Out with Pam & Eli...

This morning I was asked to join my bride and groom Pamela & Eli for some vendor opinions... I was all too happy to help out. So we headed to the linens lady, then off to St. Anthonys Hotel.
Can I tell you how very excited I am about this event! It is going to be AMAZING!!! Not to mention that it is on my birthday! Whoo-hoo!!!
With their rooftop ceremony to the grand ballroom reception. No detail is being passed by when it comes to this couple. While leaving I slipped to the ladies room, when I returned I found the two of them out on the covered terrace stealing a kiss, thank goodness my trusty camera was at my side... I stole a shot.

SSSSssssshhhhhhhhhh........... Don't tell! :)

My hubby the Hero...

This afternoon was my husbands final day at DT&E, Ft. Sam Texas. His fellow soldiers gave him the proper send off with what else... chocolate cake! Yummy!
LOL! That and his new beautiful medal for all his hard work and dedication to the DT&E section of USAMITC.
This was my second awards ceremony as a military wife (Thank you for the flowers ladies)!
I am so very proud of my hubby! He makes everything better... EVERYTHING!

I love you baby! I love the life you have given me, I love the soldier you are, I love your strength when I am too weak to handle this world, your love when I feel un-worthy of it, your belief when I am clueless, and your passion for this marriage and this life we call SPECTACULAR!!!

Marching to her own beat...

Annie Leibovitz...
Mention this name around any artistically inclined, educated photographer and they will surely have something to say about her. Some positive, some... not so much. Annie is a revolutionary artist. Her eye for the "out of the box" image made her work famous, straight out of the gate with her photographs of the anti-war rallies in San Fransisco back in 1970, which were so good they landed her the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine at the ripe age of only 21.
Since then, other famous and sometimes controversial covers have graced tens of covers for several famous magazines. One such well-known image could be of Demi Moore on the cover of Vogue, naked and 8 months pregnant. At the time this image hit news stands (1991), the controversy surrounding it was enormous! Now... Almost 20 years later, women all over the world are running to photographers to capture images of there round bellies in the buff.
Before her time? I would say so!

What caught my intrigue as I flipped through the pages of this months issue of American Photo Magazine, which is dedicated completely to Ms. Leibovitz, was her image of a tuxedo clad Steve Martin. He was standing in front of a painted canvas in his white tux. Both were covered with black paint marks. Right then I thought of my Rock the Dress images of my bride Jolyn at the gallery. I think if the reactions I receive from people when I mention, even show them the images from that shoot. Some really love it. Some, well again... not to much. They think it is too outside of the box.
But, that is the way I think... outside of the box. I want people to talk about my work. Whether they love, or they hate it... I want them to remember it! I am a realist though as well. As an artist I realize that my work will always be criticized one way or the other. Some positive, some not. I have also grown to realize that I cant please everyone. Nor, do I want to.
I want to please myself, I want to please my clients. If I can leave the set of a shoot and say "Wow! That was a great set!" Then I am pleased. Now, if the client feels that same way then I am beyond thrilled!!! That's the ultimate goal anyway, making the client happy. I came up with the painted bride idea never even knowing until today of the Steve Martin image.
So here's to being a goof! A little off. A little outside the box...
I wouldn't want to be anything else!

(Below images are from the American Photo publication on Annie Leibovitz April 2009 Edition) Right next to Steve Martin I am showing my painted bride subject... I'm not so crazy after all!!

Cibolo Mayor Candidate calls on DB Images Photography!!!

Last evening my phone rings, it's my October bride Sylvia calling to ask a favor! I listened as she tells me that her very good friend Robyn Jones is in need of an image... professional portrait, completely edited and ready for print in 48 hours. She sounded in a panic! I, on the other hand, was calm as could be. I knew I could get the job done. "So..." I ask,
"What is this picture so urgently needed for?" Sylvia proceeds to tell me, "Oh, it's for her Mayor Campaign images."
Just like that, ever so calm... FOR THE MAYOR CANDIDATE! Yikes!!!
Like for press, brochure, bill board, etc...???
Yes ma'am!
So, Mrs. Jones came to our studio this morning bright and early, ready for her session.
"This sure beats Sears!" Was her first comment when she walked onto the set. No offense to Sears, they have been taking fine pictures for centuries... but it was obvious that this woman wanted, needed, and deserved something so much more.

Thank you Sylvia for the fabulous referral!!! Clients like you are priceless!!! And thank you to Mrs. Robyn Jones... Mayor Candidate for the City of Cibolo, Texas. Your contacts are greatly appreciated and I look forward to working with you and the City of Cibolo again in the near future.

The last big push comes May 9th, so ya'll get your butts off that couch and go vote! Make a change, get involved with your community, show your patriotism!
VOTE for Mrs. Robyn Jones!!!

The before and the afters...

In the years before digital there was film... remember that stuff? Came in rolls, couldn't be exposed to light, a nightmare to load! Some die hard photographers still shoot exclusively with film. Their images have that certain "character" to them.
Today's digital photographers achieve that similar look and feel during post production with the aid of programs catered primarily to the manipulation of a photograph. The programs available today are powerful, amazing tools that can take one years to master.
One such program that I have (Kubota Actions) gives you 420 separate actions that can be achieved with the click of a mouse. Combine that with another program (Totally Rad Actions) offering another 220 actions and the capabilities are endless.
To change, or manipulate an image to an extent of being flattering, but not fake... that takes time, knowledge and above all talent as an artist. Too much and the subject looks like a doll, too little and it actually takes away from the subject.
My new Kubota program is the most powerful tool I use today to aid in my post production of my images. From proper white balance techniques, to removal of tattoos, anything is possible.
Below is a (SOOTC) Straight out of the camera... and a Kubota enhanced image. Just a little tweaking to her skin tones, eye clarity and already awesome color, add some blemish removal and watch this image pop! Her eyes are what sells it, yes they are enhanced, but as you can see... what I had to work with was pretty awesome!

