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To make you smile...

For those who remember, the Saturday Night Live skit (made into a movie called "Night at the Roxbury". with Will Ferrell) (I love WILL FERRELL!)

Ive actually seen guys like this (back in the late 80s and early 90s)! They travel in packs and think they are so cool. Its so funny... This one was Jim Carey in it too. LOVE IT!

Mario can get down!

Video of Fishing Trip

I've had several emails from people asking me about our Deep Sea fishing trip. They are all asking the same questions, What company did you use?, How long was the trip?, how big was the boat? Did you have to bait your own hooks? How Far out to sea did you go? and how much did it cost?

I will first tell you it was a lot of fun. But it is PRICEY. Our 10 hour trip was $1,500.00 (FIFTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS) plus a $100. tip.

But very worthwhile! We got 200 pounds of delicious fish and had a great experience.
The company that we used is called High Bid Charters (Because the boat is called "THE HIGH BID". Ive added a link to their site. The captain (Aaron) was great. He was a lot of fun. They completely take care of you, bait the hooks, help you reel them in, explain everything, you can go down inside to the living area and it has Air Conditioning and a bathroom and a small kitchen. Its really nice. We went 50 miles out, and were out for 10 hours. You cant wear shoes with black soles and cant bring drinks in Glass Bottles. You must bring your own food in a cooler as well.

It rained for a little while, but then the sun came out and it was beautiful. They play cool music and you go fast! (Hang on!) We fished near Off shore drilling rigs because the fish like to hang out near the rigs (un manned natural gas rigs) because of the coral that grows on the pipes and attracts lots of fish. Okay. Is that enough info? Email them or call Capt Aaron or Brian for more info. Heres the link to their site.
If you are interested in catching Blue Marlin or Shark, you need to tell them that on the phone when you book it.It cost a little more and they have to go farther out to sea for that. (were doing that next year.)

http://www.highbidcharters.com
Here is a video of my son catching a King Fish. It wasnt his biggest fish, He caught a 36 lb. Ling. But this is him reeling in a 21 pound King fish. Hes the boy wearing the Cowboy Hat.


Click on the little arrow above on the left.

Aaron Johnson gets it!

There is a guy who is making cartoons for photographers. Its called "What the Duck" His name is Aaron Johnson and hes a really cool guy. I wrote him a few months ago and told him I could write some for him because Ive experienced almost everything!
So he decided to let photographers write some of the cartoons and he published the ones he liked best. He published all 3 of mine that i sent in.
Hes really funny. The video below is one of his that has actually been animated now.
Only photographers really understand them. But I bet anyone would like the one below.
Enjoy!
http://www.whattheduck.net

Life as a Photographer. LOL!

Okay, I do love my job, but I have had my share of days like this over the past 23 years. Click on the little arrow on the lower left side.)

Prayer Request

I wanted to ask you all if could you please keep my friend Matt Matthews from Gainesville in your prayers?

He is a photographer, Ive known him for about 10-11 years.

He has over 4 feet of water in his studio!

This is his only source of income and he has over $150,000.00 worth of damage!

Hes a great guy and our hearts and prayers go out to him. I'm going to help him out with cleaning up his place.

Thanks everyone.

Gods Blessings,

Dixie and the gang

Images of Port Aransas Texas

My sons Catch.

I wanted to post this image. I shot this while we were 30 miles out to sea in the Gulf of Mexico.

My son and his friend Kody are holding two LING fish that weigh over 35 pounds each.

It was a great day.

Next year we are going for Blue Marlin and Sailfish. For the total that day they caught over 200 pounds. Red Snapper, LING and King Fish. It was fun. I miss the sunshine too. It was beautiful weather there.

Its so nice when people take the time....

This is a really nice E-mail I received today. I think its so wonderful when people take the time to write.

Ive known this bride since she was only 17 and I think she is absolutely beautiful.

"Hey Dixie. I just wanted to say thanks! You did a fantastic job on my bridal portraits. They turned out absolutley beautiful. I can't wait for Paul to see them! You are an amazing photographer and a lovely person inside and out!

I appreciate you taking the time getting to know me, caring about my life. You made me feel so comfortable, and very confident about taking bridal portraits for my soon-to-be husband. I would reccommend you to anyone! Thanks again so much. You are FanTabulous!!!

