Four Seasons Photography

The Goodbye Sale

2009-12-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

The time has come. After five wonderful years behind the camera, it's time to say "good-bye" to Four Seasons Photography. I have loved every minute...meeting new people, holding precious little babies, capturing smiles and moments, creating family heirlooms....it has definitely been a huge blessing in my life.

However, it is now time to move on to a new phase of my life. As you may know, I went back to college a couple of years ago and I'm currently in grad school. One of my mother's favorite quotes has always been, "If you can't do it right, don't do it at all." I can not, in good conscious, continue with my business if I am unable to give it my all. That is why, at the end of this month, Four Seasons Photography will be no more.

But good news before I go! As a special token of appreciation for my wonderful clients, I'd like to offer you a CD of your images--ALL of your images that I've ever taken for you--for only $25. I'd hate for you not to have access to your special memories, and once the business is gone, I will no longer be storing digital files.

If you are interested in this offer, visit: http://www.fourseasonsphotos.instaproofs.com/ and click on the GOODBYE SALE link. I will look up all your previous session files, save them to a CD (or DVD, if numerous) and mail them to you (shipping is free!).

A Love Story

2009-11-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

It was a blessing and a priviledge to be a part of Mr. & Mrs. Lockmiller's wedding day.

The day and the marriage was bathed in prayer...

...everyone was having fun and in great spirits...

...and their love for one another was apparent to all.

Happy (one month) Anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. Lockmiller!!

This is only the beginning of a beautiful love story.

Mrs. Lockmiller!! {Ashley's Bridals}

2009-10-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

The next time you see Mr. Lockmiller, be sure and tell him what a blessed man he is to have a bride like this:

If you think she's a beauty on the outside, you should see her heart!

I count it a true blessing that I could be a part of Ashley & Corbin's wedding day this weekend. It was absolutely wonderful: a perfect celebration of faith, hope, love and all that is best about marriage. I can't wait to share some of those images with you soon!

Paige and the Sunflowers (A Tribute to Summer)

2009-09-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

Location: Hammon, OK

Published!

2009-08-09T14:02:00.001-07:00

I finally received my August edition of Professional Photographer Magazine.

I wonder what could be inside?

Let's open it up to the table of contents....

Hmmm....this photo looks strangely familiar.

Is that MY NAME in bold print??? It is!

And here's my article: "Business in the Boondocks" (or how to survive as a rural photographer). It is a real honor to be featured in this magazine. It is one of the premier photography magazines in North America, and I've always wanted to be published in a "glossy" (glossy magazine)!

Oh--and many thanks to all the photographers who have sent me e-mails about the article this week. I appreciate it so much! And I really appreciate all those who have allowed me to have a business in the boondocks. Couldn't have done it without my fabulous clients!

Working Girl

2009-07-28T11:10:00.001-07:00

I have very few photos of myself working. I guess that's because I generally work solo and whenever I do have an assistant in tow, they generally have bigger and better things to do than to photograph moi. However, my best friend, Heather, took it upon herself to capture me in action on our family vacation last week. Part of our beach vacation ritual is to always take a family photo . So, apparently, this is what I look like when I'm working...

I look pretty bossy in this one. :) "Sit here...go there..."

Scouting out a location: At home, I'm usually wearing jeans and work boots so I can climb fences and wade through mud or fields. Walking in sand is not easier, just different. Definitely out of my typical environment.

Location: South Padre Island, Texas

{Back!}

2009-07-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

A-a-a-a-a-n-n-n-n-d-d-d-d.....we're back! I'm sitting here on this cloudy day missing the sand, sunshine and sound of the ocean waves that we left behind in South Padre Island. :(

Just wanted to let ya know that I'm now reachable by phone and e-mail again!

{Away}

2009-07-18T11:00:00.000-07:00

I will be away July 19-26 on our annual family vacation to the beach! I will return all calls and e-mails when I return because I will be too busy working on my tan and squishing sand between my toes! :) Thanks for understanding!

The Schmidt Family

2009-07-05T13:19:00.000-07:00

Location: Leedey, OK

{Reminder}

2009-06-09T16:45:00.000-07:00

Just one more quick reminder for those who may not have caught my earlier announcement. I am out-of-town for the next couple of weeks and unable to schedule appointments until June 23rd. I will return all phone calls when I return. Until then, feel free to contact me via e-mail. Thanks!

More Corbin & Ashley: Engaged!

2009-06-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share a few more from Corbin & Ashley's e-session. Aren't they a cute couple? I can't wait until their wedding day...only 124 more days from today! :)

(Sometimes, photo sessions with a fiance can be hazardous to your health)

Location: Leedey, Oklahoma

{Back in a Bit}

2009-06-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

I will be out of the office for the next two weeks. (Actually, I should have posted this earlier because I have been gone throughout this past week as well!) All phone calls will be returned when I get back. Until then, you can reach me via e-mail. Thanks!

Sneak Peek: Corbin & Ashley

2009-05-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

Corbin & Ashley are getting hitched! They came all the way to Leedey from the great state of Texas for an e-session (engagement session). Here's just a few images to tide them over until I get the full session complete. Trust me, there are many, many more that I'll be sharing soon!

(I like to call this pose, "the happy homemaker"--lol)

Jack & Luke

2009-05-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

I may not know much about little boys, being a Mama to two girls, but I do know one thing: these guys are ADORABLE!

Location: Elk City, OK

Preserving Family History

2009-05-25T09:04:00.000-07:00

I'm a history buff. I'm especially a family history buff. I love hearing stories about our family's past and have even done a little genealogical digging myself. Someone once told me, "You can't know who you are unless you know where you've come from," and I believe it to be true.

That's why I was so pleased when Darla called to make an appointment for a family session with a special desire to get a special photo including herself, her mom and her grandma for a "three generations" image. For a very short time in my own life, there were five generations of women living. Now I have a better understanding of how truly unusual that is. We have a snapshot to commemorate those days, but I wish I had something more like this....

Aren't they beautiful?

Grandma + Grandkids + Great-Grands

What makes these even more special is that we were able to shoot the session on their grandparents' farm.

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."

~Desmond Tutu

Location: between Cheyenne & Reydon, OK

Engaged: Slade & Jennifer

2009-05-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

I know, I know....a "sneak peek" usually doesn't mean posting ten pictures, but it was so hard to decide! I had so many favorites from this session. Truth be told, I would have posted more, but I had to draw the line somewhere.

We met at Slade's family farm somewhere outside of Burns Flat. He didn't think there would be many good places for photographs. Little did he know...

This image, for example, was taken at an old railroad station. There actually used to be town around this station, but now it's just an empty building in the middle of a wheat field.

Slade to Megan: "We just drove by 200 hay bales and you pick these three?" What can I say....I'm a connoisseur of fine hay bales. ;)

And Jennifer doesn't even look a bit concerned about the possibility of snakes being nearby!

Wheat fields...getting closer to harvest time!

This is probably my absolute favorite because it is so natural

(& they look so happy)!

Anyone care to guess how many chiggers/mosquitoes/ticks we brought home from this lush spot? Who cares?! I love, love, LOVE the lush green; it was worth it.

I love this time of the day and its perfect, golden light.

When you marry a farm boy, you have to spend a little time on tractors. :)

I couldn't have asked for nicer weather, a nicer location or a nicer couple for this shoot. Congratulations on your engagement, Slade & Jennifer!!

Location: between Burns Flat and Cordell, OK

{More} Places I've Been

2009-05-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

Great locations from last night's session...

