Presidential Suite Photo Shoot

I was so excited to have another opportunity to shoot with Focal Impulse Studio this past month. This time, the company booked the Presidential Suite of the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The view was breathtaking, and the shots came out gorgeous, as always!

During this shoot, I felt much more comfortable right away than I had the first time. I recommend to those who have only done one Quickie Slam with Focal Impulse to consider doing at least one more - the first time you are nervous, unsure of what to expect, what to bring, and not at all sure how you will react in front of the camera or what angles are most flattering to your body.

I found that during my second shoot, I was more comfortable with shooting and skipped the "awkward-get-comfortable" stage of the shoot, so I was able to get more shots sooner of what I wanted. I also felt more comfortable to voice my opinions of how I wanted to pose or look in a certain outfit, so I was able to get more of what I liked from my first set of photos.

In preparing for this shoot as well, I was more confident when packing outfits and shoes, as I knew having more is always better than having less. I also found that I browsed through magazines looking for poses that I wanted to replicate, and taking mental note of what poses would compliment my body type.

The Focal Impulse staff was great as always, and I was so pleased with my final product(s) once again. I also was able to take advantage of their retouching services, so my pictures looked absolutely gorgeous!

The rate for a Quickie Slam is $150 for a single, with hair and makeup available at an additional cost: which you should definitely go for as your pictures will come out MUCH better. I know for a fact that their February and March Quick Slams are completely booked, so you should contact Focal Impulse today to get slots for April and May...

So if you're on the fence about Boudoir Photography or if you want to see what the modeling experience is really about (hair and makeup done = gorgeous night out!) I definitely recommend that you check out Focal Impulse!

Evil Eye Jewelry

Introducing the latest in Ash Tree Designs: Evil Eye Jewelery!

The inspiration for these pieces came from a belief in Greece which I had learned about in my visit there last year, and had further researched recently. Evil Eye jewelry works when the wearer is given the "Evil Eye", or a look of envy or ill-will from another: the wearer's "eye" then looks back at them, neutralizing the negative energy and keeping the wearer safe. 

Evil Eye Bracelet, $8

 

Many people in the Middle East believe that receiving envious stares from other scan bring you bad luck. The most common Evil Eye bead is a beautiful blue color, because in the dry land of Turkey, "blue" water is precious and life-giving. I use a large blue bead for my most basic piece, the Evil Eye Bracelet, $8 which is threaded on a black cord adjustable with two slip knots.

 

Evil Eye Jewelry Now Available from The Ash Tree!

In addition to the simple Evil Eye Bracelets now available from the Ash Tree (and can be bought at Ash Tree's 6 In the Shipyard Hingham store location!) there are also many other colors of Evil Eye jewelry available. Red, another popular color, is often associated with luck and good fortune.
 

Shop all Evil Eye products in Ash Tree Handmade Jewelry online, or stop by the 6 In the Shipyard in Hingham, MA to pick up a good-luck, good-karma jewelry piece of your very own! Makes a great gift for guys, too :)

Embossed Calligraphy Place Cards

Embossed place cards, $1.00 each

Considering calligraphy for your wedding place cards, but need just a little something extra to make them extra special? Or do you need an extra finishing touch for your special event reception?

The Ash Tree is now pleased to offer embossing services for place cards. Embossed designs are a minor detail that can really add a special touch to your event - but the process can be time-consuming and very detail-oriented to make them perfect. So why not hire a professional?

Featured here is a recent client job that was a Christmas wedding, and she wanted to make the most out of the holiday. She purchased 3 different small stamps (two Christmas trees and a snowflake) to use for the place cards, and for the embossed Table Cards, I recommend she use a slightly larger snowflake stamp to both tie in to the other designs while distinguishing the table cards as separate.

 

I did a mix of the stamps, using red and green ink pads. I wanted to emboss all of the place cards and table cards first so I could write out the names in calligraphy after the place cards were done. That way, I wouldn't have to re-do names (which takes more time than embossing), and I wouldn't have to tediously place the stamp in the perfect place.

Contact Ash Tree Calligraphy today to get started on your project, and to schedule a free consultation!