Decorate with Photos - 2

As a follow up to my first post on decorating with photographs, I thought I would provide you with some useful resources frame resources for creating your own gallery display.

First off the all in one package: The Picture Wall Company Inc. They have frames, templates and all the supplies you need to hang an impressive photo gallery with no fuss, no muss. The impressive display wall below was created by combining four of their framing kits. This headache free experience does not come cheap, but the results may be worth it to some.


Below, is the mix and match solution from Michael's, your local craft store. I haven't tried this system, but it doesn't look as easy as the Picture Wall. However, what it does seem to offer is a little more customization. You pick a template, then match the frames you want to the template. My only concern with this, is the frame selection. If the only frames are these heavy black frames, it is a little limiting.


Aaron Brothers offers a wide selection of frames and all kinds of mats. They are a great resource, but somehow they haven't figured out that providing clients with hanging templates would be helpful to many... and might actually help them sell more off-the-shelf frames.


Pottery Barn offers a nice range of frames, though they do not offer a great selection of sizes, or mats since this is not their core business. The frames range from traditional to streamlined.


Last, but not least, do not underestimate Ikea, the Swedish discount furniture store. While their frame designs are basic, their pricing is very competitive and with a little creativity, you can use their frames to great effect. Check out this Riba frame display courtesy of decorpad.


So with a drill and level in hand, I hope this inspires you to set up your own photo gallery.

[PARENTING]: Reading

Why is it that all of my favorite magazines have folded? First domino, now cookie...

The publisher's sent me a note informing me that the remainder of my subscription would be fulfilled by Glamour. Who in the world thinks that a person who reads domino and cookie would have any interest in Glamour. Have they not studied their demographics?

Anyway, I digress from my real intention with this post. The last issue of cookie featured a kid's library designed by Kelly Wearstler for her two boys. The minute I saw it, I knew I wanted my son to have one. Not only had his pile of books become unruly, but I wanted to further encourage his already strong love of reading.

photo courtesy Cookie Magazine

So I turned a junk cupboard in my son's room into his new little paradise. The project took my husband and I one and a half days to complete over the Holiday break (including demo, painting and installation).

BEFORE:
AFTER:

The first words out of my son's mouth when he saw his new room, were "WOW, WOW!"


Would love to know what you think, so please leave a comment.

P.s. now I just have to figure out what to do with all the junk that I used to store in the cupboard... but that's another story.

Decorate with Photos

Besides my love of photography, I have a passion love for interior design so I thought I would combine the two in this post to provide design inspiration on how to decorate with photographs.

After taking the time to take professional photographs, it's really a pity not to maximize the impact of the images, so here are a few ideas that can easily be replicated.

From private spaces...


to public spaces...

photos courtesy of decorpad, pottery barn and crate & barrel

...thoughtful arrangements in an eclectic mix, a themed grouping, or a series can work wonders in a room. Do take note though, that in most of these images, the photographs are not just framed, they have a mat and frame, giving each image some space to breathe.

Holiday Wishes: 2009

As we all ready ourselves for a few days with our families, I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and a glorious New Year on behalf of THOMPSON and SPRING photography.

THOMPSON and SPRING photography will be closed December 23, 2009 to January 1, 2010.

See you in 2010!

What to Buy: Polaroid

While I fully embrace the digital age and my DSLRs, I have been feeling rather nostalgic for the old Polaroid. I've had images running through my head of pictures taken with our old Polaroid and remembering my childhood anticipation and awe as I awaited for the image to magically appear.

Unfortunately Polaroid is no longer, R.I.P. However, Fuji has risen to the challenge with the Fuji Instax Camera, with styling friendly to the iPod generation, the kids these days will think this is something their generation invented.


I went on a search for all things Polaroid. Check out these cool finds that also make great gifts for the holidays.

Retro Polaroid Paperweight:


2010 Polaroid Calendar:


Polaroid Photo Frames:


I wish you Happy Shopping now that I've shared my current obsession!

About Town: SPORT

photo by Neil Leifer

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm not a huge sports person, whether it's about watching sports or doing sports myself it's just something I'm not that really into. I'm by no means a girly girl, just not that into sports. That said, I appreciate what it takes to be an athlete and I obviously love great images. The two have combined beautifully for a show at the Annenberg Space for Photography, for their newly opened show SPORT featuring the work of two of the greatest sports photographers of our time, Neil Leifer and Walter Iooss. If you live in Los Angeles, make time to see this show. It's inspiring. It shows the power that images can have in capturing timeless moments.

photo by Neil Leifer

photo by Walter Iooss

I was lucky enough to score a invitation to the opening reception filled with celebrities and sports legends. My husband and I made an evening of it, enjoying the powerful and iconic images on display, then heading over to Craft for a rare grown up dinner out.

photo by Walter Iooss

Inspiration: New York City

I just came back from a short trip to Manhattan. Since becoming a mother travel has been less frequent than it was in the past. I nearly canceled my trip at the last minute as I looked into my son's eyes and knew I was going to miss him terribly. In the end, I'm glad I went as I was able to reconnect with old friends and my favorite city in the world, New York City.

People often ask me why THOMPSON and SPRING Photography. Well, here is the answer to the question:


It's a junction. It's where I lived in NYC and a place from which I draw energy and inspiration. It's in Soho, but the quiet part of Soho with the neighborhood cafes and the cobbled streets. It captures a lot about what I appreciate aesthetically; it's pretty yet urban, it's sophisticated yet rough around the edges, it's modern yet old. I don't like things to be too perfect, but this is perfect in it's imperfections.

While in New York, I walked miles... literally and while I love our life in Los Angeles I do miss the walking. You see more when you walk and because of the time of year, I got to enjoy the beginnings of Fall foliage.


