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.