Hunt's Cattle Dogs

Spring semester of my Freshman year at Texas Tech I took an intro history course from an instructor who made the course fun and interesting. Being the person I am, I sat in the very front, asked question, talked to the professor and the students around me (yes, I am that kid). The instructor, Mr. Sanford Hunt, put up with me and later supported me on my pursuit for the Miss Texas Crown. While many students pass through a teacher's classroom, very few come back to visit (again, I am that person). Mr. Hunt made a real impression on me and has always been on my mind as one of those people I will never forget. Well, with today's age, what do you do with people you know? You Facebook them because "it's not official if it's not on Facebook."

After finding him, we exchanged e-mails and asked if I'd like to join him one morning during his walk to photograph his cattle dogs. Why not? Recently I have photographed quite a few puppies, I am quite comfortable around all canines, even domesticated wolves. And I genuinely love dogs - grew up around big dogs so size has never intimidated me. Just gotta show them who's boss. So today I met the family out in a field out on 110th and Milwaukee and walked around the pasture, photographing Mr. Hunt's dogs as they looked for rabbits and chased each other.

Here they are, Red, Kate, Smoke and Brown doing what they do best! They sure were showing off for me - probably not every day they get company on their morning run!

Oliver

This weekend I went home for a dentist appointment and while I was there I got to know my family's new addition. Oliver. He's a four months old shepherd mix (I think he might have a bit of terrier in him. Jack Russel maybe?). Boy, does he have a funny personality. Not only did I get to know Ollie while I was in town, it was interesting seeing the shift in the hierarchy among all the animals. I'm sure next time I visit them, everything will be sorted out. My bet is on Cooper as Alpha. Murphy is just too skittish and besides, Cooper took charge of training Ollie how to be a Church dog.

Big stretch! Tough work being a puppy!

Church Family Portraits

I may be a little behind in updating my blog.... eek! New New Years Resolution FOUND!

For Christmas I got my family to get all dressed up and excited about getting family portraits done. Robert, Jaclyn's boyfriend, was the honorary shutter snapper. "Just keep pushing that button," I told him. He did a good job and managed to get a lot of gems. Of course, my family is pretty crazy, but I'll let the photos tell that story on their own.

Portrait Session: Lindsay

My sister Lindsay is a crazy individual. One thing I love most about her is she has no limit to her love. Since graduating I think my sisters have a little more confidence in my photography and have become more willing models for me. I followed Lindsay around while she got her car inspected and then we went to the park and did a quick shoot there. Enjoy!

My Crazy Pets

One of the perks of being home for the holidays is that I get to spend time with my wonderful pets. Each one has the most interesting personality! I want to dedicate this blog post to them.

This first picture is of Murphy. She is 8 years old, a mix between a Blue Heeler and Alaskan Husky/Wolf. Despite how much love she receives, she is a skittish dog. Very smart and very loving, she is terrified of wood floors and likes to eat her food in the living room. Recently she has gone through an allergic reaction to a flea bath and has picked off all the hair from her bottom and tail. It looks really sad. Though we know she is one of the happiest dogs in the world.

Kiki is Jaclyn's cat. 6 years old, she is very affectionate and when she lies down to rest, she'll straddle whatever she's sleeping on - be it a couch, a person's lap, or a pillow. She will come running when she hears someone whistle and if she really likes you, she'll give you kisses and then a love bite.

Now Cooper is a unique dog. He is a 2 year old mix between a German Sheppard and a Shar-Pei. We think he may have a bit of Labrador in him, but we love him regardless of what breeds he may be. He is a very smart dog and he sits so pretty and tall. Just like Murphy, he likes to eat in the living room too. He despises the mailman and is the first to announce anyone's presence outside the house.

Finally, there is Fat Kitty. Yes, that is her name. She is about 5 years old and she adopted us. She came to us when Jaclyn started leaving food out for her. She was pregnant and graced us with a litter of kittens after being with us for just a few weeks. It wasn't until we got her spayed that her personality changed from pure evil to moody and temperamental. She only wants to be loved on when she's in the mood and she will let you know when she wants to be pet. She'll come right up to you and interrupt whatever you doing and demand attention. After she's had enough, she'll run off hissing. Strange cat.


Yes, these are my pets. As crazy as they are, I do love them.

Portraits: Clay

I moved to Texas in 1999 and started my 6th grade year at Wimbish Elementary where I made new friends, new enemies and found a new identity. Clay was one of the good guys, one of the friends I kept when we went to junior high. While we only really knew each other for 2 years of public schooling, we saw each other occasionally in high school at speech tournaments and then found each other again through Facebook. A healthy dose of Facebook stalking ensued on both sides.

When Clay heard I was in the Metroplex, he sent me a message begging for some awesome photos from me. How could I say no? We met up and walked around the Highlands, and surprisingly, for a guy who has never had a portrait session before, he was a very cooperative model.

It was wonderful getting to catch up with Clay. Here are some of my favorite shots from the afternoon.

Portraits: MJ and Mason

Going up to the Parks Mall with Mason and his daughter MJ was an absolute adventure! It all started with me going through my portfolio and seeing there was an absence of photographs of children. One thing that made this such a great experience was that MJ knew me and was already at ease with me and when I lifted up my camera to take her picture, she went into full "diva" mode. Hand on hip. Big smile. "Aren't I fashionable!" she asked in statement form. Oh I don't think there was a moment I wasn't smiling around her. She is so smart and so sassy.

"Isn't daddy handsome?" Yes, MJ, he sure is.
"Don't I just look like a princess?" Yes, MJ. You are a beautiful princess.

Earlier I mentioned the sass.... ^^^
In this photo, I asked her to pose and after she turned around to face me, she put up her finger and told me I was allowed "one picture only." Okay. One picture. She was the boss.

As we were leaving the mall to go to a park, MJ put on a small show, dancing across the floor with a flurry of poses, twirls, spins, and a bucket full of smiles and laughter.

"Hey, MJ, can you go stand by that pole, under the sign?"
"Yeah!" she exclaims and goes and runs under the sign, looks at it and then grabs it. Of the photos from this spot, this was the absolute best. She loved to have her picture taken, but when she was done, she was done and it was off to the next spot, and the next adventure!