Things have been quiet here around the blog, but don't be fooled--there's a flurry of activity going on behind the scenes! First, a luscious DVD folio for the high-resolution files from Mariko & Jeff's engagement session:

Next, an album for Robert & Krissy's wedding!

A cute little orange pocket album for Zak and Heather:

The lovely deep red folio for Mark & Veronica's wedding photos (it matches their colors!):

And for those who are curious, here's what my office looks like in our new digs! I'm lovin' the window light.

Congratulations, you're engaged! If your wedding date is set far into the future, you just might be hankering to take some portraits of you and your spouse-to-be. Here are ideas for locations, activities, and extra touches to add to your engagement portrait session.

SET THE STAGE: PICKING A LOCATION

An engagement session location needn't be exotic or expensive to create excellent portraits and lend a bit of lightness to the mood. Here are some suggestions for cheap (if not free) possible locations. Keep in mind that you (or your photographer) may need to contact the venue or location in order to obtain permission to take photographs, and pay any applicable fees. Do your research: planning ahead is key!

• arts center - making great art and looking at great art all at once!
• restaurant - pick a visually interesting food or dessert; something with elaborate stacking or succulent fruit?
• coffee shop - perhaps the one at which the two of you met, even!
• college campus - these tend to be well-groomed and thus are beautiful almost year-round
• grocery store - keep the speed of the grocery-cart races to a safe level!
• at home - show off the personality of your home décor
• retail windows - fun and whimsical things can provide a commentary on personalities
• in the mall - enjoy some ice cream, play by a fountain or perhaps a lighted atrium makes a nice backdrop
• library - have a little word-nerd love-in!
• courthouse - stately buildings, fine architecture
• hotel lobby - or, if you're in a romantic mood, rent a hotel room and make a night of it
• state park - nearly always free, and nearly always beautiful!
• nearby field - don't overlook nooks and crannies in between buildings for some nice undergrowth
• beach - if, of course, these are nearby!
• highway underpass - the abandoned and gritty feel of concrete can be sexy
• hair salon - get your 'do fixed and get some awesome pix!
• laundromat - you can "pretend" to spy on each other while washing your unmentionables!
• brewery - if you have a favorite brew, or know a brewery nearby, see if they'll let you take a tour together!

Ask your photographer for location suggestions if you're stumped. More often than not they've been scouting location ideas for future sessions or other projects, and may have a few fabulous tricks up their sleeve!

MAKE IT ACTIVE: DO AN ACTIVITY

Having an activity to do while you're being photographed can help get those candid, relaxed moments that you like to capture. It puts you at ease and gives you something to enjoy or joke about with your loved one.

• kite flying
• cooking or baking together
• picnic
• board games
• bowling
• skiing/sledding/snowboarding
• rock or mountain-climbing
• bikeriding or wearing rollerblades
• reading your favorite magazine/book together
• play music/instruments
• fingerpaint, draw, or paint a wall

Of course, some of these are outdoorsy/messy, so be sure to have a few costume changes planned!

MAKE IT FUN: ADDING TOUCHES

Using props can be another way to add action or something interesting to a photograph. Something unusual, or using something everyday in an unusual way, can make the photograph intriguing, and add personality.

• giant lollipops - a sugar rush to give you the energy you need!
• antique/vintage jewelry - show off an heirloom you connect with emotionally
• glass drinking bottles - these lend a nice old-fashioned feel
• slurpees - stick out your colored-tongues!
• wine/champagne - make it dramatic and let it explode!
• flourescent/plastic jewelry - hitting up the dollar store can be fun!
• gag toys - fake moustaches, funny-looking glasses, etc.
• silly straws - just what you need for your milkshake
• masks and/or costumes - animals, crowns, celebrities, villains, superheros, etc.
• balloons - oversize, or a large bunch, can be dramatic on a windy day; maybe even try popping them!

Oh, and always remember to enjoy yourselves and relax!

E-mail me if you have an idea you'd like to share, too! I love hearing them.

I'm keeping my photographic chops up in the lull inevitable in any business transition. Each day I whip out my camera and photograph beautiful things I see around me in my every day. I think I may make a photo-a-day blog out of it at some point, to stay inspired.

Late autumn light in New England is crisp and intoxicating.

The sun setting on an interesting old building in Brookline, MA.

When the sun hits the golden dome of the State House down by the Common, it glitters.

Sometimes throwing things out of focus is just what you need to see.

It's the little things that stand out when you lose all sense of color.

A happy holiday to you all!

Studio Mathewes will be on holiday vacation until January 2nd, 2010. Any orders placed during that time will be fulfilled promptly after January 2nd. Any communications received will be answered within 48 hours.

May you enjoy and savor this blessed season!

Some people dream, but I photograph.

I'm vacationing with family in Maryland, and they had a doozy of a snowstorm. I've enjoyed the unique lighting opportunity it gives; everything is evenly lit and glowing.

Putting the moon in context makes for a better photo than a straight shot of the moon. That is, unless you have a telescope.

When the sky itself doesn't give you stars to photograph, you can find them elsewhere.

I love the variety you find in sparkling holiday decorations.

I was really at a loss as to what to do for my holiday card this year. So, since I didn't have any brilliant people-oriented staged ideas, I decided to create a little delicious Christmas joy by building a snowflake out of cocoa and sugar.

After assembling the proper ingredients, I made a few drawings of how my snowflakes might be engineered in my sketchbook.

After that, I laid a bed of cocoa out on the table and imprinted my design as troughs running throughout the powdered delight.

After that, I painstakingly sprinkled the sugar into each troughs. It was nervewracking! This stage I had to repeat a few times in order to get completely right.

Voila! A delicious snowflake.

I visited Christmas Street in Hampden this year over the holidays.

VERY festive!