Author: Greg Patterson

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Blog Tips & Tricks Travel

Stretching your LIFE

My Friday started with a visit to a physical therapist as I have been having pain in my right shoulder. Max, my PT described how a slight injury can result in so much pain and tightening of everything that is needed to make the shoulder work as it should. The process of getting it back into shape involves routine heating, stretching and cooling. If you have ever gone through this process, you know the stretching process can be quite uncomfortable and downright painful.

That got me to thinking about some of my recent conversations with our 13 year-old son on stepping out of our comfort zone. Talk about stress. How would you like to be 13 again? Not me!

No matter your age, have you ever been in a place in your life, relationship or job that you felt lack of movement and a tightening? Sometimes stretching is the answer. I have experienced this in my life many times, and the benefits are always worth the pain involved through the process.

Here are my top 3 tips to summarize stretching your LIFE

  1. When an opportunity arises or a door opens, don’t let yourSELF talk you out of it because you aren’t ….qualified, the right personality, smart enough, good looking, excuses, excuses, excuses!
  2. Realize that your attitude determines outcome! Check the attitude of your heart. Getting out of the doldrums has nothing to do with anyone other than YOU.
  3. Wake with purpose and passion and carry this throughout the day.

I hope you are stretched often as I am. I know its sometimes painful, but with passion, purpose, and a great attitude, you are sure to look forward to those opportunities when they arise.

I would love to hear how you have been stretched recently or your thoughts! 
 
Beauty in the small things!
Utah in June can include SNOW.
Lush green growth and ever watching aspens.

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Blog Rambling

The Joys of Owning Your Own Business

Greg Patterson cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
Greg Patterson cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
Greg Patterson cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
Greg Patterson cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.

One of my absolute favorite aspects of our portrait garden and surrounding property is our GINORMOUS pecan tree.  Years ago, an arborist (a tree expert) visited and said that it was one of the largest and oldest pecan trees he had ever seen.  Pecan trees are familiar to everyone in the Nacogdoches area, but this one is special.  Every year it produces bucket loads of wonderful pecans, and it consistently provides a beautiful backdrop for outdoor photos.

The rub is that pecan trees are “self-pruning,” meaning they drop branches like crazy.  When the winds came through yesterday, it was just too much for one of the ol’ girl’s bigger branches.  So Greg and his father in law Harry have been dutifully chopping and hauling pecan branches all morning.

Nothing worth having comes easy.  The portrait garden and studio may need sweat and elbow grease from time to time, but the benefits are so worth it.

Greg Patterson gathers limbs as he cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
Greg Patterson gathers limbs as he cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
Greg Patterson hauls away limbs as he cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
Greg Patterson hauls away limbs as he cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
Greg Patterson smiles for the camera as he cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
Greg Patterson smiles for the camera as he cleans up a large fallen pecan branch at his portrait studio in Nacogdoches.
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Blog Family Portrait Sessions

Is there a better way to start your day?

The Middlebrook Family plays instruments for their family portraits by Greg Patterson.
The Middlebrook Family plays instruments for their family portraits by Greg Patterson.

Amy Middlebrook is sure to be one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet.  Her nature is pure and genuine, and she is a delight to be near.  So when she called and asked Greg to capture photos of her family, we jumped at the opportunity.

Like with our other clients, we first asked Amy if there was something in particular she had in mind for the portrait.  She mentioned that her family was musical and enjoyed getting together from time to time to just strum a little.  Could we photograph something that captured this aspect of her family?  Of course the answer was “yes,” and the wheels in Greg’s imagination begin to turn.

The morning of her session, we gathered onto the porch of the Hardeman House, just around the corner from our studio, eager to see what musical moments we could create.  What followed was such an emotionally and spiritually stirring event.  George and Amy kicked it off, softly playing the guitar and mandolin and adding in some vocal harmony.  Their son delicately joined in on the ukulele.  Soon the street was echoing with their rising voices.  They were singing to God.  The sound was tender, yet powerful.  It was heartwarming to notice each of the little smiles, nods and quick glances they gave one another.  To hear this sweet family that morning was incredibly uplifting and wonderful to experience.  To see them relate to each other the way they did was quite moving.

