Yeah, we’re not sure how we made it through 2016 either, but now that 2017 is here we wanted to share what we’re excited about for the NEW year. Although we love raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens as much as the next guy, it’s this batch of new tech products that are making their way to the top of our list of favorite things! Sure, Virtual Reality is hot, hot, hot, but we wanted to highlight some other items that are equally whoa-worthy. If you have a love of photography like we do, then grab your hot cocoa, curl up next the fire, and take a peek at some of the latest and greatest tech toys you just gotta get your hands on this year.
Wacom Cintiq Pro
The new line of Wacom tablets to debut this year are bringing the art back to Photoshop. Small, portable, and affordable, now you can draw and retouch in style, directly on a screen that covers 94% of Adobe RGB colors.
Microsoft Surface Dial
Even though our studio is equipped with state-of-the-art Apple stations, the Microsoft Surface Dial definitely caught our attention. It brings a tactile feel to editing and makes you feel like Tony Stark while you do it. (Watch the hands on video from TechCrunch.)
Adobe VoCo
This sneak peek that was unveiled last month at Adobe Max is bringing video editing to new heights. Soon, you’ll be able to edit sounds the same way you edit pixels, and we can’t wait to try it for ourselves. (Didn’t know we did video? You can see some of our work for yourself here.)
Chronos High Speed Camera
Want a camera that can shoot 21,000+ fps? Want it for 1/10th the price of other cameras? Um yeah, we can’t believe todays technology is this amazing either! Certainly a game-changer for any cinematographers looking for affordable slow motion capabilities.
iPhone 7 Lightning splitter
Get a new iPhone 7 and missing some of those old ports? This dongle is a must have for any iPhone 7 owner, allowing you to play music and charge at the same time. Because… multi-tasking!
Now, reach out and let us know what inventive ideas you’ve got floating around in that noggin and what you’re inspired to create in 2017. We’re ready to collaborate with you on your next photography, video, or digital art project.
Category: Products
Stop, Prop and Roll!
How’d you make it look so GOOD? Well, my dears, it takes quite a bit of searching to find just the right prop. Ask our producers and stylists, they’ve got TONS of hilarious stories about finding the perfect prop for the job!
Stepping into our prop library, you’ll see that we have multiple racks with bins filled with fabric, sport helmets, fruit, tech supplies, mortars and pestles, and pretty much any object you can fathom. We keep it so organized, Martha Stewart would cry with pride.
We keep a hefty inventory of household items on hand to recreate life-like sets. Cups, picture frames, hand towels; we’ve got all the odds-and-ends to spruce up a set. Of course we have a plethora of other homestyle necessities too: luggage, bird cages, mannequins and a gas mask.
The prop library in our Seattle studio even has a fully functional shop attached to it, for when we need to build things for a shoot. What kind of things do we build for shoots? Kitchens, bathrooms, tables, even this beautifully lush “front yard.”
Need fruit, flowers, pie, towels, perhaps a stethoscope? We’ve got it! All sorts of items are constantly being added to our prop library and we are happy to add more to meet your needs. Give us a call and let’s get started on your photoshoot today.
Time Will Tell…
LaCoste’s stylish watch blends elements of dignified grace and exquisite fashion. Its dynamic look requires a dynamic image that only Studio 3 can deliver. Photographer Trevor Boone pulled out all of the stops, shooting in Seattle’s Union Station, a backdrop uniquely suited to reflect LaCoste’s class and refined elegance.
Using mostly natural light, Photographer Trevor Boone turned the bustling public area into his own personal playground as he navigated through the uncontrolled environment with skill and precision. The result is a backdrop with character, proving that Studio 3 can shoot anywhere and everywhere.
Not only will our team locate a picture-perfect setting, we’re also experienced in hiring the right talent for your project whether that means partnering with agencies or holding open casting calls in our studios…. and if you need some cute kittens to get the puurrrrrfect image, we can handle that too!
Studio 3 is the premiere photo studio in the Pacific Northwest specializing in long-term partnerships with the top companies in their field. Now is the time to reach out and bring a spotlight to your brand with precision and authority.
Let's Make Everyday A Spa Day
Our creative partnership with Marquis Spas has developed swimmingly over the last 10 years. With Studio 3’s continuing passion for interpreting the client’s vision and turning it into the reality they are looking for. All the while having a great time amidst splashes, friendly banter, and of TONS of warm towels & robes.
