The FritzPhoto Blog Has Moved!

I've moved my blog to my own domain, and created it afresh with a WordPress template. It allows me more flexibility and control, and much larger photos!

The new blog is located at http://www.fritzphoto.com/blog. Please make a note of it, and update your RSS feeds and bookmarks.

Along the way, I discovered some interesting sites related to WordPress blogs. Let me share a few with you:

If you're looking into a photography blog (or any blog, really), the ProPhoto Theme is more than just a theme. It's really an extensive control panel for creating a customized blog, or a whole website, built on the WordPress foundation. I built my new blog on it, and also just built a whole new site for my Skeleton in the Closet documentary on eating disorders on it.

If you're in the market for a ProPhoto website/blog theme, they do offer a discount, if you have the code. And the discount code for the ProPhoto Wordpress Theme is FRILIE238. Use it and save a few dollars!

You can learn more about the ProPhoto WordPress Theme here:




I also found a cool site that allows you to create your own tileable wallpaper backgrounds. I used it on my new blog for the pattern on the left and right side of the screen. It's called the Tiled Backgrounds Designer, from BG Patterns, and it's free to use.

Again, please note my new blog address, and enjoy the free eye candy!

The Petersen Hicks

The Petersen family are some of my favorite people. I've traveled and worked and prayed and served and struggled and talked and photographed with them, from France to Florida to Portland. They're great folks.

So whenever I get the chance to photograph their family, I jump at the chance. They commissioned me to photograph their 2 grown daughters and son-in-law at their 5 acre 'homestead' outside of Beaverton. We took a lot of sweet portraits, like the one above. But the fun really started after we'd finished the pretty portraits. That's when the hick kicked in, and we started photographing at their trash pile and porta-potty.

Hamlet asking his questions of a...deer skull.

View more of our Portland family portraits at www.fritzphoto.com!

Artist Emily Hyde

Emily Hyde is an award-winning artist. If you look at her stunning prints, you'll see why. You can view images of her lovely drawings, prints, and etchings here and here and here.

You'd think, from meeting her, that she was Scandinavian. But in truth, she hails from Estacada, Oregon. I had the privilege of photographing her in the letterpress studio at Pacific NW College of Art recently.





Next time you need editorial photography in Portland, call us!

Slideluck Potshow on Saturday

PhotoLucida is going very well. And I was just notified that my work will be in the Portland Slideluck Potshow this Saturday, April 25. Come! Here's the lowdown:

The space is amazing. The slideshow is world-class. The weather is looking good. Both our master of ceremonies and our disc jockey are geniuses. The potluck will be off the hook. The crowd will be hot. And the afterparty is but a few steps away.

All that is missing is you and yours. Come join us on Saturday, April 25th, for night for an unforgettable multimedia slideshow and potluck dinner.

SLIDELUCK POTSHOW PDX III
Saturday, April 25, 2009
7pm Potluck | 9pm Slideshow
Sandbox Studio | 420 NE 9th Avenue | Portland, OR 97232 | http://sandboxstudio.com

RSVP Strongly Suggested: http://network.slideluckpotshow.com/events/slps-portland-iii
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=60422528982&ref=ts

Keep in mind that this is a potluck, so bring on that big pot of Hoppin’ John, those scrumptious little dumplings, that crunchy green papaya salad, those Krismer Family nachos, that spicy eggplant lasagna, or those red-velvety cupcakes. And please don’t forget a bottle of wine or some ice cold brew.

What makes this show unique is our collaboration with the participants of Photo Lucida. We want to extend a special invitation to everyone who’s come into town for the portfolio review. If you are not able to contribute to the potluck, which is understandable, you may be asked to make a small donation. In any case, it’s only an 8-minute cab ride, a 27-minute walk, or 15-minute bus ride across the Burnside Bridge. http://maps.google.com

PhotoLucida 2009

This is an intense week for me, as I head into the PhotoLucida Portfolio Reviews here in Portland, Thur-Sun, April 23-26. There will be 160 photographers (of whom I am one) meeting with over 60 reviewers: curators, book publishers, gallery owners, photographers, magazine editors, etc. It's 4 straight days of reviews, lectures, shows, and more.

I'll be showing my Skeleton in the Closet series, both as a book dummy, and as a custom portfolio which I designed and created this past year.

I'd like to invite you to the Portfolio Walk, this Thursday evening, from 6-9 pm. Held at the Portland Art Museum's gorgeous Sunken Ballroom, you can view the work of all 160 photographers, spread out on a room full of tables. We'll have our work out in 3 1-hour shifts, beginning at 6 pm. I and my work will be out from 7-8 pm. Please come by! It's free, and should be quite inspiring and enjoyable.

Jake, Bikes, and the White Stripes

One thing I enjoy about photographing Portland high school senior portraits is the variety. Every student is different, and I aim to create portraits that are unique to them. We chat quite a bit while photographing, and I'm always looking for particular qualities in the senior that I can portray in my images.

