Archive for June, 2008
Chewy :: The Dawg
Last week I had one of the more emotionally challenging shoots I have ever experienced. As a huge fan of dogs, it was heartbreaking to learn that McKinney local Suzanne had recently received the news that her Chewy had been diagnosed with brain cancer. She requested a session to capture Chewy’s spirit, and time was of the essence. Feeling the pressure of the situation, I armed myself with my gear and a big helping of steely coldness to prevent myself from crying.
Thankfully, we seemed to have gotten a gift from the gods just in time for the shoot. Chewy’s medication perked her up long enough for her to charm me with her doggy ways!
She managed to muster enough energy to bark at a neighboring cat!
Waiting patiently for her treat.
Chewy, may your tail always wag, no matter where you are.
I’m Chewy’s neighbor — you have captured our sweet friend utterly.
WOW. Absolutely Fabulous photos …… I am in awe of your ability to capture her without really knowing her…. amazing in a less than 45 minute meet.
…….life spawns connections and i’m grateful for my brief connection with you a year or so ago as that connection allowed this day to occur ..perhaps another juxtapostion of sorts? My eternal thanks …
Big hugs for Chewy!!
Suzanne-I am so glad that these fit the bill. She is such a beauty, inside and out…a sweet, sweet girl.
Wow-Kate, you’re an angel with a lens. I just had some bad news today about my snugglebuns rattie, Templeton, He’s a rat, but he’s my baby 100%! We were given the word today that he has a terminal lung tumor. I’m so thankful to know that someone else appreciates the spirit of our furry family members. Suzanne, your angel is so lucky to have a wonderful mommy to make her the eternal star of her life! She certainly has a lot of spirit and she seems to know that she’s the star of this show. I wrote a blog today about how my most beautiful gifts have come from furry unexpected packages! She is certainly the grand prize, and I’m sure she feels the same way about you.
Tara, i was sorry to read about Templeton, i will hold you both in my thoughts and prayers. I think it was Will Rogers who said “Dog is man’s best friend because they wag their tails instead of their tongues” … tails wags for both Chewy and Templeton !!!!
I am Chewy’s aunt. I have had the priveledge of hearing a lot of Chewy stories beginning with day one….how she almost missed being part of Suzanne’s life. I know she brougth a lot of happiness to Suzanne and I am thankful for that! Miracles do happen.
My heart aches for Suzanne–and for you. You gave her a beautiful gift.
What a precious way to always have a physical remembrance of your baby. You will never forget her nor should you. Ms. Mags and I are praying and thinking about you both. May God give you peace. I love you.
The Stoneleigh Hotel Will Blow Your Mind.
As a guest of the Caplan Miller gals (Sarah, Courtney, and Amanda), I got to see the beauty that is the newly renovated Stoneleigh Hotel. I brought my camera, because, well, that’s what I do. However, I found it quite difficult to photograph while simultaneously holding a cocktail and an evening bag. I ended up socializing more than snapping, but here are some of my favorite things about The Stoneleigh that I did manage to capture.
The hotel had some of the most amazing chandeliers I have seen…and we all know I love chandeliers enough to include one in my logo!
Love this shot. The food was presented in a most ornate way.
Can you say garnish?
It was great to meet Chef Gallegos and to see Chef Bull again.
Um, hawt, right?
Their spaces in The Penthouse are perfect for an intimate yet fantabulous wedding. Seriously. Go check them out and have someone with you to pick your jaw up off of the floor.
if you put another pic of octopus up…. please warn us!
Wow, super swank!
Exquisite!
ps… pictures are too!
Oh, WOW! I can guarantee that the staircase did NOT look like that 30 years ago–or even 3 years ago. Makes me wish i had been there. Makes me think i will go. Thank you.
Wow. No words.. my jaw is still on the floor. Magnificient!
the octopus is nuts. The stairs are sooo HAWT!!
These are fantastic pictures Kate! You just keep getting better and better. I hope things are going well!
The staircase totally rocks! Great photos!
Word to Your Moms.
Just wanted to shout out and let y’all know that I am sorta kinda on break for the next 2 days. I need some time to recollect myself aka do yoga, wash some clothes, and generally stay away from the ‘puter.
When I return, I will bring:
Chewy :: The Dog
The Grand Opening of The Stoneleigh Hotel of Dallas
Tara + Clay :: Hitched
How ya like them apples?
