The Malnourished Artist

New Blog!

2010-08-20T07:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks for visiting my blog! We have a new blog set up over at www.tiltshiftstudiosblog.com that hosts our current work, this blog is our original blog and hosts work prior to 2010. So take a look around here and if you want to see some newer stuff click over to the new blog.

Senior Portraits: Lauren

2010-08-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

A while back I shot Lauren's senior portraits and the images are fabulous! We went out to Lake Brownwood because Lauren is the oudoorsy type and loves the water. She brought along her boyfriend and her super cute ferret Bruce. Bruce had a great time prowling through the grass and posing for photos.

And the Slideshow:

Family Portrait: The Perkins

2010-08-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Back in the fall I did a family portrait session for the Perkins and their beautiful little boy Remy. We found some great locations around Brownwood to really bring the warm colors of fall into the images. The reds, oranges, and golden browns will compliment their deco when they hang their portraits in their home!

And the Slideshow:

Wedding: Megan + Spencer

2010-07-30T14:39:00.001-07:00

It was freakishly cold yet sunny day March when Megan and Spencer said forever. They had the ceremony at The Star of Texas Bed and Breakfast and it was beautiful. Megan and Spencer are both in the army, I've shot military weddings before but this one was a first - the first time I've ever seen a couple light a unity cigar, first time seen a cut with a k-bar knife, and the first time I've heard the minister say "you may now kiss your superior officer."

Megan and Spencer's wedding had some very unique details thanks to their vendors - Davis Floral, Taste of Heaven Bakery, and Star of Texas Bed and Breakfast, and their wonderful friends and family. We wish you all the happiness in the world!

And the Slideshow:

Engagement Session: Stephanie + Bradley

2010-07-28T15:10:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing Stephanie and Bradley's engagement portraits over 4th of July weekend. We did the portraits at Stephanie's family's place Rancho Del Orso outside of Comanche. The sky was threatening rain the whole time, but it waited until after we were done to let loose and we rolled with it. The upside of stormy weather is it gives you such dramatic skies.

Thanks to an amazing location, an awesome couple, and an array of photogenic animals we got some really cool shots - enjoy!

And the Slideshow:

Take A Learning Vacation This Summer!

2010-07-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

Learning Vacation – Nature Photo Shoot
Kim Hurt – Photographer, instructor
Debbie Morelock – Certified Texas Master Naturalist
August 19 & 20, 2010
Star of Texas Bed & Breakfast, Brownwood, TX
Limited space, register early
(325) 649-9300
www.earlychamber.com

What a great way to spend a few days of vacation or just a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of your city.
Just load your camera, pack your suitcase (we have your packing list), and you are on your way to making great memories.
Open to all skill levels – I can show you how to get the best photos with your current camera. There is something for everyone- beginner or experienced hobbyist! If you really like to take photos, you will really like this beautiful and off the beaten path, close to nature spot we have chosen for you.
Please reserve early because this Bed and Breakfast stays booked year around - plus the great weather and scenic views.
Is there a photo or video contest coming up soon that you were thinking about entering? No one could even get close to the great shots you will take in this ‘learning vacation’!
Complete the information, include payment and mail to us. We will send you the packing list and the map. Register for staying at the award winner 2009-2010 Star of Texas B & B at www.star-of-texas.com
Be sure to acknowledge you’ll be taking the ‘learning vacation’ so you can get the special price.
Our learning vacation –Nature photo shoot class will be $175.
Begin at 3:00 pm – August 19th - Ending 5:00 pm August 20th.
There will be two professionals instructing this class both in the arbor and out on the walking trail. Plus staying overnight on August 19 at the B & B will be $139 for two. This includes fresh, cooked breakfast the morning of August 20. A brown bag lunch will be furnished on the grounds August 20 and you will enjoy your evening meal on your own.
Register BY August 13, 2010
Early Chamber of Commerce (325) 649-9300 or (877)643-7243
Email: ecoc@earlytx.com or wanda@earlytx.com
We will rush your packet to you next day. You will be glad you did.

Boudoir Session: Miss R*

2010-07-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

*Real names are never used to protect our sexy clients from the prying eyes of Google

So here are some images from Miss R's recent boudoir shoot. Like most of our clients Miss R's images were commissioned as a gift for her husband. Miss R chose to do her entire shoot in our studio - so we got to find out just how many sets we could make in one room! Miss R brought a ton of great outfits to the shoot - it was the first time I've used motorcycle gear and steel toed boots in a boudoir shoot.

And The Slideshow:

How To Take Pictures Of Fireworks

2010-07-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

Well the 4th of July is coming up quick so I thought I would post my top ten tips for shooting fireworks along with a few of my images from last year's show in Comanche.

1. Use a Tripod

The most important tip is to secure your camera to something that will ensure it doesn’t move during the taking of your shots. This is especially important in photographing fireworks simply because you’ll be using longer shutter speeds which will not only capture the movement of the fireworks but any movement of the camera itself. The best way to keep your camera still is with a tripod.

2. Use a Remote Release

One way to ensure your camera is completely still during fireworks shots is to invest in a remote release device. These will vary from camera to camera but most have some sort of accessory made for them. The other way of taking shots without touching your camera is to use the self timer. This can work but you really need to be able to anticipate shots well and its very very hit and miss.

3. Plan How To Frame Your Shot

One of the most difficult parts of photographing fireworks is working out where to aim your camera. The challenge you’ll face in doing this is that you generally need to aim your camera before the fireworks that you’ll be photographing goes off – anticipation is key. Here are a few points on getting your framing right.

Scope out the location early – Planning is important with fireworks and getting to the location early in order to get a good, unobstructed position is important. Think about what is in the foreground and background of your shots and make sure you won’t have people’s heads bobbing up into your shots (also consider what impact you’ll have on others around you also). Take note of where fireworks are being set up and what parts of the sky they are likely to be shot into – you might also want to try to ask some of those setting up the display for a little information on what they are planning. Also consider what focal lengths you might want to use and choose appropriate lenses at this time (rather than in the middle of the show).

Watch your Horizons - One thing that you should always consider when lining up fireworks shots is whether your camera is even or straight in it’s framing. This is especially important if you’re going to shooting with a wide focal length and will get other background elements in your shots (ie a cityscape). As you get your camera on your tripod make sure it’s level right from the time you set up.

Vertical or Horizontal? – There are two main ways of framing shots in all types of photography, vertically (portrait) or horizontally (landscape). Both can work in fireworks photography but I personally find a vertical perspective is better – particularly as there is a lot of vertical motion in fireworks. Horizontal shots can work if you’re going for more of a landscape shot with a wider focal length of if you’re wanting to capture multiple bursts of fireworks in the one shot.

