{ Personal Preparedness }

Preparedness...I have 'taken off' this weekend to finish some touches on the studio, search for studio props and relish in some studio practice for a few upcoming sessions. (By the way, if you are still looking for a session in the studio...email me soon, because the first few sessions just may get a test subject deal!) I'm also taking a morning just to go out and capture Waxahachie in the early early morning and search for new local sights ~ stay tuned for some Preparedness Previews! Personal...In the meantime, I have created a new gallery for purchasing some of my Personal Work. Click here to take you there...Then choose the "PersonalWorkForPurchase" icon!

~ Happy Birthday Ree ~

Today we celebrated my mom's 63rd year...I don't think she would mind me saying that...I hope! Especially after seeing her on 'film', it's confirmed that I think she is pretty darn beautiful! She's my best friend, confidant and courageous kicker in the butter ~ I wouldn't trade her for all the moms on earth. And I kow Emma feels the same about her Ree. We love you and want you to know what a blessing it is to have you in our lives...

{ Upcoming sessions...? }

I've had a couple of post comments about setting up sessions for some studio practice...I'd certainly love the practice ~ Just shoot me an email and we'll start tossing around some dates (tinstarphoto@yahoo.com)! Hopefully before the sun goes black and humans are extinct...a calendar will be up on my web site ~ one of those New Year's resolutions! Also remember that right now I'm shooting primarily on weekends and occasional days off from my 'real' job; email soon so you can obtain your preferred date. When Dallas Blooms opens in March, session times fly...just like the Spring!

~ Kate - 1 Year ~

Well today was my first official studio session...turned out pretty good! Although, I'm still looking for TONZ more practice...and I'm so proud of my room ~ J, I can't say thank you enough...And thanks to Uncle Danny & Auntie Jess for driving all that way...we really enjoyed the visit! Kate is such a photogenic little one...and a special suprise for new mom at the end ~ we wish you even more joy and blessings with Baby White number 2.

{ Tricky }

This is the first of my official studio practice and I now have confirmation that studio work is trickier than it looks...man, it seems so easy on those stinkin' tutorials...practice, practice, practice! :) Tell me honestly what you think so far...go ahead, I can take it...I think...and if there are any photographers out there, please feel free to share any not-so-secret tricks of trade and constructive comments...:) (PS~I had a happy participant...until it was bed time; then the Beauty became the Beast.)

{ Learning Curve... }

OK - so I'm all about learning...but, let's face it, sometimes there just isn't time! A job that 'pays the bills', a 2 1/2 year old diva-princess, a 30-ish Bob the Builder husband, a studio/house with seemingly semi-permanent orange cones and flashing barricades, and not to mention shoots & edits (MY take on Chutes & Ladders)....life is what happens in between all of the other stuff I (and we) try to cram in to my '28' hour day! This weekend will be my first 'studio' shoot with Em's cousin, Baby Kate...another little princess-diva...for her 1 year birthday. Exicted; yes...nervous; absolutely! So in my 2009 effort to specifically set aside time to learn...I've been reading and practicing; reading and practicing, and I keep reminding myself...It's all about learning, right?; and not about what I do or don't have...or wish I had in the way of equipment, props OR space. So I've been trying to set aside a little time each day for a lighting article or Photoshop tutorial...and I think it's helping ~ Minus the frustration of course! My type-A perfectionism is a blessing...and a curse...but I continually strive to navigate life's little Learning Curves...Just like Miss Haylee...:)

~Almost Done~

Just a little teaser (and picture of reassurance) to let my wonderful friend know that...I'm almost done! Another favorite of mine...:)

~Anthem Celebrates Black Marriage Day~

This weekend was an honor for me as we braved the cold and wind for a commercial shoot at Lakeside Park ~ Anthem is a non-profit organization that serves families and the community to build better marriages and families! These two couples were selected by the community and Anthem as representatives of the African American community that demonstrate honor, integrity and healthy, strong marriages...what a wonderful representation these men and women are! I wish them many more years of beauty and grace in their relationships ~ and kudos to Anthem for celebrating such a day! The Newlywed Couple... The 20+ Years of Marriage Couple... Simply beautiful!

~Sassy~

I was editing images from my Christmas/New Year sessions yesterday...and found this one...I think it's going to be one of my favorites...and it should be called what my husband said when he walked in the room and saw it, big as life, on my new 24" HD monitor..."Sassy!" They just look cool...:)

~My Apologies...~

...to the Johnson/Crowder kids on the slightly late preview! Our house is a crazy mess of construction...again! But this time it's progress on my Studio Room! The walls are painted, the lights are up, the windows are dressed...the Jatoba wood floors go in TODAY and trim tomorrow...thanks to my resident handy man J! Of course, there will always be things to add and do before I am totally happy with it, including additional lighting and a custom work station...but it's all coming together...and my first little guinnea pig arrives on January 17th! So on to the preview...remember the little one in November that ran me to death..."Marathon Mama"? Well, now I know where she learned all of her tricks ~ these 4 together could power the train to Pike's Peak and back! :) Cute kids...and a beautiful New Year's Eve Day...who could ask for anything more?!

~And the Winners are...~

Before I announce YOUR Fav and MY Fav of 2008...Click here for the Tin Star 2008 Hall of Honorable Mentions! Based on the number of votes...Your Number 1 Fav of 2008... Now for MY Fav of 2008...If you know me well or for any length of time, you know that I worked as a veterinary nurse for 16 years AND you know how sentimental I am...OK, sappy...SO, why should this one moment I captured be any different, right? My favorite is NOT because it is the best as far as lighting, contrast, location or because it has award winning quality. It was selected because it touched my heart...Click here to revisit this very special blog post from July 2008...and don't forget to press "Play" to view the little slideshow. Janice...my veterinary friend knows me SO well...YOU'RE THE WINNER!