~ Emma ~

I have a day to myself today, and I've gotten caught up on a lot of things...but never everything. One thing about being a photographer AND a mom is you always have a camera in your child's face, a million images, and rarely get to edit any of them because a paying customer's images should absolutely come first; but today I'm all about Emma...:) Now that she is beginning to understand the picture taking process, it's harder to take pictures of her when she not being hammy...although, I LOVE her hammy side and she comes by it fraternally...he he! So last weekend at the Arboretum, after my session and appeasing her 2 year old jealousy, I promised to take her picture too. Here's what we came up with, some hammy, some not...but all of my precious Emma ~ my heart is mommy-full every time I experience her... Having a child is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body~Elizabeth Stone

~ The Parkers ~

Today was a beautiful day at the Dallas Arboretum...and a beautiful family accompanied me! These 3 little ones were the most well behaved kiddos...just plain sweethearts; Mom and Dad should be super proud! And although the crowds were huge, I can't believe I only had to Photoshop out ONE PERSON!!! YEA!!! The colors were just awesome today...and if you haven't been or haven't scheduled your session at the Dallas Arboretum, just look what you've been missing! :) Doesn't he just make you want to smile out loud!!!

~ Kirby - 3 Weeks ~

Rain, rain, go away...My sessions need great weather...unless you are a newborn, and it doesn't matter! I had the great honor of photographing the Cox Family again at my Home Studio today, but this time + one...and what a tiny one! 4lb 10oz at birth, and 3 weeks later a whole pound heavier. Everything about Kirby is just so delicate and precious...I absolutely LOVED this session! I had a great time with Whitney while the kids were at the local 'Chickala' hang out, and I look forward to watching all of these little Cox beauties grow... PS - Great kiddos, sweet and wonderful and beautiful family...thank you so much for this opportunity! First...our tribute and honor to GG ~ this one is my favorite... Get a load of this smile...and at 3 weeks! My version of Pottery Barn Kids...:)

Jennifer & Jeff

J and I traveled to Corsicana on Saturday for the Rone~Farmer Wedding...great people, beautiful day, radiant bride, wonderful images and lots of love to go around! Thanks so very much for the opportunity and allowing us to tell your story for your special day ~ we had so much fun, and we wish and pray many years of blessings to come! Press "Play" (and click the little speaker icon to hear the music) to enjoy this special preview...CONGRATS! Love~D

{ The New Tin Star Site Has Launched! }

Today has been a WONDERFULLY productive day! I spent the afternoon at the Dallas Arboretum previewing their Dallas Blooms event, and let me just say...It is going to be awesome this year! Below are a couple of my favorite images from today...but others will soon follow because their theme this year for spring is "Storybook Playhouses"!!! What a GREAT venue for family/children sessions! However...the most fabulous part of today ~ My new website is up & running...I can't tell you how excited and blessed I am! The new website is good...but God is great! Take a peek and tell me what you think: http://www.tinstarphoto.com/ This one I refer to as "Bee Bootie"...:) PS...Can you tell I'm excited?...if you can't...well let me just say it again...I AM!

~ Studio Relief ~

Even though my day was a little whacky on Saturday...I'm definitely relieved with the results! First, my favorite little redhead came from Fort Worth to see me for his 1 year session ~ I just love Ian...he has such great coloring...and so sweet! I just wish the session could have been longer; the nap time alarm just seemed to go off and he was done after about 30 minutes...but oh, those 30 minutes were great! I look forward to the next...and longer...session...:) My second session was with our long-time friend from A&M, Carrie...who came all the way from somewhere north of Frisco...Kansas maybe? ;) For all three of her little ones they didn't find out the gender...I don't know how she can stand it ~ But the 'Surprise' picture sure is cute! Thanks for driving all that way for some great moments...D I think my new green box was a hit...I wish I was that small again...:) Stay tuned...the new Tin Star Website is coming later this week...and a wedding next weekend! YEA!

{ Kambula }

We found out yesterday that one of our favorite 'subjects' at the Fort Worth Zoo, a 32-year-old Silverback veteran, had to be euthanized yesterday due to a long health battle...we will so miss him. He was so photogenic...and always seemed to be waiting for our visit every year...to pose just for us I am positively sure of it! Click here to read the story...click here to be a part of the wonderful conservation at the Fort Worth Zoo...

{ New...}

There are a lot of things that are going to be new for me this year...new challenges, new experiences, new clients...and my new site! I received the links today to begin uploading all of the wonderful images, colors, music...you name it...and I'm so excited! I have several sessions this weekend, but my goal is to have their previews and my site up and running by Monday! I hope that's not overly ambitious...YIKES! Stay tuned...

{ Working...}

This weekend was a little rough in the Tin Star house, and now I know why ~ Today my little one was diagnosed with the flu...so she vegged, slept and watched Dora all day while I did some much needed catch-up work. My maternity session last weekend was a great personal success for me ~ 'Studio Near-Perfection' is one of my lifetime New Year's Resolutions. I sure do hope tomorrow is a better day for MY baby...:)

{ It's Official... }

I am a business! I filed Tin Star Photography with the Ellis County Clerk's Office today...and according to them, at least for 10 years...I'm committed! (I am not a suspicious person by nature, but I hope Friday the 13th means nothing to the 'photography gods'...) Also coming in the next few weeks ~ a new website, a new blog and whatever else I can find...I'm so pumped, and SO open for business! PS - I also got my new Canon camera and lens this week...woo hoo, what a great week! And to my love ~ Happy Valentine's Day; you make all things possible!

~ Accomplished ~

That's what I feel like I have gotten done this weekend ~ I have gotten a lot accomplished! Although there are always things left to do...this weekend I relish in the accomplished! I have also discovered one reason I like photography so much; I get to meet some of the nicest people. The Marchands fall into that category ~ genuinely nice, gracious and willing. Willing to be my guinnea pigs...what do ya think...nice? I think so. Pregnancy is an awesome and beautiful thing ~ and I can't wait to meet little Gavin!

{ 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.