Little boys grow up entirely too fast! I know. Mine sure did.
Fortunately, my friend Montse is wise enough to have figured that out. Her sons have entered that fleeting age where they bounce between being little boys full of mischief and silliness to young men with generous hearts and gentlemanly manners.
What better way to freeze this moment in time than a non-traditional family-lifestyle photography session?
Montse wanted to capture her family’s personality and activities, and she was super-enthusiastic about our session. She packed several sets of clothes, and had the kids bring a few of their favorite toys including light sabers (and Jedi Robes) , hand-held computer games and even the WII controllers. She and her oh-so-easy-on-the-eyes husband even hauled a laptop computer and a book to the park.
They’re going to keep on growing up, but Mom and Dad will always have these super-fun portraits on their walls to stir their hearts full of memories.
A “Big Girls Pajama Party” That’s how it’s touted, and it’s really a great way to describe the Girlfriends Giggle, held every year in Sugar Land to support the Fort Bend Women’s Center.
Where else can bunches of professional business-women run around in matching Jammies while they get manicures, pedicures, henna tattoos , massages, and more?
They shop, they eat and drink, they laugh . . . and of course they all stop by my photo booth for a group portrait.
This is one event where humor and creativity rule, and I’m so proud to be a part of it all for three years in a row.
Some of my favorite groups at Giggle included the Village People; my Lovely Charlies Angel Assistants - Susan, Heidi, and Rebecca; The Get Your Giggle On Pajama Contest Winners; and The Charming Ladies of Mardi Gras.
Coming back to GIGGLE year after year, one of the greatest rewards is hearing people say how much they enjoyed the photographs that they ordered over the last two years. But the REALLY REALLY best part is getting phone calls from these ladies afterward when they schedule their weddings, family portraits and powerful-sexy lady boudoir photography parties.
Now THAT is a RUSH!
The Bale Law Firm , acts as a major sponsor of the event, providing a nice chunk of funding to make the GIGGLE possible, and their ladies have come by my booth every year for pictures. Now they tell me that they have a whole collection of Girlfriends Giggle photographs on display in their office. How’s that for community spirit! I love these ladies enjoying milk and cookies above with bright shiny smiles, tiaras and red satin jammies. One other sponsor that was oh-so-fun to meet was Jan Loggins of J Loggins Jewelers She provided a lovely bracelet as a doorprize, and here she is above with her team and the lucky winner!
Okay . . . a few more favorite groups from the evening.
Did YOU get your Giggle On this year? If so, you’ll want to be sure to pick up your Giggle Portraits before the end of March.
Just scroll to the top of this page, go to PROOFS and then select EVENTS.
If you didn’t get to Giggle this year, there’s always 2012. Start planning NOW so that you will be in on the fun too!
Long before I ever met Anikka, I knew I liked her bold and fun-loving spirit. Then after I learned that she wraps up a rough day by putting on her wedding dress to sit on the sofa and drink a beer, I decided she would make a great candidate for a Trash the Dress Session. And was I ever right! She jumped at the idea and even invited her good friend Kisha to join us. I’m so glad she did too. The more the merrier . . . We had tons of fun, laughing and playing all morning and we thoroughly enjoyed providing a little free entertainment for passers by who loved seeing such well-dressed ladies in very casual locations.
The term “Trash the Dress” is a bit of a misnomer. While some women are willing to stain, shred, or even burn their dresses, most just want to put them on again, play, and get some non-traditional images of themselves having a good time in their dream dresses. After all, there is a dry cleaner on nearly every corner of our city and most of these dresses even come out looking as good as new after a bathtub hand wash or a gentle cycle in the washing machine.
We met early on a Saturday morning and headed down to a pretty little bridge for the first part of our session.
