Getting on Track
March 21, 2008 | Filed Under Fun Stuff!, Workshops | 2 Comments
WPPI was AWESOME!!! I spent last Friday evening & all day Saturday at the Business Institute, where I learned a TON of new things. It was just incredible - I filled up about 1/3rd of my moleskin with notes from all of the Business Institute panels. This could have been a problem, as I only brought one notebook! But it worked out ok in the end. I think I most enjoyed hearing Robert T. Williams speak, which was ironic because I was so tired I almost didn’t return after dinner for his panel. Instead, at least initially, I think I got the most out of it. Interesting how that happens. Added bonus, he is an Aggie! So I made sure to get a photo so that we can send a press release to A&M about us.
On Friday night, I met up with Gustavo, who I knew already through the Fast Track Photographer forums (more on that below), and Danielle from Flickr. After the Friday panel with Jerry Ghionis (fascinating!), I went to introduce myself to the other people sitting on the other side of Gustavo — only to discover that Rachel & Jamie are the Girls With Pearls from right down the road here in Houston! I also met Nicole, who is such a beautiful woman. We went to the lounge afterwards for the special treat of the piano singer and her wee short dress. Good times with new friends! Elaine finally made it to Vegas well after 1am, instead of her scheduled flight time. We stayed up so late on Friday, I decided to stay in on Saturday after the Business Institute ended.
I spent Sunday at Dane Sander’s workshop for Fast Track Photographer. We talked about a lot of really great things, and then we did our pDNA - a personality test to help you learn about what type of person you are, how it ties into what sort of photographer you are, and how to make the most of your talents. It was a wonderful, intimate day with 20 or so other photographers, and I am so grateful for how everyone opened their hearts and minds and shared so much. So very, very moving.
Sunday night I got to meet up with Elizabeth Sullivan, another Houston photographer, and her now fiance, Gary! He proposed while in Vegas at the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Hotel & Casino later in the week. We had fun chatting and catching up - it seems we’ve been too busy to get together back here in Houston, so we took advantage of talking there! Jennifer Wilson came and joined us for a bit. Eventually, we all went our separate ways, and as I was about to head up for the end of the Young Guns panel, I ran into the Tri-Coast guys and finally got to meet Suzy!
I eventually made my way up to the Young Guns session and met up with Regina, and had a whirlwind meet & great with a bunch of people while there. What a rush! Gene Higa was one of the featured Young Guns, and Ann Hamilton was there at the stage when I went to say hello. Regina, Corey Cagle & I headed out and went to the Pixel2Canvas Risque party and then over to the Sara France party. It was so great to catch up with people I already knew, and meet some brand new people - Jesse of Photographik.org, Steve DePino, Rachel & Andrew Niesen, [b]ecker, Tomas Flint, TimCo, Matthew, Anne Ruthmann … I’m sure I’m leaving people off the list, but I can’t think of everyone!
That is a good place to stop for now … more of an update to come!
Nathalie & Joe - Wedding in Asheville, North Carolina
March 15, 2008 | Filed Under Wedding Photography, Weddings | 5 Comments
Back in October when I attended the workshop in North Carolina, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to shoot Nathalie & Joe’s wedding with Regina Holder. If you’ve ever met with me, you’ve heard me talk about my mentor. Regina has been such a blessing in my life since I met her last June, so it was a thrill to get to work with her.
Regina put together the slideshow below with a combination of both of our images. It was such a beautiful day! Thank you, Regina, for everything you have done for me. I can’t say enough great things about you!
The reception was held at On Broadway.
Gearing up for WPPI!
March 13, 2008 | Filed Under Fun Stuff! | 2 Comments
I am heading out tomorrow for the WPPI Conference, the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International conference held annually in Las Vegas. I can’t decide if I’m really, really excited or really, really nervous! 10,000 photographers will be there. I don’t think that “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” will be true with that many cameras around!
Elaine is going with me, and we have plans to attend workshops, panels, the tradeshow — with the mission of finding new, unique albums to share! — and of course the parties that will be happening every night!
It is going to be crazy, educational, and so exciting. All of it. I can’t WAIT!
News, News, News!
March 8, 2008 | Filed Under Administrative | 8 Comments
On Thursday, I received the email I’ve been waiting for - the exciting invitation to be a member of the WPJA - Wedding Photojournalists Association! Oh goodness, ever since I discovered the WPJA last year, I have wanted to be a member. So when I got the news - I was so excited! I think I have told every single person I have talked to since then! What an honor, I can’t even put it into words.
