Brown-Eyed Girl Photography » Garden Ridge family photographer

Summer Update {Brown-Eyed Girl Photography}

Jana — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:50:20 +0000

Hello All! I haven’t abadoned you, I promise. I would NEVER do that! I do have some pretty darn good excuses for my lack of blogging lately though, I really do. This mama has been a traveling girl lately which is so nice but rare for me, I think I’m making up for lost time or something…….all those years I stayed homebound raising 3 little boys. It’s odd to be able to travel as much as I am lately but I’m not questioning it at all, just enjoying it, thanking God I have a supportive husband & soaking it all in. After a crazy busy May & early/mid June I attended Paper Cowgirl because my good friend Jennifer Stewart was teaching there and I’d always wanted to go. Thankfully this year I was able to make it work so I made the trek up to Waxahachie which I promptly found out I’d been mispronouncing all these years! I’d been saying WAXahachie like you wax a car but found out that the WAX is said like the word rock…..wocks……Waxahachie. However you properly say it, it’s a quaint cute town with a darling downtown shopping area and I’d certainly love to go back someday! The event was awesome too and it was so nice to see so many Silver Bella friends there!

You just have to love a good ol’ Texas event where even pistols are blinged out in glass glitter!!!

Sweet Jennifer with her class sample for the Patriotic Banner class I took, I loved it!

July was full of visits from friends, concerts, weddings, family, senior & 50th Anniversary sessions & another trip to Dallas later in the month. If July 1 was any indication as to how the rest of the month was going to go then YOWZA. I spent the day in rainy San Antonio with my friend Jodi and we got to hang with her very favorite band, the All-American Rejects. Don’t believe me? I have proof and yea, it looks like I put the guy next to me asleep……..ah well……..

I usually don’t get all crazy fan-girly but even I must say that was on amazing crazy experience! I mean really, it’s not everyday a regular Joe mom like me gets to hang with a rock band. Heck, they even took us on a tour of their amazing tour bus. Don’t be hatin’. I was able to hang with Jodi again later in July at her beautiful wedding reception in Austin at the Umlauf Sculpture Gardens which were so beautiful & amazing despite it being an ultra hot & sticky July Texas day. I loved seeing her so happy and it was wonderful seeing old friends again……

Gotta get a pretty ring shot!!

I did a military family shoot on a balmy summer evening at the lovely Japanese Tea Gardens which is always a fun but interesting experience. Going there is a total crap shoot because you never know how many people will be there or how many other photo sessions will be going on at the same time. I’ve gone there when the place was vacant & have also been there when it’s packed and at least 5 other photo sessions are being held, you just never know! This particular evening was quite crowded but we managed to find secluded spots to shoot.

Next came a shoot I was excited about since it was a bit different than most others I do. I’d been asked to shoot a 50th Anniversary party for a sweet local couple. Friends & family came in from near & far to celebrate their special day with them and their daughters hired me to preserve the day in print for them. I was quite honored to be a small part of their day. The mother was especially touched since all of the family hadn’t been together in quite some time, she was brought to tears which of COURSE made me cry too. I can’t help it.

The wedding topper off their wedding cake, 50 years ago to the day. Beautiful.

July ended with another trip north up I-35 to downtown Dallas and the next Gilded Life event at the beautiful home of Shea Fragoso but I’m going to stop here because that event deserves a blog post all it’s own! I was honored to be asked to photograph the event for Debbie & Shea and thankfully I’ll be able to share some of the images here with all of you! Check back soon & I’ll share some of their lovely eye candy with YOU!!

**I still have a couple of time slots left for the Boudior mini-shoots I’m doing at my studio in downtown New Braunfels this saturday. I have a 2:00 & 3:00pm time slot left so please reply here or contact me via the contact form above if you have questions or would like to book your own session. You can find more information here. They’re going to be SO much fun so don’t miss out!!**

Belle has arrived!!

Jana — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:51:57 +0000

Last week Mr. UPS man delivered one of THE most exciting boxes that I’d gotten for a long long time. He brought me one that contained my new Ephiphanie bag!!!!

I had been coveting one of these beauties ever since Maile made the announcement of her exciting new business venture so it was very thrilling to be holding her vision in my hands! Of the choices she offers, I selected Belle since I normally go for the practical color! This time I thought I’d choose something different and fun plus I loved the outside pockets, I’ve already gotten so many compliments on her. Here are some of the other styles & colors available…….

Belle has more than enough room for my 5D with the battery grip and large lens attached, my flash, 2 extra lenses and other accessories I lug around and even with all of that, there is a bit of extra room inside, enough that I could easily fit my wallet & cell phone in there and just use it as a purse.

