{Adventures in Odessa}

Finally, I didn't get to post anything from our Easter break yet...so here's to the grandparents...:) It was a weekend of first for everyone...first aviation experience with a mom WAY more anxious than her 3 year old social butterfly @ the Jr. Flyer's Club...first (second and third) carousel ride with a nautious mom and dad taking turns ~ BLAH!...my first lightning image ~ not great, but harnassing lightning is ALOT harder than it looks! First rain, sand and golfball+ hail storm at the same time ~ should have take a cue from the weather chasers...headed the OPPOSITE direction! Our first self-decorated, beautiful Easter eggs, thanks to Mimi! And you can't tell it by the picture, but Em's first attempt at the Cindy Lauper look, complete with poofy skirt and striped leggings...Thanks to Pops & Mimi Perkins for a great visit full of adventure; and sorry about all of those hail dings! :)

{ Calling All Seniors...Tell Your Story }

It's that time of year ~ caps and gowns, parties, college visits...but don't forget those senior pictures!!! No cheesy sessions here ~ Cool...fun...relaxed...it's all about you! Here's what your $100 Senior Session gets you...10-4x6,2-5x7,1-8x10, 1 Proof CD (Includes all high-resolution digital images from your online gallery), 1-2 Hours of my complete attention, 2-3 Style Changes. So ditch those cheesy Senior Pics...Tell Your Senior Story...and schedule your Senior Session soon...the year is almost over! And be sure to tell mom and dad not to worry about the economy; Tin Star Photography sessions are always easy on the wallet too!

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

{ Not Dead...Just trapped under something heavy...:) }

He he...one of my favorite phrases! No sessions last weekend, but I'm thankful for the recent activity of scheduling and traffic as evidence by my web calendar ~ I feel very blessed, especially in this economy! However, I have been editing like mad on past sessions...the recent Rone-Farmer Wedding is finally done...my sweet maternity and soon-to-be graduate sessions are in the hopper...and I'm looking forward to being caught up for a week or so before the rush begins again! It's been a wonderful challenge to work 2 jobs, commute to Bid D every day, edit/respond in a timely manner, keep up with mama and honey duties, preparing for a 3yr old's first avaiation experience this weekend and gearing up for the soon to arrive Princess Party in all its glory (see below)...not to mention all of the regular day-to-day chaos that is life! Exhausting but wonderful. I've even been off of Facebook for a month...total withdrawal!!! (Look for me @ Dana Vandivort Perkins) SO - I am also thankful for the upcoming Easter break and celebration with my in-laws in Odessa...there is NO better place for Mamma Jamma Lighting pictures than west Texas! Come on Steve McCaulley...I'm counting on you to be right this weekend! :) On a final but very important note...Celebrate this Easter by celebrating Eternal Life! He loves you so much that He stretched out His arms and died...just for you...and rose again...just for you!

From Tin Star Photography

{ Taylor ~ WHS }

After several reschedules because of this crazy Texas weather...I finally got to meet Taylor and his mom in Downtown Waxahachie yesterday evening for my first WHS Senior Session! I've had other senior sessions...but not any for Waxahachie since moving here 3 years ago; and I'm so glad I got to meet Taylor first. Reserved, laid-back, polite, charismatic smile, knows what I mean when I say 'give me serious'...and great eyes. Thanks so much for the opportunity to meet and work with you and your mom...she did a great job! ~D

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

~Henry & The Service Man~

My first session this weekend...little Henry came from Midlothian to brave the 40 degrees, 40 mph winds and tree prunners in Downtown Waxahachie for his Mini Session...what a trooper! Adorable, laid-back and handsome baby blues...

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

My second session was with Karla...8 months preganant...and going through everything on her own. Her husband is Anthony and is serving us in Iraq with the Air Force. This session is a surprise for him since he can't be here to experience everything a soon-to-be dad would. I hope he can look at these images one day soon and know everything is OK and what a beautiful and sweet wife he has...and what a wonderful little baby girl he will soon have! Thank you, Anthony, for your service, dedication and pursuit of freedom...we wish and pray for you God Speed!

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

From Tin Star Photography

~ 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!