US Navy's first Submarine

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the death of John Philip Holland, inventor of the US Navy's first submarine. Designed and built by the Irish immigrant, the submarine was named USS Holland.

In May of last year we were approached by a client in Denver, Colorado to photograph the name plate of this submarine which is stored at the National Museum of the U. S. Navy at the Navy Yards in Washington, DC. The name plate is all that remains of the USS Holland submarine and our client wanted to create an exact replica of the plate.

US Holland circa 1900 - name plate is visible at stern of craft.

After receiving permission from the National Museum of the Navy, the nameplate was photographed in September. To recreate an exact copy of the name plate, we had to photograph it from many different angles - our client provided the following diagram to assist in the shoot. All of these angles allowed the client to see every part (including holes, scratches, indents and rises) on the plate.

 

Once the images were captured, our client was able to produce a computer 3D model of the plate using image alinement software - see below.

Using the 3D model, a temporary prototype of the plate was created. This prototype was used to create a mold in which the final bronzed replica of the name plate was cast.

Final bronzed replica of the USS Holland name plate.

We are very grateful to our client for allowing us to participate in his endeavor.

Tom Brokaw and Gary Sinies honored at by the Easter Seals

Recently we were chosen by the Easter Seals association to photograph their Advocacy Awards ceremony for the Washington, DC; Maryland, and Virginia areas honoring veteran journalist Tom Brokaw and actor Gary Sinise, for their work helping veterans.

TV anchor man, Tom Brokaw, addressing the Easter Seal Advocacy Awards dinner in Washington DC

Brokaw was honored for his work advocating for our military and veterans through his journalistic endeavors. He gave an impassioned speech about how society is becoming disassociated from our military and we need to get reconnected.

Actor and advocate, Gary Sinise, addressing the Easter Seal Advocacy Awards dinner in Washington DC

 Sinise was honored for his work with veterans through his Gary Sinise Foundation and his co-founded Operations International Children. Sinise quoted Winston Churchill about doing his “bit to help.” He shared how during WWII the elderly would knit socks for the soldiers fighting, as everyone was doing their bit to help. 

Gary Sinise receiving his award from Iraq combat veteran and Congresswoman, Tammy Duckworth (D) Illinois

Lone Star Wedding

Laura and Jess selected a spectacular location to hold their wedding nuptials - the Vintage Villas just outside of Austin Texas. I traveled down to Austin on the Thursday before the event with Laura's sister Sarah and her husband Nath (whose wedding I had photographed in 2009). Austin was experiencing one of its hottest and driest spells in decades and this fact became obvious the moment you left the cool confines of the terminal.

It is always nice to work outside your normal environment and be exposed to new and challenging situations. The Texas landscape and sunsets have won me over and I look forward to a return trip there very soon!

Here are some of the images we captured.

New Wedding Guest Book

The Image Guest Book is proving very popular with our Brides and Grooms. It features five 8x10 images taken from your Engagement Portrait session in a beautifully hand crafted leather bound album. Guests leave their congratulations and messages to you using silver Sharpie markers on the black pages that face each of the five photographs. The album will become a great talking piece on your coffee table for years to come. Additional blank pages are available for weddings with a larger guest count.