For those of you that have iPhones or iPod Touches – I have just rolled out a cool new feature for my Studio’s Client Connect App – Photo Spots.

Photo Spots is a really fun way to check out some of my favorite Chicago locations. Right now there are a few dozen of my favorite locations listed, but I will be adding a bunch more when I get some time in the coming weeks.

Photo Spot Feature Highlights

• Move, Pan, and Zoom an interactive map of the Chicagoland area that displays pin locations of some of my favorite Photo Spots.
• Tap on the pins to see highlight detail, drill through to view a short POI (Point of Interest) commentary on the location with tips for photos to be taken there.
• View a sample photo shot at the Photo Spot.
• Click on a “Locate Me” icon to show your real-time position relative to the Photo Spot (only works with iPhone w/GPS) – if you are an adventurer you can use the map to navigate to the exact spot as displayed on the map!

Photo Spots Screen Shots

The John Andrews Client Connect iPhone application is a Native iPhone app that allows current and prospective clients to keep in touch with John Andrews Photography on the go.  In addition to numerous options to connect from within the application (touch to call, touch to email, Facebook, Twitter, Map Directions to Studio) you can browse photo galleries, view video slideshows, inquire about photography services, availability and more! Click on the icon below to jump to the Apple App Store and download it for FREE!

Features

• Connect on the go with one touch calling, emailing, Facebook and Twitter feeds
• Browse photo galleries
• View video slideshows
• Inquire about open dates and availability from within the app
• View general Studio information
• View Studio links, including a mobile version of our Blog
• Receive Push Notifications for Studio messages, sales, coupons, etc
• Existing Clients get access to special menu options to manage their relationship with the Studio using their existing Client Security Code (touch to call Andrew’s cell directly, touch to email Andrew directly, Client Portal Access, etc…)
• …and much more to come!

Screen Shots from the John Andrews Client Connect App

If any current or prospective clients have any issues whatsoever with things not working – please let me know ASAP so that they can be addressed.

I think we got it all straightened out but I just want to make sure!

Andrew

andrew@johnandrewsphotography.com

Many blessings…
-Andrew

If you notice any weird behavior or issues in the next few days, please shoot me an email and let me know.

I have been testing everything and it looks like it’s working, however I just wanted to post this notice.

-Andrew

Earlier this year around Christmas I was talking with him about creating some custom made wood mounts for some photos of my children.  As a photographer I have access to millions of different photo frames and canvas wraps, prints etc…  But I wanted something a little different for my house.  He came up with an idea of creating solid frames that would “float” off the wall when mounted, and also have a floating mount for a print.  He made up a prototype out of some extra pine that he had so that we could test the idea and the manufacturing process.  I wanted to make these “solid”, no cheap particle board or fake veneered wood.  For reference in the photos below the photograph portion is a standard sized 11×14 mounted print.

This is just one style that we came up with that features an off center floating photo mount surrounded by a solid exotic wood frame.  For our first prototypes we made up 4 different frames in different species of exotic woods.

Here are a few quick pictures that I took.  Sorry for not being able to set up better product shots, but I was excited to post these – it was hard to avoid the specular reflections.

For pricing details or other information, please send me an email to fineartgallerymounts@johnandrewsphotography.com and I’d be happy to talk to you about the possibilities.  Any size and / or material can be used and the frames can be supplied without photo or with photo printed and mounted in your choice of print (gloss, lustre, metallic etc).

Information about the wood species used.

http://www.exotic-wood.com/wenge.htm

http://www.exotic-wood.com/african_padauk.htm

http://www.exotic-wood.com/honduras_mahogany.htm

African Wenge

African Wenge

African Wenge

African Padauk with Wenge Inserts

Honduras Mahagony

African Padauk with Wenge Inserts

African Padauk

Honduras Mahogany Close Up

African Wenge Close Up

African Padauk Close Up

African Padauk Close Up

I will be traveling to China for a little break before the craziness of the wedding season starts to kick in again!  I will be returning any phone calls or messages early in the week when I return.  If you send an email or a wedding inquiry while I’m out I most likely will respond via email during my trip as I will have my laptop with me.  As long as I can get an internet connection I should be all set!

It should be a fun trip and I will certainly post up some photos on the blog when I get a chance!

Regards,

Andrew

I’ve also been very busy meeting with prospective couples regarding their 2009 and 2010 weddings.  If you are interested in possibly retaining my services, please contact me and we can certainly set up a consultation!

-Andrew

In any event Jennifer K is the winner! Jennifer, I’ll be shooting over an email momentarily to get the best mailing address to send your super duper prize!

On a totally unrelated topic – when is it going to stop being so COOOOOLD in Chicago?

-Andrew

I’m working on some posts right now and will spread them out over the next week or so.

Thanks for all your support! I know lots of people read my blog, but no one ever comments! Well, Karla does – my favorite blog stalker bride getting married next month

Andrew