Month: July 2014

Categories
Blog Rambling

A Little Kindness

Giftbasket of goodies given by kind client of G. Patterson Studio in Nacogdoches
Giftbasket of goodies given by kind client of G. Patterson Studio in Nacogdoches
Giftbasket of goodies given by kind client of G. Patterson Studio in Nacogdoches
Giftbasket of goodies given by kind client of G. Patterson Studio in Nacogdoches

Let me start by saying our studio has the greatest clients!  And this quick story is just one out of the MANY that helps tell why I feel that way:

I simply did what the client asked me to do.  I put forth my best effort to create the perfect product, all the while offering her the same respect, patience, and kindness that I try to show all of our studio clients.  That’s my job.  That’s what I get paid to do.  But when this particular project was complete, this particular client did not just pay her bill.  She thoughtfully brought me a sizable gift basket full of my favorite goodies, gave me a hug and a sincere Thank You.

I was stunned… moved… happy… proud…thankful.  I took the basket home to tell my wife about the sweet lady who brightened my day with a little kindness.  It might have just been a small gesture on her part, but it meant the world to me.

With our culture of instant gratification and the prevailing tide of the entitlement mentality, KINDNESS is becoming a rare commodity.  Much too frequently is kindness undermined or unrecognized.  But I would be happy to shout at the top of my lungs how appreciative I am of this sweet lady’s kind act.

Thank you Brenda!

And thank you to all the others out there who have brightened our days with your little acts of kindness.  May we all strive to show little acts of kindness to others each day.

How has someone brightened your day?  I’d love to hear your stories.

Categories
Blog Graduating Seniors Rambling

Change and Hard Work

Daniel, Class of 2010
Daniel, Class of 2010
Daniel, Class of 2010

I was remembering and maybe reminiscing a bit to when a photograph was a product of the darkroom. Going into a completely dark room and prying open a canister of film with a bottle opener to then attempt rolling the five foot long roll of film onto a processing reel. Processing that film and then the moment of anticipation where you can finally unroll and examine all the hard work with fingers crossed that all the images were properly exposed, in focus and not damaged by processing. The best way I can describe it was that it was exciting and thrilling seeing something you started, finalized.

Long gone are those days for all but the extreme retro or “pure” photographers. We all experience change whether its in our industry or something more personal like kids growing up or simply getting older.

Change often requires work to get from one place in your life to the next. That is the path our oldest son Daniel took the past three years working toward a degree in Petroleum Technology. I can see and I think he can now see the benefit of hard work. He started a new job this month in San Antonio. Exciting to see new beginnings that have come about due to patience and hard work.

We are proud of Daniel and this new start.

 

Categories
Blog Graduating Seniors Rambling

A Good Day

Collage of official yearbook and fun casual images of Nacogdoches Senior.
Collage of official yearbook and fun casual images of Nacogdoches Senior.
Collage of official yearbook and fun casual images of Nacogdoches Senior.
Collage of official yearbook and fun casual images of Nacogdoches Senior.

It’s that time of year that we begin seeing high school seniors for their yearbook pictures. For Nacogdoches, it’s the velvet drape for girls and for boys, a tuxedo shirt and jacket. For some of them it’s the first time they’ve had professional pictures taken.

For all of them, their senior year marks the end of  youth and the beginning of adulthood. For many of them, it’s just another day; they’ll let it “sink in” by degrees. For others, as they put on that cap and gown, you can tell they “get it.” They’re more quiet than usual and a little nervous. I want to tell them to take a deep breath and, then, hold on. And enjoy every minute of it! Because on the day they graduate and wear this cap and gown again for real, they’ll look back at this day and think what a short time ago it was.

Photographing seniors gives me a nostalgic feeling and helps me to remember the brevity of life. I wish I could get that feeling everyday, so that I might not waste as much time as I do on frivolous things. But, I must go for now and make out my grocery list. I sure don’t want to forget the milk!

Categories
Blog Family

Is it Christmas, Already?

Portrait of sweet family of five taken by Greg Patterson
Portrait of sweet family of five taken by Greg Patterson
Portrait of sweet family of five taken by Greg Patterson
Portrait of sweet family of five taken by Greg Patterson

Before you start decking the halls and hanging ice sickle lights, no it’s not already Christmas… but it sure feels that way.  Time has a way of zipping past us.

Back in October of 2013, my family first started planning our Disney World trip to be taken eight months later in June of 2014.  Last year we thought the day would never come.  Months of anticipation and arranging schedules had to be endured, and now it is ancient history.  Maybe not ancient history, but it has already been more than a month since we have returned from that long anticipated trip.

Yes, time goes by at an alarming rate.  And although we have five more months until Christmas, soon I’ll be writing another one of these blog posts saying how it came and went too fast.

A friend of mine said that the relative sense of “time flying” is directly related to how much fun you are having.  So, the next time you are having a lot of fun, remember to pause and enjoy it.   Because it will zip past you in a blink.

——————-

Beautiful Christmas Cards of a sweet family of five created by G. Patterson Studio.
Beautiful Christmas Cards of a sweet family of five created by G. Patterson Studio.

And since you brought it up 🙂  …..  Summer is a great time to take family portraits to be used on your Christmas Cards.  Our studio will do all the heavy lifting when it comes to designing the perfect card for your family.  It’s just up to you to schedule.  We don’t want you to find yourself stressing at the last minute to get it all done.  So call today.  936-569-7116  It could be Christmas in July!

