artbrandphoto

merry christmas!

2011-12-22T13:32:00.003-06:00

As we pack for Louisiana this will be my last post until after Christmas, so to all of you out there who still read, have a Merry Christmas! Thank you for your devotion, I hope you and your families enjoy each other, the holiday, and the season. May God Bless...

christmas in new york-cont'd

2011-12-20T09:26:00.003-06:00

The holiday is getting close now. The presents are all wrapped, the stockings are hung, and now we are in pre-preparation for our trip to Louisiana for Christmas. The only question is how in the world are we going to fit all of these gifts into the CR-V? Anyway, another NY shot. Later.

city of lights

2011-12-19T19:07:00.004-06:00

Last year the family vacation spot was Disney World. We bought tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party where the Magic Kingdom is literally lit up like a Christmas tree and it snows on Main St. As we walked around the park, taking in the sights and rides and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies we turned a corner and came upon this sight. The entire street looked as if it was made up of Christmas lights. It was awesome. This photograph was all I could come back with, I hope it does it a little justice.

magic

2011-12-15T23:19:00.003-06:00

It hardly ever snows in South Louisiana. Okay, it never snows, but in December of 2008 about two days before my wedding it covered the state. I'm sure there are those northerners who can't stand the stuff, there can be too much of a good thing. It can't be denied though that snow is incredibly photogenic. It transforms the landscape into this beautiful purified simple line drawing of all the familiar settings you see everyday and makes them new again.

christagram!

2011-12-14T10:26:00.004-06:00

In case you haven't noticed, instagram is an app you can get on your smart phone that helps us regular folks take artsy fartsy fancy phone photos and share them with the whole entire world. I'm not sure I would shoot a wedding with it, but it takes me back to the greatness that is analog photography-you remember film don't you? Anyway, here are some shots taken last Christmastime that you could find originally on my instagram account. Oh, and hey, if you're not on instagram you should check it out...it's free and it's fun. Who can argue with that?

the morning of...

2011-12-13T09:42:00.004-06:00

This was last year's Christmas morning, presents layed out like a spread sheet all orderly as we take turns giving everyone a present at a time, until all are openned. It's all about suspense...

13 days and counting...!

2011-12-12T21:22:00.003-06:00

Faced the mall today for one of the last few gifts we need. I worked on our Christmas card this evening...an annual tradition to make each year's card better than the last. The coffee's on and the excitement of the coming holiday is seeping into everything. School is nearing the end and the boys have endless guesses on what it is wrapped under the tree. To quote Sam the talking snowman, "I love this Christmasy time of year."

mmmm...sugar cookies.

2011-12-09T11:06:00.003-06:00

This is an image I've had in the photo library for a while. It's one of the pictures I plan on using for the Livingston, Louisiana project. One of the best parts of the holidays is of course the food. This cannot be denied, but one of the better parts is my Mother's food which I have on high authority is better than most Mother's food. Sorry, it just is. My mom makes these sugar cookies every so often, more often around the holidays, and more often when us boys where in the house. I prefer them without powdered sugar, but she usually finishes them off with it and every now again, she'll add chocolate chips for buttons on the gingerbread men or the snow men shaped cookies. Either way, they are a part of the holidays in the Hayman household, and they are the best. If you doubt me, just ask my best friend. They're his favorite too.

crescent city wreath

2011-12-08T10:33:00.004-06:00

This is a re-post of one my favorite images taken in New Orleans during this holiday season. I don't know who hung a wreath on this dilapidated aged building, but I thank them, because I was able to capture this image and take it home, forever captured, forever remembered.

big apple-big ornaments

2011-12-07T12:06:00.005-06:00

Christmas in New York-continued... More to come!

crescent city tree

2011-12-06T12:17:00.004-06:00

I haven't been many places in my life. New York on my honeymoon where I was the typical camera toting china town wandering gotta see a Broadway show tourist, and loved every minute of it I might add; and other than a quick drive through Nashville, Tennessee I've never left the states that border the Gulf of Mexico. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida. Seen them all, but not much else. But New Orleans. New Orleans is one of those cities that you wish commanded as much respect as New York, but at the same time you realize that would ruin the city. New Orleans with its unspoken charm and gritty street scene, its erotic Bourbon St., its sobering Cafe' du Monde, the Mississippi River, and all the history of the South finding home in this city that sits in a bowl underneath the sea level. Christmas here just can't be compared with Christmas anywhere else. It goes without saying though, because anytime of the year can't be compared with spending even a weekend in New Orleans, no matter what the season is.

gifts from home

2011-12-05T15:50:00.003-06:00

I always hear these Christmas tales of woe: an uncle who once painted his niece a painting for Christmas and her response-the moral of the story-was one of selfish brattyness. She hated it because it wasn't what she asked for. It wasn't a Barbie-doll house or Susie-go-potty-a-lot. Again, the stories are meant to teach the value of time, care, and thoughtfulness that go into the art of gift-giving. This year I've taken the story to heart and am doing just that: making most everyone's gift. It's partly because people like my homemade gifts, partly because I enjoy making things (the creative process and all that), and partly because I usually make more than one for myself to keep. So I guess there goes that selfish bratty moral of the story edge to it, huh? Well oh well. Here's a work in progress, a snow globe with a junk-car...it's soooo Livingston Parish.

city snow flakes

2011-12-04T11:16:00.003-06:00

This may be a repeat image, but it's one of my favorites from New York during my honeymoon. The snowflakes were synchronized to Christmas music playing on the street stretching high up to the top of the facade of the building. It's a pretty picture, but really can't capture how awesome it was to watch in person.

december 2nd...

2011-12-02T17:10:00.002-06:00

Just in case you missed my post yesterday: Holga, inflatables, Christmas, film. Okay, carry on.

december 1st...the countdown begins!

