Christopher Arnold Designs - Photography • Digital Art & Design

May11

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Last-minute Mother’s Day gift idea

Posted in: Events, Photoshop

Just a friendly heads up: Mother’s Day is tomorrow.

Of course, I’m sure you remembered, but maybe it slipped the mind of a friend?

Anywho, I thought I’d share a quick last-minute Mother’s Day gift idea that will feel like you gave it tons of thought and have been working on it for a while.

Chore coupons.

We all know mom does a lot to keep the family unit together, sane, coordinated, on time, well-fed, respectful, etc. etc. So why not take on a few additional chores to help her out? Sure, lunch out for Mother’s Day, flowers or a gift card are great, but if you’re looking for something different, something more personal, something even a little budget friendlier, then these chore cards might be right up your alley.

You can customize your chore cards so they’re more personal to your mom and your lives. Download the templates (zip file contains 1 B/W and 1 color template, in JPEG formats) here.

I gave a version of these coupons to my wife for her birthday, and she loved them. She loved them more than I expected her to, in all honesty. So, I thought I’d modify them for Mother’s Day and offer them here on the website for you to use.

Oh, and guys, in case you’re looking for something for your wives for Mother’s Day, I’ve included a template for you as well. Download a template for your wives here. In fact, why not have you and the kids both give her chores for Mother’s Day?

Some chore examples may be: Walk the dog; do the dishes; clean my room; do the laundry; sweep the floor; cook dinner (and so on and so forth).

Ok, so how do I make the cards? Here’s how I did mine:

1. You’ll need some perforated Business Card printer paper, which you can get from Staples, OfficeMax, even Wal-Mart I think has some. I used White Two-Side Printable Clean Edge Business Cards by Avery (uses Avery Template 8371).

2. Download the chore card templates here (in jpeg format).

3. Go to Avery.com and select Design and Print Online. (You may need to register for a free account first).

4. Input the Template number of your paper (I used Avery Template 8371, but depending on your paper, this may be different). Choose the product that matches yours from the resulting screen.

5. Choose a blank business card template, in landscape (horizontal/sideways) position.

6. Select Images/From My Computer and then select the Chore Card image from wherever you saved it. Then choose “Set as Background” from the left-hand menu.

7. To the right of the screen, you’ll see a tab that says “Edit All.” If you want all of your coupons to say the same thing, then you can keep this option. But, if you want to mix up the chores you give mom, then select the “Edit One” tab. You should now see only the first card highlighted. You can edit each card individually now, simply by clicking on a card in that layout.

8. To edit the text, click on a card in the layout. Now, click “Add Text Box,” and position your text box so that it matches the empty space on the card. Now, just type the chore you wish. I’ll leave the typeface, size and other styles up to you. Select another card in the layout and repeat.

9. Once you’re done, click “Preview and Print” and follow the on-screen instructions to print your chore cards.

Enjoy, and Happy Mother’s Day!
Apr15

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Doodle cards

Posted in: Events, Illustration, NAPP, Photoshop, Sketchbook

Happy Photoshop World Week!

Pardon me if I my geekiness is accentuated the next few days. The East Coast edition of Photoshop World, where thousands of photographers, graphic designers, artists and other creative folks get together to learn, share and say hi.

I’ve only been to the conference once before — Las Vegas in 2007 — but am excited to attend it again (finally!) this year. Since it’s just up the road in Orlando, there’s no time like the present.

The days and weeks leading up to the event, which officially begins Wednesday (optional pre-conference classes and other activities are available on Tuesday, but I’m not signed up for those), have been filled with a variety of preparations, from updating my portfolio (in print and on my Galaxy tablet) to reviewing and picking out classes to designing and ordering new business cards (which are long overdue).

Speaking of those cards…

I designed a new set of cards. I ordered those cards. I even received said cards in time for the event. But the more and more I look at them, the less and less I like them. Besides, I thought to myself, how many cards will be exchanging hands during the three-day conference? (Answer: lots.

As my mind stewed over this, I began to doodle on some scrap paper in my home office.

You see, I doodle a lot. I doodle when I’m happy. I doodle when I’m not. I doodle when it’s cold out. And even when it’s hot.

