Tim Watson Photography

casting call images

2009-06-24T21:35:00.001-05:00

Here are some of the images from the latest casting call. I plan on doing these every once in a while to help out local clothing boutiques. Let me know if you have one you would like to recommend and maybe we will use them for the next casting call.

casting call winners

2009-06-16T08:58:00.004-05:00

The girls from the casting call who will be in the photo shoot on Thursday have been selected. We went with four girls that had looks we were looking for and would photograph together well. Thank you to all that came out, and we hope to be able to work with many of you in the future. So here they are!

a simple realization about complexity

2009-06-05T08:55:00.003-05:00

It came to my attention the other day while moving all of my computers and equipment that goes along with it how complicated computers have made day to day living. Not that I would give away my computer and go back to the time before everyone (or almost anyways) had one in their home, but I do think that my profession was simpler back then.

I started off my photography career in high school shooting with an old Canon AE-1. Sure, it had auto-exposure, but no autofocus and can you believe~ FILM!! I loved that camera and what I could create by playing with the f-stops and shutter speeds. Shooting T-Max for black and white and Kodak for color, it was simple. Take the pictures, send the film out for processing, and either make my own prints or send them out as well. After a few upgrades to my film 35mm camera, including a Canon 1D, I switched to a Mamiya 645AFD. A medium format camera. If you are not sure what medium format is, imagine a 35mm frame and then double the length and width and that is just about medium format. Prints the size of a wall with very little grain, how could it get better. Then came digital (actually, I had both the digital and mamiya at the same time).

My first digital camera was the Canon D30. I whopping 3 MP! Whew, I had the biggest and the best at that time. It was a hard sell telling people that images from their photo sessions or weddings would look just as good with the 3MP Canon, and honestly, it probably fell well short of the digital camera. But, that was cutting edge stuff! I then upgraded to the D60, a huge 6MP! Who would need any more megapixels than that I wondered. Everyone would be fooling themselves to think they needed anything more. Boy was I wrong. I now use two Canon 5D's. They are wonderful cameras. Shoot 10MP, which is fine for prints up to 30x40 with very little grain (do you have a print larger than 30x40 in your home?).

With all the fun that comes with digital, and the ability to check for eye blinks and exposure right when you take the image, there is a lot of down sides. All the equipment you have to own to do it right. I have a Drobo hard drive system, much like a Raid system where it writes the digital files to more than one drive in case of hard drive failure (which happens all the time to people), a online backup site that stores all of my jpegs, DVDs to give to clients when they purchase the usage rights to the images, 3 Mac computers, and all of the cables, charges, and tools that go with them all. It is not fun to move and set up it all.

So I came to the realization, it is wonderful shooting digital and being able to create images in photoshop that were not able to be created before, but film sure was simple!

Studio Update

2009-05-19T22:32:00.002-05:00

So a lot of people may be wondering when the studio will be open again. In case you did not know, I had to close the studio down for a couple weeks while we get a new concrete driveway and parking area. Well, after waiting many weeks because of rain every couple days, the driveway should be poured in the morning and should be drive-able by this weekend. That means I can start accepting shoots and consultations again. My apologies to those of you that felt ignored or that I had to turn away. Call now and we can schedule your appointment.

Yearbook Ad Creations

2009-03-03T13:54:00.002-06:00

Let us create your yearbook ad from images we shoot during your senior session. These can also be printed out as a poster for you to keep.

Wedding Prices Restructured

2009-02-25T14:32:00.003-06:00

Okay, so after getting feedback from brides at the bridal show, I have decided to go back to the original pricing structure for my packages. Custom packages will still be available, they just won't be the only option. So now you have the option of one of three different packages or your own custom package. That should satisfy everyone's needs. (I think) :)

The Best Wedding Package Ever!

2009-02-04T08:33:00.003-06:00

I offered this as a bridal show special and it was so popular, I decided to keep it around for awhile. Here is what you get in the package:
Engagement Portraits and a 16x20
Bridal Portraits and a 16x20
6 hours of wedding coverage
8x12 or 10x10 20 page leather storybook album
3-4x6 or 4x4 photobook parent albums
print disk with full resolution images
All for only $3000
What more could you ask for? This special won't be around forever, so call today to schedule your consultation at our studio in Rockwall ~ 214-289-1238

Dallas Bridal Show Special!

2009-01-22T12:45:00.002-06:00

This is a blog only special. This is the only place it will be listed. Print out a copy of this blog post and bring it to the Bridal Show or to your next consultation.

Dallas Bridal Show Special- Right now you get a free bridal and engagement session with a 16x20 for booking before the end of the show. BLOG ONLY SPECIAL~Add a free print disk by printing this blog post and bringing it to the show or your next consultation. Also, this extends the special by 3 weeks. The expiration for the blog special is Valentine's Day!

However, you don't want to delay your booking in case someone else books your date, so call us today at 214-289-1238 to set up your consultation or come out to the Dallas Bridal Show this weekend.

Rachael Boone ~ Modeling Session

2009-01-11T13:41:00.004-06:00

Here are some images from a recent modeling session with Rachael Boone. Rachael was very easy to work with and was even able to come up with some of her own poses. Very helpful!

Drilling for oil!

2008-12-03T17:11:00.003-06:00

Okay, maybe not. We did get our soil test completed though, so we are off and running on building the new studio. We should have a foundation by early January, and then who knows, maybe it will be complete by April or May. We are crossing our fingers.

Dallas Bridal Show

2008-11-24T11:05:00.002-06:00

I am a featured exhibitor at the Dallas Bridal Show this year on January 24th and 25th. My booth will be the first one you see as you come in and turn to your right. That's right! I am in the 1st booth! So come out and see us at the show. (Also, let me know if you are coming and I can get a $1 off coupon to you.)

