Venue H Labor Day Micro-Wedding

Meet Tyler and Lorenzo. A young couple from Florida that came to Ennis, Texas to have their micro-wedding on Labor Day weekend at Venue H. The bride and groom were married in front of about 100 friends and family in a beautiful ceremony at the venue. The couple was so excited to be married and it was evident from the moment they walked in the door. They were both smiling from ear to ear and so happy to be surrounded by everyone.

Young African American couple walking into wedding venue

The bride wore a beautiful form-fitting wedding dress with a lovely white heel. The groom wore a black suit with an emerald bow. Their first look was one of my favorites because it was so intimate between them. It made me feel like I wasn't even there watching them because they seemed so focused on each other and not paying attention to anyone else around them which made for some amazing photos!

 

The ceremony took place inside away from the smoldering Texas heat. Venue H has a beautiful white exposed brick with elegant light fixtures and white drapes. When you enter it seems like the room just opens up. The light that poured into the large windows softly lit the bride and the wedding party perfectly.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the building. The bride and groom both had very touching vows that almost made me shed a tear myself. I consider myself lucky to have been fortunate to document such a special day for this young couple. Everything came together so well under the watch of the Venue H team and I do look forward to the next opportunity I get to take portraits at this fantastic establishment.

Mother crying at wedding ceremony

Pear-shaped wedding ring and groom's wedding band.
Detail shot of bride holding bouquet with pear shaped ring
 

Tim x Alicia Bishop Arts Engagement

Happy New Year! I feel like my last post was a Happy New Year post come to think about it. 2020 was filled with so many ups and downs so I decided to make my first post one that highlights love and positivity.

ps_edit-0118.jpg

ps_edit-0304.jpg

Tim and Alicia were an absolute joy to shoot. Their first look was the perfect choice for their personalities. Classy and sophisticated if I had to describe. Bishop Arts was the icing on the cake because it has so many different store fronts that we could use as backdrops and the weather was outstanding. Tejas and Marcel Market were a few of the spots that we were able to shoot at.

 

I love a couple with great chemistry both on and off camera; and they had an abundance. I’m not going overboard ya’ll, but they were just…Let me stop! I am beyond happy for the both of them and glad that they were able to find one another in this crazy world. We all deserve to find our one true love I believe.

 

I’m really looking forward to making more posts like this one as we progress into the year. This was a quick post, but thank you for reading this far. I’ll catch you guys next time.

5 Ways to Generate Supplemental Income for Photographers & Videographers

Interior Styling Tips Pinterest Graphic.png

I know several entrepreneurs who took the leap and decided to go into business full-time as professional photographers or videographers. There are a few whom I also know considering making the jump, but had concerns about still being able to make money when things slow down. With the state of things across the world currently in the midst of a pandemic; small businesses are going to feel it or probably have begun to feel the blow from the economy beginning to tighten up.

Here are five ways to generate supplemental income if you are a photographer or videographer with more time on your hands.


Create Presets and Luts

We live in a time where people expect quick results sometimes. I know that being able to save time in areas can be a big win because I’ll be able to focus on another area longer if need be. There are countless photographers out there that probably would prefer to perform a few clicks and be able to complete an edit. Creating a preset for Lightroom would not only speed up your editing process, but also give other creatives the opportunity to do so. For my readers who aren’t photographers a preset would be just like a filter on instagram basically. Warm tones, cool tones, extra sharpening etc. The same goes for videographers. You could create a Lut (Lookup Table) for footage and sell LUT Packs on your website if you have one or an online store like sellfy.

Retouch Images

Do you know your way around Adobe or Capture one? Photo retouchers can make some nice coin editing images for photographers who would rather outsource and free up time to handle other aspects of their business. I have talked to some freelancers in the past with prices that range anywhere from $10 per image to $35 per image. It really just depends the kind of work being performed. There are so many different niches that you could work on as well. Beauty retouching, editing full weddings, food portraits and so on. You really have a wide range to choose from.

people-2562605_640.jpg

Edit Videos

Just like with image editing; video editing can be lucrative. Some videographers may not have the patience to learn how to color a video, add elements, sound design, put a story together that is cohesive and keeps the viewer interested. That is where you come in. You’re a good colorist? Ok, Offer your services to bring that footage to life with vibrant hues and warm tones. Are you good at putting clips together to where it will draw in a viewer? Definitely offer your skill set to someone in need of it. Connect with content creators out here that may not be that technical. That could relieve the pressure of having to create X amount of videos then turn around and edit them as well. If you have a good turn around time, great product to deliver and you mesh well with your client; you could very well turn 1 editing job into 2, then 3…10!!!

