Picture of the Week – Elements

Picture of the Week :: Expo East

Philip Smith — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 20:50:46 +0000

This week we were delighted to join over 25,000 natural product industry members at the Natural Products, Expo East trade show. We were able to have in depth conversations with those members about their marketing (sometimes mention how we could help!) and social media. We were engaged in many in depth social media discussions, where we combined our knowledge on the best practices to pursue. Here are some of our favorite highlights from the show!

{Pictured: Trevor from Squirrel Brew, Unreal Candy, Natural Nates, White Oak Farm and Table, Hippeas USA, and our friends from PlantBased Solutions and Quorn Foods.}

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Picture of the Week :: Anticipation

Philip Smith — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:17:19 +0000

The squirrels are certainly busy gathering up every acorn they can to prepare for winter. Here on Main Street, we are also preparing for the potentially harsh New England weather. Our neighbor’s over at the historical Harrison House have several ladders resting upon their exterior, anticipating being climbed by some type of eager handyman. We are not exactly sure what they are doing but what ever it is I’m sure it’s important.

At our studio in the Willis Russell House, the energy is also high. Several work trucks, and a number of men are drilling, sawing and hammering away. We are told they are replacing some rotted wood on the front columns but it sounds like they are building a whole new structure! But please do not confuse this as a complaint. We are more than grateful our landlord cares about the integrity and beauty of this home. It’s the charm and character of these historical homes that put our beloved Branford on the map. Well, it looks like it will be a latte, headphones and
Carly Simon kind of day!

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Picture of the Week :: The year’s last, loveliest smile

Philip Smith — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:58:17 +0000

As stated by American poet William Cullen Bryant, “Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile.”

I’m sure some of you will want to debate my next statement, but if you live in New England, consider yourself lucky. I know long winters and unpredictable weather aren’t exactly fun,
but you have to admit – this time of year is special.

I always feel a higher level of appreciation for nature during the fall. I find myself leaf peeping and walking around with my nose in the air like a crazy lady! Inhaling and exhaling deeply as if these breaths are my last, engaging anyone I can to join me. It’s pure magic! Maple, elm, oak and beech trees are just bursting with color! Night skies are ablaze in Pantone colors of warm reds, yellows and oranges. And just when I think I have seen the most amazing sunset, Mother Nature delivers yet another.

This weekend I will be savoring every last moment of fall, for sure. Cuddling and cocktailing by a roaring outdoor fire pit, toasting marshmallows and celebrating a favorite friend’s 21 years of life. So go on and breathe in some fall this weekend – and don’t forget to look ahead from time
to time!

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Picture of the Week :: Autumn or Autummm…?

Philip Smith — Fri, 09 Oct 2015 13:50:55 +0000

Honestly, it’s like the second I feel that first chill in the air all I want to do is eat! Truth be told, I want to eat all the time but fall certainly makes me want to nosh more than ever! And who can blame me? Powerhouse franchises have you tempted by tasty fall treats at every turn. Images on billboards call out your name as you speed down I-95, 30-second commercials tease you to the point that you think “has Smell-o-Vision gone mainstream? Even the Internet follows you with cookies and advertising pop ups to remind you about their seasonal delights.

From hot beverages like Starbucks Hot Apple Chai and Butterbeer Latte, to home baked warm apple cider muffins from Bishops Orchards in Guilford, CT. But my all time favorite is the pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes from local favorite Sugar Cupcakery & Bakery in East Haven, CT. I selflessly took it upon myself to treat my co-workers and “Sugar” newbies to some cupcakes. Along with some food grunting it was thumbs up all around. Sugar sure does have a way of making everyone smile and so does the Autummm!

pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes from Sugar Cupcakery & Bakery

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Picture of the Week :: Craft Night @ Elements!

Philip Smith — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 17:10:32 +0000

After hosting our first Craft Night as part of Etsy Craft Party last month, it was such a success that we decided to host our second Craft Night at Elements last night. If you follow us on Instagram, you saw a sneak peek or two, but we wanted to share some more great images that we captured of all of the fun we had.

