Scarlett Shot me!

Everyone knows the old story about the shoemaker whose family has no shoes and the carpenter whose roof leaks. Well a lot of photographers dont have portraits of themselves. Im lucky that Ive had a photo shoots in the past couple of years! One with awesome Devon Jones of Burkburnett, another with my friend Renitta Long of Decatur, on my birthday in March and with my son this summer with Jodie Goodison. Earlier this month I flew out to Jacksonville Florida to spend the day with the amazing, Scarlett Lillian and got to be her 2n shooter on a Beach wedding. She did a photo session of me around Jacksonville on 09-09-09 . It was a beautiful day, it didnt even rain once and we had a blast! Here are a few from the session. Thanks Miss Scarlett, you managed to make me look thin!

Autumn has arrived at our home.

I love summer. I mean, I really love summer, but once the calendar says its fall, I go ahead and start to change out all our summer decor. To me fall means some bad things, like the end of going to the beach, the end of pool parties and the end of taking our boat out to the lake. But Fall also means good things, Having friends over for supper parties, evenings spent by the fireplace and the crisp smell of firewood burning and crackling. Making my families favorite white chili and the aroma of cloves and cumin wafting throughout the house. Going to grandmas for Thanksgiving (our tradition for 15 years now) and walking my dog in the early morning, bundled up in my new cozy sweat pants and breathing in the cool brisk air. And of Course Friday night football games bundled up with my sweetie under the blanket watching our son make tackle after tackle and your cheeks get so cold you almost cant feel them! (I love that! but then I have Chubby Cheeks! lol)

It also means that Christmas is around the corner!
I am excited to have my 2 grandsons visit soon and to see their faces when they see all the Fall and Halloween decor Ive put up. My mother made some good Fall memories for our family and I love to do the same. When you visit the studio, you'll smell Apple clider in the air, and see all the Fall Harvest decorations, along with giant fall portraits of families over the years.
Wont you take the time to schedule a Fall Family portrait for your family this year?

It is one of the best times to get together. We wont be open Thanksgiving Day but will accommodate appts the day before and after for you who have kids home from college.
It's truly the time of year, when we gather to give Thanksgiving for all that we've been blessed with. To thank our heavenly father for the bounty of friendships, family and gifts hes bestowed upon us.
And if you can Name my DOG, the one pictured above, you will get half off your session fee!!! (On Location session fees are $50.00 regularaly, but only $25.00 for our fall special, so if you know her name, you'll save $12.50. Email me here PDixie@sw.rr.com IF you dont know her name, but know what her Breed is, then Ill give you 4 free billfold size portraits. !

Our 14th annual Families in the Fall Foliage Special!

We are now taking names for our waiting list for our 14th annual Families in the Fall Foliage to be held sometime in October. As usual we open up Saturdays and sometimes even a Sunday for this special! Call or email for more info! Its a great time to get the whole family together for a special one of a kind Portrait. Christmas Cards will be discounted as well for this special. Call or email! PDixie@SW.RR.com

Attitude

DOUBLE CLICK ON THE PICS TO SEE LARGER.

Your attitude towards life defines not only who you are,
but the quality of life you are after.
Whatever it is that has been bugging you,
doesn't seem so bad anymore, does it?
If only we all could have the spirit that this little boy has!

Things You Learn from having Children.

THINGS YOU LEARN FROM HAVING KIDS* A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.* If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.* A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.* If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.* You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.* The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.* When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.* Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.* A six-year old boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year old man says they can only do it in the movies. * Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old boy.* Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.* Super glue is forever.* No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.* Pool filters do not like Jell-O.* VCR's do not eject "PB & J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.* Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.* Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.* You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.* Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.* The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.* The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.* It will, however, make cats dizzy.* Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.* 80% of Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.* 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

One way to clean your Monitor

If you have computer monitors that get dirty like mine do, then you want to be careful how you clean them. I caught my housekeeper one day spraying mine with Windex! I almost had a stroke!Here's a great site that shows you one way to clean your monitor screen and I promise you it is 100% safe! Thanks to my friend Felicia who sent it to me!Check it out! http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

ARLINGTON CONVENTION

Ill be back home (been in Arlington this weekend) tomorrow! I'll return emails and calls then! Thanks for your patience! :-) (PS I brought my laptop but havent been able to get my emails here.)

Who wants to Trash their Dress Next?

I'm giving away a Trash the Dress Session! Valued at $500.00 Shoot and CD with all the images. I am putting hte names into a hat once I have 10 names and drawing someone out! HURRY before the weather gets too cold! Your choice of location, or I will offer up 3 different places. email to PDixie@SW.RR.com

How to Leave Me a Comment.

Guys to leave a comment on my blog, you have to double click on the TITLE of the Post. Then it will open up a new window and you can leave your comment there. Sorry, my blog designer is trying to work this kink out!
Have a Great Monday!!!

