CasaSugar

Etsy Find: Sharon Montrose Photographs

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:00:38 -0800

I just came across these Animal Prints ($25) by photographer Sharon Montrose, and I'm totally smitten. The LA-based shutterbug snapped these real live animals, who mostly "live happily at a small California Zoo," perched in front of a white backdrop on hardwood floors. The details are truly amazing, and I applaud her for getting these zoo dwellers to stand so still! There's something so human about these images that I love; Montrose brings out each animal's personality with just the click of a button. Oh, and did I mention that the price is right?! What do you think?

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Cool Idea: Instant Photo Frame

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:00:51 -0700

Sherwood Forlee is the New York-based design engineer who created the HomeHero Fire Extinguisher, the winner of the 2007 IDSA Gold Award and a much blogged about home-safety item. But, Forlee's forté isn't only in saving lives, he also rescues photos. With framing costs high and limited space in our homes, many of our photos get thrown by the way side, never seeing the light of frame. With his Instant Photo Frame though, Forlee has made it possible to frame every photograph we take. By downloading this frame for free, cutting out its interior, and placing it in front of your camera before you take your photo, you'll have an instant (and free) frame for every photo you snap. To see how it works, read more.

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Open House: Do You Decorate With Family Photos?

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:30:10 -0700

TeamSugar member Lexichloe recently wrote to me with an interesting question, which I had to share with you. She said, "I have an aunt who has a very modern, contemporary styled house. The first time I visited, I was in awe of the simplicity of it all. I then realized that the reason it was so simplistic was due to the lack of knickknacks and, more specifically, pictures. She comes from a close-knit, beautiful family. I was surprised at the absence of family pictures. Maybe you could ask the Casa community if they've ever been to a house that had no pictures in view."

So, readers, have you visited a home that didn't display family photos? I know that family photos are a must at my house, but what about yours? Do you have friends or relatives that banish photos to albums? Tell me by commenting below!
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Midday Muse: Seaside Chic Redux

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:14:40 -0700

The delicate ocean vibe of this Seaform Original Signed Photograph by Etsy artist Alicia Bock would be perfectly at home in the chic seaside cottage we designed a while back. I love the vintage softness that pervades the image.

Wedding Planner: Advice From a Wedding Photographer

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:15:39 -0700

Wedding photographer Jessamyn Harris is known for taking lovely, striking images of couples in love. I recently interviewed her about her business, and she provided all of those brides-to-be out there with valuable knowledge about what to look for when choosing a wedding photographer. Read on to find out all about Jessamyn's advice for hiring a wedding photographer, and if you're interested in hiring her, you can do so here.

CasaSugar: What's your favorite part about being a wedding photographer?

Jessamyn: Definitely the people I get to work with. I am really lucky to work with kind and creative clients who genuinely want a beautiful wedding because they love each other, and to whom artistic photography is a high priority. Combine that with gorgeous details to photograph, and it's a pretty nice setup. The best moments are when I really feel the connection between the bride and groom during the big and small moments of their wedding day, and of course when I know I got an amazing shot.

To see a gallery of Jessamyn's work, and to get her advice for choosing your own wedding photographer, just read more.
CasaSugar: What are the most challenging parts of your job?
Jessamyn: The most challenging aspects to being a wedding photographer are much the same as running any small business that is so based on the identity of the business owner - in other words, it's all me. I do all of the booking, planning, shooting, editing, and designing myself, as well as all of the other aspects of owning a business. Most of the time this is awesome and rewarding (because I hated working a full-time job for someone else!), but the flip side of that is that it can be exhausting and hard to escape. At the wedding itself, I work very hard physically and also emotionally to keep everyone happy and comfortable while being photographed. This is also something I like about it, though, so there are really two sides to each aspect.

CasaSugar: What should couples consider when choosing their wedding photographer?

Jessamyn: The number one thing a couple should look at when searching for a wedding photographer is style. You definitely want to be sure that what appeals to you is thoroughly represented in the photographers' portfolios. For example, my style is a mix of fine art, documentary, candid/ lifestyle shooting, and most of my clients are interested in keeping the more traditional family portraits to a minimum, with some time for unique portraits of the couple being the main focus. Most of my clients want candid, natural shots of the connections and moments between people, as well as some classic and beautiful portraits of themselves in their wedding finery. If I get the sense that a potential client wants a more traditional style than I tend to shoot (my style is something like "quirky, modern elegance"), I'll refer them to someone who has a little more mainstream sensibility. Besides style, I definitely think it's important to have a personal connection, or at least high comfort level, with your photographer. These two usually go hand in hand, but be sure they are someone you'll actually want at your wedding day. The more comfortable you feel with the photographer, the better the photos will be.

CasaSugar: What are some of the most memorable wedding shots you've taken?
Jessamyn: I have a shot going around the internet from a wedding last Summer of the bride's former roller derby teammates who served as usherettes at the couple's beautiful Napa Valley wedding, all in roller skates! This same wedding had a bounce house, and some other very unique details (and was recently featured on Style Me Pretty. Otherwise, it's usually the shots that I can tell will take the couple's breath away, or a shot of the bride looking like a beautiful vintage painting as she gets ready to get married. I also offer a "photo booth" type of setup, and these are often very memorable as well! This weekend, I had a very pregnant woman and her husband pose themselves as if she was about to deliver the baby, and there have been many other hilarious and shocking self-portraits taken.

