Senior Portraits : Mylie Wilde

Mylie is an incredible woman. We've been friends since freshman year at Tech when we both started working at the CMLL (Classical and Modern Languages and Literature's). Mylie is studying to be a Special Education Teacher. I'm so proud of her. That is one of the toughest jobs I can think of anyone pursuing. One must have a ton of patience and also a ton of love. Mylie definitely has that and more.

You're one of my favorite models, Mylie. I love you. Good luck after graduation!

Portrait Session: Ethan Bailey

Ethan is an advertising major and one day, as I was lugging all my photographic equiptment around plus some, he pointed at me and was like, "Was ist das?" Not really. I don't actually think he knows any German, but the other redhead I know does know German, therefore now everytime I see one I think of Germans. Ethan isn't even really a redhead either. Wow... that sounds terrible. I'm going to shut up about that now.

Anyway, so he asks me what all this bulky metal poles and fancy bags was about and I told him I was a photographer. Since I was doing my special topic on portraiture, I asked him if he would like some facy photos taken and, well, who could resist a pretty face asking you that? So, we scheduled a time, place, I got injured so we had to reschedule a time and place and then met up at that time and at that place and then these photos were snapped. Fabulous. And then I edited. And life was good again.

Enjoy!

A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer

A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer is an incredible collection of stories that bring forth issues of violence against women and girls are funny, heartfelt, angry, tragic, beautiful and inspiring. Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues, edited MMRP, which features pieces from "Until the Violence Stops" which is an international tour that brings the issue of violence against women to the forefront of our consciousness.

Stories of self-mutilation, being a single mother, women's work, S&M, domestic abuse, and bras are told by women and men who's voices can and will no longer be silent. This is the second year MMRP has been performed at Texas Tech. Last year I had the privilege of participating in the event. This year I was privileged with the opportunity to photograph it.

"In the current era, it takes some brain racking to think of anyone else doing anything quite like Esler. She's a counter-cultural consciousness-raiser, an empowering figure, a truth-teller."
- Chicago Tribune

To view more photos of the event, click HERE.

Puckett Fun and Max's Recital

In-between photographing the Puckett family and Max's Junior Recital, I felt it was wrong for me to put my camera down, so I walked around and snagged a few fun shots before the recital began. Like I said before, I had a ton of fun with this shoot. You guys are precious!

Puckett Family Portraits

Max Puckett III asked me one day if I would be willing to take photos at his Junior Recital. I said, yes, of course. Also, his family was coming in town and could I photograph them as well because they've been wanting some family portraits. Sure, I said, how many in your family? About 20. Eff. At first, my self doubt took over. There was no way I could do something like this! No WAY! But, then I told the little fearful child of doubt that this was a much needed challenge. I could not expect to call myself a photographer if the largest group of people I shot was five. So, I rented some equipment from the Mass Comm lab, scouted a location in the Student Union Building where 20 people could fit and put myself in a mindset ready for the challenge.

Ultimately, I had a lot of fun with it. The family knew exactly what they wanted and were quick to pose and get out. I love this shoot because of the personality of all the kids, and the chemistry of the family. Who knows when my next family portrait session will be, but I won't be afraid of it this time, I'll be looking forward to it!