Maddie's studio pumkin session

Senior Sessions

Call and book your senior session
now. Will be starting senior sessions in the fall and running this special until March 09. Book now to reserve your spot.

Here we go again

Well, here were go again. I can not believe another hurricane issue! We did not have the energy to leave again. I never dreamed I would stay but we just didn't feel we could do it again. As I write this I am in my room with my kids and Brad. We have the TV on to watch news and flash lights by the bed. I am praying hard they fall a sleep and God helps them sleep through it. I am starting to get a little nervous but doing well. We prayed so hard over our home and I am trusting God. I just want it to be over. My biggest concern is no electricity . I take 2-3 baths a day and I LOVE my electricity. lol. I am the girl that used to shave when I went camping. LOL
Anyway, I got online and saw some things that broke my heart. I saw a picture of a husband and wife with cops walking down the road in the pouring rain. Behind them was their home on fire. All they had was the bag in their hands. I saw another picture of a man in water up to his neck. He was trying to save his car. And the worst was a family stranded on top of their home with rain and the water was very high. The reporter was saying they are not going to be able to rescue them because it was so bad. THIS IS HURTING MY HEART. I can't see them surviving . Life can really WAKE you up fast. Within 2 weeks you have Baton Rouge without lights. Now Galveston being destroyed as we speak. Not to mention Houston maybe getting it hard and not sure how it will be with the storm here yet. It seems God is helping our area and I am praying it misses us. We went through so much 3 years ago with Rita and just left last week with Gustav.
There are many things in life uncertain .However, I am certain I serve a good God. He is so wonderful and so worthy to be praised. I feel it is a honor to serve Him. My pray is we will be sensitive of others needs. For us to think more of others then we do of ourselves. I was just telling my sister tonight that I find the more we get caught up in thinking of ourselves the more unhappy we become. I used to have so many friends years ago. I did so much for others and I can honestly say I don't do much anymore. I am sorry if I seem like I am going on and on . I just feel we are all going to feel this storm in some way. They are taking about the gas truly being affected all over.I just want you all to know I am asking God to help my heart to be more sensitive to others needs. I also told my sister that I just had to do something to come out of my own world. I really want to start working at a shelter or something. Godhas really been dealing with my heart to work with the elderly lately. It is in my heart to do it. I am just going to have to do make myself get started. I don't ever want anything bad to happen to anyone . I just feel if we have to go through something we might as well let it bring out the good in us. I pray everyone is safe. Take care and God BLESS us all!
Donna

TriCoast Photography taught a awesome workshop!

I was able to attend a workshop put on by TriCoast Photography .I have to say I am amazed by the talent of these photographers. I have been to many conventions but nothing can compare to this workshop. It was hands on learning. The technique I learned is so awesome! I plan on working on it daily. It is shooting in a way that is so different then what I have learned so far. It is so exciting! It is no doubt what every senior would love! I can't wait to use it on bridals as well. The coolest thing about it is you can do it at the brightest time of the day. No more waiting until afternoon when the time is right. No more hiding from he sun. If you are not sure what makes this different take notice of a few things. Notice the clouds and the color of the sky. At the brightest time of the day you could not take a picture with the sky in it without it turning white(blown out). Also, how often can you take a imagine with the background completely blurred out at the brightest time of the day.It would also blow the image out. I can't explain it all because it would take to long. Another thing I love is how you can use flash with this and make the skin look so awesome. Notice how the eyes have a catch light in them. A great thing is with this is certain shadows give a dimensional look to the image. I never thought I could love flash photography so much!!! At the workshop we used our own cameras. The challenge at home is working with one of your flashes on a stand and not having someone to hold it where you need it. I will have to get a light stand with a tilt head.
TriCoast is so talented. I was totally blown away the whole time! They do weddings and travel all over the world. They work together as a team. What impressed me the most was how down to earth they were. The pictures of the models are the ones I took at the workshop. I did not focus on composition so ignore that. I was just focusing on learning the technique. When I got home today I graped Christian and ran outside to try it on him. It took about 15 mins to get a few because I need a stand with a tilt but I got a few. I sure wish I could take Brad to all my sessions to hold the light. LOL . Anyway, I really feel this is going be the best thing I could of even done for my photography. Check out their site http://www.tricoastphoto.com/

