Call for High School Senior Models!

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

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 : )

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

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

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!