Remember your framing – I find that when I photograph fireworks that I spend less time looking in my viewfinder and more looking at the sky directly. As a result it’s important to remember what framing you have and to watch that segment of the sky. Doing this will also help you to anticipate the right time for a shot as you’ll see the light trails of unexploded rockets shooting into the sky.

4. Change Up Your Focal Length

One of the hardest parts of photographing fireworks is having your camera trained on the right part of the sky at the right time. This is especially difficult if you’re shooting with a longer focal length and are trying to take more tightly cropped shots. I generally shoot at a wider focal length than a tight one but during a show will try a few tighter shots (I usually use a zoom lens to give me this option) to see if I can get lucky with them. They enable you to really fill the frame with great color.

5. Use A Small Aperture

A common question around photographing fireworks displays is what aperture to use. Many people think you need a fast lens to get them but in reality it’s quite the opposite as the light that the fireworks emit is quite bright. I find that apertures in the mid to small range tend to work reasonably well and would usually shoot somewhere between f/8 to f/16.

6. Use A Slow Shutter Speed

Probably more important to get right than aperture is shutter speed. Fireworks move and as a result the best photographs of them capture this movement meaning you need a nice long exposure. The technique that I developed when I first photographed fireworks was to shoot in ‘bulb’ mode. This is a mode that allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you hold down the shutter (preferably using a remote shutter release of some type). Using this technique you hit the shutter as the firework is about to explode and hold it down until it’s finished exploding (generally a few seconds).

You can also experiment with set shutter speeds to see what impact it will have but I find that unless you’re holding the shutter open for very long exposures that the bulb technique works pretty well.

Don’t keep your shutter open too long. The temptation is to think that because it’s dark that you can leave it open as long as you like. The problem with this is that fireworks are bright and it doesn’t take too much to over expose them, especially if your shutter is open for multiple bursts in the one area of the sky. By all means experiment with multiple burst shots – but most people end up finding that the simpler one burst shots can be best.

7. Shoot With Your Lowest ISO

Shooting at a low ISO is preferable to ensure the cleanest shots possible. Stick to ISO 100 and you should be fine.

8. Turn off Your Flash

Shooting with a flash will have no impact upon your shots except to trick your camera into thinking it needs a short exposure time. Keep in mind that your camera’s flash will only have a reach of a few meters and in the case of fireworks even if they were this close a flash wouldn’t really have anything to light except for some smoke which would distract from the real action.

9. Shoot In Manual Mode

I find I get the best results when shooting in manual exposure and manual focus modes. Auto focusing in low light can be very difficult for many cameras and you’ll end up missing a lot of shots. Once your focusing is set you’ll find you don’t really need to change it during the fireworks display – especially if you’re using a small aperture which increases depth of field. Keep in mind that changing focal lengths will mean you need to need to adjust your focusing on most lenses.

10. Experiment and Track Results

Throughout the fireworks display periodically check your results. I generally take a few shots at the start and check to see that they are OK before shooting any more. Don’t check after every shot once you’ve got things set up (or you’ll miss the action) but do monitor yours shots occasionally to ensure you’re not taking a completely bad batch.

Also experiment with taking shots that include a wider perspective, silhouettes and people around you watching the display. Having your camera pointed at the sky can get you some wonderful shots but sometimes if you look for different perspectives you can get a few shots that are a little less cliche and just as spectacular. Most of the best shots that I’ve seen in the researching of this article have included some other element than the fireworks themselves – whether it be people, buildings, landmarks or wider cityscape perspectives.

Good Luck and Happy 4th!

Senior Portraits: Michael

2010-06-30T14:16:00.000-07:00

Here is part two of our best friends senior portrait session. Michael and Cameron have been friends for years so we shot their senior portraits together. Everything is more fun when you bring your friends along, plus now when they go off to college they'll have some great pictures to remember their best friend by.

We went all around downtown Brownwood and out to the lake to get some great backgrounds. Michael plays football for Brownwood Highschool so we worked that into his session by using his letter jacket. Plus water guns always make great props especially when you use them to shoot your friend.

And the Slideshow:

Senior Portraits: Cameron

2010-06-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

A while back I got the chance to shoot Cameron's senior portraits. Cameron plays baseball for Brownwood Highschool so we worked that into his session by using his jersey and a bat as props.

Cameron also wanted to have his session done with his best friend Michael so we got some great shots of them together to showcase their friendship. I also made sure we had some fun by giving Michael and Cameron water guns to go after each other with.

And the slideshow:

Tea Party Session: Shunna Kay, Emma Kate, + Regan

2010-06-17T12:56:00.000-07:00

What could be more fun than an old fashioned tea party? Why one that comes complete with sequined tutus, bubbles, and fluffy strawberry cupcakes with pink icing of course! Shunna Kay, Emma Kate, and Regan had a blast during their Tutu Tea Party Session - the perfect opportunity to capture girly fun in photo form. The pictures came out so cute I couldn't resist adding some Photo Graffiti - a new service we are offering to allow our clients to dress up their photos with hand drawn illustrations!

And the Slideshow:

Newborn Session: Quads!

2010-06-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to photograph quads recently and thought I would share some of the results. The images came out great but it's easy when the babies are so cute. We did the shoot in the client's home so we wouldn't disrupt the babies' schedule too much. I'm so lucky I hold these precious little miracles and take their baby pictures!

And the Slideshow:

Magazine Cover!

2010-06-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

One of my photographs has been featured on the cover of Southwest Flair magazine. It's one my favorite images from Kaitlin's session at the Star of Texas Bed and Breakfast and it accompanies an article about elopements at the Star of Texas. So thanks to Kaitlin for modeling and Kelcy Potts for the fabulous hair and make up! If you want to see the article you can read it here: http://www.southwestflair.com/index.htm

Family Portrait: Melanie

2010-05-26T14:50:00.000-07:00

I did family portraits a little while back for Melanie and her two precious boys Ethan and Cayden. They were a blast to shoot and brought their own cowboy hats and guitars. We got some nice studio shots then went outside for some sunny Texas style photos. And of course I had to break out the bubbles at the end because who doesn't like bubbles?

And The Slideshow:

Wedding: Carmen + Troy Part 2 - The Carrington Girls

2010-05-24T15:22:00.000-07:00

Today I am posting the rest of Carmen and Troy's wedding images - more specifically the images of Carmen's three girls. They first greeted me with a choreographed dance routine and offers to help me build my portfolio if I ever needed models, and they only got more energetic from there. I would like to thank the Carrington girls for teaching me how to "pop it", that lighting umbrellas make great props, and of course that Katy Perry is eminently dancable.