2011-12-01T19:05:00.003-06:00

Things I love: my Holga medium format camera, shooting film, Christmas time, and those big overblown inflatable figures that can typically be found in front of car lots. Well, let's combine all those things in one image and call it done.

cowtown christmas

2011-11-30T08:38:00.004-06:00

Christmas is in full swing. That is an understatement I realize, it having been "Christmas" since probably October. I am not the one to complain to though, because I love it. Being the sentimental sap that I am, instilled in me diligently by my Mother who we decorated our tree with every year to Bing Crosby and the claymation Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on the television, I totally enjoy the holiday. I'm not one of those over the top Christmas fans like the neighbors and their extravagant light show set to music, you just dial in the station in front of their house and watch the show...no I celebrate the quieter moments: the tree lit up alone in the living room, a fire going in the fireplace, a cup of hot chocolate, and making and wrapping gifts. Just a fraction of the holiday that I love. Anyway, here are a few festive shots from downtown cow town to help usher in the blog to Christmas and all that I love about it.

in the attic

2011-11-23T23:49:00.004-06:00

Did a commercial shoot for Demilec USA, a spray foam insulation company in Arlington, Texas. Began the day in an attic watching them test out some of their new product, then moved on to their warehouse to get some on-sight shots that offered a bit more space to move around and shoot. It's dirty, gritty, grungy work; and photos never lie...well they used to never lie.

on the boat-quickie

2011-11-18T08:27:00.004-06:00

Last weekend the family and I, with our neighbor's kind invite, went out on Eagle Mountain lake for a bit of boating. For some reason, all natural water bodies, beaches, lakes, oceans, etc. just make for great photos. Here's a favorite, talk to you guys soon!

homecoming

2011-11-08T22:13:00.003-06:00

Every year homecoming season comes and goes and with it I usually get a slew of images that are hard to explain. They are hard to explain just as teenagers are often hard to explain. High school being what it is and filled with teenagers that are all trying to figure out who they are, what they stand for, what is right and wrong with the world around them, what these things are that are known as the opposite sex (and how to communicate with the strange beings), what they want to be when they grow up, and how to go about accomplishing all these things and still remember the periodic symbol of silver for the test next week. I think the images below capture all things homecoming, and simultaneously all things high school and all things youth.

children of the corn

2011-11-01T18:08:00.002-06:00

Took this shot whilst my family and I wound our way 'round a giant corn maze. Thought it a good way to kick off the month of Thanksgiving, and titled it in a way to pay tribute to the Halloween festivities that just passed. Hope everyone enjoyed the candyfest. I'll have pics of the kiddos posted soon!

on the porch

2011-10-25T18:31:00.003-06:00

Down south one needs a porch. Upon that porch, one must have a porch swing. Why? Because if there were no porch swing there would be no porch 'talks'. 'Porch talks' being those times your parents need to talk to you about something import, drastic, Earth shattering, or accuse you of things you may or may not have done or am doing. And in those moments during the porch talks, if there is no porch swing, then all there is left to do is stand there.

pumpkins-autumn's new mascot

2011-10-24T11:40:00.003-06:00

I understand. I do. Pumpkins do seem like hosts ushering us into the Autumn season what with them representing Halloween and all with their carved decor garnishing door ways and front porches and wicker baskets etc. It is only natural for us to begin the season with a little pumpkin on our stoop. I assume we bought it at the market with plans to later kill it-as Linus would cry-and carve it, and put it out front as part of the most un-sacred events of the year. In recent years though, pumpkins have become the cool kids on campus. Women's magazine's galore have infinite creative and crafty ways to dress and decorate your pumpkin that will make your neighbors green with envy. Even my local newspaper had a pumpkin carving contest where one had to represent one of the seven deadly sins on the face of a pumpkin. Even our food, deserts, and coffee are pumpkin spiced; you can purchase pumpkin lights; and one can even dress as one for the costume party. For me though, the fad has passed, and although pumpkin spice has captured my taste buds with the rest of America, shouldn't the food gods be a little food-forward hunting down the next awesome flavor to usher in the season. Is there a flavor that could represent a cornucopia? Or maybe even a flaky croissant can be marketed in such a way that makes one dream of raking leaves...then burning them to a crisp in the back yard. Alls I know, is that unlike Linus, I am anxious no longer for the Great Pumpkin, he has overstayed his welcome. I am ready to taste a new season.

fall...

2011-10-21T22:43:00.003-06:00

Every trip home results in my inner magazine spread ad photographer that lives inside of me rising up and taking over. Then again, with a home as beautifully laid out as my Mom's, one just can't help themselves. It's Autumn, and so the front porch is full of pumpkins, scarecrows, colorful gourds, and stalks of grasses, wheat, and grains. This image is a favorite of mine, there are more to come, but I thought this was a good one to show because it really captures the essence of Autumn.

the living room

2011-10-13T18:17:00.004-06:00

In South Louisiana when the weather is right, and even often when it isn't, this is the place that gets more living than the room with the TV in it; and in about 18 hours from right now, that's where I will be-sitting on those Adirondack chairs, drinking on a cup of coffee. Here's a nice shot of that holy place I speak of...the front porch.

farm antiques

2011-10-12T09:15:00.003-06:00

On the farm tractors are essential, and when you got a good one you use it 'til its dead. This one is still alive and kickin', though (with most farm equipment) probably needs a little help to get going. The scan of the print is pretty lo-fi, which I don't like, because the vague detail in the shadows of this photo is what gives it its true quality; but hopefully you get the idea.

found art :: paint cans and cabinets

2011-10-11T12:12:00.004-06:00

My first foray into the Impossible Project's sepia film made for the 100 Land camera was impressive. I used my first pack, my test pack, on my mom and dad's place out in Greensburg, Louisiana. The house is newly built, but not without it's own history. I stumbled upon this little scene in my dad's work storage room where one can also find several tool boxes, cow show tools, ropes, gas cans, and plenty of bugs.

shellybelly&brad

2011-10-10T10:53:00.004-06:00

One of the privileges I have with being a photographer is watching families grow. I had the honor of photographing Shelly and Brad's wedding just a few years ago here in Fort Worth. Beautiful wedding, great couple, awesome people; and come to find out-expecting! I was very excited when they first told me they were pregnant and immediately I called dibs. So, here are the results of my "dibs". Shelly loves the vintage damask and textile patterns and incorporates it into a lot of her home decor. It's part of her style, and so I made sure I incorporated it into the pictures of her growing family. These turned out very cool, I hope you love them.

