merry christmas!

As we pack for Louisiana this will be my last post until after Christmas, so to all of you out there who still read, have a Merry Christmas! Thank you for your devotion, I hope you and your families enjoy each other, the holiday, and the season. May God Bless...

christmas in new york-cont'd

The holiday is getting close now. The presents are all wrapped, the stockings are hung, and now we are in pre-preparation for our trip to Louisiana for Christmas. The only question is how in the world are we going to fit all of these gifts into the CR-V? Anyway, another NY shot. Later.

city of lights

Last year the family vacation spot was Disney World. We bought tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party where the Magic Kingdom is literally lit up like a Christmas tree and it snows on Main St. As we walked around the park, taking in the sights and rides and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies we turned a corner and came upon this sight. The entire street looked as if it was made up of Christmas lights. It was awesome. This photograph was all I could come back with, I hope it does it a little justice.

magic

It hardly ever snows in South Louisiana. Okay, it never snows, but in December of 2008 about two days before my wedding it covered the state. I'm sure there are those northerners who can't stand the stuff, there can be too much of a good thing. It can't be denied though that snow is incredibly photogenic. It transforms the landscape into this beautiful purified simple line drawing of all the familiar settings you see everyday and makes them new again.

christagram!

In case you haven't noticed, instagram is an app you can get on your smart phone that helps us regular folks take artsy fartsy fancy phone photos and share them with the whole entire world. I'm not sure I would shoot a wedding with it, but it takes me back to the greatness that is analog photography-you remember film don't you? Anyway, here are some shots taken last Christmastime that you could find originally on my instagram account. Oh, and hey, if you're not on instagram you should check it out...it's free and it's fun. Who can argue with that?

the morning of...

This was last year's Christmas morning, presents layed out like a spread sheet all orderly as we take turns giving everyone a present at a time, until all are openned. It's all about suspense...

13 days and counting...!

Faced the mall today for one of the last few gifts we need. I worked on our Christmas card this evening...an annual tradition to make each year's card better than the last. The coffee's on and the excitement of the coming holiday is seeping into everything. School is nearing the end and the boys have endless guesses on what it is wrapped under the tree. To quote Sam the talking snowman, "I love this Christmasy time of year."

mmmm...sugar cookies.

This is an image I've had in the photo library for a while. It's one of the pictures I plan on using for the Livingston, Louisiana project. One of the best parts of the holidays is of course the food. This cannot be denied, but one of the better parts is my Mother's food which I have on high authority is better than most Mother's food. Sorry, it just is. My mom makes these sugar cookies every so often, more often around the holidays, and more often when us boys where in the house. I prefer them without powdered sugar, but she usually finishes them off with it and every now again, she'll add chocolate chips for buttons on the gingerbread men or the snow men shaped cookies. Either way, they are a part of the holidays in the Hayman household, and they are the best. If you doubt me, just ask my best friend. They're his favorite too.

crescent city wreath

This is a re-post of one my favorite images taken in New Orleans during this holiday season. I don't know who hung a wreath on this dilapidated aged building, but I thank them, because I was able to capture this image and take it home, forever captured, forever remembered.

big apple-big ornaments

Christmas in New York-continued... More to come!

crescent city tree

I haven't been many places in my life. New York on my honeymoon where I was the typical camera toting china town wandering gotta see a Broadway show tourist, and loved every minute of it I might add; and other than a quick drive through Nashville, Tennessee I've never left the states that border the Gulf of Mexico. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida. Seen them all, but not much else. But New Orleans. New Orleans is one of those cities that you wish commanded as much respect as New York, but at the same time you realize that would ruin the city. New Orleans with its unspoken charm and gritty street scene, its erotic Bourbon St., its sobering Cafe' du Monde, the Mississippi River, and all the history of the South finding home in this city that sits in a bowl underneath the sea level. Christmas here just can't be compared with Christmas anywhere else. It goes without saying though, because anytime of the year can't be compared with spending even a weekend in New Orleans, no matter what the season is.

gifts from home

I always hear these Christmas tales of woe: an uncle who once painted his niece a painting for Christmas and her response-the moral of the story-was one of selfish brattyness. She hated it because it wasn't what she asked for. It wasn't a Barbie-doll house or Susie-go-potty-a-lot. Again, the stories are meant to teach the value of time, care, and thoughtfulness that go into the art of gift-giving. This year I've taken the story to heart and am doing just that: making most everyone's gift. It's partly because people like my homemade gifts, partly because I enjoy making things (the creative process and all that), and partly because I usually make more than one for myself to keep. So I guess there goes that selfish bratty moral of the story edge to it, huh? Well oh well. Here's a work in progress, a snow globe with a junk-car...it's soooo Livingston Parish.

city snow flakes

This may be a repeat image, but it's one of my favorites from New York during my honeymoon. The snowflakes were synchronized to Christmas music playing on the street stretching high up to the top of the facade of the building. It's a pretty picture, but really can't capture how awesome it was to watch in person.

december 2nd...

