Meet the beautiful ladies at Sweet Three Nail Lounge – Katy Business Photographer

 

These ladies make people look fantastic — hands down — every single day.  But not long ago I got to be the one who captured their personalities and made THEM look fabulous too.  Turnabout’s fair play, and it’s FUN!

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Confession time!  I’ve never been one of those women who gets a regular manicure or pedicure.

I used to make an effort to get my annual spring pedicure every three or four years, and I might have sprung for a luscious bottle of lacquer at the grocery store if I thought  I needed a treat, but it might have been a month or more before I ever opened it up and slapped it onto my nails.  Yep — that’s just how it shook out.

Perhaps I never joined the ranks of manicure mavens  because I never had any daughters to share the bonding experience with.  Maybe it’s because I figured my relentless gardening habits would  wreck a new paintjob before the first day was out.   Mostly though, I never took especially good care of my nails and feet because I didn’t have a place where I felt like the staff cared if I was  there or ever came back again.

After all, our city has a nail salon, a donut shop, and a dry-cleaners on every corner.

That’s how it used to be until I discovered Sweet Three Nail Lounge here in Katy.  Owner, Kristina Luong has built a lovely  little welcoming retreat.  She and her staff take the time to get to know their clients, and they don’t cut corners on products or cleanliness either.  No WAY NO HOW!

Sweet Three is a place where you are just as likely to  find yourself sitting next to  a Houston Power Broker  and talking business as you will be to find yourself seated between teenage sisters and  engaging in a lively discussion ranging from rescue dogs to glow-in-the dark polish to tales about the escapades of learning to drive.  You are as likely to seal a contract in the pedicure chair as you are to meet a new friend who thinks just like you do.

Instead of meeting for lunch or coffee, Sweet Three has become the place for networking meetings and business collaborations.

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Don’t think that Sweet Three is just a ladies hangout either.  If a man is man-enough for a pedi, he will soon become a devotee of this place too.

That’s right!  I’ve never been a mani-pedi sort of gal, but now I never leave the lounge without making my next appointment.  I love this place and you will too.

So, as Kristina says, come have a glass of wine and get your nails done.  Tell them that Shelly the photographer sent you — and that you want that glass of wine

— as long as you are old enough to legally partake.  Insert smiley emoticon here!

 

Ryan’s Portraits – Katy Photographer

A  lovely big family  moved in to our neighborhood a couple of years ago, and I was just lucky enough to be at home when mom, Susan,  and their adorable young daughter came by selling Girl Scout Cookies.

The sweet child waited so politely while mom and I visited  — and visited — and visited — and before long, we became friends.

Now, what does THAT have to do with the photos of this handsome young man?

Well, he is a big brother to my favorite Brownie Scout.

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Ryan was back in town after his first year of college to spend a little time  with friends and family before heading off to Brazil for a year long mission trip with his church, and  Mom needed some great photographs to keep him close at heart.  As a  Mormon Missionary, Ryan’s right at home with a suit and tie — and he does look quite dashing. Don’t you agree?

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 A couple of his younger siblings, including the Cookie Princess dropped by during our portrait session, and they are BEYOND ADORABLE —

so naturally, they  ended up in front of my lens out in the studio barn too.

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 Ryan’s looking ahead to an exciting year of meeting people and learning a new language.   . . .

Portugese.  Yep!  That’s what they speak in Brazil.  Look it up ! How cool is THAT?

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No doubt, he’ll miss these little guys, but they’re going to miss him too.  Have a great experience, Ryan.  
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Is it Time to Update Your Headshot? West Houston Corporate Photographer

Welcome to this brand  spankin’ new year! It’s a great time for a fresh clean start.

January  is when we  all step back to look at our brand new blank calendars as we reassess our habits and  goals for the next 12 months.

It’s also a great time to pay attention to the image we present of ourselves, and one place to start is with the profile picture or headshot that we use in business communications and social media.

This is especially important for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

So… what does your headshot say about you?  Is it a five-year-old bathroom selfie?  Are you about three hairstyles beyond the last photograph?    Does your go-to photograph  say who you really are?

Do you even HAVE a go-to photograph?

If not, let’s fix it. NOW.  This month we’re running ONE HECKUVA SPECIAL on business headshots that can also double as your social media profile picture.  

   If you want the full deal with professional hair and makeup on location or in my studio, we’ve got you covered.

