Veronica & Larry are engaged!!!

Today I had the pleasure of meeting my new bride Veronica, and her "on the ball" groom Larry. This is our first meeting face to face, since the happy couple come to me all the way from Seattle. The big day is this Saturday, and they surely wanted some engagement portraits prior to the wedding and I just couldn't wait! They are just the coolest people ever! So much in love that I could feel it through to my toes!!! I cant tell you how many times I could hear Veronica whispering in Larry's ear... "I love you so much". It was incredible! Every time I would get close to them I could just see it. They show so much respect for one another, so much passion. This... this is what I love to photograph. People in love!
To top it all off... along come the kids! Three beautiful young ladies that kept me laughing throughout the entire shoot! They are SO excited about Saturday I thought they would bust. Any mention of the wedding and they were all smiles. Then, as we head towards the grass for some further pictures, Veronica proceeds to tell me that there is going to be one more addition to the family! So, in an instant, the shoot goes from engagement session, to family portraits, to maternity pictures. How fabulous is that!
Thank you for spending the afternoon with me guys!!! It was so much fun... can't wait until Saturday!































Veronica & Larry wanted one picture that captured the girls REALLY being themselves... too funny!!!

Family Portrait Time~

As the weather grows colder and the evening draws near, a family of 4 followed me to Brakenridge Park this afternoon to shoot portraits for the walls of their new home. But to me... this is not just another family, this couple is like a part of my own. You see, the beautiful woman in the picture is Crystal. And, Crystal hired me to capture her engagement portraits, which turned into her bridal portraits, which turned into their wedding. She was my first bride to push for a trash the dress session... and now, she and her beautiful crew have come together once again in front of my lens. This time the whole gang was here, kids and all.
Talk about a fabulous family! Always impeccably dressed, always with a smile and a hug. In fact... today I even got a hug from the little ones. My heart just melted!!!
Thanks for the great time this cloudy Sunday afternoon. As always, it was a pleasure!
Here are a few from our day~

Just the Funniest Thing!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Picasso Shoot~

Trash the dress... it surely is not for the faint at heart. I guess that's why it is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to shoot.
All my brides are fierce, strong, unique women all on their own. Which is probably why 3 of the last 5 brides I have photographed have finished off their wedding pictures, being artistic, original and daring by "trashing" their wedding gowns.
Today I was thrilled to see my bride Jolyn. It has been months, and us military wives always have so much to share. Jolyn came to me with the idea of painting her dress. I thought GREAT IDEA!!! Then I got to work! As all my brides can tell you... my shoots are all about them. From the moment that lens cap comes off and the first pose is captured I am "in my zone" and everyone around me can see it. Its infectious, and I love it!
When I tell my clients that their images will be unlike anything else they can imagine, I work my tail off making sure of just that. Nothing I hate more than looking at someones portfolio and seeing image after image of client after client taken at the same spots over and over again. Where is the creativity in that I ask you??? How boring~ (yawn! :))
I set out to find the perfect spot for this shoot that I have now affectionately named the "Picasso shoot" (don't ask me why?) I remembered driving past a private gallery/ studio a few weeks back. I was unsure of just what type of art was created in this gallery but I decided to stop in and say hello~
Inside this big, beautiful studio I fell in love. The beautiful light, the high ceilings... this (I said to myself) is where I want to be in a few years. Yes, once my hubby is out of the military and we can put down some roots I am opening my own studio. Around the corner walked a women that I just knew I was going to love. This... this is the woman I see myself as when I am settled. Confident, I catch her strength through our first hand shake. Successful, I see the massive creations through out her studio. An artist to the core, I see it in her eyes.
I pitched my concept, I thought she would just die! Her face, she looked mortified. Yes, like I said... this shoot is not for everyone. She took my card and said she would think about it. The next morning my phone rang, she was on board for this project, and on board she was. In one day she constructed an 5' x 6' canvas piece with a life sized image of Jolyn I had given her from our bridal shoot months back. It was AMAZING!!! I tell you, I work with some incredible people!
Our idea... the bride on the image comes to life. She is the art/ the art is she~
I have so many people to thank for the success of this shoot. First and foremost THANK YOU- THANK YOU Donna for not only the use of your beautiful studio space, but for the art piece, the paint, the time and effort. You are amazing!
Thank you Nancy for handling the make up today! She looked stunning!
Thank you to Dusty and crew for the video coverage. I can't wait to see the final product!
Thank you to John, the whisper in Donnas ear was just what I needed to make this all work.
And of coarse, thank you to my fierce and oh-so-fabulous bride. You were fantastic!
Oh yes, thank you to my hubby. Without you, it just wouldnt be as much fun. You make every day great!!!
Next time you are down off Broadway, go say hello to Donna Dobberfuhl at Sculptural Designs Atelier. Take a class, she will teach you how to sculpt like a pro in no time.
Here are some images form our day~
































Remember... "It's about creation, not destruction". (Trashthedress.com)

In Recognition Of Your Services...

