Saturday, September 29, 2007

Beaches! - no, not that sad '80s movie with Bette Midler


The real thang! (well, sort of...) Yes, the great metroplex of Denton has sandy beaches!
We had a great time this morning shooting here.
I will post more later, have to run out the door now for my birthday dinner!!!
:)

(I was too excited about discovering the beach!!! - Definitely an available location for family Christmas sessions that are booked for the next couple weeks!)

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Day 13

Baby H's parents have to wait no more...


He has arrived!! This afternoon, I was so excited to meet this 13-day-old cutie! I love getting to meet the little guys that I talked to in their momma's tummy. He is a big (little) guy, weighing almost 9 lbs. at birth & 22 in. long!
(Isn't the sock monkey theme such a cute idea for his nursery?! Well, you can't see his crib, but all of the bedding, etc., has little sock monkeys all over it, made courtesy of his loving grandma.)








Little H, I'm so happy I get to watch you grow.

:)

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

...because I'm easily distracted

I am, of course, supposed to be editing a session right now, but I've never played around with this function before, and I'm a tad on the ADD side.... (maybe more than a tad?)


If I can be honest, (without offending those who may love this effect!), I've always thought this was a touch corny, (obviously meant to be whimsical - against everything my Journalism background taught me!)...but fun to play with none-the-less! (Don't look too closely at the lines! This was by no means meant to be print-worthy-perfect!)

(And because no post of mine would be complete without the smiley face...)

:)

It's an effective colon/parenthesis little burst of happiness, don'tcha think?

Weekend Pics.

(pardon the point & shoot camera!)


A favorite restaurant, (one of the only ones between Dallas & Huntsville!), to stop along the way is Gilberto's Mexican Restaurant in Fairfield. mmmmmm - yummy!



Before checking out of the hotel Sat. morning, I wanted to take a picture of the room. Now, don't ask me why....I just like to take pictures!!!
So, when I looked through the viewfinder with the camera on the desk, I did not see our heads in the picture, so I thought, "eh, I'll take it anyways...", (camera on auto-shoot). So for the pic. I said, well, if our heads aren't going to be in the pic., we atleast should suck in our stomachs!!! :)
So here we're doing that and I'm laughing at Stuart at the silliness of this, and well, ..... turns out our heads were in the picture.
:)



Cool how it's cut out of stone on the side of the building!




The T-Rex in me comes out!







Remember me saying how pretty this campus is? Yeah, definite prettiness.






(Isn't he cute?!) My dear husband forgot his sunglasses...he got to borrow mine on the drive home.
:) -- Can you sense his excitement? He's so lucky he has a photographer as his wife.
(love you sweetie, hope it's okay this pic. is up here!)

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Concert goin' fools

We are home, safe and tired, after our whirlwind-o-wonders-weekend.

Friday afternoon, after arriving in the Woodlands, (the music pavilion is right next to an outdoor mall shopping center), we decided to go walk around the shops before the concert for a bit. Well, walking out of a store, I hear Dave's music playing, and sarcastically, I say, "do you think that's really Dave?" (Full-well knowing that it just happened to be his song playing on the outdoor speakers at the mall.) ........... It was really him! They were warming up next door at the pavilion and we got to hear their sound check! That was fun! We just kind of stood outside of the amphitheater for 30 mins. or so, just standing there, listening, well aware of our obvious dorkiness, but still in a very happy place!
:)

So, needless to say, the concert was just amazing. He played for almost 3 hours, and jammed pretty much on every song. We were blessed with GREAT seats! My husband is a member of the Warehouse, (fan club that has certain number of good seats available on a seniority level. Basically, the longer you're a member, the better seats you get before they're available to the public.) We were center stage, second section back. It's funny, it's obvious that the Warehouse seating system works because for the past four years, we've been sat by the same two girls! We've become friends! We exchanged emails last year anticipating that we'd be seated together again this year, and I think last year we were even a couple seats apart in Houston, and then like a section apart in Dallas, but this year, we were seat neighbors at both shows! (As in, us: seats # 33-34, them: #35-36). So that's fun that we don't have to worry about who our neighbors will be, well on one side of us anyways... (because, as I'm sure you're well aware, concert-goers are not always the most polite folks!)

