Ha ha, the title sounds like we had Alien's come to visit. Nope, just my best friend since the fifth grade and my husband's friend since college days. The funny part is they hooked up on their own and when they told us that they were dating each other we all just laughed at the coincidence. I was maid of honor and Russ was best man at their wedding.
Well, we moved to Texas six years ago and we finally got James and Suzanne to come visit. We went to the Arboretum, Kimball Museum, and of course the Fort Worth Stock Yards. When they got to the stockyards they asked us if it was for real or like Disneyland or Knotts Berry Farm? We laughed and told them it was for real.
Love the irony of Harley's parked outside the saloon!
Had a wonderful time and can't wait for them to come visit again.
Love you guys. (That's what we say in Cali, in Texas we would say, Love you all! lol)
Yes, I'm talking about the World Series! How lucky am I that my favorite life long team, the Giants, and where I now live the Rangers are in the Series? Of course, I'm a die hard Giants fan and I'm cheering for them all the way, but if, and that's a big if, we lose I'll be glad it is to the Rangers.
For those that know me well, know that I am a huge football - SF Niners and Baseball fan. I blame it all on my mother! lol I've never seen anyone get so excited about watching sports as her. And I'm sure it's no coincidence that she only watched football and baseball, so hence those are my favorite sports too.
My biggest memory of my mom and sports is her love affair with Willie Mays. Which many consider to be the greatest baseball player ever! The Catch in the 1954 World series is still famous till this day. He ended his career with 660 HR's and played for the Giants from 1958-1972. (And no, I don't remember or was even alive for the Catch!)
Willie Mays was called "The Say Hey Kid" because he did not know the names of the others players on the baseball team when he made it to the majors. The story goes that he would say, "Say hey, man" to the other players as a greeting.
Well, my favorite was Barry Bonds. Before I left California my only wish was to go to a game and see him hit a home run. Well, about two weeks before we were scheduled to move I took my mom and brother to the game and his first appearance at bat and his first swing was a HOMERUN! I got chills, it was a sign that I could leave California and move to Texas. Oh, how I wish I was back home right now at a game!
I love Brian Wilson, fear the beard, Posey, Uribe, Sandoval who has never met a pitch he didn't like, and of course Lincecum too!
Deep Ellum is one of my favorite places to photograph. There are so many choices and different looks in a 5 block radius. Plus, you never have to worry about the time of year that you photograph there because it's buildings. They don't loose their leaves. lol
Besides, where else would you find great graffiti and a cool dinosaur to photograph too.
I'm showing you my favorites from High School Senior sessions but it would also work for Families and Children sessions. I could see kids running down the street or families walking. And that's why I love Deep Ellum.
I was very honored to be asked again to make a video for my favorite software company's website. I finished it in one take and thought it was pretty good, then the videographer said that my blouse's ruffles scratched against the mic and could I do that again? NO! I couldn't! So sorry the audio might be a little "noisy".
They had a pretty cool set up. Then Landon and Debra made a quick promo with me to promote the software company's upcoming tours. It was fun to be a "star" for 15 minutes. lol
I just don't know how people can remember their lines! It's harder than you think.
I was so fortunate to be able to attend a workshop taught by one of the most talented, generous photographers working today.
It was a nice small group and we all had a great time.
Matthew gave each one of us the same assignment and I can't wait to see how we each interpret the same idea. Who knows, it might turn into another book by Matthew.
Thank you for sharing your time and expertise with us. We all left inspired.
Jerry Rogers worked is magic as a make up artist and the beautiful Jenn Vh was our model.
Celebrate Christmas with Santa & Me Winter Wonderland Special Edition Holiday Portraits. Every Christmas I come up with a new set and this is my favorite! I can't wait to share it with you.
This is a high key background and will look it's best with light colored clothing or a pop of red or green. Feel free to choose either formal wear or winter wear - coats, hats, scarfs.
I have SNOW that will be
falling out of the sky!
(OK, not real snow, but it looks real!) You may also chose Angel Wings for a completely different look.
SANTA will be You! Either Mom or Dad will don the Santa Suit. What a better way to have your children relaxed, happy, and not crying in your annual Christmas Portrait! No worries, it's just close ups of Santa and your darlings.
Christmas Cards, Photo Gift Tags, Panel Prints, and Wall Portraits will be available at a discounted price.
Session Fee - $45 for up to three Children - additional $10 per child / $65 for Families
Packages starting at $39 - one package per pose and order must be placed on the same day as the session. Images posted online will be offered at full regular "non special prices".
Special Digital Effects is an option per pose for $25 each ( Watercolor, Filters, textures, etc)
Please email or call with questions and to schedule your sessions. Hurry, space is limited!
