Archive for the 'What’s New?' Category

Phoenix photographer Patrick Darby teams up with Riester and Talking Stick Resort and Casino

It’s not often you can say you style and shoot a unabomber, a suit, and tommy bahama for an upcoming photo-shoot.  Well, that’s just what took place inside our studio in January. Local agency, Riester came to photographer Patrick Darby and tonic with a great concept that incorporated these three poker personas for their upcoming poker tournament ad for the Talking Stick Resort and Casino. We had a long production list to produce this concept and a great time with the Riester team to put this one together. We brought in our good friend and local stylist Abby Ripes to source the needs for the “No one enters the arena without battle gear” concept. Here’s the tear sheet and a great behind the scenes shot. We can definitely say we are now experts in poker personas and sourcing lockers… anything for our clients!

patrick darby and talking stick resort and casino ad

Talking Stick Behind the Scenes

Thanks for reading… Mitzie Rakich / tonic studio rep

Patrick Darby partners with Kona Grill to provide diverse creative solutions in architecture and food photography

Interior architecture photographer Patrick Darby

One of the characteristics at tonic that allows us to stand out as a unique Commercial Photography studio in Phoenix is our ability to accommodate a broad range of work for our clientele at a very high level of creativity and efficiency. Case in point is our recent work with Kona Grill. We’ve been working with Kona for some time in studio for their food photography and recently, we had an opportunity to shoot interiors of their newly remodeled Chandler Fashion Mall location. This remodeled location has a clean, warm and contemporary new look and Kona needed imagery to represent this for both marketing and internal uses.

Tonic has a deep history of both architecture and food work and it is this experience and hospitality background that allows us to partner so effectively with clients such as Kona Grill.

We’re all about making the client experience as simple, efficient and positive as possible and providing our partners with the ability to accommodate a broad range of work which prevents them from having to seek out other resources that they may have not already had exposure to.

We approach our architecture work in the same manner as that of our food projects. Each of these architecture shots below were highly pre-visualized. Clients are presented with compositional representations for each image concept prior to the project. In this manner, our clients are able to anticipate the exact content for each final image before the big shoot.

Our goal in a nutshell, is to provide architectural photography with the highest sensitivity to detail and strong compositional sense and most importantly, that possess an accurate atmospheric representation of the experience of being present within the space.

Our Kona Grill architecture project had us on location from about midnight to early AM and during this time we produced six final images. Here’s the recent session and a few of our favorite Kona food shots too.

Architecture Photographer Patrick Darby Interior Architecture Photographer Patrick Darby Interior Architecture Photographer Patrick Darby interior architecture photographer patrick darby Interior architecture photographer Patrick Darby

patrick darby food photography patrick darby food photography patrick darby food photography patrick darby food photography patrick darby food photography patrick darby food and drink photography

Arizona Food Photographer Patrick Darby says…

We have to say, shooting food is definitely one of our favorite subject maters to work with. May it be a sushi shoot on location within a restaurant, numerous and creative menu shots produced in studio, conceptual shots for national billboards… we love it all! Next to that, we love seeing our work hit the masses and in context. It’s not so much an ego thing but seeing that final shot working harmoniously within the design and directed at millions… drives us to say yes and lets shoot some more! Here are a few recent shots for PF Chang’s, Pei Wei and Kona Grill that we are just delighted to see hit our emails and facebook accounts as a consumer!

Cheer and thanks~

Patrick Darby / Founder and Photographer

Mitzie Rakich / Studio Rep

tonic photo studios

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Arizona Architecture Photographer Patrick Darby partners with the Mesa Arts Center

tonic photo studios recently had an opportunity to work with the Mesa Arts Center in contributing some new imagery to their architectural image library. The MAC campus is an architectural photographer’s dream that presents a plethora of compositional opportunities and we were pleased to have been chosen to partner with the marketing and PR team on this project. The 65 million dollar center was built in 2005 by BOORA Architects out of Portland in collaboration with DWL Architects and Planners of Phoenix.  Boora refers to the center as a “grand public landscape” with its main public area appropriately named The Shadow Walk as a result of the palms and other plant life breaking up the hard sunlight and casting shadows through the center. It has also been mentioned that the center’s overall architectural presentation was inspired by a Geode which is a geological term for a spherical mass of mineral matter. The center is rich in natural texture from stone, metal and glass and contains a 300 foot long water feature called the Arroyo. It’s a great inspiring public art space, museum, event and concert venue and we highly recommend checking it out if you have not already done so. We’ll be revisiting the site to produce some additional imagery of visitors interacting within the spaces. We’re looking forward to phase two of the project so check back with us soon for updates!

Patrick Darby

Founder, Senior Photographer

tonic photo studios

Phoenix Arizona tonic photography studios new website just went live!

