Aaron Shusts Tour

Just wanted to let you guys know that Christian singer Aaron Shust is coming to Oklahoma City for a free concert Saturday Sept 16th. I will be taking a van load of kids with me. Check it out at his site under tours. He's appearing with Bebo Norman and Brandon Heath.
Aaron has a new web site now. http://www.aaronshust.com

Such a tragedy.

Plane Crash takes lives of "Exceptional Family" the Times Record Newspaper read.

This is very hard for me, and so very sad.
One of my treasured clients was recently killed in a plane accident. The entire family (7) was killed instantly while flying to Kentucky. Only 1 day after the commuter plane went down with 50 people.

I had the privledge of photographing Sherri and her loving husband Jason while Sherri was pregnant with their child Cole. I also photographed Holden their adorable son. I instantly fell in love with this family. You could really see the love they had for each other. They were wonderful people, and I cant believe they are gone now.

Our prayers and love go out to their family. They truly were special and I dont know anyone who knew them that didnt think they were special.
Our newspaper here said "The Christies were "exceptional people" and that is exactly how I felt too. Love and life surrounded these people. You could just "feel" it.
I made a slideshow a couple of years ago and included 2 images of Sherrie and Jason.
Its the 8th and 9th photo in the slideshow. This is how I want to remember them, in love and so happy. To see my show click here.

http://www.instantmoviesonline.com/show.php?id=380

The only consulation is the words of my favorite Christian song by Aaron Shusts- "I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed, what God has planned. I only know at his right hand, stands the one who is my savior."
I know that the Christie family is with our king now. God Bless their souls and their family.

If you Love Art the way I do...

Here is a web site I really like, where you can buy books on Art.

I love art, always have since I was little.
My late great friend and fellow artist, Steve Grey ,who passed away 2 years ago, was the best artist I've ever known. He also was one of the kindest people I've ever known.

If you are feeling blue, or have been through a rough time, Art will help you. Visit a museum, or buy a beautiful book or visit the Kemp Art Center here in Wichita Falls. Dallas and Ft. Worth are full of fantastic art galleries.
I assure you, you will be alive and well again. My friend Steve understood that too. As do children. But we forget as we grow up. This book Doves and Dreams is a really nice art book to get it click on the link.
Have a beautiful day- http://www.lundhumphries.com

Ballerinas

I love to photograph Ballerinas. Maybe its from my college days when I studied the famous french painter Edgar Degas. I could look at his paintings all day long. Its amazing how art seeps into your subconcious and stays there years later.
When this Burkburnett girl came into my studio, I immediately knew I had to create something like Degas.
Something timeless and lovely.
I am considering entering this image into competition. I love the simplicity and the colors and the translucent soft lighting.
enjoy...

Below is one of the earlier works of Degas. He was mostly an impressionistic painter. Ballerinas were one of his favorite subjects to paint, draw and sculpt. Enjoy...

Elizabeth!

Hey guys, This is Elizabeth! She is really into reading, shes read tons of books including Gone with the Wind and Pride and Prejudice.
Some people are so relaxed in front of the camera and Elizabeth is one of them! She has the nicest family and we had a great time. Her adorable dog "Madison" made me laugh the whole time, she was so curious and cute. She posed perfect for me many times and towards the end of her photo session, she jumped into our pool! She was just getting too hot and wanted to cool off.
She smelled like Roses when she came into my studio and she still smelled like roses after swimming in my pool. I really do enjoy dogs and they always make me smile.

I wanted to post these 2 images including Madison.
Thank you Elizabeth for choosing me for your Senior portraits!

Keri

I wanted to post these images of Keri. Keri is a very busy girl! She goes to Old High and is involved in lots of activities.
She runs track, she's first chair Trumpet player, and the organizer of HOWDY at WFHS!
Her plans are to attend MSU and become a psychologist. I know that she will reach her goals!
I say it all the time, but it is true.. We really do photograph the very best and the brightest! Im proud to know these young people. They are our future and I truly enjoy getting to know them and their parents.
Keri, you are amazing!

Dixie

Janelle!

