There is something about it. One of the fun thing about being a photographer is we get to witness the love between families. It’s really cool to shoot “grown boys” and their mom. You must have done something right Daphney – it was a pleasure to shoot your family. Talk to you soon!

THESE are the kind of clients I love – they come out – they have fun with each other – nobody stresses about the grass stains that get on knees! I always tell my clients “don’t worry – you’re paying me to get great stuff & I will” but the Cobbs? I didn’t have to tell them anything!!! They just hung out as a family and enjoyed the time and spring weather!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again -”You can’t separate the photograph from the experience.” It’s why I take photos like I do – I want (and NEED) you to have FUN!!! If & when you relax and have a good time, a good experience you’ll get great photos…..and here is proof! THANKS gang!

……ya kinda have to insert the Popeye eyes and voice in order to make it work…….

I wanted to share this photo of you of Emma (her family blog is below) and here is why. As most of you know I’m self-taught. I think that is a good and a bad thing. I’ve actually had a number of professionals tell me to stay that way – because my photos are different and that’s probably why. It keeps me outside of the box and keeps my photos from looking like what I call “cookie-cutters” but it also means when I go to conferences and seminars I often am unable to “talk the talk” like I’d like to. So – I struggle – I am getting credentials and blah-blah-blah (I’ve never been one to care much about labels nor the letters that follow peoples names) but then today I ran across this photo of Emma and found myself staring at it.

I love it and ya know what – there are about 5 things “wrong” with it in the eyes of the “rules”. Don’t care – I love it and I’m gonna print it for her mom for her b-day (the shoot was on her b-day) Enjoy!

I like it – what do ya think?!?!

Want to know the BEST part about this couple?!?!

They have a daughter who invites herself into a good photo & makes it great….

….want to know the best part about this family?!?!

During a photoshoot – they totally forget I’m there.

Once again I find myself in a bit of an uncomfortable spot….blogging without a photo…not my style but bear with me.

First, I want to tell all of my clients a true and heart-felt THANK YOU. The bluebonnets (to be frank) are dead. That means I have two weeks of laundry to do, a house in need of cleaning and kids that deserve lots of mommy-time. It also finds me excited for spring, enjoying the green all over town and feeling incredibly blessed.

The thing about my job, which I LOVE, is it’s a job that people call because they want to. Let’s face it, it’s not like the day my washing machine overflowed into the living room carpet…that day I HAD to call a plumber. Rarely does one wake up and come across a situation that REQUIRES a photographer (although for those of you who have a 6-7 year old missing both teeth that comes close).

I guess what I’m trying to say is I know and appreciate the fact that you, my clients past, present and future call not because you NEED to but because you WANT to and I appreciate you more than you know. Because of you I get to do a job that I love and I get to provide you with a photography that is an experience (did you catch how I inserted my “tag line” there)

Thank you for your trust and your friendship. I appreciate you and on my end I do my best to provide you with professional, quality work and I’ll provide it to you on a timeline that fits your needs.

I’m also blessed to see a baaaaaaaaaaad photo of me online. As most of you know I HATE having my photo taken, so no, it’s not the photo I”m blessed with – it’s the friendship that’s behind it. Deedra of Something New Photography and her partner in crime, Vikki caught me taking pix of the bluebonnets with my camera phone (don’t ask). They snapped it and blogged it, check it out www.xanga.com/fotobydeedra then go to to her site, she’s amazing.

Does it seem weird to you that I’m refering you to another local photographers website? Probably….and that cracks us up all the time. “D” and I are friends and although you’ll see similarities in our work we have distinctive styles and we do NOT consider ourself to be competitors. Who has the time? We’re both moms of young kids and we both have more work than we know what do to with. We e-mail our favorite pix to each other and share an occasional margarita at 5:00 on a Friday, but most importantly, we both LOVE LOVE LOVE our jobs…after all of that, who has the energy to compete? It’s much more fun to share locations, poses, secrets (that’s photo-talk for a mistake that looked amazing) and creative ideas.

Ok – I’m obviously back on my coffee again in the mornings. I just wanted to say Thanks to all of you who trust me with your photos. Thanks for allowing me to do a job that I love. Thanks D for a friendship that I treasure. I’m truly blessed.

I feel like giving stuff away now. Ok clients…. E-mail me and tell me your favorite photo on both my AND D’s blog or website. I’ll e-mail you back a gift certificate for a free 8×10 from M.Benoit Photography to use anytime in 2007 (although it would be really funny to give you a free 8×10 from Something New Photography wouldn’t it?!?! HeeHee. This offer will expire Friday, April 27th @ midnight.

You deserve it for listening to me ramble this long. Happy Spring!

Micki

Isaac – you’re gonna FLIP OUT when you see how beautiful your bride is……but for now…..this is all ya get
See you in a month! Thanks Amy & Lou – it was a GREAT and FUN shoot! ~M

Thanks again for your patience guys! I’m catching up on those last few bluebonnet shoots this week – here’s a teaser.
Happy Spring! ~M

Hi blogger people!

I’ve had an amazing response from my blog picture of Alisa that I entitled “Fine Art Prints” – I also had a great response when I posted the Angel Art Portraiture (both can be seen under the section “Creative Prints” on the right side-bar. Here is some of the information everyone seems interested in…..and by the way – THANK YOU for your interest – it tells me that the stuff that touches me touches my clients too.

Ok – here is how I do these prints. I do NOT have templates, nor do I have certain “looks” for certain subjects. When I have a client interested in “something different” I usually start by talking about their home, the placement of the print, the photos that touched them and then we look at other edits I’ve done and I just kinda listen. From there I take it and run. Sometimes I sit and look at the photo(s) and immediately know where I want to go with it. Other times I’ll start a print 3-4 times before it takes me in a direction I like. Every one is different and I guarantee you an original.

So – to answer some of your questions: Can I create you something that looks like the Alisa print? Yes and no. If you like it that will play into my edits and I can offer you that “aged” look, will I take her photo out and slap yours in to give you that exact same look? No way.

Can you see the before/after? GREAT idea! Here it is (small but you get the idea) – just scroll down for the “big” Fine Art print.

Can I do the art portraiture on any photo? Yes and no. Some photos work better than others and if you’re looking for a more formal art portraiture studio posed images work better than the natural hair whisps you get outside. Having said that if that “whispy” look is what you’re going for in a real natural print then we can go with that!

Can I make one for you to look like that of your best friend? Yes and no (are you seeing a pattern here?!). If it’s the black/white, grain, or white-out that you like I’d be happy to give it to you – otherwise, I try to AVOID offering you something like hers. I want your image to reflect you and only you. That’s my goal & that is why I started this business. I have no interest in giving you a photo that is the same pose as the last 50 photos. I am VERY interested however in giving you a photo that captures you and your personality.

I want to give you a photo that is an experience.

If you have more questions about my process please feel free to e-mail/call me. I just thought I’d put this “out there” for you all! Thank you for your responses, comments and questions. Please – keep them coming! Your feedback is more valuable to my growth than you’ll ever know! Thanks to my blog-followers…you inspire me!

~Micki

My friends always inspire me.

This is Alisa – she got married to CJ last weekend & she literally helped me start my business by helping me with what was then my newborn baby boy (gulp -he’s almost 5 now). She started out as my babysitter, then became my babysitter/assistant/gopher, and quickly became my friend. For her wedding I wanted to do something different, something original & something from my heart.

I’m also using Alisa’s photo to introduce a new line I”m running callled Fine Art Prints. Stop by my studio to see more samples! Their beauty doesn’t translate very well over the internet, but trust me – they have an aged beauty that you’ll love!