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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.

briechatman

Hunter

 

 

 

micro.adkison

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Blog Children Family Portrait Sessions Tips & Tricks

Fall Fashion

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 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.

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 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.

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!

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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.

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.

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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.

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 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.