Give Thanks Portraits. {2011}

It's Friday night and I am sitting on the couch, cozy, watching How to Marry a Millionaire. I absolutely love this movie... it's cute, funny and makes me giggle so much. Have you seen it? 

Anyway, as I sit here and keep warm on a chilly night I am reflecting on a few conversations I have had in the past year. I had a few people over the past few months who were highly interested in having a Portrait Collection but were unable to move forward with a session because it is merely a luxury want, not a need. I don't ever want to think someone should be denied photography, much less a single family portrait, on the mere basis that they cannot afford it. For obvious reasons, photographs are very important to me. The reality they capture, the moments and feelings we experience, they become instant family heirlooms. 

As November nears its end and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, I can't help but feel extremely thankful for all the blessings in my life. Thank you God, for everything. It is because of every blessing I have received that I have decided to give back, to you. 


I love the act of photography. Photographing people makes me smile. I love the interaction between human activity and seeing the candid moments almost frozen in time, frozen to forever remember. It is because I love being behind my camera so much that I have decided to spend an afternoon shooting... you. For Free. 


You read correctly. I will be hanging out at a nice park on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, photographing anyone who wants to have their portrait taken. Here's what I can offer you... Everyone who shows up will get a few pictures taken; it will be quick 5 to 7 minutes. I'll take down your contact information and a few days later you will be able to choose your free 5x7 desk print. You'll need to contact me to officially reserve your spot so that I can share with you the location. You can reach me at (956) 569-2257. If I do not answer, please leave a voicemail with your name and contact info. You can also send me a text message. So what's the catch? None. There is no catch, other than you must show up with a big, bright smile :) This will be a one-time-deal only... spread the word!

Amidst all of your Black Friday shopping, I hope to see many of you!

Be blessed my friends. 

Feasting and cleaning up.

Yesterday the South Texas Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Zeta Sorority volunteered a few hours of our afternoon with HEB's 21st Annual Feast of Sharing.

Our turnout was small, but we still made a difference. The 2 hour shift went by way fast and we even had time to eat *before* helping out. Isn't that nice?

All throughout high school I volunteered at this annual event with school organizations. It was nice to be back... The venue is bigger, there's way more people and tons more volunteers.

And we, Delta Zeta, loved giving back.

My internet at home is not working right now so I'm blogging from my phone. Since I still wanted to blog tonight, I figured it was a perfect time to thank Annylu, Tammy, Laura, Jackie and Becca for volunteering their time.

Here's a few iPhone snippets...

What are some organizations you like to give back to?

Good night :)

Raise Awareness! Fight Breast Cancer!

I am sure you know this, but just in case... October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the past few years, my mom and I have dedicated ourselves to promoting a few good organizations that promote breast cancer awareness. Thankfully, breast cancer has not stricken either of us or close family members but we don't feel like we need a reason other than we want to merely support a good cause. Every year, as October approaches, mom and I head to the local ribbon shoppe and purchase pink ribbon. We'll sit down one afternoon and make breast cancer awareness ribbons to pass out to our family and friends and anyone we come across with. It's a mere small gesture, but I think it does make a difference.

We enjoy participating in the annual South Padre Island Walk for Women (http://www.spiwalkforwomen.org/). We joined the walk six years ago with just my mom, a friend of mine and myself. Over the years we have amassed a large group of friends and we all head down to the island the first weekend in October to walk, for women. This year, my mom found a great fundraiser to participate in to help raise funds for local women. Knapp Medical Center (http://www.knappmed.org/) hosted Bras Ending Cancer.  Mom decided she wanted to design a bra, participate and raise some money. And she did :)

I merely helped her glue a pearl here and there but she designed the bra and made it herself. My mother is extremely talented. Actually, I think that may be an understatement. My mother is above talented, she is blessed. We attended the fashion show showcasing over 100 designs and they were all creatively unique. That one day, mom raised eighty five dollars fundraising for $1 votes. I'm very proud of her :)

Here's what the bra looked like...






Will you please take a moment and help mom raise more funds by using the following link to vote for her bra as your favorite design? Thank you, we apreciate it :)

VOTE!

Have a good night!

Come along for the ride with me.

This morning I gave a presentation to the collegiate chapter of Delta Zeta at the Univeristy of Texas Pan American about DZ Fashion - Dress to Impress. I felt honored to have been chosen but panicked for a split second about whether I was the appropriate alumna for the topic. Then I realized, Hey! I definitely am! Frumpy is typically my style but because I choose to be comfortable. But I love a great fitting pencil skirt, beautiful jewelry and ah-mazing shoes... I do have somewhat of a sense of fashion. More importantly, however, dressing to impress is something I have taken much more interest since college graduation. Pursuing a career definitely requires presentation, on all levels including personal appearance. As I dressed this morning and looked through my closet, I asked myself What kind of impression do I want to make to my audience? I want my peers to respect me - to value my knowledge and expertise. So as I sat there quietly trying to organize my thoughts before I had the floor I thought this opportunity came at a  perfect timing in my career - my photography career.

Back in February I had a meeting with a prospective client. She sounded so enthusiastic about hiring my photography services and was eager to meet with me and talk more details. My life is constantly busy and I sometimes find myself having a multitude of appointments to meet on a single day. Fashion, thus, is not always on my side - not even make up sometimes! I remember meeting my prospective client one evening and realized through the conversation she had lost the excitement of my photography based on single aspect - she questioned my age. Now she did not flat out say, Wow, you are young! or ask How old are you? But the look in her face said it all. I looked, well, frumpy. Thankfully, I look much younger than I am - way younger. I'm sure as I near my fifties that will be a big plus. At the moment, however, it is sometimes a struggle. I feel people often forget I am educated, smart, and have potential to learn simply because I look so young. Dressing frumpy certainly does not help.

Speaking to the ladies of Delta Zeta helped me not only help them but help myself. I remembered the importance of looking your best - always with a great attitude. I interpret dressing appropriately as respecting myself. I felt this was key to explaining to the girls. In the process of my presentation, I realized my own message was for me as well. My photography business is growing; it's growing quickly. I will let my work speak for itself but help with my personal appearance. I want to be respected in my profession, don't you? My life is one crazy ride, but I am glad I have opportunities to take a step back, analyze and work on making things even better. I have God to thank for that ;)

I'd like to thank the ladies of Delta Zeta for inviting me to their chapter retreat. It reminded me of the fun collegiate days as an active member of my beloved sorority. I wish you ladies lots of luck and hope you come on board to the alumnae chapter after graduation ;)

Happy Saturday ;)