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	<title>Vision Entries</title>
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	<description>The photography blog of Mark A. Steele Photography Inc., a full-service retail interior architecture photography studio that specializes in creating images for a variety of uses, including editorial, marketing, and advertising.</description>
	<pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 21:09:45 -0400</pubDate>
	<copyright>Copyright 2018–2023 Mark Steele Photography Inc.</copyright>
	<ttl>60</ttl>
	<item>
		<title>New Work on Website</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

As we move into summer I thought it would be nice to showcase a few recent projects that provided some remarkable exteriors. Both were photographed in Texas and both were projects of my client ChangeUp.

The first, Panda Express, features a motif of traditional Chinese architecture, culture and tradition. Sloping rooflines, traditional Panda Express red neon accents, murals, sculptures and even a neon green dragon all work together to celebrate the Chinese American experience.  View the entire project here.



The second is the new Acura dealership prototype that highlights luxury and performance. It features clean lines, bright lights, open front canopy and even a new car delivery area, where proud customers can celebrate their new purchases. View the project here.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jun 2023 10:09:29 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/new-work-on-website/</link>
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		<title>Ease Logistics</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Having recently been asked to supplement an onsite video shoot as a still photographer, I was able to work a bit away from my comfort zone.  Parameters on shoots such as this don’t allow for flash as it would show up on any video footage being taken at the same time.  This meant that only hand held natural light could be utilized.  Coupling that with the need for longer lenses for detailed people images brings about some trickier shooting than normal. 

Watching the Ease Logistics workers go about their business reminded me so much of modern device games.  The need to move products from point A to point B can be a challenge and the concentration on workers faces made for some serious imagery.  It really seemed like every emotion was in close play.

I love working within different sectors with what I do.  I’ve been inside bank vaults, under casinos, within steel mills and many different manufacturing plants,]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2023 08:51:23 -0500</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/ease-logistics/</link>
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		<title>Freaky Fast</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Long before COVID changed the rules, chain restaurants were exploring drive-thru only restaurants. The advent of food delivery and online ordering pushed eateries to consider making it all mobile for consumers.

Experience agency ChangeUp designed and delivered a new concept for Jimmy John&#x00027;s located in Bartow, Florida. This drive-thru only structure is modular, and was built and moved to the site.  It has two dedicated drive-thru lanes, one traditional and the other for online and mobile orders. plus carryout lockers for a true contactless delivery. The exterior of this prototype serves as a brand billboard as well to show that Jimmy John’s can look as good as it tastes.

You can view all the images here.



Photographing exteriors can be a bit tricky.  I don’t believe I’ve ever photographed a site where everything was exactly as planned.  Tricky weather, dirty parking lots, lack of greenery etc.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2022 09:47:08 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/jimmyjohns/</link>
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		<title>Same Sheetz Different Decade</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

For my Midwestern and specifically Ohio clients, The Sheetz expansion has been fast and furious. 

Rewind back to 2004, Chute Gerdeman designed the new Sheetz prototype in Altoona, PA. The updated interior featured a new MTO food feature. 

Made To Order food, from a kiosk is something we do effortlessly (most of the time) anymore. The exterior remains nearly unchanged, the interiors with some minor tweaks still has the same look and feel.  It is always great to see a well designed space stand the test of time. Kudos to Eric Daniel and the CG team that executed it as I frequent them on shoots when we drive east. 



This project was special to me because it was my first hybrid shoot. Most interiors were shot digital, while the exteriors were captured with my 4x5 view camera on film.To my knowledge this is the last store exterior I ever shot on film. It doesn&#x00027;t seem that long ago, but it is amazing how far cameras and retouching has come since then!]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2022 08:40:39 -0500</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/same-sheetz-different-decade/</link>
		<guid>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/same-sheetz-different-decade/</guid>
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		<title>INSA</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

A relative newcomer to retailing, the cannabis industry is worth more than $64 billion in the United States, making it the hot up and coming retailer.  INSA, a Massachusetts based retailer based in Springfield, is about providing natural products for real life in a variety of formats for various lifestyles and uses.