ghosts of summer II :: trunks

2011-10-09T19:22:00.003-06:00

In the wake of summer, I still have images to post even though Autumn is in full effect and the temps (thank God) have finally started to drop. I took along an old Minolta film automatic camera on a visit to the neighbors and their new pool. This shot is taken at the curb right outside their house before the kiddo stripped off his shirt and plunged right in. I just wish they made shark shoes like that for adults, I would totally rock those.

ghosts of summer

2011-09-23T23:16:00.003-06:00

Summer isn't my favorite season, especially in Texas. The dry, dry heat literally zaps your energy and in the wake of this past summer I pray I never see 100 degrees ever again for the rest of my life, but I love the images summer evokes. Even the word conjures up beaches, pools, sand, sun, drinks, bathing suits, water parks, and the list could go on. The images of summer I really enjoy and I recently processed a roll that I had taken during the thick of the summer and had just been sitting on for a while. Well, here's one of my favs from the role. These were taken with an old minolta I had found at an estate sale, so these are more about memory than technically beautiful photography-but isn't that what photos can be sometimes, and ought to be, if not carefully preserved memories.

twins

2011-08-23T21:24:00.004-06:00

Just for Mrs. Lisa, the new grandmother that sent me the official "nag" alert email that stated she could not wait to see a teaser of her grandbabies any longer! So (just for her) here's a little taste of the session I did with her daughter's new additions to their family. These two did wonderfully during their session and here are the pictures to prove it. There were many other great ones, but I have to give her something to look forward to!

monkey squared

2011-07-31T20:09:00.004-06:00

With the summer heat drying Texas out more and more each day, I do best by staying inside out of the heat. Lately I haven't been shooting much, but been reading and writing and making the most of my summer! In need of updating, here's a pic taken at the last trip we took at the zoo. I'll try to get more pics up soon but in the meantime I've become addicted to Instagram, the coolest way to share pictures taken on the run. Please feel free to download the app, find me under 'artbrand' and follow along. Until then, stay cool.

parker

2011-06-20T21:38:00.004-06:00

You may remember lil' Parker, I did his newborn pictures just about seven months ago. Before that, though, he was the very first baby I photographed with mommy holding the Polaroid in front of her belly. So now Parker's a little bigger and a lot cuter! Had so much fun with this little guy and his parents, Christine and Blake-longtime friends. Again, it was a pleasure photographing you guys and I was blessed to be apart of it.

foxy ladies

2011-06-09T14:12:00.005-06:00

Finally catching up with myself when it comes to shooting, editing, and delivering orders, I am happy to show off a family session with very good friends Stephanie, Nic, and their daughter Roxy. I met Stephanie and Nic at the art festival in Kennedale and my wife and I fell in love with them and their adorable kiddo. They took some family portraits that we managed to squeeze in between those crazy storms that were hovering over North Texas a few weeks back.

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krista and ano-the big wedding post!

2011-06-08T13:01:00.005-06:00

Congratulations to Krista and Ano Vargas, friends of mine who finally got married (...whaaat?!) at the A and M gardens in Azle just a few weeks ago. I had a lot of favorites from this wedding and tried to fit in as much as I could...

we interrupt your regularly scheduled programming...

2011-05-26T07:44:00.003-06:00

Two days ago, and for the past three weeks in other parts of the country, storms have swept through, bringing high winds, hail, rain, floods, you name it. Two days ago rain and hail fell on my neck of the woods, but luckily no damage was done. It seems like we were just on the edge of brunt of it. Being on the edge you get to watch the clouds layered one on top of the other, on top of another. They would change dramatically in the matter of minutes from dark and brooding to light and fluffy, often colorful, then back to dark grey and blue. It was awesome to watch.

krista and ano-teaser

2011-05-23T14:53:00.003-06:00

Currently working on Krista and Ano's wedding which took place at the A&M Gardens in Azle, Tx. Full post coming soon, but I just couldn't wait to post this image.

enter livingston parish

2011-05-18T16:58:00.004-06:00

I picked up the last official roll of film that was devoted to the Livingston project today from the lab. As I held the negatives up to the light in the foyer anticipating what I'd seen, Steven, the guy I've been handing film to and picking film up from for years at Barron Photografix said, "You're the last of the medium format shooters." I laughed to myself thinking that I, oh me of so little, can't be the last. In fact I know I'm not the last by just flipping through a couple of photography magazines you will find another shooter or two still using film, but maybe rare is a more accurate statement. Many of the images are shot digitally, but after I got deep into the project and had a bit more of an idea of the direction I was headed, it was film all the way. Anyway, these two shots aren't my favorites, so who knows if they'll make into the book or not, but I thought they'd be a good send off image to commemorate the end of a personal project that took me so far into the woods, the eyes, and the beauty that south Louisiana is. Even though the image making process is over, I still look forward toward the next step, knowing the final chapter will only be closed after the book hits the shelves. Who knows then what other stories may be told after mine is done. I'd rather think of my story just as one of many others-like a puzzle piece fitting in with the rest of what makes the parish the place that it is, the people that live there, and the feeling of home.

posted

2011-05-16T10:33:00.005-06:00

There aren't many billboards down the back roads of rural south Louisiana. What there is a lot of are posted signs. Most everywhere people are marking off their territory and their land to let you know these woods are not to be trespassed upon, hunted within, or explored throughout, for any means necessary. The problem with the message they send out is that no one listens to them. And that old adage about being "prosecuted on site"-in Livingston Parish you'll more likely be invited in for a pot of coffee. Reasons why I love the place.

train cars

2011-05-13T12:55:00.004-06:00

The difference between Texas backroads and Louisiana ones are most evident in a shot like this. Taking road trips down and around rural south Louisiana the view of the sky is often crowded out by tall pines that line the road on either side. You can see blue sky above the road, but look to the left or the right, and it's tall thin bark and underbrush, palmettos and thickets. In Texas, it's all open sky. Along side the railroad tracks this road was taking me home one day, picked out by my GPS, which at times is wrong and it sends me down these untraveled back roads thinking it can get me to my destination even faster. Once I learn the road I'm on is the wrong one though, I can't get angry, because although I may not be headed directly toward my destination, it's what you find on the road to getting there.

