Author: Greg Patterson

BLOG Rebuild

House of Photography, Nacogdoches.. providing professional photography in studio, outdoors and on location.

BLOG REBOOT

After several years of being without a BLOG for House of Photography, I decided it was time to get this up and running. As a local business in Nacogdoches, TX and a sole proprietor, time is always a factor. With Covid still having its effects, even though its August, I’ve set aside some time to write, share and blog.

The state of our business is positive for anyone interested. After being in business for over 25 years, I’ve learned to save for the lean times. Covid, 911, economic slump of 2017, etc. One thing for sure is that hard times will come and as much as possible to be prepared. With that said, we are positive with our attitudes and looking for ways to drum up business.

Being a photographer in Nacogdoches, first as campus photographer for Stephen F. Austin State University, later teaching photography to over 1000+ students, all while running a full-time retail photography studio has taken much work. Cindy and I both know how to work and genuinely would rather be busy.

Currently we are focusing on a few personal projects. Our photography studio being in the downtown district of Nacogdoches is always in need of updating and repair being that it was built in 1898! Just before Covid hit, we had the roof redone and my what a project. Thankful to have real professionals climb this steep pitched roof, repairing old lath boards and bring this structure more protection from the East Texas weather.

Another project that we are beyond excited about is what we have named, the “Greatest Generation” project. Be on the lookout with our next blog post and I’ll share GLENN HARVIN, his story and some of the photos captured on a recent visit.

Support LOCAL business

If you live and work in Nacogdoches, please consider shopping local as much as possible. We are here for this town and would love to provide professional photography for years to come. But we need your help! Would you consider allowing us to photograph your family, upcoming son or daughter that is entering their senior year, capture a milestone birthday portrait of one of your kids or grandkids?

As a full-time retail photography studio, you are correct in that our prices are a little more than some, but what we offer in return more than makes up for that little extra cost. For example, our studio sits on a full acre of property designed with photography in mind, a dressing room and plenty of room for the entire family, indoor photography options and backdrops, an outdoor portrait garden and park with 100’s of photo options. Beyond these, we can professionally print ANY SIZE and create wall decor you will cherish for a lifetime! On top of all this, we guarantee our work! If you would like to see our work, head on over to houseofphotography.biz and click on the PHOTOS tab.

There you have it… a recap of where we stand, update on a few projects and a plea for your business.

We would love to hear your feedback!

Tags COVID, Greatest Generation

Blog Pets

I’ve got three great daughters, but only one Golden Child

Post author By Greg Patterson
Post date August 18, 2014
No Comments on I’ve got three great daughters, but only one Golden Child

Golden Retriever and winner of the "Awesomest Dog in the Universe" Award frolics in bluebonnets.

I am, in all reality, the luckiest father on the planet. I have three beautiful, healthy, caring daughters. Each day I come home from work, they struggle with each other as they race to the door to give me the “first hug.” I’m blessed, no doubt.

But having a wife and three daughters at home makes for a very “emotionally rich” environment. I often just need some good old fashion male bonding with my golden retriever, Bentley. He’s fun, active, entertaining, and constantly loyal. We can go for walks, wrestle on the floor, or throw the tennis ball. He brightens my day just as my girls do. He’s a great companion and true friend. And just like a true friend, we can also be perfectly content to simply be near each other and not say a word.

“Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”
-Alfred A. Montapert

“Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.”
-George Eliot

I love having wonderful photos of me and Bentley. They are a constant reminder of great memories and great companionship.

G. Patterson Studio does a lot of good by supporting animal centered organizations like the Humane Society, Animal Shelter, or O’Malley PET. If you have any desire to have AMAZING photographs of you and your pets while, at the same time, donating to a worthy cause, schedule your session today.

Tags amazing, animal shelter, dogs, G. Patterson, golden retriever, humane society, O'Malley PET, pets, photo, studio, wonderful

Blog Children

This pic says it all!

Adults step in and Big Sister is driven crazy by her fast moving little brother.

We had the great pleasure of seeing these two beautiful children come to the studio last week. Big Sister was very patient and perfectly well behaved. Little Brother, on the other hand, had something else in mind. Don’t get me wrong… He wasn’t misbehaved at all. He just was NOT interested in having photos taken.

This happens plenty at our Nacogdoches studio. When we ask parents or grandparents what they are trying to achieve most out of their session, they sometimes say, “Something where the kids are looking at the camera and it’s not completely blurry.” 🙂 Good news, we can help with that.

Three image collage from G. Patterson Studio capturing the beauty of brother and sister.

The truth is that the life of a child IS a blur, and you have to act fast or you will miss it. Children are full of energy and curiosity. They are silly, care-free, excited, and wacky. They roam, fidget, fuss, and are just plain not interested in what adults are interested in. Guess what… That’s exactly what makes them so great! And as their parents, we just want to hold onto that youthful spirit before it passes us by.

