~The Martinez Men~

It's been almost 2 years since I had the opportunity to photograph Jeremiah...who has grown up so much in just that short time! Accompanied by little brother Joshua and a VERY special guest...Great Grandpa! What a wonderfully special time I had photographing these 3 generations of young men...something they ~ and I ~ will remember forever... Please press play to sneak a peek of their session...and then click the speaker icon ~ God's blessings and grace to Great Grandpa ~ D

~The Fort Worth Stockyards~

This post is mainly for a client as we were looking for venues for her upcoming Bridal Portraits...BUT, I thought I would just post it to the blog so other clients can get additional ideas for their photo venues too! Of course...I added a couple of Miss Em and Daddy J...and some of that Cow Town ambiance! Press play...and don't forget that little speaker if you want the tunes...:)

~The Ray Family~

Man, what a week! Busy, busy, busy...I started off with the longest running case of Pink Eye (at least in my book - 2 weeks seems forever when your eyes hurt!), of course...worked the regular daytime gig, squeezed in Dr. appts & rechecks, followed by scouting for venues most of the day Friday - LOVED Loma Linda - and Tom Choate is a gem, plus a super fun Bridal/Wedding Consult, squeezed in another Dr. recheck, and ended with the Ray Family, The Fort Worth Stockyards and the Waxahachie Bridal Extravaganza! Whew...I think I'm dead! If you've emailed or called in the last 2 days, please don't give up on me...Monday is another day...:) OK - so the Ray Family was a postponed session due to a horrible hurricane named Ike...but well worth the wait! This little baby is perhaps one of the prettiest I've seen...simply precious! Enjoy your preview - click play and the speaker icon...

A Hummer of a Visitor...

I have waited all season for hummingbirds...and they finally arrived! My passion is photography...but I have a strange love and fascination with these small winged fairy creatures...they are awesome to watch! And Emma has finally learned to whisper instead of screaming "HUMMINGBIRDS!" when they suddenly appear...and then disappear due to her shrill crys of joy - YOU try to explain to a 2-year-old that she must use her inside voice...outside! :)

Just a few things...

Well...I've had many questions...inquiries...and notes of encouragement...so I will try and address them all in my little piece of Blog Space, but I would like to say a GINORMOUS thank you to all of you who have encouraged, recommended and even employed me! You are a blessing! MOST importantly, however: The NeGron Session is now POSTED...YEAH! Here are a few frequently asked Q's...and the A's follow... Is this your only gig? No - I am currently working to build Tin Star Photography as a wonderful way to serve the 'every man'...which means...we all want great photographs of our kids, our families, our 'Big Day', our new beginning, our loved ones and even ourselves...and we want the session itself to be a relaxing and great experience; we want the photographs to express personality, emotion and fun; Most of all...we want it NOT to break the bank! At least, I want all of that! In the process of working to make all of that happen for you, my clients, I can't break MY bank. SO, right now, I do work a traditional 9-5 position (really a 7-5 position) as an Administrative Assistant in Dallas. Although 1 gig is my goal...it isn't so...for now... Since this isn't your only gig...how do you accomodate scheduling? I schedule most/all of my sessions and events on Saturdays, every other Fridays and am very limited during week/evenings. HOWEVER, please know that I work very hard to keep my word, meet deadlines and treat each client with courtsey and honesty. If for some reason you haven't heard back from me in 24-48 hours...hang in there with me...and feel free to call/email again. Chances are it definitely was not personal...and was probably an act of God, CyberSpace or Email Gremlins...;) Remember, I want to treat you as I would like to be treated, which means...I want to give you everything I would expect of my own session...and more. Where can I see more of your work? Feel free to browse the Blog for just a small treat, of course...OR My Portfolio can be seen on my web site...AND feel free to browse the Client Portfolio Galleries so you can see some of my most recent sessions. Client Portfolio Galleries are not password protected for this precise reason! Will you be willing to meet with me before a session or event? I am very happy to schedule Portrait and/or Event Consultations with you in my home, during the evening on available weekdays or on weekends. Consultations are not required in order to schedule a Portrait Session - Consultations are a MUST for any Event! It helps me know how to better serve you...and have a little fun getting to know you! How do you choose your locations?Well, it's a combination of things...where do you live, what is the location lighting like, what type of setting are you looking for, what type of portrait are you interested in capturing, what did the weather do yesterday/today, etc. HOWEVER, please please, please...tell me if you have suggestions or ideas! I am ALWAYS looking for new and improved venues in which to shoot...and I love to include my clients in the creative process, so please suggest away! Believe me...I will be totally honest with you if I think it won't work and I will even tell you why - after all, you deserve your money's worth! That's just a few of the many questions...but hopefully not the last! Feel free to post questions here at the Tin Star Blog OR send me questions via email to tinstarphoto@yahoo.com. Remember...capture everything...capture those you love...Capture Life! See you...behind the lens! ~D

The Outer Banks of North Carolina

We are finally back...although the trip home took about as long as the trip itself thanks to Tropical Storm Hannah, American Airlines and a broken down plane...but we're home! This was our first vacation without Miss Em...and actually in about 3 years! We loved every part of The Outer Banks and recommend it for couples, families and anyone else in between. Clean and private beaches, beautiful weather, friendly locals, tonz of seafood (I think I have gills now we ate so much) and some of the best scenery around - the lighthouses are always spectacular and the butterfly garden at the Elizabethan Gardens is something to behold! Below are just a couple of my favorite photographs...but click HERE to see the rest of The Outer Banks!

The Negron Family

Well, J. was gracious...and brave...enough to survive two little girls while I made the short drive into Dallas...to my secret place...to FINALLY shoot the Negron Family! Wendy and I have been in discussion about this day for months...and we finally made it happen! We were doused...and I mean showered with humidity...and dodged the 'rent a cop' to capture some really sweet photos! Wendy is one of my favorite people; and she is so beautiful. Madi is a little mama, which reminds me sooo much of Emma...and Cooper, you can tell, already looks up to his big sister so much. David, I was so happy to finally meet you - you have one of the most handsome and wonderful families around... Just click 'Play"; and don't forget to click the speaker if you would like a little mood music... Remember all - I am off to a family vacation...FINALLY...Outer Banks or Bust...No hurricanes...PLLLLLEEEEEEAAAASSSSSEEEEEE!