Saturday morning in Houston, we visited their Museum of Fine Art. I love art museums, taking my time, reading about the pieces, soaking up the atmosphere....my husband you ask? We walk into a new section of the gallery and he immediately surveys the scene for the first bench he can make friends with. (Probably not uncommon with most husbands!) That puts just a little cramp in my ability to enjoy myself when I see him out of the corner of my eye, falling asleep. (Kidding! He's not that bad, but still, sitting very patiently, waiting for me to leave that room so he can follow behind to find the next bench available where I am - sweet that he stays with me...). So after he lovingly amused me for an hour or so, taking in the colorful history, we set out to find the Rice University campus. Talk about a GORGEOUS school! Man oh man, you'd just have to feel like you're getting an amazing education if you have to walk under an ornate archway to attend classes! That was fun getting to enjoy all that my alma mater lacks visually... :( *still love you Mean Green!* After eating lunch in Rice Village, (doesn't anything with "village" in the name make you feel like you're in the trendiest place possible?), we dashed back to Dallas. Yeah, we cut it pretty close! After traffic issues, then trying to find parking, then realizing this is the first year they're charging for parking, then knowing that we are the non-cash, only plastic, family that we are, trying to pay for parking with a check, (*note: my last check*), we missed the opening act, Robert Earl Keen, (first time to miss an opening act!), but made it in time for the one we came for, *sigh*. (Which of course, made our travel headache disappear!)

Today topped off this sensory-overloaded weekend with a great day at Six Flags. (Thanks, girls!) We managed to ride everything there, (though intentionally skipping Mr. Freeze, the Giant, & Splash Water Falls. We didn't want to have our brains shaken up on those first two, and who wants to walk around in soaking wet pants all day?) We had many laughs and updated each other on our personal lives. (When you have a whole day together, so much more time for details compared to the weekday calls/emails to each other! Standing in a line for 30 mins. just allows for more topics to dish on! - Oh, and practically NO LINES! Anyone who's been to Six Flags before knows that 30 mins. is a GREAT wait compared to the usual 2 hours per ride!)

Well, sorry this is such a long, boring post about my personal life! Since I notified you all to my absence for the weekend, (will be returning business calls & emails tomorrow!), thought you all deserved to get a little scoop on the details.
:) (And there are photos to document this weekend extravaganza, though they are still on the camera!)

Friday, September 21, 2007

Weekend Jaunt

The hubby & I are about to head south to Houston to see our favorite quintet:




(In high school he was "all the rage" amongst the popular crowds, and for that very reason I DESPISED that band because who wants to like something just because it's "cool" to like it? So yeah, I had never even heard his stuff before other than the radio hits that were played at school dances. But once I met my *then future* husband in college, and was quick to judge his DMB loving heart, he patiently introduced me to all that was amazing about Dave's self-composed music once I actually listened!) Well, now the popular belief amongst groupies would be that his "old" stuff is way better than his "new" stuff, but who doesn't say that about a band? You only know the "old" stuff by heart!

I *heart* Dave! :)

So DMB in Houston tonight, then find something to entertain us in Houston tomorrow morning before we book it back to Dallas to see DMB in Dallas tomorrow night!
THEN...my best buds are taking me to Six Flags on Sunday for an early B-Day celebration!
Do weekends get much more fun than this....? I THINK NOT!

:)

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Did I mention I love kids in hats?

Refer to this previous post for "love of hats: part 1".

I was out this afternoon and finally found what I've been looking for....


Newborn hats! I've browsed some places online for a while now, but then unexpectedly today when I was, (no surprise), strolling the baby aisles, there they were! PERFECT!


When I photograph newborns, in my opinion, nothing is more innocent & all things precious than a naked baby with a sweet, little hat. I wanted to be able to have some on hand in case the parents share this opinion of mine, but are without the necessary product!


(I like this one the best of the two little girl hats...) :)


No, I didn't leave the little gentlemen out!




