My answer?

OBVS.

Saturday at the park with a good-lookin’ family? OKAY.

(photo-nerdding involving processing and gear at the end of the post!)

Little boy fall down go boom.

Owen’s Kate and Dave’s wedding is next month out in Sheffield, MA and will be the perfect storm of awesomeness: not only is it Kate, Dave and Owen, it’s the first wedding of the year with my main man Eric, AND the first of many weddings I’ll be shooting with my fave DJ Boy T-Rex!

This year is going to RULE.

Oh, as for the photo nerdding. I was recently very inspired my a couple of my favorite photographers, Nate and Jaclyn Kaiser of The Image is Found. I went to one of their shoot shops in December and walked out with my head swirling with inspiration, ideas and generalized frenzy. Of everything I took away from my time with them, I think the thing that stuck out for me the most, personally was the discussion about always putting forth new challenges for oneself–to try to break out of creative ruts and always do something new with every shoot. Nate recently shot a wedding in which he used one prime lens on manual focus at F11 all day. The results blew my EFFING MIND. So, feeling inspired and wanting to also challenge myself, I took this family shoot as an opportunity to try something new. I rented the 24mm F1.4 lens (which I’d never used) from Lens Pro to Go, and set my aperture to F11. I DO shoot on aperture priority usually (BIG WHOOP WANNA FIGHT ABOUT IT?!) so I stuck with that, and I wasn’t quite brave enough to try manual focus, so I stuck with AF for this one. But hey, new lens, and shooting stopped down to F11? I can safely say those were two very new ventures for this little photographer.

Shot with Canon 5DMII, Canon 24mm 1.4, F11, processed with VSCO film Fuji 160.

Blamo.

I’m a modern lady and all.

But I do have some old school proclivities, especially when it comes to photography, and especially when it comes to the importance of experiencing your images in print.

I think this comes from having spent years of my life in the darkroom crafting prints; setting up my easel, focusing the enlarger, handling my 16×20 Illford Fiber Glossy paper carefully so I don’t crease it,  getting a big whiff of fixer up my nose as I pour it into the tray, sitting and scratching my head trying to decide if I should go up a half grade in filter, to which Nick Johnson always assured me no, I should not. But I always did it anyway.

Anyway, what?

Right. Well, what I’m talking about is prints. I know that these days everyone wants their images digitally and I totally dig that.  I also know that some people want to puchase prints through their photographers and others prefer to print them on their own, while others don’t want prints at all. And that’s all fine. There are some prosumer labs out there that do great work, and who am I to dictate how people print their images.

However. I will say this.

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING compares to the quality and beauty of a professionally made album. From the archival paper to the properly printed color, contrast and exposure, to the professional, durable binding, pro albums are the best. Hands down.

And for me? In a time when most people experience their images digitally, seeing my imagery printed perfectly, beautifully is so incredibly fulfilling and satisfying. It’s the final step in the process, not just from capturing the image to the printing of it, but in the process of working with my clients. From our first meeting over beers where we laugh and chat and get to know each other, all the way up to turning the pages of their wedding album.

So.

Albums. I offer two types of albums, in fact. The first, Finao, is an album bound with images printed on true photographic paper–ie, they’re real actual photo prints. The second, Vision Art, is an album bound with images printed on museum quality paper with pigment based ink. For the longest time I had my nose in the air about ink on paper prints, and didn’t offer any type of album of that nature–until I discovered Vision Art. I could sit here and try to explain in words how exquisite these books are, but suffice to say, it turned this skeptic into a believer.

So. For your viewing pleasure, first up is my Vision Art album, complete with custom made display box:

And next up is my Finao album. This book has hands down the most outrageous and awesome cover I’ve ever seen on a wedding album: It’s called the Erotika and it’s actually ink on aluminum. It has the most delicious tactile quality to it, as the highlights are blown out which reveals the bare metal underneath. SO COOL.