Somehow I just feel more fancy toting this back & forth to shoots & the studio rather than my industrial rather manly Canon backpack I previously used! I will keep my backpack too because it’s nice to fill that up and throw it on my back and keep my hands free when traveling with the boys in tow however for day to day use I love my Belle! It was obvious that a artsy girl designed these bags due to the little “extras” such as the blingy camera charm that hangs on the front, the bright green protective bag Belle arrived in and the cute little inspirational cards tucked into the pockets just waiting to be found……

I think that Belle and I are going to get along very very well.

On a business note, 2011 senior sessions have already begun! I shot my first senior session yesterday and really love pro-active parents who want to book their kid’s sessions and get them out of the way before the busy senior school year begins and activities resume. For those of you who BOOK your senior session before Sept. 30 (it doesn’t have to be shot before then) I will include 50 free photo “411″ cards which are cute little business cards with the senior’s photo on one side and information on the other which can include phone #, email address, myspace or facebook profile link, etc. that they can hand out to friends. This is a $40+ value so call today to book your senior’s session and don’t miss out on this offer!

Playing Catch Up! {Brown-Eyed Girl Photography}

Jana — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:04:33 +0000

Just catching up on some spring sessions I haven’t posted yet! We met at the Japanese Tea Gardens for an evening of hiking, fun & exploring all over the park and then met at my studio for part 2 a few days later, a 2nd birthday celebration!

Thanks for stopping by! I have more to post so I hope you’ll stop in often & say hello!! Stay tuned for information on a day of Boudoir sessions I’ll be doing sometime in early August at my studio. I’ll provide a makeup artist, a private fun location & fruity drinks so all you’ll have to do is show up & have FUN!

Summer is Coming Sale & Prom Pics

Jana — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:53:44 +0000

I have some EXCITING news! For the next 48 hours I’m going to be offering my gorgeous custom canvases at 25% off their regular prices!! The sale lasts till thursday at midnight so if there’s that really special image from your session you are wishing you had printed onto canvas then NOW is the time to order. My canvases come with special dust protection and a sawtooth hanger already attached so it’s ready to be hung on your wall or perched on a special shelf as soon as it arrives. I have some of mine mixed in a wall collage going up my stairs among framed prints & scrapbook pages. I just bought a bunch of random frames, all in black so they’re cohesive, and bought those little shelves for 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby to sit my canvases on to add a bit of texture along the wall plus it makes it easy for me to grab them and taking along to show clients. I just love the way it looks:

Please email or call me if you need canvas pricing or information on how to order. Remember, I do accept credit cards via PayPal!

My oldest son attended his first high school prom this past weekend and it was quite the event around here! It was our first experience with renting a tux, ordering the perfect corsage, making sure everything matched and on top of that, he and all of his friends came back here to the house after prom to hang out which was great with me! It made for a late night but I loved knowing where they were & that they were ok. It was also my son’s first experience of driving into downtown San Antonio along with his date and another couple but evidently he did great so I’m one relieved mama. I met up with some of the kids to take some pics before they headed to dinner before prom and I appreciate the opportunity they gave me to capture precious memories for our photo album & scrapbook! It was gusty & spitting rain but they were troopers & we made it work……..

What a stunning group of people I’d say! This is my son & his date……

Just a reminder that I am accepting sessions throughout the summer. We’ll be gone for a few weekends here & there but for the most part I’ll be around this summer so don’t hesitate to call & book your session! It’s SO nice to have the option of the studio this summer so we’ll have a nice, cool place to shoot. I’m going to be scheduling a weekend of boudior shoots later this summer so keep that in the back of your mind if you’ve been contemplating something like that. The images would make great birthday or Christmas gifts for your honey, I did this for my husband for our 20th wedding anniversary last year and they knocked his socks off (in a GOOD way thankfully!).

Meet Brianna – Senior Sneak Peek!

Jana — Wed, 12 May 2010 23:20:17 +0000

I’ve known Brianna for years and we were neighbors for a very long time so I was thrilled when her mom called and asked if I’d shoot her senior pictures! I’ve watched her grown into such a wonderful, respectful, beautiful young lady and I know she’ll go on to much success after high school. We met at the studio for a few shots then moved on outside despite it being quite breezy outside. She was a trooper and rocked it so thanks Brianna, enjoy your sneak peeks!!

I have a couple of seniors left to do and think that’ll be it for the season. It’s just getting too late before graduation and my own boys are keeping me busy with end of the school year activities but I am accepting bookings for other types of sessions that don’t need to be done lickety-split! Thanks for stopping by!!