God Bless you and all your family!

Monica "

Blue Ribbons

Hey Gang,

I just wanted to let you know that I won 2 Blue Ribbons in the Photography competition on Tuesday.
One Distinguished Print Ribbons went to my Alien photo won and a 2nd Ribbon went to a romantic image of a young lady. My other two images got decent scores, but not as well as "Which way to Roswell" and "Enigma".

We had a great time. It only took us 10 hours to get home though! The rain down from the Coast all the way to W.F. was bad and all the rivers swollen to capacity, but the Good Lord protected us.

Just a side note, When the image of the Aliens were judged, the judges laughed out loud and the score was given out with an Alien voice, which again made everyone laugh. Everyone said it was
"refreshing" and "humorous". I also received 3 Silver Bars from the Texas Association. That means I have acquired 75 more points. Its always scary to go up on stage in front of hundreds of people, but it was exhilarating!
Thanks for all your pats on the back.

Shark Bait

I wanted to add a photo to the Blog of Bruce and I. Thought this one was funny. haha

Fun Vacation

We really had a great vacation. I just love the coast! Im glad to be back and see that my home survived safe and sound while I was gone. A lot of our neighbors lost their trees and shingles in the big storm, but we were one of the fortunate ones. If you had any damage and have photos of your damage, email them to me. Im sorry if you did. So far everyone Ive heard from was okay.

I pray that no one was hurt or lost possesions in that mess! Wichita Falls is known for its crazy weather. (I guess no place is safe really, except underground.)

Here are a few more photos of our vacation. The town of Port Aransas is the best little vacation spot in Texas.

Who inspired me?

PHOTO by CLAY BLACKMORE

When I travel and speak to other professional photographers, often Im asked "Who is your mentor?" or"Which photographer has made the biggest impression on you?" This is always a tough one because Ive studied with several of the nations best photographers.

Of course I am a portrait photographer. I could have chosen Advertising and commercial work, or Fashion, or Photojournalism.

When I was younger I thouoght I wanted to be a commercial photographer. I wanted to attend Brooks Institute. Its THE SCHOOL for professional photography. But after a year in regular college, i decided that the cost was out of my reach.

While in college at Texas Tech I decided I would be a photojournalist and work for newspapers and then work my way up to a national magazine, such as NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC. I loved to travel and thought this would be a very good fit for me. I worked for a Central Texas newspaper and the pace of constanly working day to day seeing tragedy, hanging out of airplanes and the constant deadlines taught me that I didnt really want that type of work for the rest of my life. Even though I loved it for a year, longer than that would of been too much for me. (Seeing people die in house fires and children was so sad.)

So after talking to the counselor at Texas Tech, I decided to become a Portrait Photographer. (even though the pay is much more for comercial photographers working in advertising.)

The small town I grew up in had a great photographer, Master Photographer Bill Weaks. He had a command of lighting that I had never seen before. He literally bathed his subjects in a beautiful light that reminded me of the great Master painters. Seargent, and Rembrandt.

I knew this is what I was destined for.

One of the very first photographers I had the opportunity to study with was fellow Texan Clay Blackmore.

Clay is a portrait and wedding photographer up near Washington DC. (in Virginia)

He worked for many years with the late great Monte Zucker. When I studied with Clay, it was like the male version of myself! I could finish his sentences and he mine! It was a natural click! Clay is a really versitile photographer and can work fast and in any situation. And talk about a comand of light.

He really knows his lighting.

I bumped into Clay on the streets of San Antonio earlier this year.

Clay was out in the ice storm photographing San Antonio on an ice cold day. (remeber the ice storm in January?)

I was out photographing wiht my Itallian photographer friend Luigi. Luigi had flown from Italy to stay at our home for 2 weeks and attend the convention with me. Not too many people were actually out in the cold that day.

There was Clay on the street! What amazed me is that he knew my name even though it had been 10 years since I had seen him!

He remembered a lot about me! WOW, talk about a personalble person.

He loved my pink hat and pink gloves I was wearing that day and being CLAY, He asked me to pose! He immediately started taking images of me, He traded cameeras with me and had me hold his camera for a few and took some images with my camera so i could have some images on my flash card. He chatted with me for a while and met Luigi.