It takes strength and fortitude to spend too much time in a low creek bed during a Houston summer day. We’re renown in this part of the world for our heat and humidity anyway, and by climbing down the banks where no breezes can reach we had to remind ourselves that some people pay good money to sit in saunas. Before long we decided that we were healthy and well-steamed, so we moved along to a nearby open field. Trash the dress is all about fantasy though, so let’s call it a meadow instead. That just sounds better.
Since we were photographing in a newly developed area, we couldn’t resist a chance to explore a nearby home that was under construction. The light in there was phenomenal, but because the external walls had already been put up, we again had no breeze at all. Our respect for construction workers jumped tenfold.
With only a few construction images, we walked out of the house as the construction crews arrived.
They laughed. We left — and headed for the lake.
As I mentioned before, some women embrace the idea of actually “trashing” their dresses. While I never expect this of my brides, I will not turn down the opportunity either. Kisha had brought a can of hot pink spray paint to end our session. I asked her three times if she was sure she wanted to do this, and each time her enthusiasm grew. Anikka changed clothes so that her own dress would still be suitable for her next hard day’s night and then the spraying ensued.
We have tentative plans for Part II with these ladies and their phenomenal dresses before the end of the summer. If it all pans out, you won’t want to miss the results.
Boudoir — cool word, but just what is it? boudoir [ˈbuːdwɑː -dwɔː] noun — meaning a woman’s bedroom or private sitting room. It’s derived from the French language and means literally a room for sulking or pouting.
With boudoir photography we create beautiful and sensuous photographs of a woman. The images are sexy, sassy, sultry, seductive, and always classy. They make a perfect gift for the lady to present to the one man in her life — or simply to keep to herself and treasure, knowing that she is indeed as beautiful on the OUTSIDE as she is on the inside. While boudoir is a wonderful gift for a new bride to present to her husband, most of the women I photograph are between 40 and 60 years of age — women who have paid their dues.
Check out this little video compiled of shots from some recent studio sessions. These women are not models, just normal women who have graciously agreed to help showcase some of my work.
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So . . . is Boudoir for you? If you’re over 21 years of age the answer is yes. This is not about losing those 10 extra pounds or wishing away some well-earned character lines. We will set up the poses that are most flattering to your body type, and we’ll play on YOUR unique personality. We’ll accentuate your best assets and smooth out the rough edges.
Ladies — it’s your time! You’ve earned it, and it’s all about you.
So — for June 11 -12 I have reserved a sleek and sexy hotel room in West Houston for a boudoir photography marathon. We’ll have floor to ceiling windows for incredible light, hardwood floors and ultra modern super-cool furnishings. Participants get two hours of private photography time with four different outfits. Come alone or bring a friend. Better yet, schedule a consecutive session with a friend for a super- fun shared experience. Available appointments are limited so contact me quickly for more information and to reserve your time.
What better excuse to start shopping for your stilettos and sexy outfits?
No big assignments to report on from this weekend because Mothers Day weekend was all about family. Moms are important, but we also celebrate our grandmothers, aunts, cousins, in-laws and out-laws. We think our men are pretty darn special too.
I thought my niece making kissy faces from the back of the pickup truck was cute enough in its own right, but the fact that her daddy’s face is reflected in the rear-view mirror makes it priceless. Sometimes I enjoy trying out different effects on the same picture and putting them all back into one single composite.
She LOVES her Daddy
You probably haven’t really lived unless you’ve thrown rotten eggs from the back of a pickup truck or stood in a low-water crossing laughing at the BOYS who wouldn’t take off their shoes.
We gals love the feeling of cold water rushing past our ankles, fuzzy green moss between our toes, and laughing until our sides are about to split. Yep — I’m right in there, thanks to my brother who took this picture so I could be in it too.
Cousins — just horsing around on Saturday afternoon. It’s something everyone should do at least once a year.
For those who were at the farm — or those who just wish they were, click this link http://www.spccreative.com/Family-and-Friends/Holiday-Gatherings/Mothers-Day-2010/12134291_qs8tn#862794685_xSb6B to enjoy the rest of the pictures from the weekend.
