DFW Photo Expo and Me!

This weekend is Arlington Camera's big photo expo. They have lined up an impressive list of photographers to present. Tony Corbell (adore him!), Sandy Puc', Will Crockett, Steve Kozak and Richard Sturdevant to name just a few. If you are in the industry you know who they are!

And guess who else is presenting two programs?  Yep, me. I'm always so honored when asked to speak at conventions or expos!

Here are my details, just in case you might want to stop by.

Saturday Dec. 1st 3 pm- 4 pm
"Sharing all my Best Secrets!"

Sunday Dec. 2nd  1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
"Putting the Art Back in Photography"



Here is the link for more info - http://www.dfwphotoexpo.com/main/

Shoot Out America - SPI Convention

I am always so honored when asked to present a program to other photographers. And in Florida with a trip to Disney World in January - doesn't get any better than that!

SPI has lined up some amazing speakers. The ever so talented photoshop guru, Eddie Tapp with his wonderful finance Judy Host speaking on the Creative Process. Along with Richard Sturdevant sharing his program "Never Surrender the Quest for Excellence".  Richard is the only person to score 4 perfect 100 prints at PPA.  Now, that's is impressive!

I love that they have covered all the basis with programs. From Business, Marketing, Design, Photoshop, Children, Family, Seniors to the Great Shoot Out America. They will have shooting bays with all the instructors demonstrating their shooting styles along with the attendee's shooting for themselves.

Finished out with a trip to Disney World for $79 a night. Bring the family and make it a vacation!

Check out the 10 ten reasons to attend by clicking on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpsXcsP81FI&feature=youtu.be

Hope to see you there!

Click here to register spiconvention.com

Moving sucks, but this is what I have learned to helped!

Ok, we all know moving sucks, but I have learned a lot in the process and I hope this helps you make your next move less suckie.

Here is tip one that I can finally post. You see, I couldn't find my computer for two weeks. Long story to come later.

1) Before you move write down categories in your kitchen, garage, closets, etc. by opening up the cabinets and writing them down on post it notes. Plus the approximate size needed for each category.  For example, in the kitchen the categories would be tupperware, glasses, mixings bowls, etc. and for me I have a big tea collection that needs a whole cabinet by itself.

Once you get in your new house take those post it notes and stick them on the cabinets. You would be surprised how many times you have to rearrange the post it notes. Better to take off the post it's and move them around instead of taking everything out of the cabinet and physically moving items.

I must say this is one thing I did right in the kitchen and in my closet. I wish I would have carried that principle to the garage and especially my studio! I'm ready for next time, except I'm not planning on a next time any time soon! lol

The Reports of my Death are Greatly Exaggerated!

Ok, well maybe not my death. lol Just my moving back to Cali. I'm still here in Texas and I will run into someone and they will ask me if I am here visiting. I just have to chuckle because I have never left. Thought I should explain because I'm asked almost daily did you move yet?  Why not? What are you doing now? etc. lol

Yes, it's true we did try and move back to Cali. We looked online for 6 months and took four trips back to Sonoma County to look at houses. There is just no inventory and we couldn't find a house to meet our needs. It's pretty tough when we both work out of the house. Or, maybe we are just too spoiled with the big beautiful houses in Texas. Maybe, we are indeed Texans now? Maybe God's plan wasn't done with us in Texas?  Though, I really thought it was time to move home. I cried for a month when we realized it just wasn't going to work out. I'm especially heart broken that I can't be close to my mom. That thought still brings tears to my eyes.  I love you Mom!

My Cali Clients are pretty mad at me too. They thought I was coming home. Sorry I jumped the gun telling everyone. I miss you all very much.

And I'm sorry I'm not going to see my favorite sports teams broadcast on TV every week.  We are back to traveling to the local sports bar to watch the SF Giants and 49ers. Go GIANTS and NINERS!

My mom has been asking me to post pictures of our house. Well, here are a few. We custom built this house and it is near and dear to our hearts.

Side view of front of house. 

I'm really going to miss my studio space...

...and office!

Our "Zen" Spot. We love to start our day each morning by drinking our tea
in these chairs and enjoying the waterfall, the view, and the birds chirping.

Our "comfy" spot.

I know what you are thinking. Wait, I thought you said you weren't moving so why am I talking about missing my house? Well, in the meantime we got several really good offers on our house so we thought we might as well downsize. The two of us don't really need all that space and yard work.

