{ 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!

~From Me to You...~

Well, the voting has ended...and I will post the winners tomorrow evening sometime, but in the meantime...my utmost thanks goes out to everyone who 'hired', trusted, and recommended Tin Star in 2008! I cannot express enough the graditude and enjoyment I received with each session. Thanks so much for the opportunity to grow and learn with each of you and the wonderful connections we made through my lens! But thanks goes most of all to God for granting me the ability and talent...and my wonderful family for 'putting up' with me and my crazy schedule! May each of you be blessed and inspired this coming year ~ try something new ~ reach for what seems impossible ~ and don't be afraid to succeed! (Here are a couple of Miss Em...after my Children's Session today (Preview coming soon...)...she decided she needed a few for her portfilio as well...she struck the pose herself after seeing the 'big kids' before her!)

~Christmas Preview...and the Voting Continues~

Before I begin the preview commentary...DON'T FORGET TO VOTE...post your favorite and guess my favorite photo of 2008 on the prior blog entry before Dec 29...You may just WIN! OK...OK...now for the preview ~ I made the jaunt up to Addison on the 23rd to shoot a familly session at the Griffin house ~ and what a sweet and fun group they are! Thanks so much for your time, hospitality...and the frequent furniture moving! You guys are the best and such a blessing before Christmas! Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy your preview! The Perkins are now off to Matador, Texas...Yee Haw!

~Let the voting begin...REVISED~

REVISED ~ I'm making this a little easier so you don't have to sign up for Picassa...I put the picture numbers below the picture on the main gallery; so all you have to do is post a comment to this blog entry that reads...ie: "My Fav-#4; Tin Star Fav-#12"...but don't forget your name please so I can contact you if your declared a winner! PS ~ Don't worry Cara and Beau - I already got your votes! ;) Here it is...The First Annual Tin Star's Top 40...of 2008! Some pictures you may have seen, some you may have not, but for me they all are memorable for one reason or another; the color, the subject(s), the memory. I chose photos that when I think back to the session, event or day; these are the images that stand out in my mind...the first ones that pop into memory...the ones that make me smile...the ones that make me say, "Whew, I got it!" SO, before you cast your 2 votes...here are the rules! 1. The Gallery: Click on the link below to take you to the Top 40 Gallery; scroll through the gallery to get a good look 2. Vote for YOUR favorite: Post a comment to this blog entry with YOUR favorite picture number! The top 3 based on your votes, will be posted Jan 1! 3. THEN ~ Guess MY favorite: In the posted comment...also leave your guess for Tin Star's Favorite! Here's the important part...leave your name so I can contact you if you happen to pick the right one! No name + No contact = No win! 4. Who can vote: Anyone! Past, Present or future clients; but only vote ONCE please! 5. Voting begins: Midnight~Monday, December 22 No early votes! 6. Voting ends: Midnight~Monday, December 29! No late votes! 7. The Winner(s): Votes will be tallied and winner(s) will be posted to the blog on Thursday, January 1, 2009! 8. The Prize: If you guess my number 1 favorite photo of 2008, you receive...20% Off your next 2009 Tin Star Photo Session! (No subsitutions, No transfers, Does not apply with any other discounts/coupons, Discount does not apply to venue entrance fees, event quotes or any additional package reprints) So, CLICK HERE to get voting...and remember to post your votes to this blog entry before Dec 29!

~Coming soon...~

My long awaited Bridal Session is now posted to my web site...and I couldn't be happier! I never thought I could be more picky than I already am about editing, but the entire time I kept thinking...this is one of the most important days in this young lady's life, and I want to help make it the best day by producing a wonderful photograph for her! She is such a beautiful girl...reminds me of a glamorous Ann Margaret or Judy Garland, especially in the picture below. I can't wait until March 2009! Click here to see the gallery! Also ~ stay tuned this weekend for the Tin Star Photo Contest! I will be posting the top 40 Tin Star Photog's Favs of 2008...you get to vote for YOUR number 1...and if you guess MY number 1...you may just be a winner! Voting (Guessing) Starts Monday, December 22 and ends Monday, December 29!

~Forecast: Partly Cloudy, Really Windy & Great Sessions!~

OK - if you were out on Saturday...or even today...you got to expereince a little of Texas weather ~ always changing & never predictable! Cloudy is GREAT for photo session, despite what people might think...no one squinting, and colors are so much more vivid and less washed out. Windy, on the other hand, is a bit more of a challenge...making the wind work with hair and dirt in my camera is slightly harder to do...but it all worked out on Saturday, and I couldn't be happier with my two sessions and the results!!! The Zamora Family I have known and worked with for a couple of years...and after a bout of asthma with little Abigail, we finally got our schedules together, and I'm so glad we did! A beautiful family and even better kids...con cariño! The Portinari Family, who we squeezed in at the last minute...and another one that I'm glad we did. So photogenic and such a genuinely wonderful relationship with each other...both sessions are perfect examples of lifeCAPTURED! ~The Zamoras~ ~The Portinaris~

~Learning to Balance~

After a week of shooting like mad and editing like crazy, commuting to a regular '9-5' job in Big D, a poor kiddo with strep, a wonderful husband who has to travel when the poor kiddo has strep, Christmas decorating and shopping, a house constantly under renovation, and NOW a small visitor who we've been trying to 'catch' for months that we think has kicked the bucket...somewhere in our kitchen wall; I am being taught by my Creator..."Learn to Balance"! It's a hard thing to do, especially when my desire is to make everyone happy, fit everyone in and go, go, go... So this week has proven tiring...no, exhausting; and this weekend of shooting was actually a little break from another day in my paradise...:) My first family was the Dunlap Family ~ 2 of the sweetest, cutest and sassiest little girls...they are what my Emma is becoming...a Diva! The Dunlaps are such a handsome and kind family, and I just loved your kids! Next was the cousin of the Ms. Dunlap...The Gill Family ~ what an energetic little boy and beautiful blue eyes...we even got some great ones with his best buddy "Jesse"! I can't wait to show you guys the muscle shot! I had a great time with everyone... To all others...Hang in there; even if I can't fit everyone in before the holidays; do like me...take a break, cherish your family and Learn to Balance! :)

~Lakeside Park~

Lakeside Park, right in the middle of Highland Park, is one of the prettiest places for a session...and I think Fall rivals Spring any day! The leaves are beautiful...the light is wonderful...and it's even better when the subjects of the session are a breeze to shoot. :) The first session was with the Glenn Family...and baby Gus with his big beautiful eyes and the smile that lights up his entire face! Cute! Then on to the Rowland kids with the sweetest surprise for their parents this Christmas...these siblings are perhaps the kindest people to each other I have ever wittnessed...tell your parents they did a great job! Enjoy the preview ~ D ~The Glenn Family~ ~The Rowland Kids~