Peeps

2009-05-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

We have several new "peeps" living at our house these days. Their names are: Chirp, Chickadee and Spot.

Leedey kindergartners always hatch chicken eggs in an incubator each spring, then they beg and plead with their parents until they let them take one home. I'm thinking the other k-garten parents let me down...because I ended up with three, not one!

I actually grew up on a commercial chicken farm that housed around 24,000 chickens every eight weeks, so I have plenty of experience with these little critters. I tried to talk my youngest out of it: "they are nasty," "they chirp non-stop," "they aren't very smart," etc. etc. But it was useless. The fluffy yellowy cuteness won out and my youngest has now become a Mama Hen. She loves playing "guess which chick this is?" with me. I can't tell them apart (except for Spot who has distinguishing characteristics if you can't tell by his name), but Mama Hen can somehow.

But Mama Hen has been warned: the chicks will have to head to a farm soon! Until then, if you see a little girl "walking" her chicks in the front yard, you'll know the story! :)

Interested in a Session?

2009-05-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd post a PSA (Public Service Announcement)for all those who are interested in a summer photo session.

I am currently booked until June 24th! There are actually a couple of morning session available in May (potentially), but if you are wanting to book a June or July session, please call or e-mail as soon as possible (there are limited sessions available in July).

Thanks! :)

Gone Country

2009-05-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

I last photographed the Pollan family back in September of 2007. As you can see, a lot has changed since then. Mama's hair is shorter, Miss M is taller, they've added a new addition to the family (lil' Sugar Plum) and Daddy...well, Daddy hasn't changed much since then. :)

I posted a few of the girls in black and white on the Mother's Day post, but here's a few more....

Aren't they a beautiful family? This session was held on the ranch where they live and work. It's so nice and GREEN right now!

{One of my favorites of lil' Sugar Plum}

Now I ask you...who could resist a face like that??

Don't forget big sis, Miss M!

Aw...Daddy's girl

Sugar and spice and everything nice!

Happy Birthday to Mama Pollan who's turning 29 today (again)!! wink wink ;o)

Location: Camargo, OK

Before I was a Mom {Ode to Mothers}

2009-05-10T04:59:00.000-07:00

Before I was a Mom,

I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.

I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never been puked on. Popped on. Chewed on. Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do a test.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,

I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.

I never knew that I could love someone so much.

I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom.

I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could be to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.

I didn't know something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every ten minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much.

--author unknown

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOMMIES & MOMMIES-TO-BE!

Oklahoma Sunsets: No Photoshop Needed

2009-05-08T10:56:00.001-07:00

Senior: Cinda

2009-05-04T12:21:00.001-07:00

By no means will I be the one to tell the rain to "go away," but it sure is wrecking havoc on my session schedule these days (that and its cousin, the 100 mph winds!). We cranked out a few shots for Cinda before it started raining, but we kept shooting. This was my first shoot in the rain & it actually wasn't half bad! The wetness really saturates the colors and I loved how it made the old truck look (see final photo). Besides, it'd really be hard to take a bad picture of Cinda!

I have taken pics of old trucks before, but this was a new model (so-to-speak). There is some speculation that it might have been Cinda's dad's old truck, but we weren't for sure. Either way, it's a good lookin' old clunker, isn't it? The rain really made it shine!

Location: Leedey, OK

Places I've Been Lately {Part Three}

2009-05-03T14:27:00.001-07:00

Places I Have Been Recently {Part Two}

2009-04-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

Places I've Been Lately {Part One}

2009-04-22T15:00:00.001-07:00

Heather In All Her Hilarity

2009-04-10T07:50:00.000-07:00

I love it. I really, really love it.

College Grads: Heather & Micah

2009-04-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

Heather is a good friend of mine. Together, we survived our Mass Comm classes at SWOSU by leaning on each other, whining to each other and laughing at/with each other.

That would probably explain why I like this picture so much...it's Heather in her natural state: laughing! She has the best laugh...it's very contagious.

And yes, I know you're thinking it so just go ahead and say it...she has the best lips! Everyone envies those lips. You're not the first. ;)

I also got to meet Heather's sister, Micah. Micah is also graduating this semester from SWOSU. Their parents must be so relieved...I mean, PROUD! :)

Micah is a surgical tech (hence the awesome pinstriped scrubs). I wish I could handle the medical field but everyone knows that I can't even make it through one episode of ER without dry-heaving. Sad, but true!

Congratulations, ladies!!

May wherever life leads you be filled with happiness and laughter!!

(P.S. Stop by tomorrow to see the many ridiculous faces of Heather)

Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Wonderous Wade

2009-03-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

Little Wade is a very talented boy. At only two months old he can....

...enjoy a good joke and crack a smile (or a smirk)...

..charm adults with his every move (especially his Mama & Daddy), ...

recite his multiplication tables in his head (at least, that's what I think he was doing--I may be wrong--and he's not even using his fingers!), ...

...and he's already getting ready for baseball season.

That is, unless Daddy can get a football into his hands soon. :)

Senior: Melissa

2009-03-27T05:52:00.001-07:00

Meet Melissa...another beautiful senior girl from Elk City.

Yes, it may be windy here, but you just can't beat a sunset in western Oklahoma. Natives that have moved away always talk about how much they miss seeing them.

This shot's for you, Melissa!

By the sneek peek I've collected here, you might think Melissa's quiet and somewhat serious, but she's really pretty spunky and full of smiles. My favs just happened to be the ones where she was doing "the somber look."

...like this one. Love that profile against the blooming bushes. Take a good look...these are the same blooming bushes that might not survive the blizzard-like conditions rolling into the area today. :(

Thanks, Melissa! Hope you enjoy your senior pictures!

Location: Elk City

Senior: Shana

2009-03-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Senior girls just keep getting prettier and prettier. I'm telling you, there must be something in the Oklahoma water! ;)

Shana brought along her favorite prop: her boyfriend, Mike! I always encourage seniors to bring special things to incorportate into their sessions whether it be a Harley Davidson, a puppy or a special person.

A little something in black and white....

...and a little something different--the antiqued look, I suppose.

No one is happier than I to see bushes and trees in full bloom. Now, if we can just get the grass to grow!

Enjoy your senior pictures, Shana!

Location: Leedey, OK

Callie Mae

2009-03-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

Miss Callie Mae just turned one! It's hard to believe it, because she used to be a tiny tot that looked like THIS and THIS...

Now, she's doing all sorts of "big girl" things like walking, feeding herself, calling all her gal-pals on the telephone...

It's a good thing I like the serious look because Callie is kind of a serious girl.

She was even more serious on this weekend because she had been feeling kind of crummy.

I thought the catchlights in her eyes looked strange, so I zoomed in...

...and found her Mama in the reflection.

And we couldn't close without one of big sis, Sophie, who is also growing like a weed!

Location: Elkhart, Kansas

Did You Miss Me? (+ A Special!)

2009-02-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

Man, it has been a looooooong time since I've blogged. So sorry! Generally, I take January off and get back in the swing of things during February, but instead I've had my nose in....

...books. Lots and lots of books!

In December, I graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a B.A. in Mass Communication (journalism). Yay, me! Then suddenly, and kind of unexpectedly, I found myself enrolling in graduate school! I'm really loving it because I was able to focus on writing and technology with my undergrad degree, and my graduate studies allows me focus on reading (I'm in the Library and Media Specialist program at East Central University). These are all things I love most (photography falls under "technology," of course).