Jake, I discovered, loves photography, especially alternative forms of photography such as the Holga and cross-processing. So in addition to a lot of clean and pretty portraits, I also created quite a few that were a little more edgy. And we included his limited edition, red and white White Stripes JACK Holga in a few as well.

As a true Portlander, Jake's also into single speed bikes, and has a pretty sweet LeMond...

And since he loves the city, we decided to shoot in the Pearl District. Art, urban, bikes. It all fit in the Pearl, and we both like the images quite well.

Carissa's Curls: Modeling Hair and Makeup

Over the years, I've worked with AJ's Hair Design and Makeup many times. She's done hair and makeup on everything from brides and wedding parties, to high school senior portraits, model portfolio shoots, and commercial photography shoots. She does a great job, and she and her team are a lot of fun to have around. You can visit them online at www.portlandhairandmakeup.com.

Yesterday we did a little test shoot with a model named Carissa. She has gorgeous long hair, which AJ put up into these lovely little 1940's-esque curls. Add the trench coat, and we had ourselves a little Vogue cover shoot, right here in Portland's Alberta Arts District.

Speaking of model portfolio photography, we just went through and did an edit to all the images on our website. If you haven't browsed www.fritzphoto.com in a while, feel free to do so! There's a lot to see. In fact, the hardest part of putting together a photography website is selecting images from the thousands upon thousands in our photo library.

And as usual, we always welcome your referrals, comments, and feedback!

Introducing the Lovely Laia

Senior photos are so fun to photograph in Portland!  A very enjoyable photo shoot on Saturday with a lovely young lady named Laia. Shooting modeling test shoots for portfolios is a real delight. We photographed on the east side of the Willamette here in Portland in a variety of locations. I think the photos speak for themselves.





Call us when you need your own senior portrait photography Portland!

Sara and Jesse's Wedding Storybook

I love to design wedding photography albums. With a history in graphic design, fine art, and photography, the album is a culmination of over a year’s work in telling someone’s wedding story. So for Sara and Jesse’s wedding, I wanted to show both the beautiful venue, and the fun the wedding party and family have together.

Incorporating colorful image backgrounds behind the unfolding wedding story, and published in one of our stunning Fine Art Coffee Table Books, Sara and Jesse now have an heirloom their children and grandchildren will enjoying for decades to come.

Their storybook was just featured on the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers' Real Weddings series. You can view their wedding storybook here.

You can also see their wedding story on my photography website. Crazy dancing! Beautiful location (Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn in Yamhill County, Oregon)! Beautiful bride and handsome groom!

And when it's time for your Youngberg Hill Wedding photography, call us at FritzPhoto!

Interview with Kamela Cody of Modern Girl Style

Well, it's been quite the month for awards and interviews.

Kamela Cody writes an interesting blog about fashion, art, style, design, etc, called Modern Girl Style. She recently approached me, after seeing my photography online, and asked if she could interview me for her site. I was happy to oblige.

In this interview, I share stories about how I started in photography, talk about collaborating with stylists and models and art directors for lifestyle photo shoots, and talk about some fun weddings I've photographed. I also introduce some of my personal documentary projects, such as the series on eating disorders and adolescence. You can read the interview here, on the Modern Girl Style blog!

Interview on PNCA's Website

As you may know, I teach occasional photography and art workshops at Pacific Northwest College of Art. This past week, PNCA just published a brief interview with me, as I talk about teaching Photography and Art. I talk a little about artists and photographers who influence my work, the way I like to teach, and more. Enjoy.

Fritz Photography wins Bride's Choice Award at WeddingWire!

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Fritz Photography has won the 2009 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Portland, Oregon Wedding Photography!

In its inaugural year, the Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and honors vendors from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellent quality of service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. This year’s recipients represent the top three percent of WeddingWire’s vendor community, which includes over 100,000 wedding vendors from across the US. That means Fritz Photography is one of the very best Wedding Photographers in the Portland, Oregon area!

Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the company, the Bride’s Choice Awards are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds through surveys and reviews.

“We are excited to launch this annual award program to honor high-performing vendors based solely on the experiences of our WeddingWire community,” according to Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “This year’s recipients have set the bar high, exhibiting excellent service and expertise in the wedding industry.”

I would like to thank our past wedding photography clients for speaking on our behalf and helping us win the 2009 Bride’s Choice Award! If you are a past wedding client of FritzPhoto, and would like to leave us a review, please do so here at WeddingWire.

Fritz Interviewed on the International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers

Would you like to hear the story about how I saved a girl's life at a wedding? Or about my addiction? Or about my trip around the US in a turquoise Datsun B210 with my dad? Or about the fire-breathing bride and her Cheez Whiz? I tell all these stories, and give a lot of good advice about how to hire a great wedding photographer, in a new interview.

The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers just published an interview with me on their blog. Check it out! There are a lot of great stories, good information about wedding photography, and beautiful photographs. You'll get to know me and my passion for photography a little better, and there are lots of links to other photographs and stories you can view online.