Pricing for the Vision Art album starts at $800 for a 9×9 and go up to 16×12. Finao pricing starts at $1000 for a 10×10 and go up to 12×12 with an INFINITY amount of cover options, from basic leathers to custom photo canvas to this wicked cool metal cover shown here.

If you want to experience these in person don’t be shy to give me a shout! You really just have to get your hands on them to understand how truly killer they are.

In the grand tradition of blog writing, I deliver to you the obligatory “OMG I HAVEN’T BLAWGGED FOREVA!!” post.

Never fear. I am in fact alive.

Been booking up some awesome people for 2012 and 2013 weddings.

Things are feeling good for this year.

Nay. Great.

New stuff to come soon

Love and martinis,

Abby

So! You may be asking yourselves, Superlatives? QUOI? Well, I just thought that we could have a little more fun with the whole ubiquitous year in review business, and make it more into a fun thing for all my awesome clients and fans! So instead of just another blog post showing my faves from the year, instead I have come up with a few categories and a few nominees for each one. The winner of each superlative will get the prize specific to that category.

How to vote and/or win? Well, you can take a look see here at all the nominees, and then when you get to the bottom, click on the link to take you to the Lorenz Photography Facebook page. There you will see all these same images. To vote for an image, be sure to Like Lorenz Photography if you haven’t already, and then Like the picture in question. I am able to tag those with whom I am already friends on Facebook, but if we’re not facebook pals, go ahead and tag yourself and share with all your friends so you can encourage people to vote for you!

And now! Your 2011 Lorenz Photography Superlatives!

Sweetest Dance Moves

Prize: an 8×10 Cut out Statuette of your image for you to display on your desk at work to show of your sweet dance skillz.

Alexis and Emery from Anna and John’s wedding!

Emery and Blonde from Anna and John’s wedding!

This guy, who’s name escapes me at the moment, from Skippy and Ann’s wedding!

Best Face.

Prize: Your ridiculous mug printed on a t-shirt.

Dave:

Alexis:

Julie:

Favorite Bromance:

Prize: an 8×10 Mounted print for you and your bro.

Tom and his best man from Regan and Tom’s wedding

Emery and Orange from Anna and John’s wedding

Dave and Casey:

These bros from Shira and Drew’s Wedding

These bros from Dalisse and Danny’s wedding!

Derrick and his bros from Stef and Derricks’ wedding!

Favorite Wo-mance:

Prize: an 8×10 Mounted print for you and your lady friend

Regan and Danielle from Regan and Tom’s wedding:

Lauren and Lottie from Tom and Sonia’s wedding

Anna and Veronica from Anna and John!

Carlene and all of her badass bridesemaids from Carlene and Nick.

Biggest BAMF:

Prize: A set of 50 personal cards with your name the title of “Lorenz Photography BAMF of the year” along with your image to hand out to lucky recipients.

(What’s a BAMF?)

Brendan from Christina and Brendan

Emery from Anna and John

Tom from Regan and Tom

Thomas from Thomas and Sonia

Joe from Julia and Joe

HBIC

Prize: Prize: A set of 50 personal cards with your name and image and the title of “Lorenz Photography HBIC of the year” to hand out to lucky recipients.

(What is HBIC?)

Carlene, from Carlene and Nick

Dalisse from Dalisse and Danny

Christina, from Christina and Brendan

Sonia, from Sonia and Thomas

Favorite Shoe Shot:

Prize: A book of 90 mini stickers with which to emblazon the world with your sweet ass shoes!

Christina’s Stewie Dubs and Brendan’s deck shoes:

Carlene’s Betsey’s and Louboutins:

Ann’s ballet flats!

Julie’s Sparkles!

Best Girl on a Thing:

Prize: an 11×14 Standout! (Print mounted on 1.5″ thick wood panel, ready to hang!)

Dalisse on this Vintage New York Checker Cab.

Christina on a Tree

Sonia on this tree in the Bahamas, knocked down by hurricane Irene!