Children sessions at G. Patterson Studio are usually a little chaotic, but they’re also genuine and fun. We capture a child truly as he or she is, and it is SO WORTH IT!

Tags blur, blurry, children, crazy, G. Patterson, greg patterson, Nacogdoches, photography, photos, studio, wacky, whacky, worth it

Blog Weddings

How will you tell your love story?

Post author By Greg Patterson
Post date August 4, 2014
No Comments on How will you tell your love story?

Wedding storybook album spread of bride and groom by G. Patterson Studio.

Summertime is wedding season! We’ve had so many walk-ins and phone calls from brides and mother’s of the bride during the past few months, it seems like everyone is in love and getting married.

There are love stories to unfold… and then be told… and retold.

The photographer’s story is not so much a love story as… well… a story of anxiety, excitement, fatigue, joy, nostalgia, hope, and stress. As a photographer, a wedding brings with it a mixture of emotions for sure. We’re genuinely thrilled for the happy couple, but we simultaneously realize the gravity of the situation. When photographing a wedding, emotions and stress levels are already red-lining. Add to that the daunting task of getting the shot right the first time…. because the first time is often the only chance you will have. The day of the wedding, we put our game faces on, and pray that a thousand different people running around doing a thousand different things miraculously comes together at just the right moment in just the right way… and we are there to capture it all.

But enough about the photographer. It’s the bride and groom’s love story that is the one worth telling.

A few weeks ago, Greg Patterson and his wife Cindy photographed my baby brother’s wedding. The day included the usual happy tears, nervous hand wringing, goofy characters, loving reunions, and friendly fair wells. The bride was beautiful and my brother was beaming with joy. Rings and vows were exchanged without incident. It was a beautiful day. And then, somehow, the day that took months to plan was over in the blink of an eye.

“I thought you were going to tell me a love story,” you say. Well, this love story will be told the same way we tell all our other love stories… Photographs delicately arranged in a stunning “Storybook Album” that tells of nervous anticipation, hopeful expectations, overflowing hearts, divine union, thoughtful commitment and the details that connect one moment with the next. The compilation of my brother’s wedding love story is not yet complete, but is well on its way. I’ve included a glimpse of some of his story’s pages.

Wedding storybook album spread of bride and groom exchanging notes before seeing each other.

Wedding storybook album spread of groom seeing his bride walk down the aisle.

To take a look at some of the other love stories we have had the honor of telling, visit http://gregpatterson.com/weddings.html.

Tags album, brother, greg, love, patterson, Photographer, story, storybook, wedding

Blog Rambling

A Little Kindness

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.

Tags acts, better, client, happy, kindness, little, studio, thanks

Blog Graduating Seniors Rambling

Change and Hard Work

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.

Blog Family

Is it Christmas, Already?

Post author By Greg Patterson
Post date July 21, 2014
No Comments on Is it Christmas, Already?

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.

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!

Tags cards, christmas, family, flies, july, Portraits, time

Blog Children Family Rambling Tips & Tricks

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

Post author By Greg Patterson
Post date July 7, 2014
No Comments on 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."

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.

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.

Tags children, dads, family, funny, greg, kids, patterson, Photographer, Portrait, professional, quote, studio, violent, witty

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.

Blog Children Family Rambling Travel

Disney World Magic

Magical family memories made with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse.

My family recently got back from a FANTASTICAL trip to Disney World. We were able to enjoy seven magical days of Disney parks despite it being Florida’s rainiest month. (About that… When the rains come, you can either get upset or you can act like a kid just playing in the rain and splashing in puddles. We chose the latter.)

The few hours we slept were at one of Disney’s newest resorts “The Art of Animation” – (unbelievably awesome!). We arrived at the parks early each morning and didn’t leave till close. My daughters, ages 8, 5, and 2 were so hopped up on pixie dust, we were able to stay through the oh-so-fun magic hours. This is when most of the crowd has gone home, and the park remains open only to those staying in a Disney resort.

From morning to midnight, magical memories made with great characters and castles.

During this two hour span, my girls and I went from ride to ride non-stop. And when it was finally time to leave the Magic Kingdom, we would pause in front of Cinderella’s castle as she bid us good night, then sleepily stroll down Main Street, basking in the glow of lights and recalling the day’s adventures.

The memories my family made that week will forever be etched in my mind. Too many memories to recount in a single sitting. But just a close of my eyes, and I’m instantly transported back there riding Splash Mountain with my girls, hearing my oldest giggle about how she is always the one that gets soaked at the end of the ride; or I’m outside Gaston’s Tavern laughing at his hilarious mixture of comedic arrogance and charm; or I’m hearing my 2 year old’s sweet voice exclaim, “Mickey Mouse!” as she sees him for the very first time.