That one time I almost left the house looking like I walked off the set of Dallas.

 But then I changed into some high waisted jeans.

I achieved the insanely huge poofy pony by wearing my hair in a bun on top of my head (top knot) for a day (or 2? Oh, the shame...) and letting in down, then just putting it up in apony.

Shirt, Skirt, Clutch: Thrifted, Necklace: Vintage, Shoes: Moschino

Photo tips for Shootin' Kiddos.

Saturday was a wild one. I had a photo session with, count em'....5 kiddos. It's obvious, 

kids are harder subjects to shoot. I personally think they are harder to shoot than animals, they're

distracted, they're quick and they get bored fast..on top of all this, not all of them

warm up to strangers quickly. So, here's what I do to make it easier on myself. 

1. Go into it knowing you're going to get something good. There is nothing else in the

world that parents love more than their children, and photos of their children are up there too.

After all is said and done, your client will like your photos because they are of their children.

So relax. 

2. Get down on their level. Literally. When you meet the kids, kneel down and introduce yourself

face to face. It's more disarming. Also, talk to them about things they might like. 

Colors, animals, favorite cartoons, halloween costumes etc. They'll become more trusting

and won't necessarily look at you like just another adult. Don't forget to be silly. 

Also, kneel down to shoot or even consider getting on your belly.

3. Let. Them. Play. You might as well forget about getting them to sit still for a 

traditional portrait. Of course try your hardest to get some "safe" shots, but also 

catch them in action. Also, you can make it a game. Ask them to play patty cake, or 

show you their favorite dance. 

4. While all this playing is fun you still have to maintain control. I do this with prizes. 

Take a quick trip to the Dollar Store and put together a prize bag with bubbles, toy cars, 

water guns, stickers...etc. Put the prizes in a fun bag and start out the session by telling

them they get to pick a prize at the end if they're good listeners. When you
feel you are losing control...gently remind them of the treat they'll get if they are a good listener

DISCLAIMER: Let them pick the prizes in front of their parents and most definitely 

don't let them have candy with out asking the parents first.

5. Remember you don't always have to shoot their faces straight on....or their faces at all.

Catch their bare feet in the grass, or a silhouette shot of the contour of their little cheek. 

Parents love every little part of their kiddos. 

Phobia: Behind the Scenes

I've been shooting promotional stills and behind the scenes photos for a new flick called Phobia. Shooting stills for a production like this is difficult (still photography is sorta the last thing on peoples' minds while filming, so you're have to slip in, get whatcha need and get out..not to mention the low light!), but it's well worth the effort. Every time you put the camera to your eye, there are passionate, creative hard working subjects to shoot. On top of that, the costumes are beautiful along with the locations, and this creative team has been pretty damn inspiring to work around. Here are a few snaps. 

Lots of editing to do today, and then...

Time for a well deserved nap. 

Tenby

I know I can't be the only one who wonders why most of our homes

and shops are brown/tan/beige/maroon...To live in a town like Tenby (pictured below),

 whoseVictorian Revival architecture is riddled with pastels would be so refreshing...le sigh

It's a Welsh town located on the coast, and it's name translates roughly to

little town of the fishes

too. charming.

Today I will consider dying my hair bright orange and getting bangs. 

 Photos by Maureen M. Evans via The Drifter and the Gypsy

Laced with Romance...

YO! We took a trip to the Texas Theatre to celebrate a buddy's birthday. This is the outfit. 

I must admit, this bustier is pretty racy for me. Typically I'm  not a cleavage girl, but

when I found this piece at Laced with Romance in Austin I was drawn to it immediately.

Laced with Romance does a lot of hand dying, so you find pieces there that are of

a certain vintage, but in colors that weren't necessarily prominent in the time

period the pieces are from. It doesn't sound like it would make so

much of a difference, but when you're looking a vintage prairie dress that has been 

dyed bright crimson red, it takes you a second to figure out why the piece is so

striking. So, I'm rockin' the bustier, but not without a slightly androgynous jacket to boy it up.

Coach is doing a new campaign featuring a limited edition reissue

of their "classic" Coach styles. The bag I'm strappin' is the "Legacy" bag.....

except it's an original...and I found it at a thrift store....for $4.95.

BANG-O!

Jeans: DKNY, Shoes: Steve Madden, Jacket: Vintage, Bustier: Laced With Romance 

Ring: Vintage, Bag and Belt: Vintage Coach, Earrings: Vera Wang for Kohls

A Western Union

A denim or chambray shirt is a STAPLE. I wear mine all the time. 

I would even go on record saying denim is my favorite neutral..(besides leopard print and sparkle, duh).

Typically, I'd wear some sexy lady black bootie shorts with this skirt, but they don't 

appreciate that in corporate environments. 

WHO KNEW!?------> If you work for JCP you'll get that joke.

Another tip: Many times I find skirts that I LOVE with waist bands too big

to fit at my natural waistline. Typically, I'll buy it anyway (especially because

when I find myself in this pickle it's at thrift stores and the skirts are only 2 bucks), and

pull it up to my waist, fold it over and safety pin it, situating the fold right down

the middle of the skirt. Then to hide the fixerupper, I'll use a statement belt.

 Done. See below for example :)

 

 Necklace and Denim Shirt: F21, Skirt and Belt: thrifted

Art by Jonathan Brooks

Heal By Rain

So here's an update on that location scouting we were up to last weekend....My gal pals 

Haley Espizito and Brina Palincia launched a production company called Heal By Rain Productions!

They've been slaving away working on a web series for about 5-6 months now... (Right girls?). 

It's finally been cast and we styled and shot the promotional photos this Sunday on the SMU campus.

(The show is a university setting).  The cast was awesome...and includes my hubby, who plays

an ironically stylish blind guy. I love, love, love shooting actors. They're always creative, especially

when you're shooting character shots. Here's some of the behind the schenes at the style out. (Yes, I said "schenes").

All the B&W photos have the "like/comment" buttons. I ripped them from facebook, and they
were taken by the hilarious and talented Paul Wingo (was his name-o).

Yes, I am wearing my DIYed Garth Brooks American Honkey Tonk Bar Association halter.
No, I'm not wearing it because it's ironic.