Stock Photography

What do you do with old images? If you don’t dump them in the trash bin on your desktop; why not sell them? Stock photography could definitely be a source for passive income. Businesses big and small are always looking for images to use for marketing purposes. Bloggers may also be looking for images to use for posts they are putting together. There are several stock photography sites that you can contribute to. Don’t know what to submit? Shutterstock sends out a monthly shot list for contributors and helpful tips on what type of images that members will be looking for. All sites vary as far as how much you can make, but it is definitely worth looking into. Pull out those old hard drives and upload some images. You never know if you have something lying there that could pull in some nice monthly income.

Teach

webinar-4216601_640.jpg

Offer your expertise on a specific niche. There is always someone or some people who are looking to learn a new skill. Offer one-on-one sessions or put on a workshop for small groups. You could offer this locally as well as in a setting where you traveled to teach. Technology makes everything so accessible now; so you could also offer webinars online via Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Google Hangouts just to name a few.

 

What are some other ways that could possibly generate income for someone involved with photography? Have you tried any of the choices listed above? If so please comment below and let me know what has worked the best for you.

Total You Health and Wellness

I love connecting with passionate people. Let me ask you something...Have you ever met someone that was so driven or someone who refused to let anything get in their way? Meet Desha Long of Total You Health and Wellness.



Desha contacted me about a session because she was going to be launching her business soon. We spoke, planned and got a date locked in. Desha has such a great personality and she naturally loves taking care of people. She works as an ER nurse and she is a certified wellness coach with a concentration in Naturopathy. Her new business is all about taking care of you. Nutrition, healthy meal plans, diet and so much more. She eats, sleeps and breathes all things health.


DSCF2842-2.jpg

What kind of luck did we have to have for a half marathon AND a full marathon to be taking place on the same day of our shoot?! I made it to Studio Bella's early and missed all of the chaos only because I hate being late.  I could see outside that the traffic had begun to get out of hand due to the road closures and pedestrian activity downtown. Desha Called me and I could hear that she was flustered because every way she tried to get to the studio was blocked. She didn’t give up though; and somehow she found a way to weave thru all of the obstacles to get downtown. Think about it, if you’re from Dallas you know this traffic and construction can be a beast, but she didn’t let that stop her. The same way she was committed to getting to her session is the same way she will be committed to a healthier you. Show her some love and visit her site here

A new year, A new decade

Happy New Year!!!

 
bottle-of-sparkling-wine-4734176_1920.jpg

Man, where did the time go? 2019 literally flew by for me. Can you relate? Like, I feel as if I may have possibly missed some parts! I’m kidding slightly, but I am excited for new beginnings. I have goals that I exceeded last year and there were some that carried over into 2020. I have had conversations with numerous people and everyone thus far has outstanding energy. I think this year a lot of amazing things are going to happen for a great deal of people. I don’t think this is just another year where people are just saying what they’re going to do without having a plan of action. Someone is going to have a breakout year, I just know it.

home-office-569153_1920.jpg

Two things I said I was going to do this year:

  1. Post more to the blog. There were a lot of things I probably could have documented or touched on last year and just didn’t due to lack of planning or simply not having the time. I really want to make a better effort this time around.

  2. It may be videos, images or my stories on Instagram, but I want to show my face more. I show the work, but never myself really and that doesn’t really give you guys a chance to get to know me or about me does it? I’m shaking things up slightly and moving things around lol!

In the past I have bitten off more than I can chew and then probably pushed things aside only to not return to them. If you have read my previous posts or this is your first time stopping by I want to thank you for coming into my little ol’ world of creativity. Check back periodically and keep me honest and by all means please hold me accountable for the things that I mentioned above. Please stay tuned as I push more content out thru my various outlets, and I’ll talk to you in the next post.

