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Bah, humbug!

It’s not that I don’t like the Christmas season, I’d rather focus on the Christmas reason, you know, the why we do all of this. I’ve had the Christmases that were perfect, with everyone unwrapping all that they asked for, the cooked-to-perfection meal for twenty, and the decorations that could make the spread in “Home and Gardens.” All of that takes lots of shopping and planning for what to buy, and it’s so stressful! And to be honest, I’m just not a big shopper. I know I stand in stark contrast to the many people who live for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I don’t pore through on-line ads or those in the newspaper. My nickname could be “make do”, because I’m fine with last year’s styles (and in some cases, last decade’s styles), and I love repurposing things. My husband would tell you it takes me longer scraping the last of the contents from this bottle or that than it would to go out and buy a new one.

I’m probably an offense to every red-blooded Amansfield_2893merican girl who shops for the sake of shopping.  Forget window shopping; I’m more like a guy when I shop. As soon as I see what I need, I bag and tag it and move to the next store! I abhor clutter, whether it’s in my home, car or even on my computer. I’ve never collected knickknacks, though I think they’re really pretty in other people’s homes.

One thing I don’t mind having a lot of or spending time shopping for are pictures. Pictures on the wall, in albums, on blankets and pillows, and even on my coffee mugs! Pictures for myself and those I buy for others. I like pictures of all kinds, my kids in school, my family on vacation or enjoying the holidays or ones depicting our everyday lives. Pictures that show us happy, sad or melancholy. They help me remember what we were doing this time last year, five years ago, twenty years ago, or in the case of my parents’ pictures, a lifetime ago. When I look at pictures of me and my loved ones, it helps me to remember who I am and what’s important to me. They preserve our memories and remind us how grateful we are for one another.

I’ll make no excuses for not having the most brightly lit house on the street this year, because I’ll be reminiscing over pictures from Christmases past and remembering what’s really important to me. That brings me back to the real reason why we put so much focus on this day of the year. The day Jesus entered this world, nothing would be the same. It set into motion a plan that from the beginning made a way for us to be saved. Christ alone is the one who saves; this is nothing we can do for ourselves. John 3:16 says, “For God so loves the world, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting lmansfield_2893ife.”

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Blog Children Events Portrait Sessions

Today in MicroFashion Photography

G Patterson Studio MicroFashion Photography

An idea that was born to the studio earlier this year has continued to spice things up in our mini model department. With the success of our Microfashion {Brick Streets} to kick off the series, we decided the Brick Streets edition was simply the beginning. Adorable kiddos are the heart of our portraits, while their personal style (or, personal styler) is brought to life through their unique portrayals of “microfashion.” From the tutus to the cowboys… The more variety, the better!

Its a newfound love, for us, to see just what these minis dress up in and how their little personalities glow through their portraits.

If you happened to miss the ’51 Chevy Microfashion sessions, fret not. We are planning another edition for September 1 & 2 with a Back2School theme. Check out more MicroFashion on our Facebook page and outfit ideas on our Pinterest board.

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Hunter

 

 

 

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Micro Fashion Auditions

What is Micro Fashion?

It’s an idea that sprang out of a Brainstorming session at the studio a few months ago. We were talking about our latest obsessions on Pinterest, and Haley said how much she loved seeing the little kids wearing trendy clothes and striking cute poses. Photographing kids is nothing new for us. We photograph them with their families, with siblings, and alone. We photograph them with the pond and gazebo and, in a “Just 4 Fun” appointment, with bunnies and watermelons.

At the same time, though, we were successfully photographing high school seniors looking really fashionable in their trendy clothes. So, when Haley mentioned kids sporting fashionable clothes, I made the connection and Micro Fashion was born.

In keeping with the theme of our business, we always want to provide simple, yet memorable portraiture, but at the same time, make it a little edgy. In the magazines and on the internet, kids wore harem pants and fedoras. As it were, though, our boutiques in Nacogdoches don’t have much in the way of urban wear for children. Also giving us some issues, the photos’ locales were streets lined with fashionable shops and famous street corners in New York City or the beach or surf shops of L.A. We would use the brick streets of downtown Nacogdoches.

What Nacogdoches does have…the main ingredient to making this work was cute, adorable kids! When it came time to market our first Micro Fashion appointments, we decided to call them “auditions,” as we’d not ever photographed this way before and had no images to share. It’s hard sharing an idea that’s not quite concrete with other people and expect them to jump on board. So, it was really affirming to us that people began booking appointments. When they arrived for their audition, we were thrilled to find kids that were so excited to be a “model.” And, to give the “momagers” their due, they were definitely “swagged” out!

If you’re kicking yourself for missing the last round of Micro Fashion auditions, no worries. We’re doing it again May 12 and 13. Check out more microFashion on our Pinterest page.

 

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Blog Children Family Rambling

The art of being single-minded

Cindy and Jessica
Me and Jessica, about to chase the sun!

