Monkey Tree Photography

Alex: Newborn Portraits

2012-01-27T18:17:00.000-08:00

Some posts really need no words... without further ado I give you Alex, an absolutely perfect little boy : )

Courtney & Andy's Wedding: San Luis Galveston

2012-01-27T18:07:00.000-08:00

Courtney and Andy were married in a beautiful outdoor ceremony at sunset on the lawn of Galveston's San Luis Resort. Bright green and purple florals filled the scene! Courtney looked absolutely incredible coming down the aisle. Once the Mr. & Mrs. were official, guests headed into the ballroom for a night of dancing and fun. Funky Monkey Photobooth was on hand to provide guest favors, and Eventology Weddings was there to assure that the event ran smoothly. Toward the end of the night, the groom and groomsmen headed up to the stage to play for the audience... which they evidently do regularly around Houston as the Knights of Larkin. We LOVED them : ) Check out the groom's cake-- it's a DRUM. One of the kids standing by during the cake cutting picked up the drumsticks to play on it-- it looked SO real. Notice how the wedding cake mocks the patterns and embellishment on Courtney's gown.

Meredith, 10 Days Old

2012-01-27T17:37:00.000-08:00

I visited Meredith in her home for portraits, but as soon as I arrived, I was whisked away to Grandma's house for some beautiful four-generation portraits! All four of these ladies were in great spirits as we captured some images that will surely be treasured by the family for years. Once we got back home, I got down to my regular business of building a warm, comfy set for Meredith's first portrait session... she was an angel, completely relaxed, and did beautifully!

Amber & BJ's Engagement Portraits: Washington DC

2012-01-27T17:29:00.000-08:00

This session was totally awesome! I had never traveled to DC before, so I was excited to be able to see the sights with some locals. We started out at the Jefferson Memorial, which holds special significance for the couple. We moved along to the area by the Capitol Building, inching our way ever closer so that we were on the lawn right as the sun was setting on a beautiful day. So many thanks to Kimpton's Rouge Hotel for treating me right during my stay.

Penny's Snow White Session

2012-01-27T16:35:00.000-08:00

Adorable little Penny! The images speak for themselves, so to make a long story short... Mom loves Snow White, and brought Penny's great-grandmother's mirror for us to use in some classic woodsy portraits. Penny hammed it up, even giving herself kisses : )

Jody's Bridal Portraits

2012-01-27T16:20:00.000-08:00

I shot with my stunning bride Jody in Downtown Houston, at the Aquarium restaurant and boardwalk carnival ride area! We LOVED the carousel : ) Afterward, we headed to Hermann Park for a couple of shots under the beautiful arch, and back to my studio so she could change back into her regular-gal clothes. Before she changed, we shot a few in the studio. GORGEOUS! Thanks so much to Kelly of Eventology Weddings for the referral of Jody & John. Jody's makeup was done by Your Beautiful Face.

Kara & Robert's Austin Engagement Portraits

2012-01-27T15:55:00.000-08:00

I met Kara & Robert in Austin along S. Congress for some fun, funky and colorful urban engagement portraits!

The Tree of Love: Help Us Spread the HAPPY on Valentine's Day!

2012-01-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the inaugural year of the Tree of Love... whether you love Valentine's Day, or despise it and call it a greeting-card-holiday, I challenge you to find a good reason not to support this effort : )
Let me start by saying WE DON'T WANT ANY MONEY.

This is all about goodness of the heart, and a coordinated effort to make someone's day.

A sweet friend of mine knows a family that, like lots of others, has been fighting and keeping their heads up through what's been a really rough emotional couple of years; a time when most twenty-something parents are enjoying their healthy kiddos and watching them grow. She thought to herself... hey, what if they received a giant box of handmade, handwritten cards on Valentine's Day this year? What if she enlisted the help of some friends?

What she didn't expect was for it to be so well-received, and for this gal to take it and run with it.

After Valentine's Day, I'll reveal the family's situation here on the blog... but until then, it's got to be on the down-low so they don't find out : ) I can't link directly to them because they might figure out what's up.

This would be an excellent project for a class at school, an informal sorority or fraternity social, a mom's group/playgroup, Sunday school class, or even a craft night get-together for friends... but don't underestimate the power of ONE. One card is plenty! I'll look at scheduling a day when you can come by my studio and make a card if you'd like.

STEP 1: E-mail love@monkey-tree.com for an auto-response where you'll get the names of the people in this family, and some info about their situation.

STEP 2: MAKE SOME CARDS! Everyone's welcome. The cards can be silly, religious, sweet, lighthearted, uplifting, inspirational, wordless, whatever you want. We simply ask that you keep it clean and resist the urge to be creepy. CRAFTERS OF ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS are absolutely welcome.

STEP 3: GET THE CARDS TO ME! You have several options:

MAIL
Mail your cards to the following address:

Monkey Tree Photography
3118 FM 528 #337
Webster, TX 77598

This is a P.O. Box. Please don't drop off cards at this location!

DROP OFF
Drop your cards at either of my office locations... I don't keep regular hours, but you can slip them under the door if you'd like. If you have a large amount of cards, just let me know and we can coordinate a dropoff time.

Monkey Tree Montrose:
4119 Montrose, Suite 310, Houston TX 77006

Monkey Tree Friendswood:
Roberts Business Park, 306 S. Friendswood Suite C, Friendswood TX 77546

STEP 4: Pat yourself on the back, because this is awesome, and you made the decision to be a part of it. You are personally responsible for putting a smile on the face of some people.

STEP 5: Do this again next year... keep an eye on the blog of facebook page for details!

2012 HOLIDAY CARD SESSIONS: Dates set! Lots of Locations!

2011-09-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

EASY AS PIE!

We shoot. You pick a card design. Cards arrive to your doorstep.

Time slots for each location are limited, so please contact us soon.

Call (713-501-8814) or e-mail (holiday@monkey-tree.com), and have your time slot choices ready.

S H O O T S C H E D U L E:

Saturday, October 22, Challenger 7 Memorial Park (Friendswood/League City area)

7:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:30 am., 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, October 29

Cypress Area (exact location TBD)

7:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m.

Memorial Park (Central Houston)

4:10 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 5:10 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 6:10 p.m.

Saturday, November 11 & Sunday, November 12

Memorial Park (Central Houston)

3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 20

This date is still open for Holiday Card Sessions. Please contact us if you're interested-- no particular location is set at this time.

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND: Schedule pending. We are available on Wednesday and Friday of Thanksgiving week for sessions in the Friendswood/League City area at any time of day.

I am 100% animal-friendly, so please don't hesitate to include your furry family members.

D E T A I L S :

Sessions are $250 (due at the time of booking), will last 20-30 minutes, and include 50 custom-designed flat cards (cool shapes available!) with return-addressed envelopes. We can also make postage stamps using your photos, and arrange to have them addressed and/or stamped for you.

Your shoot will take place at a pre-determined outdoor location and time, probably in the early morning or evening (this is when we have the most beautiful light). Lasting about 30 minutes, our goal for the session is to get one great group shot for your holiday cards this year (like the cute family above! Couch included!). More group shots and combinations can be shot if time allows. Images from these sessions will NOT be placed on facebook, so that your family and friends can be surprised when they receive their cards : )

After your shoot, we'll schedule a convenient consultation time, where you'll choose the image(s) and make your card selection. You can also order prints at this time if you'd like. Your cards will arrive about 1-2 weeks after our consultation. Shipping is free/overnight, and I'll do my best to get them to you as soon as possible.

Your consultation is scheduled separately a) because the shoot is taking place outside and b) because I understand that you might not want your whole family trying to be the boss of you when you're choosing the image and card design! Once the holidays roll around and you realize you might need more than your original order, it's no problem to order more.

Call for High School Senior Models!

2011-08-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Are you a high school senior? Yes? Keep reading!

This will be Monkey Tree Photography's inaugural Senior Portrait Season : )

I'd like to work up a small portfolio, photographing 8-10 different seniors from local high schools. I need guys and girls, a good range of looks/personalities... but above all else, people who enjoy being a little silly and a lot awesome. I know we'll get some absolutely amazing shots from these sessions, so I can 't wait to get started.

Each session will last about 1-2 hours, and you'll need to bring a couple of changes of clothing. If you have a sport/activity you'd like to highlight, bring it on! You may be assigned a certain look, for example casual, dressy, uniform, formal, etc. You'll probably be shooting at the same time as other models so it should be fun!

What's in it for ME (me, Kasey, the photographer)?
I get to meet great people, work on my coolness level interacting with seniors, and get some feedback from you and your parents about the session and the images. I also get some fantastic prints to use in my senior marketing and in my consultation room!

What's in it for YOU?
I'm working for free! I know I'm great at portraiture, so there's very little risk for you : )
You might get to be in one of my ads (or this lovely blog), and you'll for sure be seen by hundreds of my Monkey Tree facebook fans.
$100 in complimentary prints.
20% off of any additional prints or products, should you decide you'd like to purchase something else.

HOW TO APPLY:
Send an e-mail to srmod@monkey-tree.com containing the following:

Name
High School
Activities/Clubs/Sports you're involved in
Your e-mail address
A Parent's e-mail address

Also attach or link two photos of yourself-- one of your face, and one full-length. Casual photos are fine! It doesn't have to be a fancy one.

Important Details:

My senior portrait consultation room is in Friendswood, and I have an additional consultation space on Montrose near the Museum District. Most shoots will take place in the Friendswood/Clear Lake area, so this needs to be a location to which you're willing to travel.
You and your parents need to be okay with your pictures being used in my marketing materials. My main goals are "nothing cheesy, nothing sleazy", but you don't get to choose which images are used.
There is no monetary compensation for your time.

Ok! Now apply : ) My top 10 will be chosen within the next week or so!

Adobe Lightroom for Beginners! Saturday, September 17 at 9 am & 2 pm

2011-08-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

I will be hosting an Adobe Lightroom 3.0 instructional workshop for beginners on Saturday, September 17. The cost to attend is $145 (includes lunch), which must be paid to reserve your seat. The workshop will run from about 9a-1p, and if necessary we will run a second session from 2-6p. Location: 4119 Montrose, Suite 310, Houston 77006 (aka my studio).

I will fill the early session FIRST, and if we have enough demand run the second session.

EACH SESSION IS LIMITED TO FOUR ATTENDEES.

Material we'll cover:

Why we use Lightroom, and how it can change your life
What Lightroom can do vs. Photoshop
Basic Lightroom use in processing both RAW and JPG image files
Importing photos
Culling/Selecting images to keep
Editing White Balance
Editing Exposure
Vignettes
Curves
Using Presets
Cropping
Flagging, Rating, and creating Quick Collections
Exporting/Saving image files

You may bring your laptop and follow along, but my suggestion is that you leave the computer at home for this workshop and take it all in! I will be working through several objectives. My goal for this workshop is to have you watch Lightroom in action, in real time, and see what kinds of things you can do.

If some of the terms above are foreign to you, don't worry. Photography is a visual art and many people aren't familiar with the specific vocabulary-- but through observation most people "get it".

For the morning session, we'll arrange lunch to be brought in around 11:00 (most likely from Niko Niko's), and for the afternoon session around 5:00.

BEFORE CLASS:

Send me 2-3 images you've taken that you'd like to see me edit (they need to be your images).
Monkey around in Lightroom if you have the software! You'll still be able to get plenty out of this workshop if you don't own the software.
Look at your images, and think about how you'd change them. This way, you can ask me about making those modifications.

WHAT TO BRING:

Note-taking supplies (computers are not necessary, and not recommended)

TO BOOK THIS WORKSHOP:

Contact Monkey Tree Photography via e-mail or phone (713.501.8814) to book. If you call, please have your credit card number handy so that your seat can be reserved!
Check or cash payments are welcome, but must be paid in advance. Due to the very limited availability... once paid, no refunds will be issued if you choose to cancel on the workshop.

The THRIFTY One-fifty! A $150 mini-session with same-day ordering : )

2011-08-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

Are you a fan of Monkey Tree Photography on Facebook? If not, head on over and "like" us so you can take advantage of the THRIFTY ONE-FIFTY!

These sessions are exclusively for our fabulous facebook fans.

Here are a few examples of the kinds of shots we can get in just a few minutes at the studio...

Hunter & Veronica's Wedding

2011-07-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hunter and Veronica were married outdoors on the banks of Lake Houston on a sunny blue-sky afternoon, at Chimichurri’s South American Grill. The restaurant was closed to other patrons on their wedding day, providing an upscale atmosphere and delicious feast for the wedding guests… and lots of beautiful places for me to shoot this beautiful couple together.

