I was catching up on some commercial work and finishing the final touches on some new outdoor lighting techniques we have added to the camera bag. Lots of fun new things for seniors that are coming in groups all of next week. Watch your mail for the July specials... the longer you wait the more you lose out on!
cheers,
tom s
We cruised through a busy week with families, seniors, children and a pregger to start the July 2009. Next week we get hammered with the real beginning of the Senior Rush... a chaotic schedule that lasts until the end of October. I am getting a little antsy about shooting some sports. I need a football fix until the 49ers crank it up this year!
Enjoy the fireworks tomorrow evening but do be careful if you are playing with them! I want you looking good with all body parts connected for your session!
cheers,
tom s
Every year we get families coming up to the lake for vacations. Some rent homes and cabins for a week or two while others cruise Shasta on the monster houseboats. Often times it is the only event the draws a family together short of weddings and funerals. Obviously a perfect time for a new family portrait!
This family has some history with the studio. The Mom remembered me from the old days when I was shooting all the national ads and social events forJhirmack Hair Products.
cheers, tom s
The studio will be closed this Saturday while I am on location photographing a commercial job for a Landscape Pond and Waterfall builder. We are doing lots of web work as businesses are reloading and getting ready for the surge of work that is just around the corner.
That is one of the reasons you want to get your senior 2010 session or summer family reunion locked on our books. I can still only be in one place doing one job at a time. I would hate to miss the opportunity to work with you on something special!
peace,
tom s
Ever since high school when two cute identical twin girls--Janet and Janice moved into the neighborhood. Both were very bright and talented with music and art. Plus they had this uncanny ability to know what the other was doing and thinking and they would answer questions for each other... like one brain in two people.
Cool but scary... friends dating the two were always felt a little unnerved when they were paired up. You were never sure who you were talking to...or who was answering....
Had a fun session with a tiny twin set...one of several sets we photograph yearly in the studio!
peace,
tom s
to the recession! Lots of local small biz are growing and remodeling to better serve their clients and gain momentum for the upswing in all things economic. We have been shooting a ton of pix for the web and for brochures... including a job this week for USC!
Pio Loco, one of the nicest and largest restaurants in town and across the street from the studio, has a major renovation nearly complete. Chef Jeff's new downstairs bar is the longest in town and really opens up the space to be more social.
Most of my clients know the back story to the location. When I moved here in 1972, the day after HS graduation, I fell in love with that old Pine Street School Gym. Back then at age 17-- I vowed to have my photo studio there in the lofty space.
Well I got close.... only missed by half a block! But I still shoot in the area and enjoy many lunches and dinners there...
cheers,
tom s
Last Thursday evening we had the Girls Night Out party at the House of Design in Red Bluff. Make Up demos, wine tasting, jewelry making tricks and me shooting some fun stuff for the Myspace and Facebook pages. Looks like we will be doing it again in December... you better not miss it a second time!
It was too much fun and I have photos to prove it! More posted tomorrow when staff gets time to line them all up!
cheers,
tom s
With senior 2010 sessions starting to dominate our time here I thought I could answer a few questions that keep popping up.
1. What is our cheapest package?
The Senior Express is a great value with a two outfit in the studio session with hobbies, pets and buddies PLUS 1-8x10, 2-5x7 and 8 wallets of your favorite pose. Of course you can add additional photos if you wish (most do because they love so many shots) or the many cool products like the albums and wall panels.
2. Do you travel for senior photos?
Yep... how far you want to go dictates what it will cost. We do regular jaunts to the beach in Eureka and San Diego for both high school seniors and family portraits. Shots in and around town during regular business hours are usually part of a Deluxe session or just $25 for the extra time for specialty shots.
3. Does TA Schmidt only do the most popular and good looking kids?
It may seem so when you see all the images we take during the year but we really do photograph anyone that wants to work with us. I believe EVERYONE can have a beautiful/handsome portrait created when you choose the right photographer and he takes the time to use lighting, posing and the proper tools to enhance your best features and hide what you don't like. That is why we have been the #1 studio in the North State for over 31 years.
peace.
tom s
Here's the deal.
