Trick or Treat?

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

Camargo's Connor

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

The Beauty Myth

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

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

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

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

Sophie Strikes Again!

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

Update on Holiday Mini-Sessions

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

'Tis the Season...for Seniors!

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

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

Not Me...the OTHER Megan

This is Megan S., a senior from Iowa Park, Texas whom I've had the priviledge of watching grow into a great young lady.

Congrats on your upcoming graduation (it will be here before you know it)! I know you will do well wherever God leads you!

Bad, Bad Blogger!

I AM a bad blogger, I'll admit it! It's been a very hectic couple of weeks. Last week, I was back in my old Texas stompping grounds doing some photography work & I've been swamped since.

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to post some pics of the 2 beautiful seniors I photographed in TX. Plus, I've taken pics of a bunch of little fellas (& bellas!) lately that I hope to share.

Until then, here's a pic of my neice, Sophie--just because it's my blog & I can! LOL! It was actually taken back before she was even a month old. I am headed to Kansas this weekend for her 3 month pictures proving, once again, that time really does fly!!!

More Pomp & Circumstance

Meet another Senior Rep from Leedey High: Taryn. Isn't she just a natural beauty? And to top it off, she's a real sweetheart, too!

Soon-to-be Grads: don't put off those senior pics until it's too late! I know the school year can get crazy with activities, so book your senior sitting today.

What exactly can you do?

Well, I can cook a pretty good Chicken Tortilla Soup, but we're talking photography here, so....

The beauty of being a 100% digital photographer is the fun edits that can be done to a single photograph. The possiblities really are endless. Here are just a few examples: the first is straight out of the camera, then we have black & white conversion, a "color pop" example (kind of a modern "urban" look), a quad multi-color print as well as a selective coloring example. These are just a few of the many selections you can choose from. And at Four Seasons Photography, there is no additional charge for creative edits!

Wow! A Year's Worth of Free Sittings!

Congratulations to Michelle K. of Elk City who won the giveaway for 12 months worth of free portrait sessions at the Fall Festival last weekend!

Thanks to everyone who visited the booth. It was a great weekend & I look forward to seeing you all again soon for portrait sessions or portrait parties!!

Elk City Fall Festival, Sept. 16 & 17

Want to check out my work in real life rather than on the web? I will have a booth at the Elk City Fall Festival this weekend, Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 16 & 17. I will have many different sizes and styles of portraits on display as well as brochures on my photography services and samples of specialty items such as portrait purses & photo jewelry.

You will also have an opportunity to sign up & win a really great prize and I will also have exclusive "show specials" for those who drop by. There's going to be lots of great vendors & (of course) great food, so I hope to see you there!

9-11: Where Were You?

It's 9-11. Where were you on that fateful day? I was turning on the tv so my then 2-year-old could watch some Nicktoons while I did the morning chores. It's a wonder that I ever caught the news (b/c cartoons are the tv of choice in my home), but when I turned on the t.v., it was on ABC & I could tell something really bad had just happened. I kept watching and witnessed the 2nd plane crash on live tv. I was stunned. Definetely more stunned than when I watched the Challenger spacecraft go up in flames as a 3rd grader. I bribed my daughter into playing in her room or watching videos in my room for most of the day b/c I couldn't pull myself away from the tv.

So, what's your story?

Beauty in the Simple Things

Today, I took a drive to do some self-photography assignments. I'm always trying to stretch my skills & I'm completely a visual learner so I have to get out & "do" things.

Anyway, I was out tromping around the great outdoors on this beautiful not-quite-fallish day...the temperature was perfect, there was a slight breeze, & the sound of the wind rustling through the grass & trees was just soothing. When I started out on my "adventure," I had a headache & felt "blah," but there's something wonderful about being out in God's grand creation....it's always relaxing & I realize that I don't do it enough anymore. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day "stuff" of life that (I hate to sound like a cliche' but...) we forget to "stop & smell the roses"-- the real ones. And as we're speeding by in our SUV's trying to make it to our appointments on time, it's doubtful if we ever really see the beauty that's God has laid out all around us. That's why I have always enjoyed vacationing in the mountains. I'm in awe every time I see those majestic mounds of earth....and I'm always reminded that I really am just a small fish in this big pond called earth.

But you know what? There's beauty right here in Leedey, Oklahoma. Few will pack their bags to vacation in our small town, but there's beauty nonetheless. I found some today in the weeds, the pastures, the sun peeking through the clouds....


