So let me set the scene for you . Meet Conrad.

He graduated a couple of years ago. Life happened and he never got around to ordering portraits from his senior session. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, his brother grew up and is graduating this year.  I photographed him in the fall and applauded him for getting his senior photos done early!  Meet Caleb.

Both brothers along with their very sweet mother were at the studio for one giant ordering session.  Each brother couldn’t wait until we viewed the other brothers photos so they could take jabs at each other.  There was a lot of laughter, a few punches in the arm and the occasional compliment.  It was Caleb’s turn and his images are flashing across the screen and we get to this one…

 Caleb quickly dismisses it, but his mom and I intervene.  So here comes the awkward moment…. how do I say he looks good in this photo, that he looks “sexy” in front of his mom.  So I simply say, “as a female I appreciate it”.  Later on his brother nicknames the image, “juicy lips”.  And now I can’t imagine this photo by another name. Thank goodness for super cool clients!

Be Good!

The word cancer has a very big meaning in my life right now.  It’s personal, my dad has cancer.  But I have been reminded – miracles happen, people fight this, medicine wins sometimes.

People call me and they request certain dates, birthdays, weddings, milestones… why???  Because it’s personal.  In the past week we have celebrated birthdays.

Elizabeth taken one day before her 18th birthday.

Celebrating being one year old.

Speaking of Birthdays.  We celebrated one here at the studio.  My friends and I had a surprise party for my husband.  It was a surprise until about 30 minutes before the party when someone called him to let him know that they were not coming.  It was REAL personal.

I realized that everyone is someone’s baby during an engagement shoot when we ran  into the grooms mother unexpectedly and the water works began.  It’s personal.

And then finally to this weekend… My husband, who has known all his life that he was adopted, met his birth family for the very first time. I was there to take the first family photograph.  And yes, it was personal.

My life is beautiful…..

and my photographs speak because…. it’s personal.

Be Good!

So what is the number one question my seniors ask me?? What should I wear? I can work with almost anything you give me.  I’ve photographed some wild prints and I always suggest solids.  I like solids because I can match them to any background, outside or in. We are currently booking for the class of 2011.

I’m also announcing that I will be having an open Marie Q Model Call for the Graduating class of 2012 on Sunday April 12th from 12-3 at the studio.  We’ll be having a test shoot area set up in the studio.  Everyone should wear jeans and a simple black shirt for the test shoot.  Two Models will be chosen for all the local high schools in this area.  If you want to find out more info please email me at marie@marieq.com.  I’ll be posting more info as the date get closer.

On a different note, don’t you think my first senior photographed above looks a little like Kate Winslet?

Be Good!

Be Good!

So what can I say about Calvin.  I can say he is one of the most “real” people I have ever met. Honest but not abrupt, funny but not demeaning, polite and happy.  He’s very California to be in Red Oak.  In fact, he plans on making a trip out there this summer.  I asked him where he would stay.. he didn’t know, maybe in his car.  Oh, to be young and fearless again!

Be Good!

I have already photographed Salina – this time I got to spend time on just her.  I had done a mini friends session with her friend Malloy about a month ago.  I loved her in that purple dress.  I wanted to post all of her images in that purple dress- but for the sake of variety, I’ll post the very last image from her session.  We walked around all evening smelling hamburgers. I think we were all hungry walking around the square.

Be Good!

I’ve been talking to Justin about his senior photographs since December.  I feel like I know him, yet he is still an enigma to me.  Justin challenged me the nth degree.  Not in a bad way, in a creative way.  He knew what he wanted.  He wanted a twist on the usual – he wanted the Un-usual.  I could give it two him to different ways.  I could change the way I photographed in the usual places, or I could change the way I manipulated the photo after I took it.  His session is a little of both. It’s a little bit of classic, a little bit of funky, and I think a whole lot of Justin!!

Be Good!

This year I decided to add senior mini sessions in an the end of the season.  The demand for session was just so much that I decided I needed to find a way to fit more in.  I might modify it some next year because I find myself running around like a mad person trying to get as many shots as I can in.  Then when I start with my next appointment which is regular, full length mini session I can’t get out of rush mode and I find myself rushing around again.  By the end of the night I’m E-X-H-A-U-S-T-E-D .

I had a good time photographing Ariel.  All of my seniors have been sweet and polite – both the girls and the guys.  At the end of this busy season I feel like I have acquired new children.  I have gotten to know so many of them.  Each one of them has given me a little snapshot of their lives.  I love my seniors!

Be Good!

The pressure is always on when someone travels great distances to use me.  I knew she came here for all the right reasons though.  She wanted something “different” .  No doubt Cleburne is  just like any other small town.  Every one’s been there and done that.  Having Downtown Waxahachie as a setting is definitely going to be different.  She brought her stuff in and her mom quickly explained that she was a jeans and boots kind of girl.  What she didn’t mention is that she was a blinged out jeans and boots kind of girl.  I can’t wait to work on her images and see how all the sparkles photographed!!

Hey Cleburne Class of 2011 – go ahead and book your senior session early and get it out of the way over the summer or early in the fall.  It passes by in the blink of an eye.  I hear it every year!

Be Good!

Poor Derek…. I made him walk forever while he was still recovering from foot surgery.  He was stoic though and did not complain about it, though I know it was bothering him. That first image may be my favorite of his.  I was speaking to a colleague this weekend about knowing my favorite from the time I click the shutter.  I almost know it from the time I set it up.  I catch myself getting excited about the potential while I’m standing there composing it in my camera. I saw the look, I saw the rugged background and all I could think of was that popular retail store with two names.  It looked like one of their ads. I knew it would be black and white with a hint of sepia before I clicked and I knew I would be writing about it on my blog!

Be Good!