My Favorite Session in 2010!

I thought it would be appropriate to post my favorite session from 2010 on the last day of the year! Ok, I'm a little biased because this is of my daughter, Cate, and her friend Jocelyn. She is my MOST favorite subject to photograph. Perhaps because the poor thing had a camera shoved in her face from the moment she was born is why she is such a wonderful model.

I had this idea in my head to photograph with Mardi Gras Masks every since I visited New Orleans over two years ago. I was very excited that I finally made the time to photograph just for me. I couldn't have done it without Amber Lynne's talented Make Up Artistry and Hair Styling Skills. Thank you to Amber, Cate and Jocelyn!

Happy New Year! May 2011 be better than 2010, 2009, 2008, etc. lol

The See's Candy thief!

First, I have to start with a background story about See's Candy... Sorry it's a little long but I think worth the read and hopefully a chuckle!

Easter is a big deal to us Greeks and every year my Auntie Anna and Uncle Mike would have a HUGE Easter party at their house. This began for as long as I can remember. My dad would leave the house early to help out with the preparations. Mainly, skewing two lambs on an open pit in their background. (yes, this is why I am a vegetarian!) Later, my brothers would go in my dad's place to help out.

They would host anywhere from 40-75 people over for dinner and Greek dancing. One of my fondest memories as a kid and even into adulthood. Someone would always bring them a big box of See's Candy for hosting the party and the Sarganis Clan, though never my dad and my mom was the instigator, would hunt down this famous box. My mom would carefully unwrap the box and one of us would stand guard. Each one of us would take a piece, rearrange it and remove the empty wrappers. Then my mom would carefully wrap it back up.

We did this for YEARS! We all thought we were so clever and funny. We did this in good spirits. My mom did confess to Auntie Anna years later, I'll have to ask my mom what her response was.

I've have told our kids this story and they think it's funny too. Though, some in our family don't see the humor in it. But that's another story.

Skip to Christmas 2010. My Auntie Cyrse sent us a big box of See's Candy for the holidays. My daughter Cate got the mail and snuck the box up to her room and did exactly what we had done for years to my Auntie Anna. Though, she wasn't as sneaky and stuck in an IOU note in the box and didn't remove the empty wrappers.

I laughed so hard when I opened up the box for Christmas Morning. Mind you, I didn't know that it had ever arrived. I told both my mom and Auntie Cryse what Cate had done and they both laughed as well.

So, if you have a box of Candy around the Sarganis Clan just know that you have been forewarned!

Now we have done this for years too. Take a bite and if we don't like it put the half eaten piece back in box. I mean why throw away a half of a piece if someone else in the family might like it? lol

The Misfits Wish you a very Merry Christmas!

From ksf photography & design and our family wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Ok, for all you that are familiar with the Giants and/or watched the world series will appreciate our Christmas card. If your not, click on this link for "fear the beard". And this link for the Tim Lincecum Wigs and scroll down. lol

We had a blast putting this together. It wouldn't be complete without our two dogs either! I admit we tried and tired to get an image with the dogs wearing the hats and Little Bear wearing a wig. One out of two isn't bad. Joey's worked but we gave up and I put the hat on Little Bear in Photoshop. Don't tell.

The Giants winning the World Series was a highlight for me in 2010. Go Giants!

It's finally here! Doesn't it seem like we prepare for Christmas for months? The shopping, baking, decorating, and enjoying the good will that is all around us this time of year. I wish the good will and charitable feelings that we all have lasted all year long!

Enjoy the holiday with your friends and loved ones and God Bless.

oh la la... lashes!

I bought these cool long pink eyelashes and black with red polka dot eyelashes about 2 years ago knowing that one day I would have the perfect opportunity to use them in a session! Well, that day finally arrived, and frankly, I'm amazed that I knew exactly where they were. lol

We hired the fabulously talented make up artist/hair stylist, Amber Lynne. We could not have done it without her. She rocks. This is my second time hiring Amber for a session and won't be my last.

I invited my two mentoree's (is that a word?) to visit my studio and to have a fun girls day of shooting. It was wonderful to photograph for fun! I need to do that more often.

I invite everyone to photograph (or whatever it is that you do) for fun. Let the creativity flow, relax and enjoy your work again. Especially with the Christmas rush where I have been working until 1 am almost every night, it was relaxing to not have a deadline or pressure to work under.

