My New Haircut

Okay boys and gals..just like I promised...here's the NEW HAIRCUT!
Yup...I had it all cut off. But I gotta tell ya, I am love LOVE LOVING the life of a short haired girl! Now, I get to sleep in an extra 20 minutes in the morning and I don't have to worry about how I'm going to wear it for the day. It feels FABULOUS!

Anyhow, I had my daughter Ariel (Who's only 14 and drop dead gorgeous) take a few shots of me today. I set up the lights and the technical stuff for her and had her "click" away. I was super impressed with her because she intuitively handled my Canon 5D like a pro and i love the way she angled the camera on her own! Hmmmmmm.......this may be the beginning of a family business?
Anyhow, Let me know what you think: Long hair or short? Which is better?
Cheers!

¡Okay chicos y chicas…como les prometí… aquí está el NUEVO CORTE DE PELO! Sí… me lo corté todo. ¡Pero dejame decirles que estoy tan Tan TAN enamorada con la vida de una chica con el pelo corto! Ahora, consigo dormir en un suplemento 20 minutos por la mañana y no tengo que preocuparme de cómo voy a componerlo para el día. ¡Se siente FABULOSO!

De todos modos, mi hija Ariel (que solamente tiene 14 años y es muy hermosa) tomó algunos fotos de mí hoy. Puse las luces y la materia técnica para ella y nada más tomó los fotos. ¡Era estupenda impresionada con ella porque ella intuitivo dirigió mi Canon 5D como una profesiónal y me encantó la manera que ella puso la cámara de ángulos propios! ¿Hmmmmmm ....... esto puede ser el principio de un negocio de la familia?
De todos modos, déjeme saber lo que usted piensa: ¿Pelo largo o corto? ¿Cuál es mejor?
¡Chao!

Imaging USA

Hey Photo Gang!
I'm making arrangements to attend our Professional Photographers of America National Convention in Phoenix Arizona. Anyone need a 'buddy' to take advantage of the buddy pass?

The convention is January 11th-13th and the pre-conferences begin as early as the 9th. I just purchased my pass for $219, which allows for me to sign up a guest to attend. I can fill in my buddy information at any time. So basically, if anyone wants to go, I will add you as my buddy if you want to split the $219 with me.

If you've never been to a PPA national event......you have been missing out! This will be my 3rd national convention and these are absolutely fabulous and so much fun! The trade show is so big and all of the latest products and services are there to debut. The really nice thing about the convention is that all of the classes are outlined for you so that you can choose what seminar to attend depending on what your photographic needs are.

Anyhow, let me know if you'd like to save a little $$ on the convention ticket. Send me an e-mail at droleal@pldi.net or call me at (940) 636-9098. By the way, after December 1st, the price jumps to $269 for PPA members. ;)
You can log onto www.imagingusa.org for mor information.
Chao!

¡Hola amigos de foto!
Estoy haciendo planes para atender a nuestros convención de los fotógrafos profesionales de la nacional de América en Phoenix, Arizona. ¿Alguien necesita un “amigo” para aprovechar el especial de dos por uno?

La convención es el 11 al 13 de enero y las pre-conferencias comienzan desde el 9 de enero. Acabo de comprar mi paso por $219, y permite que puedo firmar el nombre de un invitado para atender. Puedo completar mi información del invitado en cualquier momento. Pues básicamente, si cualquier persona desea ir, le agregaré como mi invitado si usted desea partir los $219 conmigo.

¡Si usted nunca ha ido a un acontecimiento nacional de PPA ...... usted ha faltado en mucho! ¡Ésta será mi tercer convención nacional y éstas son absolutamente fabulosas y tan divertidos! La demostración comercial es muy grande y todos los productos y servicios están alli para estreno. La cosa realmente agradable sobre la convención es que todas las clases están contorneadas para usted de modo que usted pueda elegir qué seminario a atender dependiendo de cuáles son sus necesidades fotográficas.

De todos modos, déjeme saber si usted quisiera ahorrar un pequeño $$ en el boleto de la convención. Envíeme un E-mail en droleal@pldi.net o llámeme en (940) 636-9098. A propósito, después del 1 de diciembre, el precio salta a $269 para los miembros de PPA. ;)
Se puede ir a www.imagingusa.org para mas informacion.
¡Chao!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving All!
I made a quick trip to Houston, Texas this last weekend to attend a Photography seminar at Prairie Fire Productions!
Steve Hertzberg was a cinematogapher from California and then moved to Houston as he peaked his law career. His passion always was in the film and photography industry, however. The last several years, he began to host these amazing hands on weekend photography worshops once a month. He brings very talented photographers and graphic artists from our industry to teach. I love these so much that I usually attend two to three times a year!
Jim Divitale will be coming on January 17-18 and be teaching a hands on photoshop class for those of us who don't want to struggle with it anymore.
If you are interested in knowing who will be coming to teach or if you would like to get on to Steve's newsletter, then log on to www.prairiefireproductions.com.

¡Feliz día de la gracia a todos!
¡Hice un viaje rápido a Houston, Tejas este último fin de semana para atender a un seminario de fotografía en Praire Fire Productions!
Steve Hertzberg es un cinematogapher de California y tiene unas clases tan suaves de fotografía todos los meses en los fines de semana. Él trae a fotógrafos muy talentosos y a artistas gráficos de nuestra industria a enseñar. ¡Amo éstos tanto que atiendo generalmente dos o tres veces al año!
Jim Divitale vendrá el 17 al 18 de enero y va a enseñar el photoshop para los de nosotros que no deseen luchar con el más.
Si usted está interesado en saber quién vendrá enseñar o si usted quisiera conseguir encendido al boletín de noticias de Steve, entonces ábrase una sesión a www.prairiefireproductions.com.

