a Wedding - a Reunion

There's something very special about a union of two people. Commitment to, and promise of love makes the event truly unforgettable. I was honored to have witnessed the marriage of Jill and Mark. The two were undeniably in love and the evidence was in front of my lens each time I framed them in a photo. Smiles never left their faces, their arms never stopped embracing, and the kisses went on and on. In the midst of all this not only their dreams of being together came true, but also the dreams of their five year old son, as he watched mommy and daddy exchange their sacred vows. The ceremony went on as the three of them held on to each other, heads bowed in prayer....hearts full of love.

Photo Tip: Stay in the moment and experience your subject's emotional state if you can, in order to anticipate the "awww moments" . Allow yourself to be touched by the moment....it's okay!

Sweetness, tender love, and a brand new angel is born

We react to the events of each day as they unfold and sometimes during the course of life we are surprised by the emotions that arise as we encounter certain people or situations. Often we don't think too much about it, but once in a while the feelings are so undeniably strong that we take notice.

As I hold my newly born nephew in my arms, the warmth of his body takes me into a world beyond where my body resides. My head droops lower in order to be as close to his breath as possible. His peaceful slumber is calming and quiets my mind....and that's when emotions take hold and rise up deep from my gut...and my heart beats faster as tears find their way out on my cheeks.

Surprised by this deep emotional reaction I turn away so not everyone can see the private personal moment I am having with this angel. But after a while it's impossible to hide. I can't really explain it but when it was time to take a few photos of him it was apparent to me that those photos will reflect my tender feelings towards him.

I am so moved by this little baby...."Mason"

Photo Tip: Take photos of what moves you......it's always a sure bet you will get an amazing photo

Beauty and the light

I can't say enough about light. The quality of it gives your photographs the emotional value that they each possess. The direction of it, the temperature, the amount, ...every aspect of it can affect your photo in a different way. I am learning that by manipulating the light I can give my photographs more feeling. The pure sunlight can give the photo a playful feel, the cloudy overcast skies can make the photo moody and sometime mysterious, the warm light of the sunset gives photos a romantic glow...and on and on. These few photos were taken in the middle of the day, but with some control of the light I was able to get the perfect tone and highlights....of course it didn't hurt that she was beautiful.

Photo Tip: Control the light by using diffusers like standing some one next to a window with sheer curtains if there is a lot of sunlight pouring inside. Or reflectors, like having a person hold a white poster board underneath their chin for fill light.

Holiday Promotion

Limited Offer for the Holiday Season All Sessions during the months of October, November, and December of 2009 will benefit from a 50% discounted rate on the Session Fee.


Special Holiday Package $175.00

Includes the following:
* A one hour session with the photographer for up to 4 people. The session will mainly focus on group configurations for the purposes of Holiday gifts and cards. Additional people will be $25.00 each.
* One enlargement of the photo of your choice up to an 8X12
* 5 digital neagatives of poses captured during this session for your unlimited use.
* Location will be decided upon booking.


Special Family Package $295.00

Includes the following:
* A two hour session with the photographer for up to 10 people. The session will mainly focus on getting a family portrait with the extended family members. Additional people will be $25.00 each.
* 3 enlargements of the family portrait up to an 11X14
*(optional) purchase of 10 digital negatives of other poses captured during this session for your unlimited use is $50.00
*The location will be decided upon booking.

Best in Show

They announced the winners of the Texas Photo Festival 2009 - and guess who was the winner of the "Best in Show" Category? Yours truly! Here's my winning photo. The set was of an old antique clothing store with lots of old time hats and shawls. The kids were Smithville's residences and were being models for a day. "Derek" is the boy in the photo, and he was had a very intense gaze and was able to be confident enough to look straight in to the lens. The girls had lots of beautiful big hats and boas and shawls to decorate themselves with, but the boys only had the hat and black jacket and the cigar! The character of this young man is all in his eyes. I loved to photograph him.

"Little Hawk" a Cherokee

It was true. I had not ever personally met an American Indian before. As I told him that I shook his hand and he was happy to tell me a little bit more about himself. He was adopted by his parents. They were not from the same tribe. He was a Cherokee.
"I am the black sheep of the family you know". He pointed out all of his tattoos that covered both forearms.
He also told me how proudly he served in the Marines as a Gunnery Sergeant for 22 years. He had patches of honor all over his leather vest. He pointed them all to me. He said he wants to go back to serve but they won't take him since he's 57.
Why are you named Little Hawk, I asked. "Because I fly high and protect the young", he said very quickly. "I am the elder, the kids respect me". As he stood by the table where he laid all of the skulls and bones he sold, I took a few photographs.



Photo Tip: People and their stories are inspiring. I wouldn't have been able to take "Little Hawk's" photo effectively if I hadn't listened to his story first. That's why in order to capture the essence of your subject in a photograph you need to get to know them. Case and pointe : Moms and Dads take some of the best photos of their kids, simply because they know them the most.

Kids. Little, medium, and big

After all that I photograph, I still come back to the subject of children. They possess a freshness and innocence that begs you to document its rarity. All body parts are brand new and shiny. Free smiles all around and when tears come, they are as pure as rain water. It amazes me always, how we are touched by children every time we are in contact with them . Photographing children can tell so many stories. With no preconceived notions, they make the best subjects. No wonder some of the most powerful photographs of all times are of children.

Photo Tip:

In taking photographs, try to capture the emotion rather than just the aesthetics. It comes with practice. You can sense a moment before it happens sometimes. You can have your camera ready and capture a few shots before and after just to make sure you get that one special one. In other words, shoot in burst.