Thank you Kristine, Meloni and Amber!

Congrats Brittney!

I usually photograph high school seniors so I was excited to get a request to photograph a college grad, Brittney, from University of North Texas! She loved my images from Deep Ellum, so that's where we went.

Best of luck to you Brittney in your new phase of life!

I love Christmas Cards II

Here is another one of my favorite Christmas Cards from this year, and one of their favorites too. I have been photographing these girls since they were in the womb! lol

I photographed both the mom's pregnancies and then twice a year until they were about 10. Now we photograph the girls every fall without fail. I feel like I have grown up with these girls and they hold a special place in my heart.

I have the best lab, Love you Miller's. They come up with new products every year. Well, this year they offer these great die cut cards. And, I'm fortunate to say they are one of my sponsors. Thank you Millers!

I love Christmas Cards!

May I state for the official record........I love designing Christmas Cards. I look forward to it every year and in fact I state thinking up ideas for Christmas Cards in July! And, my clients do too. I will run into a client at the grocery store in July and they will ask me, "So what are we doing for our cards this year?" I even have one client, yes Kim I'm talking about you, that will call me up in August and want to start talking about ideas with me. I love it. Thanks Kim.

Well, this family is their third Christmas Card with me and I think both of our favorite one. I saw an advertisement for a Frosty The Snowman dvd and it hit me... A snowman for them would be perfect. We were rushed during this season because of a work conflict and we only took about 3 shots of the snowman. Thank Goodness it work!

Have a Merry, Frosty Christmas!

Thinking about giving a pet for a Christmas Present???

My boys!

If you are thinking about giving a pet for a Christmas Present I highly recommend, strongly encourage, wholeheartedly suggest, ok, you get the picture to look into your local animal shelter. These are lost pets or pets that the owners are simply not able to care for anymore for one reason or another.

They are well taken care of, seen by a veterinarian, and are waiting for a good home. Unfortunately, the shelters can only care for so many animals at one time so if they are not adopted they are, as you know, euthanized. It breaks my heart to hear of any animal being put down.

We have gotten all of our pets at animal shelters and have had 100% positive experience. The shepherd mix shown above we adopted when he was about 4 months old. We named him "Joey" after my husband's childhood dog. He is the best and I love him like he is my child. Though, I think he adopted us at the shelter. We had an instant bond.

The adorable corgi mix we named "Little Bear". My daughter found him on the side of the road in the country. He was around 4 weeks old. I can't believe someone could be so cruel to dump him in the middle of no where. When she brought him home he drank water for 30 minutes straight. He has turned out to be another great pet that I couldn't imagine not having in our home and being part of our family.

(The animal shelters only charge $15-$25 to drop off a pet)

We have also adopted several kittens/cats from the local shelter and couldn't be happier. Did you know some shelters also have bunnies, guinea pigs, reptiles, birds, etc.

Here is a great website that many local animal shelters use to register their animals waiting to be adopted. It has one site with thousands of pets listed. Simple put in your zip code and your criteria.

PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!

http://www.petfinder.com/info.html

I swear the animals know that you have rescued them and they are forever grateful and shower you with love!

ps - okay, I had to add the pictures of the dogs with my favorite baseball team's hats! GO GIANTS! And Merry Christmas!

Stilettos No More

I was very honored to be asked by the famous author, Diana Estill to design her book cover. Well, she is famous to me and to many others. This is her third book that she has written, been interviewed on TV, and has been written up in many of magazines and newspapers. And I'm happy to call her my friend.

Here is a blurb from her book:

Hazardous Holiday Leftovers

I woke up this morning, walked into our family room, and beheld a startling sight. And this time, it wasn’t my reflection in the decorative mirror.

“Why is there a toilet seat underneath the Christmas tree?” I asked my husband.

“Because I broke it,” he said, as if that explained everything.

“And you set it here because—?

“I’m taking it to Lowe’s.”

Mentally I noted the Christmas tree is close to the door that leads from the house to the garage. He’d set the oval lid there as a somewhat less than subtle reminder to himself, I presumed. I couldn’t help feeling amused by the site of our fully decorated tree, otherwise barren of gifts, and the lone toilet lid beneath its branches. This was a greeting card picture if ever I’d seen one. I could visualize the inscription perfectly: “Hope you get all the crap you want, this year!”