Even though Clay has photographed the Ultra Famous, Including Larry King and so many celebrities, he is still a down to earth photographer. He has a way of making you feel special.

So if you want to know who one of my inspiration photographers are I would have to say Clay Blackmore. I remember when he crtitiqued my wedding images. I held my breath as he turned each page. He was very kind, but pointed out some minor things in lighting and posing, that I have never forgotten.

Hes a special person and a wonderful photographer. Always smiling and always happy to be photographing. I hope he isnt too lost without Monte, his mentor.

He invited me to attend a wedding with him, he said "Fly up anytime and Watch the sparks fly!!!" That was just a few months ago. I might take him up on it. Thanks Clay for being one of my heros. That 6 day workshop taught me so much.

Amazing Amanda!

This is Amanda, She is so sweet. She was a lot of fun to photograph and was very willing to do lots of crazy things. We spent a lot of time and got lots of great photos. I wish all my clients were like Amanda. Fun, open minded and playful, thank you Amanda! I'll always remember you!

(PS she reminds me if my daughter, whom i really miss a lot. Mamas enjoy your kids while they are home, they grow up so fast. I miss my daughter terribly. Even though I spaced my 2 kids 12 years apart, so i wouldnt have an empty nest, i still miss her so much.)

Beautiful Brie

This is Brie, Shes very athletic and loves Basketball! She definetly has the body of an athlete.
Thanks Brie for choosing our studio! Best of luck to you!

The Eyes Have it.

This is one of the services that we offer. Its called "The Eyes Have it." We love this look. We have been offering this since 2003.

Lindsay has big beautiful eyes!

The digital artwork fee for this image is $35. and then you can get any size you want from it. Wallet sizes are very popular.

Deep Sea Fishing

Hey Yall! I wanted to post this image of my son, he is on a fishing trip with his dad out in the Gulf Of Mexico. My son caught a 38 pound Ling fish! It was really big!

Here is a photo of him reeling it in. Ill add more photos later. He is with his friend Kody and his dad having a great time!

They said the Fish tasted great! They are bringing me a lot back with them! They caught over 200 pounds of Red Snapper, Ling and King fish.

Its a good thing my son is a power lifter, because it took a while to reel that one in. They went out on a Chartered beautiful boat. A 35 foot Cabo and went 50 miles off shore.

The 50s were Nifty!

Here is an image Im entering into a competition. I havent come up with a title for it yet.

I shot this down near Waco. The blue truck is my truck. I love things from the 50s. Its just one of the things I love to collect.

The store sold cool t-shirts, all things Vintage, its located off of 1-35. This effect took me several hours but I am finally pleased. (its a curse being a perfectionist! LOL!)

-D.D.

Hailey

This is adorable Hailey!

We had a great time. Shes a handful.

Ive photographed her since she was itty bitty.

What a precious little girl.

Texas Monthly

This months issue of Texas Monthly has a great article about the top 20 beaches in Texas.

Here is the link to it. Great Article!http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/2007-06-01/feature

Since 1980, (for 27 years) I've been going to Port Aransas Beach at Padre Island. (Texas Monthlys #13 best top beach.)

Have a good weekend!

Have a great weeknd!

This guy is amazing!

As they say, Dont judge a book by its cover. This gave me goose bumps.
I love to see pure talent. Its very moving.
Enjoy!!!

Deep Sea Fishing this summer.

This summer my family and I are going on a deep sea fishing trip.


We are going 25 miles off into the Gulf of Mexico to catch Sailfish, Blue Marlin & Mahi Mahi and possibly even shark.


It's a 12 hour trip way off the coast.

I'll be sure and post imagaes of what we catch and see out there.

The boat is skippered by Capt Brian and Cody who know the waters of the Gulf like the back of their hand.

Only a few more days until the fun begins.

It's a 35 foot Cabo, with AC, Tv, Stereo, Galley and Head.

We will have guys to bait our lines and to help with the catch. Here is a recent photo from the guys who own the boat.


They caught a WHITE MARLIN.

Monica

When I first Met Monica a few years ago (4 years ago- in 2003) She was a high School Senior and gorgeous! Now she is still gorgeous (even more so) and she is engaged!

