A few months ago we had an idea for a fun little promo here at ABP.

The idea was simple: Why not make a photo of myself in front of a few ad agencies here in Charlotte? As if I was on a tour of agencies in Charlotte and had my photo made in front of them -- kind of like people do in front of Cinderella's castle at Disney World or in front of Niagra Falls or the Grand Canyon.

The next step was to turn the photos into postcards with a nice big "Greetings from Charlotte" slapped onto the front of the postcard, like so.

Armando Bellmas in front of Wray Ward © Armando Bellmas

Armando Bellmas in front of BooneOakley © Armando Bellmas

As you can tell, I wore a loud Hawaiian shirt, big shorts, socks pulled up to my knees, and slip on loafers to add to the cheesy tourist vibe.

Armando Bellmas in front of LKM © Armando Bellmas

Armando Bellmas in front of Corder Philips © Armando Bellmas

How I did it was simple: I visited all the agencies very early on a Sunday morning to keep the project as stealth as possible. I put a camera on a tripod, set the timer, ran to my spot, waved, and smiled.

I was only hassled by security once.

Armando Bellmas in front of Luquire George Andrews © Armando Bellmas

The final touch came on the back of the postcard. I wrote variations on "Having a great summer! Wish I was there!" and sent the postcards to the art buyers, art directors, and creative directors at each agency.

I've received great feedback from a few of the folks that received the postcards. And best of all, the postcard was the push I needed to finally get in and work with one of the bigger shops here in town.

Success!

What I liked most about this promo campaign was that is was quick and easy. No marketing plan, no nothing. We came up with the idea on a Wednesday, shot it on Sunday, designed the cards on Monday, sent them to print on Monday night, got them back a week later, and put them in the mail the following day.

Easy and effective. I like it that way.

I recently photographed Social Fresh, a social media conference here in Charlotte, and I had such a good time. Here are some of the photos.

Welcome to Social Fresh © Armando Bellmas

Social Fresh volunteer Christa Hanson © Armando Bellmas

Wray Ward’s oranges © Armando Bellmas

Social Fresh being all about the social web I decided to post as many high res photos online just minutes after they were made.

I did this using lots of CF cards, a card reader, a MacBook Pro surfing a sketchy wifi network, a Tumblr account with direct-to-Twitter posting, the #sofresh hashtag, great subjects, and a top shelf assistant.

Jessica, my assistant © Armando Bellmas

I’d shoot a small round of posed and session shots, download the images to Lightroom on the MacBook Pro while Jessica loaded a new card into the camera, find the best one or two photos, post them to Tumblr, which automatically posts them to Twitter with the #sofresh hashtag, and puts the images out there for the conference and everyone on Twitter to share, comment on, and enjoy.

The social web.

A Charlotte Observer photographer and keynote David Armano © Armando Bellmas

Nathan Richie got his orange crush © Armando Bellmas

Social media — Twitter, in particular — has been a great way to get myself out there. What fascinates me most is how easy it is to connect with someone if you just have patience and good intentions. It takes me directly to people that need to know about me. It introduces me to some great minds and motivated people — much like Social Fresh bossman Jason Keath (thanks, man) and others that I’ve gone on to meet or work with in person.

And many that I have had the privilege to photograph.

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See all the fun in the whole Social Fresh set and follow the conversation.