Its Spring and Easter at the Dobbins home!

Yesterday my grandson came over (the 4 year old one, Aaron Scott) and he went nuts over the cupcakes! Except he only likes to eat the top part with the frosting. I love making him smile. Then he starts hopping up and down like a little bunny all excited! He lost his first tooth and he looks so cute. I wish I would of taken some pictures of him, he was so cute. Ill do it next time! Im taking more of these over to his house today. I love Spring time, it means the winter Blahs are over!

and I love Easter. Its beautiful in 2 different ways. One way that our savior was crucified and rose from the dead and the other way, all the new life, the trees budding out, the beautiful purple, yellow and white flowers all over our neighborhood, and the new life. We have bird feeders in our yard and every day I get to see all the beautiful birds, the little tiny yellow finches, blue jays and cardinals and doves.

Spring is about new life and rebirth and Easter is about our savior. I am so happy this time of year, I cant wipe the big smile off my face.

Hugs Yall! I hope you have a beautiful spring and take time to enjoy the beautiful show that nature is putting on for us!

Wichita Falls, Tx Photographer

Ive been enjoying the slower pace this time of year. Gearing up for Spring portraits and ive got 2 weddings next month! I took advantage of some of the quiet time we've had been redecorating our home, and kitchen.

Not any renovations (we did that 4 years ago to our kitchen!) but just redecorating. Im anxiously awaiting summr,and recently purchased 4 cases of softdrinks for some of our backyard BBQs we will have. Usually I get our softdrinks at World Market stores in Grapevine, but yesterday I got these at Atwoods here near our home!

I love Orange Crush (not just because our sons and grandsons schools are nicknamed that.) But because it reminds me of hot Texas summers and gulping the citrusy freshness as a child. Hope you guys are enjoying the slower pace of winter and looking forward to making great memories this summer. ( BTW, Get your kicks on Route 66!)

One more of Jacob!

Are You Left or Right Brain? | Online College Tips - Online Colleges

Are You Left or Right Brain? | Online College Tips - Online Colleges

What people think photographers do.

I created this for fun. I have seen similar ones, for personal trainers and teachers, but none for female photographers. Enjoy!

They grow up so fast!

When I opened my first studio in Wichita Falls in 1996, I hardly knew a soul in Wichita Falls. My military husband had just transferred us here from Okinawa Japan. Although we are both native Texans, we had never lived or even visited Wichita Falls before. Although My grandmother was living in Graham with my great uncle , we had no other family around here. I was very lucky early on to meet a young lady named Thea and soon i was photographing her entire family and her sweet little daughter Lynsey. Now I can hardly believe Lynsey is a Senior. I was so thrilled when I got to photograph her Senior portraits, and today her last "home Basketball game."

I cant believe what a beautiful, strong, independent young lady she has grown up to be. It seems like yesterday she was in my studio, only 3 maybe? with pigtails. Time flies so fast and I am so grateful for people like Thea and Lynsey and her family. They have allowed me the privilege of watching them grow up. Ive got to know them and care about them. I had to avoid the subject about how fast Lynsey grew up today to keep from showing her mother how emotional I really was about her baby girl growing up.

But I'm crying now looking at these pics of her. Because time really does fly and I know how her mom loves her and hows shes feeling right now. We get these beautiful gifts from God and we love them and care for them, and we get the privilege of watching them grow, play sports, study, and grow up, and then next thing we know, its their last ball game. Its a bittersweet feeling. Both Pride and Sadness at how our babies are about to fly the nest.
Thank you Thea for letting me watch your beautiful baby girl, turn into a woman, in front of my lens. I am honored to be a part of your family.

Camera Fun

Wichita Falls Wedding Photographer Dixie Dobbins

We are currently taking wedding, engagement and Bridal portrait bookings for this year. We originally had blocked off many of the dates for family events, but recently have opened some up! Give us a call, we even have a few dates in June and July available right now! (940) 761-5111 Im available for travel all over the U.S. as well!

Tony & Kara are Engaged!

Baby Pictures in Wichita falls

Sweet Baby Jacob again! We had a great time, me and his mama and him. He is the most animated 5 week old baby and is so good and patient with all the crazy things we did to him for these pics. Give us a call for your baby portraits! (940) 761-5111

A personal message to my Beloved Clients and Friends.

Eagles Nest, New Mexico Copyright Dixie Dobbins 2012, "This image I shot in December is a visual reminder to me, That life is a highway, with every twist and turn, we discover new things waiting around the corner. There are bumps and dissapointments along the way, but there is also joy and new adventurers. A bend in the road, is not the END of the road, unless we fail to make the turn." HUGS YALL!

