From Our Family to Yours....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Back to Bethlehem

Last night was our children's Christmas musical production at our church. It's always fun to watch kids in itchy costumes sweating under a hot spotlight & trying to remember their lines!! The kids did a great job reminding us, once again, what all the "fuss" is really about during this time of the year.


{I didn't get very many great shots b/c our youngest was sick & squirming in my lap!}


The one on the right is my very own "little angel!"

His Very Own Star

Just a reminder....let's not forget the REAL meaning of the season: the only baby ever born who was given his very own star....JESUS!

Family

This is a recent session with a wonderful family from Elk City & grandparents from Odessa, Texas. They are a beautiful group & a real pleasure to photograph.

I hope you are all able to spend time with family or loved ones this month and enjoy the holidays together!

Template Sales to Benefit Child with Cancer

A photographer friend of mine has an 11 year old son who was diagnosed with brain cancer at 6 1/2 years of age. He has been through 3 brain surgeries and had to retrain the very basic functions such as speech, walking, etc., he has always rebounded wonderfully! Now, due to some concerning symptoms, they are concerned that his tumor may be back or may be experiencing increased seizures. He will have to have some very expensive tests done just to rule out cancer, and he was released from Medicare coverage recently and left with no insurance.

I am reminded how blessed I am to have a happy, healthy family and am filled with sadness for this family who is worried and scared. I can't imagine being in their shoes.

Though I have never sold photoshop templates before, I think there's "no time like the present" because I want to help this family in any small way that I can. Won't you join me?

Below you will find a 4x8 fully customizable template which holds multiple photos. It was designed as a Christmas or New Year's card (to reflect all the past year's activities), but it would also make a great baby announcement or marketing peice for photographers showcasing your portfolio (great to hand out at shows or to mail to potential clients).

ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT KODY K. You can check out his story here:
www.caringbridge.org/fl/kodysstory

If interested, send a paypal donation for $5 to: fourseasonsphotos@hotmail.com & note "donation for Kody." I will e-mail the template to you thereafter.

Down Memory Lane...

This is one of my sugarplums from last Christmas season...

First Snow

Well, here I am again, posting non-portrait pics, but I couldn't help myself! We got our first snow of the season! It's nothing special, but we'll take any moisture we can get on our parched land. Of course, kids think that ANY snow is fun, and my kids are no exception....

More of Arkansas

As promised...

The old shed...and the tub I swam in as a tot...

Leaves--a wonderful site, since our Okie trees are bare!



To some, this would be an "antique," but it's just "old junk" when it's still getting good use as a watering can!



Birdhouse made from a dried gourd.

The dogwood tree I climbed many, many times...

A rusty bowl--something about it drew my attention.

The birdhouse where "Hannah birds" hatch each spring (named after DD).

Ma-Maw's front door (Ooooo--somebody's letting all the heat out!!!) with the appropriate sign: "I'm in my garden"

Stills

Still life photographs for your viewing pleasure

Last week, I enjoyed my annual "pilgrimmage" back to my homeland of Arkansas. Even though I like Oklahoma, I love visiting "the natural state" because it really is full of natural beauty.

All of these images were taken at my maternal grandmother's home (affectionately called "Ma-Maw"). I have grown up around all of these things and many have special memories or stories behind them. Others are just simple things that are beautiful in their own way; probably because they are uncommon in the world that I now live in. It's funny how you can "grow" a whole new set of eyes when you get older.

The picture above is the old shed beside Ma-Maw's beloved garden. It's funny how an something can go from an old "eye-sore" to being "en vogue"--I told Ma-Maw that photographers are all on the lookout for old, rotten barns and buildings these days to use as backdrops for their pictures. I'm sure she thought that to be strange...

More pics to come tomorrow....

Sweet Pea

Don't you just love itty bitty babies? This little sweet pea was almost one month old when we took these. She's just a super-cute little blondie and even though she was a little fussy that day, we managed to catch a few peaceful baby moments!

Britty

Ok, that's her nickname not her REAL name, but since I've known her pretty much all her life (since she was 2 or 3) and she is my neice, I can call her whatever I want to, right?

Seems like I rarely ever get around to doing pics for my own family, but lately I've had the chance to take all my neice's pics (except one; I'm waiting for Christmas to get her! LOL!). Even my little one wanted to be a part of this session (she loves her Britty!), and, if you've ever met a photographer's kid, then you know it's generally like pulling teeth to get them interested in having portraits made!

Thanks, Brit, for being such a good model!

Courtney

Meet Courtney! She dropped by for a few headshots for the Miss LHS pagent coming up on November 18th. Good luck to Courtney & all the gals from Leedey who will be participating!

Trick or Treat?

I'll take the treats, please! Hope you have a fun Halloween!

Camargo's Connor

Meet Connor: the most adorable little boy I know from Camargo (okay, he's the only little boy I know from Camargo, but he's still stinkin' adorable!).

The Beauty Myth

Think you'll never compare to those women on the magazine covers & billboard ads? You're right...because THEY DON'T EXIST!

I once attended a workshop which exposed me to all the hundreds of photo retouching (you might just call it "photo manipulation!") that every single person who's ever graced the cover of a modern magazine or ad goes through. It's unreal. I can't walk past the news stands without seeing it now. I wish I had known this as a teenager--that all my expectations about being "beautiful" simply were unrealistic.

Yes, I do touch up my photos, but I was taught never to do too much (you always want their Mama to be able to recognize them!).

I appreciate what Dove is trying to do with these ads. Check out www.campaignforrealbeauty.com (Special thanks to photographer,. Dejah Quinn, for bringing this video to my attention)

Sophie Strikes Again!

She's BAAAAACK! My neice, little Miss Sophie, is already 3 months old! She did good for Aunt Megan & endured lots and lots and LOTS of picture taking over a two day visit. Isn't she a cutie pie?

Update on Holiday Mini-Sessions

The mini-sessions that were once set for Nov. 4th at the Leedey Community Center have been canceled due to scheduling issues. However, I am still continuing the mini-session special for the month of November. If you book a private session at your home or the location of your choice during the month of November, you will get a free 8x10 with a paid session fee (see website for session fee prices-they vary by location).

'Tis the Season...for Seniors!

It's almost the Christmas season (which reminds me, get those holiday sittings booked ASAP!), but not quite. Instead, it's Senior Season & what fun it has been!

This is Bethany from Iowa Park, Texas. We had a lot of fun tromping around old downtown Wichita Falls for her session. It just goes to show you that there are a bunch of interesting places to take pictures, even if it is the most unlikely places!