Our wonderful Broker, Tina Leigh Meeker, found us this great home in Rockwall. She is the best! We have never felt so well taken care of before when listing our home. I'm not exaggerating when I say SHE IS THE BEST! :-)

It's a "Green" house across the street from hiking trails, walkable to downtown and close to the lake.  So excited for this new phase in our life's. A simpler, easier lifestyle.  And, I'm 12 minutes from my BBF Liddie!

Our new home! No all that property isn't ours. Luckily! Remember simpler.

Our new Zen spot.

We close tomorrow. Wish us luck with our move. I'll post pics of our new home when we get settled. Can't wait to share. Yep, we are supposed to stay in Texas. You Texans are some the nicest, sweetest people I know. I love my Texan friends.

Happy 22nd Birthday to my Sweet Girl, Cate.

I can't believe my sweet girl is 22 today. Happy Birthday, Cate Sarganis Fritz.

I especially can't believe we are empty nesters. Really, it feels like my kids should be 14 and 16 but they are all grown up!   I'm so happy I have recorded their lives over the years. It brings such joy to me, my hubby and the family to see their progress in life and how much they have changed.

Luckily for me Cate loves to be photographed, so I photographed her quite often. She is my muse. Some of my favorite images I've ever taken are of her when we were playing around with the ever so talented make up artists, Randee Strand and Amber Lynn.

22nd Birthday Portrait (C)2012 ksf

20th Birthday Portrait (C) 2010 ksf / Amber Lynn MUAH

19th Birthday Portrait (C)2009 ksf / Randee Strand MUA / Sonia Trevino Hair

Can you see a big difference from 19 years old to 20? I sure can.

18th Birthday Portrait (C) 2008 Emily Rusk 

Cate modeled for many photographers and this fabulous image was captured by the talented Emily Rusk. Now you can really see a difference. She looks so young.

14th Birthday Portrait with all of her cousins and brother (C)2004 ksf

Played the Wicked Witch of the West in the Jr. High Play (C) 2003 ksf

Even when she was 13 she knew she wanted to be an actress. I know I'm a proud mom, but she did an amazing job. That wicked laugh, well, was wicked.

2005 I wonder where she got that kissy face from?

Yes, she was starting to show that star quality even back then.

8 months old. (C) 1991 ksf

This was one of my favorite images of her.  I enlarged it to a 20x24 to display in our home. Can you believe I took both of my kids portraits every month for their first two years? I wish the images were digital back then. I would have them on my computer to show you more. (I took a copy of a wallet with my iphone lol)

Thank you for going down memory lane with me. Please don't let your babies grow up to be "Iphone babies"! Snapping images with your camera is fine, but every several years please spend the time and energy to capture what only a professional photographer can. It's important to record their childhood. You won't regret it.

God Speed Cate on your new adventures in Cali. We miss you so much already.

Imaging 2012 - New Orleans

I love the first of the year because it means I'm off to conventions. My favorite is organized by Professional Photographer's of America and it's simply called "Imaging".  PPA is the biggest and oldest photographer's association around. Though I really do need to have a serious discussion with them about not planning it on the same day as the playoff games. lol

Traveling on Game Day

It is so much to meet new people in the industry then every year looking forward to seeing them again. I have made friends from Australia, Canada, London, Houston, and Chicago to name a few. Hmmm, I wonder if that means I can crash at their house when we travel. They are invited to crash with us! :)

The trade shows are always fun and interesting as well. Where else can you learn the newest and greatest? A couple years ago it was metal prints, this year wall clings. I wonder what will be big next year?

PPA keeps it exciting by moving the convention to a new city every year. Last year it was held in San Antonio, this year New Orleans. I must admit, New Orleans has been the most fun. What a great city with a great "vibe"! If you have not visited, put it on your bucket list. Of course we visited Bourbon Street, but I had more fun on Frenchman Street. A quieter, less traveled section that contains about a dozen little jazz clubs. The highlight on Bourbon Street was running into an old high school friend. What are the odds?

On Bourbon Street with an old friend from high school

Maison's on Frenchman Street

It is jam packed with activities from 7 am till 11 pm.  Classes, trade show, after dinner events, and play time. No trip to New Orleans would be complete without eating at Cafe De Monde and cruising the French Quarter. I love the original art on Royal Street too.

Beignets & Latte at Cafe De Monde

French Quarter

French Quarter

French Quarter. My favorite image I took.
(With several actions and textures applied)

Hope you enjoyed my iPhone images from my trip! Have to love the iphone 4s.