With deep shades of orange and purpley maroons, the wedding décor blended flawlessly into the surroundings… much to the surprise of this Aggie, who believes that maroon and orange never really go all that well together ; )

Veronica was stunning in her wedding gown! Her accessories were vintage-inspired and gorgeous, adding just the right amount of sparkle to her ensemble.

After an exit through rose petals, the new Mr. and Mrs. were off! One of my favorite quirky shots from the wedding is that of Hunter’s mom and Veronica’s mom hugging one another, sitting on the couch with their shoes off. It’s clear that both families were so excited for this event… and so happy for the day to be done.

I’m excited to say that this isn’t the last I’ll see of them—I’m shooting Hunter’s sister Channing’s wedding next spring!

Lauren & Kyle's Wedding

2011-06-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

Lauren and Kyle were married at Bethany Christian Church , with a reception following at Bell Tower on 34^th.

I headed over to Lauren’s suite at the Omni for some getting-ready shots, then made my way over to the church. The ceremony was gorgeous, everyone with their deep red roses (Special Arrangements did a wonderful job on the florals!). The flowergirls carried pomander balls, and the ring bearer’s “pillow” was a sweet tiny box of miniature red roses, and the bridal bouquet featured sparkling crystals throughout.

Lauren’s “something blue” was a bead on the back of her necklace—a special request for Emily Wells who hand-made the bridal accessories.

The reception was impressive to say the least! Bell Tower on 34^th was dressed to the nines in sumptuous red and black linens, red and white florals, and black brocade patterns repeated throughout the décor. The couple’s custom monogram was projected on the wall, and placecards were not cards at all—but personalized votive candles.

Lauren’s cake was a flawlessly simple stacked square motif with more of the roses and crystals, and Cakes by Gina knocked it out of the park with Kyle’s “foodie” groom’s cake! Featuring spaghetti, pizza, macaroni & cheese, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, it was a feast for the eyes. Kyle is a chef, but has quite the reputation for making really delicious “junk” food. He allegedly won Lauren’s heart with his incredible macaroni & cheese : )

Kyle made his entrance with a beautiful new wife on his arm, and Incredible Hulk Hands on his arms as well! Various people wore them throughout the night, but Kyle donned them once again for the last dance.

Guests danced, drank, and dined throughout the evening. The Funky Monkey Photobooth was on hand for entertainment, and guests were treated to a delectable-delightful candy bar, as well as midnight snacks before the couple’s departure.

Lauren had some smaller cakes specially prepared for her parents, who were celebrating their wedding anniversary… and Tom Hall (the videographer), also celebrating his wedding anniversary. I thought it really sweet that they arranged for the presentation!

During the maid of honor and best man’s speech, the couple was presented with t-shirts. Kyle’s was embroidered with “macaroni” and Lauren’s with “cheese”… because you guessed it, they go together like… macaroni and cheese.

Soooo adorable.

Upon their exit the couple was greeted with bright, colorful popping streamers!

Many thanks to Kelly Balfour of Eventology Weddings for the referral of this fantastic couple. Kelly and Abby worked hard to make the details happen and the event run smoothly!

Christmas in July! (and maybe August)

2011-06-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Have you always wanted to send out gorgeous Christmas cards, on beautiful paper, custom-designed using a great professional picture? Of course you have... but that kind of thing takes time, and the holidays are SO busy that you never seem to be able to get something like that together with all of the shopping, parties, extra mall traffic, and crazy schedules.

Believe me, I'm the same way... which got me thinking, hey, Hobby Lobby puts out the Christmas stuff in July. Let's take care of the Holiday card hubbub during the summer-- kids are out of school, scheduling tends to be a little easier, and it won't be freezing outside! As an added bonus, you can have your beautiful cards and envelopes ready to go before the turkey's carved on Thanksgiving. Everyone will wonder HOW you do it, and you won't have to stress when it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

I bought that cute zebra bench with you in mind. I've got some beautiful card templates waiting patiently for families to fill their frames. I've picked out a few spots around town that should be easily accessible, kid friendly, pet friendly, with ample parking. I've even taken the guesswork out of "when" by offering some mini-sessions on certain dates!

You can always schedule a regular full portrait session and receive a discount on Holiday Cards when your order is placed before October... but with these "mini" sessions, the goal is to get one GREAT shot of the whole group. If your family rocks it out and has several amazing shots, you can still order prints for yourself and as gifts.

Mini-sessions will be offered on the following dates in the following areas:

Friendswood: July 14 & 16 (Thursday and Saturday)

Cypress: July 28 & 30 (Thursday & Saturday)

Galveston and Central Houston locations/dates may also be scheduled, so if those areas are more convenient for you, just let me know!

Sessions are $195 (due at the time of booking), will last 30 minutes, and include 50 custom-designed flat cards (cool shapes available!) with return-addressed envelopes. We can also make postage stamps using your photos, and arrange to have them addressed and/or stamped for you.

Your shoot will take place at a pre-determined outdoor location and time, probably in the early morning or evening. Lasting 30 minutes, our goal for the session is to get one great group shot for your holiday cards this year (like the cute family above! Couch included!). More group shots and combinations can be shot if time allows. I promise to do a blog about wardrobe choice before these session times roll around... because I KNOW you're all wondering what on earth to wear.

After your shoot, we'll schedule a convenient consultation time, where you'll choose the type of card, size, shape, and image you'd like to use. You can also order prints at this time if you'd like.

Time slots for each location are limited, so please contact us soon!

Last but not least... I am 100% animal-friendly, so please don't hesitate to include your furry family members. I promise to do a blog about wardrobe choice before these session times roll around.

Meghan & George's Wedding

2011-06-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

I love Meghan & George. I can’t put my finger on it, but they’re the kind of people you just kind of want to invite to your next party, because you know they’d fit right in and probably show up with the kind of beer you like (their wedding favors were custom koozies!).

Their wedding ceremony took place at Annunciation Catholic Church downtown—probably one if Houston’s most beautiful churches, nestled right next to Minute maid Park. We had some time afterward to take pictures around Downtown and Hermann Park, which was really fun. Once they were tired of being outdoors, we jumped in the car and headed to the reception. With a little time to kill, we just drove around chatting like old friends.

Upon arrival to the Czech Heritage museum for the reception, Meghan and George were presented as husband and wife and the party got started! There was beer, dancing, chicken fried chicken, and a good old red velvet armadillo cake (in a San Antonio Spurs jersey). My hat is OFF to Cakes by Gina for the absolutely amazing work!

I don’t know the back story, but apparently Meghan has a thing for Selena. The dancing really kicked up when the DJ put her on… highly entertaining. It was clear that a good time was had by all in celebration of the union of these two!

Lindsay & Matt's Wedding

2011-06-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

Lindsay & Matt are a fabulously dynamic couple of movers and shakers! My experience with them was different in that I dealt mostly with Matt where our planning was concerned—he’s in logistics, which is a pretty big deal when planning the biggest day of your life so far! Everything went beautifully thanks to his hard work, and the help of the couple’s friend Lydia, who coordinated the day once Matt was able to hand over the reigns.

In particular, I watched Matt finish up the arrangement of the place cards… each of them perfectly balanced on a tiny key lime. I have no idea how he made this happen, but it looked amazing!

I stopped over at Galveston’s historic Tremont House hotel for Lindsay’s getting-ready shots, and enjoyed the company of her bridal party. She and Matt opted to do a “first look” (the bride and groom have a “reveal” prior to the ceremony, see one another, and take private pictures together) at Ashton Villa, which was set up for the reception. The ballroom is a soft pale yellow with windows all around, so the couple was bathed in natural light for their portraits together. Combined with the Victorian grandeur of the historic home, it’s a photographer’s dream… and we captured some beautiful moments as the bride and groom saw one another for the first time.

The ceremony at St. Joseph’s was a packed house with loving family and friends on hand! Lindsay works in the mayor’s office, so Annise Parker and her wife Cathy were among the guests. Matt and Lindsay were a little nervous and a lot happy as they exchanged vows and rings, then had their first kiss as husband and wife, and strolled down the aisle beaming.

The reception was fantastic, the cake delicious, and the music and dancing went on all night long. Each table was decorated with the cutest little wire birds, topiaries, and colorful postcards. The florals were a happy spring yellow!

I’ll probably always remember Lindsay’s father stepping up to give his toast.

He looked around and said something to the effect of, “Before I begin, I lost something… I need everyone to look around. There was a little girl running around in a Wonder Woman t-shirt, about six years old… I could swear I saw her just a moment ago…” then looked over at his daughter, pride beaming from his eyes, a tear falling from hers.

It made me cry a little : )

Congratulations, kids! Many wishes for a wealth of happiness together over the years.

Enjoy!

Amy & Garrett's Wedding

2011-06-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

Amy & Garrett were married in a beautiful Christian ceremony at Holy Covenant United Methodist Church, with bridesmaids in deep royal blue satin gowns and crisp romantic white florals. This sweet, happy couple celebrated with a night of dancing and friends at Pine Forest Country Club.

In a sweet act of remembrance, Amy had a couple of silver charms affixed to the base of her bouquet—a small “D” for her brother Daniel who passed away as a child, and a horse to remember her grandfather.

As a gift to each groomsman, Garrett presented engraved baseball bats, and had fun posing with them during formals… Amy even played along pretending to pitch her bouquet!

Lots of thanks to my cousin Lisa for sending Amy my way… it has been a pleasure working with both her family and Garrett’s.

Help Make a Wish Come True! Join a Wish Upon a Wedding Committee.

2011-05-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

I am the Medical Outreach/ Wish Grant Chair for the Wish Upon a Wedding Houston Chapter's board of directors... and I need help!

I'll be holding a meeting on the evening of Monday, May 23 at my office to answer any questions you might have about the organization and this committee. Please contact me if you'd like to know more about becoming a committee member.

The time commitment is going to vary, but will probably be between two and eight hours per month. I'm hoping to hold committee meetings every month or two, depending on how easy it is for us to communicate without meeting. You will be required to sign non-compete and privacy agreements in order to participate.

Some of the things my committee is responsible for:

Contact wish applicants to gather information
Verify medical and background information
Verify Doctor licensure information
Communicate with health care providers
Help applicants understand the wish granting process
Reach out to the Houston medical community to identify potential applicants & help them understand our organization
Present to different groups throughout the Houston/Galveston area
Network with organizations that would be good partners for Wish Upon a Wedding
Help the organization in general by attending various events in the wedding and/or healthcare industries.

Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. Often, couples facing such situations do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. Our organization takes care of all the details, offering couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.

The Houston chapter has already granted one wedding wish since our launch last summer, and more wishes will be granted soon! It's been an exciting first year, so we're looking forward to covering more ground and helping more people as our organization grows.

I'm looking forward to seeing you!

WHERE: 4119 Montrose, Suite 310, Houston 77006
WHEN: 6:00 p.m.

Something new for the studio wall!

2011-05-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

Newlywed Jody had a to-die-for bridal session! I knew as soon as we shot these that I would be using them somewhere in the office (obviously I did a little layering/texturizing in post-processing). This one will be a 24x36" acrylic stand-out fine art print (printed on acrylic, mounted on tiny pegs so that it stands out form the wall 5/8" or so) on the west wall, bathed in beautiful window light. I can't wait!

My newest little cousin, Luke

2011-05-04T22:14:00.000-07:00

I know it's been forever since I've posted a good old fashioned blog with pictures, but I've been busier than a one-armed paper-hanger (or all those other busy things we have fabulous cliches about).

My cousin-who-is-like-a-brother and his beautiful wife recently welcomed a new little man to the family, meet Luke! Here's his precious little birth announcement : )

Daddy's a police officer, so we couldn't resist a gool ol' sleeping-on-the-job pic with Luke donning his daddy's seargeant cap. Big sister Maddy is holding his feet together there, and it's Daddy's hands holding that sweet, tiny baby head. I made the light blue cap!

Position Available: Part-time Design & Administrative Assistant

2011-03-01T15:27:00.000-08:00

I'm looking for a general office assistant type person who is also... perhaps really great at scrapbooking. This would be a great "a little extra money" job for someone who either works evenings, has kids in school, or just needs something to do. You will be working out of my home office a majority of the time-- a supremely casual environment.

If you are currently looking for a full-time job, but want something to fill your gap, I'd appreciate if you did not apply for this position.

Who: Someone capable of working quietly, diligently, and efficiently. Someone with great organizational skills, a pleasant demeanor, and a kind phone voice. Someone who's cool with a couple of cats jumping on the desk occasionally (I can provide a spray bottle if necessary) and is not afraid of/allergic to dogs. Someone who isn't easily flustered and is relatively self-directed. Criminal background check required.