I wanted to post a nice e-mail I received last night. It seems I have gotten several of those lately. Ive been photographing this young lady since she was 7 years old.

I will be posting some more photos of her on Friday and writing about her. She is an amazing young lady. Not only beautiful but so caring. She always has a smile on her face and I know she will go far in life. She is the only person to win the citizenship award at school 3 years in a row.
Beauty, Brains and class! So rare these days.

She competed in beauty pagents for many years and won many titles, but what I am most proud of her for is her accomplishments in Science. This young lady will definely make an impact in the world in Engineering and whatever else she puts her energies into.

Ill be writing more about her and posting images on Friday.

Dixie,
I just really wanted to thank you Dixie, for everything you have done for me-I cannot wait to get my pictures back! You are so sweet and down to earth and a genuinely nice person. Good people are hard to find, and I am truly blessed to have met you!

See you soon!

Janelle Goettman

Ashley!

This is Ashley from Burkburnett! She chose our studio because she wanted something UNIQUE!
Well, here is something unique. A lot of people ask me where I get my ideas. Most of them come while Im dreaming and I keep a small tape recorder on my nightstand and when i wake up, I record my thoughts. The other times I get ideas is while walking my dog.

Ive always dreamed in color and see things differently than most people. In these days of Digital files and tiffs and jpgs I miss tactile objects. I miss the feeling of cellophane film, the cellophane I used to develop by hand, i miss the smell of chemicals and developing my own film (which I have done since 1988). I also love Label Makers, I bought my first one in 1975. So i came up with this image of a film strip and a label tape of her name. I can almost feel the texture of them both!
Ashley was a lot of fun, and so was her mom. We had a great time!
Best of luck to you Ashley!

BOOK COMING OUT IN JANUARY 2007

Spirit Dance was chosen amongst thousands of entries to be published in the Professional Photographers of America SHOWCASE Collection book. The top image is a close-up of the image , showing the custom hand-artwork, airbrushing and watercolor technique applied.
Congratulations again to the model Carly Campsey of Jacksboro Texas, daughter of Mitzi and Rick Campsey, Grandaughter of Guinn and Beth Campsey and the late Howard and Ava Elenburg of Jacksboro.

A sweet letter

Here is a nice e-letter I received. I truly value the feedback I get from my clients. They are more than clients to me, they are like family and I hold them all dear.

Dear Dixie,
I wanted to write and tell you that the local newspaper here in Jacksboro is running a story on the photo that you took of my daughter Carly!

I mailed you a copy of the paper today. For a newspaper print it is really pretty good and you wouldn't believe all of the compliments we have recieved!

Everyone wants to see the "real" picture and all of her other Sr. pics. I really thought I had shown them to just about everyone in town right after we got them. I guess I may just have to start carrying around her album with me. (I would really hate that) HA!!

I have been referring everyone to your web site to see the wonderful job that you do. I even referred a wedding for 2007 to you. I told them to book early if they wanted you.

I think you need to brag on yourself a lot more and put an article in the Wichita paper. Several people have asked if you had, I am not saying that because it is a picture of my daughter, you do beautiful work and you deserve all of the recognition.

I know you have won many awards, but let your star shine. You have worked long and hard and you constantly strive to better your craft. I think two pictures by the same photographer, published is a book of 200 world wide photos, deserves a little bragging on your part.

What an honor!!! I know you have many, many more awards waiting for you in the future.

Keep in touch.
Mitzi

Cutie Courtney

Just wanted to post some images of Courtney! She is such a doll. When she first walked in, I immediately thought she looked like Cameron Diaz. Only her hair is a little darker. She has those beautiful eyes and cute shaped face. Don't you agree?








Courney goes to Rider and loves to play the Piano, and enjoys writing. She also says that God is first in her life and she attends Southwest Baptist Church in Wichita Falls. She has the cutest dog named SKYE who is a Scotty dog.
I really enjoyed meeting her and all her friends and family. We had a great time.
i wish you the Best Courtney!
God Bless!

A nice letter from a satisfied client

Letters like this make me want to cry. Thank you Cari for taking the time to write me. I appreciate you more than you know.
Please read below the letter I got in the mail on August 17th from a client I've known for years.

