QB Hero....

I had the privilege of photographing Bryan a few days ago. He's the QB at JM, and an athletic scholarship recipient. I had him in my computer class last year, and he signed with us for his senior portraits about a month ago. His life is centered around football. He helped JM comeback from a huge deficit against SV in the state quarter finals. His heroics helped him earn a college athletic scholarship to a school in South Carolina. Bryan is a talkative, yet humble young man. He's had some hardships in his young life that might have turned the average teen in the wrong direction. His focus and determination has put him in a position to acheive some of his life goals. He was really easy to photograph. One casual outfit, then 4 different football jerseys. The weather was gorgeous; white fluffy clouds & bright sun. I decided to make a cool image of him standing in the clouds, it turned out way cool. We did a few other things outside, then finished up inside. His portraits turned out really cool. Enjoy....

John.....

John is a character. I had to pull conversation out of him... He's quiet and reserved (at least around me). He's a tennis stud from Churchill HS. His dad is so lively and talkative. He (dad) was so excited when we started the session, he kept giving me ideas (thanks, Dad, you're enthusiasm is contagious). I think I captured some really cool images. After we left the tennis courts, we went back to the studio. As I was driving back, I kept watching the sky. The clouds were pretty thick, but there was an opening that I thought I would take advantage of. However, when I got back to the studio, the opening wasn't were I thought it was going to be (darn). But to no avail, we made the best of it. I learned a technique from another fellow Texan that would increase the drama in the somewhat lame sky (lack of a sunset), so I decided to use it. The image turned out pretty cool (there is very little PSing done to the final image). That's one of things I like so much about photography (always having to be on your toes); coming up with different ways to photograph according to what type of weather/lighting that's available. We finished up inside. I think he'll like the images... Enjoy...

Briana...

Briana was a hoot... She's so cheery and funny... When we had the preconsultation, I asked her to come up with a theme. She couldn't. She just said, "I'm plain". What an understatement. She's anything but plain. Forgot to mention that she wants to become a doctor. "Would Dr. Bri please come to the emergency room, STAT". Sounds pretty cool. Now, back to the session. We began in the perfect-light garage. There I learned that Bri's eyes are extremely sensitive to light. She began crying on me, not because I'm such a great photographer (I can dream can't I? ), but the light seemed to blind her. The images did turn out really nice though. We then made our way out to the haybarn, wildflowers, & open fields. We also did some images in the natural light room. We finished up in the studio strobe room. All in all, I think she enjoyed it, and the images turned out really nice.... Forgot to mention that she brought a friend too, who is not loyal to her own school (hehehehehe). Had to get that one in Z. Enjoy....

Courtney....

Courtney is one tall drink of water... She's super tall to begin with, but when she put on her zebra shoes, we're talking Wilt Chamberlain"ess". She loves athletic training, that's what she does and wants to continue professionally. She brought her friend along for the session, and mom showed up a little later. We went down to the creek and did some cool images there. When we returned, back in the studio, my two assistants (C's friend and mom) were scratching and itching. The creek bugs struck again... those shameful little critters.... biting all these city folk. Anyway, we finished up in the studio and got some wonderful images.... Enjoy...

Lauren P....

The other day I had the privilege of photographing Ashley Judd.... Just kidding, Lauren was so much fun to capture. She's bubbly, funny, loves music, and she has the cutest crinkle on her nose when she laughs. I decided to shoot down at the creek. After one attempt, I finally settled for a place directly south of the studio. As we were leaving, she was walking ahead of me, the light was just phenomenal. Of course we stopped, and the images are amazing. We then had a wardrobe change, and went to the Indian Blankets. These turned out just as fantabulous as the ones at the creek. We finished up inside. The thing I like most about Lauren is her willingness and sensitivity to advice. When I met her for the preconsultation, she had straight hair. I mentioned that if she would curl her hair it would be beneficial. She did, showed up with curly hair, and just blew me away. She looked totally different (it was like a different person, we're talking movie star quality). Planning is the key to great images. I know she'll be pleased with these.... Enjoy....

Amanda...

Amanda was a blast. She's a softball player from OHS. She's so funny. It was almost impossible to get her to not smile. She'd crack up laughing every time I would say, lil' or no smile. She says that she's a country girl, with a little tomboy in her. I'll have to say she's 85% Girlie girl, with 15% tomboy. We had a great time shooting, especially in the flowers. I won't get into details but let's just say, I mistakenly accused her beau of doing something (rather loudly), when in actuality it was her (too funny). She's a bundle of joy, and she has a very special relationship with her mom. Forgot to mention, my middle son, fell in love with her little sister. I raz him about it daily.... The images turned out fantabulous.... I know she'll love 'em.... Enjoy....

Sofia....

Sofia is a very dynamic young lady. They say good things come in small packages, well, she's the quintessence of that saying. She's very intelligent, and I've had the privilege of having her as well as her sister and brother in my classes. She's a bundle of joy. She wanted the session to take place at Brackenridge Park. It's by the zoo in SA. We started at the J pavilion, then the miniature train bridge, along the water's edge, and finally by stone and iron bridges. I think she had a good time. Of course her friend, F, wasn't in her normal chipper mood (even though her eyes did light up when the Canada Dry and pretzels were offered ;) ). The images turned out great, and I'm sure she'll like 'em.

Teagan....

Teagan is a real, down-to-earth type of person. She seems really honest. Our session started in the fabulous-light garage, went to the hay barn, then outside the big barn, traveled over to the open fields, then finished up inside. She's the editor of the year book at school. And she's the "Michelle Akers" of the JM Soccer team. She's one tough cookie. Her favorite high school memory is scoring a goal by heading it into the net during the last 2 minutes of a game to win it. That's my kind of memory! She's going to college on a scholarship in South Dakota. She's excited about it (actually told me she was already beginning to pack). The images turned out fantabulous.... Can't wait for her to see 'em....

My Week of Lauren's

Every person I met with or photographed this past week was named Lauren. Five days straight of nothing but Laurens. The great thing about this is that if I had a sudden lapse of reality and forgot my client’s name, I could just say “Lauren” and I wouldn’t have been embarrassed.

Lauren S…. She a Willie Nelson, Elvis Pressley fan… She’s definitely non-mainstream (lives her life on her terms). The car was one of my all time favorites. Her session went well.

Lauren C. A swimmer and high school sweetheart. The swing images are some of my favorites this year. She was fun to work with…

Lauren M. A brand new mommy, and her daughter was adorable…. Her husband kept us laughing throughout the session....

Lauren K. A real beaut. She’s a soccer studdette and I really like the bond she seems to have with her family…

AND FINALLY, Lauren H. She’s a blast, very high spirited, & senior class president... I’ll be photographing her soon….