Archive for September, 2007
This Weekend is Big!
Just thought I would let you all know that this weekend I will be pretty much out of commission for phone and email. For starters, I will be photographing Bekah & Brett’s wedding in Allen (church) and McKinney (reception). Remember Red?!
Also, it is a certainly little girl’s 2nd birthday on Sunday. That certain little girl is, oh, only the most precious thing in the world…and who am I to turn my attention away from the most precious thing in the world??? You can expect a big time wedding post and a big time Millie’s Birthday post next week…till then, HUGS!
Tagged Again!
In the blog tag game that never ends, I’ve been tagged again by my photog friend Leah Simmers. Since I told you 8 things about myself just a month ago, I’ll look down deep and try to find 8 more things that are blog-worthy. Hope you don’t fall asleep…I’m not that exciting, really!
1) I love Tivo. However, I often find myself wanting to fast-forward or rewind real life. This is what happens when you are clearly addicted to television. Twelve step program, here I come!
2) When I was little, I used to make fruit punch out of red Jell-o by swishing it back and forth in my mouth. Yum. My brother is just as guilty, but his Jell-o color of choice was green.
3) Since Bobby & I read books to Millie in such a theatrical way, it kind of annoys me when other people don’t read that way. I mean, if you’re not gonna do the voices, what’s the point?! =)
4) I secretly wish I could play the drums!
5) Don’t tell him, ’cause I don’t want him to get a big head, but I love it when Bobby wears his hat backwards…so cute!
6) The little green guy (Brobee) on Yo Gabba Gabba scares the crap out of me. His weird playdough mouth and his long monkey arms creep me out in a major way!
7) I love doing laundry and actually find it to be therapeutic in some strange way. The warmth of the fabric fresh from the dryer and the little pop of the Bounce fragrance calm me while the sorting and folding feed my OCD tendencies. Yep. I am a freak.
8) One day, I hope to be able to use my counseling & professing background coupled with my experience as a photog to offer newbie photographers a workshop. Stay tuned!
Now, I hafta tag some other bloggers, so I will tag some non-photogs for a change!
1) Wendy Kidd of Each & Every Detail
2) Tomi Cheeks
3) Steph & Tim
Aww nuts! Okay, you got me. That was a very sneaky way to get me to “holla back” The wacky thing is that alot of your things are quite similar to mine…totally did the jell-o thing, I also dig the laundry for the folding…but I will come up with my own I suppose. think think think…..
by the way…. I want my name on the top of that work shop list. 
OOhhh!!! FUN! I hadn’t checked here in a few days. I’ll get right on it!
Holla! I Got a Shout Out From…
Wendy Kidd, wedding planner extraordinaire and owner of Each & Every Detail, on her blog! Go check out what she thinks about me. Hopefully, you’ll agree!
Click here to read the fabulous compliments!
100% agree! you ROCK.
that is awesome! congrats!
Gossip Girl
It has not even been a year since Juxtapose Photography really started. Last Fall, I had hoped to get a few portrait clients in for Christmas picture time, and was very blessed to have met this cool chick named Jenny through my sorority sister, Jenn (yeah, I know…same name, sort of).
I had always hoped that my business would take off due to word of mouth, as a referral is the ultimate compliment from your client. Sure enough, since Jenny knows the whole state of Texas (well, at least all of the nurses in Texas), my phone began to ring and email inbox became flooded after our photo session. As my thank you to Jenny, I told her I would treat her to a complimentary family session. It is so fun for me to get to pay my clients back from time to time. Referrals are what keep me going, so when clients go out of their way to help me get business, I will hook them up! I can’t thank Jenny enough, as she is one of the biggest reasons I am getting to live my dream.
Here is Miss Gossip Girl, Jenny, and her photogenic family (hubby Joel & kids Jack & Caroline), as captured in fantastically fun Downtown McKinney…my stompin’ grounds.
Doesn’t this look like Jack is little baby Jesus falling from the heavens?! This image makes Bobby nervous, but I love it!
Jack says, “Gimme a beat!”
Hubba hubba, right? Jack is in lurve!
Definitely one of my favorite shots from this session…Jack is going to be the next big thing!
these are so great! they must love them!
shut UP. you have only been doing this a year. Girl, you are straight up AMAZING! These are so great. I love the colors. Looks like a fun fam. And the guitar shadow is one of my favorites ever!
This is my favorite session that you have EVER done. Seriously. I love every moment of it!
OMG….This is one of my ALL TIME FAVES, Kate! Colors, lines, expressions, emotions….What a connection you made to capture each personality…and then the entire family. ARTIST YOU ARE!!!
Kate, I check your blog regularly, and am so amazed at what you can do with these little ones especially. I can’t for the life of me get my Kate to give me a cute pose that’s not a snap shot, add to that the fact that she goes “I see, I see” whenever she sees my camera. I love your work!
