A long time friend of mine sent me this in an email today. It’s one of the most positive things I’ve come across of late.
Join the movement at www.playingforchange.com
Bittersweet Symphony – On the Verge of Being Committed
April 3rd, 2009
So I’m listening to Pandora (more on that later), and one of my very favorite songs comes up: The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony. I haven’t heard that song in ages!
I can’t help but let the melody sweep me into song at the top of my lungs and at the distress of Matisse’s poor ears. As I’m belting it out, I take a half turn in my office chair to find Mattie in the doorway:
It’s pretty bad when your own dog looks at you like you’re utterly crazy!
M.I.A.
April 2nd, 2009
Whew!
It’s been a crrrazy month! I’ve been so very bad about blogging and I’m feeling the pain. On the other hand, I have a lot of cool stuff to put up! Lots of photos, lots of ideas, lots and lots of past and upcoming adventures overall.
March was absolutely wonderful…but it was…well, in a word: brutal. I’m looking forward to a more “normal” time ahead. So, just breaking the silence here. There’ll be more to come soon.
Oh yeah! And Happy April Fool’s, Everybody!
Houston Arbor Day 2009
February 25th, 2009
I’m really excited about a recent partnership between Plum Tree Studios and Trees For Houston. At the end of last year I got to thinking about making a greater effort to work and live green and I came up with the idea to donate trees for every couple that books their wedding photography with me for 2009 and beyond.
I was looking for something that could have a local impact, and Trees For Houston has been phenomenal at giving me an opportunity to bring this project to fruition. I’m so happy that we can work together to make our city greener as well as commemorate such a special event with an honorary tree planting.
In late January I attended an Arbor Day tree planting in west Houston and below are my favorite shots from that day. It was a chilly and overcast morning, but so many people were out in force with smiles on their faces and planting trees. There must have been hundreds of trees planted that day in just this one spot of town! It was a great experience and I look forward to more opportunities like this.
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Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas
February 12th, 2009
Wondering what to get your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day? That’s easy: give the gift of photos.
Flowers wilt, candy gets eaten, but photos will last forever. Give your girl a feel-great gift with a portrait session to celebrate her beauty. Or book as session for the two of you! It’s a fun activity that will leave you with wonderful memories and a record of this spacial time in your life.
Plum Tree is celebrating Valentine’s Day with Half Off All portrait sessions booked in the month of February! So if you are getting engaged, take advantage and book your engagement portraits for 50% off. Of if you just want to give the gift of photos to yourself, your sweetheart, or any loved one, use one of the other two coupons below. Session must be purchased during the month of February, but can take place any time through 2009.
Wishing you a love-filled Valentine’s Day!
Plum Tree Studios Wins The 2009 Bride’s Choice Award!
February 10th, 2009
Wedding Wire has completed the first annual Bride’s Choice Awards and Plum Tree Studios has been selected amongst 100,000-plus vendors as a top pick for wedding photography in 2009!
The award is given based on responses from actual brides who were surveyed about Plum Tree’s photography services with criteria regarding service, responsiveness, professionalism, value of cost and flexibility. I am so incredibly honored and thankful for your positive feedback!
I can’t find the words for the blessing it is to do what I do. Being a wedding photographer is one of the absolute best jobs in the world and I am delighted to receive such an amazing award! Thank you so very much for making it possible!
Life Lessons
February 9th, 2009
For all the times I’ve heard that life is short, I never felt the truth of those words as I did today. Today I almost lost my brother. Today I learned to value life more than ever.
Instead of writing a woeful recounting of what brings me to my revelations, I just want to write down what I’m thankful for. I want to mark these words so that I never again forget. I want to say my thanks to God for teaching me this lesson without taking anyone away from me, and then thank Him again even for the bitterness that makes the sweet things taste that much sweeter, teaching us with every taste. I want to pray that we can all learn to value life, it’s brevity, and it’s fragility. Today I am thankful.
I want to always be thankful.