Brainwash Day

UBER PHOTOGRAPHER, Lauren Clark of Lubbock Texas is having a contest to win a free day with her in her BRAINWASH one on one seminar. So hberes my photo Lauren! I think Im the first one so I should win a day with her!!! The early bird catches the worm, the early blogger catches the brainwash day? http://www.laurenclarkphoto.com/blog/

cutie pie sisters!

For several years I have been creating paintings, both watercolor and oil paintings of my clients. These are called our Giclee prints.

Ive often written about them. IN FACT IVE WRITTEN A BOOK ON HOW TO DO THEM FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS titled "From Ordinary to Extraordinary." Email me for info. Retails for $49.95 but has step by step instructions on how to turn your portraits into beautiful oil paintings (using your computer and a software program.)

Here is a "pastel" image i created this week for baby girl Audrey. This image is on watercolor textured paper and is breathtaking in person! Call us for more info on how to get your own. I can do the photography and the painting, or I can paint an image that you already have. I can combine multiple images into one to create a special image. (Take one shot of mom, one of dad and some of the children and make a family portrait that is painted and looks as if it was taken all at the same time!
Give us a call or email for more info! 940-761-5111 or email Pdixie@sw.rr.com
We are closed on Mondays! I'm at a convention today!

My Friend Gail!

I am so proud of my friend Gail. Shes quite an amazing professional photogapher, and her list of accolades is a mile long. Recently she was interviewed for KERA Radio "Art and Seek". Im hoping to bump into her here at the Convention, but in the meantime heres Gail! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0If1qgFlEjE

Listening becoming Lost Art.

Theres a great story in Thursdays Times Record News about Listening. Its written by former Wichitan Trish Choate.
Its called "Whats that you say? Listening becoming a lost art.". I'm trying to find a link to the paper for it right now. I subscribe 7 days a week to the TRN and have for 15 years.
Its a great article. I'll post more later.!

Friday ramblings....

I am way way behind on Blogging my photo sessions for September, its been a busy week. Going to Florida last week, got me a bit behind. Thanks to my wonderful assistant for helping me keep my head above water!

I will be uploading images to the Online viewing software this weekend, and editing orders to the lab. and trying to catch up on blogging. Our son has been running a fever off and on of 102 and then in the mornings down to 99 and then back up in the afternoon. Due to the football game last Friday in Graham where it soaked and rained on them! Ive also gotten 54 resumes recently for a position Im hiring soon for!
Its been a crazy week.
My husband just informed me about a trip he will be taking me on in March (my birthday Month) It seems that hes been asked by a 4 star general to head up a new program which will take him to England for a week, Germany for another week and Italy for a final week and so hes taking me to Europe for 3 weeks in March 2010! Its close to Spring Break, so we may take our son for part of it.
Ive been to 14 countries, but never England nor Germany (and I am of English and German descent)
I dont have any weddings that month so that is great that Im free to go, but I do have a wedding in Maui in April, so it seems things fall into place. If you are wanting me to blog your photos or need anything, please email me, Im forgetful sometimes! thanks gang, pdixie@sw.rr.com
Have a great weekend! God Bless!

Sweet sweet baby!

Twitter does more than you think!

Heres a website that shows you a lot more than you can do on Twitter than just Tweet! COOL! http://mashable.com/2009/08/21/13-twitter-tools/

Drive One 4 UR School!

Pruitt Ford, of Burkburnett , along with BHS, Burk Football, and the Boomtown Babes are hosting the first, Drive One 4UR School event.

Come to the Burkburnett Football Stadium parking lot on Sep 19, 2009 and test drive a new Ford Car or Truck and Ford will donate $20 per person!

The proceeds will be split between the High School, the Babes, and the Football program. This is a great way to help raise money for the school and other programs! And there are no strings attached. Just test drive one of their new cars or Trucks! Hope to see you there! Or you can call Pruitt for more info! 569-5226

Stunning Stevie!

Recently I got to meet Stevie. One of my former clients Sarah brought her in and we had a great time! However I got stung by fire ants, she saw a huge spider and then later , mosquito's attacked us all, we still had fun. Stevie is planning on becoming an x ray technician and her fave ice cream flavor is chocolate! She loves all kinds of music and just a delightful young lady!Once during her shoot, a big giant dog that looked like he was part Pitt Bull and part Doberman Pinser came up to us and scared us. I yelled "everybody freeze!" while this giant dog sniffed us each one at a time. I admit I was scared, but after a while we figured out he had tags and was somebody's baby and was sweet. But it made for a few scary moments. That's what we get for going into these weird areas in and out of town. ha ha.thanks Stevie for being so brave! (and Sarah and mom for helping assist me!)

Thanks Michelle for sending me this beautiful story!!!

I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries.. I wasn't hungry.. The pain of losing my husband of 57 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.. He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands. He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different since he had passed on. Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two. Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he had loved his steak.

Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket... hesitated, and then put them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks. She saw me watching her and she smiled. 'My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know..' I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes. 'My husband passed away eight days ago,' I told her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. 'Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together.'

She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy.

A Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone. I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package..

On her face was the brightest smile! I had ever seen... I would swear a soft halo encircled her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine. As she came closer, I saw what s he held and tears began misting in my eyes. 'These are for you,' she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. 'When you go through the line, they will know these are paid for.' S

he leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears clouded my vision I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal.. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so clear.

I wasn't alone.. Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes. He was still with me, and she was his angel. Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.

A sweet young lady

Today i got to spend some time with a special young lady, Charity! She is working on a new website and has a lot of irons in the fire right now and i was so excited to do some promo pics for her etc.
She is an awesome personal fitness trainer in Dallas and I hear knows how to work her clients into tip top shape! She is helping me get back into shape and I will post some before and after photos when I reach my goal!

(TO CONTACT ME FOR MODELING INF CALL ME AT (940) 761-5111 Texas, USA!)
Shes also up for to be one of Dallas 10 most beautiful women in D magazine and I'm pretty sure she will make it!
Shes got those good looks like a young Cindy Crawford and is a natural in front of the camera! Thanks Charity and Eva, it was a lot of fun!

Beach wedding with my friend Scarlett!

I had such a great time in Florida! I got to spend a day with my friend Scarlett and i got to be her 2nd shooter at a wedding on the beach in beautiful Jacksonville! This couple was so adorable and had a sweet simple ceremony atop a lookout deck right near the ocean! The sun was setting as they said their vows to one another and it was a breathtaking perfect day!
It was so fun to watch Scarlett working, she is an amazing photographer and her timing is amazing! She was voted Jacksonvilles #1 photographer recently and no wonder! She also did a photo shoot of me earlier in the day and took me to the cheesecake factory for lunch. It was a perfect day and I was so excited to get to hang out with her until almost midnight! Its was her one one one workshop "Spend a Day with Scarlett!"

Thank you Scarlett for the opportunity and fun day!

Beach wedding in Florida

Having a blast with Scarlett Lillian in Florida for our one-on-one workshop. For our day together, I got to shoot a beach wedding with her. Here's a teaser shot from the wedding!

Bulldog Football

PHOTOS OF FRIDAY NIGHTS GAME COMING SOON!

They met 66 years ago.

WOW, What a treat to get to photograph this special couple on their 80th birthday weekend! When I asked them how they met, they told me the cutest story!
Was it hard to get 21 people smiling and looking at the same time? Heck No! They were great!
Thanks Henslee and Broadway families!

VOTE FOR CHARITY! Times running out!

BE SURE AND VOTE FOR CHARITY EACH DAY, SHE IS STILL IN THE RUNNING FOR ONE OF DALLAS MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN! Scroll down the page a bit to see what Im talking about.
Time is running out and you can vote once a day every day! VOTE HERE at this link.
And If you need Modeling portraits give me a call at (940)761-5111 Texas, USA
http://surveys.dmagazine.com/10MB/Details/Charity_Beaver

Rilee

Recently I got to meet a very special girl. I instantly had a connection to her! She reminds me soo much of myself at her age. We talked for hours!!!
She has these drop dead gorgeous blue eyes that stop you in your tracks and the prettiest smile. She could of gone to any studio but she chose me. And shes got very special grandma too. I predict good things to come for this special girl. Thanks Rilee for choosing me, I had a blast with you!!!
Oh and when she threw her arms out and looked at the sky, I knew it would be a beautiful photo. She wasnt coached at all for this. To me it looks as if she is surrendering to the LORD. WOW. I love this one!!!

MY new FAV Song!

I love this song and the video is beautiful photography. Driving back late at night from Football games, I drift off the sleep, and when this song comes on over the radio I always wake up. Its got something magical about it.! And Sugarland is an awesome band. I love the words "Pictures, Dishes and Socks, its our whole life in a box." enjoy!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK_bpCFvfik

RIlee

Friday Night Lights

Its been a really crazy week, but Melaney has really been holding her own with me all week! Since school and MSU resumed classes, we have had 2 employees leave our employ. For a high school girl, she is such a fast learner and such a sweetheart! What I like best is she doesn't complain and she even worked until 10 pm last night to help me to get caught up! Now that's dedication! (and i/ we do reward dedication.)

I will get to blogging my shoots later, but in the meantime, i wanted to show you this fun poster that I made for our sons football team. I have about 8 hours invested in this thing. I was wondering what version you guys like better.? It has their schedule on it and the jersey is our sons friend Lorenzo (who weighs 320 lbs!)
Hes a great guy. So I thought I would showcase his jersey. Oh by the way, Burk won their first game of the year over sweetwater 14-0. And their defense is ranked 2nd in the State! WOOT!
Thanks! Have a great week!