Alright girl - I might be a bit biased, but these pictures ROCK!!! The family looks absolutely adorable - I’m so glad you got to capture them! =) Seriously, I couldn’t have asked for (a) a better photographer (b) better pics to hang EVERYWHERE!!!!! I love reading the posts from other people - it’s rather complimentary. So was your *sweet* blog you wrote before the pics. I can’t wait to see the rest. YOU ROCK!!!!!!
Honstly, I’m shocked you started just a year ago, your work rocks!
Thanks, guys! I had a blast at this session and was blessed with a great fam to work with!
AltF Said Juxtapose This!
It was honestly a dream come true to have our portraits done by John Michael Cooper of AltF. On September 6th, the day before our 5th anniversary, Bobby & I were picked up at the Bellagio by JMC in his bitchin’ Caddy and were swept off to Downtown Las Vegas.
Bobby was a bit nervous, so he and John decided to grab some beer at Hennessey’s Tavern. While we were there, John told us about this super cool room that artists paint and repaint murals in every month for First Fridays. We decided to check it out and it was ROCKIN’!
Then, we decided to stroll around the downtown area and meandered into the Arts District.
So sweet!
This next one is definitely my fave of the two of us…I love the way we are looking at each other.
I adore this next series. We found an appliance store with a random poster of Marilyn Monroe that was between 2 appliance posters. We decided to vamp it up and kick it “trashy fashion editorial style”!
John was blown away at the mere existence of this pay phone. I mean, how 1982 is that?!
We call this one “Hugs ‘N Thugs”. I LOVE the way we are all crammed into the frame for the perfect juxtaposition of cultures. These guys were so cool to let us hang with them for a bit.
After the session, John took us to the Parasol Down Bar at the Wynn Hotel for drinks. We just kicked it for a bit and watched the interesting passersby and then said our goodbyes. Thanks, John, for a fabulous time! We missed you, Dalisa, but we’ll catch ya on the flip side…hugs to ya both!
these are soooooo fantastic! your fav is my fav! you guys look great together!
Been waiting to see these! And of course, they are HOT! I’d love to see the rest of ‘em if we ever manage to get together again and hang out!
1. you are a HOT MAMA 2. You guys are SO cute together. I love the looking at eachother one too 3. I am totally JEALOUS that THE AltF did your pictures!!
OH MY GOSH! Kate - you hot momma! I ADORE these pictures. You guys look awesome!
love the one with the fish and fries sign, looks like a great time!
you’ve been tagged!
Thanks so much! You guys are the sweetest!
You guys look amazing! I never knew my best buds were celebrities in hiding!
You guys are HOT!!!! That first shot is vintage AltF. I LOVE it!
[…] terrific trio: Bobby, Mills, & me. We have tons of photos of Mills alone and with Bobby, some uber cool ones of Bobby and me, but none of all of us together. We have so much love goin’ on in our fam, and I really DO […]
Ok…I’ll Give In to the Pressure!
The first picture is definitely of my package I received from JMC, otherwise known as AltF, and contained the images from the big 5th anniversary photo session in Vegas (go Julie, go Julie!). I’ll be showing them off tomorrow, so check back!
The second is my package from B&H Photo Video, and contained my kickass new lighting gear which I purchased with the help of my good friend, Erin Vey, otherwise known as Seattle’s Dog Photographer and all around cool chick. I am so excited to kick my lighting up a notch!
Do notice that I used the PAST TENSE when using the word CONTAINED. CONTAINED is not something I was AT ALL as I was RIPPING THE BOXES TO SHREDS TO GET MY GOODS!
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post with the AltF pics!
It’s Just Like Christmas Morning!
Guess what I am sitting in front of that just graced my doorstep? Any takers???
Holla back if you have a clue!
Are they the pics you had done in Vegas????
A new camera?? Gotta love Google! lol…
I know!! But I would be cheating if I said anything PLEASE take some shots of your AltF goody and post them. I’m dying to see!!!
Or…Julie may have it right…..HMMM….
Hmm, the Alt-f box makes me think it could be his Combo Bookmaking DVD, but the B&H label is confusing me, cuz I did not think they sold that, so, maybe it’s a new Nikon camera or lens?
Oh! I guess I should clarify that there are TWO things! Julie got ONE of them right, and I guess I should just tell you the other. Stay tuned!
Oooooh I want to see!!!!! Quit being such a tease!!! It’s obviously the pics of you from Vegas!
Movin’ On Up…Jefferson Style!
Last month’s hospital stay really kinda pushed us here and there. We were challenged as to how much sleep we needed to function, how long we could go with seeing our baby poked and prodded without breaking down, and how much fast food we could consume due to being away from home.