You may purchase the ebook for $1.99 from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Stilettos-No-More-ebook/dp/B004D9FW0W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1290787174&sr=1-1

(The price will increase some after this introductory price offer.)

The book will be released in paperback very shortly too.

AND . . . something VERY cool: Amazon has made it possible to GIFT an ebook this season. All you have to do is click on the "Gift this book" button and supply the recipient's email address. Amazon does the rest. Recipients receive a notice that the book is available for download to whatever device they then choose to send it to. No gift wrap required!

Please help me spread the word! This is fun, light reading that I know you will enjoy!

Twin Soccer Kings

The Twin Soccer Kings - ok, that's not their names, just the names I came up with for them... Their real names are Estaban and Manuel. They were in my studio and I couldn't resist jumping in and photographing them. They were great models as well as great role models. They teach kids soccer along with their dad and have a great time doing it. Their positive and vivacious attitudes are infectious. What a great, fun family. If only more young adults could get other kids off of Xbox and outside playing sports and exercising we would have a lot more happy, healthy kids!

To check out their website please click here!

Black Friday Sale!!!!

Ok, I might not shop on Black Friday but doesn't mean I can't join in on the fun.

All PREVIOUS SESSION IMAGES are 25% off between now and Friday at Midnight.

Send me a message! Happy Shopping.

(fine print - does not apply to sessions that I have already photographed but the order has not yet been placed)

A cup of joe for a Joe!

http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj/index.php

This is a great program for our troops serving overseas. It's quick, easy, and inexpensive and shows that you care.

I sent several soldiers a cup of coffee and they wrote me back a thank you note. How cool is that. In fact, I've even became a pen pal with one of them. And turns out she is stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas. Only a few hours away. A small world.

Christmas is just around the corner and I know they would love to hear from you!

It is still snowing in my studio....

Ok, I promise the snow will end soon - lol. I'm just having so much fun with my Holiday Special I have to keep sharing. In fact, I'm still getting calls and have extended it to this week too, but I only have a couple of spots left so hurry and call the studio if your interested. 214-474-0080

And the Snow continues....

The Winter Wonderland Holiday Special is coming to a close. Just a few more days left and I only have two spots left, then it's gone, finished, over until next year when I come up with something new. Thank you all who joined me, I appreciate it.

It's Still Snowing in my Studio....

I love all the wonderful people who has come out for my Holiday Special. I've been having so much fun with the snow! Ends this week... I have a few spots still left.... hint hint!

Check out the latest additions for the Holiday Special

Thanks Linda for bringing in the kids once again. They were wonderful to photograph as always. Merry Christmas!

My Daughter is a Thespian!

It was with such joy to watch my daughter and her friends in a play called, "Our Country's Good". It was about how the UK shipped all their criminals to Australia. The production was assembled strictly by the students and I know how hard they worked. My daughter, Cate, wasn't home for over a month straight. lol They handled the lights, set design, props, wrangling, etc.

Cate is wearing a fat suit with a big scar on her face! It was great! She's the one in the brown dress with the scarf. She had such a great time she has tried out for the next play and received a part. In fact, she has caught the acting bug and wants to move to LA. Breaks my heart to have her so far away, but I must give her the freedom to pursue her dreams. I wish her luck and break a leg, my sweet girl.

The Misfits Won!

I'm so excited for the Giants, the Bay Area, and all us Giant Fans!!!!

Wow, it was such a joy to watch the playoffs and, of course, the WORLD SERIES.

They kept the Rangers struggling for the runs the entire series, hit like crazy, and made those defensive plays. I am so proud of our misfits.

I especially loved our home games. The Giant fans are the best! Such energy and a great sense of humor. I wish I was there. I would come in a beard! lol Fear the beard.

My mom told me that she wanted to see the SF Giants win in her lifetime! Well, mom, here's to you. You made me a Giants and a 49er fan. Thank you!

Halloween 2010

Halloween 2010

Click above to watch Video!

Our Neighbors Jodi and Gary have a huge halloween party every year. In fact this might be their 29th or 30th year in a row.

They hire a band, catered food, award trophy's for best costumes (no pressure), karaoke, and this year, ELVIS was in the house!

That's Jodi and Gary as Elvira and the Joker. I was Queen of Hearts and my hubby was King of Farts. (fart machine and all. lol)

We had a fun time. Check out the video by clicking the link above.