Merry Christmas!

(click to enlarge)

From our family to yours, we hope you have a very merry Christmas!

P.S. Don't forget the reason for the season!!!

Shoot the Moon

Last week, H & I went out to shoot the moon...literally. Due to hazy clouds, the moon was looking mighty mysterious. We set up a tripod in the middle of our street (good thing we live in a low traffic area) and tried our best to get a good shot. For nighttime or low light shots, it is really important to leave your shutter open for a long time (to let as much light in as possible). That means that even the slightest shake will usually lead to image blur. So what happens when you combine a camera with a long, heavy lens, high winds and an extremely cold photographer into the mix? Camera shake. Oh well! It didn't turn out like I wanted--it's not quite as good as my total lunar eclipse picture--but it's still kind of fun. It's good to get out and experiement sometimes. You should try it.

The Zawicki Family

Welcome to the blog on this insanely cold winter morning!

I'd like you to meet my sister-in-law & her family.

My neice & nephew have the most gorgeous eyes!

Mike & Sherry: two of my favorite people!

These were taken at the Duncan Country Club after Thanksgiving. I was shocked to find that Duncan actually had leaves left on their fall trees, unlike the bald trees we had at home.

I couldn't leave the golf course without getting an old fashioned golf shot!

My guess is that the golf courses in Oklahoma are going to be a bit lonely for a while as it is currently less Oklahoma-like and more Arctic Circle-like! Stay warm, everybody!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

Wondering what I've been up to? Well, right now, I'm listening to the joyful glees of my 6-year-old playing in the first snow of the season.

What is it about the first snow that can automatically bring excitement to a kid? Even if it's just a light dusting, they are still thrilled to put on their snow gear and play in it. (And what is the obsession with eating snow??? Okay, I admit, I had that obsession too...)


Other than that, I've been busy with the holiday season, as many of you are. I'm also graduating from college this semester, so I'm focusing on finals this week.

There are still a few sessions left to post before my holiday break, so I hope to do that soon. Until then, stay warm & toasty...and don't forget the hot cocoa!

Miller & Avery

Remember when I introduced you to the new kid on the block, baby Miller?

He's back and this time, cousin Avery is joining him!

So snuggly!!

He looks like he's giving me a mischeivious grin.

Miss Avery is quite a character.

Man, she's grown. The last time I saw her, she was just a tiny newborn babe!



Oo-la-la. Wish I had some eyelashes like that!!

Lovin' her hat! There was a daisy on the top & a daisy on the bottom of her bloomers which read: "Don't smell the daisies." Too cute!

Four Legged Friends

Humans aren't the only ones getting into the Christmas spirit!

Meet Wylie & Gabbi.

They reminded me of my own (less furry) kids because Wylie was laid back and calm (like H) while Gabbi was spunky & energetic (like L)!

And this is Miss Josie. She reminded me of myself because she blinked with almost every snap of the camera! I guessed that her beautiful blue eyes cause her to be more light sensitive. I even looked it up: it's called albinism. Who knew?

New Kid on the Block

A sneak peek for mom....more to come soon!

Reminder: Digital Image Special!

Just in case you missed it earlier...

I do offer custom press printed Christmas cards, but you could also take advantage of the digital image special and have cards printed at the lab or site of your choice.

If you are looking for Christmas card recommendations, check out minted.com. Disclaimer: I have never printed anything through this store nor do I work for them...I just happened across their site this weekend and fell in love with their designs!!! :) They have some really cute ways of integrating photo cards + holiday letters (which is my tradition). Give 'em a looksie.


By the way...don't think that this image special is only for folks looking to create Christmas cards. No way! It's a great opportunity for you to have a favorite image (or two, or three...) on CD with complete reprint rights to use as you see fit. It's only good until Christmas Eve, so don't delay!