Millie was not only challenged by being in a 100 square foot room for 4 days, but by also sleeping in the hospital bed…by herself. Until then, she always slept in her crib/cage/baby prison. She really felt like she was hot stuff sleeping in that “big kid bed”, and kept talking about it long after we had gotten home from the hospital. So, last Sunday, Bobby and I left Mills with her GaGa (Bobby’s mom) and ventured out to IKEA to get all of the fixin’s for her big kid bed.
Here is Princess Millie on her new throne. We are so proud of her. She hasn’t even TRIED to escape. She loves to cover up and have her whole barnyard of animals with her as she burrows into the big kid bed. Too cute!
The classic “What-you-talkin-bout-Willis?” face…yeah, Millie’s not expressive AT ALL.
i’m so glad she’s back at home and feeling good enough to make the willis face even! awesome shots! i didn’t know her full name is emilia. I have Emily, but she doesn’t even know that’s her name because we call her Mimi. I seriously think we were separated at birth.
how precious is that face!
oh my GOSH, that last photo is PRICELESS!!! It’s need to be printed BIG and on display, I just love photos like this that truly capture a child’s personality
Reading about your experience in the hospital reminded me of when we were there for a week with Regan just after he was born. I can relate to all those feelings (minus the sleeping in a big bed, since he was a newborn). HUGS to you, so glad you guys are home and things are going better now
ohh my word, little miss millie is growing up SO fast. i sure miss her a lot. tell her that i love her!
Now Showing
On Saturday morning, I met Katie and Paul Michael (or PM, as I call him) at the Shops at Legacy in Plano. It was such a lovely distraction from the breathing treatment factory that we call home. Bobby’s mom came to help us with Millie, so I eagerly seized my opportunity to regain some sanity and met up with Katie and PM. These two are near and dear to my heart, as they are loyal repeat clients who hired me when I was just getting started last November. THIS November, their little baby chica will be born! Katie and PM will be the most AMAZING parents, as they are both fun-loving with ginormous hearts. Plus, their careers could come in very handy! Katie is a fabulous nurse and PM is a preacher man, so I will gladly bet that their little girl will be healthy and spiritually fulfilled!
OK…how gorgeous are they???
And, go ahead. TRY to tell me that Katie doesn’t look like an absolute goddess in this next photograph. Just TRY!
If you are a faithful blog follower, I am guessing that you have noticed how I am quite drawn to SIGNS and often find a quirky little home for them in my images. For instance, Katie is NOW SHOWING, and is looking more beautiful than ever!
How smokin’ are these two? Get a room! Oh, oops…I guess you already did. =)
Another thing I tend to include in my sessions is BYSTANDER ACTIVITY in the background, or even bystanders engaged in some sort of activity WITH the main subject. People make the world go ’round, and I adore capturing unique connections between my clients and their surrounding environment.
Check out the mom and kid on the trikes behind Katie and PM…this will be them in about 2 years!
After we had exhausted the Shops, we headed to Katie’s parents’ house for another little project a la Juxtapose.
The concept that most sets me apart from other photogs the way I UTILIZE FOOD AND DRINKS IN MY SESSIONS. It was not a conscious decision to include it when I first started, but it has since evolved into a definite source of my inspiration. Food can be so representative of personality, of a moment, or of an emotion, that it has become so natural for me to want to include it in shoots. Plus, I think my clients dig it, as well!
I know Katie did. (Two snaps for anyone who just got that little joke.) During her pregnancy, Katie has craved chocolate chip cookies like Lohan craves the drink, so I thought we should whip up a batch and let her go to town!
PM’s little cookie monster! Just don’t tell her doctor she is eating that cookie dough!
Can’t wait to meet Miss Bailey! Sending lots of love and cyber-epidurals. Muah!
What an ADORABLE session!!! I just love all the thought, and meaning and symbolism you put into each shot. IT makes them all the more special!
Chris and I just tried a maternity session with me over the weekend and we had to put the cookie dough to good use as well….. I was just craving it again a little while ago 
I hope to have the photos up on the blog in a few days.
Well - this is my nephew and his adorable little wife! What a joy to see these pictures - the special interest you feel for them is evident and the love between them cannot be missed! Thanks you for these beautiful memories!
i’m totally in love with that session. She is STUNNING, and so are your shots! The ‘now showing’ one…so good! and the silhouette against the white rocks… and the cookie dough! too much goodness for one post!
and i’m so sorry to hear about sweet millie. That’s so scary. i hope it passes very soon. You guys must be exhausted. sending YOU big cyber hugs!
these are so great…so creative…so refreshing…i bet they love them!
i love the belly shot (#4)…i bet it looks killer in B+W!
thanks for the blog love! i just had to say that i LOVE this session you did - the pics rock and the ideas you came up with are so fun!
see. i knew we were soulmates! i incorporate food too! as much as possible. food and anything to do with water. waterfalls. lakes. sprinklers. yup!