What: Basic album design (I'll teach you to use my simple program), entry of receipts into Excel, sorting, mailing, returning simple phone calls, confirming appointments. On occasion, running errands. Being positive and drama-free, wheeee!

When: As needed (probably at least once a week). Being able to work on short notice is a plus. You will need to be available regularly during school hours-- most work will be done between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Where: Most of the time, at my home office in Friendswood. On rare occasion, at my studio on Montrose near Richmond (but rarely).

Why: Because I can't do it all! Small business is wonderful, but... busy. You can probably guess that this position offers no benefits, other than working with little old me.

How: Please e-mail resume/qualifications to assist@monkey-tree.com with e-mail subject "Design/Admin" (please, oh pretty please do not call). I apologize in advance, but like the shoot assistant position, I will not be able to respond to most of the applicants... you'll probably only hear from me if you're called in for an interview.

Wish Upon A Wedding-Houston's Blissful Wishes Ball

2011-02-04T12:05:00.000-08:00

The Wish Upon a Wedding - Houston chapter's first Blissful Wishes Ball was held this fall at the Magnolia Hotel downtown. You can see all the fantastic sponsors on the first image, and then in the rest.. how beautifully the event came together! The Gala Chair, Kelly Balfour of Eventology Weddings, really helped pull together an incredible event.

If you aren't familiar, Wish Upon a Wedding is an organization that grants wedding "wishes" to people with terminal illness diagnoses, and couples going through other special circumstances. Since the Blissful Wishes Ball, I've accepted the position of Medical Outreach Chair with Houston's chapter-- meaning it's my job to help our medical community understand more about what the organization does, identify possible wish recipients, and basically get the word out!

Florals were provided by Events in Bloom

Avalon Music!

Some of the silent auction items included this signed Eric Clapton print, and an autographed portrait of the cast of "Sex and the City".

The Funky Monkey Photobooth was on hand for entertainment!

Cher Gray and her crew from OnsiteSitters provided child care during the event! Lots of fun things for all the little ones to do while their parents partied : )

Brenda + Roel's Wedding

2011-02-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

Brenda and Roel were married at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with a reception following at Bay Oaks Country Club.

There were smiles, smiles, smiles all around with this couple! With large families on both sides (who welcomed me right in), it was a big celebration as this handsome fireman and beautiful cardiologist tied the knot.

At the reception, one of the musicians from Divisi Strings jumped up and joined in with Mariachi Vargas! It was a sight to see, and pretty great entertainment for all. Brenda & Roel had chosen a collection of popular music for the strings to play, and I was briefly reminded of "The Wedding Singer" when they performed "Don't Stop Believin'!" After dinner when Divisi was performing their last song in anticipation of PRP Entertainment's party music for dancing... they played along with the first song! It was grrrreat and everyone enjoyed it so much : )

For the rest of the evening, everyone danced the night away-- except for the "special" dances for the couple and their parents, the dance floor was FULL all night long! Congrats to Brenda and Roel, and my apologies for taking so long to finally get you guys up on the blog. I am especially appreciative of the fact that they seated me at a table for dinner alongside family, place card and all. Although we work very long hours on the wedding day, many couples overlook the fact that we do need to rest our feet from time to time... and eat : )

Kudos to Dream Bouquet for providing such gorgeous florals!

The Hughes Family

2011-02-04T10:01:00.001-08:00

The Hughes family... oh, we go way back. Way back to when I convinced Marc (Daddy) to pick up the phone and call my intern officemate, Stacy (Mommy) and ask her out.

Here we are, years later, and they're the parents of some very sweet and adorable tripelets: Annalee, Celia, and Wyatt.

We met at a little gazebo area near Memorial Park for their family portraits, just in time to get some Christmas cards out!

Tiffany + Louis's Wedding

2011-02-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

Tiffany & Louis were married at the incredible Hotel Zaza this fall! With a red and black theme that suite the couple to a tee, they held an intimate gathering for family and friends.

Tiffany was absolutely stunning in her crystal belted gown of silk taffeta, walking down the candlelit aisle adorned with giant red rose topiaries. After the ceremony, the bride and groom joined their guests for a cocktail hour (with signature PB&J martinis!) and dinner, followed by cake, fun, and dancing.

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Auricchio! Many blessings for happy, healthy years together : )

Vendors:

Wedding Flowers by Lisa

Edible Designs by Jessie

Bella Rinova Upton (hair)

By popular demand... another beginner dSLR class on Saturday 1/15!

2011-01-10T18:10:00.000-08:00

If you saw this post about this past weekend's dSLR course and wanted to come but couldn't... I'm teaching again this Saturday!

It's a "bring your camera and all your gear and get to know it intimately" kind of afternoon. You should leave with a better understanding of terms, mechanism, function... and just overall have a more comfy relationship with your camera : ) The office will hold about 7 people comfortably, so we've got spots available for 4 more attendees. Please contact me via the website's contact form if you'd like to attend.

The course costs $75, and will be held at my office (Montrose near Richmond) on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I look forward to hearing from you! We had a wonderful class this past Sunday and it'll be really cool to see how my little chickadees are spreading their photography wings.

Boudoir for Valentine's Day? It's not too late to be a Sexy Sweetheart!

2011-01-06T06:44:00.000-08:00

Want to surprise your guy with gorgeous pinup pics this Valentine's Day? Sign up for our Sexy Sweethearts event! There's even a quickie option.

Page-turner sessions can be scheduled on dates before the event as well. Once your images are posted to your online gallery, you'll have a few days to decide on your top twenty (page turners) or your number one peep shows). Completed orders will be available for pickup at the studio on Friday 2/11 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 2/12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot at our event (page turner/$200, peep show/$50) and will be applied to your total balance. Full payment is due at or before your session.

Boudoir is SO MUCH FUN! Ladies are often a little shy at first, but without fail the sass comes out and we usually laugh our way through the session. Imagine how surprised and flattered he'll be to know you did this especially for him! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at the e-mail address listed on the promotional piece above.

dSLR Beginners... 4-hour Class on Sunday 1/9

2011-01-01T18:05:00.000-08:00

If you own a digital SLR camera and would like to get to know it better, I'm holding class Sunday, January 9 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. (at my Montrose/Richmond area office).

This is a very basic get-to-know-your-camera class, you'll learn what makes that camera tick and how to take better basic photos! I'll talk a little about the following topics:

How the camera "sees" light
Finding the light when you shoot
Basic composition of a photograph
What aperture is and how it affects the look of your images
The importance of choosing the right shutter speed
What White Balance is and why it's your BFF when set correctly
What the "best" lenses are for what you'd like to shoot
When to use your flash, and how to get great images without it

The cost of the class is $75, and it's limited to six attendees. If you're interested and available, please fill out the contact form on my website and I'll get back with you as soon as possible : )

If you do attend, you'll need to bring:

Your camera and lenses... and any other gear you'd like to talk about
Your owner's manual
5-10 of your favorite/best shots, printed
5-10 shots that you dislike, and would like to learn how to make better

I look forward to hearing from you, and helping you understand your fantastic camera a little more!

Please remember, this is a basic class. If you have a good understanding of most of the topics in the outline, you might be bored. I always offer one-on-one help, so don't hesitate to contact me if you're interested in something more along those lines.

Caroline, 4 days old

2010-12-05T15:39:00.000-08:00

I arrived to little Caroline's house and was very pleasantly surprised! She had just eaten and was in a spectacularly chill mood for me. Newborns are pretty unpredictable, but we were able to get right down to business with Miss C : ) I found a crocheted blanket in the home and used a light yellow blanket underneath, assuring that we got some nice, neutral organic images before trying anything else.

I like to try and get the meat-and-potatoes shots before we try anything crazy, like getting babies to sleep in a football helmet, so that if the wheels start to fall off and we can't calm an infant down, we've at least got our sure shots for the day. We didn't have to worry at all with Caroline... she was a 4 day old PRO! Her daddy brought a helmet from work, and after stuffing a couple of receiving blankets in the bottom (and a muslin blankey to hide the beautiful safety warning tag) it was ready for action.

She settled right in and kept on sleeping. I could not BELIEVE she was so comfy in there, but it was precious, and I'm so glad we were able to get those shots. There's no telling how much longer she'll fit into a helmet! I know Mommy & Daddy will treasure those images for years to come.

Caroline even stayed mellow long enough to get some great shots of her in a bright green blanket-- they'll match her stylish apple green & black/white nursery decor. I knew I was on borrowed time with the last few, but so happy we were able to work a little of Mom's fun fabrics in to the session. She finally decided she'd had enough after that, and Daddy whisked her away to soothe : )

Such a lucky little monkey!

Sweet Kendall!

2010-12-04T22:58:00.000-08:00

I've gotten my hands on a new set of papers and embellishments for creating cute layouts (like the one in the previous blog), and since Kendall is one of my favorite mini-BFF's, I decided to play around with some of the images from her recent portrait session. Voila! Christmas card and a sweet little framable collage for her Mommy.

I cannot believe how big this little lady is getting... She's becoming more and more articulate and expressive every time I see her these days.

Morgan's Birth Announcement

2010-12-03T20:32:00.000-08:00

Here's Morgan! I opted for a front-and-back design this time, and since Morgan's family came into the studio for a portrait of everyone together... the front is a focus on the family and a teaser shot of Daddy holding the new baby's tiny head in is hands:

For the back side, it's gratuitous cute baby time! Morgan's stats and a good sweet baby feet fix for everyone on the mailing list : ) I hope to post more images from Morgan's shoot one of these days... fall and holidays seems to always be the busiest time of year, when the poor blog gets neglected. For now, enjoy more Morgan!

All you want for Christmas is a dSLR? Here's some help!

2010-11-26T22:00:00.000-08:00

This is the time of year when I'm inundated with calls and e-mails from friends, clients, and family members regarding digital camera purchase... specifically, the digital SLR cameras. Everyone wants to know which is the better brand, the best deal, etc.

I am no supreme expert on the offerings of every manufacturer, but I can offer a bit of help where the basics are concerned!

NIKON vs. CANON CAMERAS
It's important to remember that, in general, prices on similar products are going to be very similar across the board when you're looking at Nikon and Canon models, because in order to be a Nikon or Canon retailer, you have to adhere to the manufacturer's pricing guidelines. For instance, Nikon says to all of its distributors, "The retail price for this is 499.95, and you may not sell this item at a lower price." If you see the item at a smaller store for 529.95, it's probably because it's a smaller store with a smaller inventory. They don't have the buying power of the larger stores, so generally you'll pay a bit more.

You'll find competing Nikon and Canon products at most price points. Which brand you choose is ultimately up to you-- I highly recommend going to a store that carries both brands and holding them in your hands to see what feels good to you. You can't go wrong with either; both are highly respected manufacturers. Any argument in either direction will really end up being a Mac/PC-Ford/Chevy-Coke/Pepsi type of argument. You'll find loyalists to both brands.

I shoot Nikon and work on a Mac, but even the most seasoned professional would never be able to tell you what equipment I use simply by looking at my images.

Sony & Sigma are also competitors where the dSLR is concerned, but they're newer to the market. Their products will probably run a smidge lower in price for the comparable product simply because their name in the digital photography market isn't as strong (although Sony is a huge name in electronic/digital technology, and Sigma has been manufacturing lenses for years).

Which camera body you choose will pretty much be based on your budget, but go as high as your budget will allow. You won't regret it! This is a big investment for most people, and I can absolutely understand where spending $500 vs. $800 could seem to be a no-brainer... but it's very easy to outgrow the basic entry-level consumer camera body. If you have some wiggle room, take it to the next level : )

KITS
dSLR manufacturers will usually put out "kits" around the holidays-- a camera body with lenses included (sometimes also a memory card and camera bag). They'll also include things that come with EVERY dSLR, but retailers like to list them out to make the "package" seem to have more things in it. Including a camera bag is nice, but it's iffy whether or not it'll really be a bag you'll use.

Things that will come with every dSLR, and are not "bonus" items in a kit:

Rechargeable lithium ion battery
Charger
USB cable
Audio-Video cable
Neck strap
Body cap
Monitor cover
Camera manufacturer software
Any other caps/covers listed

Extras that generally don't come "with" the camera body:

Lenses
Memory cards
Additional batteries
Camera bag
tripod

Why kits are good: You get a ready-to-go package of stuff you can play with and learn to use. You've got a camera and lenses and chances are, the lens that comes with the kit will be useful.