This site, chosen for its location, is about giving the client a low stress environment to spend as much time as they need to become educated about the various products.

You can see the entire project here.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Aug 2021 12:38:14 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/insa/</link>
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		<title>OSU Marketing and Public Relations Office Wins National Advertising Awards</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

As a photographer, it&#x00027;s always nice to see clients win awards. Knowing that my work brings recognition to companies I work with is putting icing on the cake!  Congratulations to my clients at The Ohio State University Newark and The Central Ohio Technical College who received three awards from the 36th annual Educational Advertising Awards, sponsored by the Higher Education Marketing Report.  



You can view and read more about the awards here.

 ]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Apr 2021 09:35:30 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/osu-marketing-and-public-relations-office-wins-national-advertising-awards/</link>
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		<title>Photographing the Light</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Considering the overall lighting of a space is critical when photographing its atmosphere.  Not enough fill and shadows lack details, woodgrains become muddy and bright colors drab.   Meanwhile, too much light and highlights become bright pockets while the overall mood of a space lacks contrasts and textures.  

I recently photographed a restaurant in Columbus, OH with which I feel the results are a beautiful blend of light, colors and textures.  Nomad, designed by Sketch Blue with GRA+D Architecture and Design, was inspired by travel.  The palette of the site features black tile representing charcoal from the charcoal oven; warm tones representing flames; and artwork representing the culture of travel and Spain. These are blended with the senses with the smells of cooking food and the mood lighting.



The lighting of a space such as this can be a bit tricky to capture.  Supplemental lighting must look natural as many of the lighting fixtures in the site are mainly for mood and theme,]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2020 15:02:16 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/photographing-the-light/</link>
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		<title>Sonic</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

In the post Covid world of restaurants, Inspire Brands has launched the new Sonic Delight prototype in Tahlequah, OK.  Designed by Change Up Inc, the new site features touch-less ordering, multi-car drive thru, updated identity, colors and graphics, layout, and a new kitchen prep area among other things.  It also features a homage to its signature beverage, the Cherry Limeade, with a brightly lit cherry.



Exteriors can sometimes be challenging, especially an open restaurant that is mainly a drive thru.  As you can imagine, there is very limited time at dusk to photograph just the right angles with the appropriate vehicles in the drive thru-all while the site is open. I will usually do a walk through beforehand marking the appropriate angles, camera heights, prioritizing images etc in order to save time while shooting.  Also, the necessary site cleanup needs to be done as well.

Feel free to view more of the images here.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:15:15 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/sonic/</link>
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		<title>Artwork Website</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

Most people know me as a retail interior photographer, although in a past life I did quite a bit of studio work, graphic design photography, people as well as art.  Staying busy with the architecture work and running my studio was something that seemed to keep me quite busy.  However, all along, in my free time, I have been known to create some artwork to keep my mind fresh and creative.

 



The recent Covid lockdown allowed me a bit of free time to collect some of that art together and build a site to share and sell that work.  I’m finally pleased to be able to announce that my Mark Steele Artwork Site is up and running.  Although it doesn’t show nearly all of my work, there’s a substantial bit.  I invite you to view it for your enjoyment.  Feel free to sign up for an occasional email and promotion as well as passing along the site.

The site is:  marksteele.photo

Enjoy!]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Sep 2020 13:25:03 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/artwork-website/</link>
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		<title>Visions 10 — Lighting</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Two things within the last few weeks have made me think about lighting and the way it concerns architectural photography.  First was an email from a portrait/wedding photographer who had been asked by a realtor to photograph some high end home interiors. She wanted to know what equipment I used to achieve the look that I do from my imagery.  The second was from a recent post on LinkedIn of the Verizon Hudson Yards Next Gen Store announcing its placement on my website.

