QUOTE FOR THE DAY

"If you arn't the Lead Dog, then the Scenery Never Changes."

New Slideshow!

The Spiritual Connection between a girl and her horse.

I've always felt like animals can read our minds, thats why I have such good results when I photograph dogs. But this is amazing. This is a connection between a girl and her horse and its really amazing!!! This girl (Stacy Westfall) was featured on the Ellen Show recently.

This girls dad died only 24 days before this performance. She rides BAREBACK and with NO BRIDAL! Get the tissue out because you might just cry like I did!

I also get Teary eyed at Sea World watching the Trainers with the WHALES and Shamu! Its the same wonderful feeling! Love things like this!

By the way, Thanks to my cousin Shawn in Houston who sent this to me! Turn on your speakers to hear the music too. BE SURE AND MUTE THE MUSIC FIRST ON MY SITE on the JUKE BOX. Its the button on the left side top that looks like this. II

Shhhh! Anonymous Bride

I just couldn't stand it, I had to post at least 1 image of this Secret bride. Isn't she lovely?

All I can say is that her style is so elegant and classic. Love everything about her gown, hair, veil and jewelry.
Thanks for choosing Photography by Dixie for your Bridal portraits. Its an honor to get to photograph such a lovely bride.

Shelby!

This is Shelby! She is a Senior this year and we had a great time taking photos all over the place! Even though it was hot hot hot outside, we managed to get some great shots (and there was a breeze blowing, thank heavens!)

Thank you Shelby and Mom and Dad, I appreciate you driving so far!

By the way, I went to Brahms afterwards and got a BIG ROOT BEER FLOAT and cooled off!

Thanks!

Ryanne

I am so behind on blogging! I photographed 2 wonderful young ladies today! I will post one now and one tomorrow.

This is Ryanne and she was a lot of fun. We got lots of great portraits. I loved it when she showed me her cool Heels from "Naughty Monkey" http://www.buckle.com/

Thanks Raynne and Dana, it was a great day!

Quote of the Day

I heard this saying before and I believe it is true.

"I cant tell you how to be successful, its a lot of things, But I can tell you how to Fail.
and the sure way to do that is to try to please Everyone."
-Winston Churchill

Braxton is all Boy!

Isn't this little boy adorable! Braxton is all boy, full of energy and giggles and wiggles!

Your portraits will be in later this week, thanks Montica and Braxton! It was fun!

Raylee!

Im behind on blogging big time, been so busy with everything and preparing for mydaughter to move here!

But I wanted to show you a very precious little girl. This is Raylee, the daughter of Keisha and granddaughter of Jackie. Two very special ladies!

I just adore this little girl, shes been coming to me since she was a newborn and ive enjoyed watching her grow! Shes so funny. She can dance and has the cutest little mannerisms and is very entertaining to watch. And those eyes! WOW! They are beautiful.

Thanks Keisha and Jackie for bringing her in. Shes such a little sweetie!

Ill post more soon of her today!

Mojitos!

I make this refreshing summer cocktail by omitting the alcohol and using a sugar substitute in lieu of sugar or syrup. It's just as delicious as the original, but you can enjoy this cooling mocktail anytime of the day!

Or for the real thing scroll below!



"Mojitos on the Beach " (non alcoholic version)

Fresh mint,
1 fresh lime,
1 package Sweet n Low or sugar substitute,
Crushed ice ,

6 ounces lime-flavored sparkling water (United market street or Wal-mart carries it)

Instructions Crush a sprig of mint in the bottom of a cocktail glass.

Squeeze the juice of one fresh lime into the glass. Add 1 package of sugar substitute, crushed ice, and 6 ounces of lime-flavored sparkling water. Garnish with mint and serve.

It only has 20 calories and taste so good!

To make a Real Mojito, (21 years old and over)


3 parts Club Soda

1 part Bacardi Rum

1/2 part sugar

12 mint leave sand half of a fresh lime

Crush the mint leaves (just a couple per glass) and half a lime and crush with a "Muddler" available from Bacardi's web site or "Crate and Barrel" or just GOOGLE them. They are a tool Bartenders use. Pour in the sugar, add some Ice, Rum and top off with Club Soda, Stir Well and Garnish with a Mint Leaf.