The intent of these photos shot in our studio was to match the angle and light of the background photo they loved. Our crack digital team lead by the famous Carl, worked their magic and composited them together. Giving the client that beautiful location photo of Sun Valley with the spa without ever having to board a plane.
Do you have a product that needs to be showcased, have a new look or simply look like it was shot in the dessert or Hong Kong. We have the solutions. We’ll get you the vibrant images that scream quality, on budget, on time, every time! Reach out, I think you’ll find it fun and interesting.
Getting Hog Wild!
We had a great time shooting with Hog Wild Toys – who make us feel like kids again with every photoshoot. Speaking of kids, we had some incredible little tykes in the studio to capture the toys in action. They had a blast.
Here at Studio 3, we are always playing with toys, whether it be professional toys or the occasional paper airplane around the office. Bringing out that childlike enthusiasm for fun while providing professional images for a company we love to work with, was the ultimate way to spend a day in the studio. The smile on photographer Henry Ngan’s face says it all. If you need photos for your product and want to have a blast doing it, give us a shout.
5 Things to Consider When Hiring a Professional Photographer
It can be tough to find the perfect photographer for your images. Who to work with? How do you know what you’re getting? What will ensure the quality of the final image…and a great outcome? When weighing portfolios and websites, it is necessary to look at these 5 areas before you make that professional photographer hire:
1. Capabilities: Do they have a portfolio of similar work? Do you see something congruous with your ideas (a similar style for the photography, for example) – that would lead you to believe that they can do this for you too? If you don’t see a professional photograph similar to your concept, that doesn’t mean the photographer in question is incapable of producing the work…it just leaves more up to chance. Go through the portfolio carefully to see if you can envision this particular person creating a photo evocative of your vision.
2. Experience: Who have they worked with? Who are their advocates? Do they have a roster of clients that speak to their abilities…or are you unsure of who their clientele are? Do you see behind-the-scenes shots or shoots referenced on their social media channels? Do you hear clients singing their praises…or just crickets? Basically the question is whether they have the experience and the chops to execute the shoot you envision…as well as the experience to deal with anything that could potentially go wrong. And right it immediately. And make it amazing.
3. Professionalism: How professional do they seem? Website, social media, email interactions, project management – are they on top of things or do they seem to drop the ball? Do they have a Team that handles whatever you could need on your project? Do you feel taken care of? Is their focus on YOU? This is an area where, if something is amiss, it is usually obvious immediately. From your first interaction to your last, you should feel that you can trust the professional you’ve chosen, and that they have all the i’s dotted and t’s crossed.
4. Quality: Is the overall feel of the photographer’s work high-quality with a great deal of thought put into it…or do you see slapdash mistakes? How is the styling, the lighting, the sharpness of the photo? Do all the details cohere to create a uniform story? Is nothing overlooked? Do all the elements support the story…or detract? When you feel a balanced harmony when looking at the photograph, the overall quality will shine through.
5. Results: A photo is a means to an end. Will it make people stop in its tracks…or will it be glossed over? Will it tell the story you want it to…or will it miss the mark? A lot of this relies on your gut feeling about your photography partner prior to the shoot…but you can also make an educated guess based on the work in the photographer’s portfolio. You also need to define what would be a success for the photography you need…and how to gauge the results once complete.
If you haven’t gotten the results you’ve been looking for from your photography provider, maybe it’s time to switch. The Team at Studio 3 is always here to partner with you to execute your vision…and push your campaigns to the next level. Give us a ring and see.
Blast From The Past: Gift Guide!
After all the crazy post – thanksgiving shopping days have come and gone, we’re reminded of all the “IT” items on the wish lists of years gone by. Check out this “blast from the past” gift guide and see if you remember Jones’n for any of these …
It’s Friday night, December 1987 and you’re hoping out of the car to greet your pals with a fist bump wearing your of-the-moment athletic apparel. Fueled by the Back to the Future craze, you were hoping Santa was going to deliver something more in line with a DeLorean. Don’t Fret, good ol’ mom-n-dad had you covered with two words: Lazer Tag!! (This photo was shot on film during the ancient era when Photoshop was just a twinkle in a photographers eye.)
