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!