We invited some of our craftiest and most creative friends who brought their A-game! From painted and dip-dyed paper flowers to make-your-own prints (using Saran wrap!) to embroidered and embellished photographs, everyone rolled up their sleeves and dove headfirst into their projects. Our crafters shared tips on everything from techniques for dying paper to new embroidery stitches. But, one of the things we like most about hosting craft parties are the connections that our guests make. We had a diverse group from professors to art teachers to librarians to web designers and photographers. The possibilities for future collaborations and synergies are limitless with the creativity in this group!

An extra special thanks to Steve Walter for capturing the craftiness of last night. We can’t wait to see the moments you captured, and of course we will share them with our loyal blog readers.

We will be hosting more Craft Nights in the future – if you’d like to receive notifications for future Craft Nights, email us at studio@elementsdesign.com. We hope to see you at our next gathering!

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Picture(s) of the Week :: Fancy Food Show 2014

Philip Smith — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 14:55:04 +0000

Amy and Chelsea recently attended the Fancy Food Show in New York – where a vast array of specialty food companies display their unique goods to the crowds. Here is a collection of highlights from their time at the show:

Amy with our client Mario at his Tea•rrific! booth.

They just missed Martha Stewart sampling Tea•rrific!‘s Chamomile ice cream.

Discovered healthy hint water.

One of Amy’s favorite booths – of course they’re French! Sel Magique

A great new product called nothin’ but.

Empire Mayonnaise understands awesome product photography!

They always stop at the Jeni’s Ice Cream booth. So delicious! Great design, too.

Amy and our friend Nicole, owner of the fabulous The Caramel Jar.

funkychunky peanut butter cup popcorn. The flavor cannot be described.

Another one of our clients, La Faza, had a great show as well!

Looking forward to next year’s show!

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Picture(s) of the Month :: June 2014

Philip Smith — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:45:16 +0000

The summer solstice is behind us, and we’re headed into the dog days of summer.

Here is a look at a very, very busy month for Team Elements – we actually had trouble choosing which photos to share this month.

For more daily updates, follow us on Instagram (@elementsllc).

Some of highlights (clockwise from top left) ::
Celebrating National Milkshake Day with Ashley’s Ice Cream shakes with the team ::
Photo shoot at Elements with the talented Bruce Plotkin ::
Photo shoot for Sharwood’s with photographer Paul Johnson, styling, propping and art direction by Amy Graver ::
New headshots for the team, featuring our lime green refinished chair from The Weathered Nest,
refinishing by Kathryn Chase-Levin and her fiance Nick ::
Surprise whoopee pie delivery from Shelly at Shoreline Desserts ::
Our Etsy Craft Party was a great success :: And we fundraised to support our friend – #821forAnna ::

Whew! We’re tired just looking at all of this. We’re ready to see what July brings!

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Picture(s) of the Month :: May 2014

Philip Smith — Fri, 30 May 2014 13:30:16 +0000

May has really flown by!
Here is a look at some snapshots to sum up what has happened over the past month.
Some highlights included (in no particular order) :: Receiving my signed copy from client, author and friend Betsy Fitzgerald of her new novel, Nellie’s Truth :: Photo shoot at Lisa Davenport Designs
with photography by Neil Landino, Propping & Styling by Amy Graver, Wardrobe styling by Amy Cannatta of W by Worth :: Photo shoot for Tea•riffic Ice Cream
for Whole Foods with photographer Paul Johnson :: A Memorial Day Parade in Branford :: Sprucing up the studio – spring is finally here!

We hope your May was just as happy and busy. Now, bring on June!

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Picture Of The Week :: A Tea-riffic Photoshoot

Philip Smith — Fri, 16 May 2014 09:00:14 +0000

This week, I had the sincere pleasure of working with Connecticut photographer Paul Johnson in several locations to photograph our client and owner of Tea-riffic ice-cream – a brand that Elements has branded and handles all creative work for including the packaging you see here – on a campaign for Whole Foods. We had first scouted out three different locations days before the shoot. I was on-hand again during the shoot to help photo direct, style and prop – and most importantly – to get our model to relax and smile. Luckily, that wasn’t too hard to do and I feel great about the shots we were able to produce together. I hope you enjoy these images of Mario doing his thing – from developing flavors in a tea shop in Westport through to producing and packing his ice-cream in a factory in Milford. Here is just a taste of the man behind the delicious Tea-riffic ice-cream brand.

And one last shot …. Thank you Mario, Paul and Tiffany for another great shoot!

~Amy

images :: paul johnson
featured image :: amy graver

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