MAX THRASHER'S GETTING MARRIED!

We met Max Thrasher, CPA when we moved to the iQ building in early 2010; he works across the hall. With proximity came friendship. And then we met his "her:" Mandy Ferguson. Beautiful, cheerful, kind – a perfect match for Max – we were thrilled to hear they were absconding to marry in Greece. Though we didn't receive all-expense Mediterranean travel packages (we don't forget, Max), we were invited to their stateside reception (which we won't soon forget).



Greek food, portions, dancing and colors exploded through the Factory on Fifth space in north Downtown ABQ. It was a lovely, sumptuous, magic-tinted evening. And we think our DP Daniel teased that magic from the air.



Says Daniel: "It was a fun, colorful celebration of a couple truly in love, and a pleasure to photograph. Weddings and receptions like this one remind me how privileged I am to join a couple's close family and friends in celebrating their commitment."


Congratulations to Max and Mandy. We wish you further travels, nuptials and maybe another honeymoon, relaxing as luminous as the night you shared with us here. We're sure they will be. We couldn't imagine two people better suited to it.


Client: Max Thrasher, CPA
Team: Daniel Hulsbos, Britt Martinez, Lynn Platow

WIFI ROOTS

A few choice words to start with: Flexible. Comfortable. Internet. Proud.

Last week, the Internet dropped in our Albuquerque building. It's not unfathomable that for many a design group, this means productivity-collapse. But we've got some practice with this, and less than an hour passed before we were seated comfortably in a wash of WiFi – at Napoli Coffee. Daniel was there – with camera, of course.



A decade ago, when TC was yet the suddenly-actualizing dream of a talented few NYC designers, we met only in coffee shops. (There was the odd retreat to the nearby Wendy's, when Lynn and Joan needed a private office. That did happen. But mostly coffee shops. Hence our name.) We gathered with warm mugs and local decor until 2003, until we could afford an office.



Perhaps others would have moved somewhere voluminous, with aspirations of filling a whole café. But we saw value in low overhead – passing the savings to our clients, and using only what we needed. That's because our values have remained unbroken: take care of our clients, do good work, and work as a team. Though our prices have risen through the years, as have our ranks and talents – and we have clients still from Day One. We still use only what we need, still do it all as a team, still put our utterly awesome clients first.


And sometimes things break, like building-wide Internet access. With a good team, contingency is easy. Especially when Napoli's around to let us take over the front half of their shop! Special thanks to Liz Robertson, who made us feel instantly at home.


True to our roots, we've stayed flexible. It'll take more than an Internet blackout to stop team TC. (And the bike shop next door makes a fine Wendy's in a pinch.)

Get your Napoli on: Web | Facebook | Twitter

It's no secret here we're fans of the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. Loyal readers may remember a few months back, when we featured MFA's winter success insulating homes and renovating dilapidated properties.


Well, strap in for more good news. Their 2010 State of Housing report, which we've been hard at work on, has returned from the printer. And we're here to tell you, without a hint of hubris, it'll make other annual reports weak in the knees.


In part, that's due to great organization in a great organization. In part, it's due to very strong writing: sober analysis explains New Mexico's housing market status – which is better than many other states – clearly and accessibly. Team photography, design and copyediting from our end rounds out the envy.


The Report is available at the MFA offices, and on their website. If you're in New Mexico, we recommend you take a look; if not, we recommend you look, anyway. For the record, this is how it's done.



Client: Mortgage Finance Authority
Team: Britt Martinez, Lynn Platow, Daniel Hulsbos, Adam Rubinstein

HAPPY 7TH OF JULY!

Oh, Independence Day, you gave us the slip! …just as our cultural forebears gave those rascally redcoats the slip those 2.25 centuries ago, giving us an excellent reason to light up the propane and reflect on the innovations, accomplishments, sacrifices and transformations that have brought our country right here, to July, 2011.

Ok, admittedly, Independence Day slipped by the blog, cleverly hiding on a Monday – far from a Thursday morning as it gets. Luckily, TC Director of Photo Daniel Hulsbos knew just where to find it, and captured some of its brighter moments in ABQ. So, for those who missed it, miss it still, or want a little more (now that the weekend's back in sight), here's a little Monday night magic from the edge of town.

Click each photo for larger version.






Client: The 4th of July
Team: Daniel Hulsbos