I got into a bet with a hotshot photographer in Sacramento that was an unwise move. He bet that he could get 500 friends on MySpace faster than I could. In a weak moment I accepted the challenge.
Well, the Sacto area has a population of over 2 Million people while Redding has a paltry 80,000 on a good day.
Needless to say he is kicking my b*** and is nearly at the 500 goal.
Can you help?
I need 500 friends FAST. Either MySpace or Facebook. I need you, your relatives, your friends and neighbors, even you dog if he has an active account.
Make me a friend today so we can show Sacramento that the real North State need not bow to the big city folks!
thanks
tom s
Watch the mail next week for the huge new 2010 offers to make your senior portraits special. You will love all the new backgrounds, outdoor sets and poses we have in store for you. Mom will love the great new pricing for sessions and the bonus offers available now. Also... stay tuned for the cool new water photo options that you can get only at TA Schmidt Photography. You can get exactly the photos you have always wanted at prices anyone can afford!
peace,
tom s
We are already getting calls about the family portraits on the beach this summer. Once Redding gets the steady diet of 100+ day temperatures the road West gets slammed with locals trying to escape the heat. I remember my teen years spending several weeks and more weekends on the beach and in the campgrounds around Trinidad. Fishing, hiking and biking was the perfect cure for heat stroke we all suffer from here in the middle of the North state.
Give me a call at 244-2636 so I can put you on the list for our next trip over!
peace,
tom s
The family session last night was a blast. The weather held on perfect, clothing was a good match and the family was fun to work with both in and out of the water! It looks like we are going to be building several special Eureka and San Diego senior and family packages for the summer. If you are the typical Redding resident you might consider an unusual session on the Coast. We will have inclusive packages with rooms, meals and even boat tours in addition to the best portrait you have ever owned.
Make it a summer to remember... with a portrait from T A Schmidt Photography. Call 244-2636 to talk about the options.
cheers,
tom s
A rare day in Eureka! Sunshine and no wind make for the perfect day Cheers Tom s
with temps around 107 this afternoon. Another good reason why I will be shooting in Eureka after a few senior 2010 sessions this morning. The plan right now is to work the Moonstone Beach area for the family session and maybe get lucky with a nice sunset for some personal fine art photos to add to my collection.
Senior sessions are now being booked for after the 5th of July. The mad rush to get portraits made is jsut beginning so schedule early to get the time and date you want. Of course free studio tours and clothing consultations are always available. We would love to show you all the props and sets in the portrait park and help you choose the most flattering clothing.
peace,
tom s
Is what we shot today in the studio. Kids, animals, family and 2010 seniors made for a full day with never a dull moment. More seniors and family tomorrow and then a race over to Eureka for sunset family photos on the beach. With some luck I will get some great clam chowder and Blackberry pie at the old schoolhouse!
cheers,
tom s
I missed posting the Father's Day shot I had on the pile of images ready to share with the world. We love making images with Dads. It shows a different relationship and often times is one of the rare moments Dad lets his guard down to reveal the warmth and human side they keep tucked away for family. Grandpa is another favorite subject of ours... with kids and Grandma.
I remember my Dad's relationship with Ashley our daughter. He loved taking her to the river to feed the ducks or having her around the shop when he worked at building and painting crafty little bird houses. Camping trips at Lassen or over by Trinidad always had the little girl watching every move Grandpa made... hiking, building a fire or better yet cooking outside!
Keep Dad in mind for your next photo. He might surprise you with how much he enjoys the session and truly loves the final work.
peace,
tom s
this weekend? Saturday evening I am available for a senior or family session in the Eureka area with NO TRAVEL CHARGE. I am going over for a big family session on Sunday evening and thought I might meet up with someone else that wants to take advantage of the perfect weather. Call me at 244-2636 to discus location and clothing.
See this evening in Red Bluff at the House of Design's "Girls Night Out" wine tasting, jewelry and cosmetic demos. I will be doing free MySpace/Facebook shots plus offering a special too god to talk about here!