Hello Dixie and everyone,
I just wanted to send you a card and thank you for all your hard work. Everyone is raving about my pictures you did last month!
I just wanted to write and tell you that since we've moved to California last year, i have missed having you Dixie as my photographer. You've taken my pictures since i was 6 years old and now I just turned 18! YEAA! FREEDOM!! WOO HOOOO!!!!!

As I told you before, I had some modeling pictures taken at a place in Laguna beach and the guy charged me $1,215.00 plus tax and they were so terriable. I was squinting in the sun and my hair was all blowing around and i looked so bad!
I
kept asking him to take some pics out of the wind but he wouldnt listen, he kept saying "work it girl! You look killer!" I hated them and feel like I wasted money on my Visa Card that I hate.
Then I flew back to Wichita Falls and called you guys up.
Even though you were sooooo busy, Dixie you worked me in and as usual did your magic!
I looked awesome and there were so many good ones to choose from. I spent half the money I did with Trevor, but what I got was sooo much better!
And your touch ups look so much better. You made my teeth so white (im getting mine bleached, too much Starbucks out here in CA haha)
and took away my zits and everything. You made me look beautiful!
I just cant tell you how I will never go to anyone else again for pictures.! It just aint worth it! I hope you never retire or move or I'll die! Please be my photographer for eternity! When I make it big here in Hollywood, Im flying you out again! LOL!
Just wanted to say thanks again.
You are so awesome and I love you!

-forever Cari Lynn Whitaker

Michelle

This is Michelle from Olney!
She is such a sweet girl. We got lots of beautiful images and had a great time. She has the most beautiful dimples!

Michelle has known about PHOTOGRAPHY by Dixie, since she was in first grade!
A few years ago, my grandmother used to live in New Castle which is near Olney.
I'm honored that she chose my studio for her Senior Portraits.
Best of luck to you Michelle!

Beauty in your own backyard!

15 years ago I taught Photography in Japan.
One of the things I had my students do was to capture Textures, Colors and Patterns.
I had learned this in College and it helped develop my eye.

Yesterday my family and I had a pool party. We had delicious Tenderloin Steaks and Maragaritas and wonderful, food, friends and conversation.

Photographers never get anytime off, because I had to grab one of my cameras andcapture some images our backyard, paying special attention to texture, color and pattern.
I created a poster for our Guest Room from these images.
The nubby texture of soft thirsty beach towels,
the smoothness of a sea shell, the rough feeling of bamboo. The delicate silkiness of a Crepe Myrtle flower blossom. The downy-like coat of my pet Sheltie.
The pore-like texture of fresh lemons.
Remember that beauty is all around us. Some people see the dark clouds, I choose to see the silver lining. I hope you Enjoy these images. Take time to enjoy the summer and the bounty that God has given us. Life is full of beauty and wonderful scents, sights and sounds.

Live Well, Dixie

The ABCs of Life

The Alphabet is 26 letters, but did you know it also stands for a way to live?
Heres my ABCs of Life.

Accept Differences
Be Kind
Count your Blessings
Dream
Express Thanks
Forgive
Give Freely
Harm no one
Imagine more
Jettison Anger
Keep confidences
Love truly
Master something
Nurture hope
Open your mind
Pack lightly
Quell rumours
Reciprocrate
Seek Wisdom
Touch hearts
Understand
Value truth
Win graciously
Xeriscape
Yearn for Peace
Zealously support a worthy cause.

Summer of Wichita Falls, Texas

Garrett

This is Garrett, what a fun and interesting young man! He really has those all american good looks and a great personality to go along with it. He plays football for Rider and Baseball and is into outdoor sports like hunting, fishing and just being out on the lake.
'
I really enjoyed getting to know him and creating some great images to showcase his personality. Best of luck to you Garrett!

SKYE!

Hey Guys, This is SKYE from
Seymour High School. These are 2 of my favorite portraits that I created of her. She has the most beautiful white smile! I really enjoyed spending time with her and her mother, we had lots of laughs!
See you guys soon!
Dixie

Love is in the Air

Just wanted to post a couple of portraits of Kyle and Bobbie.
This is their horse Sugar.
It was quite an experience getting their horse to this location.
We drove up and down narrow hills, saw baby quail and all kinds of interesting things.