This is what inspires me. Hope you enjoy it.

The Beauty and the Beast

These last couple of weeks I have been battling performance issues. Performance of my computer to be more specific. My trusted Mac has been huffing and puffing trying to keep up with all the photos. After a few sessions of my hair going grey while waiting for it to perform some effects on photos, I gave into the power of the beast that is pictured above.

I am happy to report that the 8-core Mac Pro is happily settled into my office. What's even better, is that it's almost infinitely expandable, so it shouldn't run out of steam anytime in the near future. Thank you Apple for the clean aluminum design; while it is a beast at least it isn't a corporate eyesore.

WEBSITE: New Design and Functionality

HURRAY! THOMPSON and SPRING Photography's new website is up. It features a streamlined design, a tweaked logo/identity, but most importantly the the new website has two important new elements:

1) It has a Shopping Cart which allows you to pick and choose the photos you want, the dimensions, etc. It even allows you to pick from our great print packages which provides substantial savings. With the shopping cart you can pay via credit card using paypal, or send the order for payment to be sent offline. It isn't the most sophisticate online shopping cart you will find, but at least it's a shopping cart... meaning no more faxing or mailing of order forms.


2) It's completely HTML, which may be seen as both a good or not so good thing. The not so good, is that it doesn't have the fancy flash element that allowed you to have a slide show experience. With HTML you have to click on each image to view it, there's no pause/play button. On the positive side, an HTML site makes it more internet friendly. Easier to load and easier to search. So, if you are looking for a Los Angeles photographer, or a Los Angeles Maternity Photographer, or a Los Angeles Family Photographer, or are looking to purchase a photo session as a gift certificate for a friend's baby shower you are more likely to find THOMPSON and SPRING Photography.

In addition, the new design also features custom background colors. Not an important feature in my book, but it does make the site more vibrant.

Oh, and you may also have noticed that to keep the identity consistent this blog has a new header. I'd love to know what you think, so leave us your comments.

DOUBLE TAKE - PART 1

They say that having a child makes you rediscover the world. I think that's true on many levels. For one, you start to see the potential danger that can lurk just around the corner, but on a more joyful note you also take notice of things that perhaps you would not have previously observed.

My son, like many boys, has a fascination with rocks and stones, so on a recent outing I took special note of the different rocks and stones, but also the textures and patterns they create. As parents we've all bought touch n' feel books to help our kids understand the different textures, but take a moment on your next outing and you will see them all around you.

The following images were taken in one location and there were plenty more textures around.

DAD'S DAY

Photos make great gifts on any occasion. Have them nicely framed and they are sure to be proudly displayed. Here are a few of my favorite photos that celebrate fatherhood.


However, besides photos there are other great ways to show dads some love. Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas for Father's Day.

Custom Art Book from Scribble Press. Bring your kid's scribbles and collages in, and they will transform it into a keepsake work of art.


Sketch Portraits from Kiki & Polly. Send them a snapshot and they will turn it into a timeless sketch drawing.


Create your own Memo Block. Whether your kid can draw or only scribble, customizing a memo block is within every kids reach. By a plain white one at your local office supply store and have them go crazy.


Gift Certificate for a photo session with THOMPSON and SPRING Photography, to capture this special time.

DELICIOUS BOOKS FOR KIDS

Today many families have a mixed cultural heritage, ours is no exception. In fact, our family is a melting pot of different cultures and as a result the foods we eat are varied.

On a recent trip to London, our 19 month old son went with us to every restaurant, whether high brow or low brow and he ate what we ate. We ate Italian, but also had Lebanese, Chinese, Thai and Indian. I've always believed that food is a gateway to a new culture, and if you can open up your palate, you can open up your mind.

So far my son has demonstrate a real curiosity for different types of foods and I want to further encourage this. To my delight I discovered a series of children's books by Amy Wilson Sanger that takes children on fun culinary explorations, so I had to share. These are a few of the books I picked up today at the fabulous Children's World Books. Unfortunately, they don't sell online, but you can find these books at Amazon, by clicking on the links below the book covers.

Yum Yum Dim Sum (World Snacks)

Chaat and SweetsMangia! Mangia! (World Snacks)

EVERYDAY HEROES

Every year fire stations around Los Angeles have an open house to meet the community they serve and get the kids involved.

As a family we went to give our son a ride in a big fire truck, but my husband and I enjoyed the visit even more than our son did. The firemen were all so nice, helpful, and full of information. We walked away having learned a lot more about our local everyday heroes.

While the big red trucks are cool, it's the men and women who take pride in risking their lives that really made our day. If you've never checked it out, I highly recommend going to your local fire station open house next year.

Check out our little hero in training.

MOTHER EARTH

My family and I are by no means at the forefront of living green, however, we do try to make an effort. We recycle, we switched out our luxury performance car for a hybrid, we use compact fluorescent light bulbs, we've reduced the watering of our lawn to two days a week to help with impending California drought, we buy used furniture, etc. Nothing spectacular, but better than nothing.

This year Earth Day has had more of a resonance for me. I think that because of the global financial crisis we have all had to reevaluate our spending habits, focus on what is most important and also adopt a more conscientious lifestyle. This is good for the earth but also good for our children as they will learn to be more respectful of the Earth.

So in honor of Earth Day, I thought it would be nice to highlight a few kid friendly craft projects that are also earth friendly. You'll create something unique and create lifelong memories.

Re-purpose old boxes and make this fabulous Cardboard-Box Oven.

Photo courtesy of marthastewart.com

Save your kid's favorite, but stained T-shirt, with a cool Potato Stamp print.

Photo courtesy of marthastewart.com

Make the most of those lonesome socks by turning them into fun Sock Puppets.

Photo courtesy of daniellesplace.com

Click each link to learn how to make each project.