ENJOY!

http://www.bacardimojito.com/home/default.aspx




PS here's a handy device for making ice in only 6 minutes and holds up to 4 lbs. and its portable, take it out by the pool! (I get tired of those trips to the local convenience store, so this is great for saving those trips!_)

Available at TARGET STORES or their Internet site.

http://www.target.com/Magic-Chef-Portable-Ice-Maker/dp/B000R7Z53S/ref=sc_ri_4/601-4405149-6991366

The Best Kept Secret is Out!

Since I was a little girl, my dad took me and my family to our favorite vacation spot in Texas. Its a natural spring located in West Texas that feeds into a 77,000 square foot pool. The largest swimming pool in the country.

But now the secret is out. This months issue of TEXAS MONTHLY put it on the cover!
Balmorhea State Park (pronounced BAL MORE A) Under the 25 Best Swimming Holes in Texas! (they also listed The Comal River in New Braunfels where we went earlier this year)

http://www.texasmonthly.com/

This is truly my favorite place to go! The water is crystal clear and comes from a fault deep in the earth and is fresh and cold and wonderful! The pool is humungous and has some minnows and a few catfish! We go scuba diving here too since its up to 30 feet deep and love it!
This is where I learned to dive off a high diving board, where I learned to float on my back and to live in the moment and not think of anything but the blue sky, the cotton wood trees and the minnows nibbling on my toes. This is where I took my first photos with my moms brownie camera, that she framed and hung on the wall and gave me the idea, maybe I could be a photographer. This is where my brother and sister and I bonded and laughed till our sides hurt.

My sister doing her back flips off the high dive, My brother doing gainers and all the hours of laughter and joy. We usually go there every other summer and rotate our beach vacation each odd year. I wish I was there now.... ahh...

If you want a nice quiet relaxing vacation then this is the place to go. Its located near the Davis Mountains not far from Pecos Texas. You can stay in the nice rooms there (all spanish colonial style) or pull your camper or trailor and stay at the nice camping area, with full showers and water hook ups. Its peaceful, beautiful hot and wonderful.

Its about a 7 hour drive from Wichita Falls, but so worth it. So so worth it.


Heres some more info about it and a link to make your reservation.
Our family calls it Heaven.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/balmorhea/

"The 77,053 square ft San Solomon Spring is the focal point of Balmorhea State Park. From 22 to 28 million gallons of water flow through the spring-fed swimming pool each day. Other CCC structures in the park include a limestone concession building, two wooden bathhouses, an adobe superintendent residence, and San Solomon Courts, an early expression of the modern-day motel, constructed of adobe bricks. All of the CCC buildings are constructed in a Spanish Colonial style with stucco exteriors and tile roofs."

http://www.texasmonthly.com

THE CLASS OF 2009 !

Our Senior Special is doing well. If you are in the Class of 2009, then you need to call soon!

We are filling up!

Burkburnett Seniors are calling in and getting their spots before summer is over and the weather turns yucky and cold. We cant do much outside when its cold, so this is the best time.

If you cant get through on the phones then just keep trying, (when we are on one line, it doesn't roll over to voice mail, it just rings and rings) so keep calling We are in the studio from 9:30-6:00 or sometimes even 7:00 pm

940-761-5111

Baby Holland

I would like to show you our baby announcements. This is one I did recently. Each one is individually created, (one of a kind) or choose from our samples.

I had such a fun time with baby Holland and mama Leah and daddy Kirk.

For more information just give us a call at 940-761-5111!

Click on it to see it larger.

These are so ME!

If you are looking for some nice stationary, I recommend SPINK STUDIO! They are a company located in Midland, TX (my old stomping grounds!)

They do custom stationary and its so pretty and unique. I got these in my favorite color (ROBINS EGG BLUE, or Tiffany Blue) with my name and boy are they fast too!

I found them on http://www.etsy.com/ One of my favorite sites out there.

http://www.spinkstudio.etsycom/

Oh, and they are also photographers too.

A note about our schedule

I just wanted to post a FYI message here. We've been having people lately calling and wanting appointments like tomorrow. Unfortunately my schedule is similar to a Doctors. I get booked in advance sometimes up to 6 -8 weeks ahead (and even up to a year or more for weddings.)

