Be Good!

Fair warning… I’m getting ready to get all mushy/artsy on you.  I just came back from Texas School for Professional Photographers.  This is my second year going and I will be going back again next year.  I have to say, the first year was over whelming, a bit depressing, and inspiring all in one.  For one week you have an intensive class with an instructor or group of instructors.  The amount of information I received last year is still sitting in a spiral with notes all around it.  I still go back to it and look to see what I have implemented and what has been lost over time.  It was depressing last year because honestly they tore my business apart, but only so I could rebuild it and make it better.  Sadly, I only spend about 20% of my time being an artist and the other 80% doing other business stuff.

This year, I went into it with an understanding of what was about to happen.  It was a very different experience for me.  I left there inspired by words and music.  Strangely, I had let my passion for words escape me.  And the music… I sit in silence at my studio most days and I never realized how much it was hurting my creativity.  It should be interesting what changes between this year and next.

The model above was provided to us for an event they called “The Shootout”.  I thought she was a high school senior.  We later found out she was 15.  If you are a photographer reading this blog and you are accepting payment for your work, I urge you to attend next year.  It is the single best piece of advice I can give to you.  They will challenge you to be your own artist, they will help you run a successful business ,and they will help build a network of friends you can go to whenever you have questions.  There is nothing better than learning from the best in this industry.  Save your money.. be at Texas School 2011.

Be Good!

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!

We took advantage of the last of the tulips at the Arboretum. I had a good spring season there this year. Rachel is becoming a pro at the Arboretum.  It’s her second time there.

And on the other end of town, Layton and her family spent a couple of hours at the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens with me.  Did you know its free to go there?  A definite plus!

And finally Baby Kate at the studio.  We worked really hard to get this little one happy. Treats, peek-a-boo, the fake sneezing, and singing… anything for that smile

Be Good!

I’m a bit delayed in posting this preview.  My apologies to Mattie’s family.  It’s been a bit crazy here at the studio.  If you haven’t heard, the ducks are here and we are currently in the midst of Spring/Easter mini sessions.  I only have a few spots left for Friday and Saturday so if you are interested call quickly because I don’t think they will be open by the end of the day.

Be Good!

The following day was worth the price of admission because I was able to attend the class of Jesh de Rox . Single handedly his images made me laugh and cry all at the same time.  I left his class so inspired and so in love with photography.  It didn’t matter who I attended next, they were not going to live up to the experience I had with him.  I  left there changed.  Later that day I saw him and Jose Villa standing by the stairs just talking like normal people and I was starstruck.  I walked by them and stared not knowing whether to go up there and hug them, or just say thanks for being an inspiration.  I can only compare it to what my nine year old daughter might do if she ever saw Justin Bieber.  Seriously, those two men are two reasons I strive to be a better person and photographer.  They are incredible.

And finally, I got to see Elizabeth Messina .  I had not heard of her before the convention, but I looked her up and fell in love with her photos.  When I heard her speak I could relate to her on so many levels.  She is shy and quiet.  Many of you may never have pegged me as shy, but I was painfully shy as a child and I work hard to open up in front of people, especially strangers.  The camera helps break down some of the walls but it is something I struggle with daily.

The biggest buzz was created by Jasmine Star .  When you look up the definition of cool, Jasmine’s picture is there.  I follow her on a daily basis.  I think we could be sisters, well she could be my cooler younger sister because I’m kinda dorky.  Her photography, the way she writes and the way she relates to everyone just captures you.  I strive to be a better writer and she gives me inspiration to do that.

I’ve included links to all of my favorite photographers from this trip.  The re-invention of Marie Q has begun and I can thank this list of international photographers for it.

Be Good!

The Hames family received nine individual entries nominating them for the Week of Love Session.  Here are a couple of the entries that were submitted.

I would like to nominate the Hames family. A little over a year ago Shawn and Cheryti adopted four young children from the local foster care system after years of being dedicated foster parents and hosting foreign exchange students. Cheryti gave up her beloved full time work to be a full time mom (and then some).

These kids are really special. They’re involved in karate, avid swimmers, and budding artists. They give freely of their own toys and clothes on birthdays and when they hear of another kid in need. They spent their Christmas handing out food at local emergency rooms. They’re animal lovers that enthusiastically help their mom on their farm taking care of donkeys, horses, cats, and dogs.