She is so bubbily and full of life. She and her mother are such special people. I cant tell you how much it means to me when people think of me during their most special times. Monica is something special. She is going to set this world on fire for sure!

Thank you Monica! Your gonna knock them dead on your wedding day. You better have a paramedic ready for PAUL. LOL!

By the way, she is not wearing false eyelashes. These are the real deal. Some girls have all the luck....

Mighty Mandy!

This is Mandy, Shes a Senior and was so much fun! She is going to go to Texas A&M and wants to become a psychologist. She is in band and plays the saxaphone. I'll post more info on her later.
Thank you Mandy!

Alien Titles

Wow! I got a huge response for the title for the Alien photo! Ive settled on a title and sent it off to the competition.
Here are some of the titles

"From another world"-Dana
"Highway Hitchhikers"-Carla
"Take me to your leader"-Bruce
"Beam me Up"-JD
"Theres no intelligent life here."-Mandy
"War of the Worlds"-Amanda
"Take me to your Leader"-Josh
"Can you give me directions to Repton 4?"
and my favorite one
"Probed" by Bill
Thanks everybody!

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton Music Video.
For those with a sense of Humour Only.

Recipe for art..

What do you get when you add these photos together and mix in some wild imagination (From Dixie) ? You get something unique of course.

Send her your ideas for a name for this photograph.

-Bruce

Artistic Image

Hey Gang! Boy we had a really hectic week! But we survived!

Thank you to my staff! You deserve a well rested weekend.

Just wanted to show you guys, an image I created tonight (After work and after I mowed the yard and after the Dance Recital)

This is an image Im entering into a contest. The contest is for Pros and shows off your digital imaging talent.

This image was created from 5 other photographs.

I drew in the aliens bodies free hand myself, and the stars and the car and headlights coming towards the aliens.

I dont know what to title it yet. Any suggestions? In case you are wondering.. I got the inspiration and images after we went to Roswell New Mexico recently.

Send your title suggestions to me at pdixie@sw.rr.com

Thanks gang!

Amanda

Amanda is so pretty. Clear glowing skin and bright blue eyes. She reminds me so much of a friend of mine from high school. (Cyndie Buckle!)

She gigled the whole time and was so much fun. Thank you Amanda for choosing Pics by Dix!

Being Mindful

( JUST WANTED TO SAY i TOOK ALL 4 OF THESE IMAGES THIS WEEKEND.)

This weekend was very nice. The sun finally came out. My husbands parents came to visit and so did my Aunt and 2 cousins. It was a great time. We grilled burgers and ate my home made strawberry shortcake and the delicious chocolate pie that my mother in law made.

It was so nice to lounge around the pool. and watch the water glisten in the sun! (Its rained so much the past month, i was thankful for the sun.)

The reason I'm telling you all this is that I wanted to let you know that ever since I was very little, I always noticed the simple things in this world. With wide eyed wonder. Ill never forget the first time i flew in a plane. I couldn't believe that people were actually reading the newspaper and not even looking out the window! MY GOSH! It was amazing what was out that window and they were reading a newstory??? All I could do was stare out the window and I noticed was how all the cities were built on rivers and how the earth really did look like the multidimensional maps we had in school.

And I couldnt help but realize that I was seeing the earth the way God sees it everyday.

Rivers, trees, mountains, huge lakes, colors everywhere. Amazing.

Once i had a boyfriend whose mother really noticed the things I noticed. She told me one day"Im amazed at the things you see, that I dont even give a second thought to!" It was this statement that made me realize that I was different.

To me the world was a feast for the eyes. And believe me, i didnt grow up in a very pretty city.

West Texas is pretty boring and flat. But I found beauty in my backyard. A ladybug (Have you ever really looked at one up close?) the way my chalk scraped across the sidewalk while I drew hop scotch squares. The freckles on my friends nose. And this is sort of corny, but Ill share it.

When I would see a field of cows grazing, to me, it was like looking at a cake (With green frosting and coconut and sprinkles all over it.

To me, it was like God reached into a giant bowl and got a handful of little brown and black cows and sprinkled them down onto the earth, like I would see my mother sprinkle nuts on a cupcake,or raisins on my cearl.

