You don’t often see those words together do you? That’s because you typically never utter them in the same sentence. This morning I met a bride at the studio for her bridal session. As usual, we were walking in Downtown Waxahachie when this woman walked out of her car. With tears in her eyes she asked the bride, “are you getting married?” The bride said, “yes, in June”. The woman clutched the bride’s hands and placed two folded fifty dollar bills in them and told her, “take this – do something with it, live life to the fullest” . The bride, her mom and myself were all bewildered with this random act of kindness. She went on, “My son committed suicide last night and he never had the chance to get married. I want you to have it, and I want you to use it for something special.”

So you can imagine – three strangers to this woman holding each other in the middle of the street, comforting a woman who was mourning the loss of her son who had taken his own life just hours before meeting us. We did ask all the questions that are running through your head. Why are you alone? Do you need help? Can we call someone? She said, “I brought him into this world alone and I am going to make arrangements alone. I am going to dress my son up and make sure he is given a proper burial. As his mother I have to do that for him”

Live life to the fullest. We never know what tomorrow brings.
Be Good!

On a hot Summer Sunday in July in 2007, my husband and I walked around the charming Historic Square in our very own hometown.  It was the first time I had really walked around.  I had stopped by and peeked into a shop or two, but I had never taken a stroll around the place.  My husband peered through the windows of what was formerly The Apothecary.  He said, “have you looked in here?  I think this would be a perfect studio for you”. I glanced in and I was in love.  We walked into Mosaic Madness next door and inquired about the owners.  They told us we were the third people to inquire about it that day.  We called the owners and asked the questions, “how much?, how big? and when can we move in?” I had planned to sit down and think about it some.  I had called my friend Carolyn to tell her abut our big discovery that day (which by the way, she had mentioned that building on at least five different occasions but my listening ears were not on).  She tells me on the phone, “Marie, if you want that building you are going to have to fight for it.  There are many others interested in that location”. And just like that it happened because if you know me, you know if I want it… IT IS MINE.  I am very competitive and those were fighting words.  I met The Odoms, the owners of the building, the next day at their shop bright and early right after they opened.  They were not expecting me, but I was there and I had a check ready to pay my first month’s rent.  By noon that day, I had signed the lease papers and  already had the dream of one day buying the property.  I just loved it.

Then fear set in.  I had not even thought this through.  I had not made a business plan, I had not made a budget, I had money to pay the rent, but had nothing for things like props, studio lights, more equipment, advertising etc.  I had just jumped off the cliff without a security net.  Fortunately, I was very well taken care of.  All of you supported me in more ways than you could imagine. A few very special thank yous.

To my entire family:  Hector, thank you for holding my hand through this, for supporting me through this even when it was painful and hard,  for being both a mother and a father to our daughter because I’ve been M.I.A. as a parent and a wife.  Madeleine, my daughter and forever faithful subject, thank you for understanding when I couldn’t be home or at your games.  Thanks for thinking I’m famous and for loving me no matter what.  For my family in Mississippi who encourage me by phone, by e-mail, and every other way they know how.  I grew up in a family business, and I feel right at home because of it.  To Mr. Parmele, the man who has taken me and adopted me as his own daughter.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Without you, I could not have done this today.

To my Waxahachie Friends:  When I first moved here I didn’t know a soul.  Carolyn, it was just you and I in the beginning.  Without your little push on the phone I would have talked myself out of it and let the opportunity slip by.  Thank you for being there in the beginning and for being so supportive through this all.  To Christi, my angel and my saving grace.  I thank you every day you are here to help me.  Thank you for all that you do and for still being friends with me after spending the day here.  I look forward to the days you are here even if we do nothing but stare at computers all day. Thank you. And to all my other friends, you know who you are.  I haven’t been there for you lately.  But your words of praise and encouragement were sometimes the only things that helped me through a day.

To Ellis County Living Magazine:  We both needed each other at the very same time.  Thank you for giving the New Girl an opportunity to be published in your fantastic magazine. It was and always will be an honor to be a part of it.

To The Odom Family:  Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime, for trusting Hector and I with your property in the very beginning.  Hector and I have rental property ourselves and we know how hard it is to find someone you can trust and who is going to take care of the property like it is their own.  Your loyalty and generosity is truly appreciated and there are not enough words in the dictionary to say how grateful we are to your entire family.

To my Wonderful Clients:  Thank you all so very much!!!  I had to answer what my dream job would be the other day and I didn’t now how to word that I had my “dream job”.    Thank you for sticking with me through these growing pains.  They have been painful, but I have learned so much from every one of those pains.  Thank you for being part of the dream and for making it real for me!

