Ta-Da! New Website!

I told ya new things were coming soon! Without further ado, please check out the newly redesigned website for Four Seasons Photography: www.fourseasonsphotos.com (same address, new look)

Note: I've noticed that the first time you view it, it may take a second or two to load, but every visit thereafter loads quickly (in my experience, at least). If you have a slow connection (like dial-up) stay tuned....I hope to add an HTML site soon which will make it easier for you to view.

New Logo!

Okay, it's really just the old logo revamped, but it's still a new look! Very, very soon there will be other "new looks" at Four Seasons Photography, so keep your eyes peeled & keep checking the blog! :)

Sunset

I really don't have time to be posting (should be working on my website, going through session pictures, getting ready for the end of school craziness...), but I was going through my files and I came across this one:

"So, what?," you say, "It's just a sunset." You're right. I've seen a ton of sunsets and many that were far more beautiful than this one. But I do remember taking this picture: I just happened to be in the back yard with my camera. I turned toward the sun to take the shot & as SOON as I clicked the shutter, the sunset show was over--it was dark.

A lot like life, huh? Isn't it amazing how quickly time passes? If you are not ready, those special moments will pass you by. I'm very aware of how I let the "busyness" of life keep me away from special moments, but lately I've been trying hard to make sure that I don't regret missing any opportunities.

Okay...enough with the emotional pep-talk! Back to our regular scheduled programs.....

A Peek Into Texas Bridal Sessions

Be patient girls....more to come!

Sweet Dixie

The newest attraction in our house: a teeny-tiny kitty newly named, Dixie! There is a long story about how we ended up with her. She was actually stuck in a wall and my hubby rescued her (although I'm shocked that she surived the ordeal without going into cardiac arrest!).

While these photos will not win any PPA competitions, they still make you go, "Awwww...." (come on, admit it! no one can resist a teeny-tiny kitten!)

More From the Leedey Land Run

(Above: "Annie Oakley" came to town to demonstrate her shooting skills)

Leedey Land Run

For those of you who are not "from around here,"how about a little history lesson? Oklahoma is celebrating it's centennial this year and in honor of the event, Leedey schools held a "land run" to recreate the famous land run of 1889 (there were actually several other land runs thereafter, but 1889 was the most famous). Settlers were allowed to claim up to 160 acres of land (for free!) as long as they maintained and improved it so, of course, thousands lined up (literally) for their chance at free land. First come, first serve!

Who hasn't heard of the OKLAHOMA SOONERS, from the University of Oklahoma? The name "sooner" actually came from settlers who were participating in land run but who snuck across the starting line early & hid out so that they could claim the best land. Yes, our excellent university athletic teams are named after a bunch of cheaters--lol!

Our Leedey landrun was really a wonderful occassion and the entire community was invited to attend. Plus, there was so much to see that I couldn't put the camera down! I took loads of pictures, so I may have to make several posts on this topic! :)

I actually pulled in just as the land run began & everyone set off running, so I missed that shot, but here they are still tromping uphill through the field to stake their claims....

They had to run back to the "land office" to file their claim...

Yes, there are actual STAKES involved when "staking a claim"...

I thought this was the best part of the whole land run: the entire school was divided up into families. The high school kids were "moms/dads," junior high were "cousins" & youngest were siblings. Here's my daughter's land run family (minus dad who was babysitting the land)....

After all the filing was done, we had entertainment by a western drama crew (with a saloon shoot-out to boot--my youngest daughter was not enthused by it!) and then we had lunch served from a genuine chuck wagon! This is what the inside of a chuck wagon looks like:

The families were going to picnic together on their new land, but it was a long hike in the hot sun, so they all found shady spots nearby....

The entire school dressed up! There were plenty of cowboys....

...pioneer girls....

...and prairie school marms with their genuine pioneer sunglasses! :)

And since there were no Ipods or Nintendos around, they even had to resort to old time fun, like tree climbing....

...and "horsing around."

There was a lot to do and see! Real wagon rides...

...churning butter by hand...

...making lye soap....

...and even spinning wool!

It really was day that the kids (and adults!) will remember for a long time.

Happy Belated Mother's Day

One of the great joys of my job is meeting lots of moms. I especially enjoy the joy in a first-time mom's face on the day she receives her baby's first set of portraits! She is always glowing with happiness. So to all my "mommy" clients, I hope you day was blessed!

I count it all joy to be mom to two lively little girls myself. They keep me on my toes and exhaust me on a daily basis (how come kids get all the energy?--not fair!) but I can't imagine my life without them! Even on the worst of days, hugs & kisses from the little one & "I'm so glad you're my mommy" from the biggest at bedtime makes everything a-okay.

Check out the very cool mom's day gift my preschooler gave to me: a jar full of reasons why she loves her mommy! They were all things like "because she reads to me" (we read a bedtime story every night) or "because she sits with me" or "because I love her kisses." So remember the little things...they really are the BIG things!!

Western Oklahoma Really Is a Pretty Place!

We went out for a last-minute senior session with Cody who will be graduating in 2 weeks! Congrats! I had the priviledge of being escourted all around a great location out in the country. There were so many great spots to shoot and it was a beautiful sunny day!

When I first moved to Oklahoma from Arkansas as a teenager, I'll admit that it took some getting used to. I had grown up with towering trees and the sudden change to rolling hills and wide-open spaces with few trees was just...well, DIFFERENT! But now, as I drive around western Oklahoma I appreciate the beauty that is all around me. It's so nice to see dark green wheat fields when everything else is dead & brown in winter time. The wide-open spaces don't bother me anymore. In fact, I enjoy being able to see for miles and watching sunsets on our plainslands. It's a very peaceful, very beautiful place to live....as you can see in some of Cody's portraits:

Get Your Kicks On Route 66

As you know, May is the month of field trips for schoolchildren across the nation. I joined my preschooler for her trip to The National Route 66 Museum in Elk City, OK. I'm not sure how much the preschoolers appreciated it, but I thought it was pretty cool!

There's lots of neat stuff inside: a mini drive in, a firestation with a pole to slide down, lots of cool motorcycles, planes, old RV's, etc.

What's a Route 66 museum without license plates...in the shape of Oklahoma? Neat-o.

And now for the history lesson.... I SO want one of these old baby buggies. Wouldn't it make an awsesome picture with a baby inside?

I say let's ditch Ipods & CD's and go back to the good-ole days of non-portable music. Good times, good times....

Okay ladies....time for a serious talk. What does it say about our vanity when we are willing to be hooked up to have electric bolts shot through our hair for a perm's sake? Are you willing to suffer this much for beauty? Not me!!! That's craziness!


This concludes our tour of the National Route 66 Museum. The next time you are traveling through Elk City, take a minute to stop in. For only $3, there's lots more to see!