book review

I don't usually use this blog to advertise or promote things, but I just finished reading Annie Leibovitz's new book "Annie Leibovitz At Work" and I need everyone to pick it up. I say 'reading' because the photographs in it are not at all the focus of the book, but rather the purpose of the book. It's a collection of the behind the scenes essays that explain or describe what went into taking the photograph, or what was happening during them, that make the book such an interesting read. Also the last two chapters of the book Annie reveals her thoughts and/or opinions about cameras, film vs. digital, tripods, etc.-things that I, as a photographer, am interested in. She also answers the 10 most asked questions she gets asked such as: How many photos does she usually take? How does she set people at ease? Again, things that interest me more as a photographer than a bookworm. Anyway, whether you're one or the other, or both, you need to leave now and go pick up her book, it's always interesting to hear the thoughts of someone who's looking through the lens instead of standing in front of it. Trust me on this one.

main street arts festival

Every year Main Street hosts this big huge arts festival for local and traveling artists. Tents are raised and the street is blocked off in it's entirety to make room for the festivities. Bands play. There are street performers. A kid's section for face painting (as you'll see). Here are a few fun shots from there.

Cool shot of the street view.

The greatest kids there! Forrest Gump once said, "You can learn a lot by looking at a person's shoes. Where they goin'. Where they been..." Well, I had to edit this shot a bit so as not to offend anyone, but these shoes say a lot.

rallycats (warehouse)

After we took the rallycats' promo pictures, we decided to take them to this old warehouse that's literally about to crumble to pieces and do a few photos there that had more of a fashion edge and feel to them (although most of the pictures I posted here are more three quarter and close ups, and have that portrait feel).

This last pic I intentionally left a bit dark...I thought it helped the mood and the tone of the photo.

the birds

So I dug these up from a trip to Dallas to see the band Ludo play a little while back. Forgot all about these and once I viewed them on the big screen (not the back of my camera) I thought these were pretty cool. I played with the colors in photoshop a little bit to give them an extra something.

mineral wells

Here's a little more homage to my love of small towns. Mineral Wells exists about forty five minutes west of Fort Worth. A friend of mine and I have realized that to define a small town it must have these qualities: 1. old run down buildings, gas stations, supermarkets, etc. 2. beer joints with names like "Bob's" or "Sammy's". 3. Antiques. A plethora of antiques.

what is it?

out by the pool

The photos taken of the old swimming pool are my favorites. I have this natural magnetism towards old crapped out places. I have always had this inclination. So an old pool, paint peeling, the deep end filled with rain water, rust, and grime, is right up my ally. When I photograph these old places, vehicles, whatever it is I am focusing on, I always think about what it was. What it used to be. People swam in this pool. Kids had splash fights in this pool. Families spent part of their vacations here, by the pool, soaking up sun and relaxing. To see it deteriorated here isn't sad to me...I'm just happy to be able to capture it again, before it is forgotten altogether.

the old hotel

If you ever pass through Mineral Wells, Texas, there's a good chance you'll catch this old hotel in your view. Why? Cause it's the tallest thing in town, well, besides the giant Hollywood like 'welcome' sign on the hillside (photos of that later). I had a shoot scheduled there last week and spent my lunch break exploring a hotel that should be a movie set...or character. Stanly Kubrick would've loved this thing. This and the next post will be some of my favorite shots taken from the grounds of the hotel. I wanted to post these exteriors of the place to try and convey that in it's day, I'm sure the finest money slept within these rooms.

easter part II

I've got so much stuff I'm itching to post and I just don't have enough time to edit and post it all! Aaagh! So, here some cool pics taken at Easter. Up next: the old hotel...

This last shot, taken of my pawpaw and my cousin Caleb's feet, a cool generation picture. I love it.

easter part I

I wanted to devote one blog post to pics of my family that I took during Easter. So, these are those, with more Easter pics coming soon.

Amber

So, Amber and I met down in south Louisiana at the White Oak Plantation to take a couple of snapshots of her in this ol' dress she found at a thrift store. What do you think?


Okay, seriously, bridal portraits never looked so good. It was cold and windy that morning...hmmm-much like the engagements I took the day before, but she never let it show. What I posted here are not even all of my favorites because if I posted all of my favorites, her entire session would be here.

Mahvalous darling...mahvalous!
Love this shot. Love the rug. Love the dress. Love you.

Kayla and Dustin

Hi everyone, excuse the brief hiatus there but I took a little time off to work on the house a bit and spend a little time in Louisiana with my family for Easter. I hope your holiday was great and that everyone ate as much chocolate as one could. Those Reese's eggs...holdmeback. Anyway, it's back to work and before I post my Easter pics I've got to take care of a little business first. Starting with Kayla and Dustin.


We went to the Japanese Gardens here in Fort Worth, which was beautiful. The morning was cold and windy but they really did a good job making it look not so.

This is one of my favorites. I love everything about this shot, the light, the pose, the waterfall in the background. They look great.

A little bit country...

rallycats

Taking a break from New York, let's come home to Fort Worth for a little while. This past weekend me and a friend of mine photographed the Fort Worth Rallycats. It began eight in the morning and was freezing, but these girls were awesome...Miley!!