You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
You’ve heard that I’m sure.
How do you make a lasting impression? 

And have your contact info readily available to those you want to connect with?

Let’s have a look at the digital card current trends as well : In years of covering CES, and many tech events, using the current crop of NFC and QR coded business cards, or an adhesive tag on your phone case,  you are considered future facing.

At a networking event, or trade show, you tap a phone, and your info gets into the receivers database.
How do they go back to get your specific info when it’s buried into their phone?

Here is another situation where you may want to share your contact info.
If you photograph organized events, or cover events in public, like street photography, people may want to reach out to get copies of the photos.
No non-business person really wants to have you tap into their phone, and that’s fair.
Sure, I have tried digital cards from 2 companies, DOT and V1CE. In that format, I prefer V1CE and the card looks like my standard company card.

But…………

I always go back to the physical business card with a unique design including some photos from my archives.
I just re-ordered more cards from my favorite company MOO.

My feeling is that if you design a card, and MOO has great creative templates, that catches people’s attention and perhaps the images you put on there make folks want to keep that card, I feel it’s a much better marketing tool.
Here is an example of mine:

Springsteen, Janelle Monae, and a street scene. Printed on great stock, they even sell unique card cases.
It’s all about presentation, right?
The site itself gives you a ton of design choices and walks you through each step for approvals. And when you get to the final step you can download a PDF to see how the final will look. (another reason to calibrate your monitors!)

The customer service with this company is superior.
Fast response, and they solved problems, which admittedly I had made.

They also make postcards and stickers, and a ton more! I’ve used the stickers for QR codes, and logos when selling items.

As a bonus feature you can get cards that are not the standard size so when people get a pocketful of cards yours will physically stand out.

So, great to give when shooting an event, or on the street.
No unnecessary connection to someone’s phone, as mentioned, people are understandably leery these days about connecting to their phone.

And they just look good, with an opportunity to market your photography in a small format.

Yes, I have Ziploc bags of cards from events, and when I go through them, it’s much easier to know who I met, than digging through my phone.
I also mark down on the cards the date I reached out to them.

It may be old school, but it is the practical way to go.

It’s just about at the season where we all starting hitting the road. Memorial Day is right around the corner!
Hope you have your tickets, are all gassed up, or just have the itinerary laid out.
Here is a round-up of a few things that may help you enjoy your trip just a little bit more.
Plus some of these items are good, right around the local front.

Twelve South Air Fly

Soundcore Translating Ear Pods

Anker Mag Safe battery, 10,000 mAh

Ulanzi MagSafe Phone Stand

Rolling Square Multi Tip charging cable

Rolling Square AirCard Pro

First up is one of my all time faves, the Twelve South Air Fly
When you are on the plane, might as well enjoy the carriers content wirelessly!
Seats are not getting any bigger, and not being tangled up in wires is the best!
Blue Tooth connect your headphones, and you are free as a bird.

You know, I will not use airpods on a plane, too easy to lose, and seat mates can hear the sound spill, so choose your over ear earphones with care.
Personal fave is the Sony.
But… last year Anker came out with a set in their SoundCore line for under $70, that has surprised me for its superb audio quality, and features. Highly recco!
And the AirFly can also be used in the car, as you can BT connect your phone, and hear your fave podcasts, or music lists.
I give these out as gifts, and they are the best!

One other new travel item just came in:
The Soundcore AeroFit 2   is not only a solid ear pods set, but most importantly for those traveling to another country, it has AI translation!  Highly rated on consumer reviews as swell

I am low key obsessed with these! Not only superior sound and 4 mics, and comfortable, it will allow you to translate up to 100 languages! They can speak in their language, you hear it translating in your ears, and then hit a speak button on the app, speak you language and the speaker on your phone will do the translation. I have used this with people who work in my building, and at a local Mexican restaurant  and confirm it works like crazy! Plus the case is magsafe so you can charge without wires.

Remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine a was being trashed by the attendants in the nail salon in their language? Yeah, this could solve that little issue.

Now I’m looking to use this on the subway so I can understand those around me.

If you are flying, we have seen flight delays becoming a common occurrence.
You need to keep your phone charged, if for nothing else, to get notices about your flight.
The smallest best battery that is always with me is this mag safe Anker battery with a whopping 10K mAh on board to keep you going.

