WPPI in Vegas!

 I just got back from one of the largest conventions for photographers held in Las Vegas. WPPI = Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. What makes WPPI so fun is, well, it's in Vegas, duh, but more than that is the international mix of photographers. They pull photographers from Asia, Australia, France, UK, etc., and of course the good ole US of A. I love the accents and I love seeing the latest trends in style of photography all over the world.

I also love the camaraderie that photographers share and seeing friends from one year to the next. I tried to count how many WPPI Conventions I have attended and I think it's up to 10. It's important as a photographic artist to stay current with the latest trends, products and techniques. I strongly believe that if you are not attending at least a couple of conventions a year you are doing yourself and your clients a disservice. Let's face it, our industry is changing so fast and new, fun products are being introduced monthly. Did you know that you can now print an image on metal? lol

WPPI offers one of the biggest trade shows ever! This year they had 402 vendors showing their stuff! I know, I counted the booths from the floor plan. lol And, I worked one of those booths. It was great fun to meet so many wonderful people. Thanks for stopping by the G.A. booth.  I have so much fun when people remember me from last year and stop by to see  our latest products.

So, again, stay current in your field. You owe it to yourself and to your clients. Besides, it's great fun to educate yourself and to be in the know!  :)

New Year - New Samples

New Studio Sample Gallery Wrap

With the start of the New Year I always reevaluate my studio and thought it was time for some new samples. Don't get my wrong, I love the samples I have displayed now and would be perfectly happy keeping them.... But dang it, people want to see new "stuff". lol

Okay, so here is some new stuff. I do love the new artsy items that are becoming available now too.

I hope you love this as much as I do! And, is he just not the most adorable little boy ever?

Happy Valentine's Day

I want to wish my Sweetheart of almost 34 years Happy Valentine's Day. You are still my everything and I love you! Sadly, I don't have a romantic photograph of just the two of us. That's on my wish list. But, I do have a wonderful family portrait that I would love to share.

Happy Valentine's day to all my Sweethearts!

Teavana

I am in love with this store: Teavana!  Yes, I use to be an avid coffee drinker and ever since my trip to Ireland, where I couldn't drink the coffee because it was so daaang strong I started drinking tea. And feeling better too. It is loaded with many health benefits, especially white teas. See what I mean:

Health Benefits of White Tea:

• Extremely high amount of antioxidants
• May inhibit the growth of certain forms of cancer
• May reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Excellent for skin and complexion
• Approximately 1% of the caffeine in a cup of coffee

I really don't mean to sound like a commercial, but I am in love and what to share! lol Those that know me well, know that I'm sort of a health freak, but now actually, I'm getting a little obsessed. I just ordered  5 or 6 more teas. And of course that means 5-6 more tins to store them in too.

My favorites are:

Azteca Fire® Herbal Tea

Price reflects 2oz (25-30 cups)

$6.00

Product Rating

 

Description

Everyone's favorite blend of chocolate and strawberries with a kick. This modern take on the ancient tradition of blending chili peppers with cacao stands the test of time. A spicy refreshment any time of day. 

Come on now, it has CHOCOLATE  in it. OMG, I even pick out the big chunks of chocolate before I steep it and nibble on it. Did I clarify how much I love chocolate?

Earl Grey Creme Black Tea

Price reflects 2oz (25-30 cups)

$4.50

Product Rating

 

Description

A smooth and rich combination of classic Earl Grey black tea and Bergamot oil with a touch of dairy-free creaminess coming from the vanilla pieces and cream flavoring added. 

YUMMY!!

Tranquil Dream® Herbal Tea

Price reflects 2oz (25-30 cups)

$6.00

Product Rating

 

Description

An extremely relaxing night time tisane. It makes a wonderful cup of tea just before bed because it helps calm your nerves, relieve aches and pains, and generally relax your body and mind.

Recommended especially for those who love chamomile. 

I have one to two cups every night to help me sleep.

I received an email this morning stating free shipping until 2/16. Now you have no excuse not to try it. I promise you will get hooked and your body will thank you. :)  Oh, one more thing, use honey instead of sugar. Ton's of health benefits to honey too.

Teavana link for shipping offer!

Honey Bee

I'm so very honored to be asked by my favorite Graphic's Company to lend a hand on their new release called "Honey Bee".  It is a vintage baby collection. I have been working with their fabulous designer collecting images to be displayed in their samples and I even get to "tweak" a few things here and there. Whoo hoo!

