancing Under The Stars 2011” Fundraiser

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Tom

It took 2 to 3 hours per practice, 2 to 3 practices a week, over 5 weeks.  In 4 minutes and 26 seconds it was done!

Photographer Tom Szabo was a celebrity dancer in the local fundraising event “Dancing Under The Stars – 2011”.  The event was held on August 20th, 2011 at La Vera Party Center.  Over 350
people attended the dancing event to help raise funds for both Family Planning Association of NE Ohio and Lifeline, Inc. Both organizations provide service to the local residents.  My goal was to raise $1500.00 total in donations for both organizations.  Thanks to my family and friends I raised over $1800.00.  Thanks to all for your financial support.

A special thank you goes out to my pro dance partner Ms.
Terri Salvatore.  Terri put together a terrific Rumba to the song “You Can Leave Your Hat On” by Tom Jones, from the movie “The Full Monty”.  She did a great job teaching me the rumba and all the extra moves to turn the dance into a nice piece of entertainment.

We didn’t win the dance competition, but we had a lot of fun.  You can see for yourself by watching the video on YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi7nJR_SeeQ

Again thanks to everyone and especially Terri!!!

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Photography Assingment – Too Good To Be True?

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Tom

This was an inquiry I received through marketingtool.com  After going through this inquiry, I made up my mind I would not participate in the assignment.  You know what they say about “too-good-to-be-true”.

Hello I will like to confirm if you can shoot a wedding event on the 23rd of November 2011? Please get back to me. at MarkHarris02@hotmail.com Regards

So I responded and below is the thread for the email listed above

Mark:

Yes, I have Nov 23rd, 2011 open.  Will you and/or your fiance call me at XXX-XXX-XXXX to discuss your details and arrive at pricing and a contract.

Tom Szabo, Photographer

Mark’s reply:
Hello,
Thanks for the mail,Here is a little about the wedding.The wedding is taking place in Denver, Colorado. It is an 7 hours event starting from 9am till 4 pm. It is an indoor event which consist of 100 guest at most, I will like you to cover the reception as well which will start from 2 Pm till 4 pm on that day. I will like the picture to be on a CD, and I don’t have a wedding planner, I plan it by myself. Please reply me by e-mail cos I am physically impaired (Hearing).  You may think about the flight and hotel accommodation, there is provision for that , my flight agent will make arrangement for that. I think with all the details have given to you now,Calculate your fee alone, you should be able to calculate and let me know how much it will cost. Please get back to me as soon as possible. I just contacted you via marketing tools and want to know if you can handle it.
Thanks
Cheers

Mark:

Your email did not allow me to determine if one or two photographers will be required.  So, I’m going to assume that two photographers will be necessary for complete coverage.  Providing 7 hours of coverage will therefore require a 3/4 day (9 hour).  I’ve attached a wedding photography price sheet for your review.  You’ll see that the fee for a 3/4 day , two photographers is $X,XXX.00.  In addition you will need to select your final deliverable(s) and add that to the fee.  You indicated you desire a CD of images as your deliverable.  The fee for that $XXX.00.  Should you decide on additional products, you can add in those fees also.  You would be required to cover all travel, accommodations (2 rooms), meals and car rental expenses.  Since you indicated you have a travel planner,  I’m sure they can make the arrangements and work out direct billing to you for all expenses.

If this meets with your approval, Please let me know and I will email a contract to you.  It will detail the scope of services, deliverable, fees, expense coverage and deposit.  I await your reply.

Tom Szabo, Photographer

By Mark:
Thanks so much….I am very much okay for the price for 2 photographer. Please get back to me and let me know how much I need to pay as initial deposit to get the date reserved. Also get back to me with your name and address so that I can get the check for the deposit sent as soon as possible. I want everything to work out fast cos the date is drawing closer.

Thanks so much

I then email asking Mark why he had to fly two photographers in to Cleveland.  There must be photographers in Denver that can handle the assignment.  At this point I gotten no reply from Mark.  Strange inquiry – wouldn’t you agree?

Mark’s email address is: markharris02@hotmail.com
You might want to watch for these types of inquiries.  So you see not only do consumers have to watch out for unscrupulous service providers, business owners need to watch for questionable customers.

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