It's January. A new year. A time to start afresh with some new studio samples!

Here, I've put together two small sample albums--a black "brag book" that parents can fill with their favorite photos from their child's wedding, and a delicious red album from an engagement session.

And lastly, a sample of the proof books that I give out. With nearly every wedding package, I print 300 of the most superb images from the day, and put them in these elegant bound albums.

Giving the couple a proof book is a nice way to have something immediate for them to look at and share with parents; later on they can come to me with their absolute favorite images and we can put together one of my nicer album offerings. (Samples and photos of those are coming soon, too!)

This Sunday, I will be participating in a bridal expo in Columbia, Maryland, put on by Britton Events.

Never having worked an expo before, I bought myself a nice 6' table, and set to work on getting some new samples and albums together (you may remember my brag books and proof album).

I must say that Cypress Albums offer the most elegant and high-quality products, by far. I am proud to introduce some new studio samples: folios!

Here we have a deliciously wonderful 5"x5" folio with a CD sleeve that I will be showcasing.

And here is a lovely 3-panel folio that holds 5"x7" photographs!

So please, come see me this Sunday, if you can:

March 2, 2008
Sunday, 1:00pm-4:00pm

Hilton Columbia
5485 Twin Knolls Road
Columbia, Maryland 21045

After the expo, I'll post photos of my table and the rest of the goodies I've put together!

I'm happy to announce that I won an award!

This photo won 17th place in WPJA's Artistic Guild quarterly contest. Follow the link, click on "Engagement Portrait" at the bottom, and you'll find my little shot among some of the most admirable photographers around! I'm so honored.

My favorite part about these contests is that you get to see the judge's comments. Knowing why the judges chose a particular photograph gives so much insight into what makes a great shot. I look forward to trying to better my work so that in the future I can create more award-winning work!

This past weekend, I had a table lined up at the Britton Events bridal expo in Columbia, MD.

My table was a rather small affair, featuring the new folios, brag books and prints that I really loved.

Best of all, it enabled me to feature my latest treasure: the sample album!

Not to mention mini-folios!

I'm really looking forward to this year's wedding season.

I'm very happy to announce that come September, I'll have a showing of my Portraits of Light at the Yellow Dog Tavern in Baltimore, MD!

I had been working on this set as a goofy little side project for a few years, every now and again trying out new light sources and lengths of exposure to find new and interesting textures of light. It's kind of like beach combing, only less intentional. I've gotten into the habit of being on the lookout for creating different phenomena and colors in my frame, and much like my HOLGA work, calculated trial and error has played a part in refining the process.

Earlier this spring, on a whim, I responded to an ad on the Baltimore Craigslist asking for artists to submit their works for consideration to display at the restaurant. Wanting to appeal to a general audience, I thought that my abstract light work would go over better than some of my other projects. Lo and behold, it did!

But a problem surfaced: I had too many photographs to consider to put on the wall! After much deliberation, and the help of some of my friends and blog-readers, I narrowed my set of photos down to twenty-four varied images that I'm going to print on large sheets of metallic paper. Here's a sampling:

So this September, I'll be putting up my work at Yellow Dog Tavern. The restaurant, owned by MICA grads, hosts a monthly wine-tasting/art opening on the second Tuesday of each month! What a wonderful way to foster the artistic community of Baltimore, yes?

I'm very happy to announce that come September, I'll have a showing of my Portraits of Light at the Yellow Dog Tavern in Baltimore, MD!

I had been working on this set as a goofy little side project for a few years, every now and again trying out new light sources and lengths of exposure to find new and interesting textures of light. It's kind of like beach combing, only less intentional. I've gotten into the habit of being on the lookout for creating different phenomena and colors in my frame, and much like my HOLGA work, calculated trial and error has played a part in refining the process.

Earlier this spring, on a whim, I responded to an ad on the Baltimore Craigslist asking for artists to submit their works for consideration to display at the restaurant. Wanting to appeal to a general audience, I thought that my abstract light work would go over better than some of my other projects. Lo and behold, it did!