Why kits may not be good: You might be getting a lens that isn't ideal for your use, and in many cases the kit lenses aren't the best, and will not get you much in the way of resale value. You might be getting lots of extra junk you aren't going to use.

LENSES

There are a couple of key pieces of information to look for where the lens is concerned... Reading the name of a lens can be like reading a foreign language. Here's your secret decoder ring information:

The "mm"

Some lenses are "zoom lenses", and have a notation like "18-55mm". You can zoom in and out, and take a wider or zoomier picture standing in the same place, simply by manipulating the lens barrel. Most kit lenses will be zoom lenses.

Some are "fixed" which means they don't zoom-- you have to walk back and forth to change what you see in your image. They don't have a "mm" range, just one number (for example, 50mm)

The "mm" number tells you how much you'll be able to capture in the image you snap. Shooting at 18mm, you might be able to capture the entire table of children at a birthday party from end to end if you're standing near the table. We'd call this a "wide" shot.

Shooting at 50mm, you'd probably be able to get the birthday boy and three or four kids surrounding him. At 80mm, just the birthday boy.

At higher mm numbers like 200mm or 300mm, you'd be able to zoom to your little center fielder from the bleachers at a little league game.

Having an 18-55mm lens AND a 55-200mm lens is exactly the same range as having one 18-200mm lens.

VR (vibration reduction) or IS (image stabilization)

This means that the lens will compensate for your shakiness when you're far away and zooming to something. It's super-helpful for taking pics of your little centerfielder from the bleachers. Nikon calls it VR, Canon calls it IS. You want to get this on a lens with a lot of zoom, if it isn't a great deal more expensive than the alternative.

AF (auto focus)
You want this. Most lenses will come with AF... you want this if you'll be taking pictures of moving subjects.

The f-stop range
If you don't know what the f-stop is, don't fret. You'll figure it out in good time ; ) Move on to the next point because this will just confuse you further. The f-stop range tells us what the lens's aperture is capable of-- which tells us what kind of conditions you can use the lens for. Most kit lenses and zoom lenses with a wide range are going to be "f/3.5-5.6"... normal range for shooting outdoors in daylight or with a flash.

If you'd like to purchase a lens that will really help teach you about photography basics, I can't recommend a "nifty fifty" enough. A 50mm f/1.4 lens is tiny and fun! It should cost about $300-350. The "f/1.4" part of the lens's name tells us that it's a "fast" lens. The aperture (the hole that lets in light) will open up much larger than your everyday lens, allowing you to really experiment with aperture and shutter speed-- and shoot in low light conditions. This lens will lot you get artsy, people!

Third party lens manufacturers
Canon and Nikon (Nikkor) manufacture lenses, but they aren't your only options. Canon lenses aren't compatible with Nikon, and of course Nikon lenses aren't compatible with Canon bodies. Be sure you're purchasing lenses that are compatible with the body you've chosen.

Companies like Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina all make lenses that will work with different brands of camera body. Wolf Camera/Ritz Camera also sells a Quantaray brand. They'll usually offer the more popular lens models at a lower price. The quality is debatable, but for the average consumer they're a very good option. I have a few Sigma lenses that I use for professional shoots, and I love them. In general, I'd always prefer the Nikon glass... but sometimes price is a motivating factor. I have a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 that's one of my favorites.

WHERE TO PURCHASE YOUR CAMERA AND LENSES
You've got local options like Houston Camera Exchange and Camera Co-op... where you will probably get the absolute highest level of customer service and find sales people with a great deal of knowledge. These are wonderful places to purchase from because they really are the heart of our local photography community. Their prices may be a little higher, but this is because they don't carry the huge inventory of larger stores and don't have the bulk buying power of chains and "big box" stores.

There are photography chains like Wolf/Ritz Camera, which are photography-centric, though your salesperson courtesy/knowledge is going to be more hit-or-miss.

There may be kit options available at Sam's Club, Costco, Best Buy, and other "big box" stores. If you're going to buy at one of these stores, go in equipped with all the information you need. The customer service associates at these retailers are not generally in the know.

There are major online retailers like B&H Photo and Adorama that are extremely reputable, and chances are you will find the best prices here. They have a very wide selection of products in stock.

Please be sure you are purchasing a product with US warranty and not an import/gray market item. The rule of thumb with online retailers... if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is (this goes for eBay sellers as well). "Gray market" items are sold by unauthorized dealers and come with no warranty; you have no way of knowing if you're getting a good product and have virtually no recourse should you encounter problems.

Purchasing used equipment is also a great option, especially if you don't have the extra cash laying around to spend spend spend on items you want to experiment with! The absolute best place to find reputable sellers of used equipment is Texas Photo Forum (www.texasphotoforum.com), on the Buy and Sell Forum. Houston Camera Exchange and the Houston Camera Co-op also deal in used equipment.

You can actually rent photographic equipment, which is great if you want to try out a lens before buying. I love BorrowLenses.com!

BAGS & STRAPS
Here are some really cool camera bag manufacturers... Ladies, take an extra look at these, they do offer some not-so-mannish selections:

Bags:
ShootSac (I love mine!)
Jill-e (love my large red rolling bag)
Kelly Moore (want! pink! WANT!)
Tamrac (great for everyone)
LowePro (great for everyone)

Straps:
Pepper
Trendy

For those of you with dSLR questions... watch the blog for more info on beginner classes I'll be offering in January : ) The classes will be small and cater to your individual needs.

Incredible Deal! Don't miss out : )

2010-11-04T17:09:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I'll be hanging out at the St. Christopher's MOPs Holiday Shopping Extravaganza, hawking my wares with lots of other great vendors in support of the MOPs group (for those of you not in-the-know, MOPs stands for Mothers of Preschoolers).

The shopping day is a time for moms to browse kid-free and find some great stuff for themselves or their lucky holiday gift recipients. Because I know that lots of these moms live in or near my neighborhood, I'm offering a pretty unheard of introductory deal to anyone in attendance... a short children's portrait session in the park for $95. BUT WAIT, there's more...

The deal includes a $95 credit toward your next full location portrait session... so in a nutshell, you get a free shoot out of the deal PLUS some prints : )

If you want to drop by, please do! This special is only available to attendees of the Holiday Shopping event, and must be purchased tomorrow.

Friday November 5, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

St. Christopher Episcopal Church
2508 St. Christopher Road
League City, TX 77573

Lauren & Kyle's Sneak Peek!

2010-10-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

You won't want to miss this one... keep your eye out for the hulk-hands, and the absolutely mindboggling groom's cake (Cakes by Gina)-- which is an homage to chef/groom Kyle's talents in the kitchen. It's all edible, cake/gumpaste/fondant/frosting; even the macaroni. Flawless work! The word on the street is that Kyle won Lauren's heart with his spectacular macaroni and cheese.

Hats off to Kelly of Eventology Weddings for helping Lauren and Kyle plan and execute such a beautiful day of celebration.

The bridal jewelry was hand-beaded by my close personal friend Emily Wells (contact me for more info), and the lush florals designed by Lori Holley of Special Arrangements.

A Sneak Peek for Sara & Will!

2010-10-13T13:56:00.001-07:00

A Sneak Peek for Brenda & Roel...

2010-10-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick preview video with some of my favorites from this fantastic couple's wedding... to tie them over while I'm processing the rest of the pictures : )

Maddie and her Family on the Beach

2010-09-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

Maddie's Mommy contacted me to schedule a portrait session for a couple of reasons... the most important being that Maddie's Nana would be moving out of state soon, and really wanted to have a shoot with the whole family. The happier occasion-- it was Maddie's first time visiting the beach!

These guys were troopers, waking up well before sunrise to get to the beach at my requested time of 6:52 a.m. all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. It's always great when clients respect my advice about light and time of day. Since it was August and very, very warm outside I suggested we get started early so that we could avoid the heat as much as possible (and harness the beautiful morning light). This is good not only for the mood of my portrait subjects... but also because we have longer to shoot before everyone begins to melt.

Maddie absolutely adored the soft dry sand near the dunes, and loved picking it up in her hands and letting it sift through her fingers : ) She studied the seagulls, walked with each of her family members, and eventually discovered the water.

We had an awesome session with some really great images as a result. I have several favorites, I can't pick just one. I would like to mention how well Mommy did with the wardrobe coordination! I'm not sure we cold have asked for nicer colors to go with the sky, the sand, and the beach grass with its yellow flowers. She even wrangled Daddy into wearing a coordinating color of shirt. Good job!

She and I were able to coordinate and get a couple of beautifully collaged prints in time for Nana's going away party the following Friday, and according to the reports everyone just loved them. Enjoy!

Meghan & George's Engagement Portraits

2010-09-10T21:33:00.000-07:00

Meghan and George's wedding is coming up this fall, so we headed out to the park under the bridge on Sabine Street for some fabulous engagement portraits. I love this location with its combination of pastoral, architectural, water and landscape! There's so much to use with such a small space.

These two were so much fun to work with, like old friends... I'm really looking forward to the wedding day : )

JoBeth's Bridal Portraits in Hermann Park

2010-09-10T21:24:00.000-07:00

JoBeth is a dear, dear friend of mine who scheduled her wedding for a day I was already booked... but luckily I was still able to shoot her bridal portraits.

We went to Hermann Park and walked along the reflecting pool and the exterior of the Japanese Gardens, where all the pretty greenery and columns are. She was absolutely stunning in her gown! Her blue eyes popped (as usual) against her red hair, and even though it was really really really warm outside, she kept such presence.

She chose the shot of her under the arch for her large display at the wedding, but we printed the close-up shot of her face as a gift to her groom, Jody.

Now that she's finally married, I can post her bridals, hooray! Congrats Jojo & Jody : )

Movin' on Up!

2010-09-10T21:15:00.000-07:00

Well, the Rice Village consult room has served me well for the past year, but it was evident early on that it wasn't going to be the ideal location for both meeting and shooting. I'm happy to say that come November (maybe even sooner, depending on how quickly the process takes place), you'll find Monkey Tree in a new location!

Near the intersection of Montrose and Richmond, it's bright and lovely, complete with a room full of great natural light for shooting portrait sessions : ) I can't wait to get some of my little snuggly angel babies in there and practice.

I believe it was painted today, so soon I'll be moving over some furniture and monkeying the place up. I'll post more pics as we get further along in the process, but here's a little peek at the blank canvas. From the ample parking to the beautiful doors and foyer, up the wood-paneled elevator and into the new space... I can't wait to welcome you into our new home!

We even have access to a great big conference room, so when you're all ready for more dSLR bootcamp, we have a nice place to spread out.

Autumn, Madeline & Molly on the Beach

2010-09-10T21:00:00.001-07:00

I met Autumn, Madeline, and Molly along with their Dog Dudley on the beach near their home in Galveston. Their parents were absolutely wonderful sports when I got stuck in the sand at the beach, and we had to enlist the help of some nearby vacationers to push me out!

I decided we'd shoot first (while we had our beautiful sunset light) and worry about getting out of the sand later, and the girls were cute as could be. Autumn showed her big-sisterly maturity, Madeline was the free spirit of the bunch, and Molly gave us lots of toothless bright-eyed smiles.

Dudley was quite cooperative as well!

Rebecca + Jonathan's Wedding

2010-09-10T20:51:00.001-07:00

One of my most favorite sweet moments ever was before this wedding, when the bride was getting ready at the Hilton Post Oak with her son Jordan. She was dressed, and helping him get dressed... she paused, put her hands on the sides of his face, and bent down to him midst of all the routine pre-wedding chaos and said, "You know that I love you more than anything in the whole wide world, don't you?"

He just smiled sweetly at her. Such a little gentleman, insisting on pulling my bag and opening doors for me. In awe of his first ride in a limousine.

Rebecca & Jonathan were married right in front of the Waterwall at the Williams Tower. While it was only a small crowd as far as weddings go, everyone in the area stopped what they were doing to watch as Rebecca made her way around the corner to the ceremony, and Jonathan stared intently, hands folded, as she made her way toward him.

I'm blessed on a regular basis to work with incredibly beautiful families, and this occasion was no exception. Congratulations : )

FAQ: Photographers and Sales Tax

2010-09-06T19:37:00.000-07:00

I am frequently questioned by my clients as to why they have to pay sales tax on their sitting fee-- since I am providing a service at that time, and not a product. Some feel that they should only be paying sales tax on the prints or print value in their package, not on the creative fees and photographer's time. I have even been told by clients that if I charge them separately for the services vs. the products, that they only need to pay sales tax on the product.

