Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Sports Action Photography Poster of your Child with Frame

Give your child a wonderful sports action photography poster of themselves doing their summer activity.


A great metal framed 16x20 inch color poster with 30 minutes of sports action photography and a web ready image for sharing online with friends and relatives. This is a quality photography product and lasting family heir loom.

Sports Action Poster with Metal Frame Package includes:

  • 1 - 30 mins. of expert sports photography i.e. swimming pool, baseball, tennis court, soccer field etc.
  • 1 - 30 mins. in-studio viewing and choosing of best photographs for poster
  • 1 - 16x20 inch composite poster, printed on Kodak Endura paper. This composite includes: 1 - Main Action Photograph, 1 - sports portrait and two or three smaller action photographs inserted on your poster (see example)
  • 1 - sleek black metal frame with a 2 inch white matt., perspex glass cover and ready to hang kit
  • 1 - web ready image of your poster for online sharing with friends
  • Opportunity to choose other good photographs for printing at the viewing and choosing session.
All this action, fun, photography and product for $215.00

Please call Richard Martin to book your sports action poster of your child at: 919-500-8902

This offer is good through Summer 2013 for the Raleigh, Durham, RTP and Wake County area.

Sword Photography LLC
"Sharp Professional Portraits"

www.SwordPhotography.com
919-500-8902

Blogged:
June 12th, 2013
Updated June 22nd 2013

Friday, March 8, 2013

Executive Clothing by Sword Photography

What Are You Wearing Today?



Not some thought about whether you are in your pajamas, but what professional image do your clothes convey to your employer, staff and colleagues about you?

Can you ever be over dressed for an occasion? Yes, of course. But it is better to arrive over dressed for a meeting or job interview than to get turned away at the door because you thought a t-shirt and sneakers would cut it. That my friend is a lost opportunity.


Or how about turning up to see a new customer with lipstick on your nose, or mascara applied with a spade? What looked good in the 1960's or 80's does not look so good today. Times have changed. James Bond's tailored suit of the 1960's has changed with the times. Grace Kelly's famous make-up has also changed. So too must our look and style.

How about corporate looks? Has Apple's logo changed over the years? Yes, it sure has and by quite a bit. The form is still the same, but the style and colors have changed with the times. (Footnote 1)

Going back to the question, "Can you ever be over dressed?", I think one can make a mistake and turn up to a business casual event in a black-tie and dinner jacket, but you will stand out as the best dressed person in the room. Or, how about that woman who wears a stunning red dress to a pub event? She certainly is over dressed, but boy, does she stand out from the crowd and stick in peoples minds. "Ah yes", the business owner remembers, "the woman in the red dress".

Katherine Z. Martin and H.M. Consul General Annabelle Malins
BABCNC 2013 Awards Charlotte, NC

What do you remember about Grace Kelly in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller "Rear Window"? Yes an elegant woman, but more, a well dressed lady of her time. Towards the end of the film, we see her dressed as a confident woman resting in James Stewart's appartment. James Bond on the other hand finished his last film dressed in London business smart.


Why do we see James Bond in tailored suits and black ties? Because his image as a wealthy man of power looks great on the big screen and appeals to many generations of men and women. By the way, James Bond, the franchise just celebrated it's 50th Anniversary and is the longest running movie franchise in the world. Wow! It is a story with a successful wardrobe formula.

"But", you ask, "what about Richard Branson and other executives who wear a "casual" look?" The answer to this question lies in their industry norms, position in life and wealth. But I assure you, when Richard Branson met the Queen of England for his Knighthood, he dressed smartly and appropriately. As did David Beckham the great English soccer star.


Abraham Lincoln was always dressed appropriately for his time. But just as the 'stove-pipe' tall hat has gone, we too must re-fresh our own wardrobe. How often?, depends entirely on your position in life and job. If for example your job has the slightest hint of public engagements, then having a good wardrobe selection is vital. You cannot afford to look shabby too many times.