New Hair cut!

Ooookay………………So I got a new haircut last weekend! My friends have been asking what it looks like. All I have to say is that for me, it is VERY DIFFERENT!!!
I haven’t had hair this short since I was about 5 years old.

My hairstylist is out of Vernon, Texas. She used to be on 10th street in Wichita Falls, and then she moved to Vernon to be closer to her husband’s job. The lucky thing about living in Grandfield is that we are about equal distance to Wichita Falls, to Lawton, and to Vernon. So of course I followed her! Her name is Veronica too! She works at The Lion’s Mane and is a TRUE artist. Veronica is the type of hairstylist that will look at a client and tell her EXACTLY what look would look great on her!

Usually, I sit in her chair and let her do whatever she wants. Last year, I ended up with beautiful blonde streaks, flaming magenta overtones, and then decided to grow my hair long. But now I understand the appeal of short hair. This week, it has been HEAVEN to be able to sleep in a little longer and not have to worry about my hair. I just get up, comb a little, and GO!

My students FREAKED out when they saw my new look. Most of them liked it a lot…some loved it…..and some said I even look very SASSY and younger!....go figure~!
I will take a new picture this weekend and post it. Those of you who know me well………may freak a little.

Anyhow, this is a family portrait I took of my hairstylist and her family a couple of years ago. If you’d like to give Veronica a try, call her at (940) 733-8467. Tell her that I sent you. I promise that you won’t be disappointed!
Cheers!

¡Ooookay .................. pues conseguí un nuevo corte de pelo el fin de semana pasado! Mis amigos han estado preguntando como se parece. ¡Todo lo que tengo que decir es que para mí, es MUY DIFERENTE!!! No he tenido pelo este corto desde que era cerca de 5 años.

Mi peluquera está en Vernon, Tejas. Ella estaba en la calle 10 en Wichita, y entonces ella se movió a Vernon para estar más cerca al trabajo de su marido. La cosa afortunada sobre vivir en Grandfield es que estamos sobre distancia igual de Wichita, a Lawton, y a Vernon. ¡Por supuesto la seguí! ¡Su nombre es Veronica también! Ella trabaja en The Lion’s Mane y es artista. ¡ Veronica es el tipa de peluquera que mirará a su cliente y le dirá EXACTAMENTE qué mirada parecería fantástica en ella!

Generalmente, me siento en su silla y la dejo hacer lo que ella desea. El año pasado, terminé con rayas rubias, tonos de magentas, y después decidía crecer mi pelo largo. Pero ahora entiendo la súplica del pelo corto. Esta semana, ha sido CIELO a poder dormir un poco más y no tuve que preocuparme de mi pelo. ¡Apenas me levanto, me peino un poco, y me VOY!

Mis estudiantes se fliparon cuando vieron mi nueva mirada. ¡La mayoria parte de mis estudiantes les gustaron mucho mi pelo … algunos les encantaron ..... y algunos dijeron que me parezco muy SASSY y más joven! Tomaré un nuevo foto este fin de semana y lo pongo en mi blog. Los de usted que me conocen bien ......... se van a monstruar un poco.

De todos modos, esto es un retrato de la familia que tomé de mi peluquera y de su familia dos años pasados. Si usted quisiera dar a Veronica un intento, llámela en (940) 733-8467. Dígale que le enviara. ¡Prometo que usted no estará decepcionado!
¡Chao!

Mason

WOW! I have been incredibly busy this holiday season! I am still photographing senior sessions along with family portraits. Don't wait too long to book an appointment.......the holiday deadline is December 15th.....YIKES...that's just right around the corner!
Anyhow, this is Mason. He is a senior from Grandfield and is an AWESOME kid!!! What I love about Mason is that he is not afraid to express his individualism and is such a GREAT well-rounded person. I have known Mason's family for over 14 years........and it has been such a pleasure to watch him grow into a smart and handsome young man.
Anyhow, Congrats on all of your accomplishments Mason and THANKS for choosing me to photograph your senior portraits!
Cheers!

¡Caramba! ¡He estado increíblemente ocupada esta estación de Navidad! Todavía estoy fotografiando sesiones de “seniors” junto con los retratos de familia. ¡No espere demasiado mucho para reservar una cita ....... que el plazo de Navidad es el 15 de diciembre ..... YIKES… ya mero está aquí!
De todos modos, éste es masón. ¡Él es un estudiante de Grandfield y es un chico tan IMPRESIONANTE!!! Lo qué me encanta de Masón es que a él no le da miedo asuexpresar su individualismo y es un GRAN persona bien-redondeada.
He conocido su familia por más de 14 años ........ y ha sido mucho gusto de mirarlo crecer a un hombre muy inteligente y guapo.
¡De todos modos, FELÍCIDADES en todos sus logros masón y GRACIAS por escojiendome para tomar sus fotos!
¡Chao!

Portrait Frames Now Available

I am so SUPER excited about my panels and wall portraits! I am now offering all of my enlargement products framed and ready to hang!!!