When you are looking for the best Portland wedding photographers, call FritzPhoto!

Enjoy!

Cambria and Chantael on the Beach in Florida

Model portfolio photography is some of my favorite photography.  Especially photographing on the beach in Florida!

Models Cambria and Chantael, of Ft Myers, Florida, did some modeling work with me while I was photographing there. We were aiming for a lifestyle look to the photographs: that warm, light, natural light look that I enjoy creating. Reminds me of a J Jill catalog.







I'm regularly posting new images in my website, of model portfolio photography in Portland, Oregon. They also make it into my travel and editorial photography website. Take a look!

On the Beach in Florida

I spent the last week in Florida, photographing alligators and models. Never together, mind you. Which is a disappointment.

Nonetheless, it was an interesting time. I love lifestyle photography!  The light on the beach was fantastic. And the resulting photographs have a wonderful glow.

Working with a model that can handle strange weather patterns, flying sand, high winds, and a bit of a chill, and still keep her cool and look great, sure makes my job a lot easier. Shannon did a great job on all fronts, and we're all pleased with the results.

One other interesting note: Neither Shannon nor I are based in Florida; we converged from very different places for this shoot. She's from frigid Toronto, Canada, while my photography business is based in Portland, Oregon. So we made a neat little triangle, coming from 2 different countries, to merge for a job in sunny Florida.

FritzPhoto Wins in ISPWP Photo Competition

I was privileged recently to be accepted into the exclusive International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers. As the ISPWP describes itself: "The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers is a rarity among online wedding photography directories. We’re small. We’re exclusive. We’re picky. We are a worldwide group of top professional wedding photographers who have the experience, talent, and reputation to deliver outstanding wedding photography to our clients."

The ISPWP has quarterly contests for its members, and I just received noticed that the entry I submitted placed in the top 10 of my category, Movement and Motion. The image is from a wedding I photographed this past summer at Youngberg Hill Vineyard, in Yamhill County, Oregon. (This wedding's photographs are also featured on my new Portland photography website.) These folks could dance!

Vote for Fritz Photography on Oregon Bride!

Oregon Bride Magazine is currently accepting votes for the Best Portland Wedding Photography Vendors 2009. Anyone can vote! I'd be honored if you'd take a moment to vote for Fritz Photography. The winners will be featured in their next issue, and I'd love to be one of them.

You can go here to vote!

Environmental Portraits Class at PNCA

Travel Writer Rolf Potts

This February and March, I'll be teaching my popular course The Environmental Portrait at Pacific NW College of Art. I love shooting Portland location portraits, and enjoy teaching others how to do it well. Here's the class description:

The Environmental Portrait places a person in the context of their natural surroundings, and communicates more about them than is possible in a studio or simple headshot. Photographers use environmental portraiture to document figures in popular culture (Annie Liebowitz), make social commentary and documentary (Dorothea Lange), and more. In this class we will look at master location portrait photographers; review and critique each others work; and discuss how location portraits say much about the subject, as well as their social and political context in which they live. We will be working with models, available and artificial lighting, composition, camera and media choices, output and presentation. Both film and digital are welcome. The class will culminate with a portrait series as a final project.

You can read more, and sign up, at the Continuing Education portion of the PNCA website.

Learn to Design Your Own Photography Books

This term at Newspace Center for Photography in Portland, I'll be teaching a 5-week workshop on book design and self-publishing.

In this class, you'll have the chance to make your very own photography book - from start to finish! Personal photography books make magnificent gifts, are great complements to portfolio presentations, and can tremendously aid in marketing your work.
Through a hands-on process of editing and sequencing your work, sizing your images for printing, and experimenting with basic design, layout, and digital printing options, you'll learn how to create a beautiful presentation piece that expresses your artistic vision. The best part? At the end of class, you'll have a finished book, fresh from the print shop!
I'll be helping fashion a concept for your finished book, prepare your images, and produce a volume that truly represents your artistic vision.

Read more, and sign up, at Newspace.

Amanda and John taken to The Cleaners

We had so much fun with our wedding photography at Portland's new Ace Hotel in downtown Portland this past weekend. John and Amanda were married in their event space called The Cleaners (yes, a converted dry cleaners, complete with the faded Peacock Clenaers sign still hanging outside). The wedding was cozy and intimate, and the Ace staff were super friendly.

We also had fun at their wedding photographing people in our Portland PhotoBooth. We set up a simple studio in the corner, and people come and goof around in front of the camera all they want. It's a lot of fun. People love it!

New Model Portfolio Images: How Old Are These Kids?

You'd probably never guess this lovely young lady is only 12. It still amazes me how mature an older child can appear when photographed right.

In the past couple weeks I've had several new model portfolio photography sessions in Portland, both on location in NE Portland, and in the studio in the Pearl District. I love working with young people; it's refreshing (if a bit chaotic at times) and the resulting photographs are always fun to review.

If you haven't had opportunity, visit and browse the updated modeling portfolio photography section of my new website. It's perty!