DB Images receives another invite!!!

DB Images was honored to be invited to the 8th Annual San Antonio Education Partnership Dinner this past Tuesday evening.

Since 1989, the Education Partnership has invested more than $11 million in scholarships and produced more than 2,500 college graduates. It supports more than 3,000 current college students and DB Images was proud to be one of the chosen photographers for this years event!

Held at the AT&T Center on the evening of April 8th, DB Images was there covering such distinguished guests as Judge Nelson Wolff and Dr. David Semrod, along with the introduction of the 2008 Washington Mutual "Educators of Excellence", and the recognition of the "2500th Partnership College Graduate".

Special thanks to the AT&T Center, USAA, and Valero.

Shawn Fussell Band Calls on DB Images!

Everyone has a passion for things imparticular... mine, has to be art. Whether it's a fabulous painting or an incredibly designed room or an interesting image. I can't get enough.
Lately there has been much talk in our household as to just where I want to take my company. When people mention DB Images, what do I want them to think about? Personally, I want them to think fabulous, original, one of a kind pictures. I love using props and have started incorporating them more and more into my pictures. Picture an overstuffed, melon orange vintage chair. Tufted backing with the stuffing falling out... set in the middle of a tall wheat field. Or the subjects wardrobe matching the moss green of a velvet chaise, on a long dirt road. A child in a yellow tule skirt and a flowing top, twirling in the grass with purple flowers below her feet. A newlywed couple with a vintage box camera snapping pictures of one another while I snap pictures of the two of them. Those are the type of pictures I truly love to take!
You want it original, you've got it with DB Images!
And the proof is in the pudding because not only do my clients absolutely love their pictures, but they tell their friends, family, coworkers. And they too come and book a session with me. My clients keep coming back, and that is worth a thousand words!
Case in point... Shawn Fussell Band out of Austin Texas. He was one of the first bands I had ever captured and they use those pictures everywhere now. But they too are growing and they just asked me to travel to Austin to shoot their new CD cover!!! I am so excited!
So, it's off to Austin in April to brainstorm with their new recording label A & R Folks on just what image they want to convey to their fans. This is when it gets fun! Keep an eye out for pictures from our shoot, and be sure to check out this fabulous singer with the wicked blue eyes!

Paying it forward...

"You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give..." Sir Winston Churchill

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I simply love this saying by such a very, very wise man! I believe in this with every ounce of my soul. Lately things just seem to be a roller coaster ride of craziness. But I've learned to roll with the punches and to laugh it off. Then something will happen that involves the charities that I am involved with and I have one of thoes "Lightbulb" moments when I just say "Thank you Lord".

One of those recent moments came when being asked to photograph an event for Joy Keeper. A new organization that I am honored to be involved with. I won't go into details about this fabulous foundation here because I wouldn't know when to stop myself... so be sure to go to http://www.joykeeper.org/ to learn more about Barbara, and her beautiful daughter and their battles with cancer.

Talk about strength... we could ALL learn a thing or two about what strength really is! Listen to her story and you will get it too.

So, be sure to view all the beautiful pictures all on their website.

God Bless you my new friend, I am proud to know you and honored to be a part of your foundation.

Sharon & Martin are getting married!!!

It's been a long time coming... this meeting today with Sharon and Martin, but we had fun making up for lost time! They led me to a new location which I am sure that I will be using again very soon. If not for the park, then surely for the quaint little stores and cafes. I am also looking at finding a courageous bride to take a dip into the lake there. The water is very clear and the rocks at the bottom are these bright blues, greens, and oranges. It's a beautiful park in New Braunfels. Ducks, paddle boats, fishing on the dock, we even saw a wedding being performed right against the shore line which made my bride to be even more excited to be there! They are a shy, rather quiet couple but ever so sweet! I had some troubles with getting Martin to smile, but when he did his eyes were the thing that sparkled the most. He has this baby blue, almost silver eye color... beautiful! Sharon loves him, that was very clear! And they are all too excited as their big day draws near. With a western theme, including boots and cowboy hats, it should be a rootin' tootin' time!
I love this job!!!
So, here are just a few of the shots from this afternoon. Next weekend, the bridals! How fun!

I am humbled and honored!

I was honored today to receive an email from the Area Coordinator for the San Antonio NILMDTS chapter, Ms. Lori Tole. This email asked if I could become the Area Coordinator for the Wilford Hall Medical Center... another chance for me to serve my fellow military families. I am thrilled! I am humbled at the trust asked of me to take on such a wonderful task. I will do you proud Lori!
So, next step would be to line up a few meetings with some top brass out at Lackland. I love that part! Then it's off to speak with the Palliative Team or Child Life, social workers, pastoral etc.... I am looking forward to working with you Lori!
Calling photographers in the south west SA area, we would like to welcome you to our NILMDTS family! Contact me today for more information concerning becoming a NILMDTS affiliate photographer.