But a problem surfaced: I had too many photographs to consider to put on the wall! After much deliberation, and the help of some of my friends and blog-readers, I narrowed my set of photos down to twenty-four varied images that I'm going to print on large sheets of metallic paper. Here's a sampling:

So this September, I'll be putting up my work at Yellow Dog Tavern. The restaurant, owned by MICA grads, hosts a monthly wine-tasting/art opening on the second Tuesday of each month! What a wonderful way to foster the artistic community of Baltimore, yes?

This summer is going to be a fun one. I get to teach photography at Park School Camps in July.

I have a digital lab and a darkroom. I hope to teach film, digital, and cyanotype to a batch of about a dozen kids.

My class syllabus is complete, and I'm about to order supplies for camp; I'm drooling with anticipation!

Getting ready to teach photography also lit a fire underneath a small pet project of mine. I've been working on a general "how-to" photography syllabus for awhile now, and the first edition is complete. My hope is that eager-beaver shutterbugs can use it to teach themselves a few things. It covers exposure (f/stop, ISO, shutter), composition, lighting, subject matter, and offers a few suggestions for take-home lessons:

Basic Photography (1.1 MB)

Enjoy, and please let me know what you think!

My first week of camp is complete!

I have a dozen students, ranging from grades 2 to 5. Most of them are around 8 years old. All of them are very enthusiastic, as you can see from this class picture.

On our first day, we ran around with our film cameras; the assignment was for the kids take pictures of each other on the playground outside. It was a nice way to get-to-know-you and get some film ready for developing throughout the week.

While we were out and about, I took this picture of Kyle, my faculty-in-training. He's a high school graduate attending MICA in the fall.

Kyle has been a huge help, mixing chemicals, managing the kids, and helping them learn the involved steps that it takes to go from film to finished print.

Teaching has taught me a lot about planning. I felt very prepared in the weeks leading up to the class, and having my supplies ordered ahead of time gave me a sense of security. Nothing can prepare you for the hiccups along the way, though! I've had a few technical hurdles (the printer not working in the digital lab, and water pressure issues in the darkroom), that I couldn't have foreseen.

Most of all, though, teaching is revealing a lot of things about myself. I have to think on my toes, remain flexible, and think of ways to creatively explain things to kids who need something a little extra or something a little different. Each child has a different learning style, and that can be tough to accommodate when there are so many different activities going on; shooting, darkroom work, and computer editing are all very different processes.

But the kids seem to be taking to it well, and I'm a happy camper. Uh, no pun intended... really.

Anecdote: Both of these shots were taken with my beautiful Nikon FM10 on Ilford Delta 400 film.

My first week of camp is complete!

I have a dozen students, ranging from grades 2 to 5. Most of them are around 8 years old. All of them are very enthusiastic, as you can see from this class picture.

On our first day, we ran around with our film cameras; the assignment was for the kids take pictures of each other on the playground outside. It was a nice way to get-to-know-you and get some film ready for developing throughout the week.

While we were out and about, I took this picture of Kyle, my faculty-in-training. He's a high school graduate attending MICA in the fall.

Kyle has been a huge help, mixing chemicals, managing the kids, and helping them learn the involved steps that it takes to go from film to finished print.

Teaching has taught me a lot about planning. I felt very prepared in the weeks leading up to the class, and having my supplies ordered ahead of time gave me a sense of security. Nothing can prepare you for the hiccups along the way, though! I've had a few technical hurdles (the printer not working in the digital lab, and water pressure issues in the darkroom), that I couldn't have foreseen.

Most of all, though, teaching is revealing a lot of things about myself. I have to think on my toes, remain flexible, and think of ways to creatively explain things to kids who need something a little extra or something a little different. Each child has a different learning style, and that can be tough to accommodate when there are so many different activities going on; shooting, darkroom work, and computer editing are all very different processes.

But the kids seem to be taking to it well, and I'm a happy camper. Uh, no pun intended... really.

