We're only minutes away from the new year, and even as I type there are fireworks bursting in my downtown Angleton neighborhood. ahem

That means I need to hurry and share one last 2010 blog post with you, and it's definitely one of my new favorites. Listen closely (and quickly) as I tell you the story of Tyler and Emily.

They asked me to go with them to Kemah for our shoot. As far as Emily knew, this was a just-because-we-love-each-other-and-want-fun-portraits-done sort of shoot. But Tyler had a hush-hush plan that I was privileged to be in on.

We started off with several just-because shots ...

... then we wandered a little bit and took some more ...

... and we paused for just a second to let me focus up close on their eyes and smiles. Emily is calm. Tyler is ... well ...

... about to be the Man of the Hour!

We finally found a nice spot for Tyler to carry out his plan. Can you see what it was?

So sweet. So smooth. So nicely done!

We took time then for just a few celebratory shots.

Talk about Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all rolled into one!

So there you have it! Another couple of lovebirds prepare to ride off into the sunset, and you were there.

Thank You!

Everything in me says, "Thank You!"

Angels listen as I sing my thanks.

I kneel in worship facing Your holy temple and say it again:

"Thank You!"

Thank You for Your love,

thank You for Your faithfulness.

Psalm 138:1 MESSAGE

When Trudi contacted me about doing a family photo shoot to celebrate her Fierce Fiftieth, I knew I could look forward to a great time. Actually, I would have expected a fun time anyway because these particular people are incapable of NOT having fun.


Trudi and Gus are one of those couples who radiate love. For one another, for their kids, for the entire universe. God knew what He was doing when he choreographed the intricate dance that would cause their paths to cross.

Danielle, Gabe and Christin represent the many facets of their parents' union: humor, intelligence, mischief, and warmth.

Trudi and company were remarkably easy to position for group shots. They naturally fell into one lovely pose after another, which meant I simply had to encourage their ever-ready goofiness. The sequence would go something like this:

- Oh, that looks nice!

- OK, now look at each other.

- My goodness, I didn't think you could be any more adorable but I was wrong!

Or:

- Stand by the fence and hold hands.

- Now be super heroes.
- Y'all are AWESOME.

And then:

- I think this spot calls for a bit of dancing.
- Now sit in a straight row and try to be somewhat serious.
- Sigh. Perfection.

And finally:

- Could you just sort of fall on one another like I've completely exhausted you during this session?

- Could we just keep on taking pictures together forever, please?

Beautiful girls. Waltzing boys.

Trudi's whole world captured in a single frame.

Happy Birthday, dear! Fifty looks fabulous on you, and your next fifty will surely bring even more evidence of God's fierce love for you and yours.

God, God, a God of mercy and grace,

endlessly patient --

so much love, so deeply true --

loyal in love for a thousand generations,

forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin.

Exodus 34:4 MESSAGE

All I want for Christmas ... I've already been given. Thank You, Lord God. Continue to help me learn how to give it all back to You.

Angleton High School choir students have mastered the art of presenting terrific madrigal dinner theatre performances. They just completed their third annual production, and it was better than ever! The costumes alone were worth the price of a ticket.


And the new high school commons provided the perfect setting for the show. The cast lined up for their processional along one of the staircases, then flowed down for a graceful, colorful, musical entrance.

Everyone took their positions around the banquet hall ...

... and then the evening's drama began to unfold. As usual, I was busy taking photos and missed some of the details, but essentially King Ozzie and Queen Sharon were insisting that Princess Kelly find a suitable Prince. She was not happy about the idea.

I believe it had something to do with having to entertain a string of less than impressive suitors.

Carrying the storyline along were jokes, dancing, voting and toasts. The lucky fellow in overalls and straw hat was declared the winner of the Princess's hand ...

... and then dinner arrived. Since this was dress rehearsal night, pizza was served instead of the traditional roasted meats and vegetables. The junior high choir students invited to the performance seemed delighted by the menu selection.

During dinner, audience members were treated to carolers and a visit from Father Torrence and his band of brothers.

After a lovely set of sacred Christmas carols, we wrapped up with a few posed character shots ...

... a couple of real character shots ...

... and a group shot of the entire cast displaying their true characters!

I'm so glad to have been invited to photograph this show, and I look forward to seeing more creative work from this talented group of students and teachers. Bravo!