I am buying my frames through HART Portrait Frames. They are right here out of Stillwater, Oklahoma and the company is owned and operated by Anthony and Holly Hart. They are so super friendly and are willing to go out of their way to get you started with your framing needs. Anthony makes all of the mats and frames right there in their studio workshop. Their products are made of high grade materials and I love them because they offer designs and styles that nobody else offers locally. You can check them out at www.hartportraitframes.com

Anyhow, I am doing all of my own framing now. I wanted to give my clients every opportunity to go home and immediately hang their new portrait art. I love that I don’t have to go into a bigger town and wait to have my portraits framed. My clients seem to love this new service too! Give me a call or an e-mail to get more information of my frames!
Cheers!

¡Estoy tan emocionada de mis panels y mis retratos de pared! ¡¡¡Estoy offreciendo todos mis ampliaciónes con cuadros y listos para colgar!!!

Estoy comparando mis cuadros por Hart Portrait Frames. Están aquí en Stillwater, Oklahoma y el dueño y la dueña de la compañía son Anthony y Holly Hart. Son MUY simpáticos y ayudan mucho para empezarlos con sus necesidades de cuadros. Anthony hace todos los cuadros allí en su estudio y sus productos están hecho de materias muy buenas. Especialmente me gustan los cuadros porque nadie aquí ofrece cuadros como estos. Se puede conseguir más información en www.hartportraitframes.com

Pues, estoy poniendo todos los fotos en cuadros yo solamente. Les quería dar a mis clientes toda la oportunidad de ir a la casa para colgar sus retratos rápidamente. Me encanta que no tengo que ir a otra ciudad más grande y esperar para que alguien me pone los fotos en cuadros. Yo creo que a mis clientes sí les gustan este servicio tambien. Llamanme or mandenme un correo electronico para saber mas información.
Chao.

WOW! I just found this REALLY awesome product!

I often find myself photographing an out of town wedding or covering a big an event for a client…..the problem is that many times, it isn’t practical for me to take my laptop…..which means that I have to guard my compact flash cards with my LIFE until I can get home and down-load and back-up my images!!!

So I just got a NEXTO portable photo and video back up storage device. It allows me to back up my photos directly from my camera or my cards in no time at all without using a computer!!!! I can store up to 160 Gigabytes of information on this little thing! Which are about 40 cards for me! It is about the size of a 3x5 print and works really, really fast. I backed up 590 RAW images from my 8 GB flash card in exactly 5 minutes and 8 seconds!

This little drive is so easy to use and is made of very durable material.
Right now, I’m only using it as a temporary back-up device………..but it can also be used as a hard drive.

Anyhow, the reason that I am so intrigued with this Nexto is because the new Canon EOS 5D Mark II will be able to shoot video as well. I was excited to hear about that but was also concerned about it eating all of my card space…………but now that I have this NEXTO, that won’t be an issue at all!

My NEXTO eXtreme ND2700 is made by NEXTO DI. You can get more information at www.nextodi.com
Or purchase one at Mel Pierce Camera out of Hollywood, California for about $209. Their website is www.melpiercecamera.com.
Cheers!

¡Caramba! ¡Apénas encontré un producto fantástico!

Siempre me encuentro tomando fotos en una boda en otro pueblo o tomando fotos en un evento para clientes……el problema es que a veces no es práctico a llevar mi computadora. Y eso quiere decir que tengo que cuidar mis cartas de foto con todo mi vida hasta que llego a la casa y las pongo en mi computadora.

Pues, encontré el NEXTO almacenaje portátil mecanismo para fotos y video. ¡Con este mecanismo, puedo poner mis fotos de mi cámara o cartas muy pronto sin la computadora! ¡Puedo poner 160 GB de información en esta cosa chiquita! Para mi…..son 40 cartas. El almacenaje portátil es el tamaño de un foto 3x5 y trabaja muy pronto. ¡Puse 590 fotos RAW imagenes de mi carta 8GB en cinco minutos y ocho segundos!

Este mecanismo es muy fácil para usar y se me hace que es muy buen hecho de materias duras. Ahora, lo estoy usando cómo un almacenaje portátil, pero tambien se puede usar cómo un “hard drive”.

En todo caso, la rasón que estoy tan intriga con el NEXTO es porque la nueva Canon EOS 5D Mark II va a poder tomar vidéo tambien. Estaba muy emocionada de eso pero tambien me puse preocupada porque iba usar bastante espacio en mis cartas de foto. Pero con mi NEXTO , eso no va a ser un problema.

La companía NEXTO DI hace el NEXTO eXtreme ND2700. Se puede encontrar más información en www.nextodi.com
O se puede comprar en Mel Pierce Camera de Hollywood, California por $209. Su direción del web es www.melpiercecamera.com.

¡Chao!

Gracie

I had the 'sweet' pleasure of photographing Gracie tonight. She arrived with all 8 of her Halloween costumes!!!! We only got to photograph her in 3 of those...........and then she decided that she'd had ENOUGH.

Anyhow............this was my favorite tonight.

Cheers!

Tuve el honor de tomar fotos de Gracie esta noche. ¡¡Llegó con sus 8 trajes de la víspera de Todos los Santos!! Nada más nos dió 3 de esos trajes……………y luego ya decidó que ya tuvo suficiente.

Pues………………este es mi foto favorito de esta noche.

Chao.

NEW PPO Board MEMBER

At our Fall convention in Tulsa last month, I was nominated and elected to be a board member for the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma! (YEAY!!!!) So this last Sunday, I attended my first formal meeting. It was Sooo exciting for me to be a part of the decision-making process!! Mostly, I listened attentively and paid close attention to what was going on.

We met at the Reed Center in Midwet City, which is where our next convention will take place. The Convention Center and Sheraton are so beautiful!