But I have to say my favoritest favorite hat purchase has to be this next one:



I am generally quite partial to brightly colored & patterned pieces, especially when they have fun tassels! Can't you just see those tassels draping over a few baby fat rolls?


Where did I find such a creation you ask? A couple of months ago, in my online hat searches, I don't even remember what I "Googled", but some how this site came up! (*and yeah, I was expecting to receive the blue one pictured, but le sigh.."you take whatcha get and you don't throw a fit"!) I thought it was so random though that it was EXACTLY the fun piece I was looking for, but to find it on Save the Children? An unexpected blessing for sure.

*So yes, you mothers of brand new lives, these will be at your disposal! Happy mommas, happy photographer...
:)

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

productive session!


This morning, this sweet family and I had many bases to cover and succeeded at them all! There were family pictures to be taken, maternity portraits, 18 month pics. for little E, and business head shots for daddy!


E is going to meet his baby sister in October!


As a typical toddler, E kept us busy romping about, but when we caught up with him, he rewarded us with the sweetest smiles!




Love their front porch! (Though I'm pretty sure it's this glowing, designer mommy that makes this shot sparkle!)


Is E trying to tell me something?

Sunday, September 16, 2007

HOLIDAY TWEETS!


(as always, click on the image to view larger)

I am SO excited to be announcing my holiday sessions!

They will be held locally, at your choice of location between either, a.) TWU's gardens, or b.) the "urban" feel on Denton's historic downtown square. (There are several examples of both locations on my website. If you see funky painted walls of old buildings, that is on the square, while most pictures with greenery/trees/ponds/rocks, those were taken @ TWU.)

The resulting Holiday cards, (which just gives the session that much more to look forward to!), are exclusively created by an artist I have teamed with. Each one is unique, and will be personalized with your family's name. Some even allow for a personal message for you to write on the back! Some cards are square, but most are 5"x 7", printed on both sides. Additional cards may be purchased in packs of 25 for $75.

The session includes up to five participants. Each additional subject is $15.

*** alternate session bad weather date:
Saturday, October 20th ***

Card orders must be placed by November 1st to ensure a timely, Christmas delivery.

When you call (940.591.1762) or e-mail (birdseyephotography@yahoo.com) to book your mini-session, I will notify you then of what time slots are still available, as well as coordinate how you would like to pay your 50% deposit to hold your spot.

Looking forward to "the most wonderful time of the year!"

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Not for the Faint of Heart


No, this is not Eva Mendes, though she could be her gorgeous sister!
This is 16-yr.-old, drama queen, (yes, I said 16! ....turns 17 in a month...) J.
And I say "drama queen" not in derogatory manner, but she is the queen of drama! She loves theater and has goals of being an actress one day.


At this house, I see it all the time walking my dogs and always thought how cool it would be to photograph here. So walking up to the house, J questions if this is okay, and I'm all "oh yeah, I'm sure there's no one home..." We start shooting and I see a face in the window...the guy is laughing none-the-less, so at least I know we're not in trouble, but then two guys walk outside and one says, "I was in my room and then I start seeing this flashing!"... kinda funny, we got caught, but they were very nice college guys and laughed about it. I didn't leave without showing them the pics. though, their house makes a cool background!


Did I mention she is a senior this year, graduating early?! (Smarty patootie!)


We had SUCH a blast driving ALL over town hitting some neat spots I've been eyeing.
Yeah, at this location, creepy, but innocent, older guy drove up and questioned her, "Are you a model? Because you're like, gorgeous."
True statement, still kinda creepy...


She has such a fun fashion sense!


That's right, prom dress & cowgirl boots! (wait... boots unseen...)

I had such a fun time, J. You are the perfect model: great outfits, great posing!
:)

Monday, September 10, 2007

Take a Gander

Super "sneak peek"! I've never done this before, but I thought I would allow you all to view an entire session so that you get a feel for a complete work, instead of the tid-bits you view on here!
Go to my site, then to Online Proofing, then click on "KC". She is my cutie 3-yr.-old I photographed last week, such a doll! Some of the images may appear fuzzy, (looking into that!), but there is a magnifier tool on the right (when you click to enlarge an image), that helps clear things up.

