Future Star....

Patty came to us needing some promotional acting images. I had the privilege of having her as a student many moons ago. We ran into her at a wedding we recently photographed and one thing led to another.... Patty is a very outgoing, fun, and vibrant young lady. She needed a headshot so we started in the garage. It's the best lighting there is. And fortunately, when we had our home built, I planned the garage entrance to be North facing (for that very reason). Patty's brother is an aspiring actor and when she went with him to a recent outing, the agency asked if she had any desire to act. Maybe she'll be the next America Farrar (did I spell that right?)... I'm so out of the loop..... Anyway, the images turned out great and my favorite (below), is simply stunning... If her career ever takes off, I can say, I knew her before fame came her way.... Patty, we wish you well, with your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.....

Lauren U....

Lauren is a senior at Clemens HS. She's a quiet, reserved, and determined young lady. Lauren wants to move some where cold after her education is finished. She said she loves the cold environment. Colorado sounds great, doesn't it? Of course she will have to invite us up to visit. We started the session down by the creek with her very chic outfit. We then made it to the car with her very stylin' red top with zebra-striped skirt. We finished up with a spectacular sunset and some field captures. Lauren seemed to have a great time, minus the mosquitoes (of course we had the ever-so-popular non-greasy repellent). Lauren, hope you enjoyed the session, and like the images... we certainly do. Click here to see more on the site, and here to watch a short video from the session. Enjoy...

A Beautiful Fall Day with Shea....

Franshary (Fran-Shar-rie), or Shea, her nickname, is a senior at JM. She's a very out-going, fun-to-be-around, creative, and talented young lady. She's in choir and has a smile that will light up a room the minute she enters. She wants to sing or teach singing when she starts her career. Did I mention she can sing? I mean really sing! Mylie Cyrus' got nothing on you Shea....she'll have to "Climb" up to your level... hehehehe... I may have you back just to sing to us again. Anyway, the session was fun, it was hard not to smile, because her's was so contagious. We started in the garage, made it out to the flower beds, then the haybarn, garage wall, field, car, and finished inside. We got some way cool images with her guitar. I hope she likes 'em? More images on the site, and click here to watch a short video of the session. Enjoy...

The Beautiful Texas Coast in October

We just returned from our Bi-annual trip to the Texas Coast. We saw an abundance of wildlife (dolphins, jellyfish,numerous kinds of birds and fish, not to mention a coyote). The water was really calm, waves only 3 rows, and temps were great too. The scenery was beautiful, very green with a ton of small sunflowers. The only downside was the mosquitoes... I think they should be called the Texas state pest. All of the island's stores were out of Insect repellent (had to drive to Wally World to get some). Fortunately, on the way the sunrise was spectacular by the bay bridge. Got some cool shots there. Most of the images below were taken with a point-and-shoot camera (who says you need a fancy camera to take cool images?). Leave us a comment or two if you like the images.....

Brad & Christa's Wedding

The wedding day finally arrived, and what a beautiful day it was... The weather was perfect, the couple looked fantastic, and we were ready for some great image making. The couple chose a beautiful Church in the Hill Country. The views are breath-taking. We got some great images before the ceremony of Christa and her bridesmaids, as well as Brad and his crew. The ceremony went on without a glitch. Afterwards, we took the new Mr. & Mrs. up a hill behind the church and took some of our favorite images. The reception followed with a Hill Country flair. We had a great time, and the images turned out fantabulous... Here's a short video of the day... Congratulations Brad and Christa, may your marriage be a lifelong journey of joy and discovery. Enjoy.

Model Couple...

We are privileged to be photographing Christa and Brad's upcoming wedding at the end of this month. Brad is in the reserves (he just returned from the Middle East) and planning on going back to school to finish his degree. Christa is working her way up the corporate chain with a national company. They wanted some fun, outside images for their engagement portraits. As the session went on, I just kept telling myself, "Wow, these guys look like models". I wonder what their children will look like? Anyway, we had a good time, and Brad survived the duration of the session. Hope everyone likes 'em. We are looking forward to being part of their wedding day. Enjoy...

