New Blog Digs, and some additional info

Hi All! I will try to post her periodically but it may end up more of the ramblings of my mind than my blog because I have new digs for my photography blog. It is now linked into my new website. Anne Elliott Photography Blog

But, just a little bit about what has been going on. Went on a recent photo walk with some friends at White Rock Lake. Got some great new stuff, and some of it is posted on my website today. I also have some bluebonnet photos I need to edit, but all in good time.

Events coming up(in no particular order):

April 27th: Relay For Life - Wylie, Sachse, Murphy. I'll be walking all night along with my team for American Cancer Society. I will also be doing event photography. Looking forward to sharing my talents with others to honor my Cousin Bob.

April 21st: Warrior Dash - Sorry folks no photos of this other than what I may capture on my phone, and possibly my small quick shot. I'm running this one with my hubby, and some friends. Looking forward to getting muddy, and showing my stronger warrior side this year.

May 5th ; It's my hubbies birthday...sshhh...don't tell him that he's getting old. lol.

COMING SOON:

Senior Portrait Stylings

Engagement Photography

Prints For Purchase on my Website - I will be setting up a shopping cart, and you will soon be able to purchase prints for art use. I will have prints, framed prints, gallery wrapped canvases, and gift cards to start. More products coming soon. :-)

I guess that is all for now. Go over to the link above and check out my new blog. Or head over to my website Anne Elliott Photography and check out my galleries. Looking forward to watching what I love grow into a fruitful tree. Much love to you all!!

xo

Anne

March In To Spring with This Special

Happy Leap Day!! The March special is here! For the month of March only. Free session! Just pre pay your minimum $50 order at the time you schedule, and your session is free! Much Love from The Studio! -Anne

RFL Kick Off and "The Light"

The last couple years I have participated in Relay For Life. An all night walk to raise money for American Cancer Society. I'm blessed to be part of a wonderful team, The Wylie Mom's. Each year we have out down ourselves with our fundraising, and we hope to do the same again. This year I am volunteering my photographic talents to capture the moments of the evening as well as the big kick off event. It was a beautiful Saturday, and we are off to a great start.

This all started for me as a fun way to participate in a charitable fundraiser with my friends. And then a couple years ago my Cousin Bob found out his cancer was back. He had survived cancer as a kid, but the radiation that saved Bob camed back to haunt him later in life. Cancer came back with a vengence, and took from this world one of the greatest photographers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I regret that I never had the chance to shoot with Bob. That being said, I can't help but sometimes feel a greater force guiding me on this journey. It is easy to be sad when a person leaves us in this life to journey into the beyond.

My final photo of this blog I dedicate to Bob. I call it "The Light". "The Light" burns for all those we love that battle this awful disease, and continues to burn for those we have lost.

If you would like to make a donation to support me in my walk this year, please go to my page:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12PL?px=14852480&pg=personal&fr_id=41137

When Photogs Walk

New Year's Eve....

High Noon....

A group of geeky photogs gather in the parking lot of Oddfellows. We get sneered at, and informed we are blocking the sidewalk. No matter! We have gear in hand, and soon people are avoiding us as if we are paparazzi. This lovely group are my friends, and we are about to embark on a walk through one of Dallas's finest gems, The Bishop Arts District.

The Bishop Arts district is a mini Austin Sixth Street in our very own Oak Cliff. OK! I know! I say "Oak Cliff" and instantly, if you know Dallas, the mind flips to a "bad part of town", and run down houses. Fear not my friends!! You will indeed find yourself safe here. You will also find a host of glorious little stores filled with trinkets galore, and restaurants with some of the finest food in this town. Eno's, Oddfellow's, The Soda Factory, and Dude, Sweet Chocolate to name a few.

Together with my dozen photog friends, we explored a bit of the area and shot some great photos on this beautiful and unseasonably warm New Years Eve. Fun was had for all! If you get a chance, travel over to The Bishop Arts District. You won't be disappointed.

To see more of my work, go to my website http://www.anneelliottphotography.com

It LIVES!!!

It morphs! It grows! It becomes mine! My dreams of my heart are becoming my reality. I'm thrilled beyond measure. So blessed by those that keep pushing me to follow these dreams. I love you all!!

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

So yesterday I had a little alone time while my husband took my daughter to the Barcelona game at Cowboy Stadium. Me time = CAMERA TIME!! Glorious un-interrupted camera time. So I loaded up and headed out to run an errand first....new Tifosi sunglasses from Run ON! Love these sunglasses! Anyway... afterward I was pondering where to wander in the car looking for interesting subject matter when I remembered these bronze cattle I saw a couple weeks ago up at The Shops at Legacy. Who wouldn't want to play with giant cattle statues? Ok...some of you might not, but I love this kind of subject matter since they don't move, and I can set up the shots. Lay on the ground under them, etc. So a little more info...you can find these magnificent creatures on Bishop just off Legacy.