If you had one of Garmin Navigation’s very first car navigation systems in 1998 you had no idea what today’s would be about to do…Waze? What?!? Today’s high resolution images are a far cry from those early black and white screens. And, if you so choose, today your directions can be spoken to you in a refined British accent.
In the early 2000’s perhaps you were ditching your skateboard for a Razor Scooter? Feeling a little nostalgic for an afternoon spent practicing tricks with your friends? Check out some ‘scooter tricks’ videos on YouTube.
Did you know someone (or you were someone, a-hem, we’re not judging) that camped out overnight in the never-ending line that wrapped around the building of your local Game Stop for the latest and greatest gaming system? And, when the doors opened at 8am and you stampeded through the crowds for the sweeeeet sweeeeeet new Nintendo DS? Nah, neither did we. (wink,wink). Sit down Game Boy, Nintendo DS is here!
Are you a “I have so many books I think I need a bigger house” kind of person? Well, in 2007 maybe the new Amazon Kindle ended up on your list. It cost nearly $400 but it took reading and buying books to a whole new level of obsession. And, for those of us living in the Pacific Northwest, no more pesky pages flapping in the wind when you’re outside on a beautiful afternoon.
What’s on your list this year? AND, how much longer do we have to wait for a flying car?
Food, Family & Fun
The two best things about the holiday season? Here’s a clue. They both start with the letter “F.” Food and … family. If you want to plan some outdoor activities for when the kids are home, or even in between those stomach – stuffed meals, check out your city’s local events that are happening on the Thanksgiving holiday. There’s the Holladay Park Turkey Trot in Portland, and Green Lake Gobble & Mashed Potato Munch Off in Seattle.
For a second, close your eyes. Think of the senses that bring the holidays to life in your imagination. Do you smell the cranberry sauce in your grandma’s crystal dish, sitting patiently waiting to be eaten on the dining room table? What about the cinnamon smell of the house you grew up in? Infuse your home with the traditional holiday smells from NEST Fragrances.
Can you smell that? The smell of deliciously oven roasted turkey? You can’t have Thanksgiving without a bird, and you can’t have a bird without a superior turkey recipe. The Pioneer Woman has all the recipes you could use to make a Thanksgiving meal. Pay extra attention to The Pioneer Woman’s Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey, she promises it won’t be hard to make.
Tablecloths, white plates, fall-themed napkins, cutlery, red wine – everything you need is at Costco. So go. On a bus, in a car, on a plane, or in a train, we don’t care. Your local Costco is calling your name.
If you’re not able to make it home for the holidays, wherever that is, Consumer Cellular can make you feel right at home. Anyone can find a plan that works for him.
Ready, Set, Fall!
The alarm is going off, it’s time to start the day. The number one thing that helps with this process? Coffee. That warm, wonderful wake-me-up-cup. Portland and Seattle are known for their hole-in-the-wall coffee shops along with their hand roasted coffee beans. If you’re more of a stay-at-home coffee drinker, Espresso Supply in Seattle, WA, has phenomenal products and tools to help anyone who’s interested in using, making, (AND TASTING), specialty coffee and coffee products.
With fall comes cold weather, which means an extra excuse to pile on the layers. Start this season looking F R E S H – outside AND on the inside, too. The cold weather brings more hours spent inside, and opportunities for a refreshing drink…water. Yes, water. Those florescent lights can be draining, so hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. PLUS, water is good for your brain. Really good, especially if it’s mineral infused water.
Ride to work in style. Biking is in, and it’s in big time. People do their part to save the environment, they exercise and look sleek while cool cruising to first period class or that 8am meeting. Finding the right bike for your lifestyle can be a bit time consuming. River City Bikes in Portland, OR, is a great place to start. They’ve been around the block for twenty years, and can help you with that first new (or used) bike purchase. Looking for a less “traditional” type of bike? Look no further.
Admit it. A phone is a good distraction for that afternoon slump. With the amount we use them these days, they’re always visible. People don’t just want their phone to be smart, they want them snazzy & sexy. There’s plenty of alternatives to all those Apple products, too.
Eating is an important component to a productive day at school and work. People say breakfast is the most important, but we say lunch! If you don’t have time to pack your PB&J in the morning and want to spice things up, try this pulled pork recipe. It’s fast and easy. Everyone around you will be oinkin’ at you for a taste.
Ready, set, GO! Give Studio 3, Inc., a call this fall season. We look forward to hearing from you.