Don't Mess with Alexis...

...just like Texas. Alexis is a senior at JM. She's a very intelligent, athletic, and determined young lady. She wants to pursue the medical profession when she graduates. The one thing you should know about her is that she’s a mixed martial arts competitor. You don’t want to mess with her. Alexis wanted pictures with the car, and then wanted to really do some cool images with her martial arts outfit. We started early in the morning, which was extremely nice for this time of year. It was a whopping 69 degrees when she arrived (that’s unheard of for South Texas in August). We started out in the fields with her fantabulous multicolored dress. We then made our way to the car. We stopped in the garage, then used the old door, and finished up inside with some way cool MMA action images. The session did go long, but Alexis hung in there and proved her worth. The images are out-of-this-world. I hope she likes ‘em. Even if she doesn’t, I certainly do. If anyone needs a bodyguard, that could double for a beautiful date, Alexis is your choice. More on the site, and click here to see a short video from the session. Enjoy….

McKayla...

is a senior at JM this year. I had the privilege of photographing her sister last year, and had both of them in one of my classes a few years ago. McKayla is the outgoing, talkative, dance to her own music, one of the family... She's very intelligent and plays soccer... She plans on attending a local school when she graduates and is not sure what she wants to study... Her clothing selection seemed to cover the gamit... A beautiful black dress, a cute and colorful sun dress, and then a soccer outfit. It was hot, but she was a trooper... We started inside with her soccer gear, then made it out to the trampoline for the elegant, jumping images... which turned out way cool... We then used the swing, the black car, our new Texas flag, an old door, the field, and finished up back inside with her books and made a cool soccer image... She had been hiking at Enchanted Rock earlier in the day, so I don't know how she survived our session, but she did.... We all had a great time, and the images turned out even better... More images on the site, and click here for a short video from the session... Enjoy...

Mister Owen....

Owen is 7 yrs old... His mom was in town and decided to call us for a portrait session... She has taken his portrait every year, and wanted to get his 7th year portrait before he turns 8. Owen is a funny, animated, and vibrant young man... Did I mention he's got an arm on him? He kept making faces and posing like a WWE wrestler... forgot to mention him flashing the hook'em horns sign... We had a great time with him... His big brown eyes really pop in all the images.... I think his favorite part was picking up all the pennies... His mom plans on coming back in November for an entire family session... Here are a few images from the session.... Enjoy....

Where there's a Will.....

there's a way... William is a senior at JM. I had the privilege of photographing his brother a few years ago... He is an extremely intelligent, athletic, and determined individual. I can't believe what some of our seniors do. For instance, he's a football and baseball player, has a job, and belongs to the PALs group at school... when does he have time to study? And yet he is ranked in the top 20 in his class... (that's 18 out of about 650 students). He wanted some images with his truck, some cool formal images, and then we got to have the real fun.... he's an athlete so we did some ultracool images with some sports equipment... then his relaxation time is spent playing video games (specifically Call of Duty). So we went all out and made some ubercool images with his combat gear... We had a great time and the images turned out fantabulous... Hope he and mom like 'em... More on the site, and click here to watch a short video of the session... Enjoy...

Big Bend NP...

We just returned from a trip to Big Bend National Park here in Texas. I took two of my boys and two of my nephews. From tarantulas to javelinas, steep mountain hikes to 107 degree temperature canyons, we had a great time... and many stories will be told for years to come... Did I mention a skunk walking under two of our chairs, while we were still in them? Anyway, I hope my boys and nephews will remember these times for the rest of their lives, and maybe even take their children out there some day too.... I love the outdoors...

Here's a image driving down to Rio Grande Village... That's Mexico in the back.



Here's an image from Lost Mine Trail... the lighting was phenomenal...

Miss Jenna...