Anecdote: Both of these shots were taken with my beautiful Nikon FM10 on Ilford Delta 400 film.

Ahhhh, summer camp, when the freedom of each day stretches out into eternity. Summer camp is its own world of possibility, excitement, and sunscreen.

This second week of camp has seen a shift of emphasis; I spend less time demonstrating and more time on individual feedback and instruction. Most my energy gets channeled into coordinating activities and making sure both the physical machines in the classroom and the metaphorical classroom-machine are well-oiled. I want my kids to produce work they take pride in.

Here you can see us hard at work in the darkroom, developing film diligently, with our gloves on for safety.

Here, two students of mine are drying cyanotype emulsion in preparation for making a print in the UV light.

Students are hard at work in the digital lab, playing with Photoshop and Bridge. It's tough to get your head around new techniques in the darkroom and in such a complicated image editing program. They're doing remarkably well.

And this is one of my most enthusiastic film students. I've nicknamed him "rabid shutterbug." He goes through film almost as fast as I did in college.

Next week, I'll post some of my kids' work on their "themes," which range from topics such as "hard colors" and "self-portrait" to "shoes" and "fire". These are self-directed projects where kids will put together a series of images on their selected theme, eventually putting them on display in a group show next Thursday!

My hats are off to my students.

It's the end of an era, marked by the Art Camp's art show just yesterday. Teaching has been such a rewarding experience, enhanced by the ability to speak to parents yesterday and watch them enjoy the fruits of their children's labor in the darkroom and in the lab.

My photo class' work was on display proudly next to the "Discoveries in Art" and "Potter's Wheel" camps. I was impressed with the range of ability and the variety of work throughout the entire camp.

After the end of the art show, I came upstairs to retrieve my belongings, and found this note on my white board:

My response? Thank you to my students for being so wonderful and so eager. You were all wonderful. Wonderful enough, even, to pose for my camera!

Goodbye, summer camp. I will miss you! I had a blast.

Ladies and Gentlemen, like I told you before, my Portraits of Light series, (viewable here), is now up at Yellow Dog Tavern.

So, come one, come all, to the official opening on Tuesday, September 16th, 6-8pm.

I even wrote a press release and created an Evite for people to attend. Oh yeah, I hit Facebook too. YES, I am that organized.

So I'm hoping a lot of folks will show up next Tuesday evening--it's bound to be fun. Plus, you get to meet Ruthie, who will be tagging along in the baby sling. She's cute.

I keep a sketchbook. It keeps track of ideas that I have. I like to collage, mostly, but occasionally I break out the sketching pencils, or play with altering photographs.

Some of you may or may not know that I have an online storefront where clients can go to purchase prints and other delightful keepsakes.

Well, here I am to tell you all about some exciting changes, complete with awesome-but-unnecessary photos from fellow Flickr users to illustrate!

Flat Rate Shipping & Studio Pick-Up!

by Grant MacDonald

Get it? Shipping, ha ha.

I'm happy to say that I now offer local customers the option to pick up prints directly from me! Want to save a little money on shipping? Come on by. I'd love to shake your hand and give you your prints in person.

Also, shipping rates have changed. While the lowest rate has gone up to $15, no longer do you have to pay extra if you order larger prints! And for just $5 extra, you can get next day shipping! Not bad, not bad.

More DVD Options

by Night Star Romanus

Before, I offered a single option for purchasing all the photos from your portrait session or wedding on DVD. Now, you can choose between three different resolutions (low, medium, or high) that cater to your real-life needs and fit your budget!

By the way, that's not what your DVD will look like! That's actually what a CD looks like after you microwave it. It was too interesting not to post.

Instant Image Downloads

by Josh Russell

This is by far the coolest thing I have yet to offer--while browsing, you have the option to select images to download for juicy prints up to 5"x7". This gives people the option of choosing just a few of their favorites, instead of buying all the photographs on DVD. Plus, it's instantly there on your computer, for sharing with friends and family, or adding to a D.I.Y. home project!