I want be close to my brother the way we’ve always been, but for the little while of late that we’ve let time and distance wear on that closeness. No ambition in the world, no project, no passions, nothing is more important that those you love. So I want to write this here today to remind me to keep them close. Let this be my reminder.
So, Where Are We Going? – Destination Wedding Photography
January 31st, 2009
Name the place. I’ll be there. I’m 100% fluent in Spanish, which is very convenient for south of the border weddings. And I know just enough French to get us out of a scrape. Obviously, I speak English…so that covers two whole continents and part of Europe. You up for it?
Seriously. Plum Tree Studios is setting its sights on Destination Wedding Photography, and I couldn’t be more stoked! Photography is inherently a movable business and with my knack for finding the best local cuisine and shopping, well I can double up as a pretty darn-good tourist guide! It just couldn’t come more naturally.
I’m so stoked, in fact, that I will travel (with an assistant) to photograph your wedding for FREE (including a sweet little package of goodies) – as long as you cover travel expenses for the day before and day of the wedding. So, if you are having a wedding somewhere other than Houston, Texas and you need a photographer, and you like what you see – give me a buzz. I’ll be running this offer for all of 2009.
Visit my website www.plumtreestudios.com to learn more about me and see more of my work. You can also contact me through there. Looking forward to it!
Seriously. Plum Tree Studios is setting its sights on Destination Wedding Photography, and I couldn’t be more stoked! Photography is inherently a movable business and with my knack for finding the best local cuisine and shopping, well I can double up as a pretty darn-good tourist guide! It just couldn’t come more naturally.
I’m so stoked, in fact, that I will travel (with an assistant) to photograph your wedding for FREE (including a sweet little package of goodies) – as long as you cover travel expenses for the day before and day of the wedding. So, if you are having a wedding somewhere other than Houston, Texas and you need a photographer, and you like what you see – give me a buzz. I’ll be running this offer for all of 2009.
Visit my website www.plumtreestudios.com to learn more about me and see more of my work. You can also contact me through there. Looking forward to it!
A Little Thursday Fun
January 30th, 2009
I just got the coolest little video from a friend. It’s T-Mobile’s latest campaign: Life is for Sharing.
I say: “hear, hear!” I just love to see how all the unsuspecting people react, first with a little befuddlement and then jumping right into the fun. Just as life should be!
A very clever advertisement for the widgets that make our magnificent lives instantly shareable. Enjoy the T-Mobile dance!
New Year – New Site and Another Photography Contest
January 17th, 2009
I’m very excited to announce the launch of my new site! www.plumtreestudios.com
I’m so happy to have it live and (mostly) off my very busy plate so that I can get back to what I love doing most: photography. I say mostly because I still have lots of photos to upload to the galleries — it’s tougher than it sounds! Putting things together for a site, though lots of fun, is hard work. It is however, a great creative exercise. So that’s how I’ve come away with the idea for January’s contest: A FREE Senior Portrait Session.
So here’s to graduating and looking forward to fresh beginnings! If you are interested in entering (or nominating someone you know), please email me the following:
I’m so happy to have it live and (mostly) off my very busy plate so that I can get back to what I love doing most: photography. I say mostly because I still have lots of photos to upload to the galleries — it’s tougher than it sounds! Putting things together for a site, though lots of fun, is hard work. It is however, a great creative exercise. So that’s how I’ve come away with the idea for January’s contest: A FREE Senior Portrait Session.
So here’s to graduating and looking forward to fresh beginnings! If you are interested in entering (or nominating someone you know), please email me the following:
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A photo of yourself (or your senior) with a little background info
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Age – if under 18, please provide proof of parent’s permission
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Info on any talents, interests, projects, or achievement that set you apart
The winner will receive the following – A $250 value:
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1 hour on location portrait session
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A CD of all high res images with a print release
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Online gallery to share photos with loved ones
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Slideshow of select images set to music
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A $50 print credit for professional prints
Last day to send your email is 1/31/09. Blog comments get you brownie points!