It was decided that I will be on the Hospitality Committee again next year so it will be a LOT of FUN to do this for the organization. Next year, our hospitality will be “al fresco” and will at the Sheraton’s outdoor patio.

Save the date for next year……………..The PPO Fall Convention will be August 28th-31st of 2009 at the Reed Center in Midwest City. If you are interested in attending and have never been………….I would LOVE to tell you all about it and introduce you to some of Oklahoma’s Finest Photographers!
For more information, you can log on to www.ppok.org
Cheers!
En nuestros convención el mes pasado, me nombraron y me electaron una diputada para los Fotógrafos Profesionales de Oklahoma. Pues, este domingo pasadom fuí a mi primer junta. Estaba muy emocionada de ser una parte de la junta. Escuché mucho y page mucha atención.

Nos juntamos en la Reed Center en Midwest City, OK. Es dónde nuestra convención va a ser el año próximo. ¡El lugar y el hotel son tan bonitos!

Me pusieron de la hospilidad otra vez. Va a ser muy divertido para ser esta responsilidad para la organización. Vamos a tener la hospilidad a fuera en el patio del hotel.

Acuerden la fecha para la convención de 2009. Va ser el 28-31 de agosto. Si les interesan ir a la convención y nunca han ído, me gustaría decirles de ella y también me gustaría introducirlos a unos fotógrafos tan fantásticos de Oklahoma.
Para más información………se puede ir a www.ppok.org.

Chao!

Holie MOLIE!!!! Thank you Grandfield for your support in making our 1st Annual Halloween Canned food drive such a SUCCESS!!!!

We had over 100 kiddies show up in their Halloween costumes with a canned good Saturday night! We brought in over 200 pounds of food and we took it to the Food Pantry at the First Baptist Church in Grandfield! This food will be distributed to local families in need.
People waited so patiently in line for a great event. At one point, our line was over 40 feet long! The kids were so cooperative and excited to be there. They just posed SO PERFECTLY in their AWESOME costumes! We had all but our little DORA the EXPLORER who cooperated………she is still my FAVORITE picture!

The process was simple! Before I got there, I cleaned my lenses with Purosol spray and cleaned my camera with the DELKIN cleaning system. At the clinic, I used a hair light, John Woodward style, and a main light. I then used my CBL to do a custom White Balance…..and BAM…………………..I uploaded prints to my lab that NIGHT!!!! I had virtually no after work-flow.

I want to thank my WONDERFUL family for helping me make this dream come true! Also, I want to thank the gals at the clinic for their enthusiasm, their time, and their support of this project. It was Soooo fabulous that Mindy’s 3 little kids gave up over two hours of their trick or treat time to help with this event. THANK YOU!!!!
Here are a few samples of the kiddos! There are more on my CLIENT PROOFING page in my website. This event was so much fun!!!!! Thank you GRANDFIELD for your support and faith in me!!!

Prints will be available to be picked up at the Grandfield Medical Clinic on Monday November 10th from 9-5. You can also call me at (940) 636-9098 for more information.
Cheers!

Grandfield Cheer and Pep Squad

I had a GREAT time photographing the Grandfield Elementary Cheerleaders and Pep Squad last weekend! We got together about 3:00.................with bright BRIGHT Sunshine!!! Every photographer's nightmare,huh?.......NOT ME!!!! Basically, All I did to create these shots was take a light reading for my background, took another reading for my subject, and took the average of the two readings and set my camera at that F-stop. Then,I put my off camera flash at that reading's distance! These girls ended up with nice exposure................no shadowy raccoon eyes here!
The equipment that I use is a SEKONIC L-758 DR light meter and a Lumedyne Signature Series Flash. Both of these products are essential in my everyday outdoor sessions.

Our football stadium is a little plain so we used the bus that Mr. Albert custom painted and designed for our school district as a background. You can see more of these little gals on the CLIENT PROOFING page on my site.
Cheers!

¡Tuve un GRAN tiempo tomando fotos de las porristas de Grandfield Elementary este sábado pasado. ¡Nos juntamos a las 3:00.................con el Sol tan BRILLANTE brillante!!! ¡Una pesadilla de todos los fotógrafos,eh?.......Pues, a mí no! !!! Todo lo que hice para crear estos fotos fue muy fácil. Tomé una lectura de luz de mi fondo, tomé otra lectura para mi sujeto, y sace el promedio de las dos lecturas y puse mi cámara en la F-stop apropiada. ¡Entonces, puse mi flash en la distancia de ese indicación! ¡Estas chicas acabaron con exposiciónes agradables. ...............¡no tienen ojos oscuros!
El equipo que uso es un SEKONIC L-758 DR fotómetro y una Lumedyne Signature Series Flash. Estos productos son esenciales en mis citas de afuera.
Nuestro estadio del fútbol norteamericano es un poco aburrido y pues usamos el autobús que costumbró el Sr. Albert. Lo pintó y diseñó para nuestro distrito de la escuela y lo usamos como un fondo. Usted puede ver más de éstas chicas en la página de CLIENT PROOFING en mi website.

Hey Guys!!!!!
Just wanted to remind you about the Halloween Canned Food Drive this Saturday. I am SUPER DUPER EXCITED and CAN'T wait to see all of the kiddos in their Halloween Costumes!!!

