I am always saying I like working with photographers. Partly because, like myself, they are visual storytellers. Secondly, I have always been intrigued with my brother’s definition of a good photographer. He once told me, “a really great photographer is a master of light.” That thought has never left me and that is how I gauge the talent of all the photographers I come across in my profession.

I’m am also in love with film—yes, the analog kind. My dad was an amateur photographer when he was young, but he had a great eye. I would get lost in old photos—my mind making up the stories of the moments that were captured. {My brother seems to have followed in Dad’s footsteps.} I recall us both, as kids, fighting over who was going to eventually own the {now vintage} film enlarger that we used to develop photos in our darkroom {aka the backyard shed}. I won.

photo: hc.tran photography

Wait, where was I… Oh, yes. As a graphic designer, I have worked with many talented photographers and worked with equally amazing photos. My eyes have poured over countless lifestyle, surf, snowboard, vehicle and product photos. Occassionally, I get to work with a wedding photographer and this time I had the pleasure of working with Hung C. Tran of HC.Tran Photography. Hung came to me with a request for letterpress printed business cards. But before printing, I gave his existing abstract lens logo a more polished and refined look.

For Hung, I printed 300 2-sided 2-colored business cards on 220# heavy card stock made from 100% cotton. He was very easy going and so much fun to work with, I can imagine what a photoshoot with him would be like. HC.Tran Photography is located in La Jolla, California. His portfolio can be viewed at http://www.hungctran.com or you can read all about his work on his blog.

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to print up press kit covers for a friend and former coworker, Jennifer Hohner, of D’Lischka, Petite German Pastries. This print run consisted of black ink on Sundance Felt Natural White card stock. Jen supplied the logo and I had a magnesium letterpress die created. The results were simple and sweet, like the cookies themselves. These cookies are actually hand-crafted petite pastries based on a well-kept German family recipe, passed on to her by her Grandma Lischka. Though petite, they sure are mighty D’Lischka!

Photo credits: t-l Hartono Tai, Long Beach Magazine // b-r Jennifer Hohner.

Earlier this year, I had designed and letterpress printed a set of business cards and gift certificates for Ed and Karen, of San Diego wedding photography studio Atrero Photography, an International Award Winning Wedding Duo.

The front of Ed and Karen’s print collateral required two hits of color and a blind deboss. Their business cards passed through the press a total of 5 times (once for each color/impression, front and back), and they were also printed on 220lb. flourescent white Crane Lettra 100% cotton stock… the thick stuff. Though the Atrero brand features invisible bamboo trees, it feels good to know that no actual trees were harmed in the creation of these business cards and gift certificates.

Speaking of invisible, Ed and Karen pride themselves on taking a ninja like approach to wedding photography: working in the shadows unobtrusively to capture that killer shot. Next time you find yourself wondering if ninjas carried business cards, wonder no more. They do, and they are 100% cotton!