~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~

~Thanksgiving...with a Bride!~

The day before Thanksgiving, I met Jennifer and her mom at the Fort Worth Stockyards for a much anticipated Bridal Session! I was SO excited to have this opportunity not only becuase it is a great venue...and not because I was so exicted to have another session with a bride..but because Jennifer and Donna are great and fun people to work with! I'm not in the least bit exaggerating when I said we had a great time...and it shows! I think it was a great success...Jennifer, I hope you and your mom do too ~ I can't wait until March! I know I said I was only going to post 1...I lied...I am having the hardest time just limiting it to THESE ~ D :)

~The Genellas~

Kuddos goes to the Genella Family for braving the crisp Tuesday morning with a little one! And what a trooper he is...such a little gem of a baby...and eyes full of expression! I enjoyed meeting all of you...and here's your Thanksgiving sneak peek! ~D

A crazy week...that ended with Friends!

This has been quite a strange week...I started out being able to talk but with a fast approaching head cold hot on my tail...which turned into the cough from you know where...which robbed me of a voice...and gave me a 10 pack a day "Darth Vader" voice...to practically no voice...THEN one of my FAVORITE dress shoes discovered in the washing machine...crazy...I think I should at least wash the other one so it will match...? BUT, after poor Abigail's mom called me on Saturday morning to let me know that her asthma was just too bad...I finished the weekend with a group of friends! And what a humerous and energetic bunch they are...I hope they look back on these snapshots and never wonder where one of them is...I hope these friends are stuck for life! Blessings...

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