And The Slideshow:

Wedding: Troy + Carmen

2010-05-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

It was damp and muddy day when Troy and Carmen said I do, but the sun was shining and it was the day before Valentine's Day so how could it not be romantic? Carmen wore her "Urban Boots" and made the walk down the trail at The Star of Texas Bed and Breakfast where Troy had proposed, and had the ceremony under the glistening bottle trees.

They called it an elopement for five, and it was really beautiful the way they incorporated Carmen three lovely daughters into the ceremony. I thank Troy and Carmen for letting me get to know their family and photograph it's being - I wish them all the happiness in the world!

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And The Slideshow:

Family Portraits: The Trotts

2010-05-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

I had a portrait session with the Trott family recently and I had a blast with them and their four beautiful children. I set up my antique iron bed in the yard and we had one of my more unique family sessions complete with a pillow fight and flying feathers! The kids really enjoyed it and I hope everyone else does too. So thank you Alexandra, George, Samuel, Isiah, Envy, and Rookie for indulging one of my more unusual ideas!

And the slide show:

Boudoir Session: Miss C*

2010-04-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

*Real names are never used to protect our sexy clients from the prying eyes of Google

I've been so bad about blogging! I'll try to make up for it though y posting some awesome boudoir for you!

I did a session for Miss C* not too long ago and the images are some of the best I've done if I do say so myself. The session was done in honor of Miss C*'s up coming wedding as a gift for her groom. I think he'll like it better than a pair of cuff links!

We used the 55 Trailer at the beautiful Star of Texas Bed and Breakfast which fit the vintage pin up theme perfectly. Kalle Martin provided excellent 1960's era hair and make up to complete the look. With Miss C's killer boots and trench coat I think we had the Ann Margaret thing down pat!

And the Slideshow:

Engagement Session: Melissa & Brian

2010-03-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

Back when I was massively pregnant (yes it was awhile ago) I spent an awesome afternoon running around downtown Brownwood with Melissa and Brian shooting their engagement portraits. It was harder than usual to do my patented laying on the ground move we still got great pictures of a fun couple! I can't wait to see what we get at their wedding in April! Here are the highlights from Melissa and Brian's engagement.

And the Slideshow:

Portrait Session: Logan

2010-03-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Back in December I had the pleasure of shooting Logan's first Christmas Portraits. He is such a happy baby - and so much hair! We even got in a few family portrait with his Mom and Dad.

And the Slideshow:

Newborn Session: Gavin

2010-03-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

I'm happy to share a newborn session I shot awhile back with baby Gavin. Gavin's picture came out so well, but it's easy to take great pictures with such a cute little boy. Gavin could easily be mistaken for the Gerber Baby.

And the Slideshow

Boudoir Session: Miss J*

2010-02-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

*Real names are never used to protect our sexy clients from the prying eyes of Google

I'm so exited to finally post some images from Miss J's Boudoir Session! Miss J gave a very sexy calendar to a very lucky guy for Christmas and since the holiday has passed I can share the images. Professional hair and make up was provided by the fabulous Kalle Martin and Kelcy Potts and the lovely setting is the Star of Texas Bed and Breakfast. Enjoy!

And the Slideshow

Stars of Texas Juried Art Show

2010-02-23T15:17:00.000-08:00

So the Stars of Texas Juried Art Show came to an end this weekend. I enter the show every year and this year won Honorable Mention for "The Diggers". If you are an artist or photographer and you didn't enter the show make plans to do so next year, the entry fee is low and the show just gets better every year. For anyone who didn't get by to see the show I am post my winning image and artist statement. Feel free to comment about what you think - I love to hear everyone's stories.

The inspiration for this piece comes from a very unlikely place - the public library in Woodward Oklahoma. When I was younger my mother used to take us to the library to pick out books to read. My favorite were a series of books about a little mouse. The best part about the little mouse books was that they contained no words - only pictures of the mouse involved in different situations and you got to tell your own story about the mouse.

20 years later I was stuck on a current project. In much of my art I try to get the viewer to interact with the piece, which is admittedly much easier with sculpture than with photography. That is where I was stuck - how to engage a viewer with a 2 dimensional artwork and my mind turned back to the little mouse books.

My memory of the little mouse books gave birth to a series of works that depict a climactic or decisive moment in a story - although what that story is is entirely up to the viewer. "The Diggers" is one of my favorite images in that series because it prompts so many questions - "Are they burying something or digging it up?" "Who are they?" "Why are they doing this?" "Who or what are they looking at?" "What happened leading up to this moment and what happens afterward?"

But the most important question is - what is your story?

Engagment Session: Carmen + Troy

2010-02-17T14:50:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of shooting Carmen and Troy's engagement portraits back before Thanksgiving. Carmen and Troy are such fun, it's great to be able to photograph such a relaxed, laid back couple. They are getting married in February at the Star of Texas Bad and Breakfast so we shot their portraits out there on the trail. Here are the results.

And the Slideshow:

2010 Bridal Fair

2010-02-16T15:20:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all the people who came out to see us at the Early Bridal Fair a few weekends ago. For those of you who didn't get a chance to make it by here's a look at our booth and the 2010 Promo Video!

I'm Back!!!

2010-02-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

So.... I haven't posted in awhile, a long while actually but I have a pretty good reason. Introducing Archer West Hurt born 12/9/2009 weighing 5 pounds 8 ounces! He was born 5 weeks early which really threw off my very carefully planned maternity leave and caused me to neglect my blog for far too long. On the plus side I have many shoots to post in the near future!

I promise not to turn this blog into a showcase for my own child but I can't resist posting at least one slideshow of my precious little man.

Newborn Session: Remy

2009-11-23T15:12:00.000-08:00

The end result of Leslie's Maternity Session has finally arrived! Meet Remy, the happiest baby I have photographed in a long time. Since Leslie decided to do a belly cast with her Maternity Session we were able to incorporate the cast into Remy's Newborn Portraits. We used it to represent an egg to add the feeling that Remy is newly hatched. I can't wait to shoot the rest of Remy's first year!

And the slideshow

New Props!

2009-11-19T14:20:00.000-08:00

I have acquired some new props recently - three brightly colored tutus and two antique trunks. They have quite a lot of potential and I'm excited about the possibilities. You'll have to stay tuned and see what I have planned for them!

Bridal Portraits: Kaitlin

2009-11-12T15:26:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of shooting a Bridal Portrait session with Kaitlin a couple of weeks ago at Star of Texas Bed and Breakfast. Day After Shoots are a great chance to have a relaxed portrait session with out worrying about getting the dress dirty or making it to the reception on time. You can also use multiple locations that aren't available on the wedding day but fit your style or sentimental meaning.
Thanks to Don and Debbie for letting us tromp around on their land, there are so many great places to take pictures out there I thought we might never leave! As always fabulous hair and make-up was provided by Kalle Martin and Kelcy Potts.

