Gallery Show!

LCCC Faculty/Alumni Art Exhibit, 7-9 pm Schulman Art Gallery begins February 2nd and will feature two pieces of work by our very own Tara Zavada! Tara absolutely shines in the everyday studio setting.... but when you see her artistic side of photography you will be BLOWN AWAY! Her work has depth with simplicity. Many of the photo artists I see today either shoot in a stale, repetitive manor, or just reuse the same photos for YEARS. And on a completely different spectrum, the rest overwhelm with an obnoxious amount of visuals that are almost painful to view. Opinionated? Yes.... but I like it that way.

When you see the two works from Tara, you will better understand my honesty... Please take a moment and visit the gallery, you won't be disappointed.

People who make us smile!

Way too much fun! It's amazing, but there are always those people that can pull a smile out of you EVERY time you see them. No matter how bad the day, you just can't help but to smile when you see them or when the first words come out of their mouth! And to everyone of you that have that ability, THANK YOU. With that being said.... here are a few photos from today!!

Wedding Referal

A fun wedding meeting! Tara and I met with a new "bride to be" yesterday! When she called the studio, she said we came highly recommended from a friend who didn't use us for her wedding?!? OK, didn't really know what this meant. but thought I would ask when she came into the studio. Well the three of us talked for over an hour and had an immediate connection. We all got along like we were friends for years, and she is going to be an amazingly beautiful bride! Just can't wait to see her on her wedding day! Anyway, I had to ask again who she was refereed by... It turns out that she was refereed by two different brides..... but the first didn't use us for her wedding! It seems that she did talk to us about shooting her wedding, but went with another photographer for what-ever reason! She gave us the referral because after the wedding she wished she went with us!!! Strangely enough, I think that is the best compliment of all!

When a couple comes to our studio and Tara and I sit down with them to discuss the wedding, it is more of an informal "chat session" than a business meeting. We don't have a sales team here to make you sign on the dotted line! Our goal for that first meeting is to get to know each other, see if we are compatible, and make sure you want us there - on the most important day of your life! Tara and I just love to photograph weddings! Yes, it is how we make our living, but the lifelong friendships we form from the weddings we photograph are much more important than the dotted line.

And to our 2008 bride (with the rhyming married name!) - Tara and I had a blast last night! Thank you! You where an absolute joy to be around!

Vienna Teng

Where can I begin.  Today was an incredible 10 hour vacation from life.  A few months back I came across a singer by the name of Vienna Teng.  An unbelievable vocalist out of California that has a silky, almost entrancing voice.  I remember playing the CD at the studio and before the last song was finished Tara had already purchased tickets to see her for tonight's concert in Philadelphia.  Of coarse, being photographers, the first thing I had to do before leaving was to grab a camera.  But shortly before leaving, I was called by the venue and told there would be no professional cameras allowed.  

So off we went on our trip to Philly!  Tara, her close friend Pam, and myself.  The ride down was uneventful and a little long.  But getting to our destination was surprisingly easy...  Yes, Tara drove, otherwise that last statement would have been completely different.  The two story Cafe/Restaurant was a great location for this type of event.  Plenty of room for the sold out crowd and a very intimate atmosphere.  We had a great seat, about 60 -80' back from the stage, and away from other slightly more congested areas.  With the show starting at 7:30, we had plenty of time for a full menu meal.  Looking across the crowd, the chaos of a live concert, which was also being recorded for an upcoming live DVD release, I didn't have much hope for "the perfect meal".  Our menus, single sheets of white paper, run off on a copy machine showed a limited selection, but we all found something to satisfy our hunger.  

Speaking for myself, the appetizers, meal and the desert were an unbelievable surprise.  Absolutely the beginning to what could be an incredible night.  Thinking back on it now, it was like the opening 15 minutes of a great movie...  When you start watching and are completely engulfed in the plot -  when nothing else in the world matters at that moment.  Well after that meal, I was almost there!  Shortly after we finished eating, Vienna took the stage - after a short conversation with her audience, started her opening song.  A great meal, good friends, and a singer who captures your undivided attention on the first note...  at that moment, nothing else mattered. 