Well, that's all for now. I look forward to hearing my customer's feedback on these new changes, hoping that they make live a little easier and convenient.

On Thursday evening I visited the lovely Gilah Press, a letterpress design firm in Hampden. The lovely Nathalie Wilson gave me the heads-up (I'm shooting her wedding in April, hooray!), and I headed over for a little liquid refreshment.

Lo, and behold, I arrived somewhat late, but Whitney gave me a personal demonstration of one of the presses, to my extreme delight. I came away with this beautiful coaster:

The ladies at Gilah Press do absolutely fantastic work. I'd encourage anyone interested in unique wedding invitations to visit their portfolio and see how simple and elegant letterpress can be.

And not to mention that in December, Gilah is hosting BINGE: an open studio event and holiday sale! Handmade goods and beautiful art will be there for purchase (think unique gifts, everyone). Oh, and I'll be there too for another press demonstration and shmoozing.

Hope to see some new faces there!

As with many other wedding photographers, January is a time where I take stock of last year, and prepare for the coming year's marvelous events. It's another busy summer for me, with very few spaces left in 2009. I'm looking forward to:

A lovely April ceremony at Woodend Sanctuary
A candlelit family affair on the Eastern Shore
Salty air and elegance at Kent Manor
Pre-Independence Day nuptials in downtown Baltimore

...and more, of course! Many thanks to the wonderful brides and grooms of 2009! I can't wait to work with you.

I'm a sucker for love, I have to tell you.

So, I'd like to be a little generous during this frigid winter season. If you and your sweetheart would like a portrait session, I would love to do it. If you sign up by Saturday, January 31st, you'll receive a free 8"x10" print from your session in a lovely candy-apple-red frame. Doesn't that sound like the perfect Valentine's Day gift?

It's time to spread the love!

True story about the pendant in the photo: it was given to my grandmother by my grandfather as a gift when he returned from a visit to Switzerland--it's edelweiss.

So in more efforts to create beautiful images from the junk I have laying around, I bring you a butterfly's dilemma.

I'm not sure why this butterfly has a dilemma, but you could invent one. Perhaps he or she is wondering which way to turn, or if the pebbles he's sitting on are good enough to eat.

Truth be told, I don't care for this image as much as the story of little tree that I made last week, but I did like all of the iridescent textures!

And here's a little April Fool's surprise for you: e-mail me with a great April Fool's joke you've played on someone by the end of the day, and the person with the best joke will receive a fun freebie gift!

A few of you may have noticed a change around here--a bit of a freshening up, as it were. I'm happy to say that the genius behind the fresh look of Studio Mathewes is none other than Cara McKinley, a designer I found through referrals. We hit it off, and she set about updating my logo and taking care of my website for me.

Although I have a background in graphic design and experience building websites, I wanted to hire someone else to examine my photographic image. This "someone" would be able to objectively assess the qualities I was trying to achieve, and come up with their own take on how to showcase that. Cara did an excellent job, in my opinion, and I think has wonderfully accented the things I like about my work: playfulness and elegance.

My older, more staid logo:

A newer and more energetic look:

Cara carried this through even to the website design. The deep-colored background, combined with font choice and sweeping calligraphic accents were a nice way to play off the logo design.

The old site, very sparse and simple...

The new site, a little warmer and gentler...

I think you'll agree that her updated version of my logo is an energetic improvement, and that the site has a more homey feel to it. Thanks, Cara! I asked her a little bit about herself so I could introduce her to everyone as a fabulous designer.

AN INTERVIEW WITH DESIGNER CARA MCKINLEY

How did you get into graphic design?
I have always been artistically oriented, since I was a kid. I come from a family of engineers, so pursuing a career in art was never really discussed. When I went to college, I actually entered majoring in...Indecision, then nearly switched to Psychology. On the day that I went to the Psychology department to submit my degree declaration, I passed an old friend from high school. She and I had been in art club together, and she mentioned that she was switching into this 'graphic design' program, something about art that also applies to everyday life. Then she asked why I wasn't in art school. That's where everything started.