Bring on the Stoneleigh! I spent many a night there in its truly antique days. In fact, my previous, husband, Keith, proposed to me there. And did you spend time in the Stoneleigh P across the street?
Enjoy your time off.
Stoneleigh?! Girl, you got some talent and I can’t wait to see the pics!! My cuz proposed to his wife there as well.. it’s such a beautiful place, I am interested to see what/where you shot and how you did it.
Taylor Kate is Here!
Oh, I have been in hog heaven over the past couple of months getting to photograph all of these babies! On Thursday, I got to meet Amie and Michael’s little newborn, Miss Taylor Kate. They were certainly ready for her, and she didn’t disappoint. Not only is Taylor a gorgeous baby, she is just as tiny as a sack of sugar. Every move she made, we responded in unison with excitement much bigger than her 6 lbs. and a bunch of ounces sized frame could account for.
Meet the newest Juxtapose Baby! Let’s Rock!
She sleeps.
She eats.
She plays.
She sleeps. This one just cracks.me.up!
Oh, now she’s awake!
So tiny and so so so lovable.
A favorite!
Getting sleepy again.
But wait, it’s time to be tutu fabulous!
Love this last shot. Their gaze is in the light. May it always be.
Ahhhh I LOVE them, they are so perfect! I can’t wait to see the rest!
She is so gorgeous. You guys are so lucky and blessed. Michael you will be a great father! I love what we can see of her room. Its a cool thing being a parent………………
We might have to have another baby just so you can take some pictures.. my fave is the baby burrito on the bed.. so simple and perfect!
so sweet. love them
Thanks for the baby fix! What a doll!
[…] cannot believe this child is rolling and sitting and laughing so hard. Last time I saw her, she was a tiny newborn, and boy has she grown up! Her parents, Amie and Michael, are doing a wonderful job as parents. […]
Deal or No Deal? Definitely DEAL.
OMG. I am just so excited. Let me start at the beginning. 2007 was a year filled with Peanut Butter M&Ms. Seriously. I was ADDICTED. I went through 1lb. bag after 1lb. bag, and at first, you couldn’t even tell. I thought I was hot stuff, like, “Oooo. Look at me! I can eat all this crap and I don’t even gain weight!”
Yeah. That lasted a few months until, one day, I tried on one of my favorite dresses to go out to dinner and was in shock. I thought to myself, “I have a ghetto booty. Good God, put a stop to THAT!”
So, I tried to put a stop to THAT by presenting myself with a challenge:
Make it to December 31, 2008 without eating one single Peanut Butter M&M, and I can get a brand new fabulous Gucci bag.
So far, it has been easy as pie. And cookies. And cake. Don’t forget the ice cream. Or the cupcakes.
My addiction to PB M&Ms has quickly turned into a bad, bad cookie habit. I crave them when I am not hungry. I dream of them at night. I love the cherry + white chocolate ones from Market Street and Pepperidge Farm’s Dark Chocolate Pecan chocolate chunk cookies. I secretly pray that Bobby won’t eat the last one so I CAN HAVE IT.
Sugar is evil, and I am about to stop the madness. I just told Bobby that I needed to bust up the original challenge and kick it up a notch. If I can stay away from all desserts (except fruit based popsicles, Dreyer’s Lemonade to be exact) until December 31, 2008, I will buy myself a new Nikon D3. My husband is AMAZING. He said if I can do that, then I should buy myself the D3 and then HE will buy me the GUCCI BAG!!!
So, please keep me in your thoughts, as I am the Amy Winehouse of baked goods addictions. The prognosis looks bleak, but with your support, come December 31st, I will be photographing in high style.
and then you’ll donate your awesome old not so big deal camera to a non-pro who you will be your apprentice.
… hey. we can dream.
no way!
this is not allowed
cause i am going to dallas at the close of this summer
and we’ll need a trip to spoons!
what are you gonna do?
twiddle your thumbs?
OK, good luck, but start by taking the picture of that cupcake off the top of the screen. There is ACTUAL RESEARCH that demonstrates that the very act of looking at the stuff can lower your metabolism! (I know everything there is to know about excuses for being fat.)