Enjoy!


Thursday, September 6, 2007

OH. MY. WORD.



Look what I just stumbled upon.... the CUTEST knit hats/booties and such a good price!





I have never even been to this site before, no vested interest in this company, other than, the outstanding CUTENESS that has taken over my photographic mind!

Buy your sweetie a cute hat .... this is the stuff adorable Christmas cards are made of.

Star Search = waived sitting fee

That was one of my favorite shows as a kid, but ONLY the segment where there were kid dancers. (Being that I was about their age when that show came out, I had "star" envy...) I remember seeing two little boys that one was standing up, and one was standing on his hands and they grabbed each other's ankles and then started doing cart wheels, like a spinning wheel together, do you know what I mean? They were connected hands to ankles - so cool!!!...anyways, so I loved Star Search. :)

I'm on sort of a "star search" if you will.... I'm looking for an ENGAGED COUPLE! I've had an itch lately to photograph such a shoot. So if you are engaged, or know someone who is and is in need of an engagement session, I will waive the sitting fee so that I can have my cute couple fest! And not to be bossy or anything, but to sort of lay out the terms... this session will take place around Denton, VERY urban/old buildings/metal wall background feeling. They should be fun, outgoing, and willing to go with the flow! No garden/flowery formals, but definitely still with a love-in-the-air feeling, city style!

Email me: birdseyephotography@yahoo.com

Have fun!

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Bruiser & Family


This handsome bunch met me @ my local spot where you can see me pretty much every week!
They have a similar story in finding me as the previous family I posted about. Little A (sitting on her daddy's lap in the orange,) happens to attend the pre-school I used to work with, but her grandmother found me through this online service and didn't know that A and myself had a connection!


Three great-grandkids and a grand-puppy, Bruiser, make an interesting photo op.! Just having them all together is a milestone, none-the-less. Baby N lives in California, so it is not often he gets to visit with Nana!


We were definitely breaking a sweat out there, so his mommy had this good idea to help cool N off! (It was funny, in about 2.6 minutes from this picture, N got the shivers, informing us, the cooling off was a success!)



Thanks for a fun morning! I love it when my sessions also equal my workout for the day! Who needs a gym membership when you get to play with kiddos?

Photog Heaven...


Gearing up for Christmas season, we took the plunge with Adobe CS3, and man oh man is this quite the powerful tool!
:)

Examples you ask? Well, here are a couple pics. with the "before" picture being straight-out-of-camera (no Photoshop work done at all); then, of course, the "after" being once I played around with it a bit:







(*insert here mental images of me dancing around my office in glee!!!*)








I am still figuring out how to tame this infinite beast! I worked with it in college and learned some tricks there, but goodness...talk about having to know your terms!

Now, coming from my Journalism background, Photoshop can have it's ugly sides too. Remember this magazine cover shot, compared to this one?
That's what professionals call a "no-no"...
In my opinion, this program is used best when you "enhance" your images with the information that was already available in the picture.

I've been asked before if I can change a person's outfit using Photoshop, as in change the color of their shirt/make it long-sleeve instead of short-sleeve. Well, yes and no. Yes, it is possible - is that what photography is about...no.

"Use your powers for good, not evil, my son." - Is that really a quote from something, or did I just make that up?

So, there is my new tool! Off to learn more about it! (with a big smile on my face!)


Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Bubble Aid


Meet 3 1/2-yr.-old K! We go way back...well, not really, but when you're only 3 1/2, one year is "way back"! She attends the pre-school I used to work with, but then I just recently ran into her mommy when I was photographing headshots for her company. She didn't realize I was a photographer, so we quickly scheduled a session for her sweetie!


And being the smart mommy she is, she brought bubbles for us to play with to help Miss K open up since it's been a couple of months since the cutie has seen me! It usually does take the kiddos a minute or two to realize that I'm just here to play with them, regardless of this large instrument I'm pointing at their faces!