Gottschall Photography
My hometown of Margate, NJ, inspired a fun photography side project: custom Monopoly property cards featuring real homes and landmarks. Starting with my family’s house on Atlantic Avenue, I now create personalized art pieces that celebrate local history and make unique gifts.
Read MoreThe images you see on my website or social networks will always be created by me.
I've recently noticed an image that looked familiar. It was advertising photography offerings and giving the impression that the company had a studio set-up.
Read MoreToday marks a very special day. Four years ago, I gained a business partner and best friend. I’m not sure where I would be today without him.
Read MoreMarch 8th, International Women's Day
Photography has always presented me with opportunities and connections.
The past two days I spent with the National Association of Woman Business Owners Greater Raleigh Chapter. It was their Advocacy Days event and included a tour of the North Carolina Capital, a social networking cocktail hour at the Governor's Mansion, and a trip to the Legislative Building.
I've toured the capital once before with visiting family. It was enjoyable then but informative this time.
Life-size marble statue of George Washington, done in the style of a Roman general, by the Italian Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova.
The governor's Mansion was the highlight. It has always been on my list to do, but I always put it off. I don't enjoy conveyor belt tours with large groups of people. You can't get a feeling or understanding of the space. Last night we were greeted at the door and welcomed in to mingle.
Shanon Madrid, Sunbelt Business Brokers. Current President of the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Raleigh Chapter.
Our gracious host provided us with hors d'oeuvres and drinks.
Hors d'oeuvres set up in the main dining room at the North Carolina Govenor’s Mansion.
National Association of Woman Business Owners Greater Raleigh Chapter on the stairs at the Governors Mansion in Raleigh North Carolina
The next day we followed up with a tour of the legislative building.
Members of the National Association of Woman Business Owners Greater Raleigh Chapter
Members of the National Association of Woman Business Owners Greater Raleigh Chapter
NAWBO Greater Raleigh has been the area's premier member-based organization for business acceleration resources, leadership development opportunities, and inspiring programs that empower, equip and propel women business owners. They champion the long-term success of women business owners by providing access to meaningful business-building connections. I am proud to be a Corporate Sponsor.
It’s amazing what you find when you least expect it.
I was driving around looking for a particular business but turned into the wrong driveway. I went around the back of the shopping center to turn around. Hidden from view was a large warehouse building. My curiosity was sparked, and I wanted to know what it was. Fortunately, the bay doors were opened so I could see inside. I’m so glad I have lots of curiosity because inside were a lot of old classic cars being repaired. I assumed it was just a repair shop but decided to peek my head in to see the cars.
Read MorePhotography of the Atlantic City Airshow With US Air Force Thunderbirds that was held in Atlantic City, NJ.
You can view and purchase all of these images on my website: https://gottstockphotography.com/gallery/2022-Atlantic-City-Salute-to-those-who-Serve-Airshow/G0000eGzwuT_9dTw/
Read MoreCorporate Group Portrait Photography: With every job, there is a challenge. My job is to find the solution.
Read MoreWhen the opportunity arises to photograph something different, I jump to it. I love the challenge. If I photographed the same thing all the time, I would get bored and stale. By photographing in different scenarios, I can push myself.
Read MoreManufacturing Photography is not just photographing large stainless steel machines for the sales brochures. Many times I am also asked to photograph the people that make it happen for their corporate branding.
I enjoy the variety. During a single day, I will use my technical skill to light a stainless steel enclosure or the product, explore the details to create interesting compositions, have conversations with the workers behind the scenes, and learn about how things are made.
Checking levels in a photostability chamber, using a photodiode sensor.
Part of this project was to show the process and the people behind the scenes of the manufacturing process.
Photographing enclosures and reach-In Chambers is particularly challenging, especially when they are stainless steel and large. Conditions aren't always ideal since I'm photographing on the manufacturing floor. Space is tight and ambient light is low and mixed color. We needed to light the exterior of the cabinet, maintain the illumination of the display screen, add light to the front of the interior elements, maintain the details inside, and show the light coming from the light banks of the machine. All that while not creating large reflections or showing the manufacturing going on around us. It was like photographing a large mirror. Everything shows up.
An assembly worker on the manufacturing floor wires and labels components to be installed in an enclosure
I enjoy seeing and learning what the people behind the scenes do and how it all comes together.
I was drawn to photography because I love to explore details. I started out exploring the details of the natural world, but now I also enjoy exploring the details of the manufactured world.
It's important to have someone in charge, someone to make sure everything runs smoothly and on time. Robert was my go to on this project. He made sure everyone and everything I needed to photograph was ready when I was, made sure I had the space to set up lights, and kept the area safe.
It’s not unusual to be called to photograph a machine while it’s still in production. Because of this, I don’t get to shoot in a big white studio where everything can be controlled. Sometimes I’m lucky and have space to move around and put my lights but not always. Direct light hitting a round, shiny object creates all kinds of unwanted reflections. The idea of using natural light is not an option since that is also not ideal and usually nonexistent. The existing light is low-hanging fluorescent lights mixed with sodium vapor factory lights. This makes everything look strange with a yellow and green color cast that is difficult to correct.
The Rota-Matic Vacuum packaging system is on the manufacturing floor ready to be photographed. The area is small with low ceilings making it challenging to photograph the round stainless steel machine.
The area was cleaned up enough to add my lights. TheRota-Matic is evenly lit to show all the details.
I was able to move enough out of the way so I could fit my lights. By using reflectors and bounce walls, I was able to create even light without highlights that would be too bright or shadows being too dark. It’s a challenge to get enough light into the dark areas to maintain details without the highlights being too bright.
Final image of the Rota-Matic.
Retouching is done to create a final image. The wheels which are used for easy movement during manufacturing are replaced with the actual legs that will be installed for use. The machine is then removed from the factory background to create a clean image ready for marketing.
An important aspect of being a professional photographer is being versatile. While most photographers specialize in one or two different types of photography, being experienced in many comes in handy and prepares you to be able to photograph whatever gets thrown in front of you. I was hired to photograph large food processing machines but was asked to photograph a corporate headshot at the last minute.
Read MoreThe first step to getting back to normal is to update your headshot image. This year has been long and challenging. What was no longer is. The future looks bright and we now have an opportunity to move forward in whichever direction we want.
Read MoreRestrictions are being lifted and people are getting vaccinated. The photography studio is open! We are set up and ready to create your corporate portrait, headshot, or product shots for your marketing material.
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Custom art tiles marking the entrance to Gottschall Photography @516 E Whitaker Mill Rd. Raleigh
My studio is located in the back of my house. Although I live on the main street, easy for clients to find, they were having trouble. The problem was that my house sits back from the others on the block, large trees were hiding the numbers on the house, and the numbers on the fence lining the street were small and ordinary. Marina who owns Bosetti Art Tile came up with a solution. Get new house numbers. I agreed and let her do what she does best. I didn’t know what to expect other than something beautiful. When she brought them over to put up I was blown away. They were so beautiful. The background color matched the fence, the numbers had a metallic finish so they stood out when lights shined on them, and the detail of the flowers intertwining the numbers gave a happy welcoming sweetness. Since putting the new house numbers up not one customer has mentioned that they could not find me but they have complimented me on them. I’ve also had neighbors compliment me on the house numbers. I couldn’t be happier. I love how they look and they add a uniqueness that only Marina can create.
Custom art tile house numbers