[…] only did I photograph her parents last fall, but I also got to photograph her when she lived inside the basketball that Katie was smuggling. Katie and Paul Michael are just some of my very favorite clients, and guess what? Because […]
[…] is one of Katie’s best friends. Now Katie’s Bailey will have a new little friend come this October. Little […]
[…] sure does fly. It’s pretty crazy that I have been photographing this family (and their relatives and friends and more friends) since before Bailey was even a notion. Then she […]
“Make Me Smile Friday”
I am declaring today a national holiday, and its name will be “Make Me Smile Friday”.
Millie is sick…again. We spent 3 hours in a clinic last night due to more breathing issues stemming from yet another cold. Forget Cheers! I feel like the places where everyone knows our names are ABC Pediatrics and Walgreens! She is back on the breathing treatments (every four hours), plus stronger antibiotics and oral steroids. In addition to that, we will have to start giving her a DIFFERENT kind of breathing treatment twice a day TILL FREAKING MARCH!
Needless to say, I am in a crap mood. I am tired and I want my kid to be a kid again and to not be able to say “medicine” and “treatment” so articulately. I don’t want my kid to walk into the doctor’s office like she owns the joint, and I certainly don’t want her to be watching as much TV as she is. BUT, what are you supposed to do with a sick kiddo that isn’t allowed to play outside? We can only play kitchen and discuss her shapes and colors and take care of the babies and “draw color” so much until we are both looking at each other wondering which one of us is going to snap first!
To get myself into a better place, I have decided to try to focus on the things that make me smile. It is a short assignment that will hopefully help me remember to be positive and that sleep is for wimps, so I should definitely be able to forge ahead. =)
I adore my late grandmother’s vintage jewelry. I undoubtedly get a spring in my step with each piece I wear!
These are what I believe summer tastes like. I am eating one right now, and am already beginning to grin.
As pricey as this stuff is, I’d gladly eat Top Ramen to be able to afford it…totally worth it!
This is the best smelling stuff out there. It smells like confidence…not like Teen Spirit.
I adore seeing Millie’s scribbles strewn around the gameroom upstairs. She is my little budding artist!
Waking up to this sign on Bobby’s pillow definitely puts a smile on my face. He is so considerate to let me know that he is running, so if I wake up and he isn’t there, I shouldn’t worry. So cute!
Like my nanny and my mom, I have a rose garden. The difference is that I don’t know what I am doing as far as gardening goes, and my roses still rock the hizzee, so I can totally fool people into thinking I am a Martha.
Lastly, mint makes me squeal. It is great by itself, but even better in a mojito made by Bobby…can I have one tonight, babe?
If you can think of anything that will make me smile, leave me a comment! I will try to return the favor!
You must also get a kick out of making me cry (that’s right folks, I’m a crier)!!!
I love you and thank God everyday to have you as m’lady and my baby momma!
Love always,
Bobby
i hope you are feeling better now and smiling a little more. hope millie is feeling better soon too.
i’m right there with with you and the mojito! cheers!
What a cool and unique peek into your life. I love that “Gone Running” sign…you have a good man over there! Still feeling bad for Millie…hope she gets better sooner than later!
I’m sorry Ms. Mills isn’t feeling so hot. I can’t believe they want her to take stuff til March! You’re always in my thoughts and here’s something to make you smile…guacamole!!!!
poor millie… 
we’re pullin for her and hoping she gets well soon.
Hi BooBoo….I’ll sprinkle some Peanut Butter M&Ms on your day and be right over with homemade chicken noodle soup….Do I see a smile? I love you….and Millie….and Roberto!!! Mom
mmmmmmm Mojitos!!!! Chris makes some killer mojitos, I can’t wait till I deliever Isabella so I can have one! ok, ok, I can’t wait to deliver her so that I can see her little face for the first time and hold her, but I ALSO can’t wait for one of Chris’ mojitos
Hope Millie is feeling better soon. I can relate to your feelings, my middle son Regan was sick if felt like for the whole first year of his life and was on breathing treatments. no fun!
I love this post. It’s absolutely what I needed to see today. Sometimes in life we get overwhelmed with what’s going on..we forget the happy things in life. I love this post. I’m praying for your daughter to feel better.
I hope Millie feels better soon! Maybe this will make you smile - Jake is here and can’t wait for you to photograph him! He’s just waiting for his mommy to get her act together to make it happen We’ll be praying for your little one.
Happy “being a Mommy” for two years! Isn’t it great! I love two- it is so so fun! Have a fab time with that precious little one!