Senior Sneak Peek for Katy!!

Jana — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:45:15 +0000

Hi All! Nope, I haven’t fallen off the edge of the Earth I promise, have just been busy with business and life in general…….baseball games, band concerts, garage sales, painting the studio and of course photo sessions! I try not to go this long without posting but something had to go on the back burner and unfortunately this was it but I promise to make up for lost time. It’s nice because as we’re in the midst of high school senior season I’ve also been doing other types of sessions as well to keep things interesting so get ready for a blogging frenzy here soon and heck, I STILL haven’t posted photos from our trip to Mexico in FEBRUARY! Oh my, I truly am behind, aren’t I?!

I wanted to post some senior sneak peeks for some sweet new friends of mine, Katy & Tracy. They hired me without knowing me and I’m so grateful they did because we’ve become fast friends because of our mutual love on antiques and all things vintage! Tracy likes to hit estate sales & that’s something I’ve been wanting to do for the longest time so hopefully she can show me the ropes sometime and I’ll find out about all the fun and vintagey goodness I’ve been missing out on. Katy is graduating from Steele this year and is heading to Seguin to attend college so thankfully she won’t be too far away from home! Best of luck to you, Katy Beth, I wish you all the luck & happiness the world has to offer!!

If you’re on Facebook and would like to keep up with the latest on what’s going on here at Brown-Eyed Girl Photography, then join my Facebook page and then you’ll begin getting my updates, recent pics and will know when I update my blog. Just go here and click “like” at the top of the page and then you’ll be set!

Sneak Peek for the Thompson Family! {Brown Eyed Girl Photography}

Jana — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:31:11 +0000

I met up with the Thompson Family a few days ago for an evening of senior pics & family shots and we had such a nice time! It was a bit warm & muggy that evening but they were troopers going up & down the stairs at the Sunken Gardens and we ended up with a lot of great shots. As a mom of 3 boys it was fun & interesting to watch the dynamics of a family with 3 daughters, they are all so unique not only in looks but in personalities as are my boys and I had such a great time with them. Enjoy your sneek peeks, Thompson family & congrats on graduating soon, Laura!

An Evening in the Bluebonnets

Jana — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 22:58:17 +0000

I adore my friend Holly. We just clicked…..immediately, but then again she clicks with everyone, she’s just one of those people. She’s the kind of girl who everyone loves and I’m grateful she came into my life via Tracy and then it all just snowballed from there. I shot her maternity session and then her newborn session and recently she asked if I’d take pics of their new family of 3 in the bluebonnets. Well of course! We were supposed to meet on a friday evening but on wednesday it was such a lovely day and I was out shooting other sessions anyway so I asked if they might be able to meet me a couple of days early and thankfully they could because we simply couldn’t have asked for a more lovely evening. They brought along a good friend of theirs and he brought his sweet baby, Chloe, so I took some shots of them too. Talk about adorable! Thank you Guys for such a fun evening, I hope you had as much as I did.

Congrats Ryan & Peggy!!!

Jana — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:23:17 +0000

I’ve had the pleasure of working with THE nicest couple ever. No really! I didn’t know them prior to working with them on their engagement, bridal & then wedding portraits but over the past several months of working with them, I feel that I can genuinely say that. I shot their engagement session last fall which is posted here and then Peggy’s fun bridal shoot in Gruene posted here and then a couple of weeks ago, God blessed them with the loveliest spring day and we all met out in Marion for their wedding day. My friend Chasity joined me as second shooter for the day which rocks because we always have so much fun working together and balance each other out very well. After getting to know Ryan & Peggy and learning more about their story, I’m so grateful God brought them together and was very honored to spend their special blessed day with them from beginning to end. Congrats my friends & enjoy your sneak peeks!

A few recent faves {Schertz Senior Photography}

Jana — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:24:26 +0000

I’ve known Taelor for a few years now since she is in the band and is friends with my oldest son, Ryan, so I was thrilled when she asked me to take her senior photos. A few days after we booked her session she also asked if I could take some shots of her entire family, well of course we can do that too, so we met up on a lovely saturday afternoon and took some pics. They’ve already seen them but I wanted to post just a few of my personal favorites.

Smart, beautiful & talented……a total triple threat! Best of luck at A&M this fall, Taelor. We’re going to miss you around here!

I loved this one of little brother surrounded by his 3 older sisters with the look of utter safety & contentment on his sweet little face

I’m busy getting ready to shoot a wedding this weekend and am looking forward to it with such great anticipation! I hope to begin posting pics from the special day as soon as I have time to sit & sift through what I’m sure is to be hundreds of photos to keep checking back.