Favorite Portrait:

Prize: a 20×24 Standout (print mounted on 1.5″ thick wood panel ready to hang!)

Carlene and Nick

Anna and John:

Thomas and Sonia:

Katie and Brian

Christina and Brendan:

Ann and Josh:

Julia and Joe:

Dalisse and Danny

Steff and Derrick:

Regan and Tom:

Julie and Shawn:

Best Mustache

Prize: Your glorious facial hair on your own damn coffee mug.

Orange:

Dave:

Craig:

Emery:

Paul:

Blonde:

And finally: Party of the FREAKING YEAR:

Prize: a freaking 8×10 wood PLAQUE. COME ON, NOW!!

Anna and John:

Carlene and Nick:

Julia and Joe:

Steff and Derrick:

Christina and Brendan:

Regan and Tom:

Julie and Shawn:

Dalisse and Danny:

And that’s it! Now remember, to vote, just visit the Lorenz Photography Facebook Page where you can find all of these images. To vote, you must first “Like” Lorenz Photography if you haven’t already, and then “like” the picture in question. Only one vote per category! Winners will be announced January 30th!

I had been toying with the idea of offering photobooths for a while.  I tried out my first one on Katie and Brian back in September and Eric and I had such a fantastic time with it we decided to try it again for Julie and Shawn’s wedding in November. There are still definitely some kinks to be worked out, but having experimented with it a couple times we’ve definitely determined that this is something we love to do and want to do more of. Here are some faves from Julie and Shawn! One thing I knew for sure is that I generally prefer the look of photo booths with hard, direct flash instead of big soft studio light. And while I’m almost never a fan of heavy “vintage” processing, I do enjoy photo booth pics that have a grittier, grainier feel. To me, a more imperfect look is better suited for photo booth images. So for this photo booth, everything was captured with my good ol’ Canon 5D and process with Visual Supply Co Film, Fuji 800Z+ with contrast++.

Conclusion? Photo booths rule. In every single way. Our set up is pretty low key/stripped down. Just some kitschy fabric and shiny stuff hung up in the back round, strung up on a couple of light stands. Any already existing elements (like the plants off to the side here) are just a fun bonus. Since no one likes to have their picture taken with a face full of food, this gives us something fun to do while everyone is eating dinner.  As people are filing in and out to powder their nose or get some fresh air they can stop in here and have their picture taken.The results are always completely hilarious and fun, and you get a fantastic smattering of all of your guests.

Which brings me to another fantastic advantage of a photo booth–all the fun and hilarity aside, we found that there’s an excellent practical element to it as well. Many people are concerned about making sure they get shots of every single guest at their wedding. Because I don’t do table shots and/or posed group pictures,  having a photo booth is an excellent way to make sure you get at least one shot of almost every single guest. The hams can spend all night in front of this thing, while the more shy can just step in for a quick shot and get back to the party. That’s the great part–everyone can get their picture taken on their terms! I always hate interrupting people and asking them to turn and smile at me, and I stopped doing that kind of stuff long ago. With a photo booth, everyone can wait until they’re done chewing on their bacon wrapped scallop and step in front of the camera when they feel like it! It takes the pressure of guests to smile at a camera when they’re not ready for it, and we have a great time doing it. Can’t wait to do lots more of these in 2012!

As of right now, Photo booths are available as a service add on for $500 and includes a 5×5 press book with our selection of the best 50-60 images.

BAM! PHOTOBOOTHED!

Julie and I met when she took over my Tuesday noon Spinning class at the Watertown BSC. We got to talking one day after class and it turned out she needed a wedding photographer! Super! Her fiance Shawn is a boxer, fitness instructor and physical therapist and they met when she was a member and he was an instructor at the Downtown Crossing BSC a few years back–they got married in Salem and it was awesome.  If you want to know more…read on. If not, skip right on down to the pictures.

