A New Experience in Maternity Photography - Ultra-Maternity Fusion

Ultra-Maternity Fusion by TRR Photography

Tired of ho hum maternity images?  I know I am.  As they say, if you've seen one baby bump, well, you have seen them all.  That is, until now.

Thanks to recent advancements in ultrasound technology and digital photography, TRR Photography can combine these two mediums in a new and very personal way for our maternity clients.  Featuring a 3D image of your baby's face from a Miracle In Progress, I interpret and artistically transform a traditional maternity portrait into something very special for moms and dads to be.  I call it "Ultra-Maternity Fusion."

Ultra-Maternity Fusion portraits (as shown here) make great covers for baby announcements or baby's first year books.  They also make wonderful art pieces for the nursery--something you could not do with the 4x5 slip of paper that comes out of an ultrasound machine!

For more information on these uniquely beautiful maternity portraits, or to schedule a maternity session for yourself, please contact me at trrphotography@lasvegas.net.

- Tammy

P.S. - Congratulations Adam and Julianne on the arrival of Scarlett Stone at 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 18.5 inches long.

Congratulations to the 2011 Gala Honorees of the Nevada Justice Association

Cover Design and Portrait of Joe Benson by Tammy Russell-Rice, CPP

To quote the Executive Director of the Nevada Justice Association, Victoria Coolbaugh, "One of NJA's biggest, most important events of the year is the Annual Summer Gala."  And, once again, yours truly was asked to create a cover suitable to the occasion featuring this year's honorees.

Each of these individuals has positively contributed to our justice system and is being honored for such:

Consumer Advocate of the Year

Assemblywoman Debbie Smith

Trial Lawyer of the Year

Matthew L. Sharp, Esq.

and

Lifetime Achievement

Joseph L. Benson, Esq.

  

Originally, Victoria and I had envisioned photographing the honorees together in Carson City on the grounds of the Nevada Supreme Court.  When that did not work out, I suggested the next best thing: a composite using their individual portraits.  The real challenge here was marrying together the work of three photographers shot under different lighting conditions.  All things considered, however, I think it turned out quite well, don't you?

For more info on the honorees or tickets for the Reno Gala (6/28) or Las Vegas Gala (6/30), please contact the main NJA office 775-883-3577.   - Tammy

Professional Photographer Magazine 2011 Cover Contest

It's cover contest time!  The PPA and I invite you to VOTE for your favorite images, which I hope will include my portrait of "Troy" (pictured here). 

To vote, you will be asked to create a login.  Once in, you may pass judgment upon as many images as you like: the good, the bad and the ugly.  Voting takes the form of a star system: One star = Not so great thru Five stars = Excellent.  Not only is this entertaining, but just for playing you will be entered to WIN an iPod 2!

So, here's the link: Professional Photographer Magazine 2011 Cover Contest

To go directly to my entry, search: Tammy Russell-Rice and Troy will pop up.  Or, peruse ALL of the images posted at your leisure--some 200-plus pages of them.  The last time I looked, Troy could be found on page 196.  So, don't try to do this while driving!

- Tammy

Go Grande or Venti - Anything but Tall when Hanging Photographic Prints on a Wall

Maybe it stems from our days at the traditional photo lab (before digital cameras and the home ink jet printer), where production of 4x6 inch prints were the norm, but somewhere along the line we were conditioned to think of an 8x10 photograph as "large."

Needless to say, times have changed and the idea of hanging an 8x10 print--even if matted and framed--on the wall is tantamount to sticking a postage stamp on it!  Better suited for tabletop or desk displays, anything 8x10 or less should be seen as a "gift print" aka small, or to put it in Starbucks speak: a tall.

When considering wall displays, think grande--not tall.  This may be anything from an 11x14 to 20x24.  Although, I would caution that even an 11x14 requires matting and framing to approach a finished size closer to 16x20, especially if intended for hanging as a solitary image.  This, however, should not be interpreted to mean alone.  I am a big fan of wall and mantle groupings.  These may include: mirrors, signs (as seen here) and small architectural elements.  When done well, such displays create a remarkable focal point for any room.  The sample above simply and elegantly features two 16x20 canvas gallery wraps by TRR Photography with a small plaque/sign for added warmth.  Note: This was done in a small space.

More often than not, modern homes feature high vaulted ceilings or walls that actually "break" the second floor to reveal the living space above.  These spaces call for a "venti"!  To translate, that means 24x30 or larger.  In fact, most professional labs today routinely produce pieces as large as 30x45.

I, however, am not telling you anything new.  After all, if you were to purchase any other genre of art to display on a wall in your home, odds are it would not be 8x10.  So, why would you ever hang an 8x10 photographic print?  I'm just sayin', it's time to rethink our notion of "large."  

- Tammy  

P.S. - Thank you Shauna Mama for allowing me to share your display with my readers.

Putting the Boudoir Back in Boudoir Photography

The Suite Life

Why is it that we rarely take advantage of the attractions and amenities our home towns offer?  I grew up in Sacramento, but never rode a raft down the American River. When I lived in Memphis, I never visited Graceland.  And although I moved to Las Vegas in 1996, I never saw Sigfried or Roy before the show closed...

While sitting in a class on bridal boudoir recently, I vowed (no pun intended) to change this pattern of behavior and encourage my female clients to do the same.  How you ask?  Answer: Location sessions at hotels on The Strip.  With so many upscale properties from which to choose, why not?  After all, they are professionally decorated and offer more options for creating unique images than what you or I could concoct at home.  What's more, there's no need to clean house first! 

Armed with just a small "torch-light," 4'x6' silver reflector and on-camera flash (to bounce from the ceiling), I created the image seen here at one of our lovely hotels on The Strip. For me personally, just getting out of my studio was a pleasant change of pace.  Moreover, it allowed me to put the boudoir back into my boudoir photography. 

So ladies, whether you live here, or are planning a trip to Vegas, think about letting your sexy out your way by booking a room to fit your personal style.  Then, visit www.letyoursexyout.com for more information on scheduling your own boudoir session.

- Tammy

Show Menu for 2011 CCA National

TRR TIP: How to Personalize Your Decor with Text

While attending WPPI last month, fellow photographer Kay Eskridge of Scottsdale gave me a "girlfriend gift" by telling me about WiseDecor.

WiseDecor allows you to personalize your spaces with hand-painted looking letters, words and quotes for your walls and more.  A wonderful alternative to wooden letters and letter stencils, these individually cut letters come in a variety of fonts, sizes and colors.  I recently embellished the accent wall in my office/gallery space as seen here with a ready-made line from WiseDecor.  Further, I've already suggested similar treatments to complement the portrait displays of my clients.  Whether that be a room in the home or office, the possibilities are endless!

What's more, it's easy to do and there's no mess.  I, however, strongly recommend you enlist the assistance of another if you attempt something as large as I did--110 inches!  Note: My wall is heavily textured and the lettering still adhered to it.

For more info and some great decorator ideas, visit www.wisedecor.com for yourself.  And here's my girlfriend gift to you: With every order placed this month (March 2011), WiseDecor will send you "Bliss" FREE!

- Tammy