In the state of Texas, photographers are directed to collect sales tax on "all expenses directly related to the production and sale of photographs". Anything that's billed to clients is taxable... which can include travel, location fees, meals, parking, etc. It doesn't matter if the client is paying an hourly fee, or of he/she is paying an itemized list of expenses; their total is still subject to sales tax.

Charitable organizations, schools, churches, and any others who can provide tax-exempt paperwork do not have to pay sales tax. The only other exception to the sales tax is a situation where an individual or organization is purchasing photography services for the purpose of manufacture/resale. For instance, a newspaper/magazine, someone looking to use photographs in a calendar they will sell, or someone procuring my services to use the photographs in a book that will be sold would not pay sales tax. Essentially, since it's part of the process where there will be an end-product sold that is taxed, this is not taxable.

If a business is paying me to shoot headshots of their employees, and these shots will be used on their website, business cards, and promotional materials... then tax is applicable because the final products are not sold and taxed.

All regular consumers must pay tax on photography services (unless the end-user is a tax exempt organization). This includes portrait clients, wedding clients, and just about everyone else. Texas has even made it illegal to list "tax included" rates for consumers-- the tax must be listed out as a separate line item on any invoices or detailed receipts.

If you would like to hire me to consult on wardrobe, teach you how to use your camera, or help you design a studio, those true "services" would not be subject to sales tax.

Here's a link to the great State of Texas's comptroller fact sheet about photographers and sales tax... enjoy!

Holly & Will's Preview

2010-08-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

While the fabulously newlywed Holly & Will are waiting for their pics to be edited, I thought I'd whip up a quick slideshow preview : )

Congrats to both of you! Pics should be posted on Monday.

A little bit o' Lesley & Chad : )

2010-08-12T13:06:00.001-07:00

Ceremony: St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Houston's Museum District
Reception: Crystal Ballroom at the Rice, Downtown Houston
Gown: Jenny Kim Couture
Floral: Wedding Flowers by Lisa
Bridal Hair & Makeup: Cosa Bella Salon
Cakes: Who Made the Cake
Tiny Pie Wedding Favors: Porch Swing Desserts

Lesley & Chad's wedding was expertly coordinated by Kristin McShane of Keely Thorne Events.

What to expect when I come to your home for a shoot!

2010-08-10T10:20:00.001-07:00

Everyone always wants to know what they should expect when I'm coming over to do a portrait session in their home, so I've decided to just go ahead and share it here : )

When I arrive, I'll usually walk around the house with my light meter to figure out where our best light will be (please let me know if there are any off-limits areas). I totally do not mind if your house isn't clean, so please don't be self-conscious about it or stress yourself out over cleaning up just for me! We may need to move furniture around to utilize the space best, but rest assured that I'll help you get it all back to normal before I head out. If you don't want something moved, we don't have to move it.

As you probably know, fed, comfortable and rested kids are happiest and most likely to cooperate. Call me the morning of the shoot and let me know if anyone isn't feeling well, if they bumped their noggin and have a giant goose egg or bruise, are badly sunburnt, have a rash on their face, etc. so that we can reschedule. With tiny brand new infants, sometimes there's a little bit of baby acne or peely skin. We don't need to reschedule because of those things.

The best experience for all of us will happen if I am welcomed into the house as a guest, and the kids do not "practice" smiling, saying "cheese", looking at the camera, etc. beforehand. I'm also not a fan of bribes, such as "If you're good and you smile we will get ice cream/candy/go to the toy store later", as this takes their focus completely off of me and all they can think about is getting ice cream/candy/a toy. I become their roadblock to this great prize!

I appreciate most when you simply let your kids be who they are, and discipline them as you normally would were I simply a visitor in your household. Pretend like it's a normal day, don't build it up or threaten kids, ESPECIALLY toddlers and preschool-agers. Let their curiosity work in our favor : )

I'll give you directions while we're shooting about where to stand/sit so we can be sure to have little ones looking the right way. Most parents' instinct is to make lots of noise and coo and laugh, try to be funny, etc. which can sometimes overstimulate kids (especially if there is more than one parent doing so). Please just hang out, keep the volume to a minimum, and be patient. It's not advisable to invite other relatives and friends over for the shoot. If the kiddos are interested in a toy, or need their lovely/wubby/bunny security item that's fine. I shoot a lot of facial expressions and candid little details, and will adjust the scenario/environment/clothing if it is going to make a difference in the shot I'm taking.

If there's more than one child, we'll probably start with both/all of the kids, and do individuals later-- but if it happens in a different order it's no big deal. I try and take hints from the kids while still remaining in charge of the situation! Flexibility is key.

Because the whole experience is a *little* stressful and different to kids, they'll probably be hungrier and thirstier than usual. Have a couple of refreshment options on hand, but please do not feed them while I'm shooting or offer them something like a fruit bar/biscuit/crackery snack to carry around while I'm shooting (it will inevitably get crumbs on their face or be stuck to their tongue when they smile for a picture). We can take a little break if we see that your child's patience is wearing thin; just be sure to gently wipe crumbs once the eating is done. Fruit, vegetables, small bites of meat, etc. are great options. Please do not offer candy/treats during our session. If you want portraits with a piece of candy (people like lollipop pics!), it's important that we save it for last, and do not give the kids this information in advance.

I allow about an hour and a half for these types of shoots. Sometimes we're totally done in 30 minutes, and sometimes we really take up the whole time. Just remember: relaxed and happy kids are usually accompanied by relaxed and happy parents. Relax and let me do the work : ) I don't mind if the kids need to touch my reflectors (ooh! SHINY!), and sometimes they're more comfortable if I've allowed them to touch my camera or press the shutter release button a couple of times by themselves.

If it's really dark and rainy on the day of your session, we may not be able to shoot (to get the look my clients adore, I rely on window light in a home shoot, artificial light will not give us the same results), but in that event I'll try and reschedule to as soon as possible in keeping with your timeline.

Payment is due when I arrive for the session, and I'll bring along the price list and a contract for you to complete. I accept checks, cash, or credit cards (can generally run your credit card from my phone at the time of the session). If you'd like to take care of payment before the day of the session, that's fine too-- just let me know. I like to take care of payment at the beginning for a couple of reasons... a) your children will be getting used to me, and this gives them a chance to observe and build some curiosity and b) in the event of epic meltdown toward the end of our session (or worse, epic diaper containment failure) the last thing you want to have to deal with is making monetary decisions and filling out paperwork.

After your session, you'll be given an edit date. This is the tentative date that I'll be working on your images. Final, edited images will be posted to your online gallery either on your edit date or on the following day. Any editing you request after the gallery has been posted is billed separately. In most cases, I post Facebook sneak previews. If you prefer not to have a sneak peek, please tell me. If you prefer to come to my office and choose your prints in person, we can make an appointment for that process (allow 2 hours).

I look forward to working with you! My clients are so special to me, and helping create these images that will become cherished memories for years... well, it's really and truly the best part of my job. I'm lucky to have found an occupation that allows me to share in these wonderful times with all of you : )

Sam and Hannah in Galveston

2010-07-12T14:17:00.001-07:00

Sam and Hannah came alllll the way from Singapore for this very special portrait session! Okay, well they really came all the way from Singapore for a vacation with their family, but lucky for me, Mommy contacted me in advance to set up a portrait session for the kids while they were vacationing in Galveston.

We had sooo much fun racing and playing in the surf on the beach. Hannah and Sam ran and played, splished and splashed, providing endless entertainment for me and Mommy. After a while, cousins Reli and Ben joined us for a few shots with their Mommy and Daddy as well.

Sara & Will in Hermann Park

2010-07-12T13:59:00.001-07:00

Sara and Will are getting married this August, so we recently shot their engagement portraits along North Boulevard and throughout Hermann Park.

We lucked out with a nice, cloudy day-- which really gives North Boulevard that foresty-fairyland look, you can see all of the climbing vines and ferns growing along the giant boughs of the oak trees. Sara was adorable in her navy dress with the red belt.

We moved along to Hermann Park for some shots by the water and among the sunflowers... and more big oak trees. I think my favorite from this session is the one where the couple is on the left, and you can see the reflecting pool, fountains, and Sam Houston statue on the right side... they're so happy and into one another amid the hustle and bustle. Ahhhhh. So sweet!

Thanks to Haley of En Vogue Events for the referrals of Sara and WIll : ) I'm looking forward to working with you on their wedding day.

The Lowe Family welcomes Lucy!

2010-07-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

Lucy is the newest of three sisters! Her big sisters Lauren and Lindsey have been my little clients for quite some time now, I met Lindsey when she was two years old and had just moved to Houston with her family from Seattle. I was privileged to meet little miss Lauren when she was about three months old, so as you might imagine I was thrilled to hear that there had been another addition to the family! You may even see Lindsey and Lauren in the banner at the top of the blog-- one of their pics is still rotating (they're in pink and green polka dotted dresses).

We got a few family portraits, and some beautiful shots of Lucy and Lindsey. Lauren was having one of those "I'm not sure about you, Lady" kind of days that many of my preschool clients tend to have (I recall her older sister needing several handfuls of goldfish crackers and an episode of Clifford to warm up to me)... but I did manage to catch a beautifully "Lauren" shot of her peeking at me from behind a couch cushion. Sometimes the pictures that really remind us of a child's true personality are better than any forced smile we could coax. There's so much excitement welcoming a new baby into the family, but also quite a bit of transition as the former youngest learns to cope with not being the baby of the family anymore.

I capture what's happening... and sometimes, it's pouting : )

We shot in the family room upstairs in their home, a familiar location for me. After a bit of furniture rearranging, we cleared a sweet spot with lots of pretty light. Here re our results!

Leigha's Bridal Portraits

2010-07-12T13:28:00.001-07:00

Leigha and her husband Michael renewed their vows recently for their fifth anniversary... and Leigha really went all out to plan a full-fledged wedding!

She even took bridal portraits : )

We shot in Downtown Galveston on a nice weekday evening, going to lots of my favorite places around The Strand. Lots of thanks to Leigha's coworker and wedding coordinator, Georgia, for all her help during the session!

As we were nearing the end of our time together, we made it back to our starting point near a really big art installation on the street-- a huge Mardi Gras arch, which was completely lit up. I pulled the flash off to the side so we could illuminate Leigha, but preserve the pretty lights behind her. It turned out great! It's one of those shots that gets a lot of "Is that real?" and reminds me of the electric light parade at Disney.

Lesley's Bridal Portraits at St. Paul's

2010-07-12T12:45:00.001-07:00

We shot Lesley's bridals at the church where she was to be married, St. Paul's Methodist in Houston's Museum District.

She was quite the stunning vision when she walked into the sanctuary! Her Jenny Kim vintage-inspired gown sparkled eloquently, dripping in crystals, and her hair was tucked into a toussled low side-bun with long brown tendrils framing her face. Her look went so well with the beautiful antique mood of St. Paul's... and fit right in at the Crystal Ballroom this past weekend when she and Chad were married.

Kristin McShane of Keely Thorne Events was a great help during our bridal session (and at the wedding as well), it was a pleasure to work with her!

Now that the wedding has taken place, I can reveal her bridal portraits to all of you : ) We took advantage of all the gorgeous architecture and stained glass, incorporating them into the portraits.

Baby Noah, 5 days old

2010-07-12T12:33:00.001-07:00

Noah was born on June 19, and five days later I made a little trip to his home in Galveston for his first family portraits : )

I was greeted excitedly by his pups, Bella and Lucy, as I entered with all my stuff. They sniffed and inspected it closely, and kept their eyes on me the whole time I was working with their new brother!

Mommy and Daddy were absolutely glowing with pride, and Grandma was there to help out. I located a room at the front of the house bathed in beautiful light where we shot most of the session. As with most newborn shoots, we didn't get away with it too easily. Noah did fuss a little, but Mommy fed and soothed him. He's just a perfect little angel of a boy, so snuggly soft and curled up tight!

We used some of my blankets, some of Noah's blankets, and some things around the house until we were finally able to make a little nest for him where he'd be happy and relaxed... the big furry pillows from the couch in the living room were a big hit, and yielded some of my favorite shots from the session.

I've also included a few shots of the nursery-- decorated with framed artwork that his daddy had created as a child. Notice the 4' tall A&M Corps of Cadets guy on the wall! WHOOP!

I'm looking forward to seeing the birth announcement, which will incorporate a couple of these shots. It's being designed by Hayley Hardcastle of Design House in Galveston.

