Mister Man

This guy is one of my favorites.  Coincidently, he is also our son's favorite.  They are best buds.  There is one thing you need to know about this little man...he never stops smiling.  I mean never.  I have watched him with sweat dripping off his forehead at soccer camp and during games, falling down, getting kicked, running into other kiddos and still, the smile does not leave his face.  It's a phenomenon and I absolutely love it!

I just realized how close we are to Christmas again and it reminded me of this silly, fun day when I had the chance to wrap this little smily face in lights and photograph him for his Christmas card last year.  We had a great time, but I'm not going to lie...since I brought his best friend with me to the shoot, I had to bribe him a bit because all he wanted to do was play.  I made the deal that he could take some pictures when we got done and he took the bait.  Of course, I captured all smiles and he captured me once...

They couldn't decide on which card they liked best, so they sent out a few of both...

G.

I'm going to skip around on the ole timeline and throw in a shoot out of chronological order. I know, I'm a total rebel. Watch out. 

We met up with beautiful G. one chilly day in March to shoot some senior pictures. Little did we know that she would absolutely blow us away with her modeling skills! Seriously, Bala and I could photograph her all day long. She was an absolute photographer's dream...a complete natural in front of the camera with an awesome personality which made for a super fun shoot! We're always excited to shoot seniors, but this young lady is definitely one of our all time faves.

The Mize Tribe

So, I have to start out by saying that we just happen to have the coolest friends imaginable.  Seriously.  The group of people we have the honor of knowing span the entire spectrum of creatives and artists from painters to authors to musicians and more.  We truly are blessed to know such unique individuals and even more blessed to call them true friends.  You will get to meet many of them through this blog as we have had the pleasure of taking their photographs.

One of those families I am speaking of pretty much fits into every category artistically.  The first and most important works of art Baily and Toby have created are their two adorable little boys!  Beyond that painting, photography & music are just the beginning of the list of their creative endeavors.  I seriously am amazed constantly at the creativity and artistry out of these two.  Besides that, they are the most laid back, genuine people you will ever find and they just look freaking cool, right?!?  The only thing wrong with them is that they live about 12 hours away from us which puts a damper on us getting to hang out as much as we would like ;)

Today happens to be Baily's birthday and I think it would be awesome for you to go to their Mize Tribe Arts facebook page and show them some love. You can tell them that I sent you and while you're there, tell Baily happy birthday!  You can also visit their website at mizetribe.com. 

Cuties!

Why yes, I am posting two blogs in one week. Thanks for noticing!

Bala and I had the privilege of getting to hang out with all of these sweet children one day last December.  I know, I know...that's a long time ago, but there are only 2 more posts and then I will actually be showing stuff from 2011...how about that?!?!  

These particular children happen to be all of the grandchildren in my very good friend's family.  He's actually one of my all time favorite people as well.  And he and his family have just recently moved back here, so you can just go ahead and color me thrilled!  On top of that, I absolutely love his whole family, so you get the picture...we enjoyed ourselves.  

And just where have you been?

Ok, ok...it's not you, it's me.  I guess 5 months between blog posts probably isn't very adequate, but what's a busy girl to do? And by busy, I mean not-sure-if-we-have-even-taken-a-breath-since-March kind of busy. Heck, I'm not sure we have breathed since we moved almost a year ago. I'm not making any promises, but I will try to do better.

Let's pretend that I am not almost a year late in getting this one up. Remember my lovely friends, Jonah & Allison, from their engagement shoot? They got married last October and we were honored to get to spend the day with them in Rosemary Beach, Florida.  It was a beautiful day with a sunset to die for!

Our Studio!

As many of you know, we recently signed a lease on a studio space in downtown Paris.  We are not completely finished with our renovation work, but since we had several people waiting on shoots, we decided to do a soft opening so that we could go ahead and use it and squeeze in the rest of the work as we can between shoots.

Now, before I go on, there is something very important that has to be pointed out.  My husband is amazing.  Every major change you see in the following photos was done by his two hands and now aching back.  I assisted where I could and have painted my share of the walls, but the real magic has happened because well, frankly, I married a man who can do anything!  I am not stretching the truth in that statement.  He really can do anything.   Just wait...I'll prove it.

As I said, there is still a great deal of work to be done...the floors need to be sanded and sealed again, there are photos to be ordered for the walls, more props to display, our sign isn't up yet and we still have to remedy the awful drop ceiling and florescent lighting.  But I have faith that you all will be able to look past those things and see the potential this little space of ours has!

I'll begin with the "before" photos taken the day we got our keys.

The Lounge Area

Studio I

Studio II

Here are some shots from the tearing out process...

The Lounge Area

Ok...here is exhibit A of my case to prove that Bala really can do anything.  We knew that we would have to replace the flooring and originally planned on painting the concrete, but we decided to go "green" and recycle some of the material already in our building.  In it's former life, our studio was a retail store.  On the second floor of the store was where they kept their inventory.  There were two rooms of shelving...

which allowed us to go from this...

to this, by using some of the material for strips to nail the other material to!  

A little distressing

 and staining, 

                       

and voilà!

Studio I

Bala sanded the existing floors so that we could stain them the same as the Lounge and then added some molding for visual interest.

Studio II

Tore down a wall and removed the carpet...

And now, for what it looks like today with vignettes set up for our shoots.  Remember, there is still much to do, but we're well on our way!

The Lounge Area

Studio I

Exhibit B...faux finishing done by you know who.

Studio II

Aaaand Exhibit C...floors painted and vignettes set up by the man who. can. do. anything.  I rest my case.

And here's what you see when you walk through the front door.  Quite a transformation!  Oh, and the next time you see my husband make sure you shake his hand, 'cause you're kinda in the presence of greatness ;)

Hannah & Justin

You might remember Hannah from her bridal photos.  Here are some shots from her & Justin's wedding!  We had such a good time on this shoot.  The whole bridal party was wonderful and it was a fun, laid back kind of day.  We couldn't have asked for a better experience!  Thanks Hannah & Justin for letting us share this day with you guys!

Sam

There is no one in this world who makes me feel as old as this guy.  I had just graduated high school when I met Samuel and his wonderful parents (and now very close friends).  He was 4 years old.  I didn't know it at the time, but it turns out that meeting this family pretty much altered the entire course of my life--in the best possible way.

To begin with, the first time I ever saw my husband's face was in the Gillum's living room.  Bala lived in the same Texas town and also attended the same church as they did. We were introduced one evening while I was down for a visit and the rest is history.

Sam's mother, Tami, and I were instant friends and kindred spirits.  It is her fault that I am a photographer in the first place!  I guess the artist in her saw the hidden artist inside me.  She and her husband gave me my very first camera, on the condition that I take a photography class.  So I took one.  Then another.  And then enough to get my degree.  Thank you, Tami & Jeff!

I have been privileged to get to watch Sam grow into a wonderful and stunningly handsome young man both inside and out.  However, I cannot figure out how it happened that he went from 4 to grown while I have remained the exact same age...it's a complete mystery.

How about that lipstick?  Niiiice.

Look at that little guy.  I cannot believe how fast time files!

We were thrilled to spend some time with Sam & the family in early December while we were in Texas.  You cannot beat downtown Ft. Worth and the Botanic Gardens as the backdrop for senior pictures!  He was a perfect model as you can see and has great style--all the makings for a stellar photo shoot.  I cannot wait to see where the road takes this one.  We love you, Sam!  Thanks for letting us be a part of your senior year!