An hour in to the concert I noticed that only one person, in a room of hundreds, actually fidgeting....  Tara....  I looked at her and immediately asked for the keys to the car - It was killing her knowing that we had a camera in the car and she wasn't shooting!  The second I put the camera in her hands all was good!  

A full three hours of music, with a twenty minute intermission, seemed like it went by in a moment.  But for those three hours Tara, Pam and myself were on the vacation of a life time!  The ride home? An open conversation between two women! That's a whole other blog entry!

The Little Hill

So Tara and I were talking and she tells me about her passion for photographing abandon buildings. After listening to her and doing a little research on the internet, I quickly became intrigued by this and suggested we find a place to shoot on the weekend. She knew right where to go! So Saturday came, along with the cold and some snow, and off we went in search of this building. The good news, she got great directions to this place from a friend and were to have no problems finding it! THe bad news, last time her friend was there was almost 9 years ago.

With only minor difficulty we found our location and were ready to start the hike over (what she explained as the little hill) and "make some images". Well getting out of the car in what seemed to be -3 degree weather, the wind quickly introduces itself! "Where are your hat and gloves?" What? with a few minor manly grunts.... Like I need such things for a short hike over a little hill! So finally our eyes started looking at our destination.... up, up and even further up! A little hill?! Try a baby mountain! With a sarcastic grin and yet another manly grunt I looked at Tara and asked if she was ready.

We paused as we got to the base of the "hill" and looked for a clearing to start our hike.... seems that the cold, snow and a 3/4 mile up-hill hike wasn't enough - a thick and rather well coverage of briars joined in the fun as well! Half way up, we both stopped for a minute, Tara to catch her breath, and me to see if my legs were still attached - at this point I turned to Tara and asked, "How did these people get to work everyday? You realize that as soon as we get to the top there is going to be a road there?" With a smile, and a smile laugh she started the up hill climb again.

Yes... we made it to the top! And over a small knoll we spotted a building...... a new building..... and a road..... (Big frozen smile, and my third manly grunt) So after a little uneventful investigation, back down the hill we went. So rather than just getting back on the highway, I just had to drive to the other side of the mountain and see what could be called a road, driveway and sign for the place we were looking for! Enough said... But looking back at our hike, it was all worth it..... If anything, it took us out of the everyday rat-race for just a moment. But next time - I pick the location!

A day outside the studio. A friend and I grabbed our cameras and headed out into the rainy day. When we saw the abandoned roller skating rink in Nanticoke, we both agreed it was perfect. We got lost inside for a good two hours and produced images far different from our daily norm. We highly suggest shooting on location to get a change of scenery and perspective. Tara

RICHARD!!! YOU ROCK!

OK - We shoot digital, we back-up our files, and all is pretty safe..... but sooner or later - your going to loose a file! Well our later came with Richard. So this is a simple fix, call him and reschedule a senior session with him, right? Well that we did, and under the the circumstances, I'm pretty sure this guy is a saint! Hi Richard.... We had a problem and need to re-shoot your senior pictures. Ok, but I recently had all my hair cut off to donate it to Locks-of-Love, my aunt has cancer. Well Richard came in today... I can't say that I'm happy I lost the photos, but I can say that both Tara and I enjoyed the time we had with Richard the second time around! Thanks for the time Richard and all of us at KDP will be praying for your aunt! Take a moment to check out the Locks of Love web site... maybe make a donation yourself!

Pocket Pooch!

Just could not resist taking a picture of Amanda when she came into the studio to pick up her proofs! When I saw the dog peaking out of that purse... it was just "get back here and let us take a photo of this! Thanks Amanda for the smile you gave us on that day!

WEDDING BELLS?

Well if you got that looooong awaited ring for the holidays, or have just been too busy to book your wedding photographer, nows the time! One of the biggest misconceptions about KDP Studio is that "we can't afford them". As one of the most recognizable names in NEPA, we have heard this statement more than a few times! On the contrary, we are affordable! But we are booking rather quickly this year so call soon! And congratulations!! 570.718.0442
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