Categories
Blog Rambling

No Agenda Necessary

Beautiful boy styling' in his fedora.
Beautiful boy styling' in his fedora.
Beautiful boy styling' in his fedora.
Beautiful boy styling’ in his fedora.

I have a plan for everything these days! What I’m gonna fix for dinners for the week, how we’ll spend our weekends for the month, even what I’m going to wear for the next few days. (I don’t want to waste that perfect outfit on work when I could wear it for that lunch date!) I definitely have a plan for our spending for the month. I even have a plan for my plan, call it an agenda or parameters for which I live my life.

I don’t want to be too extravagant with anything I do, but I never want to be too careful, either. Life is short, right?
Something else I like to plan for is how I volunteer my time and money. There are so many causes from which to choose, some you may have a passion for, others you share a political view with and others are affiliated with your faith. I, often, do a little research to know exactly where my money goes. I knew a man that traveled a lot, and he’d pick up hitchhikers along the way. He’d often give them the money in his pocket before they parted ways. Generous? I call it reckless! After all, what was stopping that hitchhiker from buying something other than food?

When I had a chance the other day to sign up to help with feeding lunch to school-age children in the park, I didn’t have time to make all the usual considerations. All I knew was that they needed someone, and I had the time. So I put my name down, and am I glad I did. The smile on my face was as big as those on the kids’ faces. And, that feeling stayed with me the rest of the day. It was such a fun experience, I’ll do it again, even if it means changing my schedule.

Do I plan on throwing caution to the wind every time one of these opportunities presents itself? No, in fact I probably won’t be picking up any hitchhikers. I intend to hold onto my “agenda” a little less tightly, though. After all, I could change someone’s life for the better, including my own!

-Cindy

Categories
Blog Children Family Rambling Tips & Tricks

Hey now! It’s not as bad as it sounds.

"Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall."
"Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall."
"Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall."
“Photographers are violent people. First they frame you, then they shoot you, then they hang you on the wall.”

I love this quote.  I wish I knew the author so I could compliment them on their wittiness.

Truth be told, when you’re in the hands of a true professional, a photographer is anything but violent.  If anything, a photographer, as well as the photo session, should be FUN, EXCITING, MEMORABLE … and above all – PAINLESS.  At least, that’s how we feel.

A family of four enjoying a reality moment as parents laugh and kids run around.
A family of four enjoying a reality moment as parents laugh and kids run around.

We are often asked what age child is the hardest to photograph.  My response is always the same, “a 40 year old man.”  Kids are easy… OK, most kids are easy.  If you get down on their level and play with them, you’ll have an instant buddy.  Moms are the best.  They are usually the ones coordinating the whole shindig, so they are a photographer’s greatest ally.  Dads, on the other hand, take a little more finesse.  But if we get them talking about their latest fishing or hunting exploit, or maybe last night’s game, then he stops thinking about the camera and starts having fun.

A photographer might seem a bit intimidating (or even violent) to those that have never had professional photos taken, but I assure you that anyone who visits our studio is in for a treat.  Our goal is for all who enter our studio as clients leave as friends.  And that won’t happen unless we show you a good time.

We’d love to show your family a good time and exactly how painless a professional portrait session can be.

Categories
Events News

Celebrating July 4th

Let us raise our flags together in unity.
Greg Patterson raising the American flag outside of G Patterson Studio in Nacogdoches, Texas.

 

I am thankful and proud I live in a country where our founding fathers fought for freedom that we may all enjoy Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness! Take a moment today away from your busy life and reflect upon your blessings and be thankful for our amazing heritage.

Let us raise our flag together in unity for that which brought our country together.

 

Categories
Blog Family Travel

About a boy

Nathan Patterson sits in the shelter of a rock.
Nathan Patterson sits in the shelter of a rock.
Nathan Patterson sits in the shelter of a rock.
Nathan Patterson sits in the shelter of a rock.

No, this isn’t a movie review; it’s about my son. He’s at camp this week, and, boy, was I looking forward to some time away from him. I had become fed up with putting up with his “teenagerness.” I know that’s not a word, but every parent with a teenager knows that’s synonymous with lazy, selfish, withdrawn and moody.

Photos of Cindy and family in Zion National Park in Utah
Photos of Cindy and family in Zion National Park in Utah

But, this week while he was gone, I was going to use the time to devise a plan to “fix” him. As my thoughts turned to the things I could do to change him, I began wondering what he might be doing right now, maybe eating breakfast? Maybe tidying up his tent? At least he wouldn’t be playing a video game. So, how could I keep him from playing them so much when he got back? That seemed to be a constant struggle between the two of us.

I began thinking about how he had helped with VBS at our church the week before. And, before that, hadn’t he participated in a missions project? All of this, without complaining? I began missing him and wondering why I couldn’t feel so favorably toward him when we were together. Maybe our strained relationship had more to do with me than with him. I could be critical to the point where I begin feeding my own negativity. In my mind, I had him going from video game-playing teenager to college dropout living on skid row overnight.

I’m excited, now, about him coming home, because I feel that it’s not too late to work on our relationship. I’m going to practice positive thinking every day, so I can recognize when a negative thought enters my mind. Yes, he is growing up fast, but that should not make me fearful. These upcoming years could be some of the best ones of his life! And, I might just have a little something to do with that.