The Good Story:

Not gonna lie, when I saw that spritely little blond climbing onto the bike that fateful Tuesday, and not my regular instructor, I was pissed. I hate change, and I ESPECIALLY hate change when it comes to my workouts. Because I HATE working out, and it’s hard to get into a good routine, and if you’re anything like me, you get really reliant on certain instructors and when that changes you just want to throw in the Gatorade and go home.

But! After she commenced to administering a serious beat down that day in the Spin room, she won me over. Several weeks later she and I got to chatting after class about working out and fitness goals. I mentioned that I’m really trying to dig back into my exercise regime but I just hate working out. As we got to chatting she mentioned that she’s engaged. Oh really? I asked…photographer yet?

Nope.

Interesting…Julie, I see this as the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

And so it was. After Julie and Shawn decided to hire me to photograph their wedding, I in turn hired Julie to be my personal trainer. I figured this would just kind of work out well for both of us–she gets a photographer, I get my ass in shape again. But what developed over the course of the last six months was something completely unexpected.

In Julie I wound up getting not just a kick ass trainer…but what would turn out to be one of my very best friends. Over the course of the last few months Julie has been a continual source of support and encouragement for me, both in and out of the gym. In the gym she’s been my own personal coach and motivator. She cares absolutely nothing about what the scale says, and cares only about getting me back in shape. Getting me strong again. Getting me fast again. Getting my wrists and forearms stronger so my hands don’t hurt while I’m working. Getting my legs strong again so I can run and jump faster while on the job. She told me she doesn’t care what size I wear, but she cares about getting the athlete buried inside me back out. Bringing swimmer Abby back to life.  And while I may not be as thin or in as amazing shape as I was when I was sixteen (seriously who is?) I feel better about myself than I have in years. She has me doing things I had no idea I could do, like carrying two 30 lb dumbells up and down four flights of stairs four times. Dead lifting two 50 lb dumb bells and then carrying them around the gym until my hands give out. Doing planks for minutes at a time. Lunges, squats–both of which I always thought I couldn’t do because of my knees. Pushups. Pullups. RUNNING. In six months I still have yet to step on a scale. And I do. not. care. I feel more fantastic than I have in as long as I can remember. And while I know it was ME who did the work, it was Julie who had her two fingers under my feet during all those horrible sets of pullups she made me do.

Julie has been an amazing force in my life over the last six months. She’s been an amazing coach and trainer, but also a fierce friend. Julie has listened and nodded along as I told her things I didn’t think I could tell anyone else. And as she nodded to everything I said, not a flicker of judgement or questioning flashed through her eyes. Even Julie’s maid of honor, Alyssa mentioned in her toast, how amazingly non-judgmental and open-minded Julie is. She’s been someone I can call on my worst days, and say “I’ve had a terrible day. Please kick my ass now.” and she says “let’s go.” Every time I post new work to my blog she gushes to me about how much she loves my work, and tells me she tells everyone around her how talented I am. She believes in me, not just as my client and as my coach, but as my friend.

I was so nervous going into Julie’s wedding not just because I wanted to do a good job like I do for all my clients, but because I really, really wanted to show Julie just how much I love and appreciate her. Julie has worked so hard on me over the course of the last six months, but I only had one day to repay her for all her hard work. Julie. I hope you love your pictures. Thank you for everything.

This is for you:

Hi, friend!

Robin! Another one of Julie’s fitness friends. Robin and are are workout buddies now, thanks to Julie!

And of course, where would I be without my best boy Eric? Here we are keeping the photo booth warm during dinner:

Shawn and Julie you were so amazing. Julie you put up with so much bossing around from Alyssa and me I’m amazed you didn’t smack either of us. Shawn, you were so great in front of the camera despite being camera shy–really you were amazing and such a good sport and the pictures of you turned out so great. Thank you both for being amazing clients, coaches and dear friends.

With  much love,

Abby (+Eric!)