[…] So, please keep me in your thoughts, as I am the Amy Winehouse of baked goods addictions…. Source: Deal or No Deal? Definitely DEAL. […]
I have been addicted to sugar since my first pregnancy. It’s a hard hard thing to say good-bye to. I think I could actually give it up if I knew a D3 was waiting at the end. You can do it!
[…] sooooo wanted to try this kind, but a deal’s a deal. Oh, it was so difficult to control […]
[…] Sarah’s teeny carrot cake from Jean-Phillippe looked amazing, but I didn’t break the deal. […]
Natalie :: Unbridaled (The Shoes)
Since Natalie’s groom, Jay might be watching the blog, we don’t want to give him a sneak peek. I’ll get to show you more after their July 12th wedding, but for now, feast your eyes on these puppies. I LOVE it when brides inject personality into their wedding via shoe selection. LOVE it!
great teaser shot!
Millie’s 1st Day of Dance
About a month ago, Millie’s friend Samantha’s mom (the everso hilarious Mandy) and I signed our girls up for a summer dance session so they could get a taste of ballet and tap. As parents, we notice little things like the desire to only wear dresses and the twirling and princess-y-ness of their little swaggers. The sudden disapproval of anything not pink and the increasing interest in television shows revolving around music and dance might also be a clue. We are raising some fierce girly-girls!
We got the leotard, tights, tutu, (a new fantastic nanny named Olivia, who works at the dance store) and 2 kinds of shoes a MONTH ago, in preparation for this day. I cannot tell you how many times the outfit has already been worn during dress up time at our house. Mills was begging for this day to come!
Words cannot express the joy that came over me as I walked Millie into her dance studio yesterday morning. She pranced right over to the door and stood for a moment. She looked at me, looked down at her star sequins sewn into her tutu, and just giggled with glee. I opened the door, and she ran in!
In her own little Millie style (cautious…impulsive…cautious, then…impulsive), she cased out the joint to make sure this was, indeed, a dance studio, and not a holding cell for naughty little boys and girls in time out. After waiting a few minutes, her friend Samantha arrived. Hugs flew around everywhere, and the rest is…herstory.
Waiting with baited breath for Samantha, Millie nearly exploded. They hadn’t seen each other in a whole month!
My gorgeous little ballerina in the doorway of her classroom, room 3.
For some reason, I want a big canvas of this.
Oh, the excitement amongst reacquainted friends made me want to clap my hands in celebration!
I couldn’t have planned sweeter moments.
Can’t you HEAR the giggles?
And, we’re done.
Silly Millie! Seriously, she is too cute. Definitely my favorite images of her you’ve posted on the blog. For sure get a canvas of her little feet in the mirror. Too cute.
This is the absolute greatest thing in the world! I cannot imagine a greater high than how I feel when I look at these and see the pure joy on Millie’s face. Seeing her w/ Sammie just warms my heart to no end to know that she has a friend like that!
I am not kidding, looking at this just makes me want to giggle like a 10 yr old kid who just can’t get it out of his system!
Kate, we are so lucky to have you AND Millie as our partners in crime–and dance! Sammy will be thrilled to see these when she gets up from her nap! Thank you for having your camera there!
Oh my goodnees!!!! You couldn’t have custom ordered a cuter kid. Watching mills and her little buddy makes me smile from ear to ear. Them in the classroom is probably my favorite ever! Love the new look too. 
YAY! this is very exciting! i cant wait to hear all about it!
Mills is the cutest ever!!!! I LOVE the one of her and Samantha in class together. Too CUTE!!!
I’ve been stalking your blog ever since my friend Stephanie Olson posted a link to it from her blog. I’m addicted…but I’ve also been a serious lurker. However, after seeing these pics I could lurk no longer. These are the CUTEST pics ever. You have a gift!
What a big girl! The tutu is to die for!
Passionate subject + passionate photographer = passionate photos. Great, great, great!
haha… love the last one of them lying in the door way… too much fun. can’t wait for my little one to start ballet.
I am loving that last one, too! It had me laughing out loud!
My 5-year-old daughter is a little ballerina and it is just precious to her daddy (me, duh) when she is getting her groove thang on. I love it when she asks me to dance ballet-style with her and then she corrects me like I am her student. ha!
I love #3!! Her skin complexion looks marvelous around the pale blue walls. She looks just like a doll. She has all of mommy’s features!