The question from the photographer was interesting, mainly because she ignored and didn’t even ask about how experience comes in to play.  She didn’t ask about technique, which I feel is the most important aspect of photography and lighting.  Assuming that high dollar equipment is the only way to achieve great imagery is leaving out so much more.  One of the masters whose work I love is Edward Weston.  He didn’t have expensive equipment. He didn’t even have an enlarger-]]></description>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2020 09:28:13 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/visions-10-lighting/</link>
		<guid>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/visions-10-lighting/</guid>
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		<title>Belk Exterior Mansfield TX</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

Spring is coming fast upon us and once again we start thinking about getting outdoors.  With that said I wanted to talk about exteriors, more notably a recent exterior for Belk designed by BHDP.

This particular facade is inviting shoppers with its soft golden colored wood textures, shutters and show windows.  Everything about this storefront is modern including its ability to have a color changing Belk logo.  



 

I chose to photograph this site in the early evening as the sun was setting.  This allowed a bit of natural light to fall on the building, but still have the glow of the inset lighting on the wood.  This allowed for a golden glow against the strong blue evening sky.  As a plus, evening light allows us to see into the store a bit better without the daytime reflections.  

To see a past post on exteriors, please visit here.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2020 10:15:11 -0500</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/belk-exterior-for-bhdp/</link>
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		<title>Visions 09 — Design Intent</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The January/February 2019 issue of Retail Environments Magazine features an article I wrote concerning my take on photographing branded spaces. In it, I explain how I find the importance of the brand’s story and energy as being more important than the architecture of a space.  This is where the conversation with the consumer takes place within the environment.  Conveying the subtleties of this conversation and how they are formed is my task.  Many things are involved here, but showing the details of lighting, color, merchandising, signage and technology are what are important to telling the intent of the design.

 

This intent is important, as it’s the spark of inspiration the designers had in mind when planning out the space.  It seems that in conversations with designers and store planners, there are always many issues within the design and construction phases of the projects.  Costs, timing, miscommunications, regulations,]]></description>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:58:04 -0500</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/visions-09-design-intent/</link>
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		<title>Retail Environments Magazine Jan/Feb 2019</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

Retail Environments Magazine&#x00027;s January/February 2019 issue ran an article I wrote concerning my take of the photography of Branded Spaces.  Please follow this link to see  the mobile version of the article.

This is a nice piece describing how I feel there are differences between architecture photography and the photography of branded spaces.  

 ]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:04:56 -0500</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/retail-environments-magazine-jan-feb-2019/</link>
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		<title>The Container Store Makes VMSD November 2018 cover</title>
		<description><![CDATA[

I&#x00027;m pleased that my images of The Container Store, photographed for FRCH and The Container Store, were featured in the VMSD November, 2018 cover story. You can read the article here, and view the images here.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:29:43 -0500</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/the-container/</link>
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		<title>Visions 08 — Focusing on the Brand Story</title>
		<description><![CDATA[One detail of how my website differs from other photographers is that I tend to show entire photo shoots for each site rather than a few images from many projects.  The main reason I do this is to show the viewer that as a photographer, I focus on the brand story over the architecture of a site.  Retail photography should focus on the story of the use of the brand and the energy it conveys to the consumer over the use of space. Images should show how the brand is showcased through graphics, colors, merchandising, technology and the like.  By focusing on the consumer experience within a site, we allow a branding conversation to take place within the images.  This then, allows my clients to showcase the experience of the brand over the use of the space as a whole.

 

So how can we utilize photography to showcase the brand?  I recently gave a presentation on this topic and came down to a few points.  I believe that the imagery should focus on how the brand is showcased through merchandising,]]></description>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Oct 2018 08:55:03 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/focusing-on-the-brand-story/</link>
		<guid>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/focusing-on-the-brand-story/</guid>
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		<title>Visions 07 — Lighting and Color Balance</title>
		<description><![CDATA[When talking about color balance, the first thing I need to say is that it is a perception.  Colors within a space can be easily influenced by the products within the store, materials used, angles of lighting, source of lighting as well as file processing techniques.  Even eyeglasses can affect our perception of color if the glass is tinted or darkened.  

