Mark Triplett Photography

2010 Senior Portraits

2011-02-28T08:23:00.039-06:00

Here are just a few of the High School Seniors I had the pleasure of photographing recently...

ASHLEY

MITCH

MAGGIE

BRIANNA

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

www.marktriplett.com

Call the studio today and schedule your FREE consultation! 651.407.6374

Just Recent Photos This Time...

2010-10-29T22:15:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks. Just thought you'd like to see some of my most recent work. Enjoy...

MN Captain Jack Sparrow

Kaitie Dancing

Kevin

The Girls Love Their Daddy

The Girls

Elizabethan Syngers

Jonathan

Maggie

Bree

New Opportuities in 2010

2010-05-10T18:56:00.000-05:00

Spring has arrived and what a beautiful one it has been this year. Cool temps and partly cloudy skys make for some awesome photo opportunities, especially for Real Estate Agents.

I recently developed a new Continuing Education class for Real Estate professionals and have been very successful with conducting classes since February of this year.

I've taken the course 'on-the-road' to Duluth, Prior Lake, Plymouth, and I am now conducting classes every Wednesday in May and June, from 9:30-1:00 right here at my White Bear Lake studio.

Anyone can sign up but only Real Estate professionals receive CE credits.

Here is what some recent attendees had to say about my new class:

Lynn Bentfield, Edina Realty Duluth, MN
"Very good at condensing a lot of material as it relates to our business in a relatively short period of time. Very helpful to make us think aboutlight, staging , clutter, etc. Thank You."

John Doberstein, Edina Realty, Duluth, MN
"Very informative - excited to go take real estate photos. Would be interested in [your] 2nd course - more real estate specific."

Lindsay K., Edina Realty
“Very helpful & informative. Gave good examples and presented good ideas.”

John M., Edina Realty
“Very helpful, I’m sure I’ll be capturing better photo of mood, detail and home personality. ‘A+’ Thank you.”

Alison N., Wellington Management
“Very good information. It was nice that you went around to everyone and looked at cameras – gave hints & tips. I found this class to be very informational. Can’t wait for the next one.”

Cynthia C., JA Cadwallader RE
“Good basic course, should be helpful info. Enjoyed the last part on Composition the best – most useful information. Would be interested in your [upcoming] Composition course.”

Tim G., Coldwell Banker Burnet
“Great class. Make me think more about better photos. I like the physics explanation.”

Lanny K., CBBurnet
“Very good!! Helped me understand the camera settings & light effects.”

Steve C., CBBurnet
“Loved it – a lot of good info in a short time. Mark’s enthusiasm & passion really shines through. I think I learned enough to go out with my camera & manual – practice & get better. This will help my business. Thank you much.”

Sheri S., Keller Properties
“Excited to try many different settings, etc. with camera. Will actually read the manual to learn more!”

Spring-time is also a start-up time for those High School students who will graduate next year.

*** IT'S SENIOR PORTRAIT TIME ***

I'm offering a huge 50% off any session in May or June to the first 25 students that book a photo session. That means ANY photo session!

I am also looking for Senior Class Model Ambassadors for each of the following schools:

Stillwater - Mahtomedi - White Bear Lake - North St. Paul

Tartan - Forest Lake - Mounds View - Coon Rapids - Johnson - Roseville

I will conduct interviews in May for both male and female models from each school. I choose only one boy and one girl to represent me in their school. Ambassadors get all their photos for FREE.

FREE PHOTO SESSION....... FREE PHOTOS ON CD......... FREE FACEBOOK IMAGES

Call today: 651.407.6374

It is going to be a busy season here at Mark Triplett Photography, with Continuing Education classes going throughout the year, AND with our upcoming High School Senior Portraits.

Winter Wanes... Spring Approaches

2010-02-18T20:56:00.000-06:00

Wow, what a ride! The winter of 2009-2010 is a record-breaker in many parts of the country

and certainly Minnesota made some history this past year. Texas gets a foot of snow while Vancouver, BC gets rain and +50 temps. Washington DC gets nearly 40 inches of snowfall in a week!