Commercial photographer Arizona, Advertising photographer Arizona, Conceptual photographer Arizona, Food photographer Arizona, Product photographer Arizona, Catalog photographer Arizona, Still Life photographer Arizona, Table Top Photographer Arizona, Architecture photographer Arizona, Interior photographer Arizona, Lifestyle photographer Arizona, People photographer Arizona, Corporate photographer Arizona, Brand photographer Arizona, Packing photographer Arizona, Annual report photographer Arizona, Phase1 photographer Arizona, PhaseOne photographer Arizona, Digital photographer Arizona, Location photographer Arizona, Studio photographer Arizona, asmp photographer Arizona, phoenix arizona table top photographer, Phoenix Arizona food photographer

It was about time for a little cosmetic changeover on our website, we finally made ourselves our own client and this month was the launch of the new tonic website! We couldn’t be happier with the final design and navigation. Historically it has been a challenge to make sure we are clearly representing all four divisions of our photography capabilities. This new design is right on target with presenting our portfolios in the categories of: Spaces & Places, Objects & People, Industrial Technology and Food Photography!

The site is fully optimized for the ipad, iphone and driod platforms with social networking and sharing built in. The biggest, and we mean a BIG plus to this new site is the portfolio pages are huge and scale to fit on large monitors. In addition to the amazing portfolio display we have updated all our work and client projects with info and imagery about the tonic team and studio. Take a minute and check out our new home and let us know what you think, it’s important to us and we love feedback!
 
 
 
Commercial photographer Arizona, Advertising photographer Arizona, Conceptual photographer Arizona, Food photographer Arizona, Product photographer Arizona, Catalog photographer Arizona, Still Life photographer Arizona, Table Top Photographer Arizona, Architecture photographer Arizona, Interior photographer Arizona, Lifestyle photographer Arizona, People photographer Arizona, Corporate photographer Arizona, Brand photographer Arizona, Packing photographer Arizona, Annual report photographer Arizona, Phase1 photographer Arizona, PhaseOne photographer Arizona, Digital photographer Arizona, Location photographer Arizona, Studio photographer Arizona, asmp photographer Arizona, phoenix arizona table top photographer, Phoenix Arizona food photographer
 
Commercial photographer Arizona, Advertising photographer Arizona, Conceptual photographer Arizona, Food photographer Arizona, Product photographer Arizona, Catalog photographer Arizona, Still Life photographer Arizona, Table Top Photographer Arizona, Architecture photographer Arizona, Interior photographer Arizona, Lifestyle photographer Arizona, People photographer Arizona, Corporate photographer Arizona, Brand photographer Arizona, Packing photographer Arizona, Annual report photographer Arizona, Phase1 photographer Arizona, PhaseOne photographer Arizona, Digital photographer Arizona, Location photographer Arizona, Studio photographer Arizona, asmp photographer Arizona, phoenix arizona table top photographer, Phoenix Arizona food photographer
 
Commercial photographer Arizona, Advertising photographer Arizona, Conceptual photographer Arizona, Food photographer Arizona, Product photographer Arizona, Catalog photographer Arizona, Still Life photographer Arizona, Table Top Photographer Arizona, Architecture photographer Arizona, Interior photographer Arizona, Lifestyle photographer Arizona, People photographer Arizona, Corporate photographer Arizona, Brand photographer Arizona, Packing photographer Arizona, Annual report photographer Arizona, Phase1 photographer Arizona, PhaseOne photographer Arizona, Digital photographer Arizona, Location photographer Arizona, Studio photographer Arizona, asmp photographer Arizona, phoenix arizona table top photographer, Phoenix Arizona food photographer
 
 
 

tonic photo studios provides the best capture quality available in the commercial photography industry

While I’m not typically one to tote technology and publish anything talking about megapixels and dynamic range etc, our new capture system that we received mid last week is an exception!

It’s important for our clients to know they are getting the very best in quality and versatility, now more so than ever I can state this with confidence. Last week we received our new Phase One IQ 180. The IQ 180 will in effect, more than double the resolution to our previous output.  In simple terms, that’s massive. Additionally, our current Hasselblad system will for the most part, be replaced with a new autofocus system that supports the IQ 180 digital back.

In addition to the new hardware, we’re also offering our clients some very cool viewing and image rating flexibility on the iPad and iPhone with Phase One’s Capture Pilot app. Grab the app free from the app store and try it out the next time your in for a shoot.

If you’re into all this cool techy stuff, glad we could provide you some awesome reading material and studio knowledge! If not, continue to know that tonic photo studios will always provide the very best in image quality in the industry. Huge, quality files that equals great end results and flexibility.

Patrick Darby

Founder/ Photographer

tonic photo studios

tonic photo studios partners with IO Data Centers to produce epic imagery

tonic studios has been busy working with IO Data Centers for in excess of 5 years now and has had the pleasure of watching them grow to the forefront of their industry. IO Data‘s Always ON IO Anywhere modular technology allows for an incredibly efficient and secure Data Center infrastructure with maximum flexibility for growth in both scale and technology.

We’ve watched IO grow from a relatively small scale Data Center operation in Scottsdale to a massive provider with facilities in both Phoenix, Scottsdale, New Jersey and plans for more down the road.

Being inside one of the DC’s is truly other-worldly. Powerful technology fills multiple football field scaled spaces in a secure and controlled setting that varies in temperature no more than a fraction of a degree.