Just in case you missed my post yesterday: Holga, inflatables, Christmas, film. Okay, carry on.

december 1st...the countdown begins!

Things I love: my Holga medium format camera, shooting film, Christmas time, and those big overblown inflatable figures that can typically be found in front of car lots. Well, let's combine all those things in one image and call it done.

cowtown christmas

Christmas is in full swing. That is an understatement I realize, it having been "Christmas" since probably October. I am not the one to complain to though, because I love it. Being the sentimental sap that I am, instilled in me diligently by my Mother who we decorated our tree with every year to Bing Crosby and the claymation Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on the television, I totally enjoy the holiday. I'm not one of those over the top Christmas fans like the neighbors and their extravagant light show set to music, you just dial in the station in front of their house and watch the show...no I celebrate the quieter moments: the tree lit up alone in the living room, a fire going in the fireplace, a cup of hot chocolate, and making and wrapping gifts. Just a fraction of the holiday that I love. Anyway, here are a few festive shots from downtown cow town to help usher in the blog to Christmas and all that I love about it.

in the attic

Did a commercial shoot for Demilec USA, a spray foam insulation company in Arlington, Texas. Began the day in an attic watching them test out some of their new product, then moved on to their warehouse to get some on-sight shots that offered a bit more space to move around and shoot. It's dirty, gritty, grungy work; and photos never lie...well they used to never lie.

on the boat-quickie

Last weekend the family and I, with our neighbor's kind invite, went out on Eagle Mountain lake for a bit of boating. For some reason, all natural water bodies, beaches, lakes, oceans, etc. just make for great photos. Here's a favorite, talk to you guys soon!

homecoming

Every year homecoming season comes and goes and with it I usually get a slew of images that are hard to explain. They are hard to explain just as teenagers are often hard to explain. High school being what it is and filled with teenagers that are all trying to figure out who they are, what they stand for, what is right and wrong with the world around them, what these things are that are known as the opposite sex (and how to communicate with the strange beings), what they want to be when they grow up, and how to go about accomplishing all these things and still remember the periodic symbol of silver for the test next week. I think the images below capture all things homecoming, and simultaneously all things high school and all things youth.

children of the corn

Took this shot whilst my family and I wound our way 'round a giant corn maze. Thought it a good way to kick off the month of Thanksgiving, and titled it in a way to pay tribute to the Halloween festivities that just passed. Hope everyone enjoyed the candyfest. I'll have pics of the kiddos posted soon!

on the porch

Down south one needs a porch. Upon that porch, one must have a porch swing. Why? Because if there were no porch swing there would be no porch 'talks'. 'Porch talks' being those times your parents need to talk to you about something import, drastic, Earth shattering, or accuse you of things you may or may not have done or am doing. And in those moments during the porch talks, if there is no porch swing, then all there is left to do is stand there.

pumpkins-autumn's new mascot

I understand. I do. Pumpkins do seem like hosts ushering us into the Autumn season what with them representing Halloween and all with their carved decor garnishing door ways and front porches and wicker baskets etc. It is only natural for us to begin the season with a little pumpkin on our stoop. I assume we bought it at the market with plans to later kill it-as Linus would cry-and carve it, and put it out front as part of the most un-sacred events of the year. In recent years though, pumpkins have become the cool kids on campus. Women's magazine's galore have infinite creative and crafty ways to dress and decorate your pumpkin that will make your neighbors green with envy. Even my local newspaper had a pumpkin carving contest where one had to represent one of the seven deadly sins on the face of a pumpkin. Even our food, deserts, and coffee are pumpkin spiced; you can purchase pumpkin lights; and one can even dress as one for the costume party. For me though, the fad has passed, and although pumpkin spice has captured my taste buds with the rest of America, shouldn't the food gods be a little food-forward hunting down the next awesome flavor to usher in the season. Is there a flavor that could represent a cornucopia? Or maybe even a flaky croissant can be marketed in such a way that makes one dream of raking leaves...then burning them to a crisp in the back yard. Alls I know, is that unlike Linus, I am anxious no longer for the Great Pumpkin, he has overstayed his welcome. I am ready to taste a new season.

fall...