 Looking fabulous in a silk dress and designer pants

Dressing and behaving appropriately takes practice and time. No-one is an expert to begin with. But the more I wear my business smart clothes, the more it just becomes an extension of who I am and not the other way round.

To learn more about how to look great in person and in LinkedIn, blogs, press-releases, brochures and more, please call Sword Photography at: 919-500-8902
http://www.SwordPhotography.com

Written by:
Richard J. Martin
March 8th, 2013
Updated March 24th 2013

Cosmetics and Wardrobe by:
KZCosmetics (Professionally Trained Makeup Artist)
KZ will be writing some knowledgeable articles for Sword Photography on cosmetics and wardrobe over the coming months.


Portrait of KZ Cosmetics by Sword Photography

Sword Photography LLC
"Sharp Professional Portraits"

Tel: 919-500-8902
Email: Richard@SwordPhotography.com

Web: http://www.SwordPhotography.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/swordphotography
Blog: http://swordphotography.blogspot.com/
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjamartin/


Footnotes and Bibliographies:

Corporate Logo Change Over the Years
http://www.instantshift.com/2009/01/29/20-corporate-brand-logo-evolution/



Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Tom Lipsky engages Sword Photography for portraits

INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN MUSIC EXECUTIVE ENGAGES SWORD PHOTOGRAPHY OF RALEIGH FOR NEWS RELEASE PORTRAIT

Richard J. Martin, principal photographer at Sword Photography LLC was recently engaged to capture the portrait of Tom Lipsky of Loud and Proud Records, a classic rock industry legend.



"Tom Lipsky is the King of Classic Rock. No one, from a music business standpoint, has done more for Classic Rock artists than Tom over the last 20 plus years" said Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited in a recent February 2013 interview. The full text of this amazing interview, including Sword Photography's portrait can be seen online at CRR (see link at page bottom).

Sword Photography is Raleigh Durham Triangle's premier business portrait headshot photography studio, serving both individuals and businesses. "We help make our clients look their very best on-line in social media, press releases and also in print publications."

Mr. Martin said "it was a pleasure to work with Tom Lipsky and hear some of his stories from classic rock. I grew up listening to bands that Mr. Lipsky now represents. For example, as a young man most of my friends listened to bands like Rush, Kiss and Iron Maiden, and so it has been a cool experience to go back and revisit these classic rock artists."

Mr. Lipsky works in New York, representing a number of classic rock artists. He and his wife, Betsy, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a visit to his friends Lynyrd Skynyrd of "Sweet Home Alabama" fame.





Richard J. Martin had two sittings with Mr. Lipsky at his Raleigh, NC photo studio. The first to capture a business smart look and the second to make a more casual day-to-day image. Sword Photography's casual portrait was the one chosen to be used in the Classic Rock Revisited article.

Mr. Martin is well experienced and highly regarded for his ability to convey the personalities of his clients in unique executive portraiture. Mr. Martin is an active member in his local Knightdale and Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, ASMP and in the Professional Photographers of America and PPA North Carolina chapter.

The rock band Rush visit the Raleigh PNC arena on May 3rd. Tickets, dates and other tour venues can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com

Classic Rock Revisited interview with Tom Lipsky can be viewed at:
http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/show_interview.php?id=937

Call Sword Photography LLC to discuss your company's on-line and print portrait requirements: 919-500-8902

Full Press Release from Sword Photography LLC can be seen and downloaded from www.SwordPhotography.com

Richard J. Martin
Principal Photographer

Sword Photography LLC
919.500.8902
Richard@SwordPhotography.com
Find and "Like" us on Facebook at: swordphotography

“Sharp Professional Portraits”

© 2013 Sword Photography LLC.
All Rights Reserved.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Executive Head Shot Portrait Photography Sitting by Sword Photography?

What Can I Expect During an Executive Head Shot Portrait Photograph by Sword Photography LLC




Sword Photography tries to make your executive head shot portrait sitting similar to making a cup of hot chocolate. It is as easy as:
  1. Boiling the Water.
  2. Picking out your favorite cup.
  3. Opening the hot chocolate packet
  4. Emptying it in to the cup.
  5. Adding hot water and a dash of milk (if desired).
  6. Stirring it and enjoying the rich sweet flavor of hot chocolate.