We do have cancellations sometimes and we can sometimes squeeze people in. But please don't call thinking that you can get in within a couple of days.
A lot of people book me for families, children, bridals, engagement portraits etc. way in advance. These folks have their hair done, or kids out of school, or husbands get off work, etc. So they call early.
My own family have to wait months sometimes for me to come and visit them.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but please understand that Photography is a Labor Intensive business. I can only shoot 3 appointments per day and that takes me all day to them.
I occasionally do have people who will call and have to reschedule and so we have openings pop up, but it is rare.

We appreciate our customers and value you, but we do stay booked up most of the time and we just want you to understand we have to work by appointment.
Thanks for understanding!

Stormy

Wow Was it hot today! I am so behind on blogging! I just cant seem to ever catch up! But the good news is I interviewed a young lady today who may be taking over my graphic design work for me and then maybe I can catch up.

I hope so!

Here is the beautiful Stormy! She drove quite a distance for her portraits. Thank you Stormy!

Also today I got to photographed Raylee who is a beam of sunshine! I cant wait to blog her photos. I'm behind but should be catching up soon!

Thanks everyone for your patience. I work a lot on the computer and had to go and get a massage on Monday because my neck was burning so bad that I just couldn't work any more. I got a impromptu massage and then got back to work about an hour and half later.

Thanks for your patience!

My space or yours?

If you are on myspace drop me a comment sometime! I love hearing from you guys!
http://www.myspace.com/photographybydixie

BURKBURNETT SENIORS ROCK!

We are running a special for Burkburnett Students!

But you must be photographed this summer to receive the special! We are getting really busy and dont have a lot of openings left before school starts so call today!

761-5111.

Here are a few of the Seniors from Burkburnett who have chosen our studio for their Senior Portraits!

HOT HOT HOT!

WOW, This week is going to be hot in Wichita Falls, TX! 103 F projected for today!

(That's 39 Celsius for our European Friends! -Hi Luigi!)
So remember to drink lots of liquids (water is best) and stay out of the direct sun if you can. I worry about my father who refuses to use AC and lives in West Texas.

Also take precautions for your pets! Dogs can suffer from heat stroke the same as people!

Read below details about it.
The other day I left my dog outside accidentally while I went to the Hair Salon. She was outdoors for about 2 hours. When I got home, she had jumped into our pool and was panting like crazy!
I never do that, she likes to sleep on the cold marble tile in our bathroom.

Here's details about heat stroke for pets

Heat stroke is a condition arising from extremely high body temperature (rectal temperature of 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit), which leads to nervous system abnormalities that may include lethargy, weakness, collapse or coma. Abnormally high body temperature (also called hypothermia) develops after increased muscular activity with impaired ability to give off heat due to high heat and humidity or respiratory obstruction.

Allowing a dog to remain in a car with closed windows on a hot summer day is probably the most common cause of heat stroke!

Normal dogs dissipate heat from their skin. In addition, panting allows evaporation of water from the respiratory tract and is an effective method of heat dissipation. When these mechanisms are overwhelmed, hypothermia and heat stroke usually develop. The elevation in body temperature stimulates the body to release substances that activate inflammation

All Photo shoots will be indoors this week!
Everyone take care of yourselves!

More Of Madison!

I love her rocker style images we shot for her portfolio! Her dad used to sing lead vocals in a band and Madison most likely inherited the gift too, dont know for sure yet.

But I LOVE THIS SHOT OF HER with my sons Guitar!

You are just TOO COOL MADISON!

Im Right Brained.

Are you Right Brained or Left Brained? According to this survey my mother sent me I am mostly Right Brained. I scored 10 for Right and 7 for Left. So I think Im somewhat both.
But after reading the review, It is definetly me!
I know some people who are definetly all one side or the other. Its good to be a little of both, but I knew I was right brained for sure.

I actually had a head injury as a child on the left side of my head. I fell out of my fathers pick up truck and had to have my head stiched up and was in the hospital for a while.
So maybe the brains in the left side got left on the highway! haha.
I usually have to warn my hair stylists about the big scar on the left side of my head because its big! But I think it made me more creative!
Have fun taking the test! and let me know what you are!
http://www.web-us.com/brain/LRBrain.html

Madison Maggie Paige Money!

Here she is........ "DRUMROLL PLEASE" Miss Madison Money!

Isnt she precious?! This is the daughter of my BFF! And her DH!

I had so much fun! Miss you guys already!