Well, in Minnesota we have come to expect the harshness of old-man Winter, and around here we do something creative about it. We build Ice Castles, have our "Parade Of Lights" at -12 degrees, Ice-Sculpting contest in St. Paul and the 'out-of-your-mind' activity of our annual "Polar Plunge" events. I attended one of those for the first time this year... with camera in hand.

Suffice to say, with my long-underwear, thick wool socks, five layers of clothers and enveloped in a winter parka, I STILL was cold just standing on the ice for 4 hours as the happy-go-lucky plungers made their way to the fridgid waters of White Bear Lake to make their plunge.

The 'Plunge' is an event held annually at White Bear Lake, MN to raise money for the MN Special Olympics foundation. A lot of money was raised this year. I do believe there were over 400 'plungers' that braved the icy waters of WBL.

I was asked by a friend to photograph the event this year and produce a slideshow of it to help in the promotion for future events. I was cold but I had a wonderful time.

I positioned myself so the light of the sun would bathe the plungers for my photos. That way I didn't need to use a flash and the angle of the light was perfect for the contrast of light and shadow in my images.

Each plunger bravely (and more often than not) brazenly sauntered past me with the confidence of a gambler with two Aces up their sleeve. Little did they know just how humbling the icy waters would make them. They soon learned...

I watched the Law Enforcement volunteers cut through nearly 3 feet of ice and pull it out of the lake with a heavy chain and 4x4 vehicles. I'm guessing each block of ice weighed about 200 pounds or more.

All-n-all, the day was a huge success, I took nearly 800 photographs, and old man Winter had to sit this one out in a pout. We had fun!

Bring on the snow and cold. We love it here... well, for a while anyway. This time of year we start looking forward to Spring, which I've learned is just around the corner. We'll see...

While you wait for Spring to arrive, take a break from old man Winter and the icy blast of his nostrils, and visit Jimmy's Restaurant in Vadnais Heights. Jimmy's is a very proud sponsor of the MN Special Olympics and the White Bear Lake Polar Plunge. Jim is also my close personal friend. Oh yea... the food and drinks are the BEST!

After the Holidays

2010-01-01T15:56:00.000-06:00

Well, the Holiday Season of 2009 has come and gone. Time now to kick back, rest up and dive into a good book before all that 'back-to-work' stuff starts again.

Speaking of a good book to read, I just finished what I believe could make it to a Hollywood movie. Really! Back on Veteran's Day a local restaurant in Stillwater, Leo's Cafe, was celebrating the day with free meals to all U.S. Veterans. So, I took my father-in-law Rod for a burger and old fashioned malt.

The place was packed. The food was excellent. The company was honorable. There was a steady-stream of old-timers coming-and-going, with a variety of hats or jackets that displayed their proud service to our country.

I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for all those veterans. So did a local author of a new book titled, "Vantage Point"- Paul Miller.

Paul Miller ~ Paul Miller ~ Paul Miller

Remember that name because I firmly believe he could be the next 'John Grisham' (of sorts).

Anyway, Paul was passing out free books to all the veterans, signing each one with a personalized "...thank you for your service". He took time with each Veteran, thanking them for serving our great country, inviting them to tell 'their' story. And, he listened.

He eventually made his way to our booth where we asked him to sit and join us for a chat. He graciously accepted our offer and sat down, presenting each of us with a copy of his book "Vantage Point". He immediately began asking Rod when and where he served in the Armed Forces. I started reading the book just to see if it was at all interesting.

Rod had spent time on the U.S.S. Lexington, the largest aircraft carrier in the Pacific Fleet during WWII, and was a gunner's mate on a five inch gun. Rod saw quite a lot of action out there in the Pacific Ocean. Memories not too welcome in his life these days. But, Paul had Rod eagerly talking about days spent on the ship, sharing how life was during the 1940s and so on. Rod took an immediate liking to Paul. So did I.