And the slideshow:

Celebrity Boudoir

2009-11-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to be posting pictures from my first celebrity boudoir client! I was surprised she allowed me to post so many revealing photos of her considering how famous she is, but she was an excellent sport through out the shoot.
I have to admit we had some trouble with poses due to her inflexiblity, she was very stiff but she seemed to loosen up a bit toward the end of the shoot. I did very little retouching these, her skin is so flawless it's hard to believe she just turned 50!
Barbie commissioned these as a gift for Ken in honor of their two decades together and I'm sure he'll love them!

And the slideshow:

New Boudoir Sessions!

2009-10-29T14:48:00.000-07:00

Kim Hurt Photography and Fine Art is proud to announce we are now offering a new type of photo shoot- Boudoir Sessions! Boudoir Photographs,also known as Glamour or Pin Up Style Photographs, are tasteful and intimate portraits of yourself that can be used as a gift or even a keepsake. The goal of a Boudoir Session is to feel fabulous in your own skin, have a little fun, and capture your body as well as your spirit.

For a limited time we will be offering an introductory special on Boudoir Sessions. The first 6 clients to book a session after our official announcement will receive a half price session fee of $150, afterward Boudoir Sessions will return to the regular price of $300.

For more information on our new Boudoir Sessions visit the wedding section of our website www.kimhurtphotography.com.

Day After Shoot : Jackie and K.C

2009-10-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of shooting a day after portrait session with Jackie and K.C. a couple of weeks ago at Scott and Lindsay Pruitt's horse ranch. Day After Shoots are a great chance to have a relaxed portrait session with out worrying about getting the dress dirty or making it to the reception on time. You can also use multiple locations, like the barn, ranch and field that aren't available on the wedding day but fit your style or sentimental meaning to you as a couple.
Thanks to Jackie and K.C. for modeling, Scott and Lindsay for letting us tromp around on their land, and Big Daddy and Flash Fire for being the most photogenic horses ever! Casual country style hair and make-up was provided by the fabulous Kalle Martin and Kelcy Potts, and the beautiful flowers were provided by Bangs Flowers and Gifts.

And the Slideshow:

Family Portraits: The Guerreros

2009-10-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing Guerrero family a few weeks ago. We went out to a family friend's ranch to take some relaxed kid portraits and the results are terrific! Hannah, Reilly, and Rex had a blast feeding the ponies and chasing the cows. It certainly makes my job easier when the subjects are so cute! Thanks Hannah, Reilly, and Rex, I'll take your portraits anytime.

And the slideshow:

Bridal Portraits: Emma

2009-10-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of shooting a bridal portrait session with Emma a couple of weeks ago before she returned home to England. The theme of our shoot was "Roaring 20's" which matched the style of Emma's gown perfectly. Amazing period style hair and make-up was provided by the fabulous Kalle Martin and Kelcy Potts, and the beautiful flowers were provided by Bangs Flowers and Gifts.

And the slideshow:

Brownwood Reunion: Photography Contest

2009-10-02T14:45:00.000-07:00

The Brownwood Reunion Photography Contest has now come to an end. Thank you to everyone who participated, there was a lot of great art hanging in the Art Center downtown so if you didn't get by there to see it make sure that you come next year.
I entered my piece "The Diggers" and received an honorable mention award. For those of you who didn't enter, think about entering next time. It's a great opportunity to let the community at large see just how many talented people there are right here in Brownwood.
And speaking of talent I am proud to announce that two of my students won first place and the people's choice award! Congratulations to Suelma Orr and Pat Coursey!

Personal Projects: The Diggers

2009-10-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today I wanted to share one of my personal fine art projects, titled "The Diggers". I think it is important for a creative professional to continue doing work solely for one's self not only because it stretches your creativity, but also because it allows you test out new techniques and concepts with people who are no paying you for absolute perfection.
Anyway, "The Diggers" is part of a series of pieces I am working on that tell a story, but exactly what that story is is entirely up to viewer. It is an exercise in imagination: Who are these people? What are they doing? Are they burying something? If so what? Are they digging something up? If so what? Who or what are they looking at? If they have been caught, what will they do next? What led up to this moment? Think about it and leave me a comment with your thoughts!

Portrait Session: Andrew and Meagan

2009-09-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

A while back I did some family portraits for Andrew and Meagan. They just found out that they are pregnant and wanted some pre-baby family pictures before the baby comes. They were such fun to work with I can't wait until they come back with the new baby!

Maternity Portraits: Leslie

2009-09-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

When I did Leslie's maternity session we decided to do something a bit more artistic and out of the ordinary. We tried a few outdoor shot since the weather was nice and they turned out great! I love the whole mother earth feel they have and the sun flare from the back gives the image a nice warm glow.
We also tried something new I've been thinking about with damp cheese cloth- yes I know it sounds terrible, but it looks cool and that's what counts! I wanted the convey the idea of the belly as a mold or and unfinished sculpture and the cheese cloth provided the perfect texture while allowing the outline of her hands to still show through.
We finished up with a plaster belly cast, Leslie opted to do one so that we could use it as a prop when we do little Remy's newborn session. You'll have to wait a little while to see what we do with that!

Bridal Portraits: Anna

2009-09-24T13:48:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of shooting a bridal portrait session with Anna in and around downtown Brownwood earlier this month. The theme of our shoot was "Decayed Glamor", with the combination of Anna's traditional gown and veil, the fabulous hair and make-up provided by Kalle Martin and Kelcy Potts against a background of abandoned buildings the pictures came out great!

Here's the slideshow, enjoy!

Commercial: A Taste of Heaven Bakery

2009-09-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share some mouthwatering photos of the famous cake balls from A Taste of Heaven Bakery in Bangs. Lee is working on a new website so I've been over there shooting some pictures of her cakes and pastries. If you have a chance to get over to Bangs you simply must try the cake balls -even Kyle who hates cake can't resist them!

Mmm.... Italian Creme

Portrait Session : Lesie and Mickel

2009-09-08T13:06:00.000-07:00

A while back I did some family portraits for Leslie and Mickel. They just found out that they are pregnant and wanted some pre-baby family pictures with their fur baby Daisy before the real baby comes. They were such fun to work with I can't wait until they come back with the new baby!

Portraits: Serenity

2009-09-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

A little while ago I had the pleasure of photographing Serenity at Coggin Park. We had a great time - I followed while she ran around and played and the resulting images show her energetic personality and ready smile.

And now the slideshow:

Brownwood Renuion : Photography Contest

2009-08-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know about the photography contest going on next month sponsored by the Brownwood Art Association. In honor of the Brownwood Reunion the Brownwood Art Association will be holding their 2nd Annual Photography Contest. The contest is open to all ages and skill levels, the deadline for entries is September 12th, and there are Cash Prizes awarded to the winner of each age group!