The drive is on Saturday because we have an out of town football game on Friday night. But nonetheless, bring the kids by the Grandfield Medical Clinic from 6 to 8pm on Saturday with a canned good and have their portrait taken in their costumes. It will be SOOOoooo much FUN!!!!
See you there!
V-

¡Hola! Nada más les quería recorder del evento de Halloween para escojar comida de bote. Estoy BASTANTE emocionada y casí no me puedo esperar par aver todos los niños en sus trajes de Halloween.

El evento es este sábado porque hay un partido del fútbol norteamericano el viernes. Pues, como quiera………..traigan los niños a la clinica de Grandfield por las horas de las 6-8 de la noche, el sábado con un bote de comida. Los niños se pueden retretar en sus trajes y van a recibir un 4x6 foto. Nos vamos a diverter TANTO!!!!! ¡Allí los miro!

Baby Mia

What a GREAT DAY today!!! The HIGHLIGHT was spending a few moments with my best friend's new baby.................MIA!!!
I hadn't seen her in 2 WHOLE weeks and the little stinker grew on me!!!

I am playing with some new photsohop actions right now. I will fill you in on these when I learn a little more about em!
Cheers!
¡Tuve un GRAN día hoy! ¡El mejor momento era cuando pasé unos minutos con la bebé de mi mejor amiga………….se llama Mia!
¡ ¡No la he visto desde dos semanas……..y creció tanto!!

Estoy jugando con unas acciónes de Photoshop. Les digo más cuando me conozco mejor con ellos.
¡Chao!

Introducing Kyle & Jill!!

Here are a couple of my favorite shots of Kyle and Jill. They are such an ADORABLE couple and they both have AMAZING families!! Kyle is CLEARLY in love with Jill. You see.............he is not much of a smiler...........he is a high school football coach after all!!! But on THIS DAY............He let us know VERY CLEARLY that he would smile for his bride ALL NIGHT LONG!!! She picked a "keeper"!!
Cheers!

Kyle & Jill's Wedding

WOW! My crew and I had SOooo much fun photographing Kyle & Jill's Wedding this last Saturday!! The wedding took place at the Lake Texoma country club. The scenery was beautiful.......It was a nice mix of fall and summer tones.....But it was not near as beautiful as the bride.
She looked stunning in her Casablanca dress. Here is our photographed version of the dress!
I spent most of today recuperating and backing up all of the wedding images. But stay tuned, I will start the editing process soon and give you a sneak preview of some of my favorite shots.
Cheers!

Mi equipo y yo tuvimos mucha diversión tomando fotos de la boda de Kyle & Jill este sábado pasado!! La boda sucedió en el club de campo del Lago Texoma. El paisaje era hermoso. ...... era una combinación agradable de tonos del otoño y el verano. ....pero no era tan hermoso como la novia. Ella se miraba hermosa en su vestido de Casablanca. ¡Aquí está nuestra versión fotografiada del vestido!
Gasté la mayor parte de hoy recuperandome y puse todas las imágenes de la boda en las computadoras externas. ¡Pero visítenme para atras, voy a comenzar el proceso de redacción pronto y les daré un anticipo de algunos de mis fotos favoritos!
-chao

Super Wedding Tomorrow!

I am SUPER EXCITED about tomorrow! I get to photograph a beautiful couple at Lake Texoma with my associates! I don't know what's "funner"............shooting the wedding or working with my gal pals!
Anyhow, This will be the dress my BEAUTIFUL client will be wearing tomorrow. I couldn't stand it.................had to show off the dress she will be wearing. This dress is from the Casablanca collection. I loved that the dress is available online so that I could look at it before the wedding and brainstorm with ideas for her big day!
You can go to www.casablancabridal.com to see more of their fabulous dresses.
Cheers!

¡Estoy SUPER ENTUSIASMADA de mañana! ¡Voy a fotografiar una hermosa pareja en el Lago de Texoma con mis colegas! ¡Yo no sé lo que es más "divertido" ............ fotografiando la boda o trabajando con mis amigas! De todos modos, este es el vestido que mi HERMOSA cliente va llevar mañana. No puse pararme. ...............les tenía que enseñar el vestido que ella va a llevar. Este vestido es de la colección de Casablanca. ¡Adoré que el vestido está disponible en línea para que yo lo pude mirar antes de la boda. Usted puede ir a www.casablancabridal.com para ver más de sus vestidos fabulosos.
¡Chao!

New Travel Camera/Computer Case

Since I find myself traveling a lot lately, I had to share my new investment with you......I hope this info helps you too.
I have learned that my aching bones can't handle my suitcases, laptop bag, and camera backpack at airports anymore. So, I picked up this new large wheeled camera/computer case at the SWPPA convention. This bag is made by PELICAN and is one of their RSV series bags.
The bag is water resistant and lined with PVC coated nylon for durability. I really like that the dividers are removable and there is enough room inside for several SLR cameras and plenty of lenses and accessories.
Now for the BIGGIE!!!!!!!!! My 17 inch laptop fits very nicely in the front pocket which is removable via zipper! So that means that when I get on a plane, I can unzip the front where my laptop fits, put the strap on it, use that portion as my purse, and use the actual case as my carry on which fits nicely in the stowing area!!
I can't WAIT to use it!!!! I probably won't use it until I go to Arizona for our National Convention in January though.
To get information on the bag, you can log onto www.bkaphoto.com. The bag retails for $399, but I picked it up from Midwest Camera for $219. I liked the black one most becasue it matches with EVERYTHING!!

