Tulip Time

Ah.....spring time in Oklahoma. Okay, it's not quite spring time in the city just yet, but I was inspired to bring a little bit of spring into my house for some macro and studio shots.

Tulips are one of my favorite flowers.

This bunch seems to be right out of the green house since the buds are so tight.

I'll probably be working with them for a few more days (just to get the most from them that I can.)

Snow Day! (Actually More of an Ice Day)

Well, I'm no longer in school, but once in a while I still get a snow day. I'm originally from Denver, CO and so I should probably correctly identify today as an ICE day. Oklahoma doesn't really get snow as much as it gets ice (think, precipitation coming out of the sky into all that wind...you get the picture).

Since the ice storm closed my office (state office), I decided I needed a photo project to occupy my down time today. I started out in the bathroom and was drawn to the white on white.

Okay, I got lucky and got one of my cat, Lois. Normally she turns her head when she hears the camera's auto focus "beep, beep".

Cute little kitchen cow.

This is a childhood toy that I've had forever. It came from my grandparent's house just before Grandma packed up and moved to an assisted living center.

Real (and old) Mardi Gras beads. Very cool.

Meet Shannon and Josh

I've know this couple for a few years now and I'm thrilled they are planning their wedding day now! We got together for an engagement shoot this past weekend and I am sharing a few from the day.

It was a pretty exciting day for me since I just recently got studio lighting and a backdrop. They were definitely game for some indoor and outdoor shooting.

Of course we had to get silly (it's a requirement of my clients. Hee hee.)

Here we are out side Guthrie's Scottish Rite Temple.

It's a beautiful place that if you have the time, you should come and tour it. Better yet, book your bridal session there (with me of course.)

This is outside the Train Depot.

Lots of neat buildings line the streets of Guthrie. This is one side of the local vet's office.

Christmas Day-What a Joy!

Wow, my nephew's wife had their first baby at the end of October this year and I met him for the first time on Christmas day.

He was a lot of fun to photograph. Here he is with his mom. He was fascinated by the lights. All I needed to do to get him looking in the right direction was to fire off a few shots. The gentle "poof" of the strobe sure got his attention.

Sweet baby for sure!

Becky is a gorgeous Mom.

If you look closely, you can see Becky was holding a stuffed animal to keep his attention (he was getting a bit hungry and didn't want to play model forever.

What Did You Do Just Before Christmas???

Me? Why I met with this beautiful family you see here right in their own home for Christmas photos. I adore this room. The color and decorations set off these photos wonderfully.

Mom and Dad are a lovely couple I met while shooting a birthday party.

Meet one of their DARLING daughters and one of the precious pups. Maple is her name. This is a family right after my own heart....even the dogs have their own stockings.

This is Louise and her husband, who I also had the pleasure of meeting at that birthday party. (Thank you for the heads up about Salado, TX! It was a lot of fun to make a stop there on my drive back to OK!)

Louise and two of her kids. (Did I mention this is a good lookin' family?)

Surgery Day

Not exactly what most parents consider to be a big photo day, but my friends wanted to document this time in their little girl's life. "E", who just turned three...you can see her party photos in one of the Oct 2008 entries, had hip surgery.

If any of you have had surgery at a young age, you know the fear that comes with even seeing a hospital later in life. I hope these images bring "E" some happy memories and she learns that hospitals are marvelous places.

Of course what hospital visit isn't complete without taking a trip to the business office to be registered.

For "E", this probably seemed like a kooky kinda thing to do: getting up and going somewhere at 5:30 am just to wait around.

Ahh, we finally made our destination (the scales for a weight check) at the end a long, if not convoluted, hallway.

More waiting.

Fortunately those hospital folks thought to put a TV in the room. "E's" attention is momentarily diverted.

So what is up with this I-gotta-put-on-a-hospital-gown?

Bargaining only works for so long and Mom and Dad finally get "E's" clothes changed.

More (cool) distractions.

More waiting, but at least "E" gets a short tour of the part of the place she'll be for the next hour or so.

No speed limits were broken while obtaining these shots. (Promise.)

Posing pretty just before "E" goes back for surgery.

This is the only color shot I'm posting from this day. Seems very appropriate that "E" get a pink (fab color don't you think?) body cast.

In solidarity, Mr. Bear dons a pink body cast too. Hello Kitty is there for moral support.

Fast asleep after getting into her room, "E" gets some much needed rest.

Family and one of our church elders gather round and thank God for His goodness and for healing strength for all.

Christmas Time is Here!

Time for snuggling up with the one you love.

You may recognize this gentleman and his lovely wife. (Hint, birthday party awhile back with all his children and a few grand children.)

Now that the weather is changing, we decided to take this session indoors. Can't you smell the hot chocolate and marsh mellows?

Amber, brown, golds mixed up with the colors of this holiday season make their home most inviting.

Okay, yes, we did step outside for just a few. I could not resist persuading Ann to don old Saint Nick's cap for at least one shot. (Looks like she took it quite well. David too. Hee hee.)

Don't they both have great smiles?

Pete, their Scottish Terrier, was kind enough to hang out for just a few photos.

But just a couple.