(Sorry, not sure what just came over me there)

So there I was, at my desk, doodling on scrap paper as I continued to stare at these business cards I no longer liked.

I won’t say it was an overwhelming “wow” or “eureka” moment, but at some point the two things merged for me, and so I printed my own set of cards, mostly blank except for my contact information at the bottom.

I’m a compulsive doodler as it is, so why not try to pass out “doodle cards?” Each card would be an original mini-sketch that I could give to fellow Photoshop attendees while in Orlando.

The above photo shows a few of the pre-doodled cards. I plan to doodle on them while waiting in lines, in between class sessions, whenever I’m trying to kill a few minutes here or there.

We’ll see how this goes…
Feb20

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The wedding of Angela and Luke

Posted in: Events, Photography, Wedding Photography

Exciting. Jubilant. Magical.

A wedding day can be many things.

Yes, even stressful. Worrisome. Frantic.

Newlyweds Angela and Luke Ward, who took a very hands-on approach to planning their December nuptials, experienced a wide range of adjectives and emotions on their road to wedded bliss.

But this self-described “go-with-the-flow” couple still made sure everyone had a good time.

“Luke would tell every vendor that we don’t expect everything to be perfect — we just want to have FUN!” said Angela, beaming when recounting the evening with friends, family and her new husband, of course.

“It was amazing to feel so much love in one place.”

And while the couple did turn to professionals for some aspects of their wedding — Traxx Entertainment (Wesley was the evening’s emcee); Dee-Stefano’s (caterer); Sandra’s Cakes (wedding cake); All In Fun, Inc. (rentals); Alison from Mia & Maxx (hairstylist); and Krysti Gardner (makeup) — Angela discovered her crafty side after she and Luke opted to forego using a wedding planner to save money.

“I drove Luke crazy between looking on Pinterest and following the bloggers on Weddingbee.com, but it proved invaluable when it came time to make decisions,” said Angela.

Among their DIY projects?

Flowers were purchased wholesale from FiftyFlowers.com and were arranged at home. Wheatgrass — used in the centerpieces at the reception — was grown at the couple’s home in Port Saint Lucie. Ceremony programs and “Thank You’s” were designed in Photoshop. A wooden sign was stained and hand painted.

Just to name a few.

Thankfully, the couple had a wonderful group of friends and family members helping them along the way.

Angela credits her niece Jordyn (also a bridesmaid) with helping put together bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages and her sister Alex (also the maid of honor) with being a huge help.

“She had so many great ideas,” said Angela, adding that she found a lot of motivation from her sister.

Luke and his groomsman Chris helped with projects that required a little more “heavy lifting.” Helping set up everything on the day of the wedding were also Angela’s sister Teresa, friend Deb (along with her husband Rich) and Alex’s friend Dan.

Even with the assistance, there were pitfalls. When preparing for a wedding, after all, there’s always something else to do.

But as the sun hung low in the sky over River Palm Cottages in Jensen Beach, the time for worry dissipated as the celebration began.

With the Indian River Lagoon as a backdrop, Luke stood alongside Machi, Chris and their friend and officiant Jordan.

One by one, bridesmaids Cara and Jordyn joined them, followed by maid of honor Alex. The Mission: Impossible theme played as Luke’s nephew Robbie and Angela’s nephew, ringbearer Zachary — in complete Secret Service attire — made their way down the aisle, the rings secured in a safe. Luke’s nieces Marissa and Rena led the couple’s dogs — Mia and Scooter — down the aisle so they could be part of the ceremony as well. Jordan’s daughter Alivia played the part of flower girl.

Finally, all eyes were on Angela, led down the aisle by her father. The bride was stunning in her fit-and-flare style taffeta dress by Eden Bridals, with a mix of simple and intricate, traditional and modern details.

As the ceremony continued throughout the evening, Angela and Luke’s love for each other was more and more evident.

“We don’t get many days in our lives in which we celebrate love, family and friends in such a way,” said Angela. “Our wedding was beautiful.”

Yes, it was.

Congratulations Angela and Luke.
Sep23

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Farewell, Endeavour

Posted in: Events, Photography

I had the good fortune on Wednesday to attend space shuttle Endeavour’s final departure from Kennedy Space Center.

