Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Chace + Smith Photography Presents at Chamber Lunch & Learn Event

(Press Release)

On Wednesday, January 20, the Tuscarora Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly Lunch and Learn event at the Mercersburg Inn in Mercersburg, PA. Presenters at the event were Ryan and Larissa Smith of Chace + Smith Photography and Ryan Smith Photography. Their presentation was entitled "The Value of Photography: How Photography Can Enhance Your Business Marketing." After a meet-and-greet in the Inn's salon, guests were seated in one of the beautiful dining rooms. The Inn served a delicious lunch prior to the presentation.

The Smiths began their discussion with the history of their business, why they moved back to the area in 2007, and the various clients they work with. The majority of the presentation concerned the value of quality photography in business marketing, as well as licensing and intellectual property. The goal of the discussion was to motivate and inspire listeners to utilize photography to enhance their business image through marketing, even in a tough economy. The Smiths recommended developing a strong brand strategy, factoring photography and design into the overall marketing plan, and budgeting for marketing and photography.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Opening Reception: Thank You

Last Friday I had the privilege of sharing some of my favorite work from our Creative Highways Project in a gallery setting. I shared the exhibition with Staci Grimes and Stacey Ferree, two fantastic local photographers.

We had a great turnout and I can't emphasize enough how much I appreciate my friends and family coming out to show their support. It means a lot to have such a supportive community. This support is just one more reason that we have chosen to live in a small town like Mercersburg. Knowing that my neighbors support my endeavors is a great reward. This community of creative, energetic and motivated people highlights our reasons for wanting to live and operate our business in rural Pennsylvania.

Thank you to everyone who was able to make it to last Friday's opening. If you weren't able to make it then, the photographs will be on display until February 20th, so stop in and check out what I'm puttin' out.

Here I am pretending to know what I'm talking about.



My ever supportive family.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

America Through the Eyes of the Artist


(posted by Ryan)

I am proud to announce that I have my first shared photography exhibition opening this month. I will be exhibiting 8 photographs from our Creative Highways project for this exhibit titled "America Through the Eyes of the Artist" with photographers, Staci Grimes and Stacey Ferree.

I was thrilled when the Chambersburg Council for the Arts contacted me about this show because I immediately thought of our Creative Highways project. I had been looking for a way to showcase this work so the timing was perfect.

I am hopeful that people who come to see this show will walk away with a renewed sense of wonder and curiosity for the American landscape. These pictures mean a lot to me and each one tells a story about our country, about the open highway and about the way we, as humans, interact with our environment.

I have poured my heart and soul into these photographs. I remember the temperature, the smell, the exact location and how I was feeling whenever I took these photographs. I meticulously worked through the printing process, burning through too much paper and ink until I had the print as I thought it should be. I even matted and framed these images wearing my winter jacket in the drafty attic space where I keep my matte cutter. It has taken months to get to this point and it feels good to know that from January 15 through February 20 these images will hang in a space meant to share artwork.

Please join me for the opening of this show on Friday, January 15 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. I would love to have you there.

Here is the press release:
“America Through the Eyes of the Artist” will be on display at the Kaleidoscope Gallery from January 15th through February 20th at 159 South Main Street, Chambersburg. The exhibit will feature photography by Stacey Ferree of Waynesboro, Staci Grimes of Shippensburg and Ryan Smith of Mercersburg. The opening reception will be held on Friday January 15th from 4:30-6:30 PM and will be an opportunity for Gallery patrons to meet the artists.


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Creativity on a whim

This video was shot using a Canon G9 during two games of bowling last Sunday afternoon. The beauty of having easy access to inexpensive video tools is that we can now create fun stories on a whim. I didn't intend to make a video of our holiday bowling bash, but after taking a couple of shots a storyline unfolded. It's not professional quality by any means but it was a blast to make and share.

Here is the story synopsis:

On a dreary Sunday afternoon, a group of bowlers with the hopes of going pro descend upon the local bowling alley in Bainbridge, NY. There's nothing better than family, beer, fried food and bowling during the holiday season.



Music by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The energy of this song seemed to fit perfectly.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

How to Photograph a Christmas Cookie

(Posted by Ryan)


It's no coincidence that food is on my mind. Larissa and I just finished eating a fantastic recipe from the November issue of Bon Appetit . . . butternut squash risotto with shrimp to be exact. Although I love the recipes in Bon Appetit, it's really the photography that keeps me opening the magazine. I'm not sure when it happened, but at some point in the last two years Bon Appetit has undergone a major shift in the way it chooses to have it's recipes photographed.

I have noticed a dramatic change in the way food is depicted. The style of shooting has become 20 times more interesting to me and ultimately keeps me interested in the magazine and its recipes. In an age where print is dying, Bon Appetit is making a strong effort to differentiate itself.

For example, when I opened the December issue the other week I saw one of the most creative Christmas cookie spreads I've ever seen. Photographer Isabelle Bonjean photographed 3 beautiful "cookie landscapes" for the December issue. I'm not sure who the food stylist was, but whoever they were, they did an amazing job. Creating surreal landscapes from sugar, flour and chocolate is no easy task. These photographs must have taken considerable time and patience to create.

It's creativity like this that sets Bon Appetit apart from other magazines. They are giving photography extra emphasis in their pages and by doing so are keeping readers like me interested in the magazine. I hope they continue to push the bar with photography and that their magazine can continue to survive in an age where many publishers are calling it quits.

And for the record, Larissa made the cardamom orange sugar cookies last weekend and they were spectacular!

What's your favorite magazine? Favorite cookie?

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Powered Paragliding

I have put myself in a lot of strange positions in order to get the shot I perceive in my head, but I've never been able to truly get into the sky. Hanging off the side of a cliff, standing on top of a crane, or teetering precariously from the top step of a 12 foot ladder is one thing, but to be able to truly shoot from the air is a completely different beast. I have had a desire to photograph from the air for years and have never had the opportunity.

Recently, by a series of unrelated but oddly similar coincidences I have been introduced to the idea of powered paragliding. It wasn't long ago that I read an article about photographer George Steinmetz in PDN and was blown away by the uniqueness of his work. The other day I was talking with Zander Hartung, who happens to be a talented filmmaker as well as a paraglider. He reminded me of Steinmetz' work so I went back to take another look.



By looking at George and Zander's work, I was inspired all over again to find a way to shoot from the sky. The area in which I live offers a perfect platform for shooting from a powered paraglider. I live in a wide open valley with rolling hills, farmland and unique mountain features and have often dreamed of soaring through the valley.

It is my hope that in a few years I will be sharing aerial photographs of Mercersburg and the surrounding areas of Franklin County with you.

What inspires you?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thankful


Today I am thankful to be alive.

I am thankful to have a kind and loving family who supports me in all my endeavors.

I am thankful to have shared the past 9 years with my soulmate, Larissa. She is my wife, business partner and most importantly, my best friend.

I am thankful for my most loyal adventurer, Sadie. She pushes me in ways that only a four-legged creature can and she never holds a grudge when I have to cut our run short.

I am thankful for the abundance in my life. I am never without love, friendship, food or a home.

I am thankful for my eyes and I am thankful for my career as a photographer. The people I have met and the places I have been are held close to my heart. I am thankful for the invention of photography. I am thankful for the continued creativity and passion for which people pursue this medium.

I am thankful for the challenges in my life. They remind me of what is truly important. These challenges force me to adapt and learn in unexpected ways.

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for this planet and all of its intricacies and I am thankful for all of the wonderful mysteries contained in this universe.

What are you thankful for today?
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