Having a lot of fun... I can't wait to share the release with you all.  Ok, I can't resist... Above is a sneak peak.

Stay tuned!

(c)2011 Graphic Authority and ksf photography & design

Life is Precious

It is with a sad and heavy heart that I write this post. Tonight we attended a memorial of one of my son's good friends, Stevie Kendall. He was only 18 and still a senior in high school. He lost his life in a car accident in the ice storms that Texas has been hit with recently.  My son Conner's best friends were all in the car,  it hit very close to home. These are all smart, good kids that we have known ever since we moved to Texas almost 7 years ago.

His memorial was standing room only with people out in the hallways because they could not fit inside the room. That is a testament to what a wonderful young man Stevie was. And I loved that they displayed so many wonderful pictures, his favorite stuffed animal, the theatrical masks for his love of the arts, an old fashion camera was also on the table for his love of photography. Someone drew this picture of him too that they had on display.

My heart and prayers goes out to Stevie and his family. Tonight at the memorial they stated that the last text Stevie sent to his mother while they were in the car was, "I Love, Love, Love You". Wow, that's powerful and his mom will never forget those words! . Always tell the people in your life how much you love them. Forgive misunderstandings. Spend more time with your loved ones. Enjoy your life.

His parents and friends got him. Understood him. Loved him. It was wonderful to see. Stevie taught us all tonight to love and he was loved my many.

God Speed Stevie Kendall you will be missed.


If you would like to help Stevie's family with funeral costs please visit your local Chase Bank and make a donation in Stevie's name.  Account number 2987392491. Thank you!

Deedee Divine's Totally Skewed Guide to Life

My neighbor and friend who is an author  has appeared on a local Sacramento, Ca channel to promote her book. This is her first book, though she has three published now. (And her third book I designed the cover - Stilettos No More)

The interesting thing is they wanted her to appear as her character in the book, not as herself,  the author.

I think she did a great job and I just love her books. Click below for a link to watch her appearance.
Deedee's on TV!

and click on the link below to read her blog about it.
Totally Skewed Blog

How I Pack for a Trip

This might be a funny blog,  but I get asked all the time because I travel frequently and thought I would pass along my tricks. I also saw that one of my FB friends posted to her status how she hates to pack. So Chanda, this is for you too. lol

1.  I leave all my clothes on their hangers and just fold them over two and half times in my suitcase. This way I just grap the whole stack out and hang it up in the hotel closet. Besides, I can't use their hangers... I'm not 6'3" and their hangers would stretch my clothes and leave weird marks on the arms of my clothes.  I also bring a few empty hangers for what I'm wearing.  Plus, when I get home for the clothes that I didn't end up wearing I simply hang them back up.

2.  Depending on how long my trip will be I only pack one color theme. Ie; All clothes and shoes in a brown tone or black tone. This way everything will blend and I am packing less clothes, shoes, belts and jewelry.

3.  I always pack "flip flops", my yoga pants, and long and short sleeve tee shirts so I have something comfortable to wear.  Plus if I need to run and go grab ice or something I can quickly throw those on. Also my gym clothes. Hotel gyms are pretty good these days.

4.  I always have my toiletries in a to go travel bag so I just pick up the whole bag and throw it in my suitcase. I don't have to add anything to it or hunt stuff down. It unzips in the middle and has clear cases on each side which eliminates the need for me to put my stuff in baggies to go thru security. The TSA crew can plainly see all my liquids.

5  I'm an avid tea drinker so I always bring my travel mug with me plus my favorite tea bags. Or if you love coffee Starbucks Via's are fabulous. They are instant coffee if your not in the know.  Usually the rooms will have either a microwave or a coffee pot for hot water. Unless your in Vegas and you get Nothing. But, that's a whole different blog.

6.  I usually don't finish my meals and always have leftovers, and restaurants don't package up your food very well so I bring Ziploc baggies. I throw my food at the bottom of the ice bucket and then also but ice in another baggie and it's usually good until the next morning. I love dinner food for breakfast and breakfast food for dinner! Though, I'm a vegetarian and I'm not trying to keep meat fresh, so rethink that if you are a carnivore. lol

7.  I bring a collapsable tote bag to carry all the extra stuff you end up with on the way home. You know you always come home with more stuff than you left with. Shootsac at the trade shows makes a great one (for my fellow photog's). It zips up nice and small, but is very big and roomy when you unzip it.