When you turn up for a Sword portrait sitting, you should come relaxed, knowing that it is a very easy task for you to complete and enjoy. All you have to do is wear your best clothes, put on your fine watch or jewelry, makeup and come ready to sit for 10 minutes and follow a few instructions from your Sword photographer.

If you are coming by yourself to one of our studios, you are always welcome to bring a friend.

The Sword Photographer might ask you to lean forward, or turn your head to the side, smile or no smile, crack a joke or be asked to talk about your favorite hobby.

The Photographer is trained at putting you at ease and ensuring that your best portrait image is captured on that day. It really is that simple. It is painless and often fun. We take good care of you. It is not everyday that a photographer is hired to take YOUR photo and make you look your best.

Before your sitting, Sword Photography will give portrait help and advice. We are on hand to help you with wardrobe (clothing), style, brand and makeup choices. We use professional and courteous makeup artists and hair stylists when asked.

Group Photograph



This is also a great time to get that staff Team photograph taken. Now that all the staff are together in one place, on the same day, what are you waiting for? Have another cup of hot chocolate. It is easy. Sword group photos usually take about 5 to 10 minutes and are a fantastic keep sake. They are great for Twitter, Facebook, corporate websites, board room and Blogs. Group photos make excellent Holiday and Christmas cards to your customers.

What happens after the portrait sitting?

You go home or back to your job and the photographer will edit the photographs to show you a collection of the best images from the sitting. This can be as few as three and as many as twenty depending on wardrobe changes etc. Usually the goal of the portrait sitting is to get one great photograph that you can use in your marketing and online social presence. However, some people need more than one portrait image. For example, building a web site, magazine article or sales brochure.



The photographs from the sitting will be placed on a password protected web site. Here you can view your images, see examples of different crops and finished products. All you need to write down are the last few digits of your image name.

The goal at this "first proof" stage, is to eliminate the photos that you don't like, and pick the ones that you do like. Usually, one image will stand head and shoulders (excuse the pun) above all the others. You communicate this best image to the photographer who then artistically improves the image with post-production tools like color correction, skin softening, sharpening and any edits that you have asked for.

This edits might be stray hair removal or a blemish from that bicycle crash when you were ten or softening of some lines on your face. We all have these blemishes, and it is fine to ask us to have them softened or removed. Keep in mind that the end product, an online head shot portrait will often be viewed as a small image on a monitor where your image takes on a "painterly" look.

A day or two later, you will receive your final polished images delivered by email download. You can easily post your new profile photo to your favorite social media page, send the print ready file off to the printers for your business cards, apply for that next job or promotion and send a copy to friends and loved ones for their enjoyment.

(If you are concerned by what your Boss or Manager might think, a short message to them before you publish your new image, can alleviate most concerns that they might have. If they suddenly see a new image of you pop up without any explanation, they might get concerned. There are many good reasons to have a new portrait photograph. For example: gifts to mother, birthday presents, graduation, passport, family album, Facebook page, sales proposals, new look, always wanted one, new hairstyle, be creative.)

Getting a Sword Photography executive head shot portrait is incredibly easy, and it has the power to help you, give you confidence, help you get that next promotion or job, give joy to friends, gifts to loved ones and transform your personal image with a professional photo. Your new Sword profile portrait will stand out. Think about how famous people often have an enduring portrait or "look".

Please call Sword Photography at 919-500-8902 or email me at Richard@SwordPhotography.com to discuss your portrait needs or those of your employer. Sword Photography likes to travel to office locations, businesses and take photographs of whole staff departments. Sword's products include Linkedin and Facebook web ready files, high resolution digital print ready files and actual physical prints. We use a professional print lab.