Sooooo....here I am, trying to be a good blogger and get back into the swing of things. Yes, sessions are still available. In fact, I'm going to get things started with a special!

Sitting fees for March photo sessions are half-price!*

*Limited to availability. Monday-Friday sessions only.

2008 In Review: The Slideshow

2009-01-10T11:06:00.000-08:00

I had some technical difficulties converting my video so that I could share it on YouTube like I usually do, so to watch "2008 in Review" click HERE instead.

Update: I fixed the link, so the slideshow is available to view. You may be promted to download ProShow Presenter. Don't worry-it's tiny & takes less than a minute to download. Don't forget to click on "2008 in Review" & watch full-screen (square in the lower right-hand corner)!

2008: A Great Year

2009-01-04T14:48:00.000-08:00

2008 was a year that was jam-packed for me: I completed my degree in Mass Communications from SWOSU, I got to help out some New Orleans' homeowners who were still struggling after Katrina and help restore a beautiful 122-year-old church building, I focused on changing my eating & exercise habits for better health and, most especially, I got to meet and photograph some wonderful new people!

Over the course of the next few days, I will be sharing mini-slideshows of a few of the many faces I photographed in 2008. Please come back to check them out!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T05:52:00.000-08:00

(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

2008-12-16T05:25:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-15T07:29:00.000-08:00

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...

2008-12-09T13:43:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-25T19:09:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-22T18:18:00.001-08:00

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

2008-11-20T17:27:00.000-08:00

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

Reminder: Digital Image Special!

2008-11-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-15T06:12:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-13T05:45:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-11T06:28:00.001-08:00

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)

2008-11-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

Is the Great Pumpkin Coming?

2008-10-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-27T21:30:00.001-07:00

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)

2008-10-25T19:14:00.000-07:00

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!

Limited Time Only: Purchase Images on CD!!

2008-10-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

Christmas is coming whether we like it or not (even the weather seems to recognize this lately). As always, Four Seasons Photography will be pleased to bring you a selection of trendy, customized greeting cards for the holiday season, but this year, I'd like to offer you a new option as well:

You heard me right...you can purchase any image on CD (including a reproduction release which will allow you to be able to print your images at any photo lab of your choice) for only $50! Free shipping, too!!

Just follow these five easy steps:

1) Go to http://www.fourseasonsphotos.instaproofs.com/ and click on the "Digital Image Special" gallery.

2) Click on the image of the ad above.

3) Select the number of images you'd like to purchase & click the "add items to cart" button.

4) After you have completed your transaction, send me an e-mail description or image number of the photo you would like to purchase (image numbers are found on the back of your prints).

5) Check your mailbox & enjoy your digital images! :)

Keep in mind, this is for a limited time only. Just like milk and cookies left for Santa, this offer will disappear on Christmas Eve!

Alex (#1)

2008-10-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

This post is titled Alex #1 because I photographed two Alexes back-to-back: one in Oklahoma and one in Texas. Can you guess what my next blog post will be titled?

As for Alex #1, we met up for a senior session in Elk City. He was so great to work with--so laid back and easy going! His mom and girlfriend came along to act as wardrobe assistants, photography assistants (I put them to work) and smile prodders. They did a great job, too! :)

This is what I like to see in senior guys: ACTUAL smiles! GENUINE smiles!

Earlier in the session, Alex's girlfriend yelled out,

"Smile! You've got good teeth!"

Cracked me up!

I loved the colors at this location.

Alex is apparently multi-talented. He plays tennis, football, is a Key Club member

and is getting ready to make his singing debut in his school's musical,

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."

I've gotta admit...I'd never worked tennis into a photograph until now.

Posing with tennis rackets is a lot harder than you'd think!

Thank goodness, Alex was patient with me. :)

Thanks for being such a great sport, Alex!

Megan Franks of Four Seasons Photography specializes in on-location senior photography in western Oklahoma including Elk City, Hammon, Sayre, Vici, Leedey, Clinton, Burns Flat, Weatherford and beyond.

A Handful...

2008-10-19T22:48:00.000-07:00

...quite literally! (But an adorable little handful, don't you agree?)

Sweet Cheeks

2008-10-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Meet Colbie, one of the newest kids on the block in the Leedey area with dimples to die for! I did big brother Connor's two year session a couple of weeks ago and we recently got together for a quick session with Lil' Miss Sweet Cheeks, too.

Can I tell you how happy I was to be able to break out the old antique buggy?

Can you believe those eyes?

The answer is "no"--she can not sit up on her own. She's only a little over a month old (I think...I'm quickly losing track of time these days). But she is remarkably strong, her mom was remarkably helpful and I was remarkably quick to get the shot--lol!

Megan Franks of Four Seasons Photography specializes in on-location photography for babies and children in western Oklahoma including Elk City, Hammon, Leedey, Camargo, Vici, Cheyenne, Clinton and more.

The Many Faces of Lacy

2008-10-15T05:55:00.000-07:00

As promised...

Megan Franks of Four Seasons Photography specializes in on-location senior photography in western Oklahoma.

Lacy & "The Windblown Look"

2008-10-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

When I lived in Texas, the challenge of on-location photography was heat. In Oklahoma, we still battle heat from time to time, but our biggest obstacle is WIND.

Lacy joined me in Leedey for a senior photo shoot last weekend and--I kid you not--the wind was whipping somewhere around 35 miles per hour. She was a trooper, I tell ya. It's not easy managing long hair in a windstorm, but I think she did a fantastic job...

Lacy's mom found this little hidden spot. It was a perfect match for her dark blue shirt. Way to go, Mom!

Those eyes! That smooth skin! Western Oklahoma is full of natural beauties like Lacy! There must be a lot of good genes floating around out here--lol!

You'll have to check back to see her super-cute "The Many Faces of Lacy" collage. It's become a Four Seasons favorite with the senior girls this year.

Saving the Smile

2008-10-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Our eldest daughter has a smile that she uses quite often, but thanks to some crummy genes that both her father and I passed on to her, she had to send her smile into "the shop." This morning, she left looking like this:

And came home looking like this:

The legacy of braces lives on in the Franks family!

If you think about it, there's few investments as good as saving a smile--it's the first thing people notice and you carry it with you wherever you go for a lifetime. It's definetely a better investment than in, say...stocks for an investment bank these days--lol!

First Time Soccer Mom

2008-10-05T22:07:00.001-07:00

With fall came my first foray into the world of soccer momdom. Our new friends and neighbors actually introduced the game to our community (where softball & baseball reign supreme). The parents have zero understanding of the rules, but our sidelines still manage to be just as loud as if we actually knew what was really going on. It's quite comical, really.

My eldest has now ranked soccer as her #2 favorite sport flanked by #1-softball (of course) and #3-basketball. I suspect that soccer might be higher on the list if there was less running involved (it would in my book).

I took the ol' camera out for a soccer test run. It must be noted that we were on the side of the field that was not in the best position (sunlight wise) for photos, but I didn't want to wander out of the confines of my Leedey herd (okay, actually, I was just too lazy to move my lawn chair).

Viva la soccer!

"Look Mom--no hands!"

Connor Turns Two!

2008-09-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

I remember when Connor was just a tiny squirt. I've had some fun with him as he has grown, like the time we visited his grandparent's antique bridge. Now, he's a "big boy" at two and even has a baby sister to boot!

Check out those beautiful blue eyes!

Silly boy!!

Miss SWOSU Teen Pageant: Here She Comes!