keely and patrick-egagements

2011-05-09T17:33:00.003-06:00

...finally, the rest of the story. Keely and Patrick's full engagement post!

keely and patrick-teaser

2011-05-06T22:47:00.003-06:00

It was a dark and stormy morning, frigid winds blew out of the North and while the rest of North Texas were inside their houses, huddling underneath blankets and scratching their heads why it was 40 degrees in Texas in May...Keely, her fiance' Patrick and I were out in the midst of it all taking photographs! Melodrama aside, this past Sunday I spent the morning with a wonderful couple traipsing through Trinity Park and photographing an awesome couple. It was cold, but they were troopers throughout. Below is a sneak peak, more are soon to follow.

windblown

2011-05-06T07:22:00.004-06:00

Now that the image-taking process has come to a close on the Louisiana project, is it time yet to begin a series focused on Texas? As I shift my focus from the great parish I was born in and now begin the process of organizing my images and stalking publishers the actual capture part of that project has ended. A photographer's got to shoot though, right? A while back I began thinking of a photography series set in and around Fort Worth, more of a city to me than where I grew up, and having the two books published back to back: one about Livingston Parish, Louisiana. The other about Fort Worth, Texas, and then marketing the two books as a county/city series. The idea still resonates with me and one never knows how these things will turn out. But, as I go through daily life, there are images of Texas that may not be iconic to Texans, but they are iconic to me and what I love about the this area. This photo, taken on the side of the interstate struck me in it's simplicity but notice the grass all laying violently to one side as if they were collectively laying down in the shade, like a day worker on a lunch break. Tell-tale to the high winds that make Fort Worth a permanant home during the spring. This image speaks to me, and reminds me of a Texas I've come to call home. Hopefully it does the same for you.

morning light

2011-05-05T19:39:00.003-06:00

This shot was taken the same morning as the previous post, it's also of the same thing: my parents' driveway, but this shot is a more intimate portrait of the morning and the beauty one can find in it. My buddy Jared says he'd rather see this shot in color, but he's wrong. It's perfect as it is, it doesn't exist in color anyway so if you side with him you're still out of luck.

the view

2011-04-28T21:24:00.003-06:00

When I visit my parents in Greensburg, Louisiana my room is on the second floor. The house sits atop a hill and when you are two stories up the sun really lights up the room even though it's only six in the morning. You look outside the window and you can see over the entire property. It's really a pretty sight. On Saturday morning, I awoke like this and figured I couldn't fight the sun and got my camera instead to capture the early morning sunrise. The photo below didn't come from the second story window, but my parents' front porch instead. The clouds overhead were on the move and even though the exposure is only about 2/10ths of a second, the clouds were crossing the sky so fast that they still created a bit of blur. I took several exposures then just set my camera and tripod aside, poured myself a cup of coffee, then just sat and enjoyed the view with my naked eye. An experience that even a great photographer has trouble capturing.

i heart louisiana

2011-04-21T12:37:00.003-06:00

In just an hour or so, the family and I will be headed to Louisiana to celebrate Easter with our extended families. This trip also marks the last trip intended to be a part of my personal photography project focused on Livingston Parish. Tracing back some of the photos, I believe the project began itself the weekend of fourth of July, 2005. I took some fine art shots that weekend, came home to edit them and before I knew it I had made it a personal mission to continue doing so, every trip, capturing as much of the landscape, and way of life, as possible. The photos are half auto-biography and half documentary, the motivation behind the images always being to show a side of Louisiana one may never see unless you've lived there. Below is the road map I've used to trace out and keep track of the highways, back roads, and pathways I've been down during the project, hopefully not leaving too much undiscovered. It's the best tribute I can think of to a parish, and a state, that for all it's faults, I hold in pretty high esteem.

kayla and dustin-wedding part II

2011-04-18T16:27:00.004-06:00

So I finally got the film back from Kayla and Dustin's wedding, here's a few of my favorites from the ones I took. I love, love, love the pony, as well as the shoe shot coupled with Dustin in uniform. The colors are awesome. Ah...my love of film prevails.

kayla and dustin-wedding sneak peak

2011-04-15T21:01:00.002-06:00

Somewhere in Burleson, Texas down a winding road you drive through woods and bush and pass an old gas station and then come upon this little patch of land. The front yard is covered in blue bonnets while the back yard looks like a gazebo fashioned out of the imagination of J.R. Tolkien with curiously swirling wrought iron designs set against exotic trees that snake their way to a never ending Texas sky. Thus sets the scene for the wedding of Kayla and Dustin. Here's just a sneak peak at the lovely bride and groom, but save room for a second post, because there's a few more surprises still yet to come. I promise I won't keep you hanging...too long.

at the five and dime-buying nickels

2011-04-15T06:54:00.005-06:00

Now this is more of what I had in mind. What inspired these portraits of change, is that one day I just happened to look down at this old dime and all of its discoloration, its nicks and scratches, its dents and tears, and I thought a macro shot showing up close all the imperfections that this dime has would be an interesting fine art piece. The dime, not knowing where it's been, and not knowing where it'll go from here, wears its journey on its face. It may just be a photograph of a ten cent piece, but like a lot of us, you can tell how hard of a life we've lived just by looking at the lines on our face. After toying with this image for a while, I know what I want to change about the penny. So, Honest Abe, here goes nothing...

back to the blog...