 

GXA Ribbon Cutting

I always get excited when I get a call or text from my long time client Alicia Makaye for portraits or event coverage. Alicia is the Vice President of GXA IT Solutions alongside her husband George Makaye and they are one of the most generous, dedicated and genuine couples that I have met. Over the years I have watched them grow and it has been amazing to see and hear how far they have come with their IT company. They do so much out in the community, but this time the community came out to them.

Alicia conversing with a visitor about the newly acquired building.

Alicia conversing with a visitor about the newly acquired building.

 

Networking & Tour

Patrons came from all over to view this lovely space and there was a variety of sponsors in attendance as well. Bites were provided by SoulGood, a photo booth was set up by Photosbypjp, sweet treats were provided by BBVA and real estate professionals Alt+Co were in attendance to show support. This headquarters had so many wonderful amenities. A fully stocked break-room, a makeup room just in case someone needs to get photoshoot ready, lol! A nap room guys…Need I say more? When I found out about that I considered putting in a good ol’ application myself! In the middle of the space is a prayer room where you can go to be at peace, meditate, and just focus. The dynamic duo really put some thought into this space. It really is a sight to see and it is definitely a privilege to work there.

DSCF2187.jpg
DSCF2197.jpg
 

Snip, Snip…

The event had such a great turnout. There were visitors that came from all around the community from church members, employees and even people who just so happened to be passing by. I have been to ribbon cutting events in the past, but this is the first time that I attended one where there were two cutting ceremonies. The Richardson Chamber of Commerce as well as the Plano Chamber both visited and spoke to George and Alicia before the ribbon cuttings. They were more than excited to welcome the couple and congratulate them on their new space which happens to be prime real estate in the middle of an area that continues to grow. GXA are now neighbors to Texas Instruments, United Health Care, State Farm over in Cityline, UT Dallas and various other businesses. Plano Chamber of Commerce member Ron Schoof was very welcoming during his speech to the new members. One of the things that came up the most throughout the day was how much that George and Alicia enjoy to give. They have such big hearts and their love for philanthropy has always been a topic that they hold dear. I remember a few years back I was shooting an office party for GXA and Alicia told this story of how she was volunteering at Minnie’s Food Pantry earlier that day. She was so moved by a lady that she had encountered who had a young child and they had no place to stay nor food. She went on to tell the crowd how she and the founder of Minnie’s Food Pantry took the lady to the store and got food, toiletries as well as getting them set up in a hotel. I say this because one of the things Alicia said when she was addressing everyone at the ribbon cutting was, “Before anything else, we are givers.” I think everyone in attendance had known that prior to coming out.

DSCF2233.jpg
 
DSCF2352.jpg

“Before anything else, we are givers…”

 
DSCF2185.jpg
 

This was a great event for an outstanding team. I am beyond happy for George and Alicia on their new adventure as a couple and as professionals. Every time I encounter them I am hearing a story of personal growth not only about them, but the people around them as well. I absolutely cannot wait until we connect again to talk about what they are up to next.

Tom x Katelyn Downtown Dallas Engagement

We finally got some awesome weather! Spring has sprung and I am so excited to display images from my recent session with Tom and Katelyn.

loving couple walking.jpg

You can really tell how much these two love one another. Look at how they gaze longingly at one another! That is the kind of emotion photographers dream about. We made several stops during our time downtown. We began at the historic Dealy Plaza then made our way over to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza one block over. There is an abundance of history and beautiful architecture here. Using downtown as a backdrop definitely complimented these two lovebirds.


I always enjoy couples that interact with each other like I’m not there. They get so engulfed in the environment, the moment and the each other to where it’s easy for me to just sit back and capture those intimate occasions. Both Tom and Katelyn had great personalities as well. We talked about some of the history of Dallas all the way down to Game of Thrones. You can’t imagine the joy that came over me when I found out they were fellow fans of GOT. I nerded out just a little. They became my best friends after I found out. They can’t get rid of me now, LOL!