2008-09-22T19:36:00.001-07:00

Ms. C's joining the Miss SWOSU Outstanding Teen Pageant so we whipped up a few headshots for the event. Good luck!!

Why Does Photography Cost So Much?

2008-09-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

It's the question that everyone secretly wants to ask, but rarely does: why does professional photography cost so much? We all know that you can buy an 8x10 at the drug store for less than $5, so why do professionals charge $20 or more?

When you purchase a print, you are not just paying for the actual photograph, you are also paying for the time it took to produce the product. Just like any other consumer product on the market, photographers have to calculate expenses and overhead into our prices. To help you better understand, here's a list of a few things that I personally have to take into account when determining prices:

*TIME: A typical portrait session with young children or high school seniors lasts around two hours. Living in western Oklahoma means that I usually spend an hour or more driving to and from the photo shoot location. Then, depending on the number of images taken, editing, blogging, order preparation and delivery can easily take at least ten hours (weddings can take up to 50+ hours). So, an average portrait session usually equals about 13-15 hours of work.

*EQUIPMENT: A huge portion of my budget goes to maintaining and upgrading equipment. A professional grade SLR camera alone costs around $2,000+ and professionals always have to have a back-up camera. Lenses can be outrageous (I have one that cost $1500 alone) and most photographers need a bag of them for various photographic situations. There's also a constant need for computer and software upgrades, of course, and a while host of things that are needed to keep up with sweeping changes in technology.

*BUSINESS EXPENSES: There's postage, office supplies, insurance and banking fees and all kinds of boring-but-necessary costs that everyone has when operating a business. Plus, since I work on-location, I use a lot of gasoline. Unless you've been living in a cave, you probably realize that gas is a little insanely high these days, so no explanation needed there. :)

*EXPERTISE: While many good photographers are self-taught, they still have to been actively learning in order to continually perfect their craft. I was enrolled in an educational/mentor program before I began my business and have been involved in workshops and classes through the years. I am also a member of a professional photography organization that has yearly dues. None of these things are inexpensive and they must be taken into consideration when determining prices.

Consider this: most of us gladly pay hair stylists for a trim. Scissors only cost a couple of dollars, but most people would rather have someone who knows what they are doing cut their hair. The same applies for professional photography: you are paying for expertise. Fortunately, photo sessions aren't as frequent as hair cuts...and the results last much longer! :)

Cal-Cal

2008-09-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

I don't like to play favorites when it comes to the kiddos I photograph, but I gotta admit....this is one of my favorites. But she's my neice; it's allowed. :)

Callie, affectionately known as "Cal-Cal," is now six months old! You'd hardly recognize her from her newborn photos or her three month session.

By the way, these were all taken using natural light. I've used studio lights for babies in the past, but I'm trying to stear clear of it these days. I just love natural light and it makes the session so much less intimidating for kids when there aren't any giant, hot strobe lights towering over them in their living room!

(It's always good to end on a happy note.)

By the way, if you're still guessing the location of the state with the beautiful sunflower fields, it was Kansas where little Cal-Cal had her pictures made!

Guess the Location

2008-09-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

Anyone know which state I visited last weekend?

Come on....take a guess.....

For Busy Bodies

2008-09-11T05:24:00.000-07:00

I'm busy. You're busy. We're all busy here. I don't know about you, but I live and die by the calendar. One problem I've always had was keeping up with my own personal calendar while trying to also keep up with my husband & children's comings & goings...sometimes I'd never find out what was going on until the last minute.

But recently, I found a cool online calendar called Cozi. I couldn't keep it to myself; I had to share.

This is my calendar's homepage. You can upload photos, there's a spot for journaling (great for people like me who can never seem to keep up with the family blog) and even a section for shopping lists. The best part about the shopping list is that you can have it sent via a text message to your phone! I love that since I make tons of lists...and tend to forget to bring them with me!

(You can even use the list function to save wish lists or sizes, etc. of family members. That's going to come in real handy around Christmas time!)

What's cool is that you never run out of room on a Cozi calendar (unlike my daytimer which never has enough room to fill in everyone's activities in one little square). The best part is that it color codes events/activities. On my calendar, red is an event that applies to everyone in the family, aqua are my events, el hubbo is purple, & daughters get yellow/orange dots. Hooray for organization!

I guess I should mention the best part about the Cozi calendar....it's free! Sure, there are some ads on the homepage but that's okay by me.

By the way, be sure to call me and schedule an appointment to put on your calendar before fall comes and goes!

Lindy Gets Firsties! (First Senior of the Season)

2008-09-02T18:44:00.000-07:00

And, man, what an awesome first senior session it was! You'll laugh once you see her photos, but Lindy was so worried about being in front of the camera. "I should have warned you that I'm not good at this," she said. WHATEVER!

How gorgeous is she? Skin this smooth should be outlawed! Seriously...I did ZERO photoshop touch-ups to her skin. And don't get me started on those blue blue blue eyes!

One of the perks of living in the boondocks: beautiful sunsets!

I literally said outloud, "Oh, this is a favorite" as soon as I downloaded this image. Love it!

Does she not remind you of Marilyn Monroe or some other Hollywood siren?

Hip-hip-hooray! The sunlight was beautiful that day!

(Are you jealous of my rhyming skills?)

Anyone for a baby fix? A quick shot with baby sister.

We're on cute girl overload with this one!

We were working on her CD cover (not really). This one is for a melancholy, acoustic album...

...while this one releases her inner rocker chick.

I tried something a little different with this image.

It's kinda vintage glowy glam. Or something.

And I'll leave ya with Lindy's beautiful profile.

Now, raise your hand if you think Lindy's not very good at this picture-taking thing.

{Yea, I didn't think so!!}

Seniors: Share Your Smile Online

2008-08-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Did you know that some of our newly revised senior packages include a web-ready images for online sharing? While these images aren't sized for print (if you try to print them, they will be pixelated and ugly...not to mention that would be violation of federal copyright laws, but that's another story), they are perfect for posting on myspace, facebook, using for avatars, e-mail, etc. How fun is that?

Contact me if you are interested in seeing the new senior package pricelists and all the goodies they include. (Visit the "contact" section of my website)

Megan Franks specializes in on-location photography, photography for high school seniors, in western Oklahoma. (Leedey, Elk City, Hammon, Clinton, Weatherford, Vici, Woodward, Burns Flat and beyond.)

The New "Spokesbaby" of Elk City March of Dimes

2008-08-28T19:04:00.001-07:00

Meet the new "spokesbaby" for Elk City's chapter of the March of Dimes: Kash. You might remember seeing Kash when he was three months old....can you believe he's 7 months now? And check out those gorgeous blue eyes!! Who can resist those beautiful little peepers?

If you'd like to contribute to the campaign to help and/or prevent premature birth and or childhood disabilities, you can participate in a March for Babies near you. You can also donate to the March of Dimes.

(And, to be precise, I'm not sure his title is actually "spokesbaby" since he technically can not speak yet, but you know what I mean!)

Attention Class of 2009

2008-08-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

Seniors!!! Guess what? It's time to book your senior sessions!!

No joking...if you don't get on the ball and set aside time on your busy, busy calendar, spring will sneak up on you. So let's get together in a green wheat field or at an old, weathered building, a barnyard or wherever!

And don't forget that if you want to split a session with a friend, you can BOGO on LOCO....2 for the price of one session fee. Things are always more fun when you bring a friend along.

Sessions are very limited this season, so give me a call!