To the beat of my own drum...

It's been awhile since my last blog... I just needed a breather (and a huge glass of wine/ or two!!!) But all is better now with my head and my heart and I have come to realize that some people just need to get a life and grow up. HHHhhhmmm... :)
With that said, I am off to Vegas baby! Yes, I am heading to the WPPI Convention in fabulous Las Vegas in the morning and I can't wait!!! I wasn't planning on attending, but I refuse to let the harsh words of another keep my down. Besides, I've had these darn tickets for over 2 months and I hate waste!
So, I'm picking myself up, dusting myself off and setting out to make them eat their words! Ggggrrrrr!!! I'm a beast!
It will be a grand time with plenty of activities planned with my friends and fellow photographers. I have received emails from a few other photographers I work with through NILMDTS, asking for a tour guide of sunny Vegas in exchange for some trade secrets of the business... can't beat that with a stick!
After spending most of my days attending the convention, I will spend the evenings with my truest of friends... boy do I miss them! Nothing is better than a great friend who just "gets ya"! And I indeed miss that tremendously! I have found in my 42 years on this earth that you can't help how others feel. Some people are simply idiots no matter how you slice up the cake! You can't control the actions and words of another and you sure as heck can't let it get you down. You just have to consider the source and move on.
So, after much "consideration", I am off to the west coast for a spectacular trip...
Be sure to check back in with me as I BLOG from Sin City, but you know what they say... What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (wait, is that a copyright infringement?) LOL!!! Wink-wink!!!
See you all soon!!!
~SMOOCH~

NILMDTS and the TODAY Show...

If you were to read the charities section of my website, you will see that I am an affiliate photographer for the NILMDTS organization. Last evening I had an assignment for a family who had a child on life support. The family requested the services of NILMDTS before their child was scheduled to be taken off the machines that were keeping her little body alive. When I arrived I found a family of 4 huddled around a NICU bed holding the hand of a little baby girl. At birth the doctors discovered a tumor at her brain stem that had rapidly grown since birth. Its size caused a stroke which caused a shut down of her organs one by one. It was only a short time before this beautiful baby would be given her wings in heaven. But this baby had been given a name. It was a member of this family and this family never wanted to remember her simply as the child they lost. They wanted images for their wall alongside others. They wanted other family members who would never have the chance to meet her to see this beautiful gift from God. So I snapped away. Quietly from the corner of the room I used my talents for good to give this family something that they otherwise would never have... those images they so longed for. As they removed the tubes, and the monitors slowly became silent I continued to take her pictures. Alongside this family I was there for this little girls last breath and I was there when the tears fell and hearts broke.

-These sessions are hard, heartbreaking and rewarding all at the same time. You walk away drained, exhausted and honored that these complete strangers allowed you to be a part of one of the most intimate moments in their lives. It took me more than 2 days to put that compact flash card into my computer to start editing the images the first time I ever did a session for a family. I held it together during the shoot, but completely fell apart when I made it to my car and it took over 20 minutes before I could drive home. And it never gets easier.

-I often find myself complaining about the time that I have to spend apart from my military husband, but today, as I looked at the images of this little baby that this wonderful family had just lost I was filled with guilt. As much time as I spend apart from Eric, I know he is coming home to me. We are healthy, we are employed and we are a happy newlywed couple with a bright future. We personally have been through 2 miscarriages and they were heartbreaking. But we are still together, stronger than ever. At times I am thankful that I never met my two babies, as strange as that might sound. But I never had to put a face with a name. I never had to say goodbye to him/her. I never had to make the choice to take them off life support. Just when I was feeling sorry for myself because my husband is gone TDY yet again, I am asked to take pictures for a family who are now planning a funeral.

-I wanted to share this story because tomorrow morning the TODAY Show will be airing a segment about a Minnesota couple who have been involved with
NILMDTS. If you are awake and by a tv please watch. Please take a moment out of your busy morning to learn a little about the NILMDTS organization. Then go hug your children, your husband, your friend. Say a prayer for this family and other families like them who will lose their loved one. And say a prayer for the photographers who come out rain or shine, all hours of the day or night 365 days a year FREE of charge to photograph a child for a family in need.

I call my husband my hero and he calls me his... yes, I am truly blessed! Amen!!!

A little about me.....

I yam what I yam... (Giggle-giggle)!!! So, who am I? Let me share just a little about Deborah, the woman behind the cameras eye.