That being said, I feel that when we look at a retail photograph, we need to have a neutral.  This sets the balance to the viewer and gives them a frame of reference to work with. This way, gross  and very subtle colors are seen and perceived as correct.  A great reference for this would be the Jeff Ruby Steakhouse I recently photographed.  You can view the images here.  Notice how even though there are major colors within each scene, a visual neutral is present allowing the viewer to accept the rest of the scene as accurate. This allows the warm chandeliers, ruby ceiling,]]></description>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Aug 2018 09:47:41 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/visions-07-lighting-and-color-balance/</link>
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		<title>Visions 06 — New Mexico Vacation</title>
		<description><![CDATA[“When I got to New Mexico that was mine.  As soon as I saw it that was my country.  I’d never seen anything like it before, but it fitted to me exactly.  It’s something that’s in the air-it’s different.  The sky is different, the wind is different.”  Georgia O’Keeffe, 1977

New Mexico is know as the Land of Enchantment, and that’s an understatement!  I had the opportunity to spend a week in Jemez Springs within the Sante Fe National Forest.  Unfortunately, the forest was closed due to extremely dry drought conditions, causing an extremely high fire hazard.  So, while hiking the beautiful forest was out, we spent time within Valles Caldera National Preserve, Bandelier National Monument as well as Ghost Ranch and Puye Cliffs.  You can view an assortment of images here.



While green was missing from Nature’s palette, the earth tones, soft blues, reds and magentas were compelling.  The natural light of the area is inspiring.  Even in full light,]]></description>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2018 11:10:46 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/visions-05-new-mexico-vacation/</link>
		<guid>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/visions-05-new-mexico-vacation/</guid>
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	<item>
		<title>Visions 05 — Lighting</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you were to choose the most important aspect of a store to enhance customer touch points and experiences,  showcase store products, strengthen textures and color, as well as enlighten the consumer journey, it would be lighting.

It is usually the first thing I look at upon entering a space to be photographed.  Lighting sources, color temperature, management, direction and intensity all come into play.  Bringing a balance to all this is the role of the photographer and experience is key.   Having been in pretty much all types of situations and worked through problems in the past, allow me to quickly work on site and decide the best way to go about and address any issues.  This enables me to then use the lighting in the way it’s meant-to showcase the space and address the product within.  

As a photographer specializing in retail, I learned long ago how to look at a site and visualize what needs to be enhanced.  For instance,]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 May 2018 12:55:08 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/visions-05-lighting/</link>
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		<title>Visions 04 — New Website</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Upon opening my studio after twelve years at a global design firm, I needed to share my work with design and architectural firms. As a photographer, my first portfolio showing was scheduled before I even had a printed portfolio.  I had only transparencies in 4x5 format. Thinking on my feet, I decided that I would place each retail project into an envelope to share them on a small light box. I really didn’t even have the time to edit all the chromes and develop any speaking points. Armed with thirty envelopes and a small light box, I headed to my first portfolio showing.



What happened in the meeting that day changed the way I present my work.  At that presentation, several design teams became available and each designer took the time to go through and view each of the projects in their entirety. More light boxes were brought in, and like playing cards, whole projects were laid out in front of them. It was then I realized that designers want to see projects, not images.]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:57:42 -0400</pubDate>
		<link>https://marksteelephotography.com/blog/visions-04-new-website/</link>
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		<title>Global Shop Get Together</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This year, GlobalShop returns to Chicago, a mecca of architecture and a huge contributor to the retail design world. The show gives me a chance to reconnect, recharge and renew my ties to an industry that I’ve served for thirty years. I’m walking the floor and have some fresh projects on the iPad to share. I’m setting up appointments both formal and informal at the show. 

Let me know if you are attending, it would be great to catch up.



I started reflecting on some amazing sites that I’ve photographed in the Windy City recently:  Dylan’s Candy Bar at the base of the Tribune Tower, City Target in the iconic Louis Sullivan Building, Verizon Destination Store on Michigan Avenue, two neighborhood themed grocery stores for Whole Foods, as well as the new prototype Value City Furniture in Elston.

Hopefully, the March weather will cooperate this year and we can enjoy some time outside.  If not,]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2018 12:31:22 -0400</pubDate>
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