To see them better, just double click.

MY BFF!

I cant wait to show you guys pictures of my BFFs daughter! Shes beautiful! What a gorgeous blend of both her mom and dad. Her mom Francie and I have been friends since we were 14 years old!
The only way that I can explain to you how special Francie is to me, she is like a diamond. Rare and special! I'm so excited that she and her hubby and daughter came to visit us! We had a great time taking photos and eating Brats and hanging out!
Her daughter Madison could be a model, she is going to be tall and shes already got the gorgeous face and dazzling smile (and rockin' bod!)
Cross your fingers, shes entering a beauty pageant in Dallas next weekend.
Ill post images of her soon! She looks a lot older than her 15 years.
Thanks Madison, Francie and Tom, I love you guys!

Need your help!

Let me know if you guys can see this slideshow.

http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewalbum.html?bm=116502


You have to click on it to see it.
Id love to hear who can see it and who cannot please!

Thanks,
Also, tell me what the very last photo looks like and you could win a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the studio!
Hurry!
DD

Senior Girls Slideshow

Back by popular demand, Our Senior Girls Slideshow.
We LOVE SENIORS GIRLS HERE! And boys too!
This is a sampling of recent portraits of Senior Girls that we've done (and one bride) If you are photographed this summer you will be in our next DVD!
You might want to mute the music on this blog first, by scrolling down and clicking on the JUKE BOX button to mute it.
Enjoy!

Still accepting Resumes!

We are still accepting resumes, so keep em coming! The position opens soon, If you don't know what I'm talking about, just scroll down a short distance.

We have a full time (4 days a week) opening!
Come work in a fast paced environment with a Master Photographer with people during the most happy times of their lives!
Email your resume to Pdixie@sw.rr.com
No Experience required, but must posess good communication skills.

What the Duck Comic Strip

Hey Gang!




There is a cool new comic strip for Photographers. Well, its not new, ive known about it for about a year and a half and its really fun! The cartoonist Aaron Johnson created the strip and its gaining popularity with professional and amatuer photographers all over!

He recently held a contest of sorts and let people create their own likeness into one of his ducks by using Adobe Photoshop. So I decided to do something silly with a spin on it on Texas and Annie Oakley!

Heres the before templates and what I came up with after (Above)

To see more of what other photographers have done check out the link below.

(As if I had the 36 minutes to spare to do this!)


http://www.whattheduck.com/

Heres a sample below that someone made. Cute hu?!

UPDATE: Aaron Johnson, the Cartoonist has added my Duck to his website! Thanks Aaron! It was fun!

Brittany & Ryan

I met Brittany a few years ago, when I took her Senior Portraits. She is a lovely young lady. Now she and Ryan are engaged and Im so happy for them! They are really the sweetest couple! Ryan (Hunkie Ryan is what I call him) is an adorable guy who obviously is crazy about Brittany.(and vice versa!)
I had a blast with them!
Thanks Guys!

BTW, To see these bigger, just double click on them! Brittanys eyes are so blue and gorgeous!

From here to Infinity!

Check out this awesome jewelry made from old camera lenses. Beautiful work! Its called re:vision and the jeweler is from Australia at Oye Modern.

Im ordering one tonight!

http://www.oyemodern.com/designers/re-vision

re:vision is the product of Craig Arnold's unbridled passion for cameras, recycling and polishing. Handmade in Adelaide Australia, from discarded camera components and reshaped with love, re:vision brings old school cameras into an entirely new focus.
Each piece is unique and sells fast. Available exclusively at Oye Modern

Now Accepting Resumes!

We have an opening coming soon at the studio! Applicant must possess the following skills.

Light Computer

Data Entry

Customer Service

Handle busy telephone

Scheduling appointments

Light accounts receivable

Greeting clients

Ability to multitask

Girl Friday, errands

Occasionally assisting photographer

Professional dress and manners

&

GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS A MUST!

We offer :

a short 4 day work week

Tues-Fri 9:30-5:30

Good hourly pay

7 Paid National Holidays

Huge Discount on Professional Portraits for yourself and immediate family.

1 weeks paid vacation after 12 months

You get to meet the nicest and finest folks in Texoma during the happiest times of their lives.

You can email your resume directly to us at

pDixie@Sw.rr.com

Don't delay, we will only interview till July 25Th.