Paul is a local Minnesota boy and lives very near Stillwater, where we were having lunch. He told us his book, "Vantage Point" is his first attempt as a professional writer. (I had been reading the first few pages while Paul and Rod exchanged stories and I became enthralled with it beginning with the very first sentence.) Interesting? Oh, yeah!

"First attempt?!?" I thought. This guy is going places, for sure. I was immediately hooked.

The story takes place in Minnesota, near the Twin Cities and just south of Minneapolis, along Hwy 35. The tension Paul brings to his story continues to tighten as you read. Each chapter pulling you deeper into the plot like a black hole sucking in star matter from deep in space. Every character has depth and interest, every one. You have no choice but to read... you MUST continue reading. You MUST!

Without revealing anything about the actual story, it's characters or the outcome(s), I will say that throughout the book I was convinced he had written it with with an historical perspective, as if it had already happened, and I mean really happened.

Within a day of finishing the book the local TV news reports were buzzing about a woman's body found in a ditch in rural Southern Minnesota. It was a news report that made the hair on my neck stand on end and my heart race. "Could it be coming true... this story of Paul's?"

I've read stories like this before that actually did come true, to some extent, with another author I've read recently - Joel C. Rosenberg. Joel wrote about events that led up to the 911 attack BEFORE they happened. Now, I wondered if Paul was as clairvoyant as Joel seems to be.

Paul's "Vantage Point" is believable, plausible, even fearful in the possibility of really happening. I think the old man himself (Alfred Hitchcock) would have been as drawn in as deeply as I was.

Joel's books seem to come true. Paul's is frighteningly plausible. Both are filled with wide-eyed shock and awe. Both are filled with tension and relevant to our modern, trying times.

You'll have to read them both for yourself to see what I mean.

Paul Miller can be contacted via his web site at: http://www.paulmillerbooks.com/

Joel Rosenberg can be contacted via his web site at: http://www.joelrosenberg.com/

I highly recommend both of these authors if you like suspense, intrigue and surprise.

Paul's book "Vantage Point" will open your eyes to the possibilities of things happening right here in your own town, no matter where you live in America. I recently met with Paul at a local coffee shop where he revealed bits of his next book. I can't wait to read it!

~ ~ ~

Well, the new year brings a lot of changes to Mark Triplett Photography. Our web site has a completely new look and we've added a whole new dimension to our photographic work. Visit us on the web at http://www.marktriplett.com/.

Don't forget to plan for those portraits early. Give us a call. 651.407.6374

Happy New Year everybody!

I Love Fall!

2009-10-01T14:36:00.000-05:00

Fall is in the air! I love the Fall season, with its colors and smells. I love the cooler temps as well. The cloudy days of the Fall season may seem dreary to some but to a photographer it is wonderful. The light of a cloudy day is much preferred to a bright sunlit afternoon when taking portraits.

Speaking of portraits, I had the most wonderful time at Renaissance Festival in Shokopee MN a few weeks ago. Officially, I was hired by a most wonderful singing troup called The Elizabethan Syngers. You can find them on the web at http://www.elizabethansyngers.com/. This is a very talented group of vocalists.

Well, they hired me to follow them all day at the Renaissance Festival back on Sept. 19th. It was a hot, sunny day. I would have preferred an overcast sky with temps in the 60s and based on the heavy garb the syngers were wearing I would venture a guess they would agree with me.

Nonetheless, it was a most memorable day. Photos can bee seen on my web site at http://www.marktriplett.com/.

Mark Triplett Photography is in its 5th year of operation. Thanks to all of my customers for helping to make this business a success. THANK YOU!!!

If you are planning on Christmas cards, now is the time to get those photos taken. I'll be running some specials in the months of October and November, so give me a call of visit my web site for details.

Enjoy the beauty of Fall. Get out and take some pictures.