And baby makes a family!

Today I had the pleasure of spending Easter Sunday with dear friends, celebrating and surely taking pictures! Today was Tracy's maternity shoot... after 2 postponements and an un-sure sky, we were wondering if this shoot was going to happen before the new little one arrives?
The weather turned beautiful, but only after we chose to take the shoot to the studio, so another session is scheduled next Sunday for some off camera flash work! How fun!!!
The happy couple are my neighbors and now I am proud to call them my friends as well. We are all just one big, happy, military family on this block we call home. The new bundle of joy is due in only 3 weeks... and this woman looks incredible! She was always stunning, but now she simply glows. Ah, to look like this at 8 months, amazing!
I enjoyed our afternoon together Ms. Tracy, and I am touched by the trust that you placed in me to capture this "only one time" moment in your lives! Next, your new son!
Forever Friends!

A Military Move...

The skies are grey and gloomy, my heart is heavy and sad. The movers came a day early, actually my hubby did it on purpose so I had no extra time to think about things... smart man!
I watched as the last 3 years of our lives together were packed up into boxes and placed on a truck bound for Germany. I cried, and this time I let him see me, I couldn't help it.
With the days ticking away like a huge stopwatch in my head, I walked into our closet to find hangers on the floor and more space than I could ever want. It looks empty and I hate it!
I can't describe what this feels like. I have never felt anything like this before... its like a break up, but you are still together. You try to prepare for this day by going over it time and time again in your head. It never plays out the way it does in real life. In real life it hurts a lot worse.

To all us military wives going through a move, a deployment, a home coming... we are incredible women are we not? We balance marriage, separation, family, business, our own sanity. I don't know how we do it sometimes?

NO ONE should EVER under estimate our strength! Especially ourselves!

MILITARY WIVES ROCK!!!

The little details...

Those little details that make everything just that much more special. Some of those images are my absolute favorite to capture.
I am home from our trip to the west coast. Home to a stack of emails, tons of snail mail, a husband to organize for the movers come Friday, and files of editing to get through... I'm a busy girl indeed!
What's a girl to do? Its all good though, it keeps my mind off the big move in just 2 weeks.
I'm gonna need a girls night out Shelia! LOL!
Here are some images of the ladies preparing for the ceremony and, those little details.












Even though this image is dark... the lighted areas resemble a heart~

Lara & Mike are married!!!

After 2 blustery days, with high winds and cold temps. it was a pleasant surprise to awake to a calm, blue sky for Lara & Mikes wedding out here in Tehachapi California.
I left out around 8am to catch the ladies at the salon being pampered with spray tans, nails, and new hair styles... they were all so beautiful! We then headed off to the church for final preparations and then Dum-dum-de-dum... it was wedding time!
The bride was stunning in her beaded champagne strapless gown. Bridesmaids all in burgandy with a touch of rhinestones. The men... black tux with burgandy ties. The groom, black tux with cream vest & tie... Fabulous!
Over 250 people filled the church as Lara and Mike spoke their vows amongst their closest friends and family. Moving, tear filled vows that rocked the hearts of all who were there to witness this beautiful couple.
Following... we all headed to the reception. With booming music, great food, and a beautiful cake, everyone had a great time indeed!
So, here's to you Lara and Mike. The two of you are a beautitul couple who live in the light of God and this shows through your spirit, your love and respect for each other. You are my new role models!
God Bless the two of you. May your future be as wonderful as your day was today!
Here's just a sneak peak...

All these are straight out of the camera, no editing on the laptop so... more to come! :)









Practicing her vows...



Lucy waits for the bride... too cute!

Heading to California for Mike & Laras Wedding!!!

I will have to blog about Vegas after our return to it come Sunday... for now its all about California and the wedding of Mike and Lara!

We took off out of Vegas yesterday afternoon after hitting the outlet malls and definitely doing some damage... my hubby is SO good to me! With my new SB900 now in my camera bag, all is right again with the world! LOL!!! And I had my eye on a new lens to play with but I opted for clothes instead this time! :)
We headed towards my parents house in Lancaster (I know... so sad) and it was so wonderful to see them again. It had been 6 years of busy lives and phone calls. I wanted them to meet my husband before his departure to Germany in just a few weeks. Oh, don't make me think about that!

Thank you Mom & Dad for the hospitality and dinner. We had a great time! Is Eric not the best?!?!!! Now, you can relax! :)

From there it was off to Erics brothers home in Quartz Hill. Thank you Tom and Janette for the bed and the great conversation! It was wonderful to see you two as well.

Now, in very cold and extremely windy Tehachapi California we are hitting the local K-Mart YIKES!!! for some warm clothes and sneakers. What was I thinking packing what I packed? It is so miserably cold here I could cry. Thus far Eric spent 2 hours at the base urgent care with a terrible ear infection, I have not slept in 2 days. We are a true mess! But... the poppies are beautiful!

More to come...