Tag: Portrait

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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 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

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Blog News

“Brightening” the Nacogdoches CVB

Greg Patterson holding a portrait of Charles Bright in the building that now bears his name.
Greg Patterson holding a portrait of Charles Bright in the building that now bears his name.
Greg Patterson holding a portrait of Charles Bright in the building that now bears his name.
Greg Patterson holding a portrait of Charles Bright in the building that now bears his name.

As most of you know, the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau last year was renamed the Charles Bright Visitor Center in honor of Mr. Bright and his efforts to maintain and improve the downtown corridor.  Mr. Bright accomplished so much in his 86 years and has a special place in the hearts of the people of Nacogdoches.  A quick overview of his life gives everyone of us a great deal to aspire to.

Mr. Bright, with his wife Carolyn, visited our studio a few years ago seeking professional portraits that would capture his personality and character. It was an absolute delight to work with him and see that personality shine through.  Thanks to that happy occasion, last month we were asked to produce a portrait of Mr. Bright that would be displayed in the newly renamed visitor center.  Now, his image will help “brighten” the walls for our downtown visitors to enjoy.  Our hope is that all who see Mr. Bright will remember his efforts and significant contributions to our community.

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Blog Rambling

Cold but still beautiful

Ice on pond at G Patterson Studio located in Nacogdoches Texas.
Ice on pond at G Patterson Studio located in Nacogdoches Texas.
Ice on pond at G Patterson Studio located in Nacogdoches Texas.
Ice on pond at G Patterson Studio located in Nacogdoches Texas.

It has been quite cold the past few days. Nacogdoches is not quite use to this type of weather. We had plumbers out to our house to fix problems with one of those on-demand hot water heaters that froze. I think they are thankful for the work but may be wishing the same we are wishing, and that is warm weather.

When I came into the studio Tuesday morning, I could hear the trickle of water back in the garden. Beyond my skin saying retreat for a warm environment, I veered off my normal path to the studio to examine the sound of water. It was about 18° that morning with an expected high just below freezing. There must have been some moisture from the previous night because as I walked, I could hear the grass under foot crack and pop as if frozen.

As I approached the pond, I could see the shimmer of sunlight bouncing off of the what was once water. Now frozen to about 1/2 inch thick ice. The falls were still running but with every splash, they were producing some fantastic ice sculptures on the rocks below. Cold but most defiantly still beautiful.

Warmth will come again and we will all be wishing for cooler temps.

Before we know it, we will be rocking 100° plus days which seem to stay with us much longer than cold. Are you ready for March/April? Spring is one of my most favorite seasons with March and April just about as perfect as it can get in East Texas.

However, by the end of this week, we are expected to be back in the mid to upper 60’s. Until then, enjoy this photo I captured with my trusty Nikon.

Enjoy,

Greg Patterson, Certified Professional Photographer