Megan Franks of Four Seasons Photography specializes in on-location senior photography in western Oklahoma including Elk City, Hammon, Leedey, Vici, Clinton, Woodward and beyond.

Confidence

2008-08-21T19:52:00.001-07:00

What?? TWO blog posts in one day??? I know, it's unbelievable another blogger shared a video and some thoughts that I have to share.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have little self-confidence. It's been a real struggle for me throughout my life. Without confidence, you can get easy to get bogged down by feelings of inadequacy and convince yourself that you will never be able to be successful even in areas where you possess talent or skills.

This video is of Paul Potts' audition on Britain's Got Talent. I'm no super-fan of American Idol or any of the talent shows nor am I an avid opera fan. But I dare you to watch this video and not get goosebumps or positively tear up. Paul Potts is a lot like me, but he stepped out of his comfort zone and stepped into unimaginable success. And no one expected it from him.

So, in case you missed the message of the day, it's threefold:

1) Use what God gave ya.

Paul - who's one of four children- was singing almost from the moment he could talk. "My mother recalls me listening to the theme from ET and conducting an imaginary orchestra with sticks," laughs Paul." "When I sang, that's when I felt I was myself - the real me." **

2) Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.

Although Paul has performed at amateur level, most notably with Bath Opera, his chronic lack of self esteem and fear of rejection always prevented him from trying to make it professionally. " As I saw it, if I never asked - never put myself out there - then I'd never get told "No",'says Paul. "It was safer that way." **

3) Believe in yourself even if others are skeptical.
"Though it's fair to say that when Paul strolled awkwardly - almost apologetically - onto the Cardiff stage for his first Britain’s Got Talent audition a week before that final, in his now infamous £35 Tesco suit, and announced to Simon and fellow judges Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan that he was going to sing opera, they never thought for one minute they were looking at their winner. Until he opened his mouth and started to sing. **

So, did he win? You betcha.

"All of this is like a fairy tale and I'm terrified I'm going to wake up soon and find I've dreamt it all," says Paul. "The support I've had has been incredible and I feel so touched and humbled by it. It has done so much for my confidence and I really can't thank people enough for giving me the chance to realise my dream. To be given an opportunity like this is more than I ever could have hoped for. Finally, I am going to be doing what I've always felt I was put here to do - something I love and that gives me so much joy." **

**Taken from http://www.paulpotts.com/, About Paul

Back to School...For Me, Too!

2008-08-21T09:17:00.001-07:00

It seems like only yesterday that I was starting my first semester back at college after taking several years off (when I say "several," I mean like TEN!). It really has flown by and I should have a nice little diploma in my hand after December. Yay! Until then, I'll be hitting the books pretty hard this fall. Speaking of books, these little beauties--even with their lovely "used" stickers--cost me well over $300! You gotta love college and all its pricetags.

BFF {in Black & White}

2008-08-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

I'm in a black & white sort of mood today, probably because it's been grey and rainy for three days!

Today I want to introduce you to someone special: my BFF--or best friend--Heather.

You've probably seen her pop up on my blog before because we've officially been best friends for five years though we've known each other for ten (oh my gosh, that makes me feel old!). So how do you transition from being casual friends to being best friends? I had talked Heather into attending our church's summer youth camp as a sponsor with me. On the drive down, she told me that her best friend had just moved away, "..so I was thinking that maybe we could be best friends now." We were just being silly of course, but from that moment on, we were officially "BFF's."

When we get together, we often transform into silly teenage girls again (much to our husbands' dismay).

Heather is the stylish, fashionable one in this friendship. She enjoys buying expensive girly things (like hundred dollar + purses!) that I would never even consider. She loves to take me shopping (something I hate) and gets joy out of the moments when she actually convinces me to buy something that I would never ordinarily purchase. But like any good partnership, I am her "voice of reason," reminding her to buy clothing that is machine-washable (why complicate life?) and that people with vein problems shouldn't be wearing three inch heels everyday.

Even though Heather is a naturally beautiful girly-girl and I'm just a simple plain-Jane, we still go together like PB&J. She doesn't criticize me when I'm having an obviously bad hair day (see above) and I just laugh about her sometimes crazy obsessions.

Heather loves my own kids as much as she loves her own.

And, when we're together, we can consume this many donuts without condemnation.

In two days.

All of them.

(They were yummy.)

We also share an affinity for cookies and devil bites, just in case you were wondering.

One of the best parts is that both of our families get along so well! We've been going on beach vacations together for four years now and we always end up counting the days until the next trip as soon as we get back home. People warned us that vacationing together could possibly ruin our friendship, but they were oh-so-wrong.

There was a time in my life when I thought I was okay on my own and that I didn't need a good girlfriend. I was wrong. Heather is my encourager, cheerleader, sunshine on a cloudy day and all the other cliches. The only bad part about our friendship: she's in Texas & I'm in Oklahoma. Thank goodness for cell phones and the internet!!!

Know Anyone Who Needs to Visit This Town?

2008-08-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you do! After all, it's Monday...surely you've run into a person or two who needs a quick trip to NICEVILLE! :o)

P.S. Niceville is in Florida, just in case you were wondering.

When A Photograph Becomes A Treasure

2008-08-16T15:55:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I received a terribly sad phone call. This beautiful family, whom I photographed back in June, is now without a father and a husband due to a tragic accident. My heart is so heavy for their family and they have been in my thoughts and prayers throughout the past 24 hours.

In times of sorrow, photographs somehow transform from a print on paper to something so much more important. I know that when my father-in-law passed away, the portrait that we forced him to take a month before his death became a treasure. And as we browsed through photo albums and boxes of pictures, we were able to share fond memories, laugh and cry together. It was a wonderful part of the healing process.

I'm so glad that the Ford family was able to get together for a family portrait this summer. I'm sure the men were less than happy, the kids whined a bit and the women stressed over matching wardrobes, but I'm almost positive that it was worth the efforts. I'm sure their photographs have suddenly become invaluable to them.

Please remember the Ford family in your prayers.

Back To School....ALREADY!

2008-08-13T18:35:00.001-07:00

I know...I know....we just got back from vacation and now we're starting school already?? I find it a little hard to believe myself. Even harder to believe: I'm the Mama of a fourth grader and a kindergarten student! Oh my! My house was strangely quiet today. I wasn't sure how I'd manage, but I made it. My friends suggested I watch something on television that wasn't a cartoon (we laughed, but I suddenly realized how much time my t.v. is set to Disney Channel). Instead, I opted to read a book and listen to the radio--things that I don't get to do very often in a typical day. According to the after-school reports, a good time was had by all. Yay!

The Beach Bums Are Back!

2008-08-12T18:31:00.001-07:00

That's right...we're back from vacation!! Man, waiting until August for vacation to arrive can be brutal, but it's always SO much fun! This year, our annual trip to South Padre Island got interrupted by an annoying little hurricane named Dolly, so we scrambled around at the last minute and ended up detouring to Destin, Florida. The beaches are beautiful there (as you can see). I'll have much more to share later, but first, I have to unpack!

Summer Is...

2008-08-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

...happy & carefree like an afternoon on a trampoline.

When you finish jumping, you realize how much work you've done and how TIRED you are...just like the end of summer. You know what that means?

It's time for a vacation!

I'll be out Aug 4-11 and back just in time for school to start (can you believe it's time already??). I will return all calls & e-mails when I return. Thanks!

Summer Is....