Tricia + Jeremy's Wedding

2010-07-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

Tricia and Jeremy were married in a beautifully intimate ceremony at the home of Tricia's parents in The Woodlands. While I only covered for a short time, it was fun to get to know everyone. I arrived to find Tricia getting ready, and helping her almost-stepdaughter Skylar with some hair-curling and nail-painting. The girls were primping... and of course the boys were ready and waiting.

As family began to arrive and we crossed fingers hoping for the rain to clear, an executive decision was made to move the ceremony from the green, lush, beautiful backyard into the covered area on the side of the home. It was just tooo rainy! Even when it did stop, there were still droplets falling from the trees. The transition was made and the ceremony began, as Tricia entered on the arm of her father welcomed by a host of smiles and the sounds of an acoustic guitar.

In addition to blessing their union as husband and wife, their minister also blessed them as a family-- Tricia and Jeremy have a new baby named Deagan, and Tricia was becoming stepmother to Jeremy's son Spencer and daughter Skylar. Tricia reminded me a lot of myself, so eager to become a family through marriage and finally be a stepmother to her husband's children. I remember how special our wedding day was, when we finally officially became a family : )

I'd like to thank my sweet friend Ren for sending Tricia my way!

Joe and His Family in Hermann Park

2010-07-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

For this portrait session, we all met out at Hermann Park verrrry early in the morning (better than the unbearable heat that was creeping in as we were leaving though, right?) when the sun was just right and we still had a cool breeze floating along. Joe brought his grandparents for this family session, since they live in California and don't get to see him as often as they'd like. Joe's Mommy and Daddy were there too!

Our main goal for this session was to capture Joe interacting with his grandparents, particularly his grandmother. Everyone participated well-- even the earlybird squirrels-- and we were able to create some beautiful memories that will surely be cherished by everyone involved.

See You TONIGHT!

2010-07-07T09:25:00.001-07:00

Austin, 10 months old

2010-06-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

Feast your eyes on this little guy! He is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face; you might even giggle audibly. Austin is 10 months old, and just as happy you could wish a baby to be. His mom came in to meet me for a consultation before we scheduled the portrait session, so I get a sneak peek at my little client. I couldn't wait for him to return!

He helped me break in the new studio space (which as you can see, is working out well), tolerated a couple of outfit changes, and was overall just a joy to work with. From his beautiful brown eyes to his precious little pudgy feet, he is just a little perfect angel.

Drew in the Garden!

2010-06-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

I met Drew last year when he was two, so I was happy to hear from his Mommy that I would be to capturing his third year as well! We met very early at Helen's Garden in League City (we knew it would start getting hot by about 9:00 am, so we started right around 8:00).

I couldn't believe how big he'd gotten, but he was the same sweet handsome little man I remembered-- curly hair and big blue eyes : ) He ran, played, and loved on his mommy while I shot, then even got a little posey for me... he even showed me how well he could ride his tricycle.

When I posted his gallery for Mom, I got the sweetest e-mail from her... and then a heartfelt message from his grandmother as well. It brought tears to my eyes, knowing that I had brought them both such joy!

Here's a shot from Drew's session last year, which ended up being the one I chose for my business card:

Belinda + Dave's Wedding

2010-06-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Belinda and Dave were married at the beautiful St. Anne Catholic Church with a reception following at the Houston Racquet Club.

When we shot their engagement portraits, I knew they were going to be totally fun to work with on the wedding day-- Dave is one of those "can't stop smiling because I'm a happy guy!" guys, and it was clear from the start that he and Belinda thoroughly enjoy one another's company. It was no different on the wedding day! Surrounded by family and friends, they said their vows and became husband and wife : ) After the formal portraits were done, I kept the newlyweds behind for a few portraits together. Dave was doing something, or talking to someone... and I had placed Belinda in one of the arches near the courtyard at St. Anne. Dave turned around and had one of those take-his-breath-away moments as he looked at his stunning bride standing there all glorious in the arch, saying, "Oh wow... look at that... wow!"

*awwww* You just can't help but get some serious warm fuzzies around this couple and their families.

There was so much happiness in the room at the reception! After dinner and toasts the party started as the dancing picked up. The champions of the Anniversary Dance--a couple who had been married for 55 years-- were a sight to see as they danced around, proclaimed their 55 years to the DJ, and celebrated with a kiss. The newlyweds made their way around the room visiting with guests, cut their cake, and then hit the dance floor themselves to round out the evening's festivities.

Congratulations Belinda & Dave! I hope Hawaii treated you well ; )

Many thanks to Haley and the En Vogue Events staff for the referral, and for planning/coordinating such a beautiful celebration!

AND THE WINNER IS...

2010-06-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Finalist #3, Astrid Novak! After over 1000 votes were cast, Astrid was the clear winner : )

Many of our voters left comments about why they liked this particular image-- most of them talked about the colors, the innocence, and the joy of childhood. I agree wholeheartedly!

Way to go, Astrid! I hope you have this one framed in your home somewhere, it's absolutely priceless.

THE PRIZE!

Astrid will receive a complimentary child's portrait session and a beautiful piece of wall art from the session. After our shoot, I'll visit with her and find out what will work best in her home where color, matting/framing, and size are concerned... then I'll create a special piece with one or more images from the session.

Astrid also receives total braggin' rights as the winner of this contest-- so Astrid, get out there and brag on yourself, you deserve it!

Thanks so much to all of the finalists for your beautiful work, and for putting your beautiful babies on the line. I know it isn't easy to put yourself out there and watch/wait/hope that your work gets the votes-- even moreso when it's a picture of your loved one. Just remember, it's not about who's the cutest or most adorable or prettiest; very few of us could pick the winning subject out of a crowd unless she was wearing the jeans and Chuck Taylors.

I'll be sending all of the finalists an e-mail with details on your *surprise* $100 gift certificate to Monkey Tree. HOORAY!

3. By: Astrid Novak Subject: Gabriela Marie Camera: Nikon D3000

A Sweet Little Family : )

2010-06-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

Leigha and her husband of five years, Mike, will be renewing their vows over July 4 weekend, and in lieu of Engagement Portraits in her wedding package, Leigha opted to do some family portraits (including her two precious sons Gavin and Nate) with a few engagement-esque shots on the side. It worked out great! After a couple of reschedules due to busy family life and unpredictable Houston weather, we finally made it out to Challenger 7 Memorial Park on a nice day for the shoot. Nate, the little blond guy, kind of wanted to have nothing to do with me at first, but Gavin was a champ/ham and eventually little stubborn Nate came out of his shell... good thing because man, these little guys are stinkin' CUTE.

At one point I told Nate we only had to take one more picture. He looked at me like "Lady you are WRONG!" and said, "But Mommy said we are taking pictures in our sunglasses." Once Nate put on those sunglasses, he was Mr. Cool and posing for me non-stop (even when I wasn't asking him to pose).

We were able to get several really great family group shots, and of course we worked in the couple shots at the end. Luckily Leigha had brought along her friend Georgia for kid-wrangling once it was time to shift attention to just Mom and Dad (Georgia helped out with Leigha's Bridals as well... but we can't show you those until after the big day!).

It's hard to really pick a favorite from this shoot! If I had to, I'd say it's the shot of the family walking down the big path with the sun behind them. Those boys won't stay little for long, but they'll always have that sweet picture to cherish.

Robot in Bloom, Sandy Ervin

2010-06-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Sandy is the artsy pile of brains behind Robot in Bloom. Crafter extraordinaire, I met Sandy when she hired me to shoot her wedding in March of 2008. She had these gorgeous paper flower bouquets and decorations that STILL get lots of ooh's and ahh's from prospective clients perusing my album samples. I'm always saying, "She MADE those!" Sandy was using the crazy bright colors before everyone else... here's my blog about her wedding, and the Offbeat Bride (national blog, fancy!) feature.

Well, leave it to Sandy to just be a jack-of-all-trades where the fabulously designed paper crafts go. Not only is she an absolutely wonderful album designer (whose services I use on a regular basis), she's launched a whole other branch *hehe* of business making paper florals!

I know what you're thinking... paper flowers? What-ever! These are absolutely gorgeous, though : ) Forget bouquet preservation, these babies will last without any effort on your behalf! You could use your actual wedding bouquet to shoot bridal portraits with... decorate your home with party flowers. I'm sure they'd translate well as hairpieces or other adornments as well.

I've never actually seen her make them, but I envision her in a state of zen creativity as she fashions each petal and chooses colors and shapes... you know, like those people who make the gorgeous life-like florals from gumpaste for wedding cakes. The possibilities are just endless... they won't poison your children or pets, won't die, they aren't heavy and don't require any sort of watering. BONUS! They don't look like goofy fake silk flowers, either... they're smart and crafty. I'd imagine that you can pretty much go wherever you'd like with color, not having to worry about sticking to Mother Nature's ideas or the season of your event. Transporting these flora would prove much simpler than the fresh-cut alternatives as well (they're much lighter and can be packed in advance). Allergic to pollen? No problemo!

Sandy was participating in an Artisan Fair so we arranged to have her come in for some portraits of the flowers, you know, since she worked so hard and there was a good chance the arrangements would get snatched up by shoppers. We even did a few headshots of Ms. Robot herself, in her cute little Robot shirt.

Check out her latest and greatest creations!

Three Pretty Little Ladies on the Island

2010-06-03T14:56:00.001-07:00

Ella, Mallie Jaymes, and Delaney were ready to rumble when I arrived at their beautiful home in the Evia development in Galveston! Dressed in white linen, they looked absolutely beautiful against the pale beachy hues that their Mommy had chosen to decorate with.

We began with some pictures in new baby sister Delaney's nursery, where there was a big comfy chair that all three girls fit into. Ella was a champ and a trooper throughout the entire session, being quite helpful and so patient with her little sisters. Mallie was a little bit shy, but I'm used to that with my sweet little clients in that "I'm about two years old" zone... they tend to love hiding behind Mommy, and do not relish when Mommy's attention is elsewhere! Mallie wouldn't leave Mommy's side when it was time to do Delaney's infant portraits, and she enjoyed kissing the baby's feet and "helping" Mommy... and just loving on Delaney in general. This made for some very sweet candid shots : )

The girls' sweet grandmother Nonny took over with Delaney, and we took Ella and Mallie Jaymes out to the family's gorgeous wrap-around front porch for some fun pictures blowing bubbles and having lollipops! Ella finally let her guard down and I got some absolutely beautiful unsolicited smiles. Mallie enjoyed eating the bubbles, so as you may imagine... lollipop time was sheer concentration for her. It was bright on the front porch, so we made our way to the back screened porch where the girls sat in their brightly colored kid-size Adirondack chairs-- and Mommy joined them for a little lollipop time.

Now... you never hope for a child to cry, or enjoy it... but you can't help but crack a smile when an adorable child with a giant lollipop has a quick little meltdown. Mommy went into the house to grab the girls' swimsuits (wash off that sticky in the pool!), and Mallie was not amused at being left outside without her. Ella was, though, because Mallie was pretty funny sitting there crying those crocodile tears with giant candy in hand!

Delaney had found her happy place, so I headed upstairs to take some happy-baby portraits while the older sisters got into their suits and began to swim. I'm so thankful that Mommy had arranged for Nonny to be there that day, she was absolutely wonderful helping us to juggle the little ladies.

I couldn't resist snapping a few quick shots of the girls playing in the pool... Ella is a fantastic run-and-jumper!

Thanks to Hayley Hardcastle for the referral! Hayley does some amazing design work... logos, holiday cards, wedding and event invitations.. be sure to check out her website. These pictures will soon be featured on the family's new address & new baby announcement, designed by Hayley of course.

If you're ever on the west end of Galveston (near the golf course, off 99th Street) be sure to stop by the Sugar Bean for coffee, tea, smoothies, beer and wine (and Wi-Fi!). It's located at 11 Evia Main, and is run by none other than Ella, Mallie, and Delaney's fabulous Mommy, Jocelyn.

Little Miss Maggie, 2 weeks old

2010-06-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

I shot Samantha & Chad's wedding last July, and when they stopped by my open house in October and let me know they were expecting a baby, I was thrilled to hear the news! These two are so sweet, so very honest, and so very in love. It's enchanting to be around them... but even moreso when they're both staring at their newborn daughter.

Chad contacted me to arrange for a surprise session for Sam-- I gave her a call when I was in Galveston (to give her the news of her gift) and told her I could come that day or the next. No big surprise, although she was overjoyed she opted for the next day... so she could be ready. I had offered to come back one evening when Chad could be there so we could get some family shots, but he was able to be there when I arrived for the shoot. LUCKY ME! I got all three of them : )

Like most newborns, Maggie was wholly uncooperative for the first 30 minutes or so. She was awake, crying, hungry, squawky, and all-around not into it... unless she was being held near her Mommy or Daddy's face. We took advantage of this and got some absolutely breathtaking candids. There's one where Sam is holding Maggie up to her face, eyes closed, and it just looks like she's breathing her in. You can almost feel that swelling of pride in Sam's chest, knowing she's holding her perfect little angel right there in her arms. It's a true portrait of a mother's beautiful, happy, miraculous place in the world.