I am going to a photography workshop

I am leaving Sunday to go to a 3 days workshop about a 1 hour from here. I am extremely excited about this workshop. TriCoast Photography will be teaching at this workshop. If I understand right it is a team of very talented photographers. It seems to be cutting edge photography. This is a hands on workshop and we will be taught by some of the best photographers. This workshop is on lighting. If anyone needs to reach me you can email me through my site.

You Are My Sunshine Collection

Sister Lois and her grandchildren

Sister Lois is a lady at my church that means so much to me. She has been there for me anytime I needed her. She is the one that God gave the dream to and showed her me holding a baby girl in the hospital. I had 2 pregnancy that didn't work out. I was devastated because I wanted a baby girl. She was there for me and really got me through. God gave her the dream about me having a baby girl. Within a few years I had my youngest child. A beautiful baby girl! Right now one of my sons is going into 1st grade and was very upset because he could not read. Sister Lois is taking the time to teach him. (she is great at this).It is really helping my child. THANK YOU!

Sister Lois loves her babies and we did these pictures so she would have some of her with them. I am so happy to be able to do something for her. You know it one thing in life to want to help someone and another to do it. Lois is a do it person. You can always depend on Lois to come through. Thank you Lois for always giving so much of your self for others. For all the talks and time you take out to help. For the many, many meals you have made for everyone. We are all so grateful. These pictures are my gift to you. All my love ,
Donna


Note: The folder of the few other pictures are under on-line proofing.

Christmas Special ( Book now to reserve your spot)

It is only 4 months away from Christmas. I will begin Christmas sessions in the beginning of September. I will end them the first week of December. This special includes a CD with all images . The price also includes prints ( all different poses)and the location fee. It has a value of $200.00. If you have been wanting pictures of your family or children take advantage of this session. The CD can be used for additional printing , this will save you from ordering additional images from me. You can also use it to get your own greeting cards at the lab of your choice. I do have greeting cards you can buy or you can use the labs. To see samples go to my gallery on my site and look at Christmas cards. Call and book your session now to reserve a spot. It will lock you in and you will save the $75.00. I know with the gas prices we are all looking to save money . I hope this helps. Have a great day!

Senior Portraits

Call and book your senior session
now. Will be starting senior sessions in the fall and running this special until March 09. Book now to reserve your spot.

First set of images with my new light and softbox

Well, I got in my light and softbox. I am going to learn off this one light set up. My wonderful husband put it all together for me. We took out the flash meter that I have never used and brad put his mind to work. We figured out how to take the reading and had a simple backdrop ready. My kids came running with their special clothes they wanted to wear. So here is my first studio light practice pictures . I have so much to learn! lol Anyway, this was special because my two youngest wanted to wear their dress up clothes. It was the sweetest thing when Ethan came out with the jacket and dress shirt he picked. It was 10:00pm and they were looking tired and did not have their hair comb . It is funny to me how my favorite pictures of my kids are the ones I put the least amount of effort in dressing them. The meter read F11 and we put the shutter on 60. The ISO was on 160 and I tired 200 as well. I have been reading on one light set up and it appear there are 3 different ways (terms) to use. I only tried one tonight. I won't be able to do this in my living room because of the color paint have it to dark. I can see it in my images. Anyway, what do you all think? I am sure there are things I did wrong but I am surely please with the fact that we got a reading and ended up with pictures. lol I think I am hooked. I can't wait to get creative. I loved it and I truly want to learn it. I guess it is time to call my instructor from Sowela for some tips. I can tell I am going to love this once I get the knowledge and practice I need. I think Maddie looks like a little angle in the first one. If you click to enlarge it you can see how pretty her eyelashes look. God has blessed me with precious kids!