8.   If you forget something when you leave the hotel, forget it, it's gone forever! I have even called the hotel a hour later and the standard response is, "We couldn't find it, Ma".  I think it's some sort of hotel code thing between housekeeping and the front desk. I guess I'm a little forgetful and have lost several items to the "pool" of the hotel staff.

Hope this helps next time you need to travel. I'd love to hear if you have any great tips on packing and traveling too.

It's finally here... Superbowl Sunday!

Dallas is an exciting place to be right now. Well, that is if you are a football fan. And you know that I am. lol  I was telling my husband that I was going to blog about Superbowl Sunday and he suggested how funny it would be to add pictures of me cheering on the field from the 49er games when I was in high school. I agreed. This is hilarious.

Randy Cross, C & me

The 49ers would invite the local high school cheerleaders to come and cheer on the field and luckily they invited us regularly. That and all three of my brothers playing football cinched it for me. Every since my love for the game continues to grown. Plus my parents being huge fans and watching the games on TV with them since I was a wee little thing.

How brave was I to just go sit on the bench with Randy Cross and have our photo taken? Actually, I don't think I'm that brave any more. Or perhaps I was just naive. lol  I do remember the coach yelling at him afterwards to keep his head in the game. Sorry Randy.

And how lucky am I to continue to be invited on the field by my very good friend Terrell Lloyd.  But now I am fortunate to photograph the games instead of cheering. I just had to share some of my images from the field. It is so much fun. Can you say, "Could it be any Funner?" In my best Chandler voice.

me and Terrell

Vernon Davis, TE

Frank Gore, RB

 Wish I was on the field today photographing the Superbowl. The only thing better would be if the Niners were playing in it. A gal can dream can't she?

I am so disappointed in the weather as I know of many fans here in Dallas are. (Really, this is unusual weather for us. We don't get snow and freezing temps very often.) Though you can still feel the excitement in the air hosting the Superbowl here in Dallas. Ok technically Arlington.  Lot's of news coverage,  the "NFL Experience" at the Dallas Convention Center, and the ESPN Set in Fort Worth to name just a few.

I hope Jerry wins the bid for 2016 to host the Superbowl again. And pray that the weather is a sunny 65 degrees.



GO NINERS, umm I mean GO PACKERS!

Reggie Bush, RB

Baby it's Cold Outside!

Oh man oh man! I'm not used to this weather. Many northern states and yes, Texas is experiencing extreme ice storms and a cold front right now. Ok, I expect that if I live in Greenbay, Wisconsin - ok, I had to put in a mention for the Packers, lol - but not in a Gulf State.

Are we just wussies in the warmer states and the cooler states are tougher?  Maybe, they are a lot MORE prepared for this cold front than we are. I'm wondering... Do you stay home and are afraid to drive on the roads or do you all have four wheel drive vehicles and own a snow plow?

I admit it I'm a wuse. I like my sun and warmth. I know I've been in Texas for almost 7 years now but deep down I will always be a California Girl. Give me the beach and the sun any day. And when I want the snow I drive to it, to beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Well, staring out the window checking out the snow and streets today I saw our chair out on our front porch with the frozen ice and couldn't resist capturing this image. I know it's only with my iphone but you know the saying,  "the best camera is the one you have with you" and the quickest one where you can be in and out of the cold in 5 seconds!

Stay warm my friends!

SYNC

  Just got back yesterday from SYNC (Senior and Youth National Convention) that was held in St. Petersburg, Florida. I attend A LOT of conventions for two reasons: You can never stop learning no matter how many years you have been in the business and I love to socialize and network with other photographers. Sometimes you learn more at dinner than in class. lol

I must say this convention is one of my favorites. I love that the first class started at 9 am! No, I am not a morning person. Usually they start at 7 am. That's just crazy. I loved the long lunch break to enjoy the beach and take a walk along the ocean line. The smaller crowd was nice too. About 450 attendees compared to 10,000-16,000 students.

This was the first time in 15 years that I felt like it was also a vacation because of the slower pace and right on the beach. Boy, did I enjoy that. Usually, you are running from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm with only an hour break for lunch and dinner. I need a vacation when I come home! lol


How can you beat these beautiful sunsets every night too. Nope, this isn't Hawaii! lol Beautiful Florida with white sand beaches. Really,  70 degrees on the beach in JANUARY? I want to move.

So, for the photographers that read my blog... GO TO SYNC next year.  And, if your not a photographer find a reason to connect with others in your field and enjoy the camaraderie amongst your peers.

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