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.
2014 Bunnies at Greg Patterson Studio in Nacogdoches.
A Magical Combination…
Since we opened our doors twenty years ago, we’ve had a lot of good ideas come and go. Though our focus has always been to provide lifestyle portraiture that makes you “feel” something, we’ve always tried to keep things fresh and in keeping with today’s trends. Making elaborate sets for one person for one hour was never our style, but could we decorate a set for many clients over a short number of days? We’ve always had great success photographing children, so we began using the holidays as an excuse to do something a little more fun! We began with the Easter holiday and bunnies, because…well, do I really need to explain it? Children with bunnies is a magical combination.
2011 Bunnies at G. Patterson Studio.
There’s a huge element of unpredictability when photographing animals, but that’s what makes for a great photo session! Just when you have all your subjects, both kids and bunnies, looking in the general vicinity of your camera, the bunny hops off. Or, it could be the child scooting out of the scene, because come to find out, they’re afraid of rabbits! Photographing with rabbits, means you’re constantly picking up little pellets that look like their food, but they’re not. And, once, we had a rabbit bite a child, but that was just once. And than, of course, you may have two rabbits acting amorous all of a sudden, and you have to explain that’s just their way of playing, because that’s a conversation better left for the parents to have with them.
They’ve come with many names attached to them, but “Payday” has stuck with me, because of the number of years we used him. He was a beautiful big flop-eared rabbit that was so gentle and not easily spooked. Children would remember him from one Easter to the next, and were always happy to see him. Tracy Steinhauser and her two, Kasy and Keelan, were instrumental in keeping us in stock every Easter. We knew if our rabbits came from them, they’d be groomed and well cared for. Each of our three children were photographed with the bunnies. Our daughter, now 28 years, loved the bunny sessions so much, she even posed as a teen with her best friend and the bunnies. Our sons were a little less enthused. We even acquired a couple rabbits of our own at one point and would allow them to play in the backyard with the cats.
Since that Time…
2013 Bunnies at G Patterson Studio.
Since that time, we’ve had many more of these types of sessions designed around a theme or holiday. We’ve had Santa for Christmas, pumpkins at Halloween, watermelons for Independence Day. For these children’s session we’ve used titles like “Gone Fishin’,” ”Puppy Love,” ”In the Attic,” ”Tea Party,” ”Little Guys in Ties,” and ”Mom & Me,” to name a few.
All of these “mini” sessions over the years serve to create fond memories for us at the studio. Our favorite remembrances, though, come from the sessions with the bunnies. They take a little more time and effort, but they’re always worth it!
Just4Fun is the title we give these specially designed sessions. They’re just for kids and just fifteen minutes long. We provide viewing at the time of your session, and our packages are offered at a discount. If you’re interested in our “Easter Bunnies” Just4Fun session, visit
Portrait by G Patterson Photographic Studio on display in Center, Texas home.
Our clients were “tickled pink” when they put the portrait on the wall and saw the results! That’s the exact response we want, and after all the steps we take to ensure you get exactly what you want, we’ve come to expect it! It’s no accident when it all “comes together,” because there is a process in place. One, that over time, we’ve developed.
The Patterson Process on capturing the perfect Portrait
It starts with a consultation, either in person or over the phone, where the client tells us what they want from their experience. And, mind you, by the time you leave the studio portrait in hand, you’ll understand it’s been a worthwhile experience. When we get to know a little about you, and you us, there’s an element of ease during your portrait session that makes for more natural poses and smiles. As they say, “The camera loves it,” and the finished product is a beautiful thing!
By this time, we’ve spent time with you on two different occasions, and so to call what we do next “The Big Show,” is a good interpretation. We’ve prepared your images in just such a way, that when you see them, you’ll be “wowed!” We want the show to be BIG, because we’d like for everyone who was photographed, and than some, to come and see them. The show is never as mundane as “picking and choosing.” It’s more like, “This one is great for Nana!” and “She’ll love that one for her office!” We even put our design skills to use to put together some collages you might like! There’s fun and laughter, and sometimes some tears, but that’s only because you realize how much the’ve grown.
After a couple more weeks, after processing, ordering, inspecting for quality, framing and packaging, you receive the call that it’s ready for you to come by and take it home. The whole process usually takes no more than a month, but it’s a month well spent, especially when you hang it on the wall, and you’re “tickled pink!”
Wedding storybook album spread of bride and groom by G. Patterson Studio.
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.
"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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Custom graduation invitations from G. Patterson Studio in Nacogdoches.
Custom graduation invitations from G. Patterson Studio in Nacogdoches.
Right now, I am happily engaged in creating unique graduation invitations for our 2014 high school and college seniors. Some are from senior sessions we did back in the summer or fall, and some are from sessions we just photographed. Each invitation is made to order, from the selection of poses… to any particular verbiage… right down to the color scheme. These are not your run of the mill type invites. They are the right combination of bright and professional, vibrant and elegant. No two look the same. I enjoy designing these cards because it is as challenging as it is beautiful. My task is to incorporate our client’s desires into an overall layout that works aesthetically and pragmatically. It gets really interesting though when Mom and Dad do not see eye to eye with Senior. But I have yet to hear any complaints after the final product is in their hands.
Recently I’ve run into several parents who have asked me if our studio is booked up with senior portrait sessions this spring. I tell them that March is looking a little crazy, but it always does. My advice to them is call as early as you can so that we will have the most availability and flexibility. And if you are wanting those rockin’ awesome invitations that we are famous for, then call even earlier. That graduation day clock is winding down. The last thing I want is to turn someone away simply because we ran out of time. So give the studio a call if you want senior portraits and products that will make sure you stand out from the crowd.
Graduating Seniors have filled a wall with written notes about their portrait sessions at G. Patterson Studio.
Graduating Seniors have filled a wall with written notes about their portrait sessions at G. Patterson Studio.
At the studio, we have a dressing room for our clients. In that room, there is a wall where graduating seniors have written little notes about their sessions and signed their names. Looking at this wall the other day got me thinking about the individuality of each of these seniors. Every word is penned with its own particular handwriting. Each note has its own voice. Every signature is unique and stylistic. This hodgepodge of messages is a perfect representation of just how different each person is. As we go throughout our busy lives, we shouldn’t forget our diversity and what personal characteristics make us who we are. We should embrace them because it is our individuality that makes us so wonderfully special.
Whether it be for a high school senior, 6 month old baby, a brand new bride, or whatever, a portrait should exemplify what makes that person special. Their interests, attitude and personality should shine through for all to appreciate. We want to offer that to our clients. We do offer that to our clients. G. Patterson Studio helps bring out your inner “awesomeness” for others to see and enjoy. At the studio, we have an expression for our seniors, “Show the world your true self.” Let’s work together to make that thought a reality. Hope to see you soon!