Entries must reflect the theme of this year's Reunion theme of The 50's. So start thinking Elvis, Sock Hops, Drive Ins and Diners. The Heartland Cruisers Classic Car Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at the Sonic in Early and The Runaway Train Diner across from Brownwood Middle School are two local attractions that might give you some inspiration. So get out and start shooting!

Contest Rules And Regulations

The Brownwood Art Association is pleased to announce a Photographic Competition and Exhibit in
coordination with this yearʼs Brownwood Reunion Celebration. ENTRIES ARE OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC AND NEED TO BE READY FOR ACCEPTANCE AND JUDGING ON SATURDAY,
SEPTEMBER 12TH. The exhibit will be held during the Reunion Celebration weekend and continue
through Saturday, September 26th.
The exhibition will be hosted at the Art Center, 215 Fisk Ave.
•Opening will be Friday, September 18, at 5 PM, with a reception and awards presentation at 6:30 PM
•Exhibit hours will be Friday, September 18, 5 PM to 8 PM
•Saturday, September 19, 10 AM to 6 PM
•Sunday, September 20, 12 to 5 PM
•Monday through Saturday, September 21 to 26, 10 AM to 2 PM
CALL FOR ENTRIES
Entry into the exhibit will be open to all interested persons in the North Central Texas area, and will be
divided into three age groups: 12 years and under, 13 to 18 years, and adults 19 years and older.
Subject matter should loosely reflect this yearʼs Reunion Celebration theme of the 1950ʼs, e.g. cars of
the era, clothing and other fashion styles, music, architecture, and trends of that time. Let your
imagination flow! Images should be in good taste and will be reviewed by a panel of judges only for
entry purposes. Images can be in color or black and white and done in either traditional or digital
photography techniques.
Prizes will be awarded as follows:
First prize for 12 years and under - $50.00
First prize for 13 to 18 years - $100.00
First prize for Adults - $200.00
Two Honorable Mention Ribbons will be awarded for each age group
A Peopleʼs Choice Ribbon will be awarded based on the votes received by the viewing public.
Entry Requirements:
A maximum of three (3) entries can be submitted.
The entry fee is $5.00 per entry and must be paid at time of entry.
All entries must be matted or framed for display purposes. Framed images need to be wired for
hanging.
Due to a limited display space, the maximum size with any matted, gallerywrap or framed image is 24
x 27 inches. The minimum size with matted and/or framed image must be 5 x 7 inches.
Important Dates:
Entries will be accepted at the Art Center, 215 Fisk Ave on Saturday, September 12, 2009, between
the hours of 8 AM and 12 Noon.
Exhibit will be on display at the Art Center, Friday, September 18th to Saturday, September 26.th
Hours, Fri, 18th 5 to 8 PM, Sat, 19th 10AM to 6PM, Sun, 20th 12 to 5 PM. Mon, 21st to Sat, 26th 10 AM
to 2 PM.
A Reception and Awards presentation will held at the Art Center on Friday, September 18th from 6:30
PM to 8:00 PM.
All entries need to be picked up on Saturday, September 26th, between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00
PM
The Judge for this event is Britt Stokes of Ft. Worth, TX. Britt is the owner of Stokes Photography
Studio in Ft. Worth, TX and is the Manager of Photographic Services at ACME BRICK, Dallas/Ft.
Worth, TX area.
The sale of art work is encouraged, but not mandatory. A sales commission of 25% will be collected
for the Brownwood Art Association. Collection and payment of the Texas State Sales Tax will be the
responsibility of the photographer.
ENTRY FORMS
Entry forms will be available at the Art Center, 215 Fisk Ave., The Brownwood Area Chamber of
Commerce, online at www.brownwoodart.com, or www.brownwoodtx.com, and at the door when
submitting your images.
CONTACT:
ROGER LEVESQUE, PHOTO EXHIBIT CHAIR
325-998-3025 OR 325-643-6000
webmaster@brownwoodart.com

Wedding: Angelina & Colburn Tucker

2009-08-17T14:15:00.000-07:00

Back in June we photographed Colburn and Angelina's wedding out at the Cross Plains farm they spent months converting into a perfect wedding venue. The forecast was not great to say the least, it rained all week and Saturday morning bad weather looked imminent. Thankfully the weather cleared, and we had a beautiful day! Just a little good luck rain :) Angelina looked stunning! Thanks for a great day and all of your enthusiasm! Best wishes and enjoy your new home!

And now the Slideshow

Family Portraits: The Vaughn Family

2009-08-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of photographing Greg and Missy's lovely family a few weeks ago. We went out to Riverside park to take some relaxed family portraits and the results are terrific! It's great to have a chance to document the lives of such nice easy going people. Good luck to Greg and Missy with the beginning of school!

Family Portraits: The Perkins

2009-08-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial Day Weekend(I know, it was that long ago) I had the pleasure of photographing 4 generations of the Perkins family. We did a very relaxed session in their backyard and the pictures turned out wonderful. Here are a few.

Wedding: Stephanie & Monte

2009-07-21T16:08:00.000-07:00

Stephanie and Monte had a beautiful ceremony back in May at the Stars of Texas Bed & Breakfast. A simple ceremony in a country setting surrounded by family and friends seemed to suit them perfectly. Congratulations Monte and Stephanie, we wish you all the happiness in the world in your future as Mr. and Mrs. Garner.

And the Slideshow

Senior Portriat : Heather

2009-07-13T15:50:00.000-07:00

Blogging and I have a love/hate relationship. As in I love my blog but it hates me for neglecting it for the past 8 weeks. Thats right, it has been TWO MONTHS since I put up my last post! Things have been pretty crazy around here since I found out I was pregnant (more about that here.) and then got slammed with wedding and portraits. On the plus side that means I will be posting lots of new stuff in the near future. I promise to do better blog, please don't leave me for another artist who updates you more!
So anyway, on to Heather. Heather is a recent graduate of Brookesmith High School, we shot her senior portraits back in May. She had a really great idea to a "Decayed Glamor" themed photo shoot with fancy dresses against a backdrop of tumble down buildings and back allies. It turned out fabulous and we had a great time, even though the first shoot was interrupted by the great Lake Brownwood tornado and had to be rescheduled.

And the slide show

Senior Portrait Session: Angela

2009-05-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of photographing Angela and her lovely smile a few weeks ago. Angela has been working hard on the Early High School year book so she was looking for something different when it came to senior casuals. I was happy to help her out and I think we got some great images!

And here is the slide show

New Website!