After about 30 minutes, Maggie fell asleep, became much more pliable, and let us put hats on her. Chad evidently bought the little guitar hat, and when they found out they were having a girl, Sam's mom sewed a little pink bow on for her (Chad's a guitarist). We took a pic in the cute little owl hat, since the family's last name is Hooten.

There was just so much emotion flying around this room. I had an absolute blast shooting this session! Thinking back to our first meeting at a coffee shop when they were engaged (when I knew I'd like them because they hired me, wrote a check right there, and said they totally trusted me to do a great job and had no worries... can we say IDEAL clients?), to Sam's bridal portrait session where she showed off her flashy purple shoes... to all of the beautiful moments at the wedding and the utter happiness that flowed through their fingertips as they touched one another during the first dance... to the smiles when they told me they were having a baby...

...and there I was, looking at them both having become parents to this beautiful little girl.

I absolutely, undoubtedly love my job. More than that, I love the people I am blessed to have come in contact with, and built friendships with.

Welcome, dear sweet Maggie! I'm so excited to be a part of your life already. Your parents are really special people, you are one lucky little girl : )

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FINALIST!

2010-06-01T10:03:00.001-07:00

Let the contest begin...

Our 11 finalists are posted! You may vote once a day (midnight to midnight), and you must leave a name/ID-- no anonymous voters : )

There was some stiff competition among our contest entrants, and it was really difficult narrowing it down to 10... so I narrowed it down to 11. Below each image you'll see the person who took the picture, the name of the subject, and the type of camera used. Remember, you're voting on the best overall image.

VOTING WILL END AT NOON on JUNE 7. The winner will receive a complimentary child's portrait session with Monkey Tree, and a beautiful piece of wall art from the session.

HOW TO VOTE: Simply leave a comment on this blog post indicating your finalist's number (not their name). You can leave a simple comment if you'd like, letting them know why you chose their image! You must leave your name or blogger ID... "anonymous" votes will not be counted.

1. By: Joanie Esparza Subject: Ava Camera: Nikon D5000

2. By: Shawnda Horn Subject: Landry Kate Camera: Canon 40D

3. By: Astrid Novak Subject: Gabriela Marie Camera: Nikon D3000

4. By: Carolyn Harrell Subject: Brenna Camera: Nikon D40

5. By: Lindsay Strack Subject: Mitchell Camera: Nikon D90

6. By: Erin Brock Subject: Nolan Camera: Sony DSC-H1

7. By: Meredith Blackman Subject: Reed Camera: Canon Xti

8. By: Mary Nguyen Subject: Logan Camera: Nikon D40

9. By: Rachel Wright Subject: Reese Camera: Samsung Impression SGH-A877

10. By: Michelle Parker Subject: Maddy Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-P71

11. By: Cindy McMichael Subject: Reagan Camera: Canon Rebel

New Space!

2010-06-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

Thing have been going well, so I've taken on additional space at the Rice Village location to be used exclusively for studio portraits... It's a great little room where I can completely control the light, and we don't have to worry about the little ones getting into anything : ) This also means that the consultation room will now be used strictly for meetings, and won't have to be turned around/rearranged for shoots. Hooray for flexibility!

My friend Paula came over with her daughters Jordan, 4 years, and Lilah, 1 month. They were my new studio guinea piggies, and they definitely presented me with lots of opportunity and lots of challenge. The following day, my client Lee visited with her adorable son Austin, 10 months-- he was the first "real" shoot in the new space.

I couldn't be happier! I'm really looking forward to utilizing the studio space for more infant, maternity, and boudoir shoots. I still have a few steps to take in regards to final setup (need somehooks to hang things from, and to build some frames for the backdrop fabrics) but it's going really well. My style will remain as it's always been-- focused on the subject, with minimal props/backgrounds to distract. In looking for fabrics, I'll seek out patterns that are simple and classic.

Here are a few of the images from those first two shoots:

Ann + Chad's Wedding

2010-05-26T21:43:00.000-07:00

Ann & Chad's wedding ceremony was held at St. Helen's Church in Pearland-- and as luck would have it, their marriage prep class mentors were Carrie & Jerry, dear friends of mine!

St. Helen's has some gorgeous stained glass windows along the side walls, so I had to take advantage of them post-ceremony with the newlyweds... this resulted in what is probably one of my favorite shots EVER! Ann & Chad in front of the big blue window.

Their reception took place at Kim Son in the ballroom, which was decked from head to toe in sheer white draping and happy yellow lanterns! The cake was huge and beautiful, and the party was ON. After their "real" first dance, dinner, and the traditional rounds at the table in Vietnamese dress, Ann changed into a cocktail dress. She and Chad did a perfectly choreographed dance to "I've Had the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing, a la Baby and Johnny!!! It was sooooo fun- and done really well. Everyone loved it, and Chad even did the run-and-slide at the end.

Congratulations Ann & Chad! I don't want to say I pick favorites, but their ringbearer is definitely in my top 3 cutest ringbearers ever ; )

Elisa's Bridals at the San Luis

2010-05-26T21:19:00.001-07:00

Now that Elisa is married, I can post her bridals!

Elisa + Peter's Wedding

2010-05-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

Elisa and Peter were married at the San Luis Resort on Galveston Island! It was a beautiful outdoor ceremony at the gazebo followed by a beautifully-lit ballroom reception where guests partied into the evening.

From our first meeting, I felt right at home with Elisa's family, they were instantly like old friends.

There were a few very tearful moments laced throughout the celebration, as Elisa's late father was remembered by all. Her brother accompanied her down the aisle, and shared a special dance with her at the reception. When she was dressing before the ceremony, her sister Marcy presented Elisa with a small charm to pin inside her gown-- it was a little silver frame with a picture of Elisa and her father. He passed away a few years earlier but is still very much alive in their memories.

The ringbearers, adorable twin nephews of the bride, carried tiny fishing poles with rings attached to the end of the line. Peter is an avid fisherman, and Elisa wanted to include little details throughout to personalize the event for him... which you will see when you get down to the picture of the groom's cake, a giant fish!!! You may recall their engagement portraits, where Peter brought along some good-looking lures so we could showcase Elisa's beautiful engagement ring.

I placed one of Elisa's favorite bridal portraits at Peter's seat so he'd see it when he got to the reception, and he loved it! He was so proud to have her as his wife and Elisa was counting the days until she became Mrs. Landry.

Their videographer showed a sweet movie where Elisa and Peter talked about one another, how they met, the proposal, and what they loved most about each other... the crowd was captivated (even the antsy kids). Once the dancing began, it was a PARTY!; people were out on the floor all night long. After dinner the Funky Monkey Photobooth opened and Jack was busy as a bee, keeping the hilarious props organized and helping booth-goers with their instant prints. There was much sharing and laughing when everyone saw the silliness : )

I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all... congratulations, Elisa & Peter!

Happy 4th Birthday, Kendall!

2010-05-26T08:44:00.001-07:00

Happy fourth birthday to my sweet little friend Kendall!

I had to miss her birthday party this year (which was held ON A BOAT!) because I was, well, on a boat myself... cruising the Carribbean : )

I wouldn't have let this special time of year pass without having a portrait session for Kendall, though. Her mom wanted something outdoorsy so we set out for the beautiful umbrella of oak trees along North Boulevard. She was absolutely precious in her little fruity dress, complete with balloons and a no lack of spirit and spunk! We had such fun as she ran away, came back, ran away, came back, and practiced her balancing skills on the roots of the giant trees.

Afterward, we headed over to Sugarbabies for some celebratory cupcakes. It's hard to believe that Kendall was ever the little round cheeky baby you see on the back of my business cards these days; she's growing into such a smart and beautiful girl. There's always something new to talk about each time I see her, and this past year I've gone from being "Tay-tee" to being "Kay-shee". I can't wait to see what she has in store for us during her fifth year : )

Kendall then...

Kendall now!

ENTER THE CONTEST! Show off your mad photo skillz and adorable children : )

2010-05-11T23:21:00.000-07:00

This one's for all you people out there who take beautiful pictures, but aren't professionals. Send me your favorite image of a child! I'll choose my top ten faves and post them to the blog... and then the fun begins! The general public will vote for their favorite, and the winner will receive...

drumroll please...

A portrait session with me : ) Not to mention a beautiful metal or canvas wall print featuring the image of your choice from the session. OOH! And bragging rights. If you're super nice I'll even throw in a DVD slideshow!

Retail value of this fantastic prize package is over $1000 (but really, can you put a dollar value on braggin' rights?), so don't hold back. PARTICIPATE!

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Choose your favorite image of a child (must be a photo that you took), resize it to approximately 400x600 pixels, and e-mail the file (or the link, if you have it posted to the internet somewhere) to contest@monkey-tree.com.

ONE entry per person. Anyone entering multiple images will be immediately disqualified. Entries must be received by May 31 at midnight.

The subject line of your e-mail should be your full name.

The body of your e-mail should contain ONLY the following information:

-Your full name
- Your daytime phone number
- Your e-mail address
- Your birthdate, including year (must be 18 to enter)
- Your mailing address
- Your photograph subject's full name and birthdate
- Type of camera used to shoot the image
- Contact information (phone, e-mail, mailing address) for the photograph subject's parent, if the subject isn't your child.

You'll get an auto-reply letting you know that your e-mail made its way to the inbox.

2. Finalists will have their images posted to this blog on June 1, at approximately noon. I'll personally choose the finalists based on composition, lighting, and basic portrait do's and don'ts. This isn't about how cute your kiddo is, it's about how great the picture is! The general public will vote for their favorite, and voting will close on Monday, June 7 at noon (or when we reach 1000 total votes, whichever comes first).

3. The winner will be announced on June 8 at noon! HOORAY!!!

THE RULES AND STUFF:

1. There will be no whining or bugging. Whining or bugging will result in immediate disqualification! I will not field phone calls regarding this contest, as it will be handled strictly via e-mail and there won't be communication unless you are a winner.

2. This must be a picture taken by you, personally.

3. You absolutely must be an amateur. If you've started a photography business or routinely charge others for photography services, you can't enter.

4. You must allow me to post your entry image to this blog, to the Monkey Tree Photography Facebook page, to Twitter, or to any other public domain I choose for promotional purposes. If the child in the image isn't yours, you'll need to provide the contact information for that child's parent so that I can get permission to post the images to the internet.

5. I love my family and my BFF's, but you can't enter. It's not fair. I can't choose fairly that way! If we're closely related or have lunch/drinks on a regular basis, sorry Charlies, but you're out.

6. You need to be 18 to enter. If you're under 18, please have your parent enter your image, stating that they're entering on your behalf, because you're just that awesome and really want to participate.

7. The prize for the winner is a children's photo session by me, Kasey Marsh, and is subject to availability. It will need to take place within Loop 610 (can be studio or location shoot) on a weekday during the month of July, and will last approximately one hour. You'll then schedule a private screening time for your images, meet me at the studio for image review, and choose your wall print! There is no cash value for this prize. It cannot be redeemed for any cash value, transferred to any other person, or held past July 31, 2010. WInner agrees to respect my artistic manipulation of all images.

8. There is no monetary compensation to any participant of this contest. I may have mentioned that before, but I just wanted to be clear : )

Caroline, Ten Days Old

2010-05-11T02:04:00.000-07:00

Caroline was ten days old when I visited her home for a portrait session... ten days' worth of little tiny perfect sweetness : )

Her Mommy and Daddy were looking spectacular for parents of a newborn! I dug right in, found some nice light in the bedroom, and got down to business. At first, Caroline was very interested in the goings-on and just really did not want to close her little eyes for us... but eventually she found her happy place and dozed off.

I photographed her on a special blanket made by Grandma, and in several cute little headbands that her Mommy had on hand. The whole family did a wonderful job, and I got some really adorable "first" family portraits. I also shot Caroline's nursery, since her parents worked so hard to make it just perfect for her. One day she can look back and see all of the little things they put into place in anticipation of her arrival : ) She's got a pretty swank chandelier in her room, plenty of great books waiting to be read, and cute letters spelling out her name on the wall above the crib.