But there were no solid rocket boosters propelling her into space on this trip. She left Florida on the back of NASA’s modified Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft – or SCA for short – en route to her new home in California. Along the way, the SCA and Endeavour would make several low flybys around the Space Coast, Disney World, Texas and parts of Califonia, letting people get one more look at her in flight, before she settles into retirement at her new home, the California Science Center’s Samuel Oschin display pavilion.

Her departure from KSC – originally scheduled for Monday – had been delayed twice due to weather before finally taking place shortly after sunrise on September 19. It was well worth my early, early morning and sleep deprivation – I left my house, which is approximately two hours south of the spaceport, shortly after 1 a.m. I picked up my media credentials at approximately 3:30 a.m. and then made my way to the KSC press site, where buses began transporting us to the Rocket Landing Facility at about 4:45 a.m. Thank goodness for good coffee.

Yeah, I could have left a little later than I did, but I figured I’d try to grab a little nap at KSC before saying goodbye to Endeavour. That was the plan, anyway. But as is usually the case when I get to be at the KSC press site, I was like a wide-eyed little kid again, and so sleep went right out the window.

Once transported to the Rocket Landing Facility, photographers staked out their spots and waited for the time to come. Some napped, others photographed the live trucks and on-air personalities that dotted the landscape. Following our bus, more media and VIPs were shuttled to our site, then spectactors who had purchased tickets to the event were brought into their viewing area adjacent to ours.

I’ve seen Endeavour launch a few times. I even saw her being decommissioned in the Vehicle Assembly Building during a NASA Tweetup in 2011. And right around 7 a.m., we got our first look at her atop the SCA, peeking out from above a row of trees, taxiing down the runway and pausing briefly for photos before turning around and taking off. She would fly by one more time, low enough for more photos, oohs and aahs, before continuing her farewell tour.

Thanks for the memories, Endeavour.
Aug16

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Worldwide Photo Walk

Posted in: Events, Photography

This week, Scott Kelby’s 5th Annual Worldwide Photo Walk announced this year’s date – Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. That is the day that thousands of photo enthusiasts around the world will meet in their communities, explore and make photographs of whatever catches their eyes. It’s billed as the world’s largest social photography event, and having been involved with it for four of its five years, I believe it.

This will be my second year leading a walk in historic downtown Fort Pierce, Florida (that’s our group photo at the top of the page) and my third year overall leading walks. I led a walk in 2010 in downtown Stuart, and in 2009 participated in a Vero Beach walk. I thought about a few other locations, but ultimately returned to downtown Fort Pierce for a couple of reasons: It’s beautiful and it has a wide variety of subject matter to appeal to different photographers. And Saturday mornings especially the area comes alive with its weekly farmers market, arts and crafts shows and more.

That being said, this year’s walk will be a little different than last year’s. We’ll meet in the same place, in front of the library by the fountain, but we’ll start a little later than last year, so that we can really capture the life of the area. We’ll also walk north (instead of south as we did last year), taking us to the Manatee Center and then over to the historic Platts/Backus House, which is currently getting some updated curb appeal. I’m told that work should be done by September – so, if everything goes according to plan, that should be a new element to see and photograph along our walk.

This is by no means a walk strictly for professional photographers either. It’s for photo enthusiasts. No matter your skill level, no matter your gear, if you love photography and enjoy meeting like-minded individuals, then this event is for you. You’ll see big, fancy lenses, but you’ll also see iphones and point-and-shoots. If you have something that takes pictures, you’re invited.

This also is not a formal training event. I won’t be giving a lecture of any kind. But, if anyone has questions, I’ll be more than happy to answer them to the best of my abilities. But who knows? I’m by no means an expert, and others in the group may certainly know a lot more than me. So, I expect we’ll have opportunities to learn from each other, which is a great thing about this walk.

And did I mention it’s free? So the price is right, too. But it is limited to 50 participants, so reserve your spot at the event website soon. Click here to learn more about the walk and to reserve your spot. There will also be a contest for registered participants – each walk will have a winner who will receive a digital copy of The Lightroom 4 Book for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby. That winner will also be entered for the grand prize, which is a pretty amazing prize package. Learn more about the prizes here.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

I hope to see you there!