2009-05-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Yea, finally the new and improved website is online! I am not the most technologically savvy person in the world that's Kyle's department, but I did most of the work on site myself. With a little,ok a lot of help from Kyle. Who am I trying to fool, I don't know how to use an FTP client. You can check it out at the same address www.kimhurtphotography.com. We moved our wedding and engagement work to it's own site, added new work, new music, updated our info, added links to the new Facebook Fan Page, and put more emphasis on our artistic editing style. There is a lot to see so go take a look and let me know what you think.

Photo of The Week (sort of): Lazy Blogger Edition

2009-05-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have noticed that the Photo of the Week Post has turn into the Photo of Whenever I Get Around to It Post. I have been really busy lately (not really a good excuse) but I promise to do better in the future. On the bright side that means I will be posting a lot of awesome pictures from all the sessions I have been shooting and editing lately instead of blogging. In the mean time here is a picture I shot a couple weeks ago when the fog was nice and heavy. I shot it with the white balance set to tungsten which gives the image a bluish cast enhancing the cold and misty feeling of the image.

Senior Portriat Session: Lauren

2009-04-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

I promised ya'll more of Lauren so here she is. She is the first person to graduate from college in her family so she wanted to commemorate all her hard work with some great pictures. Lauren is one of those people who can't stop smiling, or making other people smile for that matter! She is graduating from Howard Payne in May with a PR degree and I know she will be fabulous! Congratulations Lauren!

Sneak Peak: Lauren

2009-03-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hey Y'all I had a fantastic time photographing Lauren a soon to be Howard Payne graduate last week. Here are couple of shots showcasing "Business Lauren". I post more showing all sides of Lauren's personality soon so stay tuned!

Canines, Cats, and Cabernet

2009-03-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

The third annual Canines, Cats and Cabernet fund-raiser for the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center (formerly the Brown County Humane Society) is March 26 at The Turtle Restaurant. There will be wine and food from all over the world as well as a silent auction to help raise money for a new building. I have donated a Pet & Owner Portrait Session along with a $150 print credit for the auction. So if you would like to enjoy an evening of fine wine and delicious food while helping orphaned cats and dogs find new homes get down to the Turtle next Thursday and bid on a Portrait Session for you and your furry family member. Tickets are $45 and available at the Turtle and the Corinne T Smith Animal Center. See you there!

Photography Classes

2009-03-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hey all, I just wanted to let you know that it is time for another Stop Shooting Auto Class! The last one has gone great, we've had a lot of fun learning about how to take our cameras off auto pilot and start planning for good images. The purpose of Stop Shooting Auto is to teach the fundamentals of photography as well as all the camera functions in a hands on environment. If you want to get repeatable results from the camera you spent $$$ on or you have always wondered what that button on the side does then this is the class for you. If you would like to learn how to take good pictures on purpose then send an email to kim@kimhurtphotography.com or call 325-200-6404 and sign up. The classes are 2 hours one day a week for 6 weeks and the cost is $130 per person. The current class wraps up next week and I would like to start the next class the first week of April so call soon because space is limited. I am considering teaching advanced photography and photoshop classes if I can get enough students so anyone who is interested please contact me.

Red Cross

2009-03-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Pecan Valley chapter of the Red Cross is currently in the middle of a fund raising effort called Home Town Heroes. To help with the fund raising I have donate a framed art piece entitled "Serendipity". It is on display right now along with many other art pieces donated by members of the Brownwood Art Association at Mills County State Bank, Texas Bank and Citizens National Bank. You can go by any of these banks to view the art work and purchase raffle tickets to support the Red Cross and win some great art!

Photo of the Week: Laundromat Edition

2009-02-28T09:49:00.000-08:00

I've been making trips up the the laundromat this week again for the first time since my sophomore year of college. Ahh yes there is nothing quite like the sweet smell of detergent mixed with bleach hanging in the stifling air of a large room without air conditioning filled with large commercial driers. The water pump on our washing machine went out and the repair man had to order a new one so it looks like I will be stuck doing laundry at the laundromat for at least a week until the part comes in. So while I was waiting for the rinse cycle to finish I snapped a few pictures for my series on ordinary things.

Photo of the Week: Vermilion

2009-02-18T12:05:00.000-08:00

Today's Photo of the Week is another flower image, I know I have a lot of them but I like flowers. I have great appreciation for people who can actually grow them. I have completely given up on any type of gardening, I have the Typhoid Mary Touch otherwise known as a Black Thumb. My house is where innocent plants go to die. That's why I enjoy photographing them so much- it's the only way I can keep them in my house. This image is all about color- vermilion to be specific. I cropped it close to draw focus the gently sloping curve of the petal as well as the brilliant red-orange color.

Stars of Texas Art Exhibt

2009-02-10T13:12:00.000-08:00

The Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit is going on right now at the Depot and yours truly has a piece in the show for the second year in a row! If you want to see some really great art both local and from around the state make sure and stop by. The exhibit is open from February 8th - 20th and gallery hours are as follows M-F 9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-4pm, and Sun.1pm-4pm. Don't forget to sign the guest book and pick a slip to vote for the People's Choice Award! If you still crave more art when you are finished at the Depot make your way down to the Art Center on Fisk for the Salon Des Refuses Exhibit and see some of the art that almost made it into the show. All works are for sale and benefit the Arts Council of Brown County.

Stars of Texas Art Exhibt

2009-02-01T10:03:00.000-08:00

Wow, I am so excited this is the second year in a row I have gotten a piece in to the Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit! 151 artist from all over the state entered 340 works of art and "Each Touch Belongs to Each New Sound" was one of the few selected for the show. I am very honored to have been chosen and I encourage everyone to come out and see the show when it opens on February 7th.

Portrait Session: David

2009-01-30T18:58:00.000-08:00

Last week I had my first senior portrait session of 2009. David is a senior at Early High School and seems to have it all lined up. He is an Eagle Scout, has a job working at Brookshires. He is joining the army after he graduates and leaves for basic training in June. He has even preregistered for college when his term of service is up. We took some studio portraits and then headed out to Brookesmith for some outdoor shots at David's Grandfather's ranch. We made sure to get some with one of the two original trees that were on the land when David's Great-Grandfather bought it in the 30s. David was a lot of fun to photograph and we wish him all the luck in the world as he heads off to the army!

Photo of The Week: Sun Flower Edition

2009-01-13T10:20:00.000-08:00

This photo doesn't have a title yet so if you have any good ones let me know! I have always struggled to give my work appropriate titles. I want something that conveys the meaning of the piece but isn't cheesy. And cheesy is all I've got right now. I took this image while on one of my photo walks. I came upon a group of sunflowers and composed the image to include three flowers in various stages of growth. It shows the life cycle of the sunflower (without death of course we are trying to keep things positive).