2008-07-28T21:42:00.000-07:00

Softball. At least in Leedey it is. I'm not kidding you when I say they live & breathe softball/baseball in this town!

My DD (that's "internet talk" for "dear daughter") up to bat. I promise that neither of my children get their softball skills from their mother. Or any athletic skills whatsoever, for that matter! I was more likely to be in Student Council than on any kind of team that involved sweating! lol!

Aw...this kiddo's not mine, but I love this picture.

This kiddo, however, IS mine. Now that's a bonafide ballplayer, complete with visor, glove and bubble gum in the side of the mouth!

Her coach could tell a good story...thank goodness! He kept the masses entertained when we were waiting for games to begin. Do you know how hard it is to capture and keep the attention of a bunch of kids ages 3-6? Near impossible! I'm telling you--he's got talent!

I told you they l-o-v-e ball in Leedey. They start 'em young here! (No, I did not alter the color in this photo: baby girl was simply that HOT!).

One last shot of my big girl either taunting the other team from the bench or cheering on her teammates.

Summer is for softball and so much more!

The Torch Has Been Passed

2008-07-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago, I was on my friend Bethany's case about needing to update her blog. She self-titled herself "the lame blogger" (or "LB" for short). Well, I guess the torch has been passed because it's been a while since I have updated my own blogspot!

In my defense, it's been kind of a wild summer. June was packed with sessions and softball games. I've spent two different weeks on trips with our church's youth group (a mission trip and youth camp) and was co-director for our Vacation Bible School. Oh yeah, did I mention that I am also in summer school?? Crazy, I tell ya.

So, all this to say "sorry" that I've become an LB, but I'm planning a series of photo posts entitled "Summer Is..." Stay tuned!

Back in a Sec

2008-07-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

FYI--I may be out of phone and internet access for a bit, so please be patient if you call or e-mail and don't get an immediate response. Also, if you are expecting an order delivery, it will arrive next week. Thanks!

Harrison & The Attack of the Chiggars

2008-07-05T17:47:00.000-07:00

Say "hello" to Harrison!

I'll just get right to it...this was my favorite shot of the day. Three cheers for beautiful bokeh! Hip-hip-hooray! For those who don't speak "photography," bokeh is related to the "blurred out" background and the shapes that appear therein. In this shot, there is an abundance of circular bokeh in the background, but other shapes can be created like polygons. The purpose of bokeh (not to be confused with boekh which, apparently is some kind of Mongolian wrestling that comes up when you misspell words in the search engine--lol!) is to put focus on the subject of the photo rather than the surroundings.

And, while this shot is not much different, I couldn't keep coming back to it because I kept thinking of a Calvin Klein ad or something. I have no idea why (except that Harrison is a mighty handsome little model)!

And, let's talk about the location for a sec. This was taken in the pasture behind his house. In fact, the old house in the background was the house Harrison's great grandpa grew up in. Cool, huh? The light was beautiful and the grass was green and tall, but there was a hidden danger lurking in that beautiful location.

Chiggers. Loads and loads of chiggers.

I didn't find out until the next day when I awoke to tons of little itchy spots all over my body. I've been in plenty of pastures and overgrown lots this summer, but I have always remembered my boots, jeans and bug spray. Obviously, I forgot the latter this time!

Harrison's prized possession: the antique airplane! So shiny! So fun!

I know some people won't like this shot because it is not centered, but I happen to love it. And it doesn't violate the rule of thirds...another boring photography discussion that you probably don't want to have after all the talk of bokeh. : )

This was my last shot of the day. Harrison took quite a while to warm up to me, but I finally convinced him to try the red chair. He sat in it, gave me a smile and an unsolicited "Cheese!" and said, "Thank you!" a.k.a. "Thank you--you can leave now!" lol!

Kids....they always keep me on my toes!

Little Miss Sunshine?

2008-07-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

The thing with kids--especially babies--is that you just never know what kind of mood they are going to be in. They get hungry/sick/tired at the most inconveinient times for their parents....like when you've scheduled a portrait session. lol! How well do I know! My kids are the exact same way.

Lily was having an off day for some reason. She's usually pretty smiley according to Mom, but on the day of our session, it was more like...

Not even the bright colored walls could chase the blues away!

Meanwhile, big bro Toby showed us how it's done.

She looks like she's considering a smile....

Toby kept the smiles comin' (it might have been with a little bribery--mom was taking him to White Water Bay the next day) ; )

Maybe she was checking him out for some tips...

Yay! One toothy grin!

Meet Brin's Family

2008-06-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

You remember Brin from the session I posted earlier this week....now meet her family!

We went on an "adventure" in the country...

actually it was around Camargo where Brin's dad grew up.

Awww...a mommy/daughter moment in the sunflowers.

Now meet the incredible smiling dog, Rocky! I love Corgi dogs.

They are so cute! And seriously, he really does look like he's smiling!

On a side note, how do you like our famous Oklahoma red dirt?

When foreigners visit our state, they sometimes bottle it up to take home

(just like we like to steal the white sand off of your beaches, Florida--lol!).

These guys were a photographer's dream--so photogenic!

Welcome to our neck of the woods!

When I said we went on an adventure in the country, I meant it.

This is the car from the photo I posted last night.

It had a bit of a "tree problem." It's a wonder we made it out without getting snake bitten, getting tangled in barbed wire fence or contracting tetanus (there were plenty of boards with old, rusty nails) but we managed!

Because I Promised to Have Some Posted on Thursday...

2008-06-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

It's 11:53 p.m. so I did it! Check back for more tomorrow, but for now....

Family Togetherness

2008-06-23T21:14:00.001-07:00

Hold on to your seats because the next two images have now become two of my all-time favorites!

*Gasp!* See??? Isn't it beautiful?? Kenlee LOVES her animals...I mean she really L-O-V-E-S them, so I think this shot speaks volumes to that end. At least it does to me.

Then again...maybe this one does! A beautiful horse (that totally looked like Bandy Bo Jay--the horse I had at Kenlee's age) and a beautiful girl with killer dimples and blue eyes... I don't know if I could choose between the two if I had to!

But let's not forget little bro. I caught Tate hanging out by the pond near the end of the session. Barefoot boys sitting by a pond...if there's not a country song with those lyrics, someone needs to write one! :)

What a beautiful family and a beautiful evening! It was an overcast day, but it was cool and the wind was still (the pond was absolutely reflective). That is a rare thing in June in western Oklahoma, my friends!

The blue shirts were absolutely the perfect color choice! For those of you who struggle to break out of the "white shirts + blue jeans" box when preparing for family photos, remember: the key is not to match exact colors, but rather have everyone wear something in the same color family.

Have I ever told you how much I adore old red barns. What's not to love???

Toye & Cody were celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary this year.

Her gift request? Family portraits!

Now, that's my kind of gift!

When the Toye contacted me about family photos, she asked, "Do you have much experience photographing animals?" I admitted that I have done several photo sessions that incorporated animals though I couldn't exactly claim it as my specialty. "Good, "she said, "because we're hoping to get a picture with my family, our three horses and several dogs." We were able to contain the horses long enough for a family photo, but the dogs were running circles around us--lol!

One last sweet image--four generations of men. Gotta love that!

Thanks so much for the wonderful privilege of photographing your beautiful family!

Sneak Peek: Brin

2008-06-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick sneak peek for Brin's family; the rest should be posted later this week in the family gallery.

I wish my kids were younger; I'd make them go back to this location and recreate this image so I could hang it in my living room! Heck, I might just make them do it anyway! :)

Aren't those pink ruffles the cutest??