So this is YOUR assignment: take time to look at the beauty all around you in unexpected places. And if you happen to have your camera with you, take a pic....I'll share it on my blog!

Time Flies (Just Ask Spicy the Moth)

We were reminded how brief life can be this week through a moth named "Spicy." Yes, a moth (&, no, I don't know why she named him Spicy). Big sis captured a moth for "Bobo" (little sis) and she was oh-so-happy about it. When Spicy escaped in our house before bedtime Monday night, Bobo was quite upset, but she left the parents in charge of capturing him once more (we complied--good thing moths are attracted to the glare of the tv set!).

Bobo was thrilled to find Spicy safe & sound in his bug trap home the next morning...just in time for show & tell at school! Hooray! She happily trotted off to Pre-K, bumpity-bumping Spicy all the way (I was just hoping he survived until show & tell!). Luckily, he survived, but not for long. I was working on the computer later that afternoon when Bobo brought him in. I broke the news to her--"I think Spicy may have died."--which was, of course, not acceptable at all. There were many tears & much wailing...but Spicy is now in a better place (the trash can).

It's funny how something as commonplace as a moth can be a treasured possession to a kid. I'm so glad I took a minute to snap a picture of her "treasure" before the story came & passed. If you're not careful, a childhood will come & go before you know it.

SO...here's your reminder to book portraits for your kids before time slips away!

September Special: BOGO 4 Seniors!!

Calling all high school seniors!!! During the month of September, take advantage of my great special that's just for you: Buy One Get One Free on Senior Sittings!

Here's the deal: Book a session with a buddy & you get to split the 1 1/2 hour sitting as well as the sitting fee!! There are no limits to the amount of clothing changes or locations, etc.....we've just got to be able to squeeze it into our 1 1/2 hour time period. Honestly, it's much more fun to take pics with your friends anyway! And don't worry about having the exact same poses/backgrounds....I try to make everyone's pictures completely unique to them. No "cookie-cutter" stuff here!

I have senior packages for purchase or you can order a la carte. Hey, I'm pretty laid back when it comes to ordering. Bottom line: I want you to get what you want and need!

Just in case you are not familiar with my sitting fees (which vary by location), here they are:

Leedey, Camargo, Hammon $35
Elk City, Vici, Cheyenne, Butler $50
Woodward, Sayre, Clinton, Sentinal $60
Other locations: call for a quote

Shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions: fourseasonsphotos@hotmail.com

Mr. Squirmy Wormy

Who could resist this smirk??? Not me! Mr. Squirmy Wormy is sooo adorable & he was great fun at his 6 month sitting. I love this age!

Christmas in August????

Yes, believe it or not, it's time to start thinking about CHRISTMAS!!! But you don't have to think too hard about it, just leave a spot open on your calendar for Saturday, November 4th. That's when I will be shooting mini-sessions at the Leedey Community Center (located on Main Street in Leedey).

Mini-sessions are a somewhat different from a regular session. They are only 20 minutes long and there are limited backgrounds to choose from. I will have one "traditional" type set-up & one holiday arrangement. You can choose to bring the whole family (it'd make a great Christmas card picture--hint, hint!), just the kids, just one kid...it's up to you! Surely you can talk Dad into coming by using this excuse: "It's ONLY 20 minutes!" Or how about this one for the kids: "If you will just sit still and smile pretty for a few pictures, we can all go out for dessert afterwards!" LOL--Yes, I am a mom, too!

Sessions will be $35 & will include a free 8x10 (that's a $20 savings off regular prices!). Custom Christmas cards and beautiful ornaments will be available for purchase as well as our regular line of specialty items.

Tell your friends! And keep checking the blog for more details!

Pomp & Circumstance

Meet my Senior Rep, Brandy!

Brandy is a senior at Leedey High School. She's a softball player, involved in Drama productions, plays the piano, very active in her church & an honor student. Everyone loves Brandy...she's laid back, easy to talk to & just plain "friendly!"

And, I might add, she's a cutie pie!!!

You can view all of the pictures from her session set to music at:
http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=104093

Ross & Jack

On my recent trip back to Texas, I was able to hang out with these 2 guys for a bit. Jack & I have met before when I did portraits for his daycare (you might recognize him from my website), but it was my first time to meet big bro Ross. These brothers are so adorable...um, I mean HANDSOME chaps! Who could resist the charm of those big, beautiful eyes? Mom & Dad...watch out! It won't be long until the girls start calling!!!