This has been a monumental year for them being adopted into a forever family. I have noticed one need they have that is hard to fill: memories. They only have a handful of pictures of themselves before this year, and Cheryti has longingly mentioned wanting to have a family portrait to document this new beginning for them all.  ~ DeeDee R.

Since Cheryti was in high school, she said that there were enough children in the world who didn’t have parents that she wouldn’t have any of her own – she would care for some of those. As she married and completed her B.A. in Social Work and a Masters in Family Counseling, that passion for helping others grew stronger and found new opportunities for expression. She gave up a rewarding career teaching at a community college so that she and her husband Shawn could foster 4 troubled teenage girls. I lived with them during 2 years of this and saw their dedication and patience through extreme circumstances (trips to the psychiatric emergency room, threats to their safety, destroyed property…). The experience was hardly what most people would consider rewarding, but they continued to demonstrate the love of Christ to these teenagers.

After several years of tirelessly caring for teenagers, they began to welcome younger children, and eventually adopted a sibling group of 4 for which CPS could not find a home – 2 boys and 2 girls, ages 4, 6, 7, and 11. They are precious children, and have made significant progress during the last year, but have certainly been a challenge.

Shawn and Cheryti have made extraordinary sacrifices to be able to help others. I don’t know anyone with hearts so big. They show the love of Christ in a continual, tangible way to those who have been rejected by their families and by society. They have been working hard to develop family traditions and build positive memories with the kids, and I think that chronicling that journey with family photos would enrich the experience.

Thank you for considering the Hames family for your photo session. ~ Faith M.

Memories of my childhood really come from my family album.  My mind is like a picture book of stories.  The record snow we had here last week reminded me of 1978.  I was 4 years old the last time it snowed more than it did last week.  There is a picture of my father pulling me in a bus tub on our driveway at the house where I grew up.  Had it not been for that photo – I don’t think I would have remembered that snow. I’m looking forward to photographing this families new beginning.  Hoping to start their own picture book of memories.

It’s been a fun week here on the blog.  Thanks for reading

Be Good!

Today’s special is going to be 25% off cutom framing orders.  You’ll need to contact me to make set up an appointment and the frames you purchase from that appointment will be 25% off.  I have a good selection of frames ranging from traditional to whimsical.  I’ve been to visit some of your homes and many of you tell me that you have the pictures but just haven’t found the frame yet.  This is your chance!!

If you see me around town in the next couple of days its going tobe hard not to laugh.  Over the course of three days my back has gone from bad to Hunchback of Waxahachie.  I have to laugh at myself because I know I look just like an aunt of mine who has walked like this for 20 years.  I’m hoping some massage therapy and staying active will get me over this phase of being the human question mark.

Be Good!

Today, one of the first things I did was hold the baby.  I was trying to get her to sleep.  She was in that in between state of bliss, neither awake or asleep but just hanging on to that very edge. I looked down, grateful to be holding a healthy baby when it happened.  Something that has never happened before, a newborn giggle – real laughter from a baby who is just  a week old.  I was so thankful for that tiny gift I was given.  She was perfection today.  This was the first home I have traveled to where the home was heated exactly where it needed to be and the result was… the wet noodle baby.  She slept through everything.

And now for my Week of Love give away today.  I know its late, hopefully some of you are paying attention.  That tapestry album pictured at the top will be a gift to the first person who claims it by sending me an email to marie@marieq.com.  I will fill it with ten 4×6 images from one of your past sessions or I can leave it empty for you to fill.  E-mail me at marie@marieq.com to win the album.  It’s a great purse size and might even make a great gift for a grandma.

Be Good!

All day today we will be offering 20% off of online orders.  No worries if your gallery has already expired, we can easily put it back online for you today.  Best way to get your gallery re-published is just to send me an email to marie@marieq.com. It’s a great way to get those last couple of pictures you really wanted to get but couldn’t.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!  Don’t forget that I am offering $25 off  sessions.  Schedule your sessions this week for anytime between now and the end of the year and get the discounted rate.

Be Good!