NBC Year in Pictures

NBC put together this collection of amazing pictures from 2008.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/28198070/

Be sure to watch both the Sports and the News slideshows. Really amazing, moving stuff.

Upgraded Equipment = Stunning Images For You

We've stepped up our game. What does that mean to you? INCREDIBLE image quality in your photos.

Over the past few months we've acquired a few pieces of equipment that are allowing us to produce some "knock-your-socks-off" images. Here's what we've bought:

1. A killer studio lighting setup...that's completely portable (and trust me, we port it ALL OVER)
2. Canon's newest technology in high end digital SLR cameras, the Canon 5D Mark II.

Let us tell you a little bit about each and why, in addition to our already impressive lineup, these new pieces of equipment will make your images INSANELY GORGEOUS. We'll start with the lighting setup...

Perhaps the most difficult part of a good image is the lighting, both in its availability and its quality. You've probably noticed that all our shoots are done about an hour before sunset. That's when the light is the best, a nice soft, flattering light. So how do you reproduce that soft, even light when the sun isn't cooperating? It's called a softbox. And if you've seen us shooting lately, you'll know that it looks like this:


Let's take a look at a few photos produced with this lovely light. These first few have that perfect "sun kissed" look, and appear as though they were taken with just the right amount of end-of-the-day sunlight hitting them at just the right angle:

And here are a few with more of a dramatic feel to them:

The point is, our new softbox is an amazing amazing tool for capturing incredible images. We have a few other lights that we use in parallel with the softbox, and combined with our studio backdrops, the results are impressive. Here's a headshot we did for the VP of sales at a local real estate firm:

As you can see, the lighting setup is ideal for a multitude of different images: senior pictures, family portraits, headshots...the list goes on. Most photographers don't shoot with lighting because it's either too expensive or too cumbersome. We feel the lights are a must as they add so much depth to the photos. It has truly taken our images to the next level, and given us a SOLID edge over the competition.

So the second item, the new body...this is just plain cool. Canon's newest in technological breakthroughs, the 5D Mark II boasts a few impressive features such as...

• 21 Megapixels...that's right - 21. That means we can print a poster size print of your family. Easily.
• HD video - 1080 to be exact. You should see it. It looks like it came off of a $100k Hollywood movie camera. It's that good.
• Silky smooth images - in many cameras, even good ones, you will find "grain", or "noise" if you look closely at the image. The 5D Mark II produces THE CLEANEST images we have ever seen. In most conditions, you won't see ANY NOISE. Just perfectly smooth images. It really is beautiful. Especially when purchasing large prints.

Here are a few pictures of the majestic giver of truth and light...err...our new camera (shown with its predecessor, the original 5D).






Pretty sweet, huh?

We've learned that we LOVE shooting with lights. It really does make the colors pop and the subjects stand out so much more. And with the Mark II, we get silky smooth image quality in addition to the brilliant colors and contrast. It's a stunning combination that VERY FEW photographers can match (shop around, we dare you).

We've been absolutely swamped with work over the past several months (a HUGE blessing not everyone has nowadays), and are doing our best to fit everyone in that needs us. So if you're one of those that do, PLEASE contact us quickly to book your wedding/senior/family portrait/baby/etc.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Macey's a model, and a senior

If you want your senior to look like a model, simply have them schedule their senior pictures with us...seriously, look how good Macey's photographs look. Even if you don't want your senior to look like a model, schedule their senior pictures with us and we can promise you that you (and your soon to be graduated son or daughter) will be totally stoked with how their pictures turn out.

A few from the Macey.

DM Christmas Card Special

Your dilemma: getting a professional family portrait to use for your Christmas card this year, but not paying an arm and a leg.

Our dilemma: wanting to deliver outstanding photos for you and your family while still having time to spend with our families this holiday season.

The solution: economies of scale.

DM Photo can provide you with quality images for your Christmas cards at a great price by doing double or triple header shoots. You’ll get a professional portrait of you and your family delivered in digital format for $50. Here’s how this special offer works:

• Christmas card portraits will be taken at Mesa Art Center. For examples of the many different locations that can be used here, take a look at the first 10 photos on our “Portraits” web page.
• There will be at least 2 of these shoots; the first one on Saturday, Nov. 22nd and the second on Saturday, Nov 29th. Both will take place from 4:30pm – 6:00pm.
• Each family shoot will last approximately 20 minutes
• You will receive up to three fully edited, high resolution images available via download
  

If you’re interested, just contact us here with the date you’d like to book. As long as we get enough responses, this will be a great opportunity for you to get professional quality portraits at a bargain price. The more people that sign up, the better it will be for everyone, so forward this to your friends and family, too.

And if you need a more comprehensive package, just reference this blog post and receive 10% any of our standard portrait packages through December.

Thanks!

Baby Ben

What a great name. And it goes so well with the "baby" part. Baby Ben. That's who we spent last Saturday afternoon with. This kid had THE MOST HAIR I HAVE EVER SEEN ON A NEWBORN. Seriously, it was completely awesome. He had more hair than I have. And it was cool hair, too. Like Zoolander. "It's not my fault I look better with gel in my hair than with a little helmet with a light on it."

Anyway, the pictures...

First Carpe DM Shoot

We were privileged to do our first Carpe DM shoot with Patty and Levi a few weeks ago. The location was a park in Mesa and the shoot took place around 6:30 pm, just as the sun was going down and the light was nice and soft. Here are a few of the photos we delivered.

Studio Shoot w/ A Baby

A few months ago we volunteered to do a free photo shoot for our friend's son. He has a medical condition for which they needed to raise funds, so we donated some time for a silent auction fundraiser they had. This is the shoot we did for the winner's daughter.

One fun thing we did at this shoot was to incorporate a new piece of studio equipment. You'll notice a soft reflection on the floor in each of the photos; that's the new board we used. Pretty neat, huh? We love the effect.

DM Photo on Ch 12 News

We had a tremendous storm here in the valley Thursday and, to a lesser extent, Friday evening. And of course, we had our camera out. This particular shot was taken around 10:30pm in Mesa and sent to channel 12 news where it made the rounds on the 4:30 and 9:00 newscasts. For those interested, it was taken at an ISO of 100, f/5.6, 15 sec shutter speed and 24mm focal length.

Carpe DM

As our inaugural blog post, we'd like to introduce a brand new program we've created: Carpe DM - DM Photo's FREE photo shoot for anyone! Why are we offering such a valuable service for free? Two reasons, really.

1. DM Photo's success is a direct result of the many wonderful people who have trusted us with their business. This is our way of saying thank you and giving back.
2. With all the options facing consumers these days, it's difficult to find the services out there that truly deliver outstanding quality & value. We hope that our Carpe DM offer will allow us to demonstrate our supreme commitment to exceeding your expectations in terms of stellar images and customer service, and that you will share your experience with your friends and family when they are in need of high caliber photographers.
   

The following guidelines apply to Carpe DM free photo shoots:

• Booking is on a first come first served basis. Contact us here for availability
• Shoot can be up to 1 hour at a location no further than 10 miles from here
• Up to 5 photos will be delivered. All images will be high resolution (printable up to 16" x 20"), fully edited, and delivered via an online gallery from which you can download
• Available times are Tuesdays after 5:30 or anytime Saturdays
• Carpe DM shoots may be booked no more than 1 week in advance
• Carpe DM reservations are subject to rescheduling on short notice
  

We hope to hear from you soon! Contact DM Photo to make your appointment today.