After the meeting I saw the gallery of recent images taken by staff photographers that weren’t in the paper (DUDE! These are some incredible storytellers..the images rocked my world!) and spoke with a couple photographers and editors. I would love to be a staff photographer at the Morning News.

1. During the summer we are going to have mini-sessions available.  These are great for families with small children (since their attention span isn’t very long or to update your facebook profile picture!  We are accepting 1 mini session a week in the evenings.  Check out the pricing page for more information!

2. Book us online!  You can book us with a click of the mouse just click “Book Us” on the home page.

3. Don’t forget about our Class of 2001 Model Call….the deadline is coming up, and I can not wait to meet you!  Next year we are offering our seniors some great new products (previews coming soon!)

4. Did you know we offer more than prints?  We also have custom storyboards, calendars and cards!

Images Without Borders sells gallery quality prints from images donated by incredibly talented photographers, with all profits going directly to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in support of their work to provide care and relief in Haiti and around the world.

9/27: (This is a state fair session)

10/17:

10/18: BOOKED! Hailee: Class of 2010!

11/7:

11/8:

11/14:

11/15: (This is the last session that I can guarentee you will have images by Christmas)

11/21:

11/28:

11/29:

Don’t forget about our Texas State Fair sessions and we still have two spots in Austin, Texas! Also we have a couple weekday openings.

eight18 photography is closed in December (we will re-open 1/5/2010), but beat the rush and start booking your sessions for 2010 at 2009 prices!

I know you probably love the fair too!  You know you do! How can you not? It is a blast! You know what else would be fun??   Hanging out with Eight18 Photography while they capture your time at the fair!  We would be your  personal paparazzi capturing your day or night at the State Fair!

These are very limited sessions. the following dates are availble:

Sept 27th:

Sept 28th:

Sept 29th:

Sept 30th:

Oct 1st:

Oct 7th:

Oct 8th:

October 15th

The 1st two bookings will recieve an upgrade to the “not yet announced Hybrid” session! (a $500.00 value)  You will be the 1st to know about it!

In 1992 my family moved from Southern California to Highland Village, Texas. Let me tell you how thrilled I was to give up the ocean, mountains, and Disneyland for flat land, cows, and Dallas Cowboys fans. Yes that was sarcasm at it’s best. Highland Village is a small town….well it was a whole lot smaller 17 years ago.  It is connected to Flower Mound (I hear you snickering at the name), and Lewisville….but still has it’s small town feel.  Every one knows everyone, and you even know police officers on a 1st name basis (ask any one about Officer April).  It took me a few years to get used to the “small town” but I grew to appriciate it, but moved as soon as I could, to places like New Mexico, Charleston, and Fort Lauderdale, to name a few.

Jason and I knew we couldn’t live in Fort Lauderdale any longer. We looked at everywhere but Dallas (Savannah, Orlando, Pittsburgh, San Antonio to name a few)….I didn’t want to live here again.  Why?  It is too close to the family I refuse to be a part of, and back to the small town stuff. Jason was offered his dream job (trust me I wouldn’t be able to turn it down either). Was I about to trade the ocean, cuban food, and Disney World, for  flat land, cows, and Dallas Cowboys fans?  Yes.  I admit I came kicking and screaming.  I realized I do have friends here, ones I am glad they have been in my life since 1992. They know me better than anyone else…and they are the only people who get some stories, like Jason off -roading where city hall now is, and getting stuck. Officer April helped him out and ” Top the Toga” means nothing to people who didn’t grow up in Highland Village. I also have some wonderful new friends.  The family I refuse to be a part of, well yes they are close, but it is nice to see my dad every month or so, he will be 70 next month.  We don’t live in Highland Village, but we do live on the opposite side of Lewisville Lake.  We still know who is who in Highland Villae, and Officer April is still there (there are only 25 officers…not hard to learn thier names people).  We tend to end up there more than we ever thought we would.  Last fall I even went to a couple Marcus High School football games, granted I was on the field shooting….but I was there, and I can still sing the school song.

The towns here are not the only community. There is the photo community. Dallas has a strong one…there are a ton of photographers.  Some who are incredible talented and are part of the “old guard”, and some awesome photographers who are “new blood”.  The best part, we all mix…because we know together, we can make the industry better.  We have ASMP, PPA, and more camera clubs than I can name.  We also have great Canon reps, and from what I hear a great Nikon rep. Way cool studios owners (like Spook Bolt)  and great independent stores (my 2 favorites are Arlington Camera, and Fort Worth Camera!)  I know if I had a question about gear or pricing, or needed help, they are only a phone call or e-mail away.  This is why I tell all photographers to get involved.  You are not an island, you are a part of a great pool of talent! We look out for each other, we are supportive and are…well lets say nosey about each others lives. We also all bring something to the table, Melody brings her many years running film in a lab (raise your hand if you remember film) and passion. Jerry brings camera gear,  and photo tips (like back button focus). Rex brings the photo-j world and a slightly cynical yet comical outlook on life.  Spook brings a quiet but giving spirit.  Teresa brings fine art to us. Donald brings talent, knowledge, the ability to teach and a great heart. The list could go on for days. I have no idea what I bring to the table.

We lost our storyteller, joke teller, and giant heart , David Pearson. Everyone has a David story.  Mine doesn’t involve cameras, I never knew him as a Canon Rep, but as a fellow resident of  yes, you guessed it, Highland Village.

Yesterday was the service for him. It was there I realized how glad and proud I am to be part of this community (photo and the small town I refer to as home on a good day).  Canon reps flew in from all over, photographers were there, 2 area camera stores closed so the staff could go and remember David.  This was just his photo family….he impacted a lot of people in his church and town as well.  I don’t think I would have seen that in Miami or New York.  There were tears today, lots of hugs, but more laughs (because that is how it should be)….we were all lucky to share this part of the earth with him.

He often said “it is what it is”. I can apply that out look for being back in Dallas…It is what it is…..I am lucky to be here.  I also plan on remembering this in every day life….things are not going to be perfect, why stress over it, “it is what it is”…but I’ll find the positive and work from there.