What I discovered that I didn't notice last time was the very cool, very OLD cemetery that is right there. Baccus Cemetery The photos in that link doesn't do any justice for the intrigued it offers now with it's fancy gate, and historical marker. Unfortunately mid day light didn't offer much for shooting within the cemetery, but if you like to wander these places, the headstones are interesting. Dating back to the 1800's.

Without further ado...MOOOOOOOOO!



I'm not sure we saw eye to eye entirely but the detail in these creatures is fantastic!



I'm fascinated by trees, and this seems to be one of my favorite perspectives. Nothing like getting up close and personal with a tree! I think a shot like this with a person peeking over the top would be fun to do. I just gotta find someone willing to climb and peer over.



I kept circling and dancing with this tree until I found where the light could peer down on me. Lens flair...sure, but I think it gives a feeling of a greater beyond. God shining down on us.



This statue was actually a cowboy on a horse roping one of the cattle. I'd show you the other version, but I think this one leaves more to the imagination.



Finally....yes...I was laying on the ground here. The artist who did these is phenomenal. The attention to detail exquisite. Add some sun, a little blue sky, gorgeous green trees, and VOILA! Magic! So much Fun!

More of my Work....(Growing)

Manual! Shoot in manual my friend said! And so I borrowed her book, and thus began the journey that is what you see. All my photos up to now have been take with auto settings on my camera. The ones that are supposed to be "dummy proof". These are from a sunset practice session. More to come!!!

Change Please

A little more Breckenridge. This was in Frisco at the Historical center. I loved the old cash register and the contrasting Bright (though fake) lemons in the glass container. Such a richness to the image.

Beyond the Mountains

I'm a bit behind but here is a taste of what I got while on the trip that wasn't quite a vacation in Breckenridge, Co. There are more, and they need editing, but for now these will do. Coming soon......a site or link for purchasing my images. Just have to figure out the best way to do that.

On a side note, my Cousin Bob recently passed away after his long battle with cancer. He was a great nature photographer, and a true inspiration for me. Bob will be greatly missed, but I wanted to share the Etsy site his wife set up for his photography. Search For the "Prairie Smoke Gallery" on Etsy. Based in Stillwater, MN. You can purchase notecards with his images on them. Some are just amazing.Farwell Bob!

I'm Published!!

Well, I did it! It's done! I'm published! Big SIGH!! We will see. I want to thank Heather for encouraging me to do this. Without her support I may have never stepped out on this ledge to look over the other side. Check it out, and if you like it...buy one please!


http://www.blurb.com/books/1993810

A little fall in Texas for you.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and so has the turkey. But, not to say that there won't be turkey served on Christmas day. I read my friends blogs, and realize that they have so much to day. And I with all that I have endured this year really do not. However, the news of my life is but merely that I am training for a 5k. A lot of people have looked at me and said..."It's just a 5k", but for me it's not. It's an accomplishment of gargantuan proportions being that I have never...let me repeat NEVER EVER been a "runner". It is a challange that has plagued me my whole life. But its funny how certain occurances in your life can suddenly alter your outlook on what you can do. OK OK OK.....Enough about me...on to the good stuff. I'm hoping yet to capture more good stuff before it's all gone. But here it is...a little fall in Texas... Enjoy!

Another Chapter in my Learning Process

This week has given way to 2 new chapters in my learning process of all this photography stuff. I completed my first fully digital book for a whole year of my daughters life. 94 pages of fun, and I can't wait to see it in print. I also order large prints of some of my photography images for framing and gifts to the g-parents. My nerves will be settled when I get the prints in hand. Until then I'm both excited and nervous to see how they turned out. So getting the mail next week should be very exciting.

Reflections of Another Garden

The photo above was taken at our old house. We had taken a lot of time and effort to develop a beautiful side yard that became home to some of my favorite blooms. The rose is a Marylin Monroe. A creamy pink blossom with a mild scent. The background is my Hydrangeas.

I ran across this photo the other day while working on Grace's photo book. I found myself reminising about my garden, and the hours it took to put up the wall. The sod cutter we rented to attempt to remove the grass. Us working after dark and by the light of a workshop flood. How I loved my bushes, and flowers! I don't dare drive by now because I'm sure that it hasn't beenn trimmed or cared for the way I would have. So I hold on to the memory of those large beautiful blooms. The happiness they brought to me and my family.

I anxiously await turning my current little assortment of plants that were planted with my house into something that is truly my own. Look out Covington's Nursery I have a wish list, and you will probably get to know me once again by name.

One of my favorite Texas Wonders

It is no secret that the state flower of Texas is the Bluebonnet. There aren't many sites in Texas so splendorous as summer wildflowers where they still exist, and fields filled with miles of bluebonnets. It is a bit of a spring tradition to head out to find the local bluebonnets and take photos of families, and children. But what photog can resist just a photo of a bluebonnet?