Jenna is our niece… she just graduated from high school in Florida back in May. She came to spend some time with her favorite Aunt Michelle (and Grandma Joyce) a few weeks ago. She's quiet, very helpful and honest, and is a healthy eating, athletic young lady. She plans on attending Florida State in a few weeks, probably majoring in Biology (I think). Since I just so happened to be married to her favorite Aunt, I thought, “pretty girl, off for the Summer, why not take some images of her (I might even call them Senior Portraits)”... Hehehehe… Anyway, she wanted flowers so we went to the Botanical Gardens… I must say, I’ve never seen it this pretty in years… Of course the weather was wacky… First, we had to let a rain shower pass by, then we walked the grounds made plans for cloudy shooting, then right when we get ready to start, the sun comes out! Plan B…. the images turned out really cool, and she really liked ‘em…. Since she was here for a couple of weeks, we had another session as well… the great benefit of being related to us ;) So now that she’s back in Florida, and I’m back from Big Bend, I put together some of the pics in a slide show… I hope she likes them, we certainly do…. Click here to see more on the site, and here to watch a short video from the sessions…. Feel free to leave comments (we always enjoy reading them)… Enjoy….

1 Statuesque Bride + 1 Rickety Old Bench =

We had Christa out to the studio yesterday to take her bridal portraits... We've had the privilege of taking her Senior Portraits a few years ago, and are again blessed to be asked to photograph her wedding... Her wedding is in September, so you know what that means, really hot weather for bridal portraits... The funny thing, or should I be honest and give credit where credit is due (to God), is that it wasn't really hot.... As she drove up there was a huge (I mean huge) set of dark clouds to the Southeast of us... And it was thundering really loud.... the wind picked up and I thought, "this is going to be interesting". To make a long story short, it passed over quickly, cooled the temperature down about 10 degrees, and kept a cool steady breeze... you couldn't have asked for better weather... Thanks Lord (for the millionth time). Anyway, this is the only preview we can show, due to the nature of the portraits (I know you'll understand), you can't be showin' bridal portraits to everyone before the wedding... where's the ettiquette? Getting back to Christa... She's a tall, extremely beautiful young lady... when she was all dressed up, she was exquisitely gorgeous... Her sister kept saying, "you look so grown up"... I love my job... The only image I can show is her shadow, in case anyone was wondering what this is....



Towards the end of the session, we put her on an old bench we've had for a while now... About 5 minutes into this placement, the bench began to slowy move... We stopped, made one or two adjustments... I made the comment, "well, if it breaks, we'll all get a good laugh"... 1 minute later, "Kaboom", it collapsed, bride and all.... we all were laughing so hard... Christa, you are truly a good sport.... anyway, here's a pic of what it looked like afterwards... and no, it wasn't because of her, it was just old.... we got some great images, and we all had a great time.... Christa, can't wait to see you again for your engagement (and meet the lucky guy)....

Ms. Bailey....

Bailey is a senior at Randolph HS... She heard of us through a senior from there that we photographed last year... You know you've heard that good things come in small packages, well, it definitely holds true with her... She seems to have a good sense of humor, is considerate of others, and definitely loves her daddy... Of course she loves her mom too (they seem to have a close relationship), but she's a daddy's girl... Go Tigers!!! Bailey will have the privilege of representing CK at Randolph HS this year... We know she'll do a great job for us... Bailey seems to have a good eye for fashion... Her first outfit really brought out her incredible blue eyes... The haybarn was really hot, so we took a few quick-cool-off-with-my-manual-fan-technique breaks... and the pictures really popped... we took a few with some sunflowers, then went to the creek... (did I mention the machette?) We finished up with this totally cool outfit for the car... I don't watch much TV but a few of the images reminded me of those movies where the woman is walking in slow motion, wind blowing her hair, and everyone is staring... They turned out fantastic.... hopefully Bailey and mom love these, I definitely do.... More on the site, and click here to watch a short video from the session... enjoy....

Kristy and Eric....

...are getting married this September. I photographed Kristy's sister's senior portraits earlier this year, they loved the images enough to come back. Eric seems like an easy going, mild-mannered, and loving individual... Kristy seems like a loyal, funny, and dedicated young lady... They wanted outside images, so we planned an early evening session... We started in white by the garage wall, then changed outfits for some low-key studio images, then made it back outside (after a sweat break) and used the Crepe Merdle trees for the background (did I spell that right?). We finished up with their brown and green outfits... Kristy and Eric seem to get along really well, and we think they will enjoy starting a family and cherishing life's moments together... A couple more images are on the site.... Thanks you two for choosing CK for your engagement portraits....