Photography Classes

2009-01-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

I am proud to announce the return of Stop Shooting Auto the photography classes that show once and for all that you are smarter than your camera! As most of you know I was teaching this class at TSTC just a few months ago, but due to a lack of funding and a general disinterest in community education by the higher ups it seems that Continuing Education in dead in Brownwood. I had hoped that TSTC would pick up the slack when Howard Payne axed their Continuing Ed department but that does not appear to be the case. But not to worry, Stop Shooting Auto lives on, I will now be offering the classes on my own with a more flexible schedule so that all of Brownwood and the surrounding area may learn to take better pictures.
The purpose of Stop Shooting Auto is to teach the fundamentals of photography as well as all the camera functions in a hands on environment. If you want to get repeatable results from the camera you spent $$$ on or you have always wondered what that button on the side does then this is the class for you. If you would like to learn how to take good pictures on purpose then send an email to kim@kimhurtphotography.com or call 325-200-6404 and sign up. The classes are 2 hours one day a week for 6 weeks and the cost is $130 per person. I would like to start the class the first week of February so call soon because space is limited. I am considering teaching advanced photography and photoshop classes if I can get enough students so anyone who is interested please contact me.

Photo of the Week: Organ Pipes

2009-01-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! That means it is time for new years resolutions, mine is to blog more often. I know that I should be doing more after all why start a blog if you aren't going to post anything on it. I just get bogged down in the everyday stuff that needs doing and I let my blog fall to the wayside. But no more, starting today I am adding a new feature - Photo of the Week. After my posts on the Austin Ave. Baptist pictures so many people sent me emails telling me how much they liked them that I have decided to make it a regular post. Once a week I will post a picture or series of pictures that I have taken either for my art portfolio or just because I felt like it and talk a little bit about the how and why of my photography. To start the whole thing off I will finish up with the Austin Ave. Baptist photos.
One of the first things I noticed when walking in to the sanctuary at the church was the wall of organ pipes. They just go on and on from one side of the wall to the other and so far up too. It was like a forest of metal covering undulating wooden hills. It is that idea that I tried to convey with my images. That the forest of metal pipes goes on forever.

Portrait Session : Autumn and Hayden

2008-12-18T13:11:00.000-08:00

Autumn and Hayden came in for some Christmas pictures this week and we had a blast! I had the pleasure of shooting Miss Autumn back in May for a Baby Beauty Pageant she was entering but this was the first time a got to photograph her brother. They look so cute together in their matching Christmas outfits! Mom Ashley tells me they are giving the pictures as Christmas gifts to the whole family and I'm sure they will all love them!

Bridal Portraits: Kim

2008-12-14T09:26:00.000-08:00

Where do you go shoot bridal portraits of an Austin bartender? 6th Street of course! Kim was a real trooper(and has a beautiful name). She was up for something different that showcased her personality and since I specialize in different it was a perfect fit!

Personal Work: Piano

2008-12-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I posted some pictures I took for my own personal portfolio at the First Baptist Church on Austin Ave. I'll be posting a few more of them today. Initially I went to the church to shoot the stained glass windows. I notice them every time I drive by and I thought they would make a beautiful color study in a series. While I was in the church I started shooting some images of the organ and the piano they use for services. I have always loved music and wish that I could play an instrument but the artist skill God has given me does not bend in that direction. The piano was sitting off to the side bathed in late afternoon light from the aforementioned stained glass windows. I wondered if I could make it look as beautiful as it sounds so I shot a few images composed to show the inner workings. My intent was to make the strings sing with light, you can decide if I succeeded.

Personal Work: Stained Glass Window

2008-11-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I am shocked by how nice people are for no good reason in a small town. A couple weeks ago I called up the First Baptist Church on Austin Ave. to see if they would let me take some pictures of their sanctuary. The woman I talked to on the phone said sure just come on down anytime and I thought, really? Is it that easy, you just ask and they say yes? When I was living in Orlando not too long ago I went downtown several times to take pictures and was actually chased away from a Catholic church because they thought I might vandalize something when they weren't looking. So thanks to the good people Austin Ave. First Baptist who let me wonder around inside taking pictures. Here are a few shots of their beautiful stained glass windows.

Pet Portraits: Dillon & Pancakes

2008-11-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

I went to Abilene this week to shoot some pictures of two cute little dogs. Dillon is a miniature Pomeranian with proclivity for accidents. When he was a puppy he broke one of his front legs and as soon as his cast was set jumped off the couch and broke the other leg! He had to walk around for weeks with his two front legs wrapped in plaster. Pancakes has to be the friendliest Lhasa Apso I've met. His owner Megan tells me she sometimes feeds pancakes to Pancakes. Which makes me wonder, does that make Pancakes a cannibal? Any way here are some cute puppy pics.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T19:15:00.000-07:00

Kyle and I went to a costume party this past weekend and I thought I would share a picture. A little morbid I'm told, but it was all done in fun. I'm a vegetarian and Kyle is an avid hunter, so we dressed as a hunter and a dead deer. Get it? Much fun was had at the party and I freaked out a gas station attendant so all in all a good night.

Portrait Session: Lupe

2008-10-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to photograph Lupe this week and we got some really great pictures. Including some in the famous red chair.

Pet Portraits: Daisy

2008-10-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

Introducing Daisy, the amazing miniature dachshund! Daisy is by far the tiniest dog I have ever photographed. You can get an idea of her size by looking at the picture where she is peering down over the edge of the chair. She only weighs 4 pounds! She is the same size my little preemie pup was when I got her at four weeks. Daisy did great at her photo shoot after all dogs do love bacon!

Portrait Session: TSS

2008-10-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, time goes by so fast. It seems like it shouldn't be fall yet. But here we are fall means school portraits! I'm doing preschool portraits again this year for Tuesday Sonshine School. It's held at my church, The Early Church of Christ plus I taught there a couple of years ago so I like to go back and visit. I taught a class of 10 2 year olds and only 2 of them were potty trained. I am brave soul. Not really, I bribe them with sugar free candy (they can't taste the difference yet) and I only had 2 criers this year! They really are sweet kids and the teachers do an amazing job so it truly is a pleasure.

Brownwood Reunion

2008-09-23T17:21:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the Brownwood Reunion and the Brownwood Art Association held a photography contest in conjunction. I entered a triptych of photos I took around town encased in one of my custom frames. I ended up wining Honorable Mention and the People's Choice Award! Thank you to all the people who voted for me, it is always nice to know people genuinely like your work. So for anyone who didn't get to see it in the show here is my piece "Each Touch Belongs To Each New Sound".

