Visit with Lexi = Fun! (not to mention new software tutorials!)

Well, my visit with Lexi was far too short, but so much fun! I feel so grateful to have had this reunion.  Here's Lexi hanging with J and Z!

Lexi works at the Genius Bar in an Apple store, and when she came to visit, she gifted me with a wonderful photo editing software program I've been wanting called "Aperture". And since she's a genius and all, she gave me a tutorial! YEA! Here is a photo I took of Jeremy before school a month or two ago:

In Aperture, I was able to go in and darken the edges, which draws the eye even more toward my handsome boy's cute face!

And here, I tried lightening around the edges, and I really liked the effect:

I can't wait to learn more about this cool program and see how it will transform my photos!

Thank you, Lexi, for coming to visit, for you friendship, and for this awesome gift!

Gustopher Jones

In the midst of becoming of mother of two, I haven't been able to dote on my newest nephew the way that he deserves. However, I got to do his three month old photo shoot, and was he ever ready for his close-up! Behold his cuteness:

We love you, little Gus!

Help me pick a new headshot!

Hello! About once every two or three years, I get new acting headshots taken. I'm super excited about finding photographer Claire McAdams. She's based in Austin, but comes through Houston 3 or 4 times a year to shoot here.

In the comments section below, please "vote" for your top three choices. I'd really appreciate your input. Thank you (and please forgive me if this seems live a ridiculous exercise in narcissism--I'm an actor...we can be that way sometimes)!

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Photo Shoot: Beautiful Baby Girl!

This sweet girl is the daughter of some friends of ours. She is such a sweet baby!

If you'd like to see more of this set, you can click here to see a few more!

Photo by Starshine Photography!

A Gal and Her Doggy

Last week, my mother-in-law and her beloved Dakota were here for a visit, and I couldn't resist taking their pictures.

Isn't Dakota the World's Cutest Dog?

(besides your dog, of course)!

He's very sweet and knows some tricks, too--

like how to "give you five"!

Buddies.

Family!

I can hardly believe we've been in our house for about a year now! It's funny--of all the rooms in our house that I've documented on this blog in terms of my progress with nesting, our home office has definitely received the most attention. The rest of our house is more traditional/Pottery Barn-esque, but our study was a blank canvas of all white walls, and I wanted it to be a colorful room, full of life with modern lines. (Click HERE and HERE and HERE to see the various stages of nesting!)

For several months now, I have been wanting to do a wall of black and white family photos in black frames. A couple weeks ago, my friend Jenn visited from Los Angeles, and she encouraged me to go out and buy the frames, so we went to Aaron Brothers and picked out several frames in various sizes, and then I went to town deciding on which photos I wanted to enlarge.

My Mom came over yesterday, she suggested that I buy the "Family" sign, which I love! I ended up enlarging a couple of my favorite wedding photos taken by Jen Disney. She's based in Orange County, CA and does excellent work. I also chose some of my other favorites of our family members...

...like this one of my Mom in her wedding dress!

Family is such a sweet blessing, and having their photos up and about on our walls is a sweet reminder of the precious gift that they are to us!

Photo Shoot: Could One Month Look Any Cuter?

I took these photos on Tuesday of my sweet friend's adorable new baby boy. I think newborn photography is my favorite!

Adorable Birthday Cuteness!

This photo is just a teaser. Click here to see more birthday cake fun from the party I shot this weekend! It will make you smile. You won't be able to resist his adorableness!

Photo by Starshine Photography.

Precious Baby Girl

One of my good friends is adopting this sweet baby girl. It was so fun to meet her today, to hold all eight pounds of her, and of course, to take her pictures. I think she's a beautiful model!

Click here to see my photography website.

I love argyle!

I took this handsome little man's photos this afternoon. His mom brought another clothing option for him, but he insisted on wearing his argyle sweater the whole time. As far as I'm concerned, he is one snappy dresser with great taste!

Not bad for a six year old (he told me how old he was in this photo):

Starshine Photography: Family Photos in Autumn

I have been friends with this adorable family for at least five years now! Doug used to be a co-worker of mine and his wife Dee and I used to be scrapbook buddies. With the advent of digital photo books, I haven't scrapbooked in ages, but thankfully, Dee and I are still friends, and it has been great getting to renew our friendship now that I've moved back to Texas. (Also? I just have to say that Dee has the prettiest blonde hair and the cutest haircut. Don't you think?!)

They suggested this beautiful park for our photo shoot, and WOW! were the autumn leaves ever beautiful in the evening sun!

I love the above photo because you can see how at ease this couple is with one another. You can't fake love, and these two have always been so in love with each other!

Oh! And did I mention that this family knows how to have fun together? This silly shot was the boys' idea, but Mom and Dad were happy to play along!

Thanks you guys! I loved photographing you--you're quite the photogenic family!

Sweet Baby Pics!

I so enjoyed photographing this beautiful family at their home on Saturday. When they called and told me they wanted me to take pictures of their baby girl, I was thrilled. I love babies, and photographing these tiny humans during their earliest days and weeks is such a joy.

I had been contemplating buying a black background, and when this family told me that they wanted the pictures to have an artsy/dramatic quality to them, I knew it was time to spring for this fun purchase! I bought a collapsible/expandable 5'x6' backdrop (black on one side and white on the other) that folds into itself and is easy to transport and setup, so taking it with me to this family's house was no problem at all, and I am so pleased with the results!

Their baby was a star performer!

I can't tell you how satisfying it is to be learning and growing in a craft/artform that I have desired to learn for such a long time! My business is taking off, and I'm so happy!

Getting Family Photos for the Christmas Cards!

This family has become friends of ours through our church. They hired me to take pictures of their kids for their family Christmas card. The kids were so loving toward one another, and I loved seeing that!

We shot at a local pond and at the park/playground across the street.

New friends are a real blessing when you move to a new place, and we're thankful to know this family!