Usually we are the ones trying to provide the memorable experience for our clients.  But on that day, we were treated.  Every time I see the beautiful portraits of Amy’s family, I will be reminded of how I felt that special morning.  It was only 30 minutes, but I will carry that memory with me for years… and I am thankful.

Categories
Blog Children Events Family

Nothin’ more East Texas than Watermelons

Kiddos eating watermelon is a great way to celebrate East Texas summertime.
Kiddos eating watermelon is a great way to celebrate East Texas summertime.
Kiddos eating watermelon is a great way to celebrate East Texas summertime.

Summers in East Texas are typically hot and muggy, but you can’t stay cooped up inside all day.  There’s too much fun to be had outside.  Running through sprinklers, catching fireflies, going fishing, going swimming… And one other thing that comes to mind is eating watermelon!  It’s a true East Texan tradition.  I look forward to enjoying some sweet and juicy watermelon with my kiddos in the next few weeks.  And hey, we may even get into a good ol’ fashion watermelon seed spitting fight.

G. Patterson Studio is celebrating this East Texas tradition with our most popular Just 4 Fun Kid’s Series Special – WATERMELON BASH on July 1, 2, and 3.  If you’d like to have these sweet moments of your kiddos captured in a beautiful and timeless way, call the studio at (936) 569-7116.

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Blog

All Gave Some… Some Gave All

Image of the grave stones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country
Image of the grave stones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country
Image of the grave stones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country

“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” — Aristotle

Thank you to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the better of our country.  Thank you for your courage.  Thank you for your honor.  We honor you and the families you left behind.

G. Patterson Studio

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Blog Graduating Seniors

Sending Seniors off in Style!

Senior Portrait Fun

We love creating a fun and memorable experience for our seniors.  If they don’t have a blast, then we haven’t done our jobs.  Plus, when our seniors are relaxed and having a good time, it makes capturing amazing moments that much easier.  Every year, we see a new “crop” of seniors come through our studio doors, and we’d like to think they are venturing off to college with some great memories of little ol’ Nac.

It feels like we’re winding down for this year’s graduates, but there is always time for a professional portrait that represents all that your senior has accomplished.  So, if you’re one of the few who haven’t made the time, please feel free to call us and set up an appointment.  We’ll try to make you feel like the center of the universe… and I bet we’ll have a fun time too.

Categories
Babies Blog Children Family Graduating Seniors Pets Rambling Weddings

Making the Memories Count

montage of children, families, seniors, and weddings photos
montage of children, families, seniors, and weddings photos
montage of children, families, seniors, and weddings photos
montage of children, families, seniors, and weddings photos

As we continue to reflect upon and celebrate all that has happened in the past 10 years, we take a look at the numbers of unique moments we’ve captured.

Over 1000 Just4Fun Kid’s sessions with all the goofy grins, silly smiles and unexpected moments one can imagine…
Hundreds of furry friends and their owners, those that behaved and those that made attempts to chase the neighborhood cat…
Over 800 nervous, yet excited graduating seniors, each with their own brand of style and personality…
Nearly 1500 fun-filled, action packed family sessions with crazy kiddos running around being chased by each other while the parents stand back and laugh at the mayhem…
Several dozen voice quivering “I do” moments, decorated Just Married getaway vehicles, and teary dads that are reluctant to give away their baby girls…
You, our clients, have invited us to be a part of creating tens of thousands of special moments.  It continues to be a blessing and honor.

-G. Patterson Studio

Categories
Blog Children Family Graduating Seniors Rambling

Connecting with our Clients… Then and Now

A snapshot of our recent e-newsletter.
A snapshot of our recent e-newsletter.
A snapshot of our printed newsletter from 9 years ago.
A snapshot of our printed newsletter from 9 years ago.

 

A snapshot of our recent e-newsletter.
A snapshot of our recent e-newsletter.