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Photographer to Watch: Roger D'Souza

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 06:15:14 -0800

Sydney-based photographer Roger D'Souza shoots interiors, exteriors, and portraits all with equal skill and expert composition. Many of his photos happen to feature stunning architecture, though D'Souza highlights the gorgeous buildings with his expert use of natural light. Whether documenting worn floor boards and peeling paint or sleek, newly erected homes, he manages to give every photo a beautiful polish. To see more of his photographs, read more.

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Photographer to Watch: Aimee Herring

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:15:31 -0800

The natural light in Aimée Herring's interior photographs makes me want to pull up all the blinds in my office and bask in the sunlight, or just pack my bags and move right into the interiors themselves. Yes, these homes are also beautifully designed, so that helps. But, her composition of any basic vignette like a potted flower and a framed print or a vase of flowers and (insert anything) could sell any house in a New York minute, even in this unforgiving housing market.

What really impresses me about her work is that, unlike the work of many interior photographers, it doesn't make you crave the shabby chic dresser (which, albeit, may be crave worthy). But after seeing it, you find yourself looking for a realtor to find you the house with the shabby chic dresser so you can call the dresser, the floors, the grass, the light, the house, and everything that comes with it your own. Aimée's mother must have taught her well about the simple pleasures in life like fresh fruit, your dog climbing into bed with you, the feeling of your bare feet in the grass, or opening a door to a beautiful room. I find that admirable, not to mention that her photographs are simply breathtaking, without much thought or analysis.

To see more of her portfolio, read more

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Photographer to Watch: Margaret Mulligan

CasaSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:08:55 -0700

Margaret Mulligan is a photographer from Toronto, Canada who has been commissioned by hotels, museums, restaurants, housing developers, flower shops, and other Canadian and international businesses. Her work has been printed in several magazines, including Canadian Home and Country, Flare, Toronto Life, Toronto Life City Guide, Homemakers, enRoute, Canadian Living, and Style at Home. She also shoots for "the holy grail" of Canadian home décor, Canadian House and Home. Press history aside, her photographs are breathtaking, and her talent is intimidating.

What amazes me about her work is her sense of composure. She takes beautiful photographs of high-design hotels-which I assume were designed by architects and interior designers who sought a composed, angular look. However, Mulligan finds striking lines, diagonals, and curves in all of her subjects, whether she's shooting a couple of pigs in a dirty farm stall, a daydreaming man in a coffee shop, or the Royal Ontario Museum.

To continue your Margaret Mulligan introduction, read more

Desire to Inspire noted how Mulligan's photos are taken in such bright, beautiful light, and I agree. What I find inspiring about her use of light though, is that she not only uses light to make a room look glowing, pretty, and all hearts and stars, but she takes advantage of all the interesting angles and shadows that only that glowing light can create.

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To see more of Mulligan's photos, take a gander at her portfolio on her website. Be sure to check out her point-and-shoot snaps; she's also got cute shoes!

Photographer to Watch: Kari Herer

CasaSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:00:05 -0700

I came across the work of Portland, ME-based photographer Kari Herer on Etsy and was absolutely swept off my feet. She does commercial, portrait, and fine art work, but it's her floral photography that really gets me.

Fresh peonies and hydrangea make wonderful subjects for anyone behind the camera, but take a look at Herer's work and you'll be convinced she's truly a stylist at heart. Here, she's arranged and captured a delicate magnolia on a gorgeous botanical illustration - buy an eight-by-10 print here for $25. In Peony No. 9364, flower buds prove to have strength in numbers in her well-composed arrangment. A pinecone in a teacup? Unusual, but ethereal. Herer's composition is flawless and she almost gives her subjects a vintage feel, which I adore. See more of her work when you read more.

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Photographer to Watch: Aaron Chang

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:00:02 -0800

Surfer, world traveler, and photographer Aaron Chang expresses his passion for the outdoor world through his massive, beautifully rendered photographs. Aaron, who has just opened his first gallery in Solana Beach, CA, works in large-format photographic prints that highlight his love for travel and the ocean. An award-winning photographer with over 100 magazine covers to his credit, Aaron is currently working with renowned designer David Carson on his first book, which should be out this December. I recently had the opportunity to interview Aaron about his work, life, and commitment to the environment.

CasaSugar: Did surfing affect your desire to start taking photographs, or was it the other way around?

Aaron Chang: Yes, surfing was the reason I started taking photographs. I saw so much beauty when I was surfing that I was motivated to shoot in order to share what I was seeing with people.

To read the rest of the interview and to view other photos, read more.

CasaSugar: What is your favorite subject to photograph?

Aaron Chang: The ocean. Waves in particular.

CasaSugar: I see that you're involved with Surfrider Foundation. Can you tell readers a little about this charity?

Aaron Chang: I have a passion for the ocean, so my partnering with Surfrider was an obvious fit. We will be partnering with Surfrider for the gallery's grand opening on Feb. 28. A portion of the evening's sales will be donated to them. We will also be working with them on an ongoing basis for future events.

CasaSugar: I love that you use eco-friendly materials. How and why did you begin doing this?

Aaron Chang: I feel it is important to be responsible with the earth's finite resources. Every little bit helps. [Aaron uses material such as recycled scrap metal and earth-friendly dyes.]

CasaSugar: Why did you decide to present your photographs in such a large format?

Aaron Chang: Big is exciting! The new digital process can replicate 68 billion colors with laser precision, allowing us to make prints that were not technologically possible a few years ago. These prints have startling resolution and color at sizes that create lifelike experience for the viewer.

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