On to the other news:
On Wednesday, after seeing the segment that aired on the Today Show about Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Organization, I knew it was time to put my talents to use and volunteer. Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is an organization of over 3000 photographers who volunteer to take the call in the time of need and offer newborn photography sessions for infants who will not live past their birth. This is another organization that I learned of last year, and while I felt the call to sign up for it, I kept holding back from joining - simply out of fear. I realized that fear was no excuse, and while it will be an emotional task if I am called upon to help out a family, it does not compare at all to what those families are going through and I want to be able to do what I can to help.
This is not something I normally like to write about, but I want to help get the word out that this group exists, for anyone who reads this and might need to call on them in the future. If you are a photographer, I strongly encourage you to consider joining.
Blog Stalk Me!
March 5, 2008 | Filed Under Fun Stuff! | 10 Comments
Here is the deal - some days, I get so wrapped up in everything else I’m working to get done, or researching new techniques, new products, networking with other photographers, and so forth, that sometimes I don’t post to the blog. I don’t like it when that happens, because I want to make sure there is always fresh things for you to see when you come here.
So I decided to challenge myself - and you get to keep me in check!
For the month of March, my goal is to post three times per week. (A week starting Sunday at midnight and lasting until the following Saturday at 11:59pm CST.) I was going to be a bit more zealous and say 5 times a week, but I want quality - not quantity - posts. Plus with WPPI coming up in just over a week, I know posting that week will be hard.
Now here is where you come in! If I should fail to post 3 times in the same week, the first person that comments here to point it out will get a free portrait session! You have to live within the Greater Houston area, or somewhere that I can drive to within an hour or two from my front door. (That does include Austin, Galveston, College Station, Brenham, Beaumont, and a lot of other cities, by the way.) If I’m planning to travel to your part of the world this year and you’re not in Houston, we can work something out.
What kind of portrait session? Really, it can be anything - engagement photos, bridals, newborn photography, family lifestyle photography, a senior session - you name it, I’m up for it.
But first you have to catch me neglecting the blog! So keep an eye out over here, add it to your RSS feed reader, or whatever it takes!
Photograph notes: Taken with Kevin & Hadley at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina in October, 2007.
Liz & Dave - Texas A&M Engagement Session
March 3, 2008 | Filed Under Engagement Sessions | 5 Comments
I went Texas A&M back in the late ’80s, so I was thrilled to have the chance to return to the campus to photograph Liz & Dave’s engagement session back in December! I’ve been back for a Final Review or two and a few games over the years, but this was one of the first times that I just walked around campus. It was so quiet and peaceful due to being winter break, and it was just incredible to be there.
Liz & I have actually known each other for some time as part of the Houston knitter community and thanks to our blogs, so it has been so much fun to be a part of her wedding plans. It was great to finally get to meet Dave in person too, after hearing about him for some time!
Dave proposed to Liz at the Bell Tower on the Texas A&M campus, and since the campus is a part of their history we really wanted to capture them there. We’ve also talked of doing a special session with them in their Fencing gear, as Fencing is a big part of what brought them together as a couple! I hope we get to do it - it would be so cool!
Their wedding day is coming up at the end of March - I can’t WAIT!
We started the day at the Bell Tower.
Dave told me after I suggested using this wall for a background that we were pretty much right at the spot where he proposed to Liz. How cool is that?
After we left the Bell Tower, we moved on to the Century Tree. This shot on the right was an “oops” - but I love the crazy flare!
The Century Tree has been a major fixture on Texas A&M’s campus since Old Army Days, planted in approximately 1898. Located in Academic plaza between Hart and Legett Residence Halls, it has become a favorite romantic spot among students.
As the legend goes, if two lovers walk underneath the tree’s massive branches together, it is a sign that they will eventually marry. Moreover, If two lovers propose under the Century Tree, it is a sign that their marriage will last forever. - From Replant Texas A&M.
I think Liz was starting to get a bit cold and therefore pretty feisty! Haha!
Liz suggested walking over to Scoates Hall because the building has some cool, ornate decorations. We were all amused to realize that there are rats running throughout the corn! Texas A&M has deep roots in Agriculture (thus the “A” in “A&M”), so it wasn’t too surprising, but what a fun discovery!
As we walked back to the cars so we could head off to a restaurant for dinner, we had a great sunset to keep us company. What a perfect ending to a great day on the Texas A&M campus!
Thanks again to Liz & Dave for allowing me the opportunity to remember all the good times I had at A&M - I look forward to returning to the campus again soon!