Wow! Fantastic pics - she is one precious little girl!
I found a link to your site on a fellow photographers site and… well.. being a photographer, I have book marked you and followed your work and seen some incredible shoots! I have no children, I will admit, but now I can see that the day I do, I will have no less thing to blog about then the wonderful bliss of motherhood. You do it oh so well. Thanks for sharing with us your experiences, your joys and real life. It is wonderful.
oh too cute, the last one makes me giggle
Kate - these are awesome! I love how you kept the entire door in photo four instead of cropping it down around Mills - perfection!
Ellie and Hudson, Hudson and Ellie
Meet the most darling kids in all of Fort Worth.
My sweet sweet friend, Courtney, whom I have known since SHE was a baby, just had her 2nd one. Since I was a little late on the “being a supportive friend” action when Hudson was born, I decided to get my Southern Belle act in gear and send over MY VERSION OF A CASSEROLE for Ellie’s birth! Trust me, Courtney and her fam are MUCH better off with the photographs instead. My cooking is gawd-awful unless it involves salad or PB and J.
Baby Eleanor (”Ellie”) has gorgeous pouty lips just like her big bro.
Courtney is the calmest and kindest mom (but not in a “I’m gonna do whatever you say because you’re cute” kind of way).
She gets it from her wonderful parents, Robin and Lee.
Here comes Hurricane Hudson!
Mrs. Susan Bullock, a fabulous friend of all of ours from Brenham MADE this bonnet out of a handkerchief. WOW.
Huddie says, “Holy Guacamole! I have a baby sister!”
“I’m outa here!” says Hudson.
Doesn’t this image just scream summertime? Seersucker and bare feet just make me want to go get a tall glass of lemonade!
Such a sleepy little newborn!
Oh, those eyes. Watch out boys!
See you in just a few months once TCU Football Season starts!
Hey, Ms. Kate,
Thanks for the nice compliment on the baby bonnet. Isn’t it wonderful that you can be a part of the specialness of people’s lives that you have known all of your life?? I understand my future daughter-in-law has contacted you about doing Chris and Candice’s wedding next May?? Looking forward to it. Love your website. Tell your mother hello!!!
Beautiful shots! Are you rockin’ the new Totally Rad Actions on some of these? Amazing!
She is the cutest thing ever (well after Mills of course!)!
Congrats and looking fwd to TCU football!!!
Hey friend! These are way too adorable! Your captures just amaze me every time! I love how some have that 70s/80s look! You are a true JEM! Hope we can have you around early next year, because the Choate’s are expecting…. EEEKK!
Very classic feel - love ‘em!
Dash is 6 Months!
Mr. Dash is a growin’ boy. Teething, commando crawling, and playing with his cats are big parts of his day. Ever the cutie pie, Dash stole my heart, once again. He is really turning out to be quite a “dashing” little guy!
Favorite, fo’ shizzle.
See you in 3 months, little man!
Great pictures, Kate. Love that tongue. One day these photos will make Dash’s parents forget sleepless nights, colic, dirty diapers, diaper rash, little temper flares, and spinach in the hair.
I keep going back to the picture of Dash and the two cats–”The Eyes Have It” picture. It is beautiful on so many different levels.
Too cute! Love how you shoot through and around.
It’s Getting Hot in Herre
Just thought I would give you all a heads up on what’s to come for the summertime. Due to the hotter than hell Texas summer that is knocking at our door, I decided a while back that Juxtapose Photography would be lowering things to a simmer during July and August.
The first part of July will be jam-packed with sessions and a fantastic wedding, but after Natalie and Jay get hitched, I’m goin’ on break.
August will be spent doing sessions for family, friends, and the baby planners, and having fun in the sun with Bobby and Mills.
There won’t be a break in the blogging, though. You can count on that! Thanks so much for always tuning in and leaving those WONDERFUL HOLLA BACKS! I love my readers!
Here’s a pic a super sweet blog reader, Brandi, captured of me shooting the Shepherd Family session in Frisco. So funny that our paths crossed!
Good for you. And good for Millie and Bobby.
It’s funny how I feel like I know you just by reading your blog.
I am totally bawling… Hopefully Chewy will recover, or at least finish what looks to be a full life with grace and plenty of cookies. Dogs rule and so do these shots of Chewy.