What do you like most about the design process?
I really love learning about my clients. I love interviewing them at the beginning of a project to get a sense of what they do, why they do it, how they want to interact with their clients. Graphic design is really a very scholarly vocation. I've been able to learn things about roofing, specialty pharmacy, shopping carts, running an eco-friendly retail business from home, and more, that I would never be exposed to otherwise.

Name one of your favorite projects, and why?
There are different aspects about every project that I've enjoyed, so it's hard to pick one in particular that is a favorite. I would say in general I really enjoy working with clients in art-related fields, since it's something I'm also interested in and can connect with. Also, the content that you're dealing with (photographs, paintings, etc) look beautiful on their own, and inspire the design. It's always a pleasure to work with people who are passionate about what they do, since the energy is contagious.

The number one thing you'd like to tell prospective clients about graphic design:
Well, something in general for anyone looking to have a web site built: web sites are a lot of work. Unless you have room in the budget for a copywriter or for someone updating your web site regularly (if you have a content management system), making sure that the web site has good content will fall into your lap. I've seen a lot of instances where someone decides to write the content themselves, or asks to have a blog, but never anticipates how much time and effort this takes. Make sure you allow plenty of time or plan well in advance in order to meet your deadlines, and ensure the success of your new site. It's worth the work!

See more of Cara's work at her website, or drop her a line!

Hear ye, hear ye! I will be traveling to the Boston area this coming week, visiting family and goofing around. If anyone would like to touch base with me or set up an impromptu portrait appointment, don't hesitate to give me a call at (410) 279-4686, or e-mail me and let me know!

I'd love to meet some new faces and make some new friends. That giant photo of me winking at you indicates I'm serious about this, ha!

I'm usually loathe to brag*, but my latest wedding album samples from Cypress Albums really are quite gorgeous. They always do an excellent job, and I have a blast creating fanciful image arrangements to show to clients.

Secondly, a recent portrait client of mine chose a super-cute photo to put into the window of their brag book, which I think really sets the tone.

And they all come in such lovely colors, too.

*That's a white lie... I don't like the appearance of bragging, but I do like showing off my work... [ grin ]

It's been awhile since I posted some of my favorite photos of my daughter, Ruth. Cliche alert: she's growing up so fast. These two photos capture my favorite things about her: the way she is completely in love with her dad, and her observant, intense nature.

The first photograph was taken while Stephen was bouncing on a trampoline, which is how Ruth's hair has become rather electric. The second photograph was taken after Ruth had decided to eat dirt. Yup, she's that kind of gal.

So, after quite a busy summer, and because some of you have been asking, here's the latest Mathewes news...

Pregnancy: Baby Imminent!

If you've been following my blog, know me personally, or caught glimpses of me at the local grocery store, you know I'm pregnant. Right, now, I'm very pregnant. It's t-minus three weeks, folks, until the new sibling (a boy--Lucas) arrives. The Official Due Date is August 22nd, but anyone who's been through birth knows that Anything Can Happen.

Time to hurry up and wait!

I am very happy to announce that my life as a pregnant photographer has come to a close. Lucas arrived on August 27th, and his father couldn't be more proud.

Big sister Ruth is thrilled too; she and Lucas are treating their mother remarkably well! So folks, I'm on maternity leave from now until the beginning of October. I think you can imagine what I'll be spending most of my time photographing (wink wink).

For my beloved clients, my availability opens the weekend of October 10th, for a Baltimore-area portrait session marathon that runs until the 13th. Give me a ring if you'd like to set something up! Some spots have already been filled. I'm looking forward to photographing:

• two engaged couples (hooray for love!)
• one big family reunion
• a musician and her cello in the city
• a little brother & sister pair in a flower park

In the mean time, keep in touch, and keep loving life!

