This post is not really photo related, but I wanted to share this really interesting video that I saw on TED. Always intelectually challenging and most fascinating speakers appear to speak about a miriad of subjects and topics. I have blogged about Ted before, and probably will continuously post interesting topics. Here is one from the tech sector by Patti Maes. Integration of devices, amalgamation and retrieval of information analogous to the sixth sense as heard below. Enjoy, and embrace technology. Its good for everyone, not just Geeks

[ted id="481"]

Well it was a really busy few weeks preparing for the show and a really “good” busy weekend interacting with Brides, Photographers and other vendors at the venue. We met alot of nice people, which is always great to extend our network, client base and of course friends!

We had past brides show up, brides that we have booked for this year and lots of great brides still looking for the perfect way to document their most special day! So, thank you to all that have stopped by to say hello, inquire about our availability or just came out to fill out a ballot for eShoot and a complementary Bridal Photo Coaching.

This year we have made a prop (wall with a double relief) that would house our flat screen and add a little warmth to our Studio Lounge feel. However I didn’t realize what I was getting into after I put it together, applied all the layers including stucco. The logistics of transportation were more complicated than the actual set up.

We had lots of photographers compliment and ask about the process of building it, so I will just briefly outline the process and attach few images.

I bought 4×8 particle boards, 2×2’s, 4×2’s and bunch of wood screws.
Pale of Stucco, bag of cement and a roll of mesh
I drew out the plan, measured our LCD and got to it.

The wall is built in three pieces, the main being 5 feet wide and side walls 2.5ft in order to fit the 10×10 booth.
For the finish, we were thinking of just painting it, but love the stucco texture so we decided to go that route.
First you need to apply a mesh in order for the cement to stick. This is the undercoating that Stucco adheres to.
Now we applied Stucco, and floated to give it a really cool Venetian finish.
Finally we have added the mouldings on the top and baseboards on the bottom of the walls to give it Studio-ish feel. Painted the boarders and mouldings and attached trims for the LCD.

We have also bought Click floor that was a “snap” to put together and lay it down before we assembled the walls. Furniture was mostly from our Studio.

Enjoy

So we just finished our first show of the year and had a blast doing it. This is how our set up looked against the red wall of the theatre. Actually we had more space that the booths below us, which was great. The brides that missed us in Mississauga can catch up at the National Bridal Show at the Exhibition place on January 23rd, 24th and 25th. Tickets are free to Brides so sign up over ***HERE*** We will be pulling all the stops there

Thanks for all the brides to be that stopped by and signed up for a free engagement shoot. We will be drawing a winner shortly.

As you can see, our canvas is hanging freely on the T of Heatre  I didn’t want to make holes in the wall

My gorgeous wife, showing off our new Barcelona chair addition to our Studio Lounge. 

The shot on the left was around 8am. The whole east wall is made of glass. Gorgeous view from the second floor of LAC. If you are not familiar with Living Arts Centre, do check them out. We head out few times a year for a concert, stand up or an intimate sit down jazz.

And a happy Bride to be, browsing our albums

Just a quick note, we are taking part in the Perfect Wedding Show today Sunday January 11th from 10-5
A small intimate gathering of few local vendors and artists in the Living Arts Centre. Stop by our booth and say hello. We will be doing a draw for a completely comlementary engagement session and collecting info from Brides that are interested in a free seminar of “Bridal Photo Coaching” that will be done by us in the spring.

Cheers and happy snowy Sunday

We had an amazing 2008 personal and business year and are extremely excited to welcome 2009 that will have so much more to offer.
Cheers everyone!!!!!

Love Anna-Maria and Mark

PF 2009

I can’t believe its Friday again and I have not blogged for a week. Shame
It really has been a hectic week. Trying to fulfill all orders and finish off business from 2008 before the holidays.

Sporadically:
Our Christmas tree is up and glowing. It has a funnly little tree top, but not all trees can be Super Model Trees.
Christmas lights outside are on dusk til dawn along with our sign finally working in sync.
Drain pipe is repaired. If you follow us on Facebook or Twitter, you would know there were some neighbourhood kids up to no good
Speaking of Twitter, you can follow me ***HERE*** I jumped onto mobile tweeting once I got my iPhone. Even Barack Obama added me to his Tweets. Seriously check him out over ***HERE***

STUDIO UPDATE
We are extremely stoked and excited to have our Studio Lounge remodeled by early January. Can’t wait to meet our brides in there. Along with our Studio update, we are sprucing our online presence, infact adding a brand NEW WEB SITE dedicated to Weddings and getting a brand new BLOG designed in collaboration with Jesse from amazing MoxyWebWorks. We will be rolling it all out in early January. Keep your fingers crossed

Our Wedding season 2009 and 2010 comes with New Options, New Experiences, New Client Education and New Prices.
As such, if you book us before Dec 31st at 1200hrs we will honour our 2008 prices. (Deposit required to secure your date)

All our past clients and future Brides should be receiving something in mail any day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Weekend everyone and careful driving and shopping this weekend, they are calling for additional 10cms

A little bit of updates.
We are working furiously to have all orders fulfilled before christmas (really hard) Thanks for your patients guys
Some of you might already know, my dear blackberry has died. RIP Berry! I was “forced” to get an early christmas gift: A new iPHONE. Yeay I love early gifts. Look what I was missing on. I am now twittering via twitter Become my friend ***HERE*** to see whats up in the micro-blogosphere of KostelPhoto and us generally. In fact the mobile apps, will update my facebook status as well. How cool! NO? And also hang out with us on facebook ***HERE*** I don’t think that many people comprehend the importance of such social networking sites. Many will discount them as toys or just waste of time. We on the other hand, think that such marketing tools are incredible and an awesome way to conect with others. Being a photographer and managing a small business is very dependant on networking. I said this many times before and always will believe that network is your networth.

Here is a quick pic of Somfalvi family that we did recently. More to come soon.

And as always enjoy this crazy awesome video
Happy Friday all.

Here is a little vid that was shot at our December monthly get together in Niagara Falls. Its awesome to see so many creative minds get together, talk, share, have fun and unite our industry and bring it to higher level. Currently, we are working mutually to put out a word on educating our clients. We are stoked to be part of if and we are looking forward to show it to you in the near future.
Happy Monday!

We Niagara Photographers + PUG November Get-Together from Bryan Caporicci on Vimeo.