Talented Young Man...

Aaron is our last 2010 senior… he called us back in early May… and since we had a busy June, a couple of days ago was the only time we had available… It was kind of nice, because everything was so relaxed... no worries about getting images before graduation, and all the things that go along with that... He graduated from FBA in May… He’s a soccer player, plays the saxophone, and is a Christian young man. He’s going to go to school in Kansas this Fall… The session was fun, we got some real smiles out of him (no, I’m not revealing our “get them to smile” secrets), and got some fantastic images. He wanted to emphasize his soccer abilities, so we did some action shots, as well as trying to replicate a famous soccer player on a video game cover… it turned out pretty cool…. We then got some with his instrument, and did some outside in the fields, and with the car. I think Aaron enjoyed himself, even if we did go a little long… More on the site, and here to see a short video of the session….. Enjoy….

Back from PPO School...

Just returned from PPO School... had fun, learned some new things, and made some new friends... while I was there I made an image of one of St. Gregory's staff... His name is Brother George.... He's the school's photographer... Anyway, I met him last year, so we knew each other... I told him of my image concept and he was game for it... After capturing the images and doing some CK PSing, it all came together... I entered it in the photo contest they have at the end of the school, but it didn't win... However, the crowd loved it, and that's what really mattered, creating an image with impact.... I titled it "Secret Weapon".... Enjoy....

Last day in Puerto Rico....

For the last week we've been exploring the gateway to the Carribbean, Puerto Rico. From a Rain Forest to several boat rides, beautiful beaches to the Mall of the Americas, Old Spanish forts to a 500 year old city, we had a blast... The image posted below is from today... we were in El Yunque National Rain Forest, it's the only tropical rain forest in the US Forestry Service... Anyway, on the hike down to La Mina Falls, I ran across a lizard on a tree... the lighting wasn't ideal, so I opted to silhouette it.... I think it's really cool... From sounds of the Coqui Frog and numerous waterfalls, to the smell of fresh rain in a green tropical rain forest these are memories I'll take with me as we leave.... If I find time later this month, I might post more images... Enjoy...

Jaclyn...

is a senior at JM. I had her in one of my classes this past year... She's bold, straight-forward, and when you ask for her opinion, prepare yourself for a reality check... Yep, she's not afraid to tell you like it is... Kinda reminds me of me... hehehehe.. Anyway, she's gonna be one of our Model Reps this year and I know she'll do a great job... by the way, ANF has nothing on her, this of course coming from a second hand photo shop.... (inside joke)... The image posted below was one I've been wanting to do for a while now... she came to me and showed me a pic she had on her cell phone, and wham... I knew she was the one.... I'm sure you'll be seeing more of Jaclyn throughout the year....

Miss Lauren...

…is one of our 2011 Senior Model Reps from JM this year… I had the privilege of having her and her sister in one of my classes in the past.. I got the privilege of meeting mom yesterday for the first time, and the only thing I can say is now I know where these girls get there respectfulness, academic drive, and all around easy to like qualities from… Lauren will be a 2011 senior in a few days, she’s also a cheerleader… She is very impressionable when you first meet her, kinda quiet, but shows her genuiness pretty quickly…. I look forward to working with her throughout this next school year… I know she’ll do a great job for us….

Dollie Dance Team....

Every year we get the opportunity to photograph the JM Dollie Dance team... We've been doing this for the last 5 or 6 years (I can't remember, it's what happens to you when you get old, as they tell me)... Anyway, the girls get excited and pick partners and show us their posing ideas... most are really creative... We take a nice headshot, then do the fun partner pose.... Anyway, I thought I'd post one this year.... Click here to watch a video of the session.... Enjoy...

Spring Time Family...