For the better part of 10 years, we’ve tried to stay connected with our clients through our studio newsletter “Coming Home.”  It’s of great importance to us to remain engaged with our friends and family who continue to support our portrait studio.  The newsletter often contains stories of recent family sessions, growing families, photography tips, upcoming specials, holiday recipes, and our thoughts on the day.  We want to share our exciting stories with our community.  We want to inspire and encourage families and children and graduating seniors.  We want to enrich the lives of our readers if only by bringing a simple smile to their faces.  Our newsletter has seen its fair share of changes, from originating as a print snail-mailer to the current instant email it is today.  So please take the time to peruse and share our newsletter the next time you see it in your inbox.  Thanks for reading… and remember to stay in touch.

-Daryl

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Blog

A tribute

Memories of those whose help we couldn't do without.
Memories of those whose help we couldn't do without.
Memories of those whose help we couldn't do without.
Memories of those whose help we couldn’t do without.

Looking at these pictures from ten years ago, reminds us of how thankful we are for the help we had relocating to our present location. It was a big undertaking and we, more than anyone else, doubted that we could. But, we couldn’t have even considered it had we not had a lot of support. First of all, the place we moved into was a much bigger and older place that needed a lot of attention. In fact, the previous tenant was a fraternity, and judging by the collection of broken glass and such left behind, they must have had a good time! I can’t remember the number of hours we spent painting, sanding, tiling, hammering, spackeling, sewing, weeding, tilling, planting and cleaning (not to mention the actual moving), but there was enough to go around. To mom and dad, we thank you for being available to do anything and everything. And, thinking about how you had to drive in all those weekends makes me even more grateful. You were and are our biggest support. To Juree for being our biggest cheerleader, social planner, office manager, punching bag (on the worst of days), and most of all, friend. And Billy, for being our muscle when we moved and terrific handyman! To Jessica, Daniel and Nathan for just being great and supportive through the whole thing. And Robin, too, for lending us some elbow grease. To Scott Wagner, our master tileman.  To Shawn for building us our beautiful children’s playhouse. To Barbera for giving up a weekend or two to come and paint and, then, paint some more! To all of you and the others too who helped us celebrate at our opening and be happy along with us, we love you all very much and are thinking of you fondly this month.  Greg & Cindy

Categories
Blog Children Events Family Portrait Sessions Rambling

Our Portrait Garden’s 10 Year Transformation

Current image of the private portrait garden of G. Patterson Studio
Current image of the private portrait garden of G. Patterson Studio
Current image of the private portrait garden of G. Patterson Studio
Current image of the private portrait garden of G. Patterson Studio
10 year old image of the garden before it was the garden.
10 year old image of the garden before it was the garden.
10 year old image of the pond before it was the pond.
10 year old image of the pond before it was the pond.

To our friends of the studio, you are certainly familiar with our private portrait garden.  We try to use it in some creative way for every session.  Hopefully, you would agree that it is one of  the little treasures of Nacogdoches.  To those that have not had the pleasure of a family or children portrait session in the garden, I am confident that you will be amazed.  With greenery and colorful blooms almost year round, pond and waterfall, gazebo and swing, stone walkways and pergola, our garden provides an endless variety of gorgeous portrait backgrounds and settings.  Upon seeing our garden for the first time, clients will often “oooh” and “aaah” and exclaim that they never knew this beautiful scene was tucked away in downtown’s back yard.

The garden is wonderful, of course, but it is also a labor of love.  Much thoughtful planning went into the initial design and layout of the garden.  And countless hours go into maintaining it day after day, year after year.  I would be remiss to not mention Cindy’s father, Harry, who pours seemingly every spare minute he has into manicuring the plants.  He does an incredible job and we are all thankful.  Greg and Cindy and their children also contribute their fair share to this effort.  Luckily, we don’t ask our clients to join in the yard work.  You get to sit back and enjoy the hard labor that provides fairytale-like beauty.

Looking at these old photos, it’s hard to believe so much has changed in 10 years.  We are so blessed to be able to offer this unique benefit to our clients.  I hope that you come by to see our private portrait garden some time soon.  It is jaw-droppingly amazing in April and May.  Bring the family.  You’ll be glad you did.

-Daryl Sparks