Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Portrait Session: Lindsay

My sister Lindsay is a crazy individual. One thing I love most about her is she has no limit to her love. Since graduating I think my sisters have a little more confidence in my photography and have become more willing models for me. I followed Lindsay around while she got her car inspected and then we went to the park and did a quick shoot there. Enjoy!

My Crazy Pets

One of the perks of being home for the holidays is that I get to spend time with my wonderful pets. Each one has the most interesting personality! I want to dedicate this blog post to them.

This first picture is of Murphy. She is 8 years old, a mix between a Blue Heeler and Alaskan Husky/Wolf. Despite how much love she receives, she is a skittish dog. Very smart and very loving, she is terrified of wood floors and likes to eat her food in the living room. Recently she has gone through an allergic reaction to a flea bath and has picked off all the hair from her bottom and tail. It looks really sad. Though we know she is one of the happiest dogs in the world.

Kiki is Jaclyn's cat. 6 years old, she is very affectionate and when she lies down to rest, she'll straddle whatever she's sleeping on - be it a couch, a person's lap, or a pillow. She will come running when she hears someone whistle and if she really likes you, she'll give you kisses and then a love bite.

Now Cooper is a unique dog. He is a 2 year old mix between a German Sheppard and a Shar-Pei. We think he may have a bit of Labrador in him, but we love him regardless of what breeds he may be. He is a very smart dog and he sits so pretty and tall. Just like Murphy, he likes to eat in the living room too. He despises the mailman and is the first to announce anyone's presence outside the house.

Finally, there is Fat Kitty. Yes, that is her name. She is about 5 years old and she adopted us. She came to us when Jaclyn started leaving food out for her. She was pregnant and graced us with a litter of kittens after being with us for just a few weeks. It wasn't until we got her spayed that her personality changed from pure evil to moody and temperamental. She only wants to be loved on when she's in the mood and she will let you know when she wants to be pet. She'll come right up to you and interrupt whatever you doing and demand attention. After she's had enough, she'll run off hissing. Strange cat.


Yes, these are my pets. As crazy as they are, I do love them.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Portraits: Clay

I moved to Texas in 1999 and started my 6th grade year at Wimbish Elementary where I made new friends, new enemies and found a new identity. Clay was one of the good guys, one of the friends I kept when we went to junior high. While we only really knew each other for 2 years of public schooling, we saw each other occasionally in high school at speech tournaments and then found each other again through Facebook. A healthy dose of Facebook stalking ensued on both sides.

When Clay heard I was in the Metroplex, he sent me a message begging for some awesome photos from me. How could I say no? We met up and walked around the Highlands, and surprisingly, for a guy who has never had a portrait session before, he was a very cooperative model.

It was wonderful getting to catch up with Clay. Here are some of my favorite shots from the afternoon.

Portraits: MJ and Mason

Going up to the Parks Mall with Mason and his daughter MJ was an absolute adventure! It all started with me going through my portfolio and seeing there was an absence of photographs of children. One thing that made this such a great experience was that MJ knew me and was already at ease with me and when I lifted up my camera to take her picture, she went into full "diva" mode. Hand on hip. Big smile. "Aren't I fashionable!" she asked in statement form. Oh I don't think there was a moment I wasn't smiling around her. She is so smart and so sassy.

"Isn't daddy handsome?" Yes, MJ, he sure is.
"Don't I just look like a princess?" Yes, MJ. You are a beautiful princess.

Earlier I mentioned the sass.... ^^^
In this photo, I asked her to pose and after she turned around to face me, she put up her finger and told me I was allowed "one picture only." Okay. One picture. She was the boss.

As we were leaving the mall to go to a park, MJ put on a small show, dancing across the floor with a flurry of poses, twirls, spins, and a bucket full of smiles and laughter.

"Hey, MJ, can you go stand by that pole, under the sign?"
"Yeah!" she exclaims and goes and runs under the sign, looks at it and then grabs it. Of the photos from this spot, this was the absolute best. She loved to have her picture taken, but when she was done, she was done and it was off to the next spot, and the next adventure!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Gibson Ranch Dugout

I have never been to a cowboy dugout before. Just so happens, they don't all look like this. Most of them are dug into the side of a hill or mountain and are pretty rough-looking. This one, on Mike Gibson's ranch is the Taj Mahal of all cowboy dugouts. It was such a wonderful opportunity to get to see such beautiful country and be in the company I was in.

While we waited for everyone to get back to the dugout, Sylinda and I got dinner together. Once it was on the fire, the sun was absolutely perfect in the sky, so I grabbed my camera and took a few shots around the dugout of the beautiful country that surrounded us. Breathtaking.


These last two shots are of the dugout itself. ISO 800, f-8, 30 seconds.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Photo Expedition and the Rattlesnake

The Badlands Wildlife Expedition put on by Wyman Meinzer allows people to come into Wyman's backyard, which includes several surrounding ranches, and photograph some of the most beautiful country in West Texas. They experience true untamed wildlife - bobcats, coyotes, and rattlesnakes - and learn how to call in the predators. It is an absolutely incredible experience, one I encourage anyone who has the time to go on. It is open to photographers and non-photographers alike. Wyman will not only teach you about photography and present you with incredible opportunities, but he will allow you to see beauties of life many often pass by without realization or notice.

A few members of the expedition were a bit wary when it came to photographing the rattlesnake, but Wyman's constant and patient encouragement, allowed the fear to slip away and some amazing photographs to be made. It was such a thrilling opportunity to witness this. On the Junction adventure, I had my first opportunity to be face-to-face with a rattlesnake and now I feel like an old pro at it. It is an understanding between photographer and snake. No quick movements. Relax. Breathe. Be patient. Standing on the side and watching Wyman work with and encourage and advise these groups of people as they approached the snake with their preconceived ideas and hesitations was absolutely thrilling. I don't think there was a moment I was not smiling.

This post is a combination of the first two expeditions put on by Wyman and the people who helped make them so memorable.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering

This past weekend I went to the Fort Worth Stockyards for the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Trade show. Santa Fe on the Brazos had it's own booth to sell store items and promote Wyman's new book - Under One Fence: The Waggoner Ranch Legacy.

Sylinda and I had an amazing time meeting new people, dancing and having some pretty delicious meals. We stayed in the Stockyards Hotel, which was only a minute walk from the rodeo, the dance and the barn where the trade show was held.

During the low-traffic time, I had my camera out and took photos of the people who would walk by. Some, I had incredible conversations with, and some never even noticed I even had my camera out. Here are just a few that I adore from this weekend.