2011-04-14T09:54:00.003-06:00

Getting back to blogging is something of a challenge for me. I've got my fingers in so many pies these days that it gets a bit overwhelming at times. I just wrapped up an art show last weekend, am currently attending classes online, spend the weeknights working on various art works, and am still very current shooting weddings, and even a few children coming up in the next few weeks. I mean, boredom isn't a word we know in my home, tired is more like it! But, I've had this idea brewing in my brain for a few weeks now, and although it is a work in progress (the end product I'm showing here isn't quite what I had in mind, it's very close though) I decided to put it out there anyway and at least give my blog fans something to look at. Feel free to let me know if it's cool or not, I always enjoy your two cents.

polaroid series IV

2011-03-29T10:13:00.003-06:00

Continuing my love of instant prints (you can't say instant photography anymore because with digital, everything is instant). Taken on some old Polaroid 600 film I managed to get my hands on before they left the shelves forever.

polaroid series III

2011-03-28T21:06:00.005-06:00

Another series of Polaroids. I did it This American Life Style, choosing a theme then bringing you a variety of photographs based on that theme. This theme: childhood.

old school

2011-03-16T10:48:00.003-06:00

If you don't know me at all let me just say that every day I grow just a little more disenchanted with digital photography and find myself longing for analog. I don't know if it's the artist in me, or that I didn't fall in love with just photography, but the medium of film itself. The actual material, the physical light-sensitive, ultra cool, (what's now thought of as) cumbersome, beautiful, film. Or whatever your fancy is, be it photographic paper, tintypes, glass, Polaroid transfers, the list could go on-which is why it continues to fascinate me. The list really could go on. I won't delve into that fascinating and magical world, though. I'll save that for another time. Today, I'll just post some photos I did take with my digital camera *looks down at feet in embarrassment* *shuffles from one foot to the other* but was originally shot in black and white then later cropped as a shout out to my original medium format camera, the Mamiya C330-which I must say is already loaded with another film that is being used for another project altogether and was unavailable for today's shoot. So, I had to use what was available. Regardless, though, I brought home some interesting shots taken from the ghost of a horse farm that I once knew.

introducing brennen

2011-03-07T18:41:00.004-06:00

Introducing: Brennen! <= and I may have spelled all wrong so all apologies Mom! I photographed little Brennen and family in Dallas a while back. We took this photograph with an actual Polaroid when he was cooking, then did his newborn pics and combined the two to make this art piece! I muted the colors a bit so that Brennen would really pop, he being the star of the show. Congrats to Shelli and Ronnie, and good luck in the days ahead!

playground

2011-02-12T06:57:00.003-06:00

Nothing much to write about on this post. It's another Lensbaby shot taken at the park. I figure a photograph of a kid playing at the park is a pretty self-explanatory photograph, what the photograph may not tell you is that while they ran around, hung around, and jumped around on the set, I was having just as much fun capturing it.

at the park

2011-02-10T08:03:00.003-06:00

During the Metroplex White Out of 2011, I did get out in it. A couple times. I mean, parents aren't meant to spend every waking hour with their children, that's why we invented things like school, summer camp, day cares, and sleep overs. But, when a wintry blast comes in and closes those important institutions down, we're forced to. Well, on day 4 I couldn't take it anymore and got the kids bundled up and off to the park we went. I packed with me my Mamiya C330-medium format film camera, and my Nikon D200 with the lensbaby. The original lens baby. I know...old school right? Feeling inspired lately by the likes of Mother Nature and Ella Manor, and by a documentary I saw about Steve McCurry, I set out with the kids to the park, camera 'round my neck, and an entire world to fit inside a frame. Here's the first interesting image I took.

terra and eddie-wedding

2011-02-09T12:54:00.003-06:00

Still catching up from last year, here are a few shots from Terra and Eddie's beautiful wedding day. The ceremony was gorgeous and I love how her colors fit right in with the Christmas decor that the church had on display. Anyway, good luck to the both of you, and of course: Congratulations!

snow dayz II

2011-02-06T11:45:00.004-06:00

Another shot from the recent frigid storm that passed through Fort Worth. One day, antsy and slowly succumbing to cabin fever, I packed up the kids and we just went on a drive/slide down the road to see the snowy sights. I took my camera along and brought this back.

snow dayz

2011-02-04T13:01:00.004-06:00

Been quite a week here in the DFW: below freezing days turned into an entire week of staying in, drinking hot coffee, building fires, and scraping windshields when we had to get out. I know it's nothing compared to the storms of the north, but for north Texans, we just aren't used to it. Anyway, here's an image that helps capture the frigid temps. It hearkens back to when I first started blogging, I posted a pic similar to this one that people just loved, well, that image got lost in the folds of archived folders of images, so here's a recreation.

the boys

2011-02-01T16:30:00.003-06:00

A belated post of the boys: I love this shot, both of the boys nailed the pose, the expression, the total mood of the shot-which ties in the tone, the color, and the setting. From Aidan's lean to the way Ewan has his hands pressed together. They both look smug yet their baby faces tell-all about their un-assuming innocence. I mean...did I say I loved this shot?

down south

2011-01-31T08:26:00.004-06:00

My personal project focusing on Livingston Parish is slowly dying down. Over the past seven years I've brought my camera gear along on all the trips back home for holidays, birthdays, weddings, getaways, to wake up early in the morning and hit the road, camera in the passenger seat beside me, and whatever I found along the way. Often the road would bring me old buildings, old churches. Some pictures were planned, shots of my old school, shots of my grandparents, and I had a blast capturing every image. Knocking on doors, meeting the folks whose property I was traipsing around, visiting with those whose old broken down car interested me. A lot of times they didn't understand it, but still kind enough to let me do my thing. This image is not the last image I took, but the journey is nearing its end. This spring I plan to drive back and capture a few more portraits that I lack in telling the story of the place I grew up. And after that, a new one begins as I write and piece together images and stories and search for a publisher who's willing to help me make my book a reality. I hope everyone has enjoyed these images as much as I've enjoyed getting out there and making them, and when the book is complete my true goal is to have told a story about Louisiana that doesn't come from the department of tourism. Louisiana isn't just New Orleans. Louisiana isn't just fishing and hunting. Louisiana is a sort of diamond in the rough, and to find it, all one has to do is drive a few miles down the road and knock on a door or two, have a cup of coffee, and sit out on the porch.

polaroid series II

2011-01-30T14:54:00.002-06:00

Another initial shot taken with the ol' Land Camera. The film expired in the eighties, but sometimes things like that work for a photograph and not against it.

christ chapel

2011-01-29T07:49:00.003-06:00

An old photograph of a new church. This is one of my very first polaroids taken with a vintage polaroid 100 land camera. Scanned, photoshopped the contrast, gave it the sepia tone, posted it on my blog. Wa-la.