Penny Portraits!

2008-11-21T15:09:00.003-06:00

How would you like a 16x20 wall portrait for a penny* ~ or maybe a full resolution image file that you can use to make your own prints and Christmas cards? That is exactly what we are offering!

All you have to do is call us today and set up your appointment by saying "I would like to schedule a penny portrait session," let us know whether you will want the wall portrait or the image file, and it is yours for a penny* with your paid session. Just a penny* will get you a great portrait for you to enjoy or even give as a gift! Call us today at 214-289-1238, as session times may fill up and we are only honoring this special until December 20, 2008.

*16x20 wall portrait or full resolution image fill is your for $0.01 with your paid session ($75). You have the option of purchasing other items, but it is not required. Penny portraits are not to be combined with other offers. Call today as this special won't last long.

I'm on iTunes! ~ or at least my podcast is.

2008-11-05T14:13:00.003-06:00

Hey everyone! Tell all your friends! You can find video podcasts of my work on iTunes by searching for Tim Watson Photography through the iTunes software and subscribing to my podcast. Currently there are only a few, but if you have had a session or wedding through us and would like a selection of images made into a podcast to view on your ipod, iphone, or many other devices, please let us know. Here is a direct link to subscribe to our podcast: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=207695552
Have fun and let us know what you think by leaving us a comment either in iTunes or here on our blog.

Salvage (Junk) Yard Fashion Shoot

2008-10-10T16:07:00.003-05:00

How fun is this concept?! Take a model out to a junkyard and take some real fun photos. We can do it with you too. Let me know if you want to create some unique family photos or senior portraits like these: (Thanks to Mitzi Merritt for doing the hair and makeup on this shoot)

Kiley Wirtz / Stoneleigh Hotel Fashion Shoot

2008-10-10T15:59:00.003-05:00

I had the opportunity to shoot Kiley Wirtz at the Stoneleigh Hotel in Dallas for the Lakeside Living Magazine. I thought it was a wonderful shoot, but I will let you judge for yourself:

Wedding Prices Change

2008-09-26T15:08:00.003-05:00

I wanted to make sure everyone notices the new wedding pricing structure. The main reason for this is you can add extra albums, hours, or prints with the new credit system and all of the pricing is all there up front. No hidden fees, no bait and switch. What you see is what you pay, and the tax is already worked into the price! Never has there been a better time to commission us for your wedding.

(New pricing structure good for new contracts only.)

Session Gift Card

2008-09-18T00:36:00.002-05:00

We are offering a new gift card. You prepay for one session, three sessions, or a lifetime of sessions for a discount and get a card to use or give to a friend*.

The new gift card is great to give to new parents, newly engaged couples, high school seniors, families of small children, models, people with pets, and really anyone else that likes to have pictures taken.

If you are interested in purchasing a card, let me know and I can make sure to get you one. There are only a small quantity of these cards that I am going to offer, so let me know before they are gone.

Here are the prices of the card (sessions are normally $45):

One Session: $40
Three Sessions: $90
Lifetime of Sessions*: $299

* Lifetime Session card must be used only by the designated recipient of the card. Free session may be used once every 3 months. Recipient must take part in the session.

Krystal Buckley Maternities

2008-09-08T23:23:00.003-05:00

Here are a few examples from the maternity of Krystal Buckley:

New Address

2008-09-08T22:30:00.003-05:00

Hello all! If you have come out to the studio anytime lately you probably know that we are about to start building a much larger studio right next to the existing one. Well...we finally have everything approved through the city and they have assigned us a new address. The new address is 2806 N FM 549, Rockwall, TX, 75087. So, if you are coming out, please use the new address in google maps or mapquest.

Kayli Palmquist ~ Sachse H.S. Senior

2008-09-04T00:00:00.004-05:00

Here is a recent senior portrait session that I did with Kayli at the barn she rides at. I always enjoy going to new locations, especially when they mean something to the senior. That way the images are more personal to them. Here is a slideshow of some of the images.

Haley Murphy ~ Rockwall Heath High School Senior

2008-09-01T18:00:00.001-05:00

I had the opportunity to create Haley Murphy's high school senior portraits. We had a great time going from the studio to the field at the back of our 12 acres and then to the railroad tracks for pictures. Here is a slideshow to show you some of my favorites.

2008-07-28T23:49:00.003-05:00

I had a great time shooting a wedding this weekend at the Hilton Bella Harbor in Rockwall. Here is a slideshow of images from the wedding.

Changes

2008-07-08T21:56:00.003-05:00

A lot of things are changing here at Tim Watson Photography.

First, my wife and I had our baby! We are so excited...and tired. :)

Second, we are in the prep stages of building our larger studio/home next door to the existing studio. We are hoping to break ground early August and be done by the first of the year. We will definitely have a new studio grand opening special when it is ready. Stay tuned!

Deedee Davis ~ Senior Portraits

2008-05-18T15:48:00.006-05:00

I had the opportunity to shoot Deedee's senior portraits this weekend. Deedee is a Rockwall High School '08 senior. The session went great! Here are a few examples:

Andringa-Brown Wedding ~ The Tribute

2008-05-15T22:34:00.004-05:00

So, it has been awhile since I have had a chance to add anything to my blog. I apologize. My wife is pregnant with our first child (due July 4th), we are selling our house, and finalizing plans for our new studio to be built next to the existing one. It will give me a lot more room. :)

Here is an image from the wedding that my assistant, Laura, and I shot this past weekend at the Tribute Golf Course in The Colony, TX. More images will be coming soon, but I just thought this one was different. Andy and Leslie, thank you for being such a wonderful couple to work with. Your wedding was truly a blessing to be a part of.
Here is a link to see the rest of the images: Andringa-Brown