Welcome to the world, Grace

Remember Casey, the mom-to-be I photographed a few weeks ago? Well, I got the call on Friday that she had the baby, and so yesterday I scooted over to the hospital to photograph the new family of three.

Casey and Chris are totally in love with their new baby, whose name is Grace. I had an overwhelming surge of memories and emotions as I recalled the births of each of my kids. The instant love of something you had never seen before. The bond you suddenly feel with your husband as you realise that you are in it together. And expecially that WEIRD feeling of being a MOM.

The Slideshow is here. If you have never viewed a Photodex video before, you'll be asked to download a small file, but it is safe to download.

Enjoy!

Chilly Willy

New rule-no more sessions in cold weather! It just doesn't work, not for me or my client or the final look of the images.

I photographed a fabulous family recently, but the wind and biting cold really put the brakes on the session. We ended it after about 40 minutes with teeth chattering, goosebumps and runny noses. Well, MY nose was runny.

Still, we got some great shots, and I LOVE how the 16x20 canvas is turning out. I've been working on it for days, adding text and distressed layers and hand-coloring. I think I'm on my 6th or 7th version because everytime I'm about to hit the "order" button, I see something else I want to change and I go back to square one.

So I THINK this is the final version:



Two of my Portrait Packages include a custom designed canvas, but I can also add it to any order. The turnaround time is 4-6 weeks.

I am seriously hoping for an early spring. I have a couple of HUGE sessions planned (one is a FAB Quinceañera portrait) and I don't want red noses!

Meet Marie

Hello Friends,

I have had several meeting with brides and grooms lately, and each time I've been asked about my second-shooter. I have several photographers that I can call on to help me out, but number one on my list is my friend Marie McGovern. We have photographed together several times, and she's wonderful at instinctively knowing where to be. If I'm inside, she goes outside, if I zoom with a long lens, she grabs a wide lens and gets the whole scene. Yin and Yang!

Marie lives here in San Antonio. We get together every so often to just talk photography, and about our kids and then some more about photography. Or Photoshop. But mostly photography.

We ran down to the park near my house a few days ago, and grabbed a few shots that she can use in her portfolio. It was FREEZING cold, my fingers were numb after 2 minutes, but I think she looks fabulous. I don't know why my nose was red and hers wasn't, and it was a good thing that I was not being photographed.

I grabbed this shot before she was aware that I had the camera in my hand. This is my favorite method of getting a natural smile.

This one just says "Yes, I hang out all the time around trees. I'm a tree hugger" or well, something like that.

And here she is, in front of the rock wall. Just trying to mix it up a bit.

I've been experimenting lately with layers and textures. This is a quickie. I could go much further with it, but this will do for now.

So there ya go. Now you know what Marie looks like, and a little bit about her. I can add her services as a second-shooter at your wedding, and I promise you will love her. Just like I do!

Happily Ever After,
Leah

It isn't Christmas anymore, but I can't wait until next year to share this.

I just came across this clip, and had to share. It makes me REALLY miss being in choir. Actually, everything makes me miss choir. Especially when I hear a commercial with Carmina Burana playing in the background. If you don't know what that is, you haven't been hanging around me long enough.

OK, back to the clip. Enjoy!

3rd Session for Casey

One of the things I enjoy most about this business is developing friendships. I have been very lucky to have a front-row seat as my friend Casey has evolved from a blushing bride (that is her up there on top of the page) to a confident wife and now to a very calm mother-to-be. We are already planning her next shoot, which hopefully will take place from the hospital when her baby is born.

These shots are from a couple of weeks ago. Check back in a couple more weeks for some pictures of the newborn. I can't wait!