On a nerdy note: This is the third wedding I’ve processed entirely with Visual Supply Co. Lightroom film presets. All color images are processed with Fuji 160 and all black and whites are Kodak Tri-X++.  The black and whites are WAY outside my comfort zone, for a number of reasons, which I plan to explain when I do a full write up in VSCO film coming up soon.

The last blog post I did was about an amazing wedding that was part Cyndi Lauper, part Mad Men, with outrageous colors and headwear and a cake that looked like a space alien and indie music and on and on and on.

And then a couple weeks later, I get to go play with Julia and Joe…my beautiful Brits who had a stunningly sophisticated, elegant but not at all stuffy wedding at the Gore place in Waltham. My clients are all so deliciously unique. I’ve never done the same kind of wedding twice. It keeps me excited, stimulated, creative, challenged. One week I’m in Southie shooting in a big industrial art space, the next week I’m strolling around in a grove of trees in Waltham.

Julia and Joe live in England, Julia in Oxford and Joe in London. Julia is actually originally from Cambridge. But not that Cambridge–this Cambridge! And only about a two miles away from where I live in fact! Julia moved to Oxford years ago for school and wound up staying.  It’s fascinating really, she’s American but now has this pronounced English accent, but in a kind of modified American way. Not totally English, but definitely not American anymore. Makes me wonder how much longer it’s going to be before I start dropping my r’s (my mom claims she’s caught me doing it from time to time…)

What I especially loved about J+J’s wedding was how it was a fantastic blend of old-school New England and, well, Old England. They were married at an old Congregational Church in Concord, and their reception was at the historical Gore place in Waltham. The men wore traditional English Morning coats (J+J if I’m totally butchering all of this please excuse me and educate my uncultured ass), many of the English women wore amazing fascinators, Joe and his Groomsmen all wore colorful red socks (a Welsh tradition, if I remember correctly?), when they left their ceremony, there was a traditional English Hackney cab waiting to whisk them away and at the reception they had a “traditiona” English fruitcake for their wedding cake, which they just about needed a machete to cut through.  J+J’s wedding was just perfect: Sophisticated but not snobby, classy but not pretentious, and very, very authentic. I’m so thrilled to have been able to work with Julia and Joe and their families on this lovely, cloudy, chilly October day…

And of course, big thanks to my main photography man, Eric Reed, for coming along for the ride on this one

Julia’s amazing flowers came from Petaleana, who’s work I was familiar with but had never had the pleasure of working with them! Also have to mention the awesomesauce partay times thanks to the Sultans of Swing! Can’t wait to work with all of these fabulous professionals again!

Oh, and while I’m at it, it might also be worth mentioning that J+J’s blog feature and Carlene and Nick’s blog feature was processed entirely with the New Visual Supply Company film presets. I am always VERY skeptical of anything that claims to a) emulate film and b) REALLY change my work flow and/or creative process. I took the bait and picked up the new VSCO film and….well….let’s just say I’ve been chewing on a big slice of humble pie the last couple of days….full blog post on the new VSCO film and my review of it coming soon.

You guys.

I  just.

I don’t even know.

Ever since I met Carlene and Nick about a year and a half ago, every single time they revealed a new detail about their wedding plans I went “OMFG SERIOUSLY?” Everything from “Well we want to do our engagement session at the Topsfield fair. At night.” to “Well, I’m walking down the aisle to Neutral Milk Hotel” to “All my bridesmaids are wearing neon-colored fascinators in their hair” to “Well I’m changing into a cocktail dress and bright red Betsy Johnson shoes for the reception” to “The men are wearing ascots” to “Oh yeah I’m doing a Zumba routine during the reception.” Right up to the day of the wedding when I walked in to Carlene’s hotel room to find her hairstylist CRIMPING HER HAIR. WAT. They also told me they asked their graphic designer friend to do all of their stationary for their wedding, and based on the save the date and the subsequent invitation I KNEW we were in for an incredibly stylish, off-the-wall event. But even with all that I still had NO IDEA just how incredibly stylish, creative, COLORFUL and oh so personal this wedding would be. Their tables were named after various movies and albums that were special to them, and identified not just by the names but by the actual imagery of the movie or album. You’ll see what I mean. Their colors were NEON EVERYTHING. Her Chanel nail polish matched the bottoms of her shoes. Their cake had aspolding bomb things on it. They had old Polarid cameras and boxes of instant film from The Impossible Project sitting out to be used by their guests, accompanied by old photographs of their families. Her flowers looked like sea creatures and brains and it was so effing awesome I just can’t.