little ballarina

2011-01-28T20:39:00.003-06:00

So, back tracking a bit... Took this beautiful little girl's one year pictures before the holidays. She did NOT like that tutu, and the jewelry was the only thing that helped make her smile, sounds like mom has a prima donna on her hands already.
Look at those eyes!

morning reflection

2011-01-26T20:03:00.004-06:00

Sorry for the long absence. My computer contracted an awesome virus and I've been fighting with it's aftereffects, even after having it scanned and fixed. I've been trying to post a new blog since this weekend, but it was blocking me from even viewing the blogger homepage. Anyway, today I'm posting a very interesting shot taken with the best camera on Earth-the Holga. This was taken early once cold morning at my mother in laws house. The actual image was a bit underexposed, as I new it would be, but I put it under in photoshop and was able to bring it back to life. Enjoy, more to come (finally)...

jarrett

2011-01-12T19:38:00.002-06:00

I see my brother once a year, on average, and that time is usually during Christmas when the family converges in the small town of Greensburg for the annual holiday tradition of eating too much food and getting prizes for it afterword. I assume my brother is such a natural in front of the camera because I've been aiming one at him his entire life, nevertheless I try to make a point to get a shot or two of him in during our visit. He's easy to photograph and knows how to just relax and be himself; after all that's what portraiture is about, capturing someone in a moment that could very well define a life.

the holidays

2010-12-28T20:50:00.003-06:00

...and before I knew it, the holidays were upon me. And now, the New Year is ever so close. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Below are some pictures of my Mom's Christmas decor that photograph beautifully. Best wishes to everyone during this holiday season. Thank you so much for those of you that helped make this year my most spectacular ever. I've been blessed to have been kept so busy. Here's hoping your Christmas, and New Year, are exactly what you make it. So make it amazing.

disney : part V

2010-12-21T21:55:00.004-06:00

Okay, so these'll probably be the last few photos I'll post of the vacation. There are so many photo opps and great sets, scenes, buildings, etc. I was like a kid in a candy store.
Epcot center, an unmistakable landmark probably as recognizable as the white house or the pyramids. I like how it reflects so many different colors depending on the sky light and time of day. This was taken on our way out, dusk approaching.

A shot from Fantasmic, a water/light/film/action/show.

Taken at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the New York cityscape is a flat wooden backdrop. How cool is that?

The fam, decked out in our Disney gear. What a great lookin' bunch.

disney : part IV

2010-12-20T18:39:00.003-06:00

Here's some more pics from our vacation. Love the Star Wars sets and props in Hollywood Studios. We got to meet Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper, they signed the boys custom made lightsabers. Which was awesome! The next shots are just a few miscellaneous pics from the time spent there. But I think the shot of Ewan and Ash in the go cart is greatness because the only thing of Ewan you see are his rock fingers. Heck Yes!

florida winterland

2010-12-19T23:38:00.002-06:00

We took a day off from Disney and drove out to the beach. The Atlantic was beautiful, but freeeezing! The sand was cold beneath our feet and we had chilling wind in our face. We stayed for only a few moments then went and got a bite to eat at a local seafood shop. The pelican picture was the view from the restaurant, and almost totally worth the coastal trip.

disney: animal kingdom

2010-12-13T08:41:00.003-06:00

Okay, more shots from the Animal Kingdom. First shot, that old building? It's a monkey house, surrounded by water but looks like it was built by a civilization that lived long ago. Next shot. That's a bat. A real live bat that at any moment could spread it's wings and attack me by landing on my shoulder and sinking it's nasty bat-teeth into my neck! At least, that's the thoughts I had while looking at it. Here, in the bat belfry, you get to see the bats pretty close up, because the windows through which you see them are open! No glass, no screen, just window and open air. Still, that's a great shot, huh? What kind of photographer am I? National Geographic photographers pull leaches off their legs deep in the heart of the rainforests. They dodge wild hippos and creepy crawlies you only see in the movies...like King Kong. And here I am freaking out about a sleeping bat. Well, enjoy the photos. I'm going to go check my ManHood and get back to you.

disney: asia

2010-12-12T20:12:00.003-06:00

Captured this tiger in Disney's Animal Kingdom : Asia. The area looked like the ruins of some ancient village with old buildings with faded artwork, really cool. This tiger was just sitting there licking his paw, chillin', looking great. I waited for a few seconds for him to look up just long enough for the click of my shutter.

disney: nightlights!

2010-12-11T22:45:00.004-06:00

How awesome are these? The castle is unmistakable, but the second image was taken at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's Main Street U.S.A. and every building is completely covered in lights, every other building a different color. When you're there, standing amongst the people and lights and the night sky, it's completely overwhelming. The colors and thousands, if not millions, of lights are an attack of the senses-so many to see at the same time. It was absolutely beautiful! The image is a panoramic composite of three separate images I took to be able to capture the entire scene.

disney world

2010-12-11T07:56:00.003-06:00

So, after a trip to Disney World, one would puzzle over what photo to post first. A great shot of the castle lit up and glowing? The characters all on stage performing a huge musical show with fireworks and magic? Or maybe a good shot of my family: my support system, my circle of trust, my constant entertainment, the reason why I get out of bed in the morning. Of course I didn't take this shot, me being in it, but I posted it first to set up the next few photographs coming up that my family may not be in. Because, while Disney World is amazing, and the photo opps that we captured are often beautiful, magical, or even crazy, I felt it needed to be stated, that it would not have been any fun without my wife and kids. I promise the next post won't be so warm and fuzzy, well they might be, Lotso is pretty cuddly.

my lovely

2010-11-24T20:59:00.004-06:00

My most favortiest subject to photograph is my wife. Not only is she supportive, and hardworking, she's got the best laugh in the world and the camera loves her, almost as much as I do. If she were the president she'd be Baberham Lincoln. Schwing! We took these at this golden spot in Weatherford a weekend or two ago. The light was fading fast, but we seized the moment and captured some great images. These are two of my ultimate favorites.

introducing parker...