Scott and Chelli are great friends of ours... and their girls are absolutely beautiful... This is our 3rd time photographing them in the last year... Photographing small children is a challenge... I have so much respect for those great children photographers, they have little secrets that most don't know exist... We started outside... unfortunately the flowers had grown up so high, that placing the girls in the flowers would've hidden their entire bodies in the grass... so we opted for a sky image (see below)... kind of looks like it was taken on a beach somewhere.... we then let the girls play on the trampolline, then changed outfits and headed for the car, which turned out really nice.... then finished up in the studio... I know Scott and Chelli were a little frustrated, but I'm certain the images will prove the session worthy... Enjoy...

Third Time's the Charm....

Sarah is a senior at Reagan HS… she came to us from a referral from a senior we photographed last year (thanks Lauren). She’s headed to TCU in the fall, wanting to study either business or education (I think)… Anyway, she’s bright, very social, and very anti-mosquito… hehehe The title of this blog is because we got the privilege of photographing her three times. The first, due to bad weather, we photographed in the garage and studio…she needed a head shot and body shot for the sorority process she’s going through for TCU. Then we rescheduled her to come back and finish, but one of her friends couldn’t get off work, so we just photographed her in her second outfit. Finally, last Wednesday, the friends all showed up and we had a great time…. I must say Sarah, you sure pick fun friends. Trying to fight 20-30 mph winds was a chore, especially when all 4 girls had long hair…. Anyway, we accomplished the mission and all of the images turned out fantastic… Even the one with mom in the picture (hehehehe)…. We hope Sarah likes the images, we certainly do…. More on the site, and click here to see a short video of the session…. Enjoy…

Shelly....

is a senior at East Central HS... She found out about us through a senior we photographed last year (thanks Jessica)... Shelly is a fun, cute as a button, and a spontaneous, young lady. She wants to go to that school, you know, the one that teaches how to gigs frogs... anyway, she wants to become a dermatologist... We started out with her cute white top and blue jean skirt... The garage, and the fields were the setting for some wonderful images... we then did her cap and gown outside on the swing (that was a first for us)... She then put on the elegant black dress (which made her look spectacular) and we photographed her along the tree line of our house... she finally changed into her fabulous blue-bonnet blue and off white dress... we started on the drive way, and finished up in the yellow flowers.... We had a good time, and Shelly was still smiling afterwards.... The images turned out wunderbar, and I hope she likes 'em.... I certainly do... More on the site, and click here for a short video from the session.... Enjoy....

I just have to mention how grateful we are to have such wonderful clients, and to be blessed by God to be able to do this... I can't express how thankful I am that the Lord has trusted us with the opportunity to share in the lives of others with such a special occasion.... Thank you all, 2010 seniors, for allowing us this blessing and privilege....

R&R on the Waterfront.....

This weekend we took our annual pilgrimmage down to the Coast... It's the first trip we've taken since Dec. I've been looking forward to it ever since Spring Break (since we didn't get to go anywhere)... Do you ever wonder what God was thinking about when He makes a sunrise? Everyday it's so different.... Anyway, there's something about sitting on a beach with the wind blowing in your face with no one around... You have the entire beach to yourself... Then that wonderful orb starts to surface and with camera in hand (well actually on a tripod), you fire off a few shots, and some times you just get lucky (with a little preparation, it happens more often)... I used several split neutral density filters on the camera to balance the light... of course there's a couple of minor things I did in PS.... Just wanted to share....

Jessica E...

Jessica is a senior at Randolph HS… she came to us through our RHS Rep Shannon (thanks S)… After graduation she plans to move back to Ohio and study to become a nurse… Jessica is funny, talkative, and (as she says) random… We ran into some weather problems during her session, so we ended up splitting it into two separate days of shooting… We started at a bridge about 7 miles from here… That’s another story in and of itself… Traffic, cars zooming by, M scared to death, and severe overcast were only a few obstacles in our way… After the bridge, we made it to the park… millions of yellow sewage flowers (that’s what I call them) covered the heavily wooded area…. Jessica’s pink top fit right in… We then came back to the studio and did some hooded sweatshirt images inside and finished up with her on the swing (some of my favorites)… we called it a day, then met up a week and a half later… This time we were met with sunny skies and no wind… out in the fields, Jess wore this blue cool top with jeans… we then made it to the bluebonnets, and finished up with her laying in the grass… In her final outfit, we decided to use some spectacular yellow flowers across the street… As the sun began to set, we laughed and enjoyed Jessica’s interview… I hope she likes the images, I sure do… More images on the site, and click here to see a short video of the session…. Enjoy….

