Just Say NO!

That is what I should have said, and didn't. I thought, "So the kids will get a little dirty, what will it hurt?"

Three hours later, I was still cleaning up the mess.

Oh gosh, I haven't blogged in so long, and I'd forgotten about it for a few days!

I did a little shoot for my friend Michelle and her sons the other day, and I'm still editing the images, but here are couple of them that I like





I'm really excited about my travel plans for next month! I'm going to Georgia with my parents to meet my grandfather for the first time. My mom has never met him either, so it will be a very emotional time for all of us. He never knew about her until last year and now they are ready to see each other. I will be sure to get lots of pictures!

Southern Hospitality, or just plain good manners?

I've had a difficult time lately, struggling with people that seem to me to be "not positive enough." I come across people who are just barely pleasant, and sometimes completly neutral, when we first see each other, and I have a hard time not taking it personally. Is it a sign of the times, now that things are so casual, that you don't have to put on a happy face?

I learned a long time ago to "fake it 'till you make it," which means that if you don't feel like being really friendly and putting a smile on your face, you do it anyway, because the feelings will follow the action.

I moved from Texas to Virgina 16 years ago, and came right back home again specifically because this was the prevailing attitude of most everyone I met. I couldn't wait to get back to our friendly area-store clerks who greet you with a smile, people who say hello just because they are within shouting distance even if they have never seen you before, and friends who light up when you see them.

I guess San Antonio is changing, or maybe it's because I'm meeting people who aren't from around here.

I wish things were like they used to be. Less attitude, more hospitality. Really, I won't be offended if you aren't REALLY happy to see me, but you act as if you are.

In my son's eyes I'm 20 feet tall

I went to school with Garrett on Friday morning, where he served me breakfast and gave me the sweetest gifts. One of them was a questionairre that his teacher helped him with.

My mom's name is Leah
She is 39 years old.
She is 20 feet tall and weighs 78 pounds.
Her favorite TV show is Good Morning America.
Her favorite food is meat.
My mom knows all about cameras.
She loves to take pictures, but she doesn't like to not take pictures.
My favorite thing she cooks is Chicken Noodle Soup.
My mom is the best mom in the world because she lets me go to my friend's house whenever I want.
She is wonderful, and I love her very much!


I had a great Mother's Day. I didn't lift a finger (almost) and even got a dozen roses. Today, I'm taking my mom out to lunch for her Mother's Day gift. Now I just have to come up with something for her birthday, which is on Wednesday!

Trois Estate at Enchanted Rock

I was hired by my friend and mentor Jim Landers of Landers Photography, to be his second-shooter at a wedding on Saturday night. We drove up to Fredricksbug, and then past it, all the way to Enchanted Rock. The wedding was taking place at this fantastic little hidden village called The Trois Estate (Troise rhymes with Joyce, for those of you that care about such things!), which is 1/2 mile from the entrance to Enchanted Rock.

I can't begin to describe the uniqueness of it. It is a magical little spot, with a Bed and Breakfast, a cap gun museum, an Italian restaurant (reservations only), a chapel, an artisan gift shop, a spa...and so much more!

The best feature of all is the grotto, a cave with a heated pool running through it. The wedding ceremony actually ended there. The guests had their candles lit by the bride and groom and then placed them into the water, where they gently floated together into a glowing pool of light. It was beautiful, touching and different from anything I've seen done at a wedding.

I had the chance to speak for a while with Rebecca Trois, who not only owns the property with her husband, but is also the chef (she also performed the wedding ceremony). She is exactly what you would expect a B&B host to be-super friendly, relaxed, and warm. She even put together a box of food for Jim and me to eat on our way home. I'm hoping to spend a weekend sometime in the not-too-distant future exploring everything the Trois Estate has to offer.

Another really cool thing that the bride and groom did-a preceremony photo session without allowing the groom to see the bride! The bride was in place on the gorgeous rooftop with Enchanted Rock in the distance, and the groom was led up by his groomsmen with his eyes covered by a bandanna. He then stood in place with his back to her, and she removed his bandanna. They posed for a dozen or so shots, then he walked away, all without looking at her. It was so cute and touching, and made some great images along with a great story to tell!

Swamped with activity!

Another busy weekend just flew by, and now an even busier week is looming. How is it that we have so much that we need to do, even though we have every machine or electronic gadget ever invented that is supposed to save us time? That is one of life's biggest mysteries, I guess.

Tomorrow I have bunches of images to post from the wedding I second-shot and also from Chris and Casey's wedding last week. Yer gonna luv it!