I just wanted to give out a SINCERE thank you to all our friends and our clients and family who have been so understanding and patient during this hard time for us. When my father in law became very ill in August, and we knew we wouldn't have him here for long, I was unable to concentrate on work. Our son had left for College at the end of August and that was a huge adjustment, hes been such a joy and having an empty nest does take some getting used to.

Then my father in law was yo-yoing, doing great one day and near death the next, then he passed away Dec. 9th, and it was very hard on my husband and all of us. A month later our beloved dog got ill on a family ski trip and through a series of events, she passed away unexpectedly. My office manager moved and I did not hire a replacement for her, and Ive turned away a lot of work since August. I have been going through I guess what some would call a mid life crisis, thinking about what I want to do with the rest of my life.

My husband will be retiring after 27 years in the Military and there are a lot of questions to ask ourselves. If we want to move closer to the coast? Or to Dallas to be nearer family? If I want to continue being a professional photographer, or possibly try my hand at returning to school for my teaching certificate?

Although I have loved my life as a professional photographer for the past 22 years (my first photographer job was in 1990, when I worked as a staff photographer and reporter for THE BROWNWOOD BULLETIN NEWSPAPER in Brownwood, Texas after my education at Texas Tech U.)

I have cut my hours back and am still photographing, I'm just only open 2-3 days a week now. I am currently accepting weddings for 2012 and recently booked 2. I know that my absence has been confusing to some of you treasured clients, but I have just been looking inward, taking a sabbatical, enjoying my 2 grandsons that live nearby and daughter and son-in-law and reading my bible, and enjoying some hobbies that I haveput off for years including gardening, sewing and journaling.

I just wanted you to know that I do appreciate you all, and I'm sorry for my absence, but i really have needed this time to heal, and to think and reflect.

I kept up a full schedule in my studio for 13 years working 6 days a week, which was exhausting! and I guess seeing people I love pass away made me realize that life isn't all about work. My grandsons bring me so much joy and my marriage is getting better because I have more free time.

Thanks for understanding. I just need to put life on PAUSE for a bit and breathe and think and sleep. I don't have someone answering the studio phone full time like i did the past 13 years, but I do try to return calls,when I can, and always answer my emails. Pdixie@sw.rr.com Ive even enjoyed chatting on facebook with some of you.

Thanks for understanding. I'm hoping in March to be back full time, with a renewed love of this occupation and enjoying some ME time and quiet time. I'm here by email or facebook (Dixie Dobbins) whenever you need me. Thanks again. Now back to that novel Ive been reading and doing some more editing of photographs.
God Bless and live each day as if it was your last because we never really know for sure.
Be Kind to one another, Love all y'all -Dixie

(PS Oh I just read a blog post this morning by one of my favorite photographers Tara Whitney. Ive been following her for about 4 years now. And shes feeling the same way I am, however, she hasnt lost a pet or family member, shes just worn out. Heres her post, i love her so much.!
http://tarawhitney.com/justbeblogged/2012/01/breathing-room/comment-page-3/#comment-259473

Homeless teen has 3.9 GPA and works hard each day!

When I heard about this teenager, high school senior Samantha Garvey, I just stopped in my tracks. I first heard about her on KLOVE Christian radio, and thought, wow, now that's a girl, who doesn't let anything stop her from doing what she knows is most important.

She was on the TODAY SHOW on NBC this morning,and also recently on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Here's to an amazing young lady who works hard despite the turmoil her families life is in. WOW WOW I just want to give her a big hug! I wish her nothing but the best, her story brought me to tears because of her never quit attitude and her big dreams. Shes going to be hugely successful. (Sorry about the short commercial before, Its worth it to wait to see it!)
Your inspiration boost for today!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Funny - Comments and Graphics!

Jacob is here!

Jacob is here! He is the sweet son of Stephanie and Shane, that I photographed back a few months ago, here on the Blog. Hes a beautiful baby with delicate little eyelashes and a sweet disposition. I so enjoyed him coming in. Thank you Stephanie! I hope Shane loves these too!
(BTW, He's in our Baby Plan where he returns each month for his first year. If you want more info on our "Watch me Grow" plan give us a call! (940) 761-5111)

Our Handsome Son

Our Handsome son had a great time snowboarding in Angel Fire. We've enjoyed him being home for amonth from school for Winter Break. I LOVE THIS BOY! <3

Love this Quote

A bend in the road, is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn. ♥

We lost our beautiful Sheltie Ginger

The last photo I ever took of our Beloved Ginger, Sunday January 8th, 2012 @ 2:33 pm. The day before she passed away.