And if that weren’t enough, they had the most fantastic request of me: They asked me, ever so politely, if I “wouldn’t mind” shooting a little bit of Holga and color film at their wedding.

ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME.

OKAY.

Nick is a big photography enthusiast which is where all the Polaroid cameras and instant film came from. But they weren’t incorporating old cameras into their wedding day as just some kitschy vintage-y throw back item. Photography has always been very important to Nick and they really wanted to incorporate it into their day in a real way. So they had all this old film with these old cameras sitting out which they encouraged their guests to play with, they had Carlene’s little cousin running an old Super 8 camera, and asked me to shoot some color film with my Holga in addition my usual work. This was an absolute dream.

And to top everything off, they had their wedding at one of my all time favorite venues, Artists for Humanity Epicenter, AND they hired THE MAN, Ari from Beat Train Productions to provide the awesome party times, which he obvs did.

Since the Holga stuff is quite different from the main set of pictures I think I’ll post this as a two parter. Here we go!

(hehehehe….I had to include this one )

ZUMBA!!

ALSO! Super special thanks to my dear friend Mark Stern for second shooting this one for me! There was SO MUCH going on at this wedding there was no way I could have covered it myself, so I was so glad Carlene and Nick opted for a second shooter and SUPER glad that I had Mark along for this one. You’re the best, buddy!

Pops demonstrating his excellent monkey shaking skillz. (please don’t kill me for this one, Loring!)

Love them

(Lately I’ve been really into “oy” in place of “hey!” Just go with it)

Last month Ann and Josh (Skippy!) had a freaking fantastic wedding downtown.  They got ready at the Marriott Long Warf with portraits in and around the hotel and then around Christopher Columbus park. I had NO IDEA how cool it was inside the Long Wharf Marriott! The original plan was to get hitched right there in Christopher Columbus park but because it was a bit rainy they decided to move the ceremony right into the reception space–the cocktail hour space to be exact! Gah, I love working with such laid back, go with the flow couples. Many people would be so upset to not have their ceremony in the exact spot where they always dreamed it–but not these two. Nope instead they skipped the ceremony outdoors, went straight to the cocktail hour (my kinda couple ifidosaysomyself) and after everyone had arrive, they called for their guests to gather ’round for the ceremony, which they held right there with their friends and family all gathered together with cocktails and drinks in head.

Oh, and it might be worth noting that you may recognize not only Ann and Josh from Anna and John’s wedding a couple months ago, but a number of other folks in this set of photos as well–including a number of gents from the Mustache Brigade. Seriously between the amazing facial hair and the sweet dance moves, I might have to commission these guys to be add-ons to my photography services. For an extra fee you can hire a circus of ridiculous people to come be hysterical at your wedding! Between the weddings and the fact that many of these fine folks are some of my good friends, I think I may need to create some kind of Lorenz Photography Hall of Fame or something. Or like, Lorenz Photography All stars. Or Lorenz Photography Lifetime achievement awards. Well, that’s for another day. ON TO THE PHOTOS!

Another Epic wedding from this group. And if this weren’t enough–there’s another one next August when Sam and Josh get hitched! PHEW! This is going to rule.

Oh! And big thanks to Pete O’Karma from Beat Train for a killer Party! Beat Train always FTW!!