Ohhhh, there is nothing in the world like a baby. Nothing even close. Nothing as remotely miraculous : )

Ellen + John's Wedding

2010-05-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

Ellen and John were married on a blustery March day at South Main Baptist Church... the same church where Ellen's parents had been married years ago! Although they reside in San Francisco, the wedding took place in Houston.

Ellen's gown was beautiful-- simple, understated, asymmetrical, and beautifully feminine. Ohhh but wait, there's more. It twirled like it was MADE for twirling, and it had pockets! You could tell how much she loved the gown, and that she felt perfect in it. After the ceremony, I followed the couple into the bride room. John's first move was to pick Ellen up off the ground, twirl her around, and kiss her like they were just hanging out in their own private fairy tale... what an amazing moment. Notice in the picture of them together that Ellen's feet are off the ground : )

The guys wore gray suits with plaid ties-- a cute preppy/retro twist on their hip modern look.

After the ceremony, we went out into the courtyard to do some pictures with some lettered blocks Ellen had made, spelling out a few sayings. There was jumping, there was freezing (did I mention it was blustery and cold? It was really really cold), and lots of laughing. Some of those groomsmen could really jump!

The reception took place on the Veranda at the Alden Hotel downtown, where bright yellow florals and chartreuse details accented the crisp white linens. It was a cool, contemporary evening as guests were treated to delicious food, dancing, and multiple trips to the Funky Monkey Photobooth (which would explain the picture below where Ellen and her bridesmaid are wearing the nose-eyebrows-and-moustache glasses, WHEEE!).

I couldn't ask for sweeter, more gracious people to work with on a wedding day. Even though Karen and I had never met Ellen and John in person, they were an absolute delight and we felt a warm welcome immediately.

p.s., Thanks to Funky Monkey Photobooth Jack for referring Ellen and John to me for photography services!

Monkey Tree Monkey-Do: De-Mystifying the Newborn Portrait Session

2010-05-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

When should we schedule a Newborn Session?
The ideal time to photograph your newborn is the first two weeks of life. The earlier, the better because Baby will be more likely to nurse and fall into a good deep sleep (the "milk coma")-- allowing us to position your little one perfectly for photos. Because they are changing so quickly in those first few weeks out of the womb, the earlier, the better. Call or e-mail once your baby is here! We can set an appointment time, hopefully in the day or two after you arrive home. If you're one of those people who will be e-mailing and texting from the hospital, feel free to let me know that the baby is on the way : )

That being said, please don't hesitate to schedule a session if your baby is here and already a few weeks old. We will still get some beautiful shots!

A sleepy baby is a photographer's dream, so feeding just prior to my arrival is best. I realize that with new parents, baby-feeding isn't an exact science... please don't worry. I'm a professional, and will make it happen! If your baby is having a bad day, some tummy issues, or not feeling well we can always throw in the towel and reschedule.

Where should the photo shoot take place?
Our session will ideally take place in your home, but my studio is also available (just for Baby, we can't do big families in the studio). Don't worry about how messy/cluttered your house is, the important thing is that your baby is there, and we have a bed or floor space that gets nice morning light. I don't generally bring additional lighting equipment for infant in-home shoots, because there is always a place that will work. Be prepared for me to take a quick tour of your home, scouting the best light. In the past I have used guest bedrooms, Mom & Dad's bedroom, the master bathroom, and the living room floor. I may move furniture to clear a space.

I prefer the in-home shoot because as new parents, you are generally more comfortable in your home close to all of your baby's things. It's easier for me to pack up my things and come to you!

To assure that Baby is warm and comfortable when we have very little clothing covering his or her skin, I will often layer a heating pad (low setting) underneath the blankets in use, or use the heating pad to warm an object that we'll use soon. Remember that Baby is usually in long sleeves with legs covered, wrapped in a blanket. Being warm will help your little one to stay relaxed and comfortable-- the room where we shoot should be very warm. Vents that blow directly to where Baby is placed should be redirected for the time we're shooting. In general, if the grownups are too warm, Baby will be most comfortable.

If your baby is hospitalized for an extended period of time and you desire hospital portraits, I am happy to oblige so long as it is safe for Baby. You'll need to be sure that your caregivers will allow it (again, I bring no extra lighting equipment, just my cameras and a few blankets/props). I'm very comfortable in a NICU environment.

What should my baby wear?
Because newborns are so simply and naturally beautiful, I prefer to shoot with the baby either in a diaper/diaper cover (I've got one, don't worry!) or naked. Clothing can be very distracting, and because of the way Baby curls up and moves around, it can bunch up and be difficult to "fix" once Baby has fallen to sleep. The idea is to showcase the incredible miracle you've just brought into the world... not the latest fashions.

I have some "cocoons" and wraps that we can use to cover Baby and add interest/depth to the images. Simple hats and headbands are always cute, too... and are a good way to help show that your baby is a boy or a girl. I've got plenty of stuff like this, but if you'll be providing some of your own, please try and look for colors that are soft/deep as opposed to very bright.

I also provide all the pillows, baskets, bowls, etc. that we'll need. Please don't feel that you need to go out and buy cute stuff! If there is something specific you have seen in one of my infant portraits, please mention it to me so I can be sure to try and achieve a similar look for your baby's session.

If you have a special blanket or item of clothing that is meaningful, I am happy to work that into our shoot. You might also consider items (given as gifts to Baby, or something important to you as parents) that we can work into the shoot.

If siblings are to be included in the session, please keep their wardrobe colors very muted/gentle. If they're young enough and it's appropriate, I will often have the sibling strip down to a diaper/undies and use fabric wraps on them.

Everything I bring along is washable. Please don't be upset if your baby wets or soils something I've brought! I expect that this will happen from time to time, and I will take care of cleaning the item.

Along the same lines, please understand that there isn't really any "professional" clothing I can wear that will allow me to sit on the floor, move freely, bend, snuggle Baby, and handle being wet, spit up on, or worse. I will arrive dressed quite casually and comfortably (usually in yoga pants and stretchy shirts) because infant portrait sessions can be quite a workout! I usually shoot barefoot because I'd prefer not to get the bottom of my shoes in contact with blankets and pillows we're using.

New parents also should not worry about dressing to impress me... Please be comfortable! If you would like to participate in the session, just worry about your top. I hardly ever shoot full length parents at a newborn session. Keep your wardrobe colors muted and simple.

How long will our photo session last? What should we do while you're shooting?
Please plan for the photo session to last anywhere from one to three hours. It's so important that Baby gets comfy and relaxed! I have a few baby-whispering tricks up my sleeve to calm infants, but the sleepiest, most relaxed babies are those who have just finished nursing/feeding. Be prepared for your baby to nurse/feed more than usual during our session-- as this is fairly common. It's comforting and Baby is, in some small way, undergoing a little bit of stress by being introduced to me, all of my things and new smells, and being handled more than usual.

I may ask you to help during shooting, or I may ask you to simply stand by and watch. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or need to hold/comfort your baby, please do not hesitate to let me know-- you absolutely know your baby best, and can anticipate his or her needs far better than I can. The key to success is a calm set of parents and a full, happy baby.

Please do NOT bring extra family members to the portrait session area/room-- Mommy and/or Daddy only. If there are siblings you wish to include, I ask that you arrange for them to be cared for by someone else during the shoot. We can bring them in once we have finished Baby's individual portraits.

Siblings (especially those under 6 years old) can often become upset when they are not the center of attention, and can be distracting to the photographer and parents. It's best to invite them when we're ready. Full bellied, freshly napped siblings are generally the most cooperative. Please do not feed them snacks while we are shooting, as these often end up showing in the pictures (especially sticky or crackery/bread items). Keeping a sippy cup on hand is always a great idea.

Will you take pictures of us, too?
Of course! Your first new-family-portrait and images of your hands with Baby's, Daddy's hands holding baby, etc. are also very powerful. If you'd like to participate, please remove all watches, bracelets, etc. unless they are especially significant to the birth of the baby (or sentimental pieces that you actively want in the pictures).

To schedule your newborn's session (or if you have any questions I can answer) please don't hesitate to contact me! Infant sessions in the home begin at $500, and include custom birth announcements.

A Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day was pretty great for me-- I got to spend the afternoon shooting for a BRAND NEW Mommy, Michelle!

Baby Caroline was born April 29, putting her right at the 10-day-old mark for our session today. There will be more of Caroline to come, but for now, a quick Mother's Day picture for everyone to enjoy... please note, I never once had to ask Michelle to smile. That's new-Mommy glow:

Valarie & Craig in Aggieland!

2010-04-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

I always enjoy a trip back to College Station, and it's even better when I'm going there to shoot engagement portraits for a couple of Ags getting ready to tie the knot!

My cousin and sometimes-assistant Kyle and I drove up for the afternoon, did some shopping for Aggie gear, and headed over to the little road leading to the George Bush Presidential Library in hopes of finding bluebonnet treasure... and we were not disappointed! There were lush fields of indigo at our disposal : ) Craig and Valarie met us there to begin their photo session.

After a romp through the flowers, we moved across the street to a nice "pasture", then drove over to campus (Texas A&M University) to hit all of their favorite spots. We began with the gorgeous towering columns of the Administration Building, walked on down to the Academic Building and in and around the Century Tree... one of my very favorite places on campus, since it's THE proposal spot!

We visited the big new giant Aggie Ring by the Former Students Building, Albritton Tower, and last but not least NORTHGATE! What College Station shoot would be complete without a trip to the Chicken, the Dry Bean, and a nostalgic stroll down Bottlecap Alley? Kyle was super helpful once the sun went down... when he became my light-man, holding flashes and lights and aiming them just so. It's helpful that he's about 7 feet tall, and can really get that light up high on request. I was surprised how beautifully the Bottlecap Alley pics turned out, with the light reflecting off the flashy caps. Quite romantic!

I had a total parking-ticket flashback when we parked at the post office to walk over to Northgate, and the PTTS guy eyed my truck sitting there in the 30-minute parking spot...lol. Funny, the fear looms even when there's no threat of having class registration or your diploma blocked because of a parking ticket.

I'm soooooo happy with the way the images turned out : ) Feel free to share the blog link with the rest of our Aggie Family!

A quick vacation pic...

2010-04-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

We got back from our Caribbean cruise aboard the Emerald Princess... and I got so busy with actual work that I never bothered to post a good ol' beach picture of me and my honey. Here we are on the bee-yoo-tee-ful island of Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos : )

Puppies Galore... every one of them adorable!

2010-04-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

Here are the actual portraits of doggies who attended the "Who's Your Doggy?" fundraiser for the Texas Hearing and Service Dogs : ) We had all kinds of guests... everyone from chihuhuas to mastiffs joined in the fun.

For more info about this event, simply visit the previous blog post. For now, check out the beautiful bow-wow's!

I shot outdoors, natural light, on The Lot's patio in front of the big Texas flag on a beauuuuutiful afternoon. I was so excited that I got to use one of my 1940's deco chairs for the pups, it worked perfectly with the bright red in the background from the flag.

In case you're wondering, why YES, I do shoot dog portrait sessions! They're pretty much like all my other portrait sessions-- not crazy-posey, not too many excessive props or backdrop scenes. I can come to your home or favorite locale to shoot, or we can shoot in-studio if your pup is friendly and not too "energetic", if ya know what I mean ; ) Just contact me via the website or by posting a comment on the blog, and I'll be happy to provide more details.

Peeps and Paws Out for a Great Cause!

2010-04-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

Last week I headed out to The Lot on Washington for the "Who's Your Doggy?" fundraiser, benefiting the Texas Hearing and Service Dogs! If you aren't familiar with the organization, let me fill you in... THSD has been around for 22 years, rescuing and training dogs as working partners for Texans living with deafness and mobility challenges-- ALL FREE OF CHARGE.

Their brochure has great snippets like "saving dogs, changing lives" and "technology you can hug"-- it's so inspiring to look through and see how this organization has taken two difficult situations and worked to create a loving symbiotic relationship between dogs and humans in need. My hat's off to Sheri Soltes, THSD's founder and president.

Here are some shots from the event! I shot some doggie portraits for our four-legged guests, but will blog separately with those images.

Thanks to Tam'ra, Jayme, Vivian, and the rest of the Houston Charity Chicks for organizing this wildly successful event! Attendees left with (what else?) doggie bags full of goodies from Heights Urban Dog Natural Pet Market, Barker Street Gourmet Dog bakery and Boutique, and Deogi Dog Daycare, Spa, and Resort. Tennis balls and frisbees were donated by Petsmart, and raffle prizes were donated by Jess & Co. Canine Couture!

Brandi Garcia from 97.9 The Box came out to show her support as well. Thanks Brandi!