I had so much fun doing it last year, I decided to go for it again!  That’s right, it’s the now “annual”, Favorite Portrait Contest!  I had an unbelievable 2011, full of so many great families, babies, kiddos, and seniors – it was nearly impossible to narrow it down to my top 30 favorites.  Last year it was the top 25, but I just couldn’t narrow it down past thirty.  I did force my husband to help me get to 30, because honestly, I get way too emotionally attached    As with last year, some are favorites because of technical aspects that appeal to me (for example: lighting or color), others I love for the emotion that was captured, and a few, just on the cute factor alone.

So, now that I’ve tortured myself over it, I’m turning it over to you, my clients, friends, and random strangers who like to look at pretty pictures, to decide on your Favorite Portrait of 2011.   Are you ready?!?

Here’s how it will work:

1.  Each person may vote for one image, one time.  Please, please follow this rule in the sake of fairness to everyone who had an image chosen.  Pretty please with sugar on top?

2.  To cast your vote, leave a comment in the comment section below.  Make sure you are commenting under this particular blog post (contest time), and use the identifying image number located above each image.

3.  As “extra credit”, facebook fans will be given ONE extra vote.  So, if you aren’t already a facebook fan, hop over and click “like”, then come back here and let me know about it by leaving a comment.  If you are already a facebook fan, let me know that as well so you can be given your additional vote.

4.  Feel free to share the contest with friends and family.  A little self promotion of your image is totally fine (as long as they follow the rules!).

Here are the prizes:

First Place:  (1) beautiful 16×20 gallery wrapped canvas of the winning image (valued at $475)

Second Place:  (1) beautiful, mounted 11×14 print of the second place image (valued at $100)

Third Place:  a handy-dandy $50 print credit to be used at a future session

Voting will end on Friday, January 20th @ 5 p.m. (cst)

Here are the selected images, have fun voting!

1.  silhouette

2.  brown eyes

3.  pretty with pearls

4.  together

5.  lemons

6.  field of dreams

7.  vintage high chair

8.  little boy blue

9.  baby in a bucket

10.  silver uggs

11.  giggle boxes

12.  peek-a-boo

13.  new love

14.  waiting

15.  windswept

16.  blue blanket

17.  see you next fall

18.  yummy

19.  special friends

20.  batman

21.  pretty girls

22.  cuteness in a box

23.  pretty senior

24.  sunshine and laughter

25.  tummy time

26.  in love

27.  simplicity

28.  little miss vogue

29.  blue eyes

30.  the future mrs. bieber

That’s it!  Have fun voting and be sure to check the studio facebook page , that’s where I’ll post the winners!

Until next time!

Tammy

Tyler Texas Baby Child and Family Photography

Had a great time with pretty little *c* – I always enjoy shooting at their home, pretty acreage and lots of animals

Also, need to mention that my fall sessions are almost fully booked!  Only two weekend dates in November and a handful of weekday sessions remain!

Until next time,

Tammy

Interested in booking a senior session?  Call me – I’d love to talk to you!

Until next time,

Tammy

Little baby “z” was almost too presh for words…

Until next time,

Tammy

Pretty little *a*, never disappoints… she is full of personality and expression!  Some of my favorites from a recent studio session:

Until next time,

Tammy

Longview Texas Child Photographer Gallery

Lots of great studio stuff these days, trying to beat the heat!  More studio shares to come…

Until next time,

Tammy

Tyler and Longview Texas Child Photographer Gallery

…the best shots are the ones that are the least expected 

Until next time,

Tammy

Longview Texas Baby Photographer Portfolio

It’s almost spring and to celebrate, I thought I would offer up a brand-spanking-new “What to Wear Guide”.  It’s been a while since I featured one and I am way past due to dish one up!

Since I think family sessions are the toughest to coordinate, I always try to feature those if possible, as a reference point.  This particular one is for a family who is looking to do something a little different… something slightly hip, a little retro.  Something a little outside of the proverbial box…

And if the “retro” look isn’t for you, the color palette is still a great source of inspiration.  The colors are clean, bright, and crisp.  All of which typically photograph beautifully and are very far away from the tired “let’s all wear denim and matching white shirts”. 

Until next time,

Tammy

Longview Texas Children and Family Photographer

I absolutely love getting to know my couples who come in for maternity sessions.  Since there aren’t any kiddos there (yet!) as a distraction, sessions tend to be a little more laid back, slower in pace, and it gives me a chance to try new ideas or play around with lighting.  *E* and *R* came from Nacogdoches for their session and they were totally game to go along with my ideas, and we ended up with some beautiful imagery…

We started out by having some fun in the studio — it can take some couples a while to get comfortable, but these two were so relaxed:

Then, we decided to do some shooting downtown, we had amazing light…

Next, a few of *E* by herself (I love the pink sweater – hence the blog post title!) 

And I love this exchange between them 

And finally, back to the studio for a few more…

And I’m happy to be meeting their little one *a*, this week for her newborn session — I can’t wait!  You can bet I’ll be blogging that session as well 

Until next time,

Tammy

Tyler Texas Maternity Photographer

Sometimes photographing large family groups can be, well, not so fun.  It can be a little stiff, a tad stuffy, and can reek of over-the-top-traditionalism (yes, that was my big word for the day.  Go me!).  But, when the *b* family contacted me about a family session, they seemed different.  Not different in a bad way — in a good and potentially really fun way.  In fact, when they emailed me, they even included images of them being really candid (i.e. that’s code for acting silly).  Once I saw that, I was pretty much in 

So, fast forward to our session, which we decided to shoot at an awesome vineyard and winery in Athens, Texas.  It was crazy windy, but in spite of that, we had a great time shooting.  We had so many great shooting options at the vineyard and towards the end, we ended up with some absolutely gorgeous light.  Don’t believe me?  See for yourself!

And finally, a “candid” shot:

Thanks *b* family, it was fun!

Until next time,

Tammy

East Texas Family Photographer