To all the photographers out there who share their knowledge and expertise: Thank you for sharing, for being an inspiration.  For openly giving out every aspect of your business that I know you have worked hard for.  You have taught me more about business and how to respond to things I wasn’t expecting like competition and imitation.  You don’t find a network like us in many other industries.  Thank you for being there!

Be Good!

I was ready to tackle her if she bolted.  Fortunately for everyone… she didn’t

I’ll be posting some old and new previews.  Stay tuned and as always…..

BE GOOD!

There is lots of brainstorming going on for things to come in 2009.  2008 was an overwhelming success and it was thanks to all of you.  I have hit my third year projections in my first full year open – WOW!!!  Needless to say I wasn’t prepared for the response I received this year.  I am  proud of the business.  I feel lucky to have made so many new friends because of Marie Q Photography. And when times were rough, when I made mistakes, when I ran behind, when I got sick, and the three times I became the human question mark this year, everyone was understanding and supportive.  So many of you offered to help me and I can not find the words to express my gratitude. A special big thank you to Christi who went above and beyond the call of duty to help me.  You are my angel! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The blog is quite a story in itself.  Even when I wasn’t posting everyday – I still had 200 visitors a day.  An old friend of mine said he liked the blog and that the blog was good on its own…. but if you really knew me you LOVED the blog.  This is really me, these are my own words, this is what I love.  Thanks for stopping by.

Wishing you and your family the very best holiday ever.  And as always-

BE GOOD!

Please read carefully.  I would like to have THREE MACS for Christmas.  One for my studio, one laptop, and one so I can work from home.  These three computers must have all new software because my PC software just isn’t compatible.  I have figured this is a $8,000+ request and so I have marked off my $1900 canon lens to try and save you some money (though if you have it laying around I want the canon 85 1.2L lens – it will create unbelievable photos on my new MAC!)

I know you are busy trying to accomplish world peace and feeding the huingry and such- but it would be a  huge help if you just went ahead and set them up for me and installed my software.

Thanks Santa – you are the best!!

Oh.. and one last edit……  I think I speak for the people of Waxahachie and Ellis County,  Having an Apple genius in our growing community would be wonderful!  Traveling to North Park to see the genius is a bit out of our way.

So if you watch it, you know that Tyra is always saying, “Give me Fierce” .  Well here is an almost 8 year old doing her best “Fierce” impression.  We really need to stop watching it.

Be Good!

Patrick – thanks for driving Miss Daisy and being on river duty.  I appreciate your help.  And the lunch was yummy too!!

Be Good!

First a preview from Thursday.  I was so lucky to get this shot of the triplets.  It is their very best “sisters” photo.

After I wrapped up with their session – the countdown began.  This was the weekend of the open gallery and besides having company, preparing for the party,  doing catch up work and just life in general, we also had the bridal show to prepare for.  Albums were coming in at the last minute and I was tracking missing mats. Christi, my right hand, my friend, my angel, helped me with the clean up – it would have taken me forever alone.  Plus I’m allergic to cleaning.

The party was fun, and it was so nice to see everyone.  We had between 100-150 guests show up over the period of a few hours.  Hector, my husband, along with the help of my family cooked and arranged all the food for the event.  Everyone has been asking for recipes – so I guess the food was a hit!  It’s hard to believe that I have been at the studio for one year – thanks for keepingit alive!!

Then off to Sunday.  It was time for the bridal show.  Hector, Christi packed it up and set up while I stayed at the studio to do some last minute preparations.  Finally – I was ready.  We set up the booth and met with brides from all over Ellis County and beyond.

and a rare picture of Hector and I.

And today, what is typically my day off, has been spent catching up on everything.  Errands, proofing, designing, ordering.  I made up a session today from last week.  One year old Bennett had a photo session.  He had so many happy shots.  He is one of those that just beams.

Thanks to everyone for attending the party, for being pateient with me last week when it got really crazy.  Thanks to Hector, Christi, my family, and my favorite album company – who all went above and beyond the call of duty to help me.  You all are the best!!

Everyone asked me did I take my laptop? Yes I did.  And I actually did work.  Did I take my camera?  Yes I did.  I wanted to photograph the family out at the beach.  I packed light.  One camera, two lenses, and my tripod.  My favorite photo of my daughter can be found below.  We were the only people wearing turquoise out at the beach.  EVERYONE else was wearing khaki bottoms and white shirts.

Be Good!

So to all of you that I owe sessions, weddings, albums etc too… I’m sorry.  I’m working on it slowly but surely.  We’ll be leaving Friday morning and I don’t know how much I can catch up on tomorrow.

In the meantime… one of the most impressive things about my working vacation has been watching a sand castle artist work his magic.. though sand castles are the last things he makes.  He made sand pyramids, sand farms, sand bridges, sand pine trees… it’s really CRAZY.

Be Good!