Birthday: May 30, 19** LOL!!!
Birthplace: Freeport, New York
Family: Mother Diane (mean cook and a fabulous artist)
Father Ralph (best step-dad a girl could have ever had... my only real dad!)
Sister Christa: Another great artist in the family
Sister Jennifer: One hell of a stand up comic in N. Hollywood
Love of my life: My husband and hero Eric. He fights for our freedom and keeps us all safe at night, Thank you baby! He believes in me and supports my dreams big and small. He loves with every ounce of his soul and is truely a beautiful man. Can it get any better than that?
Our home: Full of love. With 3 dogs Tiffany, Tobi and their baby boy Dakota. Can't forget the new litter... Grace, Dallas and Joey! They are leaving us to their new homes this weekend. I want to cry!
Favorite Music: Old style rock. Steely Dan, Van Morrison, Doobie Brothers, Nora Jones.
Favorite Movies: Has to be Grease! Close second is The Big Chill & About Last Night. Crash and When a Man Loves a Woman (Andy Garcia is yummy!) Corney I know... don't laugh!
Favorite Foods: Anything spicy! Indian, Thai, etc... Any great sushi bar!!!
Last Book Read: A New Earth, The Four Agreements
Favorite TV Shows: Has to be Army Wives (LOVE that Roxy!!!) Greys Anatomy and I sure miss Sex and the City!!!!! Oh, and do I dare say that I am hooked on reality tv?
Besides taking pictures: Avid heli skier (yes, I love to jump out of helicopters in British Columbia!), painting, decorating, motorcycles, thumbing through fashion magazines while drinking a glass of Opus One! Sitting on my countertop in my PJ's eating saltine crackers with jelly while gossiping on the phone with my Vegas friends, spending time with my husband!!! :) wink-wink~!
The funny side of my life: I am NEVER happy with my hair and have this terrible habit of coloring it and then chopping it all off... then I cry for the next 3 months until it starts to look normal again. Like I just did a few weeks ago/ I thought that Katie Holmes cut was really cute... boy was I wrong! LOL!!! Just ask Eric! I love to laugh until I cry, my husband makes it easy... wait, that sounded all wrong! :)- LOL!!! I am hooked on Starbucks and will hold my consultations there in a New York minute! I have great friends back in Vegas that I miss terribly and I am a known for being on the computer until after 2am!
The serious side of my life: I miss my Grandparents everyday and swear my Nana follows me in the form of butterflies. I hate Pres. Bush, and hate the war in Iraq even more. I believe in what my husband is called to do when he is asked to serve. I believe in spirits. Boo!!!
Me in general: I grew up in Lancaster, California (don't ever go, it sucks!) I was a Nationally ranked gymnast in the 80's and toured with Olympian Kurt Thomas for over 3 years. I became a Vegas Showgirl with the Follies (those headpieces weigh a ton!). I was a Surgical Nurse before I became a photographer... I love with job SO much better!!! I have 3 beautiful step-children Alloura, Zach and Matthew that we don't get to see enough!

So, that's it in a nut shell. My crazy, wacky, lovely, beautiful life. Want to know more... don't know what I've left out? Just ask me! :)
Those puppies are crying again and it's almost time for my baby to call me so I'd better go. I can't wait to see him on Friday! I love homecomings! Whoo-hoo!!!!!

Can you say "I Do" (over)...???

My bride Crystal phoned me the other day to talk about her engagement pictures as well as to decide on which one will be used as her invitations. During our conversation we talked about her and Daniel and their plans for Valentines day. She began to explain how Daniel would be out of town on the big day but, that he had surprised her with her gift early... the engagement ring she had been waiting for! She was thrilled!!!

Later in the conversation she mentions how she wasn't wearing that ring during her engagement shoot. So sad!!! I understood what she was trying to say... so what is a good photographer to do? Schedule an "I Do" do-over!!!

I want each and every client to be in love with the images that I capture of them. If the dress wasn't falling just right, if the client was ill, she hated her outfit, her hubby-to-be wouldn't smile... those are all things that she will rememeber everytime she looks back at those pictures and I can't have that!

So, it was off to the River Walk for a stroll around downtown. I couldn't have asked for more beautiful light to shoot in, and this modern bride is artsy and hip. Falling towards those magazine/ glamour type shots. You know the ones... contrast/ saturation turned way up, lighting just alittle off. So I got creative and she loved the outcome. I must admit, I like them myself.

And here are a few of my favorites... more in the gallery.

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Crystal & Daniel are in love....!!!

Let me introduce Crystal and Daniel... a fun loving couple that spent the afternoon with me at beautiful Brackenridge Park. Lately I have spent more than a few hours wandering the paths of the park grounds capturing people in love! How fun is that!!!
Today I met with this newlywed couple, who are planning a lavish affair this coming May right here in San Antonio... don't you know that DB Images will be right there covering it all from beginning to end. This beautiful bride even asked about our "trash the dress" session, which we will do with the help of her very involved fiance', down on the Guadalupe River come June.
Decked in blue and cream and looking oh so fabulous, we walked amongst people enjoying a bright and sunny day at the park. It just seemed that the more we walked, the more wonderful places we found to take pictures. But, when you look as great as they do every spot became the "perfect" spot.

Be sure to check back soon, when we post her bridal pictures. This modern bride is opting for the unusual and artistic style portrait... how fun!

Until then, here are a few of my favorites...

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