Family Portraits: The Martins

2008-09-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

I sat down with the Martins last week and got some portraits worked out for Christmas gifts. So here it is folks, proof positive that family portraits need not be boring. You can have great pictures without stiff shoulders, say cheese smiles, and matching sweaters. Billy and Vanessa were a joy to work with and their kids, Will and Kinley are very energetic and creative. The baseball shot was Will and Kinley's idea.

Portrait Session: Andrew

2008-09-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to do a shoot with Andrew this week. We did some non traditional fun stuff. My personal favorites are the images using the Guitar Hero guitar as a prop. Andrew has two real guitars that he loves to play so I thought using a plastic video game controller to rock out would be cool.

The Digital Negitives

2008-09-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

Yes, dear readers it is time for a controversial post. A DVD OF FULL RESOLUTION FILES IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE WITH ALL OF MY SESSIONS. I have had some questions about what exactly that means and why I would I do something like that so here we go. The following is an explanation of what the images are (and are not) along with eight great reasons why I do what I do. That's right people I can rhyme.

1. I Refuse To Hold My Client's Images Hostage
Back in the olden days (like the 1990's) photographers would charge a relatively small sitting fee for portraits or weddings. They would do their best to take pictures that people would then in turn want to purchase. After the shoot was over, they switched hats and became a salesman. Their livelihood was dependent upon how many 8x10's or 5x7's they sold. They would sell frames at a huge mark up and employ high pressure sales tactics to up sell the wedding albums. They needed you to pay for physical prints, frames, or albums in order to make a profit and stay in business. They wouldn't even consider giving the negatives away since the negatives were the means of reproduction. Most never let you keep the proofs and they would even stamp the word "PROOF" really big on the front of the print so if you tried to illegally copy it everyone would know. If you didn't want to pay $50 for 1 8x10 or 8 wallets you were out of luck with no pictures. I do things a bit differently. I charge a higher fee up front for my time and talent and make my living by taking wonderful photographs in a relaxed,comfortable fashion. I also pride myself on providing excellent customer service while delivering our amazing artwork and albums. Now, I don't want to sound like I am bragging, but that is simply the goal we strive for with each and every client.

2. I Don't Want To Turn My Clients Into Criminals
Many people don't know about or understand U.S. copyright law and how it applies to the photographs they have purchased from a professional photographer. If you take the wallet size photo from your child's yearbook scan it and email it to your aunt you are infringing on the photographer's copyright and breaking the law. The photographer knows this and that is why they stamp their logo on the bottom corner, so that copyright infringement can be proven in court. I don't want to force my clients to break the law in order to have a nice photo on myspace. That is why I include a print and web release with all my DVDs allowing my clients to share their photos with friends and family.

3. It Keeps My Pricing Simple
I have a confession to make : complicated pricing structures give me a headache. Reading things like"Sessions include 2 units, 1 unit = 2 4x5's + 4 wallets / 1 8x10 * tennie tiny print" gives me unpleasant flash backs to high school algebra. I am not in the business of confusing or misleading people. I want my clients to rest assured that they will not be hit with surprise costs after the shoot. If you want fancy Photoshop stuff you can order Artist Signature prints from me. They are priced according to size and type of paper and a price list is available by email or at the studio.

4. It Gives My Clients A Choice
Most of our clients can see and appreciate the job we do in Photoshop and are willing to pay a premium for the quality that we deliver. Some of our clients and their relatives do not want to pay the premium and prefer to have the images printed themselves at a lab of their choice. I think it should be your choice whether or not to order prints from me. I don't pretend to know what every single person wants to do with the photographs I take. If my clients want to load their images into digital photo frames and NEVER print them, cool they can do that. If they want the VIP TLC we offer in Photoshop on a 24x36 gallery wrapped canvas print we will be happy to oblige them. The bottom line is I leave the final decision of what best suits my clients needs up to my client. (A comparison of Digital Negatives and Artist Signatures is at the top of this post)

5. It Gives My Clients Piece Of Mind
Family photos are pretty important to most people, so important in fact they will run back into burning homes to get them! After all when the wedding is over, the cake is gone and the flowers are dead, the kids grow up and are off to college what is left are your memories and a few dozen photos. I hope my clients take their DVDs and make 12 copies. Give one to their mother, put one in a safe deposit box, up load them to an online back up service, bury one in the backyard in a time capsule, I don't mind! I hope they do whatever makes feel better about the safe keeping of their memories. And I hope they don't run back into burning buildings.

6. I Choose Not To Sell My Clients A Commodity
My primary aim is for each and every client to have an awesome and enjoyable experience being photographed by me. I don't want to nickel and dime my clients over the little things like 4x6's and 5x7's. I would rather a client pay me a fair wage for my art, my passion and my heart while taking the images, and be a cool girl by delivering the images as part of our service, in an effort to get tons of referrals from each client because they liked me and I was fair.

7. It Makes My Clients Happy
I have yet to have a client tell me they didn't want copies of all their images on a DVD to do with what they pleased. My clients are not ignorant, they know with today's technology I can give them copies of the images and still keep copies for myself. It is a win-win situation, my clients get what they want (the files) and I get what I want (happy clients).

8. I Am Selfish
I don't like being a salesman. I sold cars once and now I am a photographer. If I still wanted to be a salesman I would hang up my camera tomorrow and work at a car lot. Giving my clients the Digital Negatives allows to spend more time taking pictures (which I LOVE), and spend less time being a salesman (which I explained before I do not like).

The bottom line is I like being fair and flexible and I like giving my clients the option to choose what is best for them in their unique situation. I like to think that makes my services very attractive because it gives them a lot of value.

September Desktop

2008-08-31T16:56:00.000-07:00

Introducing our new September desktop calender featuring the lovely Jackie. This is one of the images from the portrait session we did down at Lake Brownwood. Check your monitor resolution and click on one of the links below to download it.

800x600

1040x768

Pet Portraits: Bobo

2008-08-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

I promised more pictures of Bobo and here they are. It can be difficult to take pictures of animals, they have short attention spans and you can't direct someone who can't understand you. But Bobo was a lot of fun, a very well behaved dog and the cutest little mutt puppy I've ever seen. With the possible exception of my two mutt puppies. Bobo seems to approve also, I hear he licked the screen when he saw them!

Portrait Session: Jackie Part II

2008-08-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

I went out to Lake Brownwood to do some location portraits with Jackie last Thursday. This time she brought her dog Bobo along and we got some great shots of him too. There will be more of Bobo to come. Here are a few of my favorites from the lake.

Portrait Session: Jackie

2008-08-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

I have been a very lazy blogger and I'm trying to make up for it now. Here is a sneak peak of a session I did recently for Jackie. She is such a great model, we had tons of fun and we are going to go shoot some outdoor pictures soon too. I'm really looking forward to it.

Flickr

2008-06-24T20:53:00.001-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.