Every trip home results in my inner magazine spread ad photographer that lives inside of me rising up and taking over. Then again, with a home as beautifully laid out as my Mom's, one just can't help themselves. It's Autumn, and so the front porch is full of pumpkins, scarecrows, colorful gourds, and stalks of grasses, wheat, and grains. This image is a favorite of mine, there are more to come, but I thought this was a good one to show because it really captures the essence of Autumn.

the living room

In South Louisiana when the weather is right, and even often when it isn't, this is the place that gets more living than the room with the TV in it; and in about 18 hours from right now, that's where I will be-sitting on those Adirondack chairs, drinking on a cup of coffee. Here's a nice shot of that holy place I speak of...the front porch.

farm antiques

On the farm tractors are essential, and when you got a good one you use it 'til its dead. This one is still alive and kickin', though (with most farm equipment) probably needs a little help to get going. The scan of the print is pretty lo-fi, which I don't like, because the vague detail in the shadows of this photo is what gives it its true quality; but hopefully you get the idea.

found art :: paint cans and cabinets

My first foray into the Impossible Project's sepia film made for the 100 Land camera was impressive. I used my first pack, my test pack, on my mom and dad's place out in Greensburg, Louisiana. The house is newly built, but not without it's own history. I stumbled upon this little scene in my dad's work storage room where one can also find several tool boxes, cow show tools, ropes, gas cans, and plenty of bugs.

shellybelly&brad

One of the privileges I have with being a photographer is watching families grow. I had the honor of photographing Shelly and Brad's wedding just a few years ago here in Fort Worth. Beautiful wedding, great couple, awesome people; and come to find out-expecting! I was very excited when they first told me they were pregnant and immediately I called dibs. So, here are the results of my "dibs". Shelly loves the vintage damask and textile patterns and incorporates it into a lot of her home decor. It's part of her style, and so I made sure I incorporated it into the pictures of her growing family. These turned out very cool, I hope you love them.

ghosts of summer II :: trunks

In the wake of summer, I still have images to post even though Autumn is in full effect and the temps (thank God) have finally started to drop. I took along an old Minolta film automatic camera on a visit to the neighbors and their new pool. This shot is taken at the curb right outside their house before the kiddo stripped off his shirt and plunged right in. I just wish they made shark shoes like that for adults, I would totally rock those.

ghosts of summer

Summer isn't my favorite season, especially in Texas. The dry, dry heat literally zaps your energy and in the wake of this past summer I pray I never see 100 degrees ever again for the rest of my life, but I love the images summer evokes. Even the word conjures up beaches, pools, sand, sun, drinks, bathing suits, water parks, and the list could go on. The images of summer I really enjoy and I recently processed a roll that I had taken during the thick of the summer and had just been sitting on for a while. Well, here's one of my favs from the role. These were taken with an old minolta I had found at an estate sale, so these are more about memory than technically beautiful photography-but isn't that what photos can be sometimes, and ought to be, if not carefully preserved memories.

twins

Just for Mrs. Lisa, the new grandmother that sent me the official "nag" alert email that stated she could not wait to see a teaser of her grandbabies any longer! So (just for her) here's a little taste of the session I did with her daughter's new additions to their family. These two did wonderfully during their session and here are the pictures to prove it. There were many other great ones, but I have to give her something to look forward to!

monkey squared

With the summer heat drying Texas out more and more each day, I do best by staying inside out of the heat. Lately I haven't been shooting much, but been reading and writing and making the most of my summer! In need of updating, here's a pic taken at the last trip we took at the zoo. I'll try to get more pics up soon but in the meantime I've become addicted to Instagram, the coolest way to share pictures taken on the run. Please feel free to download the app, find me under 'artbrand' and follow along. Until then, stay cool.

parker

You may remember lil' Parker, I did his newborn pictures just about seven months ago. Before that, though, he was the very first baby I photographed with mommy holding the Polaroid in front of her belly. So now Parker's a little bigger and a lot cuter! Had so much fun with this little guy and his parents, Christine and Blake-longtime friends. Again, it was a pleasure photographing you guys and I was blessed to be apart of it.