SWPPA

WOW! The convention in Arlington, Texas was AMAZING this year! The Southwest Professional Photographers convention started off with "Hands-ON" classes with various well-known instructors from the photographic industry. The MAC group featured my mentors John Woodward and Hanson Fong. They also featured Tony Corbel and Doug Box. These guys demonstrated various techniques: lighting, compositional studies, posing, digital concepts, color management, and so much more! You can learn more from them at:
www.johnwoodwardphotography.com
www.Hansonfong.com
www.corbellproductions.com
www.dougbox.com

The convention went on to provide a very nice trade show with photographic vendors from all over the country. I got a new background for my Halloween event from Denny's manufacturing. I chose the PLM15 because of the warm tones. The nice thing about this background is that I can gel it effectively to create tonal matching or contrast with what my clients are wearing! Dennys only sells high quality backgrounds and they are very reasonably priced. What I really like about Dennys is that if you get on their mailing list, then they will send you all kinds of discounts and special offers. You can check them out at www.dennymfg.com

¡AH! ¡La convención en Arlington, Tejas era FANTASTICA este año! La convención de Southwest Professional Photographers empezó con
clases "Prácticas" con varios instructores muy conocidos de la industria fotográfica. El grupo de MAC representó mis mentores John Woodward y Hanson Fong. Ellos también representaron a Tony Corbell y Doug Box. ¡Estos señores demostraron varias técnicas: la luz, los estudios composicionales, colocando, los conceptos digitales, gestión de color, y tanto más! Usted puede aprender más de ellos en:
www.johnwoodwardphotography.com
www.Hansonfong.com
www.corbellproductions.com
www.dougbox.com

La convención continuo con una feria de muestras muy agradable con vendedores fotográficos de todas partes del país. Conseguí un nuevo fondo para mi evento de Halloween de la fabricación de Denny. Escogí el PLM15 porque me gustaron los tonos tibios. ¡La cosa suave de este fondo es que puedo gelificar efectivamente el fondo emparejar o contraste tonales con lo que mis clientes llevan! Dennys sólo vende los fondos de muy buen calidad y ellos tienen precios muy razonables. Lo qué me gusta más de Dennys es que si usted se pone en su lista de correo, entonces ellos les mandarán descuentos y especiales. Usted los puede averiguar en www.dennymfg.com

Hey there!
Just a quick reminder that I am still taking models for my baby campaign. I am all booked up for the rest of the year, but if you know of an expectant mommy for this upcoming January and February....then tell 'em to give me a call!

This image has an Ektalure look. I learned this technique from Don and Nancy Emmerich out of Ok City at East Coast Schools this last August.
KODAK EKTALURE was a single contrast, black and white, fiber-based paper with warm tones. It was perfect for portraiture and hand tinted portraits. I like my tones a little on the warmer side, which is the beauty of using Adobe Photoshop! Send me an e-mail or give me a call if you'd like to learn how to do this.
Cheers!

Fun Halloween Event!!

My good photo friends, the Gordons, have lived in their community for over 20 years. I've always admired them because they get involved in their community and have given back thousands and thousands of their business dollars through various projects and events.

Well this year..........I am SUPER excited because they have inspired me to give back to my community here in Grandfield. The Gordons gave me the idea to help teach kids about community service as well.

Here's the campaign: The Grandfield Medical clinic and I have partnered up to provide kids with a fun event. Every child who comes into the clinic on the night that we Trick-or-Treat with a canned good, will receive one 4x6 print in his or her Halloween costume. I will have a nice fall background and bring my studio lights and take a nice portrait. We will photograph children from 6-8pm. That's it! No catch...............no gimmic! Just lots of fun and community involvement! All of the food that we collect will stay in our community and be given to a local organization.

Portraits will arrive in two weeks and can be picked up at the clinic Monday - Friday from 9-5. As a courtesy, I will also post them on my "Client Proofing site". Anyone can come.....so tell all of your friends!!! We will have a BLAST!
Cheers!

Grandfield Elementary Football Festival

Wow!! I had a GREAT day today watching my two little ones participate in the Grandfield Elementary Football Festival. The tournament was in Tipton, Oklahoma and the kiddos were FANTASTIC! Here are some shots of my great day.....
cheers!

¡¡Caramba!! Tuve un GRAN día hoy mirando mis dos niños chiquitosjugando en el festival del fútbol norteamericano de la escuela de Grandield Elementary. ¡El partido estaba en Tipton, Oklahoma y los chicos eran FANTÁSTICOS! Aquí hay unos fotos de mi día……
¡Chao!

BUILT NY Laptop Slip Covers

I seem to be traveling A LOT lately!!! I go to photography schools, conventions, and am out on-location with clients quite frequently. Traveling with my 17 inch lap-top is a vital part of my business but can be quite a pain as well. It seems to be getting scratched, dinged, and banged around more often than I care for. I have a laptop bag now but am looking for something that will protect my investment a little more………..especially at the airport!

So I found these very cool laptop slip in covers. Their hour glass design stretches to a perfect fit with the machine and they even have shark gill grips. The material is made of a wetsuit grade neoprene and it is machine washable too!

The company that makes these laptop sleeves is BUILT NY. I’m getting ready to order mine through AMAZON.com. Just type in Built NY in the search bar and check out all of the cool colors, designs, and PRICES!!! I can’t believe how affordable these covers and bags are! By the way......these would make Senior Graduation gifts too!!! I think that I like the striped one the most.
Cheers!