Applause, everyone.

Bravo, bravissimo!

Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!

Sing songs to God, sing out!

Sing to our King, sing praise!

He's Lord over earth, so sing your best songs to God.

Psalm 47:1, 6-7 MESSAGE

When I donate portrait sessions to auctions benefiting great organizations like BACH ECI, I have two goals: to help the organization raise needed funds, and to meet new people I haven't photographed before. I think I accomplished my goal of helping BACH, and I know I hit the jackpot by meeting my new friend Jennifer and her family. They were so fun!

Jennifer (in red) decided to use her session for multi-generational portraits while everyone was gathered for Thanksgiving. Here she is with her parents, brother and sister, who form the core of this family grouping:


... and here's the rest of the gang, including Jennifer's husband, grandparents, brother-in-law, and three daughters.

Then the mix-and-match fun began! Great-grandparents with great-grandkids...

... four generations of giggling girls ...

... and three generations of good-natured guys.

A few couple shots, from seasoned to newly-wed:

Two sets of siblings:

And finally, Jennifer and her own little family:

Sometimes it's hard to convince everyone what a good idea it is to spend part of a family gathering taking pictures. It almost always turns out to be lots of fun, though, and everyone ends up thanking the wise person who suggested such a great idea. Yep, that would be my new friend Jennifer in this situation. I know I thank her for suggesting this particular session!

Who is wise and understanding among you?

Let them show it by their good life,

by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:13

Have you been shopping and shopping and SHOPPING but just can't find the perfect gift for that certain someone?

Have you not even started shopping yet because you simply have no idea what to get for that certain someone?

Then please, let me help you!

Gift certificates can be used for all sorts of wonderful stuff:

- portrait sessions

- prints, cards, digital files, books, calendars

- special event photography

- photography classes (stay tuned for more info on 2011 classes)

Let's put our heads together and come up with just the right gift for your certain someone!

True or False?
Without the firm insistence of moms, family portraits would never be made.

Yep, that's been my experience. Fortunately, Michelle is a pro at firmly insisting, and she managed to get her whole crew together one recent morning.


At first they tried to pretend to be very sedate, but I knew better. I just happen to have already done senior sessions with Tyler and Dillon, as well as a four-generation session with Abigail, Michelle, her mom and grandmother. It didn't take much to persuade them to cut loose a little bit.

Umm, maybe a little too much?

If only the Lake Theatre were still open, this family could be a headlining act.

Tyler, Abigail, Austin and Dillon do a good job of keeping things lively around their house.

I don't think Charlie and Michelle would have it any other way.

Relationships are strong and growing even stronger within this family...

... which is why Mom put her foot down and firmly insisted that they take the time to record this moment in their lives together.

I think she got what she wanted!

Celebrate all the good things that God, your God,

has given you and your family.

Deuteronomy 26:10 MESSAGE

I'm so glad I got to take Justin's senior portraits! We first met a couple of years ago when I did a session with his whole family, but this time we got to focus on just him.

The Master Gardener's Center just seems to bring out the best in every subject, and Justin was no exception. I love this old barn and would do every shoot there if I could get away with it.

We also wandered around and found some purple flowers blooming. Hey -- they match Justin's AHS class ring!

Justin's friendly smile never wavered, not even when I insisted that the frog bench must be in a few shots. Hey -- those smiles sort of match!

Is it just me or does Justin rock the manly arms-crossed pose?

Up until this point, Justin had pleasantly done pretty well whatever I asked him to do for the camera. But when I showed him how handsome he looked in this shot, he suddenly lit up and became SuperJustin!

Off to the train tracks we marched, a new purpose in Justin's step. We had fun playing with the light of the setting sun to get a cool burst of colors.

We risked our lives sitting on the tracks, hoping that we'd hear a train in plenty of time to scuttle into the grass.

And for our grand finale, Justin struck a series of poses of his own choosing. Only a couple of cars had to wait for the performance to end so they could cross the tracks.

What a star you are, Justin!

On your feet now -- applaud God!

Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into His presence.

Know this: God is God.

He made us; we didn't make Him.

We're His people, His well-tended sheep.

Enter with the password: "Thank You!"

Makes yourselves at home, talking praise.

Thank Him. Worship Him.

For God is sheer beauty,

all-generous in love,

loyal always and ever.

Psalm 100 MESSAGE