If you are needing to charge your laptop, I’d suggest a move up to this Anker power brick.

Yep, heavier no doubt, but is has all of the juice you’ll need to power up all your devices, while you wait to board. And TSA approved!

Another unit that is always in my bag is this Ulanzi Carabiner with mag safe. Folds, lets me do a hands free phone zoom call, or watch content while dining alone.

It folds flat, and then opens up to hold your phone so you can be hands free to do a zoom call, watch content, or just scroll while having the phone securely held.

One thing that is always in my bag is the Rolling Square Multi-Tip charging cable. Basically with this, I know I always have the right connection. There is a magnet at the tips so it always stays tight and never tangles.

We all have tracking tags in our bags, and when you want one in your wallet, without a bulge, or just need a slim tracker, this new Rolling Square AirCard Pro is a great call and super affordable. Not only is a nice, loud audible device, it is rechargeable, with each charge lasting up to 12 months. AirCard™ Pro comes with an ultra-flat wireless charging lithium 220mAh battery. When it runs out of power, simply place AirCard Pro on a wireless charger and wait around 1 hour and 30 minutes for it to be fully charged and ready to track your valuables again. it also has a QR code you can customize with your contact details and use as a digital business card, or just as a lost and found extra info if someone found your item.

Thin, rechargeable, works with Find My, and QR code for contact info. Yes, works great with iPhone or Android!

So there you have a few items that can make your travels a bit easier, and they all pack small and play big!

I have used them all and do just what they say they will.

For these lists I only tell you about items I have actually used, so trust in that. Of course you can always return items from any of the stores that are linked in the photos!

AIPAD has wrapped for another year — and if you’ve ever made the pilgrimage, you know this isn’t just another art fair. It’s the photo fair. The world’s longest-running, and one of the most thoughtfully curated, now set beautifully within the walls of the historic Park Avenue Armory.
With 78 galleries from across the globe, the fair brought together an exceptional array of vintage masterpieces and contemporary visionaries. It was a heady experience for any lover of photography — a place where 19th-century daguerreotypes shared space with today’s lens-based provocateurs.
We spent multiple days wandering the halls (link to day 1 impressions here), and here’s what stood out:

Larry Fink’s work, showcased by MUUS Collection, was a powerful highlight. Seeing his raw, soulful imagery in a dedicated space was a reminder of what photography can do at its most honest. And if you’re hunting for the icons, they were well represented — timeless, familiar prints that still stop you in your tracks.
But the story wasn’t just about the past. Contemporary voices were loud and clear, with a strong spotlight on women artists. One of my favorites from last year, Sharon Walters was back with new works, and it was inspiring to see her evolution firsthand.

Continue Reading »

Ahh Springtime!
It brings cherry blossoms, beautiful weather, and one of my favorite events of the year:
AIPAD or the Association of International Photographic Art Dealers, gather photo dealers from around the world exhibiting, and yes selling, some of the finest vintage and contemporary work. It runs from April 23 – 27 and is situated at the  Park Avenue Armory 643 Park Avenue, New York, NY. 

I have to mention that this year the solid amount of photo booksellers are in a concentrated area within the full mix of the galleries,
Not only will you be seeing some incredible work, you can also take home unique, and classic books.

Returning to the iconic Park Avenue Armory, you are greeted by this image as you enter.

On an initial walk through, I have always believed in my gut reactions to the work. Continue Reading »

It’s been 20 years since March of the Penguins first gave us a closer look at the lives of those icons of the ice.
Fast forward two decades, and National Geographic is back with a brand-new series that dives even deeper into their world – and this time, it’s not just icebergs.
Introducing Secrets of the Penguins – a visually stunning, emotionally rich 3-part series guided by none other than Bertie Gregory, one of the most passionate wildlife cinematographers working today, and a BAFTA and Emmy® Award-winning wildlife cinematographer.

Premiering first on Nat Geo 4/20, then will be available the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Bertie Gregory standing on a box with a drone remote in his hand, with Callum Stronach as a spotter. (credit: National Geographic/Ben Joiner)

The timing of this series premiere is apropos of coinciding with Earth Day on April 22..
Penguins are considered key indicators of the oceans health. 
I encourage everyone to do a deep dive into this subject, and then when you screen the 3 episode, you will have a greater understanding of these creatures place in the global ecosystem.
Here is just one article on the subject. Continue Reading »