The Kitty - Hanging Out Under the Tree

We're Watching This Today...

How to take a super-cool shot. :)

What you'll need:

• 1 Christmas Tree (Or some lights)
• 1 camera with 4 second shutter (fireworks mode for me)
• Yourself

Focus lock on a set of lights. Press shutter button all the way down and move the camera all around the tree. You'll get something like this.

Isn't that SUPER COOL?!

Merry Christmas!

Santa's Ranch - San Marcos, TX

My grandma is in town for a whole WEEK! She loves Christmas lights. So, we 'Googled' drive through Christmas lights and came up with Santa's Ranch in San Marcos. They claimed to have over a million lights... so, we went to check it out. IT WAS GREAT!

There is a delightful surprise within... you'll have to go over and see.

It's $22 per car but there is a coupon on their website for $2 off... and it's worth the money anyway.

I will post one picture. I had a slower shutter on this one but that's exactly what I wanted.. :)

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

Something to think about...

We are so concerned that "everybody has to have a Christmas present" that we throw anything and anyone else to the wayside. Let's first be grateful for what we have... and then pray for  these suffering children who do not have food to eat, much less anything else.

Flowers

I love flowers. :)

I especially like it when I can get a sharp image this close!!!

Photo of the Day

From thanksgiving... I felt like reminiscing... hey, that rhymes! :)

My Inspirations - Part VIII - Nikon Coolpix L120

Those of you who know me personally have probably seen this feller... this is my current camera. Yes, I really did get the red, and I like it!  This thing has got lots of zoom, mexapixels, and video. I really like how it feels in my hands too. I would recommend this camera highly to someone just getting started... but if you want to be able to adjust shutter speed or aperture, it doesn't have that capability.

All around, though, it is a sweet little camera!

My Inspirations - Part VII - Nikon CoolPix S220

In its lifetime, it captured thousands of wonderful pictures and videos. It traveled with me to Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, California, Texas, Arkansas, and Florida. It captured one of the last NASA space shuttle launches. It took pictures of family, friends and strangers. It captured many beautiful sunsets.  It had been to Disneyland and California Adventure. It went with me to Santa Catalina island, where I took my best picture ever. It captured hundreds of audio recordings. 


It is, my very first and very faithful Nikon camera.

Thank you, 'Cammie', for getting me started on the great adventure of photography!

My Inspirations - Part VI - Kiefer Partridge

Meet Kiefer. He is another of my father's 'Mighty Men'. He has a talent for exceptional portrait shots! 

He's also a musician... check out his album here.

Thank you also for taking pictures of Matthew and Leah... and letting me watch you and Joël at your excellent work!

My Inspirations - Part V - Joël Quenneville

Meet Joël. He works for my father and is one of his 'Mighty Men'. 

You want to see some jaw-dropping nature photography? This is the man to go to! Head over to this page on his website to see some of his nature photos.

Thank you Joël for your kindness to take photos of Matthew and Leah... and letting me shadow you and Kiefer in your incredible work!

My Inspirations - Part IV - Miss Laura Adams

This is Laura. :)

She is so sweet... her photography is fabulous.

She and Allie took 3 days to teach me and 6 other young ladies at C.A.P.T.U.R.E. as I mentioned in my post about Allie. She and Allie were very patient and made it SO fun to learn! Thank you Laura!

My Inspirations - Part III - Miss Allison Marshall

This is Allie. :)

She is a really sweet lady. You should meet her sometime. 

Her photography is awesome!

She took 3 days, along with her friend Laura (who you'll meet tomorrow) to teach me and 6 other young ladies about the art of photography in a class they called C.A.P.T.U.R.E. I never knew there was so much to learn but she and Laura made it so easy to understand and the fellowship was wonderful! Thank you Allie!

P.S. This is my post for tomorrow early. :)

My Inspirations - Part II - Mrs. Wendy Copeland

This wonderful lady is Mrs. Wendy Copeland. Her daughter, Madeline, is my best friend! Mrs. Copeland taught my very first 'official' photography class. I learned a lot in that class and I think it's what helped me take off. She helped me pick out my current camera, sending me all sorts of links and information about the cameras I was looking at. Thank you Mrs. Copeland for all your help!

My Inspirations - Part I - Dad

I wanted to give thanks for those who got me started in photography.

First off, my dad. He bought me my first trusty, busty point and shoot Nikon CoolPix. (Sorry, Canon people - I like your cameras too - really!)

P.S. He's a really good photographer in his own right!

I love you, Dad!

Preview of What is To Come

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I'm starting a business!!! In early January, I will be launching Morning Light Photography. Here are a couple of examples of my work.

Can't wait!

Behind the Scenes...

Engagement Shoot

Today I shadowed two excellent photographers, Joël Quenneville and Kiefer Partridge, at an engagement shoot for my brother and his fiancee Leah! It was an absolute thrill to watch them and take some of my own pictures. Here are some... 

The crew...

Kiefer noticed they're walking in sync! :)

Being silly

Two Sisters

Again, camera courtesy of Kiefer. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Notice the M & L cookie... ;)

Leah's world-famous Challah bread!

Pecan Pie

Apple Pie

Hymn sing after dinner

Thanksgiving sunset...

Extra-extra special thanks to Kiefer P. for letting me use his camera!!!