Before the end of our session we made a trip over to the Statler Hotel which was built in 1956. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get a few snaps in front of this classic car AND hotel on our way to Thanks-Giving Square. Prior to shooting we bounced ideas off of one another on locations we would potentially shoot at. Katelyn actually came up with the idea to end the session at Thanks-Giving Square and I am so glad that she did. I got to shoot an awesome couple in an awesome city; I am satisfied! Thank you for stopping by. Give the post a like/or comment below.

Robinson Family Session x Dallas Arboretum

When Chayla contacted me about a family portrait session I got super excited. A few years back I did Chayla and Vic’s engagement portraits. Fast forward to present date then add a baby in the mix and we have a party!

We planned to do our session at the Dallas Arboretum for the ending of their Autumn at the Arboretum exhibit. Imagine hundreds, maybe even thousands of pumpkins, gourds and squash being on display for locals and visitors alike to come take selfies, family portraits or just stroll through to see what’s going on. Our first stop had to be in the Pumpkin Village before we went anywhere else on the grounds.

I didn’t want to pose them too much during our time out because I really love seeing everyone in their element. Also, have you ever tried to keep a baby’s attention with a slew of noises and people walking by? It is almost impossible, lol! I expected a lot of foot traffic with it being Thanksgiving the next day, but it really wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. I was able to get off all of the shots I wanted with little to no problems. I even had help from a random onlooker with holding Auria’s attention. I had it for 2 seconds, LOL!

Before we wrapped up the family portraits we made a stop over at Northpark Center. I have the best clients I swear. They keep me on my toes with some of their requests. I hadn’t ever done a portrait session at the mall before and I didn’t know what we were going to be walking into with people doing some of their early Christmas shopping. I was really satisfied with the images we got while we were there. We actually found this cool spot outside of the Nike store that added some texture and contrast to the images. I could go on all day about these guys, but I won’t though. Take a look at some of our images from the day and leave a comment.


Donté x Ossie Uptown Maternity Session

Guess how these two spent part of their anniversary…Having a maternity session with me! I was really excited about working with Donté and Ossie on this maternity session. I had the perfect locations in mind for them. I spoke with the couple prior to the shoot and they told me they both come from the city and they wanted something to reflect that. Donté from New Orleans and Ossie hailing from New Jersey.

We started the session in West Village and I couldn’t have been more pleased. The weather was perfect surprisingly *Texas weather is crazy, the location was great but my couple stole the show. Definitely a stylish couple for sure. You could really tell how much these two cared for one another. Their chemistry was electric. Why do these pics make me think about R&B songs from the early 2000’s??? I’ve got some Carl Thomas going off in my head right now, LOL!

Our second stop was in Preston Hollow and the backdrop definitely complimented the couple. Ossie’s dress had this look of elegance that was just breathtaking and Donté added his signature flair to the mix. This shoot is an indicator of how much their baby will be loved AND how fashionable she will be! Take a look at our maternity session and share your thoughts.



Armond x Gwenia Bishop Arts Engagement Session

Armond reached out to me a while back to put this engagement session together for he and Gwenia. I already knew we would have a great shoot once we got everything mapped out. Mond or Teflon Mond is a celebrity barber and comes in high demand and Gwenia is an RN. Both saving people’s lives in their own rights.

A little backstory on the two. They have actually known each other since high school, but their relationship didn’t blossom until reconnecting through a mutual friend in college. Gwenia saw Armond and later mentioned that she thought he looked good to their friend. Mond took that info and ran with it. In fact he ran into her on the campus of Grambling where the two attended and things took off from there.

We started our engagement session over in the Bishop Arts District then made our way to the Dallas Arboretum afterwards to wrap up. Take a look at a few of the precious moments I was able to capture during my time with the two love birds.


Meet Sed

Recently I had the pleasure of shooting Mr. Sedrick Wall or Sedthegent if you are on instagram. We didn’t have a great amount of time to put this together, but everything came out great. The Texas heat was ridiculous that day, but Sed was a trooper for real. He made wearing a double-breasted suit in 90+ degree weather look easy. You have to make sacrifices to look good lol!

This guy is a jack of all trades. An entrepreneur, gives back to the community, super humble and has style for days. Speaking of which, he make custom clothes so if you need a few pieces you should definitely check him out.

Take a look at some of my favorite images from our session at Dallas Love Field.