We're back...

Back from our mini-safari to Fossil Rim...my dream is the real thing in Africa...ahhh, one day! Anyway, just a few of my favorites...and Emma's too...she loved the Giraffe...until he got up close and personal...:) Isn't he beautiful...um, minus the ginormous orange earring... This one just makes me laugh...must have been a slow day in the food line...cause he made a mad dash for the truck as soon as we started feeding his posse... The two best parts of my life...and the reasons I do what I do ~ my partner forever; my daughter for life! And finally...a rare picture of me and the very best part of me...way to go Daddy J!

We're off...

We're off this weekend to Glen Rose, TX for a little break...but before we go I thought I would offer a little sneak peek of Emma's Christmas portraits...and let you know what Waxahachie has to offer in the way of locations. It may at first glance seem like a bit of a drive if you're from the Dallas area (but it's only about 45 minutes...believe me, I drive it every day for my regular 9-5 job), but it's one of the most charming little towns and MANY spots to choose from. If you're looking for something different...from casual and rustic to formal...Hachie has it all...consider our town, and make the 'short' drive! My holiday calendar is limited, and filling quickly, so contact soon! Remember, any session held in December receives 10% off your package price!

~Marathon!~

It is official. I am getting older...ok, fine, OLD. A marathon is what I ran this weekend. Marathon runners are what these two little children will grow up to be. I know for a fact that they will be our next US world record holders...and they will be rewarded not for the race itself...but for ENDURANCE! I see these two precious little ones and am unfortunately reminded of my age...and lack of endurance. If in their previews you only see one or two photos of them sitting, it was a rare occurance and they were just catching their second wind...again. :) The first is the Johnson Family whom I have known and loved for years...and now know why her Mimi and Pops are completely pooped! She is the most adorable and active Ms. Claus...ever! The second session with the Langland Family wasn't any less active. Peyton (sp) just learned to walk about 3 weeks ago...and I don't think he even stops to sleep! He was just like a little wind up toy; the absolute second you put him down he was off! Beautiful eyes...cutest little tongue smile...and now I need a nap...whew! Click HERE to see the Johnson Family Preview Show... Click HERE to see the Langland Family Preview show...

Tin Star Gift Certificates

Not sure what to give this Christmas...or maybe there just isn't time for a portrait session around everyone's busy holiday schedule...or maybe you want pictures of the grandkids that have been long overdue!? Tin Star Gift Certificates are available for any package or custom package, custom designs with personalized messages, printed on high quality card stock and decorated with beautiful details ~ For more details email tinstarphoto@yahoo.com (Click on image below to enlarge.)

Junk Mail, Catch Up & Previews...Oh My!

First thing's first...If you have emailed me and don't think you've gotten a response back...please check your junk mail box. As 'worthy' as I think I am...sometimes, yes, unfortunately I go to your junk box! ;) Same goes for the voice mail messages! I try my best to answer voice/emails within 48 hours - in between the 'day job' - so hang in there with me, and if you haven't heard from me in a day or two...feel free to 'bug' me again just to make sure I got the first message! Sorry if you were one of those unlucky few to go to MY junk mail! :) Second...last weekend we attended the Country Reporter event in Waxahachie, and I found this picture as I was going through the 'pile'...it just made me smile! I think I'll title it "Character"...cause don't you think she might be full of character!? I think her name might have been Belle Star, Annie Oakley or Calamity Jane in a past life... Third...Emma had a great Fall Festival celebration at her school Friday, and I am posting this for the Grandparents...although, please know that she was so pooped when her party kicked of at 3:30...the costume didn't quite come off as we had planned! This was the best, most cooperative shot I got...:) OK - now for the previews...and I'm SURE I will have to post new Christmas Card Samples after these 2 great sessions!!! It was the day for beautiful blue eyes! The first is the Culp Family! We met Paige & family, Jeremy's friend from High School (Go Snyder!) at the Arboretum Saturday ~ AND...minus the heat on Nov 1 of all things...we had a great time! Click HERE for The Culp Family Preview Then I ventured back to Waxahachie for the Averett kids...they are SO photogenic and those Christmas outfits are too cute...I have GOT to get one of those red hats! Click HERE for The Averett Kids Preview

And yet...another card sample...

I know, I know...I'm getting carried away...but it's so addicting...and so much fun ~ the possibilities are endless! :)

~Tin Star Cards...Announcements & Invitations~

If you've thought about Christmas cards...but you just aren't sure what your options might be...or you might even be considering going the premade route...or ordering yours through something like snapfish...BUT...maybe this year you want something completely different...you should consider Tin Star for 2008! They are all personalized, customized to you and your photo, and each one is completely unique! If you have an upcoming session or would like to use a photo from a recent or past session ~ you pick the photo ~ custom colors & designs & themes ~ add your own message ~ modern, traditional, fun, whimsical...it's all up to you! No work for you...all you have to do is choose your favorite photo from your session and I do the rest! 5.5x4.25 custom folding cards with envelopes are only $25 per dozen; 5x7 are $32 per dozen...Here are a few samples! Order soon...orders require 10-14 days for processing! Remember...the same customization can also be done for Announcement & Invitations...

~Tin Star Holidays 2008~

Click on the ad to enlarge...

Our State Fair is a Great State Fair...

Just like Pat Boone sang it in 1964...it's still great! NO, I wasn't even born yet, and I'm sure it's lost some of it's 'Pat Boone charm', but I make it a point to try to visit every year...at least once. So, this year we didn't skip the tradition and we got to take Miss Em ~ PS: Thanks to all of you who have called requesting info and scheduling the last few days...I promise to answer all emails and phone messages first thing Monday...we just needed a little family break this weekend! ;) Makin' friends with Wilbur...or maybe not... 2008 was the year of the Flamenco... ...and the Mariachi! Emma waiting to jam to our favorite celtic rock band...The Killdares!

~The Buchanan Family~

The Buchanans are such a sweet family and all beautiful smiles...I love it! Thanks for not going into shock when you arrived at the park with 1,000 other people...from classic car show mania to track meet galore....wet grass and 'furniture' moving ~ you were all great sports! I really enjoyed meeting all of you and had a great time...Click HERE to see a "Life Less Ordinary" starring The Buchanan Family...:)

Emma's First Rodeo...

I did have a shoot this morning...and the preview is coming soon...but FIRST...I just HAVE to post these from today! Emma got to attend and participate in her first ever goat "event" with Buckaroo U @ the Ellis County Cowboy Church today ~ Yee Haw! :) Emma's got Game... The 'victim' is tagged... The others lie in fearful wait...for Emma is coming... The 'victim' is now targeted with the help of Coach Cowboy... Is this a pep talk...or did you just tell me I'm cute... And they're off... Hold up there good buddy...I didn't sign up for this part...but wait... Spotting the ginormous cross tied to the 'victim's' horn...Emma thinks to herself..."Whew...I'm glad this one's a Christian..." Relief...Emma recovers nicely...yanks the cross...gets the wave...7 seconds (+5 minutes)...:)

~Ian~

Well...a couple of weeks ago I had nothing but little girls and the last two weeks have been nothing but boys! AND...it was my first little red-headed baby! His wonderful name and beautiful red hair is something out of a book about a hero from the Highlands of Scotland...don't you think? What a sweet and cooperative little boy he was! I'm so sorry dad missed all of the fun today...but we have a date for Christmas pictures and I can't wait to get all of these beautiful red heads together! Thanks Cara for a fun session! Click play and the speaker to see Ian McLeod conquer the Dallas Arboretum...

~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!