2010-11-23T23:18:00.003-06:00

Meet little Parker. I've had the pleasure of photographing Christine since we worked together at the Picture People (in the mall)! Since then I've photographed her wedding and now get to be apart of her growing family. Here are a couple of shots of her little man as well as the final picture of a concept I thought of during her maternity pics: a Polaroid of Parker literally outside himself.

shelli belly

2010-11-23T07:59:00.005-06:00

Expectant parents Shelli and Ronnie asked me to photograph them this past weekend. We met at Trinity Park and strolled next to the duck pond for some awesome sun drenched photographs.

ashley and neal

2010-11-21T23:10:00.005-06:00

Ashley and Neal are married!!! And guess who got to take the pictures? Me! And guess who was the maid of honor? My Wife! Congrats to Lazer and Neal-two great friends of my wife and I who we'd do anything for. It was a pleasure to be involved so intimately with their wedding and having the privilege of capturing it forever. The wedding was beautiful. Here are the pics to prove it!

polaroid series I

2010-11-17T23:49:00.004-06:00

Who doesn't love Polaroids? I began a series of Polaroid themed photos when Polaroid announced they'd stop making instant film to give my last few packs of film actual purpose and meaning (that's before I found out about The Impossible Project, but anyway). So here's the first theme: Night Clubs.

erin and nathan wedding

2010-11-15T22:39:00.005-06:00

Erin and Nathan Wedding, 1st Presbyterian church of Dallas. One of the most beautiful weddings I've photographed, the church was beautiful, but not as beautiful as the bride! The setting was perfect! And this wedding also debuts my amazing wife as my assistant and second shooter. I really couldn't have done it without her.

jill and byron wedding

2010-11-14T21:24:00.005-06:00

So, finally getting back to the blog-had to sweep away some cob webs off the old site, entered my user name and the whole site's changed up! Anyway, here we are in Livingston, Texas for the wedding ceremony of Jill and Byron! They gave their vows at a park in their neighborhood underneath an awesome gazebo. A small pond and fountain set the scene. It was really beautiful!

terra and eddie-engagements

2010-10-24T19:28:00.002-06:00

Terra and Eddie are engaged! Loved these pictures. Had a lot of fun with these two! We took pics around an old historical building in down town Fort Worth. It used to be a public market of sorts, but since has been fenced in because part of the building has burnt down (!), not cool, it's one of my personal favorite landmarks of the city. But, we worked around the chain linked fences to get these and lots more great shots.

Oh man.

2010-10-20T16:48:00.002-06:00

Yeah, so: Logged on to do some time in the bloggersphere and the site's image upload is down for the next two hours due to maintenance. Nooooo!! So, um, Terra and Eddie's awesome engagements will have to wait a bit. Until then let me hint at a few up and coming blog posts: Two weddings. Both very different in scope. One took place out in Livingston, Texas at a neighborhood park surrounded by woods and a lake. Tiki torches and Christmas lights lit the place up while the bride got down underneath the gazebo. How fun is that?! Next took place in downtown Dallas and the First Presbyterian Church, a beautiful church with this awesome stained glass dome that glows over the congregation. Amazing architecture out front. Beautiful pictures of the bride and groom! Very awesome Church! Very awesome couple! So much more to come...!

krista and ano

2010-10-07T21:15:00.004-06:00

Sorry I've been falling so behind on my blog posts, been crazy busy! I finally found the time to post these of Krista and Ano! Great friends of mine who are getting married next year-and guess who the photographer is? No. Not him, ME! We had a great time walking around UTA, the campus they met, then dated, then proposed or got proposed to on. It was a beautiful day, I hope they enjoyed it half as much as I did.

So, this last shot is a huge fav of mine. I love the look and feel of the entire setting. Like some hot and sultry dive found outside some villa somewhere hot and sultry. Okay, so stereotypes and locations totally escape me right now, but wherever it is I'm thinking about, this looks like it was taken there! I added a cross-process filter to give a bit more of a fashion edge, but I love this shot in any light.

arts goggle

2010-10-01T20:38:00.003-06:00

Arts Goggle, the art fest with the funny name. Tomorrow I'm showing some recent work at the SouthSide art fest in Fort Worth, my home away from home. The set up was today, spent a couple hours hanging frames and tweaking the background, moving easels around, and working on my space. The venue is Thumbtechs 201 South Main Street. It's some computer tech company with a really nice building and an impressive glass conference room. The people there were kind enough to open their doors to local artists, those of us who can't handle a lot of time in front of a glowing monitor, to show our craft and schmooze with the community a bit. I thank them for letting us in. It's October the 1st today! And I couldn't think of a better way to kick off the fall season than this. Here's a couple of shots of the venue and my set up. If you're a Fort Worthian and can come by, you should. I hope to see you there.

baby on board

2010-09-29T06:53:00.003-06:00

Hooray for Christine and Blake! Here they stand at the threshold of parenthood, not fully realizing the journey ahead, and yet-like all peoples-they're steadfast and strong, diligent to bring into this world a new life, a new love, a new person, which has never been seen nor heard before. A baby boy. Congrats to them (was this a little over the top? Oh-well, on to the photos!).

aimee and justin-cont'd

2010-09-27T20:00:00.003-06:00

There are too many great shots of Aimee's wedding to just post those few earlier, so I wanted to share a few more with you here. Enjoy!

christine-maternity shoot

2010-09-26T09:19:00.003-06:00

Here's a quick sneak peak at Christine's maternity shoot. Full details and session highlights to follow soon!

aimee and justin-the wedding!

2010-09-23T22:08:00.005-06:00

The wait is finally over! Aimee and Justin got married in south Louisiana and at the church I grew up in. These two are awesome and I wish them all best! As usual there's too many favorites to post here so I can only leave everyone with a small morsel, but they're good ones. Congratulations you two-best wishes Cuz'!

twelve

2010-09-15T04:42:00.004-06:00

Here's another sneak peek at '12'-my autobiographical photography essay. Each shot in the series represents me or an aspect of my life up to this point in it. Intended for a private show, the portfolio is finished, now I'm on the hunt for a gallery to host it. Back in the good ol' days of Saturday morning cartoons, antennae television signals, original Nintendo, and pagers, I lived on a farm. We raised several animals, but I showed cows. Polled Hereford Heifers, my dad would have corrected. Feeding animals, repairing fences, participating in cow shows-local, regional, district, state levels, bathing them, grooming them, trimming them, teasing them (their hair that is), hauling them, selling them, eating them...all were in a days work. And now, here's homage to them.

