This spring we made plans to extend our Las Vegas trip to include an engagement session in Los Angeles with Jamie and Bill.  We had so much fun with the two of them.   I am so very excited about their wedding.  Below is my favorite photo from the session.  I absolutely love how the two of them are so into each other.  I adore the way Bill is caressing Jamie’s hair.  Couples who are so well matched warm my heart.

(Note, it’s always a good idea to keep track of the Zettls’ travel plans as we rarely travel anywhere without taking photos of people.  We don’t charge travel fees if we are already on the road.  We’ll be in Chicago the weekend of May 15th shooting 2 engagement sessions and a bridal session.  We still have room for more portrait sessions.  Contact us if you’re interested in some stylish and creative portraits that show a more intimate and beautiful view of your life.)

This past Sunday I invited a friend to model for me on a very specific personal project.   It was one of those “go shoot something you really want to shoot and don’t worry about getting paid for it” projects. (Falls also under the heading of dream, dream, dream, practice, practice practice.)  These projects are very important to artists for many reasons.  Personally, they help me develop my creative vision, allow for artistic freedom and hone my skills.

The shoot was inspired by a book I just recently bought about Norman Parkinson.
Norman Parkinson: A Very British Glamour

Thanks for looking.

[Show as slideshow]

 

The 72 hour sale!

It’s Spring, the tulips are in bloom and we are running an incredible promotional offer on all our portrait collections.

Receive $200 off all regular priced portrait collection gift certificates purchased from now until 12 midnight Tuesday April 13^th (Sale priced collections start at $150.00)

Offer good for Children, High School Seniors, Family, and Engagement sessions.

Click here to purchase gift certificates

Portrait session price list (take $200 off the prices listed.)

Choose the portrait collection you would like the purchase, the discount will be taken at check out and we will send you a gift certificate to use anytime between now and November 1, 2010.

Below are the 9 images I am entering into competition.  Please leave a comment in this blog post with the number of your favorite photo, your full name and email (your email address will not be published publicly.) You are welcome to solicit votes for your favorite prints. (email, facebook, twitter this post!) You may vote one time per legitimate email address.

The PRIZES:

1) The client of the photograph that receives the most votes will get a 13×19 fine art print of the photograph shown here and a 13×19 print of their favorite photograph from their wedding or portrait session. (A $300 value.)

2) We will randomly draw a winner from all the votes cast for an extraordinary portrait session, a 13×19 art print from the session and a $300 print credit. (A $550 value.)

The RULES:

1. Winning prizes are not transferable and have no cash or substitution redemption value.
2. The portrait session is for up to 5 people.
3. Viewing, selecting and ordering your prints will take place in our studio.  You are under no obligation to order anything more than your 13×19 art print and $300 print credit. Print credit must be used at ordering session and can not be combined with any other offers or specials.
4. Both the photo shoot and the ordering session must take place by September 1, 2010
5.  Photo session is good for the St. Louis area.  Travel fees will be incurred for anything outside the St. Louis area.
6. The contest ends February 18, 2010 at 11:59 pm.
7. All results are final.  We are the final arbiters in all decisions. Void where regulated or prohibited.
8. We reserve the right to add to and modify these terms if necessary. We promise to be fair in that process.
9.  Winners will be announced via the blog and contacted via email.  (So leave us a working email address. We want you to win! And we promise not to spam you.  We will only contact you once with info about the winners.)

The PHOTOGRAPHS:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

We’ll be having another contest in March of our favorite photo from each wedding and portrait session we shot last year. Stay tuned!

www.zettlphoto.com

The new portfolio of wedding photographs better shows our talent at capturing artistic photos full of warmth and life.

Please enjoy the photos.  And as always, thank you for looking.

Every year Peter and I make our way to a photography convention to learn and be inspired.  For the past two years we have arranged a shoot to photograph our fellow photographers and provide them with a new avatar or profile photo. This year’s shoot was based on David Bailey’s 1964 shoot of Mic Jagger.

What I love about these photos is that they are full of personality.  They tell you something about the people in the photos.  We shot over 57 people in about 3 hours.  To be able to make that connection with your subject in 3 minutes is an accomplishment.  Our ability to connect with the people we’re shooting is one of our major strengths.

This also applies to our corporate clients – a photo with personality is key.  In a world of social networking like facebook and linkedin, your photo is often the first impression you give to potential clients.  Today, image is everything.  What is your photo saying about you?  Are you telling your clients you’re confident, personable, friendly, and worthy of their business?

We always discuss wardrobe, location and the purpose of the image to help you make the right introduction to clients and colleagues.  We also want you to be comfortable in front of the camera.  We dedicate the time and preparation to make sure you get the best photo.  Please feel free to email us at info@zettlphoto.com or call us at 314.454.6612 to arrange a session.

Last year we met up with Beth and David in Las Vegas while we were attending a photography convention.  We’ll be out in Vegas again this year from March 4-10.  If you are interested in a portrait or engagement sessions, please feel free to contact us for more information.  There is no travel fee for any session, but a minimum purchase does apply.

I took Meghan and Mike out at dusk to get these film noir inspired engagement photos.  What makes them special to me is that the photos are relatively unique and that the entire shoot was developed around a concept and vision specifically designed for them. (Got an idea?  A favorite photo, movie, genre?  Let me know! These sessions are all about having fun and getting to know our couples.)

Thank you Meghan and Mike for braving the cold and helping me create some photos I’m really proud of.

Like most photographers, he has few photos of all of them together in one photo, so it was nice to be able to provide a piece of family history for the Arlunds.

Be sure to check out Chuck’s work.  I swear this man will be shooting the fashion spreads of Vanity Fair and Vogue one day.