I’m a student of human behavior, especially when it’s a little peculiar. The people that intrigue me the most are those that are single-minded. I’m not talking about people who prefer to stay single. Nor, am I talking about people who have narrow views. I’m talking about a person that likes one thing so much, they don’t like much else. We all know at least one person like this, a family member, a friend or even a neighbor; but what they all have in common is a laser-like focus on a particular thing. This obsession, which could be a cause, a hobby or, even, a celebrity, leaves the rest of us baffled.

Many single-minded people are worthy of notice, like a scoutmaster I have the privilege of knowing who’s been in charge of our local boy scout Troop 100. He’s served in this position for many years, going on countless campouts, attending workshops, holding meetings, conducting ceremonies and, as we learned at a recent Eagle Award ceremony, overseeing numerous boy scouts as they navigate the waters of earning the rank of Eagle.  I’d venture to say his knowledge of scouting and everything Troop 100 is unparalleled.

Although Tim Tindall has passed his baton to another, he still performs unofficially many of the same duties. Recently, Tim took our own boy scout, Nathan, to discover what Eagle Scout project might interest him. As they set off, I hoped that some of Tim’s commitment to service would rub off on our son!

In a time when there is so much to detract us from our focus, it is refreshing to have single-minded people among us. I’ve determined that my interest in them is truly selfish; I want what they have. If I had their same determination, I might keep my New Year’s resolutions for more than a couple of days. How is it that someone can grow their hair an extra twenty inches for “Locks of Love?” Or have the biggest collection of stamps? Or, have the same best friend for their whole life? I want to cry out, “How do I resolve to be more resolved?!”

The other day I found a picture of myself in an old album. It shows me warming up for a run, while my two-year-old is pretending to warm up with me. As I looked fondly at how cute she was, it struck me. That was twenty-six years ago, which means I’ve been running for, at least, that long. I’ve been committed to doing something most people find hard or mundane most of my life! Now, I know this is far from the picture left us by Mother Teresa and her life-long commitment to the poor of Calcutta, but maybe a little single-mindedness can be cultivated. If you’re like me (and you are if your #1 characteristic is ADHD), look below at 9 things you can do to help stay focused on whatever you choose.

Me and Jessica, about to chase the sun!
Me and Jessica, about to chase the sun!

NINE STEPS to be Single-Minded {focused}

1. Clear the noise. People who focus start by controlling their environment. Set up space that is conducive to the task at hand. Remove everything that’s not helpful to your objective.

2. Create a plan. Have a clear picture of where you’re going and how to get there. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Maybe just a few bullet points in a message.

3. Set up clear compensation. Focused people clearly understand why they’re engaged in a particular activity. Get excited about it by creating a reward for completion to help yourself become accountable and make the task a priority over all other distractions.

4. Create routine. Being disorganized can cause distraction, stress, and inefficiency. Give everything its proper place, so you can be free to deal with things that come up.

5. Work methodically. When you multitask, you accomplish less and what you accomplish is lower quality. Schedule your day to compartmentalize projects so you can give them your complete attention.

6. Live in the now. Be respectful of lessons learned and have a vision of where you’re going, but always be mindful of what’s happening now, the people around you and what they’re saying.

7. No second guessing. Everyone’s different, so don’t confuse someone’s else’s path with your own.

8. Embrace failure. Don’t let a mistake disappoint you for long. Allow it to guide you back to the right path.

9. Learn from others. You may not share the same path, but you can learn the characteristics of successful people. Make a habit of being around them, or you can read a biography about a successful person.

A much younger Greg enjoying a camping trip to Pedernales River.
A much younger Greg enjoying a camping trip to Pedernales River.
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Blog Children Family Portrait Sessions Tips & Tricks

Fall Fashion

Fall fashion tips from Certified Professional Photographer Greg Patterson

Fall Portrait Clothing Tips from Photographer Greg PattersonFor those of us living in the south, fall means pumpkins, football and family time…much like anywhere else. But, what else we have that they don’t is moderate temperatures which are great for getting in touch with the outdoors once again. Let’s face it, once the long, hot summer is over, we’re tired of being cooped up inside with the a/c. We practically kill for a reason to step away from our desks and breathe in some brisk, humidity-free air.

The all-important questions becomes, “What do I wear when I’m outside seeing and being seen?” In a season where the days’ temps change drastically, really, anything goes. One word of caution would be you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort when it’s cold. How about wearing layers instead of a bulky coat? For instance, pair a turtleneck with a scarf instead of a cable knit sweater? Guys can wear a blazer instead of a heavy jacket. Wearing a vest and tie for a picture will give you a classy yet casual look.