Okay, I know you think that's strange, but that's how I saw it.

I was thrilled when I first saw the ocean as a 17 year old. I could not believe that this was the area of Texas where the land met the sea and the land sunk down and gave into the sea.

It was a WOW Moment!

The first time I saw a photo come alive in the developer tray in a darkroom, I went crazy!

(I was the only one in college that day who said anything about how cool it was!) it was like a magic trick to me.

Making a kite with my dad, out of the funny papers and sticks and glue and tying rags onto the tail and taking it to the playground at my elementary school

And seeing that kite fly! And seeing it go higher and higher. My dad letting the string out more and more until i could hardly even see the kite anymore.

WOW!

All these were WOW moments to me.

You know, its sad that most people hustle around running from place to place. Going to work, taking our kids to soccor practice, rushing home, eating fast, living fast, sleeping, here and there. Scurrying around like ants!

Why don't we slow down and be Mindful. I drive my husband crazy sometimes, because I wont give into that rush.

Don't get me wrong, i do work very hard. But I always always always notice the little things. Maybe that's what makes me a good photographer. The details. I used to be tardy a lot in school because as I walked to school, I would smell the roses in little old lady Mrs. Fergusons yard.

Id watch the fall leaves falling off the trees in Dr. Harless's yard.

Id always see the rainbow after the rain. I would pick up snails that came out after the rain.

I would say hello to the old people sitting on their porches and wave to them! I always would take the time to listen to older people talk about their childhoods or tell me stories. Always. Even when my friends thought it wasnt cool. Because I loved to listen and look at them. Their hands, the wrinkles, their eyes, hazy with cataracts. Smell the old mens pipe tobacco floating in the air.

I would pick dandelions on the way home from school and give them to my mom and she would put them into a tiny vase in her kitchen window. Once home, I would go out back and close my eyes and smell the sheets and towels hanging on the line and fill my lungs with the magical scent.

I'd notice and pick up pennies off the sidewalk and street. I found lots of them and dimes and quarters too sometimes!

I can literally tell you where every stick of furniture was in my house when I was only 7 (and we only lived there for 3 years, 7-9 years old)

And I spent a lot of time laying in the yard watching the clouds float by and trying to see shapes and objects in them.(Listening to my favorite singer John Denver. Most of his songs were about nature and Colorado and I loved him! still do!)

Mindfulness means living in the moment and observing what is around us.

Most of us dont do it until we are on vacation. And then it takes days. And now with Cell phones and lap tops and emails, some never slow down to be mindful.

This weekend I sat in my backyard and I noticed another Wow moment! A tiny Caterpillar on the tile near my pool. I put my finger out and let him crawl on my hand and then I gently placed him onto my wisteria leaves. And noticed his furry face and body and interesting anteneas.

I called my son to see it too. (hes 14 and too cool with his ipod headphones in his ears 24/7 and texting on his cell phone all hours of the day and night. But even he was sort of entranced by this little Caterpillar.

Even he slowed down and played with him. Then he put his ipod away and sat down beside me and enjoyed the day. (Well about an hour of the day, but he did slowdown and relax a little.)

As I sat in my new cedar Adirondack chair, inhaling the scent of the cedar (i love that smell)
Watching the sun glisten on the pool water. Watching my new friend the 1 inch long Caterpillar and the way that the sun set and the sky turned purple above me, until the purple gave way to deep blue and then black. Then my husband came outside to see if i was okay. (And brought me a drumstick ice cream and sat with me as I listened to the cricketts chirping and the water babling in a fountain near me.

I sighed a deep breath of air out and said a silent prayer- thanking God giving me another day on this earth, so that I could enjoy all the beauty around me,

Why don't you take the time each day to notice these things? It will do wonders for your blood pressue and your health.

I guess in a way, Ive never grown up, but I wouldnt have it any other way. My children think its really great, because I can relate to them. Every summer we explore nature. Mountains, beach, doing things we've never done before. Living. really living... (It doesnt cost anything to be mindful and stop and smell the roses... Give it a try. You wont regret it.)

Heres a great little video to remind you to be mindful.

http://www.real-worldmindfulness.com/wow/