In addition to all the land sports we have been doing I am also testing some REALLY fun new water shots. That has required an entire new mindset not to mention some new equipment and locations to work in. I am sure you will love the results once we start posting them in the next week or so. Until I have the technique nailed down I won't offer it... gotta be perfect for you!
cheers,
tom s
The Class of 2010 is running strong with tons of activities for the guys and gals. Sports, music, pets, buddies and hobbies of every sort are showing up in the senior sessions. The summer heat is just around the corner so lock in your time before it hits 110 in the shade!
You can call and still get great early bird prices for your customer indoor/outdoor session and be one of the first to use the new portrait park sets and props!
peace,
tom s
with a chance to spend to spend time with dear old dad.
Just a reminder if you are looking for some fun on Thursday afternoon and evening. Girls Night Out at the House of Design in Red Bluff should be a blast. I'll see ya there!
tom s
We have had an unusually high number of sessions for Publicity shots and comp cards the last month or so. Lots of folks hitching their hopes and dreams on Hollywood, LA and Nashville. The competition is wickedly tough but for those few with the talent and toughness to make it to the top the rewards are unequal.
It is so nice to see the local kids and adults do well in the national spotlight. A feel good story feels even better when the economy is a little South of perfect. Good luck and remember all those little people that helped you reach your star!
cheers,
tom s
Next week Thursday in Red Bluff at the House of Design in the Kraft Library building a really cool "Girls Night Out" party is taking place. Make Up demos, wine tasting, How To build your own custom jewelry with the exciting new Staxx system and free MySpace/Facebook/eHarmony photos made by yours truly if you show up between 3:30 and 5 pm. If your invitation gets to you too late just tell them at the door that TA Schmidt sent you! Watch the blog the next day for some video of all the fun!
cheers,
tom s
We have been photographing the first wave of the 2010 seniors for over 2 weeks now. The cooler temperatures are ideal for the many outside portraits made during the deluxe session. So far the kids' excitement over the new backgrounds and outdoor portrait parks sets have been wonderful. The new motorcycle set has been #1 and the Hall of Lights a close second.
There is still time to schedule your session on the low LOWEST price of the year of only $20.10 for the full session. Call 244-2636 to lock in your spot!
cheers,
tom s
If you have been watching the blog you know I LOVE clouds. For a few weeks every June I am in my element with awesome clouds and the occasional lightening to photograph. Once we get into July we get the clean slate of solid blue skies day after day with only a little tourist smog or fire smoke to add interest to the otherwise boring sunsets.
Here is a fav from last night's session....
So what are you waiting for... call for your appointment so we can create something special together?!
244-2636
cheers
tom s
right now I thought sharing another photo for our NEW baby portrait room would be good. Even though we added another senior camera room... the Hall of Lights I still found room to create a special area jsut for our many newborns. We have a quiet private room for the new Moms with a big comfortable leather couch, private bathroom and new "baby only" mini sets for your child. So now after we do your "pregger session" we want to see the little guys and gals to help you introduce them to the world!
cheers,
tom s
ignoring you all with very few posts while we get the new sets and backgrounds done for the 2010 seniors that are booking like crazy. The Hall of Lights is finally complete and last weekend I did the finishing on the Garden Rock Bench with all the planting. The Hunters Lodge just got the Elk hide to complete that set so things have been rolling around here.
There is a stack of pix here to post so when I get a break from getting all the Father's Day photo gifts packaged I will pop a few more on-line. Until then.... peace.
tom s
Of course with all the little Woodland Nymphs we have done the last couple days we had to get at least one little boy in the set. There is no way a Dad would have his son dressed up with cute little wings like the girls.... but how about a macho shot with a bow and arrow like cupid?
Too cute... there is always a way to create an image with a little imagination and spirit of fun.
peace,
tom s
Just photographed the last of two days of Woodland Nymphs. A couple dozen sessions including several sets of sisters that we worked in together on the custom background and props. This is one of those annual promos that remains magical throughout the years. It must be something about the little girls... lots of imagination and wanting to play.
We like that here.... we love to play and create and laugh and have fun.
Join us soon.
cheers,
tom s