Okay, so you can’t compromise comfort for looking good? A puffer jacket only looks wrong in a picture if you’re wearing big clothing from head to toe? What about pairing a coat with skinny jeans, or jeans that aren’t too loose fitting? That way you’ll still see some of your shape. Actually, this is really cute! Why not take a look at some of my favorite pins?

Fall Colors to keep in Mind for Family Portraits

Some colors to keep in mind for fall are mustard, slate blue, burgundy, sage, marsala, turquoise, olive green or teal. And, one of my favorites?…orange. It’s not a color easily worn other times of the year! If you’re family’s having pictures taken and you’re afraid of splashing too much or too many different colors, how about a splash of a brighter color on a scarf or beanie or on a tie or the shoes your child would wear?

There are so many options, the name of the game is to just have fun! And, if picture-taking is stressing you out? Remember, those worry lines on your face can look far worse than a couple of extra pounds on the waist. It’s better to just go with it!

Free Consultation with a Professional

One of the benefits of scheduling with a true professional is being able to meet and talk about your session prior to the session. We LOVE when clients come in for our FREE no obligation consultation and we can certainly guide you in what to wear for fall family pictures. It’s a great opportunity for us to meet potential clients while answering questions and showing off everything we have to offer a G Patterson Photographic Studio & Gallery.

Interested in a fall family portrait just in time for Christmas? Give us a call at 936-569-7116 or checkout some more of our work on our website, Pinterest or Facebook.

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Blog Children Events Family Portrait Sessions Rambling Travel Weddings

One great afternoon in Nacogdoches

HALPIN FAMILY-This weekend we met with two families we hadn’t seen for a few years. They’d each been a part of Nacogdoches for different reasons. The Halpins came, as many do, to SFA to further their studies. In fact, both Michael and April were students of Greg’s in the Communications Dept. They asked Greg to photograph their wedding here in Nacogdoches fifteen years ago.Halpin_191 PT

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Conditt Family-A portrait session in the Ruby Mize Azalea Garden brought Becky’s family together this weekend. Though Becky and her daughter have  lived away from Nacogdoches for awhile, Clint calls it home, for now. We reminisced about how Sabina, during her portrait session when just 4 years old, was happier to pull the flowers than pose for the camera. When Greg finally got her attention, she looked up angelically still with fists full of flowers.

Later, as I reflect on all of this, I’m happy to have shared some important moments with them, and for the opportunity to reconnect. I think about other people and families who we’ve built relationships along the way, and how this small town brings us together at different times and for all kinds of reasons. It seems that we’ve changed so much more than has the town.  Sure, many businesses and restaurants have come and gone, and many of the people who were once here have moved on. But, much of it is still the same, and that’s comforting especially to those who’ve been away for awhile.

Many, many years ago, a college town became our home away from home when we came from Dallas to attend SFA. Although we didn’t intend it, Nacogdoches became home when we started our family. Now, as our kids are turning into adults and moving away, I can’t imagine living elsewhere. Sure, we talk about all the fun and exciting locations where we might move upon retirement, but this will always be the spot to which we come back. After all, what better place to spend an afternoon with friends and family.

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Blog Children Family Portrait Sessions Rambling

So, What Have We Lost?

While perusing new book titles on Amazon I saw one that caught my attention. What could a book titled “The End of Absence” be about? I wondered. The first thing I thought of was that the opposite of absent is present, right? So, was this another self-improvement book about how to stay present? I didn’t need to read another one of those, but I had to know what was “ending” exactly. I wasn’t intrigued enough to pay to read the book, but I did read a few reviews. Here’s the gist of what I got from a few of them.

fun in the portrait garden
fun in the portrait garden

The author describes the society that we’re in now as one being void of any new or creative thoughts. Because of the internet, we’ve allowed Google to do our thinking for us. We drag ourselves out of bed each morning to see what’s new on Facebook and end the day by checking our email one last time. And, in between, we’ve posted any number of pictures and videos, some our own, some we share.
Do we remember as youngsters daydreaming while looking out the window? Or, how about imagining that a cloud looks like an elephant? Does today’s generation have time for getting lost in their thoughts?
But, before getting too lost in this sentimental journey, I recall how I reminisced with an old friend I’d just reconnected with on Facebook. And, that recipe I got from a blogger in Canada was really good. I’ve gained so much through digital technology, it’s hard to imagine life without it anymore.
In fact, I can’t pinpoint exactly what we’ve lost, except our childhood. For those of us who are middle-aged, we tend to feel nostalgic about the simple joys of rolling in the grass or splashing in rain puddles. We wonder why our kids want to spend more time on the computer than they do outside. The next generation will feel the same way when they remember the first digital diary they created from a family vacation or come across the first selfie they ever took.
I’m going to pass on this book; it won’t tell me much I don’t already know about the growing number of hours we spend on the internet. I’ll try to spend that time instead by staying close to the people I love. And, if that’s through Facebook or Skype, so be it.

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Blog Children

This pic says it all!

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

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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.

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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.