Macenzie....

Macenzie is a Senior at JM…. I’ve had the privilege of having her in one of my classes last year… Macenzie is a soft-spoken, intelligent, athletic, and well-rounded young lady… She wants to get a degree in education then teach at the High School level and coach soccer. I don’t see anything standing in her way… Macenzie wanted images from the creek, the swing, and the field… So we started down at the creek, we then made it to our neighbor’s Indian Paint Brush flowers… there were blues, purples, and yellows too… When then borrowed another neighbor’s field of purple and white flowers… there was also an old fence there that we used… The swing was next, and we finished up inside the studio on white….. I had photographed B-Stadium about a month ago with Macenzie in mind…. So I made a composite that turned out really cool…. We got some really good images and Macenzie seemed to have fun too…. More on the site, and click here to see a short video from the session…. Enjoy…

Amy....

Amy is a senior at JM…. I never met her until our preconsultation, but during the session I got to know her a little… She seems reserved & respectful…. Her smile is one that surpasses most; when she does, it’s like a magnet that draws your own mouth up at the corners…. She wants to become a veterinarian, and from what I’ve seen, I expect people to be bringing their animals to her in the near future….. We planned her session to start down at the creek… the leaves haven’t fully come in yet, but it was still beautiful…. I had a hard time maneuvering into the right spot, and eventually fell in… it was pretty funny… Forgot to mention the snake in the water (Amy didn’t even flinch), well, that’s why we didn’t get any images with her feet in the water…. We made our way down to the shallow part of the creek and got some fabulous images there…. After an outfit change, we used the studio for some high-key images… then finished up back at our neighbor’s house (thanks Debra and Troy) with the flowers and rose bushes… The images turned out wunderbar, some I absolutely love…. So after, a quick swim in the creek (falling in), our studio light burning out and stinking up the place, and a snake in the water, I’m sure Amy will be remembering this day for a long time to come…. Click here to see a few images on the site, and here to see a short video of the session…. Enjoy….

Totally Tonya....

Tonya is a senior at JM… She’s one of my CK Reps this year… I had the privilege of having her in one of my classes last year… She’s a PAL, and a very good student…. She has a good sense of humor and wants to study animals is Africa, becoming the next Jane Goodall…. I don’t know if she meant that or not (like I said sense of humor), but I’m sure she’ll succeed at whatever she does… Tonya wanted different images… so that’s what we gave her…. We borrowed a field of oak trees and bluebonnets from a fellow country livin’ neighbor… I came up with this idea just for her… Tonya wore this beautiful white, long-flowing dress in the oak tree area… when I took the first image I knew we had something special… my wife said, “wow, she looks like Halle Berry” (hopefully that’s a compliment, at least for looks sake)…. We then moved to the bluebonnets (I mean an entire field of them)… Tonya stepped on a sticker and had it in her foot for a while (I won’t mention how she asked her mom to get it out ; )….. Anyway, we then went into some of the thicker oak tree area, and tried lighting the area up and have smoke flow through the backlit sun light…. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out (Tonya, you might need to find another way to test the direction of wind flow from now on, hehehehehe)… We still got some good images of her in her cool satin red dress… Forgot to mention the mosquitoes…. I know Tonya will never forget those… Tonya then wanted to sit and hang in a tree… we found the perfect limb and captured those shots too…. We finished up in the studio with the cap and gown traditional images… From stickers, to mosquitoes, to almost falling out of a tree, I think Tonya had a memorable experience… and got some fantastic images to boot…. Oh, forgot to thank Phillip for coming out and helping out…. Hope you learned something Phillip… click here to see a short video from the session, and here to view a few more on the site…. As Tonya would say, “Peace Out” ; )