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Do you need corporate environmental portraits to portray the essence of your profession?

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Or will a simple traditional portrait  take care of your needs?

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 I firmly believe that the image you present is extremely important.

That’s why we are  offering a New Years Special through the month of January on professional headshots.

A basic business style headshot session in studio typically runs $15o, but if you book before January 31, it will only be $100.  We’ll make it quick and painless as we create several great looks from which to choose.

We are also offering specials this month for  groups and on-location business portraits

So… what are you waiting for? It doesn’t get any better than this!

Pick up your phone and call SPCcreative Photography today  281.773.7465. We’ll answer any questions you have, and we will make sure that YOU put YOUR best face forward in 2015.

Gorgeous Fashions from Two Elles – West Houston Fashion Photographer

This fall I’ve had an opportunity to do a little bit of photography for a trendy new  boutique called Two Elles.   Oh my goodness! Talk about FUN and CUTE STUFF!!

The hardest part for me has been staying disciplined, because I would LOVE to keep nearly every one of their absolutely ADORABLE clothes and accessories for myself.  Well, maybe not the short dresses because, face it,  My time for those has passed and  nobody wants to look at my white 50 plus year old legs — but the rest of it ….. Oh YEAH!   Check them out!  You’ll find some great gifts as well as a few goodies for yourself!  I promise!

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Their ever-evolving selection is always available online at twoellesboutique.com, but you’ll have a chance to see and touch these gorgeous fashions  for yourself this weekend and on into the holiday season at several area market events!   Starting RIGHT AWAY they’ll be at the Celebrations Gift Market at The Great Southwest Equestrian Center right here in Katy  on October 24 and 25.

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When you stop by, Tell Meredith, Hannah, Caitlyn, and team that Shelly sent you.  And if you want a sneak peek at the newest fashions as they become available, be sure to follow all the latest news at their facebook page!

 

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If you miss out on this event, you’ll also have a chance to check out the Two Elles goodies at the following Holiday markets thoughout the season.

October 24-25 – Celebrations Gift Market  – The Great Southwest Equestrian Center, Katy, TX

October 29 – Beth Yeshurun Day School Market – 4525 Beechnut, Houston, Tx

November 1 – Wilchester Market – 13618 St. Mary’s, Houston, Tx 77079

November 15 – 2014 Mom’s Holiday Market – The Woodlands College Park High School, The Woodlands, TX

November 21-23 – Home for the Holidays Market – The Merrell Center, Katy, Texas

December 5-6 – St. Nick’s Market – December 5-6 – 7901 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands, TX

I have had the best time EVER in my Two Elles  photography sessions, and I feel like they help me stay up to date on the latest trends that my portrait clients — particularly high school seniors will want to know about. Can’t wait until our next shoot date!

 

 

PRSA Excalibur Awards 2013 Houston Event Photographer

PRSA Excalibur Awards 2013 Houston Event Photographer

In a world not so long ago and not far away at all, this photographer lived a somewhat different life from the one she lives today.  Rather than telling stories in pictures, I  was a storyteller for several medical and nonprofit organizations.  The world of public relations was a wonderful ride for a while until my geeky love for color and images sent me spinning off into another  professional direction.  Still, I love love love catching up with old friends every year at the Public Relations Society of America Houston  Excalibur Awards Gala.

I’ve been photographing the Excalibur Awards  every year except one since 2008, and this year, co-chairs, Meredith Phillips and Jessica Manning, put together a team that absolutely outdid themselves.    To see more images and details of the evening, head on over to the event gallery on my  web site. 

 

 

Oh, those PR folks!  They’ve gotta keep us on our toes. As happens often in Houston, the evening started with a lively happy hour and silent auction benefiting the Public Relations Foundation of Houston, but a few special guests from the Texas Renaissance Festival  provided an added twist of magic.

More images here!  These are the people who make things happen in Houston.

And after dinner, some of Houston’s finest storytellers received the recognition of their respected colleagues.

Among them this year:

 Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, Gallery Furniture — Communicator of the Year.

Ben Wheatley, ABC, APR — Legacy Award

and

Debra Ward Buks, APR, Ward Creative Communications and Eni Petroleum — Grand Excalibur Award.

For additional images and more award winners, just click here. 

 

 

Congratulations to each and every Excalibur Award winner.  Well done and happily ever after … until it’s time to start over and do it again.

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