Oh, to be two again. So carefree!

I love this one! It totally says "childhood" to me!

I was surprised that I actually was able to get the focus to fall on the dandelion because she was moving so quickly!

Anyone with a two-year-old totally understands that...

Doesn't she have the prettiest blue eyes? Thanks for playing, Brin!

New Orleans: Wrap-Up

2008-06-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, so this is my final post on our New Orleans experience (promise!). Thought I'd share our mission team video--a complilation of some of everyone's photographs from the week. Enjoy!

New Orleans: Church Restoration

2008-06-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned in the past that one of my dreams is to restore an old church building(preferably one with fantastic windows) into a studio. Of course, I've also mentioned that I am a bit of a "realist" and understand that such a project would take a lot of blood, sweat and tears...not to mention a ton of cash and more patience and energy than I could find.

The next best thing? Restoring an old church...that is still a church!

Days 2-4 of our week in New Orleans found us at this beautiful church.

It is 122 years old and truly breathtaking.

It did, however, sustain damage during Katrina. The sanctuary didn't actually flood (to my knowledge) because it is high above ground. However, these large front doors blew open allowing the wind and rain to ruin the wall-to-wall carpeting. Also, a large portion of the steeple fell in and had to be reconstructed.

I'm sorry that it ruined their carpeting, but the original pine floors beneath were stunning!

Our main job was to scrape the paint off of the stained glass windows, tape the glass and put a coat of primer on the wood.

{Proof #1 that I was actually working & not taking pictures all day!}

Um....did I mention that there are over 200 panes in each lower half of the windows? And there were 16 windows in the sanctuary alone??

We also did some painting. Okay, quite a bit of painting.

{Proof #2 that I'm not a slacker}

Standing on your feet all day long in 90-degree weather with 90% humidity while staring at thousands of tiny colored windows and meticulously stripping off century-old paint can be exhausting work. A lot of the time, this fan was our only source of air--that and popping open a window (though we were fortunate to get a little bit of air con during the week).

I'll be honest: it was a little discouraging at times. We really hoped to be out and about, meeting new people.

Once, I took a photojournalism break, walking around the church with my camera, when I came across this Bible lying on the pulpit and opened to this page. You'll notice one of the headers on the left-hand side reads: "Do good to brothers." It was the gentle reminder that I needed. I had to lay aside my own expectations for the trip and focus on the fact that even scraping window panes was helping someone in need.

I had met with the pastor of the church earlier and he was trying his best to get the church ready by July. They had used all of the funds mending the steeple and were now relying on volunteer labor to finish the interior, meaning much of the responsibility fell into his lap. He was a bivocational pastor who was juggling a job, a ministry and (I assume) a family while trying to renovate the church building. That's a lot for one man to take on! This opened Bible reminded me that I may not be a world-changer, but if I can lighten the load of one person (in this case, the pastor), it could definitely change that person's world! I feel like that sums up a lot of what we did in NOLA--lightening people's burdens.

We persevered! And by the time we left the old church, we could actually see progress...and we were able to finish all those windows. Yippee!!!

Yeah, I think we made a pretty good team!

New Orleans: Meeting Homeowners

2008-06-17T11:37:00.001-07:00

I'd like you to meet a sweet lady named Miss Cynthia. In the background you'll see part of the crew who was assigned to help Miss Cynthia work on her home that was damaged by Katrina flood waters.

The thing I find most interesting about New Orleans is that everyone has a Katrina story and they are all so different.

Miss Cynthia was born and raised in NOLA. She had never evacuated through during any other hurricane in her lifetime; it was just a routine part of living near the coast (I equate it to Oklahoma and tornadoes; we just live with them and take it for granted that one day our homes could be totally destroyed). However, one day, Miss Cynthia noticed the guys at work huddling around a computer as they watched the hurricane coverage. She told them that she was leaving and she went home to grab a few things before heading to Houston to stay with her children.

Little did she know that she wouldn't return to her home for two years.

In this photo, Miss Cynthia is holding a picture of her mother. Her mother had suffered a stroke and was unable to communicate. The family was unable to meet her medical needs on their own, so she was placed in a nearby nursing home which they visited almost every day. There was no way that she could take her mother along for what ended up being a long 16-hour drive to Houston. The family was reassured by the nursing home that they had an evacuation plan but were staying put because they were on high ground (in fact, after the storm, the nursing home was made into a National Guard outpost because it was dry and was one of the only areas with power). Cynthia's brother-in-law was able to keep in touch with the nursing home via text messaging until the storm made landfall and broke all lines of communication.

For the next two months, they had no idea where their mother was.

In the end, it was learned that they left the nursing home after the mayor declared mandatory evacuations. Their mother ended up in the Super Dome where a nurse stayed by her side. She was moved around at least ten times that they know of after the storm. Once, she was taken to a hospital for "sorting" (identifying medical needs and moving them to the appropriate locations) and the family thinks that she may have been stationed in the morgue for some time because it was the only cool place in an building with no air conditioning in the August heat. Miss Cynthia thinks that this had a profound impact on her mother. Though she could not communicate, she would have been aware of her circumstances. When the family was later reunited, one of her first and only words was, "I don't want to die alone."

Who knows how long it would have taken Miss Cynthia's family to reunite had it not been for CNN coverage. Miss Cynthia's brother-in-law appeared on CNN several times and once was asked what was most important to him, personally, at that time. He mentioned that they were trying to locate his mother-in-law and CNN posted a photo (albeit an old one). A social worker saw the photo and somehow recognized their mother. She had been wearing the wrong ID bracelet the whole time.

Our crew helped Miss Cynthia paint baseboards that were water damaged. A small task considering that her beautiful pine wood floors were once covered with silt from flooding. Surprisingly, after cleaning up the mess and mopping with bleach water, her floors look like a million bucks! And if we ever thought that our task was insignificant, we just listened to Miss Cynthia who raved about our help and about "how depressing" it was to look at the water damage day-in and day-out.

The "strapping young man" of our crew helped Miss Cynthia dig new flower beds and garden spots, all of which washed away during the floods. "I used to have a beautiful garden," said Miss Cynthia. She was so grateful for our little bit of help that she fixed us a genuine New Orleans lunch of butter peas and rice with andouelle sausage and salad "all doctored up." She even served it at "the family table, because we're family" using her best "everyday china." And, before we left, we were given hugs and kisses, as if we truly were family.

I'm sure many people wonder why, after three years, New Orleans is not completely recovered. One reason is that many people have just recently returned. Miss Cynthia came back a year ago. She had planned to sell her home and move away, but her employers begged her to stay. But, from what I've seen, the biggest reason everything is not back to normal is because the task was monumental.

"Everyone says, 'It's been three years. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps already!' But it's not that easy," said Miss Cynthia.

An Awesome Father's Day Gift

2008-06-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

Did you know that my husband is a minister? He is, and yesterday, he got the most awesome Father's Day gift ever: he had the privilege of baptising our oldest daughter who became a believer during our church's children's camp. It was a pretty special day! {And, even though it looks otherwise, she is holding her own nose in the second picture--lol!}

I hope you celebrated all the fathers and father-figures in your life this weekend! As you know, I have been in New Orleans &, this week, I plan to share many posts about our experiences there so don't forget to keep checking in!