This December, I'll be in Baltimore for the holidays! I'll be in town with cameras in hand from December 22nd to January 2nd. If you're so inclined, book me for your very own winter-wonderland portrait sessions. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to get some snow! If you book before December 6th, I'll throw in 3 complimentary 8"x10"s prints with your session.

Tell your friends!

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.

As cliché as it is to say, this year I am truly thankful for two happy, healthy kids.

I mean, seriously, look at them. It's an overload of cute, and I drink it in daily.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

There's been a semi-secret contest going on. For those who follow me on Twitter or joined my Facebook fan page, it's no big secret.

Last night, I gave away a free engagement session on Facebook.

Twelve couples entered--which was more than I expected, actually! And hey, a one in twelve chance to win something is better than most odds.

And here are the results, folks!

I look forward to working with Lisa & Rob!

I'm oh-so happy to announce that I was interviewed for an article in Baltimore Bride on interesting photographic location around Baltimore, and how to make time for them on your wedding day.

Here's the excerpt:

Photographers recommend allowing a significant amount of time for photography. "It takes a lot longer than you think," says Jocelyn Mathewes of Studio Mathewes. She recommends at least an hour for each location. "That doesn't mean each photograph takes an hour, but it takes time to set up, and if people are wound up, they need time to relax and get into it." For couples intent on a specific location, she recommends two hours between ceremony and reception. "That way, you'll have time to stop somewhere."

I spoke at length with the author, Martha Thomas, and definitely had a lot more qualifiers about that two-hour statement than what got conveyed in the article. Those two hours are meant to allow for the lag time at the end of the ceremony--family photos, gathering all your belongings, greeting stragglers, and whatnot--as well as travel time between the ceremony and reception.

Example scenario: your ceremony ends at 3pm and your reception begins at 5pm. You've allotted 30 minutes for formal family portraits, and have 30 minutes of travel time to get to the reception. That only leaves about an hour for portraits of the bride and groom at a unique location. Sounds like plenty of time, right? It very well may be! But make sure you're accounting for travel time to that other location (perhaps another 20 minutes), as well as lag time for setting up and walking to and from each shot.

Really, the important thing is to talk over your timeline with your photographer beforehand so that both of you can be on the same page about what needs to happen when. And the second most important thing is to be flexible; things may not go as planned, but that doesn't mean you won't get amazing photographs in the end--just not the planned ones!

Oh, and they also squeezed in this fabulous shot of Nathalie and Cory at the end of their printed magazine. Sweet.

Is it strange to say that I'm almost more thrilled that they spelled my last name correctly than the fact that my image was published? The way I tell people how to spell my name is this, "Think of female sheep doing calculus: MATH + EWES." Works (nearly) every time.

Okay, okay, I know you guys hear about Nathalie and Cory a lot, but bear with me here. Their wedding details were so absolutely delicious that The Knot picked up on the wedding and published a feature in their MD/DC/VA Spring/Summer 2010 issue!

It's wicked cool. I'm so thankful that Leah Stern was there to help me capture all the loveliness of that day. Here's the little write-up:

(I also happen to be a 2010 Best of Weddings pick, too! How thrilling! Thank you, guys, for helping make that possible. I wouldn't be here without my cohorts and fun-to-photograph clients.)

I'm jumping on the bandwagon and sharing my ten favorite wedding images of 2009. It's so hard to narrow things down to ten. I'd probably pick a completely different set of images on any given day. But here we go...

David and Colleen are obviously meant for each other.

Melodie surprised Evan with a camouflage garter.

Nathalie and Cory enjoy a picnic-table kiss!

Erin waits for her cue with her father.

I loved that Katie and her bridesmaids each had a completely unique bouquet.

Tracy had such a beautiful laughing smile after just getting married.

Amanda stood in a renovated church--her home--as if she was at the altar before heading to the actual altar!

And then she cut loose at her reception!

Leslie gets surprised while having her portrait taken...

...only later to enjoy a kiss with her new husband, Chris.

Thanks to all my clients for making 2009 a fantastic year of creating beauty.