As a general rule we photographers are a generous group. We teach, demonstrate and share our knowledge with each other. No matter how many years you have owned your studio there is always something to learn. Especially, with the explosion of digital. Before we were mainly photographers, now we are retouch artists, graphic designers and printers! Boy, that was a huge learning curve.
Well, In the next several days I have a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the best. Yesterday I took an all day class from Michael Corsentino on Lightroom (a software program that is linked into photoshop).
Monday I'm taking an all day class from the one and only Matthew Jordan Smith. It's a rare opportunity that he is coming to Dallas and can't be missed. Matthew is frequently on America's Next Top Model and photographs fashion. One of the most classiest gentleman I have ever met and I'm honored to call him my friend as well.
Tuesday's class is from Clay Blackmore teaching video. So now to add another feather in our caps we are going to become movie producers, directors, camera persons and editors. Wow what an ever changing profession. I'm just trying to stay current.
I also believe that once you have learned a certain amount it's your turn to share as well. I love teaching! If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be up on stage lecturing I would have laughed at you. Now I'm proud to say that I have been lecturing the fine art of photographing for almost nine years. But, this week It's my turn to learn and I can't wait.
I love recording family history for my clients. It's a permanent record of our love and devotion to the most important people in our lives.
I recently had the opportunity to photograph one of my long standing client's family session. I have been photographing the kids since the oldest boy was three. Well, he just started high school this year.
I love seeing the kids grow up and being a part of their lives. The youngest, a sweetheart who runs up and hugs me every time she sees me, asked her mom when I will be retiring because she hopes that I will still have my studio when she gets married. Remind you, she is in elementary school. That put a big huge smile on my face. Love you guys!
A couple of years ago my husband and I took a long weekend get away to Santa Fe, NM and 90% of our trip was looking at art galleries. I was in heaven. I find it inspirational to my craft as well as I'm in awe of the talent out there.
It has been a long time since I was able to spend that much time looking and enjoying art. I was so happy to attend the Cottonwood Art Festival last weekend, one of the best festivals around for art and again I was in heaven. I went Saturday with Friends where I collected cards of my favorite artists then went back on Sunday with my daughter Cate, who also loves art. I don't know where she gets it. lol
Well, Saturday night I spent hours on their websites deciding on who I wanted to go back and revisit and hopefully purchase. I would like to share my favorite four artists with you. They are each unique and wonderful in their own way.
She is a digital artist, which I can relate too. She spends a lot of time on the computer but she starts from a sketch that she drew. I love her sense of humor!
She is a local artist and uses oil, acrylic, water color and charcoal.Her work is available in reproduction at most national retailers. I enjoyed talking with her very much and find her very inspirational.
I was moved when looking at her work. She is a sweetheart and very down to earth and humble. I was lucky enough to buy two of her pieces. I can't wait for them to arrive. When they do arrive I will take a photograph of them and post! I can't wait to share my love of art with you all.
I hope you enjoy checking out their websites as much as I did. And, for my fellow art lovers out there I strongly suggest you attend the next Cottonwood Art Festival.
I was honored to have one of my articles published in an international photographer's magazine and the feedback has been wonderful!
The article was published a little while ago and I'm still getting emails from other photographer's asking me questions or just saying how much they enjoyed it. So, I'm not the only one that takes a while to read my magazines too. lol
Here is a very low res file of the mag. Thanks Rangerfinder for the opportunity!
My husband and I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Ireland for 12 days. We both loved it. Driving on the other side of the road was very strange. We kept looking the other direction to see if the coast was clear and one time we almost got into an accident! Only a few people we met we could not understand for the life of us because their accent was so thick. The food was wonderful, they had a special vegetarian section on every menu! My hubby fell in love with Guinness Beer when we toured the brewery. We visited Dublin, The Blarney Castle, Cork, Cobh, Wexford, Galaway and Wicklow.
To see more images and to read details of the places we visited check out my facebook.
I spent all day yesterday shopping for props and backgrounds for my Limited Edition Christmas Special coming up this November. I'm so excited to pull it all together!
Let me say, it requires a lot of spray painting. Ok, I'll give you a hint. Silver, Sparkles, Reindeer, and Vintage Winter Wonderland. I can't wait. Stay tuned.
I'm so excited! My photo gift tags arrived yesterday. They look even better than I imagined.
Special Visitor's from Cali
Deep Ellum is one of my favorite places to photograph. There are so many choices and different looks in a 5 block radius. Plus, you never have to worry about the time of year that you photograph there because it's buildings. They don't loose their leaves. lol
I can't believe I'm making Christmas
Nov. 4th, 5th, 6th & 11th & 12th.
I've been working
I was
so
fortunate to be able to attend a workshop taught by one of the most talented, generous photographers working today.
I love recording family history for my clients. It's a permanent record of our love and devotion to the most important people in our lives. 
I've been having fun shopping, spraying, gluing and working my magic on this years up coming Christmas Special in November.