I walked into some quicksand up to my knees. It was an adventure.
Then the winds picked up and blew like crazy. But Im so pleased with these images.
What an adventure being a photographer is. After 17 years (my first job was in 1989 as a photojournalist for a newspaper) Ive never had a dull moment.
Enjoy...

Bobbie & Kyle

Id like to introduce Bobbie and Kyle. They are an adorable couple and have been planning their wedding for over a year. Im so honored they chose me for their wedding. We created some one of a kind engagement portraits for them today. What an adorable couple. I cannot wait until their wedding. You can view more of thier engagement photos on our site beginning on Sunday at www.Photosbydixie.com and clicking on the button that says S:IDESHOWS and the password is Bonnie. God Bless you both!
Dixie

PUBLISHED AGAIN!

Im proud to announce that 2 more of my images have been chosen for publication by the Professional Photographers of America. Each year the PPA chooses only a select few images to go into the LOAN COLLECTION and SHOWCASE COLLECTION books. These images are deemed the "BEST OF THE BEST" of the World for that year!

This year 2 of my images were chosen for the 2006 Showcase Collection book!
The first one is High School Senior Carley Campsey and her portrait titled "SPIRIT DANCE"
and the other image is another High School Senior and the image is called "CONTENDER".
Both of these images will come out in the 2006 Showcase book and will be available for purchase from Marathon Press. Go to this link on my web site to see the other 5 books my work has been published in thus far. http://www.photographybydixie.com/about.html
Congrats to both of my clients and models, you will be receiving a copy of the book when they are hot off the press!

SMOKIN' HOT!

Look At Jessica GO!
I think I smell a GOLD MEDAL for the USA!

Jessica!

I had a great time with Jessica! She is on the swim team at Hirschi High School and is also a lifegaurd.
She was a lot of fun and so talented. I photographed her a few years ago and it was good to see how she's grown into a beautiful young lady.
She is quite the swimmer, so feminine and delicate out of the water, but when shes in the water, look out! She's like a DOLPHIN! Fast and Amazing! My newspaper photojournalism days came in handy today trying to track her while she did the butterfly with perfect form!
Best of luck to you Jessica!

Meagan

I love this portrait of Meagan! So adorable!
Shes got Personality Plus!

Marvelous Meagan!

Hey Everyone, I wanted to introduce Meagan,
Shes such a beautiful girl! She goes to Rider High and is a Senior. Ive been taking her portraits since she was a little girl. Shes certainly grown into a beautiful young lady!
She has the most gorgeous eyes and hair!
We had a great time taking her portraits. She has a terrific family and is so blessed!

Look for more pics of her, Ill be posting more images of her later. There were so many good ones Its hard to pick which ones to post!
Thank you Meagan for choosing our studio for your Senior Portraits! I know you'll go far in life in whatever you choose to pursue!
Smiles,
Dixie

2 Songs You Gotta Have!

Sunday i went to visit my daughter in Odessa and we had the privledge of attending a church that a friend of mine started 4 years ago. My friends name is Pastor Marcus Zuniga and he and I went to high school together. Hes a great guy! He started NEW LIFE CHAPEL in Odessa Texas and its a fantastic church!
My daughter, my grandson and I attended Church on Sunday and had a great church experience. The music, sermon and people were fantastic!

2 of my very favorite Christian songs were played that day and I wanted to give you guys the links to them, so you can purchase your own, or download them on I tunes.

My all time favorite song is "My Savior My God" by Aaron Shust. You can watch Aaron sing this song by going to this link http://aaronshust.com/v4/watch.html Its such a beautiful song and i was so excited to hear it in church. I play it all the time in my car, house, studio, etc. Its so beautiful!

The other song that I really love and play over and over is "How Great is our God", by Native Texan, Chris Tomlin CD called "ARRIVING" (he is from Grand Saline Texas near Tyler. Learn more about him at http://www.christomlin.com/2004/default.htm

ENJOY!