The Rogers Family

I got to journey out to Foss Lake for a session with the Rogers family last week. They had the same problem that I did with my own family session: all the autumn leaves were dropping off the trees at lightening speed, so all the location that they had scouted had changed in a matter of days. It's a good thing we didn't wait a couple of days later; I noticed this week that almost all the trees are bare now...and it's gotten very COLD!


Stay warm, everyone. Rogers family: I hope you enjoy your session images!

Amanda: Too Many Favorites

First off, Amanda wins the "funniest client of the year" award. She had called weeks in advance to schedule her appointment; she was planning ahead (good girl!). When I called the night before to confirm, she was laying out her wardrobe (good girl!). She was right on time for her session, traveling to Leedey from Elk City (a 35 minute drive) and we started discussing which locations we would visit to first:

Me: "What are you going to wear? Let's look at your clothes so I can decide which location is best for each outfit."

Amanda: "Okay, they're in the back."

(I open the back)

Me: "They're not back here. I don't see anything."

Amanda: "They are in the Dillard's bag. I thought I put them back there." (No Dillard's bag) Check under the seats...Oh my gosh. Where are they?!? Mom?? Where's my Dillard's bag?? Did you see where I put them in the car?!? Help me find them!!!! Oh my gosh...oh my gosh..."

Other expressions of panic were to follow.

Amanda is the only senior girl I have ever known who left her entire senior photo shoot wardrobe at home!! She wasn't even wearing an outfit that she planned to be photographed in!

Luckily, big sister + brother-in-law saved the day by making a mad dash to Leedey. We were afraid we were going to run out of sunlight--and we almost did--but it all worked out wonderfully. So wonderfully, in fact, that I had a very hard time choosing what to post on the blog.

A beautiful girl + perfect evening light = too many favorites!

Amanda brought her artwork with her...which I loved. These are your senior photos; let's make them personal! I encourage seniors to bring anything that is significant or unique to them & we will try to incorporate it however we can.

Since I didn't know she was bringing her artwork, I didn't have the supplies I needed for what I envisioned. Never fear--Photoshop to the rescue!

"Hey...remember the time when I left all my clothes at home for my senior photo shoot? Oh my gosh, that was so funny..."

Trying a little tint here. I think it works!

We were running on like two ounces of sunlight at this point, but I was determined to try. I really wanted the yellow leaves as a background to her hot pink shirt. But I admit, I'm a sucker for autumn leaves no matter the wardrobe...

Thanks for the laughs, Amanda! Enjoy your images and your senior year!

Me

Here's proof that I know how weird it can feel to be in front of a camera! :)

Special thanks to hubby & photographer-in-training for this headshot!

I Feel Your Pain (I Really Do)

I know family portrait sessions can be a little stressful sometimes. Does any of this sound familiar?

*You begin shopping for coordinating outfits two months in advance.

*You start making a mental list of places that would be great for a family portrait.

*You schedule a date...but one family member has a conflict, so you reschedule.

*The one article of clothing that you REALLY wanted has sold out, is not in the size you need or just doesn't fit right. You make do with what you already have because something is better than nothing (and there's no time for shopping).

*The day of your session arrives...and winds whipping at 95 mph (or at least it feels like it). You have to reschedule.

*A conflict arises with the reschedule date...you reschedule AGAIN.

*Two days before scheduled session, the perfect location you had in mind is no longer perfect (all the beautiful golden leaves have fallen off the trees).

*The day of session: at least one person is not feeling well (or just cranky) while another is acting like a goofball. You are worried about how your hair is holding up in the wind and whether or not your shirt makes you look fat and if your head is turned the right way and if your necklace is straight, etc. etc. etc. Mostly, you wonder if there is going to be even one decent shot after all this work!

All of the above happened for my own family portraits! I really do understand that getting your entire family together for an hour or two is no small feat. I also understand that it takes a lot of preparation and planning to take a family portrait. I understand that weather is unpredictable. I understand that not everyone gets excited about taking family pictures (especially men). I understand that family portraits are not something that happens very regularly and you want to look your best. I understand how badly you'd like to have a nice portrait to hang on your living room wall. I understand...because I've been there!