Abby

Sure did enjoy photographing Abby! She is a spittin' image of her daddy!!! Anyhow, Have a GREAT BIRTHDAY Party this Saturday and Thanks Ashley and Brandon SOOO much for choosing me to take her 1 year portraits! It was an honor and she was FUN!!
Enjoy!
Cheers!
¡Me divertí mucho tomando fotos de Abby! ¡ ¡ ¡Se mira igualmente como su papá!!! Pues…………..Ten un GRAN fiesta de Cumpeaños este fin de semana y MUCHAS gracias Ashley y Brandon por escojiendo me para tomar sus fotos de su primer año. Era un honor y muy divertido!
¡Chao!

Expodisc Vs. CBL

A photo friend of mine and I recently got together for lunch. She wanted to know why I thought that my CBL was better than her Expodisc.

Well…………………..The Expodisc is a circular plastic device that is put at the end of a lens to shoot a custom white balance.

I told her that I thought that my CBL was more “accurate” because of the simple idea that the light that falls on my subjects is not always the same as the light that is hitting my lens. You see, when I use my CBL as a custom white balance, I hold it in front of my subjects, and so my camera takes the reading from that area to create more accurate results.

If I choose to use my CBL as a color target for Camera RAW instead, then I STILL hold it in front of my subjects and still get accurate results every time.

The interesting thing is, that when I speak with other photographers at conventions, there seems to be plenty of shooters out there who really don’t know how to use the Expodisc correctly. The CBL is SO SUPER DUPER easy to use and has been fail proof for me every time!

To order one, you can log on to www.amazon.com or look for it from Midwest Camera at the Southwest Convention in Arlington, Texas next month. I will be sure to be there so if you want me to pick one up for you, just send me an e-mail. By the way……it is extremely AFFORDABLE too!!!
CHEERS!

Una amiga mía de fotografía y yo nos juntamos para almorzar recientemente. Ella quiso saber por qué yo pienso que mi CBL es más mejor que su Expodisc.

Pues…..el Expodisc es un dispositivo de plastico que se pone enfrente de su lente para tomar un “Custom White Balance”.

Le dije que creo que mi CBL es más exacto porque la luz que se cae en mis sujetos no es siempre el mismo como la luz que se cae en mi lente. Cuando uso mi CBL como un “Custom White Balance”, yo lo tengo delante de mis sujetos, y mi cámara toma la lectura de esa área para crear los resultados más exactos.

Si uso mi CBL como un objetivo de color para “Camara RAW”, pues entonces TODAVIA lo pongo delante de mis sujetos y todavia consigo los resultados exactos cada vez.

La cosa interesante es, cuando hablo con otros fotógrafos en convenciones, se me parece que muchos de ellos no saben como usar el Expodisc correctamente. ¡El CBL es TAN fácil para usar y nunca se ha fallado para mí!

Para ordenar uno, puede ir a www.amazon.com o buscalo en Midwest Camera en la convención de Southwest en Arlington el proximo mes en Tejas. Voy a estar allí seguramente y si usted desea, les recojo un CBL. Mande me un correo electrónico. ¡Por la manera……es muy ECONOMICO también!!!
¡Chao!

model search update

Whew! I've been getting a nice flow of expectant mommies in for my model search!!!! I have been having SOOo MUCH fun with these glowing gals! This is Whitney and Dustin. They are expecting their first baby boy next week!!!! Stay tuned to see their brand new little guy on my blog within the next few weeks!
Cheers!
He consiguiendo bastantes mamas embarazadas para mi busqueda de modelos. Me he divertido MUCHO con estas senoras! Esta es Whitney y Dustin. Van a tener su primer hijo la proxima semana. Vengan para atras en tres semanas para ver fotos del.
Chao.

OKlahoma Convention

YEAY!!!!!!!!!! Just 9 more days til our Fall Convention!!!!! This year, the Professional Photographers of Oklahoma will meet in Tulsa on the 12th to the 15th of September. We have a GREAT line up this year............check out our speakers at www.ppok.org. I PERSONALLY invite anyone who is just getting started to attend. As a matter of fact, I extend that invitation to those of you who have been pro as well! The members in our organization are SOOOO SUPER DUPER FRIENDLY and we have some of the most amazing artists in the photographic industry. This year, I am hosting the Hospitality Suite, so I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to introduce you to our members. Send me an e-mail and we can make arrangements to meet!
Chao!

¡¡¡YEAY!!! Hay nada más 9 días para nuestro convención del otoño. Este año los fotógrafos profesionales de Oklahoma se van a juntar en Tulsa el día 12 de septiembre hasta el día 15. Tenemos habladores de fotografía tan excelente. Se puede ir a www.ppok.org para saber más infomación de ellos. Personalmente invito a ustedes que apénas estan empezando en la fotografía para asisitir. Pues,extendo la invitación a los que han estado professional también. Los miembros de nuestra organización son tan SIMPÁTICOS y tenemos unos artistas muy telentos en la industria de fotografía. Este año, soy la anfitriona de la hospilidad y me ENCANTARÍA presentarlos a nuestros miembros. Mandenme un correo electronico y podemos hacer armamentos.
¡Chao!

animoto videos

Hey guys! My friend Paaula told me about this video service. The guys that started this business came from the tv and movie industry. Animoto Productions makes high-impact videos using my favorite images on a wide-screen format. I Love these videos because every one I submitt is different and has the emotional impact of a movie trailer. Let me know what you think! Cheers!


¡Hola Amigos! Mi amiga Paula me dijo de este servicio de video. Los muchachos que empezaron este negocio vinieron de la industria de television y cinematográfica. Las Producciones de Animoto hacen videos tan suaves. Usan mis fotos para producir videos con mucho impacto y también usa una formata ancha en la pantalla. Adoro estos videos porque cada uno es diferente y tiene un impacto emocional como las películas. Diganme lo que piensan.
Chao.