Bye for now.

- Mark

2009-08-11T10:22:00.000-05:00

August is a month that brings a lot of change around here. Gardens begin to wilt in the heat and those 'Spring and Summer' flowers begin to yield their real-estate for the upcoming Fall season with rusty-colored mums and such. Retail stores start ramping up their "Back To School" sales promotions. And here in Minnesota we start seeing fresh corn for sale on the side of the road.

August is also a month to remember. Many folks around here have Family Reunions in August. We recently did too. It was the first time in over a decade that the entire Triplett family was back in Minnesota to renew family bonds. Folks came from both the East and West Coast and from Arizona. Most still live in MN but with a family as large as ours the distant travelers accounted for nearly a third of the group. For many, it was the first time we met the newest members, like sweet Cameron, pictured here...

I photographed for six hours that day! Whew! But it all turned out wonderful. We had tons of food (which now sits on our butts and waists), reminisced about times past (those 'good old days'), and celebrated life together. At one point, we all gathered together to sing the alphabet song, which only a few of us actually knew. It is hilarious!

You can actually see a video version of The Three Stooges singing it at YouTube. Just go to: www.youtube.com/ and search for alphabet song three stooges.

As Summer comes to a close in the next few weeks, let's remember how wonderful it was this year, with temperatures in the mid 70's nearly all Summer long. Let's remember how important Family is to all of us, whether immediate or extended, and how precious each life is. Remember.

August also ushers in the beginning of the Harvest Season. We are already seeing huge rolls of hay in the fields, corn taller than most humans and ready to be picked. School parking lots are starting to fill up with teacher's cars and the staff is getting ready for the upcoming school year.

August brings in a flood of requests here at Mark Triplett Photography. As Summer comes to a close and the school season looms on the horizon, students begin 'remembering' that they need to get their Senior Portraits done.

Take a moment to schedule your High School Senior's appointment to have his or her portraits done at Mark Triplett Photography. Just go to my web site at http://www.marktriplett.com/ and contact me from there.

Happy memories!

2009-06-26T18:01:00.000-05:00

Next to photography I love gardening. I just spent the day working in my garden. The flowers look great. In a couple of weeks they will be at peak for wonderful photo opportunities.

I'm still running my 30% discount for ALL persons who book a photo session before July 1st. Take advantage of this great savings and call me today. I'll even throw in a page of wallets just for mentioning you read my blog.

Happy gardening!

2009-06-24T22:33:00.000-05:00

Yikes! We went from 60's and 70's to way over 90 this past week. Tomorrow it will be 95. Ya gotta love MN summers.

I spent the day working in my garden, pulling weed mostly. Dead-heading and feeding my flowers will pay off in the next week or two.

Summer is here and now is the perfect time to prepare for the flood of High School Seniors for the class of 2010.

Speaking of High School Seniors, I'm having a blowout savings event. Book any Senior Portrait session before July 1st and save 30%!

Save some money. Call me today to schedule your Senior Portrait Session.

Have a great summer!

My First Post

2009-06-15T08:58:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm finally stepping into the virtual world of 'blogging' today. I'm excited!

I am a professional photographer living and working in White Bear Lake, MN. I specialize in classical portraiture with a mix of photo-journalism thrown in from time-to-time.

Today, I am taking the day off to be with my grandson, Adam. He wants to be a magician.

So, today we take are taking a trip to Red Wing to visit with Kristoffer Olson, Funny Magician, at the Sheldon Theatre. (The Sheldon is a beautifully restored old-time theatre that hosts a wide variety of venues, like magic shows and awesome concerts by the Sheldon Brass Band.)

My grandson, Adam, is 10 now and feels ready to take to the big stage with his magic. Today marks his first official training by a professional magician and his debut on stage at the Sheldon.

We most certainly will be taking lots of photos (since it IS what I do for a living). They will post on my web site soon at http://www.marktriplett.com/.