Throwback: Renzetti Magnarelli Clergy Apparel

In 2009 we had the pleasure of working with the Renzetti & Magnarelli families to photograph their unique clergy apparel.  For three generations, this company has been crafting attire for the Philadelphia regions clergy members.  A portion of the shoot took place on location at their shop on South Broad in Philadelphia.  Where we captured stunning images of the craftsmen at work. We shot models sporting the apparel in our West Chester studio.  This allowed us to light and frame each piece in a way that displayed the craftsmanship the Renzetti & Magnarelli's have been known for over the years.  

Check out the gallery below for some selects from the shoot and visit the Renzetti & Magnarelli website for all your clergy apparel needs!

Client Spotlight: Charles River Laboratories

Recently, the RDP team had the great pleasure of partnering with Charles River laboratories to photograph two of their east coast sites.  The work Charles River does each day helps improve and save lives all over the world.  It was a wonderful experience getting to know the staff and having the opportunity to capture their work in photos.  Rick's extensive experience in healthcare photography lead to dynamic and engaging photos which show the vibrancy of the Charles River team and the top of the line scientific equipment they utilize each day. We hope to work with Charles River again soon and are proud to have photos of their amazing staff and facility now in our portfolio.  

Pump the Brakes!

Enthusiasm for all things cars is never in short supply here at Rick Davis Photographic.  That's why our recent project with Velocity Inc for SBS BrakePads was such a pleasure.  Working with Rob Hudepohl, Creative Director and an old colleague, to showcase the unique and state-of-the-art brake pads being made by SBS was right in our wheel-house (pun intended).  Selects from the shoot are shown here with the finished ad for motorcycle and power-sports publications . Thanks to our friends at Velocity and SBS for the opportunity to shoot these pads.  Hopefully we'll be able to test them on the track soon. 

Cyclorama: Set the Stage for Perfect Photos

View fullsize

The cyclorama is a versatile tool that only a few photographers have at their fingertips.
Ours is pretty special likely the largest egg cyclorama in the mid Atlantic region. Measuring 35 ft x 20 x 11 it has a five foot radius curve in corners, ceiling and floor and is in solid plaster.  It was built by Guy Long, best known for restoring the plaster work in 30th Street Station.  

Before the days of photoshop, perfect backgrounds were required and in the colors specified by the agency. We have painted the cyclorama many times over the years.  

It is perfect for product and still life projects as a background, surface and as a lighting instrument. The seamless surface is fantastic for subtle graduated highlights and controlled midtones as well as shadows for both large and small objects.

Gratz Industries, the recognized premier builder of Pilates exercise equipment, chose us to photograph their complete line and the cyclorama was one of the main determining factors in us winning the client. Light woods, brushed aluminum, stainless steel, leather and natural fleece could all be beautifully lit and filmed quickly and efficiently using the cyclorama. Very little retouching was required for enhancement.  The cyclorama is the right tool for the job of product photography.

Precision and Craftsmanship: Product Photography

With any craft, precision is essential.  I take great pride in the precision and attention to detail I bring to each of my shoots.  A recent shoot for small medical devices showcased this well.  For this layout, I designed my shot for both a print spread and a web banner. I used a Leaf 40 digital camera back on a Hasselblad so depending on the clients future marketing needs this image could be repurposed in vertical format for print advertising, brochures or a large trade show banner.  Lighting was essential to capture the ideal image. I exposed with Broncolor strobes and I made the shadows cooler by using a light blue gel in the over head fill; all while keeping the highlights clean with neutral main light. The finished image was clean, detailed and precise, just like the products shown.  Achieving the right look for each product shoot can be simple, with the right tools.
 

Product Photos: Visual Advertising

When looking to showcase a product, professional photography is essential.  In order for your product to look its best you need a photographer that knows to ask the right questions.  First where will the shoot take place? On location shoots present a unique set of factors the photographer needs to take into consideration. In studio shoots are more easily controlled but also need to be properly staged to best display the product.  Location influences the type of lighting that will be used, whether it is a manipulation of the natural light within the space or high quality staged lighting, understanding the play of reflections and illumination is essential for capturing the best shot. The size of the product can greatly influence both location and lighting.  Here at Rick Davis Photographic we have the capability to light and shoot products that are minuscule or the size of cars.  According to the budget and creative direction of each project set dressing and props can be utilized to achieve the best look.

Recently, we did a product shoot for food storage containers.  The client required that the photos have the same look and feel that was used in an advertising campaign in Europe.  This influenced the styling of the shoot as well as the framing and content of the final shot.  Using props, studio lighting and a lens that gave depth of field allowed us to achieve the ideal shot.  As you can see, the final shot had room for copy while showcasing the product in its "natural" environment.  Our collaboration with a food stylist for this shot really brought it to life.  Our studio is equipped with a full kitchen which streamlines these types of shoots.  We produced this shot on time and on budget for a very happy client.

Making the Brand: Corporate Photo Library

When communicating your brand to clients a consistent and polished appearance is key.  An essential element of this communication is a visual representation of who you are as a brand.  By creating a brand image library featuring employees and products you will have an arsenal of images at your disposal for all your marketing needs.  We work closely with clients to create images that capture who they are and why their product is unique.  These photos set our clients apart from those in their industry that rely on stock footage by allowing them to feature the people who make their team great and their products in action.  Corporate culture is reflected in the photos taken and they can be used for internal communications such as annual reports and training documents as well.   Click through the photos above to see how we helped Kent Julye of BERG Toys USA to portray himself and his products.

"In Production" : Manatawny Still Works

Yesterday the team had the pleasure of taking part in the Manatawny Still Works distilling process.  Located in Pottstown, PA "Manatawny Still Works is a state-of-the-art distiller of the highest quality, small-batch spirits handcrafted right on the same banks where the natives once drank".  The Manatawny team truly loves what they do and it was a privilege to film them while they worked.  We are looking forward to sharing their passion and story in a unique branding video.  Stay tuned!

Brand Consistency: Annual Report Photography

Through out the years we have had wonderful experiences working with creative directors, corporate communications teams and brand managers at Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations and institutions in order to produce photos for their annual reports. Although each had a unique annual report to create and distribute one thing was the same no matter the client.  They needed images that suited the theme and creative goals of the project, top-quality photos created specifically for their needs.  While the allure of stock photos is omnipresent it is essential to create proprietary content for anything representing your brand.  Without proprietary photography the risk exists that a competitor could use the same photos as you for their promotional or internal communication materials.  Rick has the expertise and experience to provide a skilled and smooth production be it local or on the other side of the globe. Whatever your vision for your annual report, a partnership with Rick Davis Photographic ensures that the photos produced reflect the care, creativity and passion you have for your industry.  

Put Your Best Face Forward: Corporate Headshots

As a business owner you want your companies online presence to be as polished, professional and high quality as the products/services you offer.  A key component in building this online presence is having staff sit for professional head-shots.  Your staff can then use these photos for business cards, email signatures, online profiles and on social media. You can use them for brochures, reports and press releases. Lasting and mutually beneficial business relationships are based on individuals, providing your staff with access to professional head-shots allows them to accurately represent your company.  A selfie-stick is not a substitute for a photographer, contact us today to find out how our years of experience can help you put your best face forward!