Greetings from New Orleans

2008-06-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hi, everyone! Hope your week is going well. I had a short time of internet access so I just wanted to stop by & tell you that things are going well on our mission trip. I am especially enjoying meeting new people and hearing their stories about Katrina. The human side of the news is always more interesting than what you sometimes see on television. There is still a lot of recovery going on in this city both physically, spiritually & psychologically, so pray for 'em. And pray for us, too! I've been working hard from 8-4 each day and I'm not used to the 90% humidity! :) Hopefully, I'll be able to share some stories and photos from our trip soon. Until then, have a great week!

(P.S. Photo is from Jackson Square; I took the kids to Cafe Du Monde for beignets last night. They were awesome!)

Au Revoir!

2008-06-07T18:32:00.000-07:00

Au revoir, y'all....I'm off to Louisiana for a week, New Orleans to be exact. I'm going with some of the youth from our church to work on some mission projects--mostly reconstruction, clean up and painting--for folks in New Orleans. And I hope to find time to get a nice beignet or two while I'm in the neighborhood (but I'll pass on the gumbo). :)

The last time I was in NOLA was the summer that Katrina hit, so I'll be very interested to see how the city has changed since that time.

I'm also going to try to work on a photojournalism project while I'm there so keep an eye out...hopefully, I'll be able to share.

I'm supposed to have internet access, so if you need to reach me, it's best to e-mail. Phone calls are welcome, but I may not be available to answer very often.

Keep checking the blog this week--maybe I can share photos along the way!

Kayla

2008-06-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

Kayla's photoshoot was scheduled for a beautiful day...and by beautiful I mean dark, cloudy and wind-whipping. It was so stormy that I was keeping an eye on the clouds and an ear on the weather reports (I'm sure we were in a tornado watch; we always are this time of the year). Luckily, we were able to meet two hours earlier than expected or it would have been total darkness! All this to say, don't worry about having "perfect" weather conditions for sessions. You'd be surprised to find that cloudy days are actually better in some instances for photos (you can shoot in a greater variety of places), wind can give that glam "wind-blown" look that the NY models aim for (it also adds a little Oklahoma authenticity to an image--have you ever been in western Oklahoma when the wind is not blowing?), and post-rainstorms give a very beautiful color to the ground and sky.

But enough about that...on with the photo show!

My favorite!

Kayla's mom wanted some photos of Kayla in her 4-H jacket with her show animals because she is moving on up to high school and will no longer be showing in 4-H. As a former 4-Her myself, I thought this was a cool idea. I didn't have any show animals (I did show horses for a short time) but I loved 4-H. It taught me a lot about citizenship and community service. "Head, heart, hands, health..." (That's what the four H's stand for, BTW.)

Nothing like a snuggle with a piggy. Check out piggy's eyelashes...I'm so jealous!

Her sheep was a ham (oh wait...that was the piggy--lol!). He was all about posing for the camera!

We did some non-4-H photos, too. I saw this little flowery spot in between the school bus barn and a transmission shop. I'm telling you, there are little hidden spots of photo opportunity everywhere you look!

I love the lines on this image. Know where it was taken? The softball concession stand!

And one more favorite from the day. Isn't Kayla lovely? I'm so jealous of those ringlets of curls! Don't ya love the colors? Guess what that purple is? A slide on the elementary school playground!

The Price of Motherhood (Literally)

2008-06-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article on MSN that estimated what a salary would be for a full-time stay-at-home mom: $138,095. Not too shabby, huh? If you are a mom that is employed outside of the home, you'd add another $85,939 on top of your regular salary. To arrive at this number, they took into account ten jobs that mothers juggle daily including housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, CEO and psychologist.

So moms, when you are feeling overworked and under appreciated, remember that you are worth this...and so much more!!

(Maybe we should all get together and ask for a raise!) :)

Source: MSN Money

Adorable Avery

2008-05-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

I have a sweet spot in my heart for girls named "Avery" because it's the middle name of one of my daughters. But even if this little one had been named Alfalfa or Timbucktoo or some other ridiculous name I still would have adored her. A squishy two-week-old babe with fuzzy red hair...what's not to love?

Oh yea....we even managed to work Big Bro into the shoot. Don't ya love his vintage bike?

Little Munchin

2008-05-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

You may remember Callie from her newborn session, but you probably wouldn't recognize her. She's grown so much! She's a cute little munchin. See for yourself:

Look how well she fills up Nana's antique bowl!

This little outfit was to die for. I was especially fond of the itty bitty hat!

"Heeeeey. What's happenin' " :)

Here's one with a vintage look. She looks like a little porcelin doll to me.

And her sweet ride: the antique buggy.

I Spy With My Little Eye....

2008-05-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

....ME!

I was proofing a recent baby shoot and I just happened to catch a glimpse of myself in her itty bitty eyeballs. Pretty neat, huh?

Anti-Procrastination Night

2008-05-19T23:55:00.000-07:00

So, tonight at roughly ten p.m.-ish, I set aside some time to catch up on all those little things that have been on my "to-do" list but I haven't had time to finish. Don't you hate those? Every time you walk by, it's like they are taunting you: "You'll NEVER get around to finishing me!" Tonight was officially "anti-procrastination night." Or should I say, last night and this morning was officially "anti-procrastination night" since it is two a.m. now.

What have I learned from this experience:

1) You can get a lot done in a little time without distractions.
2) If you are working late, turn on as many lights as possible--it will boost your energy a little bit.
3) Act like casino management: hide the clock until you're done.
4) The little nagging things don't take as long as you expect. Case in point: there has been a stain on my carpet that has been driving me batty, but I just have not put it at the top of my "urgent!-these-things-need-to-get-done-right-away" list. Consequently, I have walked past that stain every day for a month and it has added a lot of stress to my life. Tonight, I sat down with my handy-dandy little green machine and--I kid you not--in less than three minutes, the stain and stress were gone. If I had just taken three minutes out of my schedule to attend to the stain, I might have experienced fewer headaches in a month's time.

I should have learned this lesson long ago when I first found the FlyLady online ("anti-procrastination night" is actually a variation of her "anti-procrastination day"). FlyLady's mantra is: "you can do anything in 15 minutes." Try it: it's true! I've cleaned an entire kitchen from top to bottom in less than 15 minutes. In 15 minutes, your office desk can be completely cleared. In 15 minutes, you can pick up your entire house. Set a timer and be surprised, I tell ya. I don't really follow the FlyLady plan, but there are lots of tips that I've incorporated into my family life and my business life.

The moral of the story is "things don't take as long as you think" and "never start a blog post at 2 a.m." :)

Courtney ~ Senior 2008

2008-05-13T06:59:00.001-07:00

Not much time to blog today (you know, the end-of-the-school-year craziness with the kiddos), but I wanted to share a few from Courtney's senior session. These were done in the Camargo metro area (okay...for those of you who aren't locals, that was a joke--Camargo is teeney-tiny). Just goes to show you that there are great places for photos even where you least expect them! Did I mention that was named an All-Stater in Fast-pitch softball and her team just won their second all-state championship in softball? Go Leedey!

This one is really sweet. Her mom wanted a picture by the tree they planted in honor of their first son who died at birth. Courtney is their second child. You can really see how time flies--look how tall the tree has gotten!

I love senior sessions--they are so much fun!

Speaking of which, if you are part of the class of 2009, it's never too early to start booking your senior photo sessions!

Megan Franks of Four Seasons Photography provides custom senior photography in Elk City, Hammon, Camargo, Leedey, Clinton, Weatherford, Woodward and the surrounding areas of western Oklahoma.