Sensors detect any abnormality and systems back up systems to insure there is never a disruption to the services the centers provide. In short, it’s seriously cool!

So where do we come in?  Well, we’ve pretty much shot every aspect of the facility inside and out and most recently (over the past 4 months or so) have worked closely with the marketing team to develop a unique style and approach for presenting IO’s visual content.

I would describe the approach for the imagery to be bright and airy while also bold in it’s depiction of surfaces, tones and textures.  We were really going for a look that would highlight the interest within each space and present a sense of epic scale and high technology.

Check out IO’s website and keep an eye on IO as they continue to forge ahead in the industry.

Patrick Darby

Founder/ Photographer

tonic photo studios

tonic photo studios new partners in arizona food photography

tonic photo studios continues to grow its portfolio of restaurant photography work recently adding PF Chang’s China Bistro, Kona Grill, The Tilted Kilt and a handful of other great brands to its repertoire of clientele. Food photography has been a strong focus of ours since the studio’s inception and as new restaurants emerge into the market, we’re there to help them grow their brand. Our prop department is bursting at the seams with every imaginable textile and piece of glass and dishware and our backgrounds and surfaces are ready to accommodate a broad range of style and overall look and feel.

In mid December through early January we had the pleasure of partnering with PF Chang’s on a massive project that involved shooting 60 plus menu items. This was a grass roots project where tonic had the pleasure of working with PF Chang’s art director from the ground up to create a unique and specific stylistic approach and visual vocabulary for which to present PF Chang’s imagery. In studio, with two camera systems and a great creative and production team consisting of Ellen Straine, Abby Ripes, Cathy Marshall, Sara Baldwin and Mitzie Rakich (along with a team of talented PF Chang’s Chef’s), we produced in excess of 140 unique images for the brand. It was a wonderful opportunity and we all had a blast producing the work.

 

 

 

Following Chang’s project, we had the pleasure of producing work for Kona Grill. While the project was not to the massive scale of PF Chang’s, it was a fantastic start to what we believe will be a great on going partnership.

From there and most recently, we packed up and headed out on location to The Tilted Kilt at Phoenix’s CityScape. Diversity is the spice of life after all and TK’s tasty Pub fare was a nice contrast to work we have produced in the past. The Pub wanted us to produce a series of images that tied the menu item to the environment with really showcasing the food in warm and approachable manner. We think we accomplished this quite successfully and as always, had a blast in the process.

 

Here’s to a great 2012 working with these and many other of our restaurant clientele.

Cheers!

Patrick Darby

Founder/ Photographer

tonic photo studios

tonic photo studios welcomes Mitzie Rakich back to the team

Once upon a time, we had a really great commercial photography rep named Mitzie Rakich. OK, maybe 2004 to 2008 isn’t exactly “once upon a time”, but Mitzie did work here and then left to pursue new opportunities. The good news is that Mitzie is returning to her tonic photography roots, better and stronger than before! In the three years since Mitzie was last with us, she’s continued to develop her marketing and business development skills. She was instrumental in helping the business to grow during her first stint here and Patrick is really looking forward to working with her to bring in new accounts and do great things once again.

Photo of Mitzie RakichSo who is this awesomeness named Mitzie? She’s a Phoenix native and ASU grad with a degree in Design Studies Management. She loves downtown Phoenix and likes to keep it local. So do we, which might be why she fits in well here at tonic. Mitzie can often be found out on the town exploring many fabulous restaurants and going to shows, or checking out a landscaping nursery for relaxation.

Mitzie has many fond memories of good times at tonic when she previously worked here and she’s looking forward to making more. She especially enjoyed the overflow food goodies after cuisine shoots and finding her face Photoshopped onto Sesame Street characters (what can we say, we think she makes a great Muppet).  Above all, she loved working with all of the cool clients and agencies who make our business thrive.

We’re sure she’s ready to make great things happen and we’re excited to have her with us once again. Welcome back, Mitzie!

Education abounds at tonic photo studios

In many professions, staying up to date on the latest techniques, technology and best practices is a necessity and commercial photography is no different. Recently, tonic photo studios was involved in two events which helped both Patrick Darby and other valley photographers maintain their leading-edge skills.

In August, we hosted a seminar created by the American Society of Media Photographer’s Phoenix chapter. The seminar was part of the chapter’s Third Thursday monthly series and the August event focused on architectural photography. Since architectural photography work is one of our specialties, we were pleased to host the meeting. Not only was it a great way to show off our phoenix commercial studio space to other valley photographers, we were proud to support a great organization which helps local photographers of all skill levels.

The architecture photography seminar in action

An overhead view of the ASMP seminar

The other event Tonic was involved with focused more on helping to maintain Patrick’s skill set. Photoshop World Las Vegas 2011 was held earlier this month and we sent Patrick to learn the latest in Photoshop techniques. Photo retouching in Photoshop is a large part of the work involved in delivering the highest quality images and Patrick is committed to providing the highest level of Photoshop creativity to the clients who entrust their photography work to him.

In addition to enjoying the conference, Patrick took a little time to experience the energy of Las Vegas. He took a few shots of the incredible sights on The Strip.



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