I decided at the beginning of 2009 as I looked over my goals for the year that I wanted to start doing more senior portrait sessions — along with more boudoir, maternity and newborn sessions and of course weddings! It is interesting how one style of photography blends into the other, and yet they are all different too. They are just so much fun for me for a variety of different reasons. Getting to capture the personalities of the teens at their senior sessions is the best! Plus who wants studio photos just like everyone else’s shots, when you can have something uniquely your own?

I decided to recruit Senior Ambassadors to help me spread the word. My Ambassadors get a lot of really cool stuff, including free sessions, discounts on prints, albums and products, bonuses for referrals, and coupons to give out to their friends. Best part? They get to do TWO fun sessions with me! (*I am still looking for Ambassadors for schools around Houston. Contact me for details on how to apply!)

I wanted the senior version of my favorite ring shot.

A year or two ago I met Tracey, Taylor’s mom. As we talked, we discovered we had sons that are the same age — and the we realized that not only are they the same age, they go to the same school! I was at her house one night talking about my plans for senior photography, and the rest of it just came together. Tracy was at the shoot with us, so I wanted to be sure to get a photo of the two of them together.

Thank you again to both of them for such a fun session, and to Taylor’s friends Katie and Lucy for joining us as well – more photos of them to come!

Next Friday and Saturday, we’re having a Grand Opening for the studio at 1024 Studewood, in conjunction with Heights First Saturday! (I’m always at a loss for what to call it, since we’re not really just opening the studio, but rather celebrating the expansion of the space!) On Friday, March 6th from 11am-8pm and on Saturday, March 7, from 10am – 4pm, stop by for refreshments, to check out the space, see our latest work and sample albums, and the brand new photos on the wall – including a 60×33.75 inch, 2.5″ deep gallery wrap canvas of the above image hanging over the brand new sofas. It is going to be *gorgeous*! I am so excited – I can’t wait for it to arrive!!!

Everyone who stops by can pick up a gift certificate good for a complimentary mini session! A 30 minute session at the studio or in the Heights (valued at $75) – perfect for couples that just want a photo or two for their engagement session or bridal portrait, a mini boudoir session, a maternity portrait, a family photograph, newborn photography, a mini senior portrait session – you name it! We’ll also have a list of dates and times available for the sessions, so you can get on the calendar on the spot if you’re interested. If you would like to upgrade the mini session to a full session, you can for a special price! Just ask!

I will also be releasing the latest pricelist at the beginning of next week; we review and revise them every 3-4 months. After extensive discussions with our clients and prospective clients, I have decided to expand my a la carte´pricing in it, including the option to book us on an hourly basis. I will also be offering the option to hire only me instead of two photographers for weddings with 150 guests or less, or to have two photographer coverage for part of the day, and single photographer coverage for the rest of it. I really want everything to be flexible to fit your needs!

I hope you can come by next weekend – I would *love* to see you there! It is time to CELEBRATE!!!

AFTER PARTY! — After the Grand Opening at the studio, head on over to Taft St. Coffee to see Elaine’s photo exhibit on display there! The reception for her exhibit is also on March 7th, from 5-8pm. She will be showing off (and selling) her Through the Viewfinder (TTV) prints, which would normally be hanging at the studio but aren’t going to be next weekend. They are really cool! You won’t want to miss the show! 2115 Taft St. – very easy to get to from the studio!

This past weekend, I attended a workshop with the amazing talent behind Tri-Coast Photography and learned things about my own equipment that I didn’t even think was possible. Getting together with other photographers is always such and AMAZING experience, especially nice when it is a number of photographers that live right in the greater Houston area so we can get together again and again.

I am a big believer in learning all that I can so that I have even more “tools” in my mental toolkit to use when confronted with different photography situations – especially when it comes to lighting. You never know when a venue might be less than ideal to lending itself to the shot you want to get. Knowledge is power, because it gives you options and therefore control.

I left Houston just 12 hours after I got home from the workshop to head up here to New York City. I love New York! I have a newborn shoot today, and then I’ll spend the rest of the day out and about exploring the city. I’ll only be here for 48 hours total, so I’m trying to make the most of it!

I’ll return to Houston on Wednesday, only to leave 20 hours later to assist with shooting a wedding in Asheville, North Carolina with Regina Holder and then attending a workshop hosted by Corey McNabb. The next two weeks are going to a be a whirlwind!

I am receiving phone calls and answering emails via my BlackBerry, so feel free to contact me! For now I have internet access, but I’m trying to keep my online time down because there is too much to see and do out there!

Both of these photos are from the workshop; it was truly a good time!