Tassels, Bells and Bellies

Tassels-
Last week was a fun week. I met with Denae and Beverly out in Elgin at Denae's place for their highschool senior portraits. What a cool place to live and work. Denae lives at Down Home Ranch which is a working ranch for people with intellectual disabilities and those who choose to live and work with them (www.downhomeranch.com) . The day started out perfect for photos, light breeze, nice overcast. Then, the clouds went away and the wind came. The wind wasn't an issue for someone with a haircut like mine. Denae and Beverly had to fight with it a little more though. We still got some great photos. Thank you Denae for having me out and showing me around a very cool place.

Bells-
Saturday was Robert and Elizabeth's wedding in Georgetown. Bride, groom, and all related parties looked great. The ceremony was done very well with a nice personal touch. After the ceremony we ended up taking the unity and memorial candles and a hand full of flowers to the reception which of course we did not mind. As I was trying to beat the Hummer Limo to the reception, I remember Amanda telling me "be careful! The flowers!" Amanda and I enjoyed all of your family and friends and they were very good to us We know there are literally hundreds of photographers in the Central Texas area and we really appreciate your choice to partner with us. We look forward to wrapping up the post production of your images and then getting started on your album!

Bellies-
Sunday Amanda and I met Michelle and her family at her pasture in east Austin. We photographed Michelle because she is expecting a new arrival in 6 or so weeks. Michelle wasn't the only one in the photos though. Her daughter Iris and boyfriend Eli managed to sneak in a photo or two. Oh yeah, we had a 4th subject, Michelle's 8 year old horse Lilly also made for a great subject. Apparently Lilly liked me. At least that is what Michelle told me as the horse head butted my shoulder "as a sign of affection." I think horses are majestic creatures and did not mind the gesture at all. I just tried to communicate to the horse that she warn me so I could be better balanced. The photos came out really well and we wish Michelle a very healthy pregnancy. We look forward to photographing the newborn in a couple of months (not sure Lilly will make it into that session).

Today I'll start my week by working on post production on these three sessions. It's a good day. I'm looking out my window at overcast skies, listening to channel 32 on xm radio on the computer. I wish everyone a blessed week and I sign off with tHis word:

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Psalm 143:8, NLT

-Ryan

What a week...

Last week was a good and busy week. I am grateful to have met with and contracted with 2 different couples for their upcoming weddings. We also met with April and Matt and are so happy you guys finally got to pick out the photos for your album. I can't believe we made almost an entire evening of it! It was very good have the time to visit and catch up on your new lives together.

Elizabeth's bridal session went well at the Capitol and we enjoyed her band of merry women that accompanied her. Josh and Misty's engagement session in Bastrop was fun too!

A 70th birthday party was a good time. Thank you Veronica for inviting us and choosing us to document such a milestone in your family. We always enjoy your family! It seems Calvin just might have found himself a summer job as my assistant...sometime after he gets out of elementary school. Tammy...you're next with the baby photos!

I have awesome clients/friends. Thank to each of you for being so wonderful!

Until next time!

Bigger than you and me

One of the experiences that I has had a profound impact on my life was my 2 weeks in Kenya this past summer. The people I met I will always remember. Since that time 3 separate opportunities to show some of my photography from Kenya have been laid in my lap. These timely chances have allowed me to talk about my friends and the turmoil their country has recently been through in places as far away as New York City.

But, this post is not about my photographs. It is just to say thank you to all of my clients who by partnering with me, allow me to financially support brothers and sisters in Kenya. Most of these are pastors of various small churches (small in membership, most have no structure to meet in, only some benches under an acacia tree) who intern, are able to see to the needs of their people.

I just read one of the latest emails from our friends in Kenya that gave me a great deal of encouragement and wanted to share that.

Their stories can be read here: East African Missions

Until next time.
-Ryan

March Madness

What a blessed and busy time of year. Only 6 weeks until we leave for our Europe trip. Between now and then there are plenty of sessions to keep me busy. Two weddings, a birthday party, 2 bridal sessions, 2 engagement sessions, 2 maternity sessions, 2 wedding consultations, 1 album consultation 9 senior sessions and 1 senior group photo (thank you so much Denae for getting those scheduled for me).



On a business side, I have taken out another online store making some of my art prints available for online purchase http://providencephotography.photoreflect.com/ . These include the work I did in Kenya that has shown in the galleries in Austin and New York (thank you David Sackmary) I will work more on marketing that.



I have ordered some light modifiers that will really produce some great portraits. I'm especially excited about putting much of what I learned from Sandy Puc' (she is way cool) at a recent seminar to use in photographing infants. It just so happens that I seem to be doing some maternity sessions...chance you ask? I don't believe in chance.



Finally, I have a old but (what is supposed to be) super fast windows based computer that I run Vista Ultimate on. It has finally irritated me enough that I ordered a MacBook Pro. I was hesitant to spend that type of money on the computer and the additional software but, it should really help speed up my turn around time and reduce my urge to put my foot through my computer :). It will be nice to take to Europe also. My current laptop weighs as much as a desktop it seems.



Until next time. God Bless.

Welcome To My Blog

This is my first blog post. I hope at least some of you will find it entertaining, on occasion, enlightening and encouraging. My intention is to every few days about how God is using photography to take me on a journey that allows me to humbly give and receive blessings beyond my imagination.

I suspect the blog will evolve as a learn more about it as well.

Thanks for stopping by.

God Bless.