Don't rely on that mug shot by the office wall, it will look like a mug shot by the office wall. Instead hirer a professional like Richard J Martin from Sword Photography and get the job done well first time. First impressions are very important and you only get one chance at a first impression. Even if your first impression is only online, make it a good first impression.

See our next Sword Photography Blog topic on Preparing your face for a portrait. This includes skin care.

Other Services and Products Provided by Sword Photography LLC
  • Makeup by the session, half and full days
  • Hair Stylists by the half and full days
  • In Studio portrait photography, including after hours appointments for the busy exec.
  • On Location Office portrait head shot photography
  • Environmental portraits of your staff in the office or out in the field
  • Product photography - both large and small
  • Photographer Referral Service. You ask Sword Photography to find you a trusted and professional photographer to take your daughters senior portraits; or wedding; or family reunion photo; or product photographs.

Bon visage,

Richard J Martin
President
Sword Photography LLC

http://www.SwordPhotography.com 
Like us on Facebook at: swordphotography
Read customer comments on LinkedIn at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjamartin/


Sunday, July 8, 2012

Experiencing the Meaning of Charity by PPA and Sword Photography LLC


During April 2012 Richard Martin of Sword Photography LLC, Raleigh, NC participated in the Professional Photographers of America's charity photo event Celebration of Smiles Day 2012 and had his story highlighted by PPA.

Richard took photos of customers at the Klaystation in Falls River, NC with all proceeds from the event going to the charity Operation Smile. Local sponsors included Frame Crafters NC, Klaystation, Raleigh Luxury Living and Taza Grill.

Operation Smile sends teams of surgeons and nurses to countries all over the world and helps those, especially children, who need cleft palettes operations. The results and effects of these surgeries are life changing to the people born with these problems.

Very often babies born with cleft palettes have a very hard time feeding and are often under weight and shunned by other people.

After the operations, eating is easier for the children and their self-confidence and acceptance is greatly improved. This really is a life changing operation.

Please read the full PPA Charities web article on Sword Photography's Celebration of Smiles Day 2012 at the PPA Charities website.

Official Sword Photography PRESS RELEASE JULY 9TH 2012 can be downloaded here.

Sword Photography LLC specialises in executive and family portraiture, commerical and fine art photography.

Tel: 919-500-8902
http://www.swordphotography.com

(C) 2012 Richard J. Martin


Thursday, April 5, 2012

Sword and Operation Smile Booking Page

This page is now out of date and passed.

Sword Photography LLC is very pleased to join forces with many other professional photographers around the USA on April 21st and give 100% of all sales to the charity Operation Smile.

Bookings

  • Click on the Donate button below.
  • Enter the amount you wish to donate to Operation Smile (minimum $24)
  • Find an agreeable time-slot below.
  • Remember to include your email address, phone number and two portrait sitting times.
  • Sword Photography will email you your confirmation. 
For a minimum donation of $24, you'll receive the gift of a portrait mini-session and a desk-size portrait of yourself or a loved one. Families are welcome.
100% of your donation goes to Operation Smile, which can repair a smile for as little as $240!

Find us at the Klaystation in Falls River Town Shops on Saturday April 21st from Noon to 6 pm. See you there.

Thank you.

Please contact Richard with any questions. 919-500-8902
richard@swordphotography.com

Sword Photography LLC

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Executive Head Shot Portrait Photography by Sword Photography LLC

Sword Photography is an executive and corporate focused photography service. We serve your portrait needs as you climb the ladder to success in your chosen field of business. We offer a number of unique photographic services:
  1. After hours photography at our studio.
  2. On-location photography at your work place.
  3. An all digital service for the web.
  4. Fast turnarounds. As fast as 1 to 24 hours.
  5. A number of different photo packages.
  6. Professional service.
Please call us to discuss your business photography needs.

Cell: 919-500-8902

Richard J. Martin
Photographer and President of Sword Photography LLC

"Like" us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/swordphotography

Blog Posts at:  http://swordphotography.blogspot.com/

Our main web Home page is: http://www.SwordPhotography.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/swordphotos