I have never once had a moment over these last few years where I have not, in one form or another, stopped to think of how truly blessed my life is. I have a loving and caring husband, a beautiful home, 3 beautiful children( no "step" in our family), and 3 crazy dogs. Oh, did I mention a business that I am so extremely passionate about I could cry!!!
I have always said that it is my duty to give back when and where I can. I give because it feeds my soul which fuels my passion, which drives my creativity.... getting me here?
Today I was humbled, as I was honored alongside 29 other San Antonio Veteran community members and business owners, for our service to our city, our communities, or our country. I was thrilled to be among such people as Councilman Philip Cortez, and Sheriff Candidate Amadeo Ortiz to be acknowledged at the 7th Annual Veterans in Business Awards Luncheon held today at the El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel downtown.
My volunteer work with both Operation Homefront (Freedom Walk Coverage), and OpLove ReUnite (Pre-Post deployment portraits) were being recognized... how exciting!
Awards were presented by Master of Ceremonies (Ret.) General Eugene E. Habiger, U.S. Air Force. Guest speaker was Mrs. Vickmark of First Command Financial Services.
We were even read a "Proclomation" signed by the Mayor of the City of San Antonio which stated today's date as being named "Veterans in Business Day". It went in alphabetical order... guess whose name was first! LOL!!! :)
Its a shame though, that here I am on the other side of the lens for a change, and my face slightly resembles the elephant man! (See recent blog why) :)

Can you pick out the "artist" in the group? That's me... in a sea of black and brown suits, I wear plum! Gotta love it!!!

I would like to thank the members of the West San Antonio Chamber of Commerce for my award, along with Mr. Christopher Herring for my nomination. It is a pleasure to work with you!!!

I have the greatest job EVER!

Happy Anniversary!!!

My husband plays an early "trick or treat" on me and I picked TREAT!!! He hands me a box and says "Happy early Anniversary Baby"! I was amazed!!!
With all that has been going on lately, I think he felt that I needed a little pick me up? He is so smart! :) I was not expecting something now, 2 weeks before our 2 year anniversary. But, I think he was too excited and just couldn't wait.
The box... small, shiny wooden box. Jewelry? We talked about it, but could he have really done it? It was!!! As I opened the box I saw it... she is beautiful!
Someone told him that Canary diamonds are one of the best... guess he thought I deserved it?!!!
I'm not one to brag, but this is too beautiful not to show off just a little.
Is it not grand!

Thank you...~

Is it not the life of an "ARTIST" to strive to make every creation one that will provoke thought, even action? When I take a photograph, I always take it with the thought of "I hope this can stir the emotions of just one soul". But, I take it with the appreciation of the subject that I capture, and the feelings I am filled with... regardless of the outcome.
Every client, every assignment broadens my artistic boarders and pushes me, I can only hope. As 2008 slowly comes to a close, I can't help but think about all that has happened for us here at DB Images in this past year. Its been a hell of a year hasn't it? And over the next few months, we are going to be undergoing some powerful changes.
First off, our new brand (to be announced soon!), then our new website~to showcase our very best work. Then, our direction. With so many "photographers" out there... who out of all of them are true "artists"??? I use that word often. Probably as much as most wedding photographers use the description of "photojournalist". Believe me, there is truly a difference.
Gone are the days of pasty gray and blue backdrops with the family neatly positioned around dad sitting upright (and uptight) on a stool.
And I don't care what anyone says... gone are the days of the bride in white oh-so-carefully seated on the park lawn with her bouquet laying on the train of her dress (who does that anyway?).
Maybe its my style, maybe my personality? But I have never had a client come to me requesting those types of images. In fact, just the opposite.
I get requests for "set" designs... and that is exactly where I'm heading! And it's working!!! With a new ad out in two major arenas, and I'm getting busy.
Becoming more known for my TTD and artistic engagement & bridal shoots, now we are also, finally being noticed in the arena that I love so very much, commercial work.
My pictures are getting noticed... and they are being talked about. That's a great thing!
So, thank you to AARTPACK, Inc. for taking notice of my images although non will be used. Thank you to the Weekly Reader (Gareth Stevens Publishing) for possibly thinking my stock images fit the bill for your new book series.
Thank you also to everyone who have called and emailed me to wish me a quick recovery from my second of five scheduled surgeries since my motorcycle crash, and the strength to get through these next 2 months! I'm doing great so far~