Wilcox Family Photos

My friends Bill and Denise had me take their family photos this weekend. After scheduling conflicts with rain and other photo shoots we finally had an evening that worked for us all. I must say I like the pink they chose...but don't tell Bill it's pink! He is color blind and thinks they are all in purple!

Every pose was shot many many times in hopes of catching one in which Katie was looking at the camera AND smiling, and that everyone else wasn't looking at her and telling her to look at me...and in hopes there would be some with no reflections in Bill's or Bethany's glasses. Although a bit challenging, it was a very fun photo shoot in a location I knew they'd like.

It's been a busy weekend so all these shots are straight out of the camera. I will be taking time for photo editing and special effects and working on their Christmas cards in the very near future. In the mean time, enjoy browsing what we did get. Clicking on any photo takes you to the gallery where all of the photos are stored.

I love this one of Denise and Bill!

Denise and the girls monkeying around in a tree:

Bill and his girls: Maggie, Katie and Bethany.










Thanks Wilcox Family!

Wordless Wednesday

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Dancers in Sepia

I have been photographing some of the high school dance team girls for four years. I think when I was photographing the girls' warm up for Friday Night's half time show I may very well have captured my favorite image of them. Before heading to the field for their half time performance the girls circle up with their dance teacher/coach and pray together. I love that they do this!

I love sepia tones but have not considered changing the dance team pictures to sepia before now. I think I like the effect.

I challenge you to take some photos you have that you haven't considered changing to sepia and post them. Then come back and here and let me know you did so I can see too.

Friday Night Lights: Matadors vs. Mules

Friday night of course found us seated at the high school stadium cheering on the Matadors. We were hoping for a win but it was not to be. The Mules kicked us but we did give them a run for it and the boys played a good game.

This was the first football game of the season that was actually cold! Everyone in the stands could be found in long sleeves and jackets, the concession stand began to serve hot chocolate and coffee, and the dancers couldn't stop shivering.

When I first arrived to take some photos of the dancers in the stands I remembered that Ashley had rejoined the dance team! Welcome back Ashley!!!

Ashley and Heather

Of course half time is my favorite part of football! Heather danced with the Starsteppers...

...then marched with the band.

Go Mats Go!!!

PhotoStory Friday-The County Fair!

Last night, as is our annual tradition, we went to the county fair. We always go on Thursday nights to watch the rodeo because that's the night (thanks to our local radion station), we receive FREE admission and ride tickets. Who can resist FREE??? Not me, especially when on a tight budget.

Here are some photos of what I like most about the fair:

all the LIGHTS!!!

And of course we enjoy the rodeo as well!!!

Cool ride to photograph...but you won't catch ME on it!!!

Seemingly popular booth at the fair:

Another popular hangout:

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Hosted by Cecily and Angie

Wordless Wednesday

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Skywatch Friday

Watching the storm clouds roll in:

For more skywatching, go here.

Wordless Wednesday

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Etsy

I've been painting again! From time to time I have made a little extra money from painting projects, but most of my past projects have ended up as gifts. It's been a couple of years since I've painted anything (other than walls!) and it feels good to be creating again.

My friend Elizabeth introduced me to Etsy! I had never even heard of it before, but Etsy is an online marketplace designed to sell hand made items of all kinds. It appears to work much like ebay, but without the bidding. I decided to create my own Etsy profile and page for my paintings and see if I can sell any of the items I paint. I decided it can't hurt and it does not cost much at all to list the items! Setting up the site is free and easy! First I had to create a profile name. That was easy. I decided since my photos are known as "photos by Tammy," my profile for etsy can be "Painted by Tammy." So, to find my page, simply type in www.paintedbytammy.etsy.com or simply click here to be redirected.

Here are the latest items I have been working on, and are now listed on my etsy page...with the exception of the snowman window painting. He's already been sold and will be soon on his way to Arizona!

Snowman on an antique window, SOLD

Snowman bulletin board

Shepherds on an antique window

Dance bulletin board

I ♥ Faces: Blue Photo Challenge

This week's contest over at I ♥ Faces was a little more challenging for me to find a photo to contribute. Many times as soon as I read what the new challenge is, I immediately have a photo in mind. Not this time...but as I opened my pictures folder to scroll through them I remembered I had some portraits of Joseph that were a stunning blue and decided to use one of those.

If you want to participate, or just see others who ♥ Faces,

click the button below:

Kick Master of the Week!

Yep! That's my girl! At last night's Homecoming Football game, during half time, Heather was announced this week's Kick Master! Woo hoo! Go Heather! You rock (or in this case--KICK!)