It’s that time of year again, time to look back over tens of thousands of images to choose the ones that for one reason or another had the greatest impact on me. So yes, the criteria is very subjective… and not even something I can quantify. Sometimes it is color and light, sometimes it is the emotions captured, but sometimes it is something completely indescribable that just speaks to me. Obviously when narrowing down possibly 100,000 photos to 150 I can’t include every client, and I strive to make every client’s images the best because I truly love what I do and count it an honor every time someone steps in front of my camera. Some of these images were taken by my talented daughter Celeste who works with me, and we want to send out special love to our wedding couples who put so much faith in us… and the families we work with year after year… we are so happy to have been able to become a part of your history. We hope you enjoy looking back over 2016 and we look forward to many more photographic adventures together in 2017! xoxo
BEAUTIFUL ISABELLA
Isabella has the most amazing red hair and blue eyes… and photographs like a dream. This is enough in itself to make for a wonderful session… but add to that the fact that Isabella is a fellow creative and that it was a beautiful day in one of my favorite spots downtown and I am smiling ear to ear. Bella, as her friends and family call her attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts and will be attending Rider University in New Jersey for Musical Theatre in the fall. When I asked her about her passion she said, “Of course we all hope to be on Broadway, but I just hope to do theatre in any capacity. Basically I want to make a living doing what I love. I hope that lands me in either New York or Chicago.” As far as I am concerned after spending some time with her, she is well on her way! Chase those dreams Bella!
I mean truly… she has the most luminous and expressive eyes, and I’m sure her stage presence is just as luminous. I have often wished I was a redhead… and looking at these photos reminds me of why.
This shoot was a bit of a family affair, as our shoots usually are. I often shoot with my oldest daughter Celeste who works with me, but this time my younger daughter Medora came along. She has been coming along on mentoring shoots lately and it is my hope that in the future all three of us Cameron-Smith girls might get to work on projects together. Isabella’s mom Beverly who is a friend of mine also came along as did their adorable dog… and we all had such a fabulous time.
If everyone I photographed were this easy my job would be a dream… and to be honest… usually it is. Nevertheless it was a really wonderful shoot and I know that Isabella is going to be a success at whatever she does because she has that spark… can’t you see it?
I have to admit I am a sucker for a harlequin wall… and anything covered in vines…
Medora, Celeste and I wish you all the success in the world Bella! Keep in touch and enjoy New Jersey in the fall!
COLLYN IN THE SUNSHINE
This session with the stunning Collyn Robison is just so lovely and so full of light that I couldn’t resist sharing it on this cold January day. There are people that the camera loves… and Collyn is certainly one of them. Her smile just fills the frame and draws you in. Not to mention her lovely eyes, perfectly arched brows… and that hair… I mean this girl is a beauty. I can also attest that she is smart, kind, and humble, and so much fun to be around. She’s heading to the University of Texas in Austin in the fall, carrying on the Longhorn tradition that is very much a part of her family. Collyn and her mom Sally spent an afternoon at the Shops at Legacy with Celeste and I and we were fortunate to have that coveted golden light. Check out the results… I’m pretty crazy about these images.
Whenever I do a session with a senior I love seeing their clothing choices… being a fashion addict myself, I know the power of a good outfit… and Collyn’s choices were fabulous. The heels on her shoes are a killer ombre metallic… take note ladies.
These images with Collyn in this dreamy white in one of my favorite spots with wavy golden grass are so ethereal… I just love them. They are stylish, bohemian, and happy all at the same time. I have a feeling Collyn is going to make quite a splash at UT.
KANE COGSWELL
I always enjoy shooting individuals as there is so much freedom and variety in what you can do… but I have to say it is rare to come across a young man who is such a natural in front of the camera. Kane and I met some months ago to do some senior shots and immediately he, his mom Shelly and I hit it off. We decided on the old Plano area for a cool urban feel and we hit the ground running. Almost everyone can look good smiling in a photo, but Kane has a killer serious face that just works in front of the camera.
There were seriously no end to the great spots we found for this shoot and Kane was game for every one.
Kane and his mom were very patient as we drove around in circles looking for the hubcap wall I had discovered in a previous shoot… that’s what I like… clients with an adventurous spirit.
Kane is now at Sam Houston State University at the start of what I predict will be a stellar college career… I mean look out ladies, Kane is in town.