Kool Kelsey

This is Kelsey and her baby Ariel! Kelsey was so FUN to photograph and is the SWEETEST girl!!!! She has the coolest parents too!!! I've never had parents come along for the session and pic-nic as we work! LOL! I liked this photograph of Kelsey very much because it portrays Kelsey's affection and was PERFECT for some of the new brushes that i picked up from Nancy Emmerich at East Coast School! Cheers!
¡Ésta es Kelsey y su bebé Ariel! ¡¡Kelsey era tan divertida para tomar fotos y también es MUY cariñosa!! ¡Sus padres también son tan suaves! ¡Nunca he tenido padres que han venido a la sita para tomar un pi-nic! Me gustó este foto de Kelsey porque enseña lo cariñoso de ella y también el foto es PERFECTO para usar los pinceles de Photoshop que compré de Nancy Emmerich en la escuela de East Coast!
¡ Chao!

What a TRIP!

Whew! Just got back from East Coast Schools in Raleigh, Durham on Saturday.
I had the honor of studying photography and photoshop with Don and Nancy Emmerich this year. They are from OK City and are some of the COOLEST and most talented artists in our industry! We learned everything from lighting, setting computer preferences, marketing, and of course............Photoshop techniques! I took some of my recent client images with me to apply some of the neat things that I learned.........Was doing GREAT........until I spilled soda on my laptop keyboard. I will post some samples later. You can log on to www.studioartphotography.com to learn more about Don and Nancy!
Cheers!

¡ Caramba! Apenas llegué de la escuela de East Coast en Raleigh, Durham el sábado.
Tuve el honor de estudiar fotografía y Photshop con el señor Don Emmerich y su esposa Nancy. Son de Oklahoma City y son gente tan suaves y también son aristas muy talentos en nuestra industria. Aprendimos todo desde la luz, las computadoras, la venta y photoshop. Lluevé unos photos de mis clients conmigo para usar las técnicas que aprendí. Todo estaba bien hasta que tiré soda en el teclado de mi computadora. Se puede ir a www.studioartphotography para leer de ellos.
¡Chao!

BUSY WEEK! But Can't Wait to Go!

Whew!!! It has been a very hectic last two weeks! We've been trying to get the kids ready to go back to school and getting my classroom ready for instruction too!! I am sooo very much looking forward to meeting my new students and getting my own kiddos back to their routines as well! I can't wait to watch them play sports and dance this fall!

In the mean time, I've been busy with my baby model search and have been having a BLAST building my portfolio and getting ready for my 1st edition book and baby program campaign. I've also been busy with some senior and family sessions too! I am anxiously awaiting your proof books!

The reason I'ts so hectic isn't because of trying to get everything taken care of before school starts but is actually because I will be leaving for North Carolina this Saturday. Raleigh North Carolina houses one of the BEST Photography Schools in the country.....East Coast Schools! This will be my second year attending this school and CAN'T WAIT to get back there and see my old friends and learn some new photographic techniques!!!! To learn more about this school, you can log on to www.eastcoastschool.com. Here are a few shots I did from last year. I took an AMAZING lighting class and this is where I really learned and grasped the concept of "OFF CAMERA FLASH".

I will post you later on some of the school's highlights and new things that I learn about later!

Cheers!

Happy Birthday MOM!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!! I HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY!

¡¡Féliz cumpeaños máma!! ¡Óhala que tuviste un GRAN día!

Friends Made: CharMaine Beleele

While my friend Paula and I were at Sandy Puc's Bellies & Babies seminar in OK City last Saturday, we had the pleasure of meeting the most delightful lady, CharMaine Beleele.

This lady caught my eye immediately. She sat in the front row and smiled throughout all of Sandy's program. She was full of enthusiasm! What I loved most about her was the fact that she was dressed like a 1940s reporter!

Well, after the show, Paula and I started chatting with her and discovered that she is not only a very talented photographer from Arkansas but actually IS a REPORTER!!!! She writes columns for the Internationally known photography magazine, RANGEFINDER. CharMaine travels the country covering seminars and conventions such as WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International). CharMaine is even a Super Monday instructor too

To see more of her amazing artwork, you can log on to www.angelkissedphotography.com and to subscribe to Rangefinder or get more information about the magazine or WPPI, you can go to www.rangefindermag.com
Cheers!

Cuando mi amiga Paula y yo fuimos al programa de Sandy Puc’ el sábado pasado, tuvimos el gusto de conocer a una señora muy amable y cariñosa, CharMaine Beleele.

Esta señora me agaró la atención inmediatamente. Ella se sentó en la primer silla y se sonrió por todo el programa de Sandy. ¡Ella estaba llena del entusiasmo! ¡Lo qué adoré más de ella fue que estaba vestida como una periodista de los años mil novecientos cuarentas!

¡Pues, después del programa, Paula y yo empezamos hablar con ella y descubrimos que ella solo no es una fotógrafa muy talentosa de Arkansas pero realmente es una PERIODISTA! !!! Ella escribe por la revista de fotografía, RANGEFINDER. CharMaine viaja el país y cubre los seminarios y las convenciones como WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International). CharMaine tambien es una instructora de los SUPER MONDAY!

¡Para ver más de su trabajo artístico, usted puede apuntar a www.angelkissedphotography.com y para saber más de WPPI o conseguir más información sobre la revista, puede ir a www.rangefindermag.com.
¡Chao!