the old garage

2010-09-09T21:13:00.002-06:00

The edges of Livingston Parish are not without old abandoned houses, homes, businesses, or barns. I could do an entire book focusing on just them alone. Some with tons of character, others that are just another abandoned building. I passed this particular spot a couple times during my weekend in Louisiana, when I decided to hop out and finish up a roll of film with this garage. Standing directly in front of the building I quickly composed this shot, filling a bit more frame with the grass that had overtaken the front yard of the place in order to emphasize the empty, gaping doorways. A decent shot that I increasingly like the more I look at it, mainly because of the texture that the grass gives to the shot.

fisheye wedding shots

2010-09-08T18:03:00.004-06:00

My amazing wife bought me a lomography fisheye camera as a present, not too long ago. I love it, but I haven't shown it much love lately. It was getting rather lonely and told me so. Right then and there I decided that it's day was due and I needed to give it some special attention, so I brought it along to Aimee and Justin's wedding over the weekend and made it my second shooter. How. Fun. Are. These! The actual wedding pictures are still in the editing process and will be here soon, but these were so cool I couldn't wait to show them. So, here's a fisheye preview of their beautiful wedding day.

Want a fisheye camera of your own? Check out www.usa.shop.lomography.com

aimee's bridals

2010-09-07T09:57:00.006-06:00

So, the weddings over and an amazing time had by all (those to come), I now can reveal Aimee's bridal portraits we did at the new Governor's mansion in Baton Rouge. I loved them all, and I know I probably say that a lot, but it's true. Enjoy.

coffee (how I love thee)

2010-08-18T21:50:00.004-06:00

Someone once said, "If you agree with coffee, and coffee agrees with you, then you can drink it as much as you want." Well, I took him literally. I love coffee. I do. And it loves me, I know-I've asked it. I tested out an old Olympus film camera I recieved as a gift by doing a few shots of my wife and I's various Starbucks coffee mugs. We are planning on using them for artwork to hang in the kitchen and dining room. Huge Starbucks fans, we love the idea of a coffee/Starbucks themed kitchen and dining room, so here are a few shots for the house.

the house (detail)

2010-08-17T15:38:00.002-06:00

This little guy lives here, inside the house, inside an apple in the house, perpetually frozen in this state of predicament. He looks out of his tiny little hole he's ate himself into, only now realizing that all of the apple he's eaten resides in his little belly, that's no longer a little belly. He's grown too fat to fit back out the tiny hole he made for himself. And he sits and ponders what to do, what to do? I should let him know that he can just eat his way out again, and maybe he's even thought of that too, but is just too full to begin!

inspiration

2010-08-16T08:08:00.002-06:00

Every now and then I like to bring attention to a photographer that inspires me is some sort of way ( I really should do this more often). A portrait of Jonathan Franzen-an amazing author-graced the cover of Time magazine last week. The portrait is striking, like a detailed oil painting, it is muted with subtle, solid lighting. I loved the shot. So I looked up the photographer. You should too. www.danwintersphoto.com. He's shot for many magazines most notably for me, Texas Monthly (a great mag even if you don't live in the state). I urge you to check him out. Dan Winters. More photos soon...

the house...

2010-08-14T18:31:00.004-06:00

My dad parks his John Deer tractor right here when he's done with it. It sort of greets you as you drive up the drive way as if it were an abnormally large yard ornament. It's right off the drive way just on the very edge of the top of the hill where the house sits. It's parked there, in that same spot, every time because it doesn't crank. Nope. The reason is a bit cloudy, I don't quite remember why it doesn't crank but the point is that here it is parked on the edge of a hill so that Dad can hop up on the tractor, push and hold down the clutch, let it slowly begin to roll down the hill in neutral, then he puts the tractor in gear and waits, rolling, rolling, rolling down the hill gaining a little speed until he pops the clutch and jumps the old Deer off. Well, hey. At least it's better than hooking the chain up to the pickup and pulling it off, which was the way I did it growing up. Somethings really never change.

the house (cont'd)

2010-08-11T05:17:00.004-06:00

Hopefully I'll be able to get away with this photograph. It doesn't show too much of the bed, the disheveled bed I slept in the night before. I had explicit instructions as I went from room to room taking pictures not to photograph the bedrooms if the bed wasn't made. I took this picture anyway, cropping out the strewn about sheets and comforter, instead focusing on the painting my brother did that hangs above the pillows. It's a simple photo and doesn't show much of the room-I admit. But I think it does a good job conveying the feel of the room: the pastel colors, the soft, white light, the way it makes you want to relax and settle in with a good book and forget about everything else.

koi

2010-08-10T07:21:00.005-06:00

I've been working on a personal project dubbed "12" for several weeks now. Intended for a show incorporating some of the objects photographed as well as a sculpture I've been working on, the pieces are all parts of one greater theme meant to be viewed at one time at a gallery or a show, but I can unveil one or two pieces that are able to stand alone. This is one of those.

morning treat

2010-08-09T10:56:00.004-06:00

Another vacant building whose outsides tell tale of what was, not too long ago. The faded words say 'morning treat' and I picture a store front selling bread, a bakery, the owner lived just across the road. He or she awaking every morning early, walking the thirty or so paces to the store that sat on the same property. Opening up shop, watching the hunters come in before sunrise for donuts or honey buns or biscuits. Maybe you see something else. That's fine, as long as it tells a story, yours or mine.

hidden

2010-08-04T18:43:00.002-06:00

Hidden away from what could be called the main highway, at a junction right before you cross the Amite River and leave Livingston Parish there is a convenience store, an antique store, and a drive through liquor shop. Beyond these things, if you pull over onto the dirt shoulder, park, and walk about fifteen paces, is this scene: an abandoned house boat just off of a pier that I wasn't sure could even hold me up as I walked out onto it's rotted, wooden planks to get this shot. The scene, both peaceful and haunting, is one of the many I set out to capture along my "Livingston, Louisiana" journey. The magic being found in the fact that a 'sportman's paradise' is literally a dirt shoulder away from the street one drives on to reach the convenience stores and liquor shops of the Parish.