The perfect and not so perfect blossoms of blue topped with a tuft of white are incredible. These had been bloomed for a while as you could start to see the seed pods appearing. I never knew that bluebonnets had a fragrance until I was standing in a field amongst thousands of the beautiful blossoms. A light floral fragrance that is appealing and not overpowering. And the greatest thrill of all is to kneel amongst them and look on the stems. Never have I seen so many ladybugs. Unfortuantely this year they were fast and I was unable to capture the combination of red and blue. So I dug back to last years archive, and behold the gorgeous photo.

Alas though I did take some photos of my daughter enjoying this spring time treat. This photo was my favorite.

I'm so blessed to have these opportunities. It's no surprise to anyone that I love living in Texas. There are plenty of places that I love to visit, but definitely no place I would rather lay my head at night and call home. It's always nice to come home. "The stars at night are big and bright....Deep in the Heart of Texas!"

Spring Photos of Sorts

This has been a very busy spring. I am amazed that I have found the time to get out to some of my favorite spots and take any photos at all. In March we were able to trek down to Austin for a brief weekend trip to see friends and attend a baby shower. Our dear friends Dennis and Karen expecting their first child. Who, was born yesterday. Welcome to the world Kara Austin Rylander. I can't wait to get back down there to see you in person.

AUSTIN, TX

On our trip to Austin we wanted to stop at one of Texas' great secrets, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center. This was truly a treat, and I would greatly enjoy to go back at various times of the year to get a full perspective of the wildlife within the center.

Grace enjoying the free running time.I made friends with the frog but was unsuccessful at getting Chris or Grace to sit on the frog.

On our way in and out of the perserve there was a water feature. And this family of turtles was enjoying the balmy spring day. Funny part is that the little one was balanced on top of the big one when we went in. We were inside for almost 2 hours. When we came out, still balanced in perfect sync with each other. And then as if on que, the little guy slid off and into the water.

THE LOCAL NURSERY
Another of our favorite places for both photos and shopping purposes is a local nursery named Covington's. The quality of plants is always superb. The owner Joe is always kind and friendly, and his staff very knowledgable.

DALLAS BLOOMS
My third place of topic is truly a place that can't be missed in the spring.

Grace in her element! Posing squirrel. I promise, I think he was looking for a modeling contract.

Tulips in perfect bloom!

My favorite Japanese Maple. At least 30 years old.

Who couldn't smile with her around?!

Blossoms that amaze me. Nature can be so inspirational.

A Layout that is ME

I finally found a layout that is more descriptive of me and my personality. This feels better.

So you will notice that my blog is Anne Elliott Photo. Let me preface that I am not the portraiture that my friend Sharon is. She captures beautiful photos of people I know and love. Her artistry decorates my home via photos of my child. And I am not a wedding photographer like my friend Lynn Michel

le. OMG! I wish I had the experience to capture things the way she does. I am merely an amateur photographer at this point with a passion for capturing nature, and life in the moment.

My daughter is my most captured subject. I love to capture those moments that being a kid is all about. Bare feet in the grass and staring at the sky. Smelling flowers like you have never seen them before.

Recently we had a crazy snow storm here in Big D. We got a record 12.5 inches of snow! This was incredible. I could hardly believe the awesome beauty of it. It made me see the nature around me in a whole new way.

Here is a teaser from the first day we awoke to a snowy wonderland.

More to come once I get them loaded and edited. I welcome comments and suggestions to grow my talents. I hope you enjoy my work.

We may finally be near a resolution

So, everyone blogs. And I'm not sure blogging is completely my thing. But, I decided to start using this tool more to grow my talents. And hence, and update is in order. Over the last 6 months, we have been enduring the challenge that is building a new house. It seems the end may be near. We are scheduled to close within the next week should we get everything in order. YAY!!!

And so for now, I bid you adieu. I'm exhausted and need rest. Look for new pic blogs coming soon!

So what is it that I do...

Well, as far a photography goes...mostly my daughter, and lots of nature pics. I love flowers. The smell. The colors. Just about everything about a flower. My daughter is an especially good subject because she is always willing to perk up a smile. I am continuing to search out what is my best subject matter.

However, my talents extend from beyond my camera. I bake a lot of home made birthday cakes for family and friends. I enjoy it. My fans call it "a little slice of heaven". I also love crafting and sewing. Thinking about making up a bunch of holiday aprons to sell at the local church fair in the fall.

My day job includes taking my daughter to work with me. I work with my family. Not something I recommend for everyone, but we are determined to survive this recession with our business intact. So together we fight everyday for those orders, and to stop our politicians from bankrupting this country. The latter being a topic for another time. What I do for the family business includes everything from fabrication to web development.