Im so sad to share this with you guys, but our beautiful 13 year old Sheltie Ginger passed away Monday night at the Callfield Companion Animal Clinic at around 10:00 pm. Ginger was 13 and in excellent health, until we had left for a ski trip and she became lethargic and ill on the trip. Lets just say her bathroom habits changed and she was not interested in eating or drinking water and began vomitting too.

A few days there, We discovered one of her breasts was swollen and took her to the Vets office, where they put her to sleep and drained it and pulled a few of her teeth that were not doing well. She just never really seemed normal after this, she still would not eat, or take water and was very lethargic and sad. We had to force her to take her medication. We thought she would do better with time, but she barely survived our drive back to Wichita Falls. We rushed her at night to the clinic and Dr. Spears informed us that she was very very sick and that she might not survive. We just did not believe that such a beautiful and strong dog wouldn't make it and we were heartbroken when he called us shortly after leaving his office to tell us she stopped breathing. We think that since she couldnt hold down her antibiotics that the infection spread through her body very fast and gave her 105 degree temp. We have been devastated.

Losing a pet has been one of the hardest things Ive ever had to go through. I feel guilty for not fighting harder for her and insisting she get an IV for water and meds intravenously before we left new Mexico. I should have trusted my instincts. I think God gives us instincts and to "TRUST YOUR GUT" as a friend of mine says.
I have had a very hard time dealing with her passing. Ive had many friends lift me up and remind me that she had a beautiful life, but I cant help but just cry a lot because she was my best friend.

You see i moved my studio home 4 years ago and we built an addition and she was always here by my side. She was 13 and I used to take her to work with me at my studio sometimes too. She even came into some photo shoots. (Ive had a few people purchase pictures of themselves with her, when she wandered into a session!) Everyone loved Ginger who met her. She was gentle, loving and sweet and very very smart. Shetland Shepdogs are highly intelligent and intuitive. Our son was with me home from college and got to spend her last days with her.

I have photographed many pets and love Dogs and Cats. Ginger was very special and was always so kind to everyone. My mother who does not like Dogs, came to visit and was annoyed at first by Ginger. In only a few hours, she came to LOVE HER and told me that Ginger had ESP and could read her mind. Ginger knew my mother was in pain with her hips (about to have double hip replacement surgery) and Ginger sat by my mother guarding and watching over my mother during the days my mom was here. Needless to say, My mom Fell in love with her. Shelties are sheep herding dogs and they spend lots of time sitting and watching sheep and protecting them from any predators. This intelligence and hyper vigilance makes them wonderful dogs for children or elderly or anyone for that matter.

We will miss her terribly. I don't mind saying that Ive cried my eyes out for days since her passing and we are waiting to have her cremains returned to us so we can sprinkle them in the Spring in her favorite spot in our backyard under the trees.
I am always honored when people bring their dogs and cats for photo sessions, because I have so much respect and love for animals. The Love us with the most beautiful purest love there is.

Thank you for letting me voice this so personal story. I am actually taking some time off of work to grieve. I hope if you have pets, that you give them extra love for me, because you never know how much time they have left. Pet them, hold them and love on them all you can. Thanks for listening and thanks for your prayers. My husband and son of course are taking it hard as well. We bawled for over an hour after that phone call Monday night, even my mother in law. First I lost my father in law on Dec. 9th and my beloved Ginger on Jan. 9th. Its been a very difficult last few weeks.
Hugs and God Bless.


Our son Scott with her, Fall of 2010



Our Grandson Aaron Scott lying on her, Thanksgiving 2010

In our backyard where she loved to sit, and our son Scott. They grew up together. Scott was 6 when Ginger came to live with us a 6 week old pup. 13 years is a long time, RIP sweet Ginger, you will be missed. Here is a video I made of her just a few months ago for our son who left for College. I am sooo glad I have this video !!!

Angel Fire, New Mexico

Recently we went to Angel Fire and Taos New Mexico! A good friend of ours bought a beautiful home there and gave us the keys for a week. We had such a grea time. With my husbands father passing away in December, we made a trip to the beautiful mountains and brought along my sweet mother in law and our son who is home from college and a friend of his also and our beautiful doggie Ginger.

It was a great trip. This beautiful home is 7,000 square feet, and worth over 1.2 million, and is just spectacular. Just a beautiful warm cabin, with heated radiant rock floors, gorgeous details and wood work and 5 bedrooms, 3 baths and 3 living areas! Very secluded in the pines. We fell in love. Thank you so much Matt and Lela for letting us have a wonderful ski vacation in Angel Fire.

Paige & Kip are Engaged!