That's why I try my best with every session--family, senior, baby, whatever--to make you feel at ease and to do everything in my power to provide the best images for you!

And, speaking from experience, be grateful that you are not trying to take your own family portrait....it ain't easy, my friends. ;)

Cute Overload

I have a friend who loves the website cuteoverload.com because it is filled with pictures of cute, fuzzy animals. She claims that it's impossible not to feel better after checking out the picture of the day on that site.

This family suffers from cute overload every single day. What a fantastic-looking family! The girls are as sweet as they look, too. All I can say is that I pity poor Dad. He's going to have a hard time keeping the boys away someday!

So without further ado, your cute overload for the day compliments of Four Seasons Photography and the Thomas family:

Do Your Part

Is the Great Pumpkin Coming?

It's time to seek out the most sincere pumpkin patch that you can find, because it's Halloween!!

My little trick-or-treaters:

A beautiful pink princess, of course...

...and a beautiful pink POODLE!

I decided to get back to my creative side and make H's costume this year like I used to. We got the idea from Family Fun magazine. It was actually pretty simple to make--mostly made from pink bath puffs and socks for ears/tail--just a little time consuming.

It's not the first time I've made a Family Fun Halloween costume. Once upon a time, when they were 3 years old and 4 months old, I made matching skunk costumes for my little "stinkers."  (I was planning to post some old pics, but my scanner is acting up).  Take my word for it, they were adorable!!

Enjoy your treat bags full of sugar and empty calories!  ;) 

Feel free to come take some off our hands...I'm too weak to have Halloween candy in the house! 

Halloween Fun for Grown-Ups

This week, I attended a murder mystery dinner that our local YWS Club hosted. I admit--I was a skeptic. I wasn't sure how much fun grow women in costumes trying to figure out "who dunnit" would really be.

Verdict: It was great fun! There was lots of laughter, great food (of course!) and creative costumes (I suppose the little girl instinct to play dress-up never fully goes away). I got to pull out some of my journalism skills for a bit as we interviewed one another and tried to figure out who had motive and opportunity to kill.

In case you've never been a part of a murder mystery dinner, everyone is assigned a character and asked to dress as that person. Once you arrive at the party, you are given a the details about your character's whereabouts during the murder and what else she may have seen. Then, you have to mingle with others, asking questions or slipping your information into the conversation while trying to put all the pieces of the mystery puzzle together. My character was Professor Eva Spektrum, an expert in psychology and parapsychology.

If you've never been to one, I highly suggest giving it a try. It's a great way to meet new people, too!

Alex (#2)

When Alex #2's mom called to ask about taking senior pictures, I was seriously in disbelief. "Noooo...he can't be a senior. Really? He's a senior, already??" Even my husband argued with me later about it. "Ummm...I think his mom would know whether or not he's a senior," I counter-argued (conveniently failing to mention my own disbelief from earlier).

So, apparently, the old saying is true: time DOES fly!

Here's a little sneak peek from Alex (#2)'s senior photo shoot in downtown Wichita Falls, Texas.

This is one of my favorite locations to shoot at in downtown Wichita Falls. It used to be a great little hidden spot, until they tore down the building next door. Sadly, I don't think it's much of a secret, anymore. Shucks.

Funny story: So, we wanted to get a few pics on the train tracks. We drove to a spot where we wouldn't have to worry about traffic....you know, cars constantly driving over the tracks. We didn't have to worry about any cars, but we did have to worry about a train! Confession: I had a really hard time getting a good shot because I was so shaky (I tend to get like that at the end of a long day...plus, I hadn't eaten dinner yet) and because I was frantically trying to get all the shots I needed before the train got too close. Alex wisely mentioned that if we didn't get our vehicles back across the tracks, we might get stuck on the other side (with no exit route). You can't see it in this picture, but there's a big white light right behind his head from the oncoming train! (By the way, wasn't that fabulous backlighting?)

Con"grad"ulations on your senior year, Alex!