2009-01-31T20:02:00.002-06:00

NEWSFLASH!
My blog has moved to a new address:
laurieheathstudiowonderfullymade.blogspot.com

Come and visit me there and find all the latest news!

2009-01-08T18:42:00.005-06:00

My friend Kathryn and I spent the morning together talking about photography and shooting pictures at Masterson Park. She wanted to take part in next Saturday's photography class (see post below) but will be heading back for her second semester at Howard Payne University early next week, so we did a 2-hour one-on-one version of what the class will cover.

We talked about elements of composition and depth of field:

We discussed looking at things from more than one angle to find the one we like best:

We experimented with slight changes in our point of view to frame subjects:

We picked a subject to walk around and noticed how the light and background changed:

And we finished up the shoot with Kathryn unknowingly becoming my subject:

Thanks for listening to me blabber on and on, Kathryn! Once I get started with all this stuff, it's hard to stop. You've got a great eye and a real future in creating beautiful images. I look forward to seeing the terrific shots you're sure get with the girls at the zoo tomorrow!

It was your own eyes

that saw all these great things the Lord has done.

Deuteronomy 11:7

2009-01-05T12:14:00.005-06:00

Did Santa bring you a new digital camera for Christmas? Or have you had your camera for a while, intending to read the manual someday and figure out how to use it? Then have I got an invitation for you!

My first in a series of hands-on instructional workshops,
"I've Got This Digital Camera -- Now What?"
will be held at Sunny Hearts on Saturday, January 17, from
9:00 am until 1:00 pm. The class will be limited to five students to allow plenty of time for individual camera-specific questions. We'll go on a neighborhood photo hike and practice using the settings our cameras feature.

The cost of this workshop is $100, which includes lunch and a take-home tips packet. Register by January 10 to save your spot. Just call 979.849.4536 or email me at laurieheath@sbcglobal.net!

2008-12-28T23:17:00.002-06:00

Cutie Patootie -- that's Caleb, young prince of the Pulleyn clan and natural center of attention wherever he goes. We all had fun visiting with Caleb at a recent family gathering, and here are a few shots of him (bad lighting and all):

God brought this ray of sunshine all the way from Virginia to brighten up his Gigi's world during an especially difficult Christmas season. Thanks just for being you, Caleb!

All things bright and beautiful,

all creatures great and small,

all things wise and wonderful:

the Lord God made them all.

Alexander - 1848

2008-12-25T15:03:00.003-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR READERS!

2008-12-23T10:34:00.006-06:00

Remember what I said about choosing my friends wisely? Bailey is further proof of that statement. She is the older sister of Delaney, whose session sneak peek I posted here. Two sisters could not be more different yet equally wonderfully made:

We met at Dunbar Park to take advantage of its natural beauty and roadside-ish quirkiness. I loved watching Bailey relax and enjoy her portrait session. Such gorgeous eyes! Such fabulous hair!

I do pray for marvelous discoveries and lasting peace along your path, Bailey. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, not swerving from the Way of Life, and may all of your steps be blessed!

Oh, how I love Your law!

I meditate on it all day long.

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

for they are ever with me...

I have kept my feet from every evil path

so that I might obey Your word.

I have not departed from Your laws,

for You Yourself have taught me.

How sweet are Your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:97-98, 101-104

2008-12-21T00:32:00.003-06:00

How gorgeous is this mommy-to-be ballerina!

After months and months and months of waiting (about 8, to be exact), it was finally time for Melissa's maternity session, and I do believe we captured the belly in all its radiant glory:

(sigh) I just love those two shots, especially in black and white. This baby is obviously so adored already!

Mark and Mia joined us for a few family shots as well. They were quite willing to tickle and hug Melissa and "Marble." I mysef am looking forward to my own turn at tickling and hugging and photographing this baby!

I think Big Sister Mia is ready for duty. May these last few weeks of anticipation be filled with joy and plenty of extra sleep. Thanks so much for letting me spend the morning with the 3 and 8/9ths of you to capture this special time in your lives!

God loves you and has chosen you as His own special people... Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other.

Colossians 3:12-16

2008-12-18T15:34:00.003-06:00

Today let us consider faces.

First, the many faces of our cat Honey. I made the mistake of driving home and sitting in my car just a little too long yesterday, then looked up to find Honey staring me down through the windshield. She was clearly annoyed (can't you see it in the top left photo?) that it was nearly noon and she had not been fed at all. She then proceeded to withhold direct eye contact just to make me feel even worse. Lucky for me, Honey eventually decided to release me from my cell as she ran to sit on the porch and hurry me along with loud meows. Lucky for you, I happened to have my camera handy and snag these:

Next we have the faces of some funny kids rehearsing their Christmas pageant last night. Rowan and Cane showed lots of personality in their close-ups:

Kindle and Race were thrilled about finally getting the chance to try on their angel and king costumes:
Don't you just love seeing the excitement written all over kids' faces as they tell us the Christmas story? All together now:

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered... Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn...

Luke 2:1-7 CEV

2008-12-14T23:30:00.009-06:00

Ding dong merrily on high!
In heaven the bells are ringing!
AHS choir members gave two terrific performances at their First Annual Festival of Carols madrigal dinner this weekend. If you missed it, don't worry -- they plan to make it a tradition, so just mark your calendar for next year.

I took photos during one promotional performance, at the first dress rehearsal, and just before the second dinner performance, mainly trying to capture the variety of great costumes put together for the show -- and I say that as a proud mama amazed by my own daughter's creativity!

Here are five slideshows of my favorite images. Click on the links to be directed to each slideshow, and move your mouse around near the bottom of the page to stop and move through at your own pace:

Part I: Show Choir courthouse performance

Part II: dress rehearsal

Part III: more dress rehearsal

Part IV: Saturday night

Part V: more Saturday night

Choir members, don't forget that I've got a special deal for you if you'd like to order prints or web-sized files of the images you like best. I'll be donating 50% of my profits to the choir scholarship fund, so get something for yourself and help out a graduating senior at the same time!

Email me HERE to place an order or request more information. Thanks so much for letting me be a fly on the wall!

2008-12-09T12:37:00.004-06:00

I don't know about you, but my heart beats a little bit faster when I look at these engagement portraits of Callie and Danny. In spite of mosquitoes, super-enthusiastic guard dogs, alligator warnings and dreary skies, these two were willing to try any location I suggested. Of course, the toughest part was being asked to look into one another's eyes and kiss on cue. Can't you see how difficult that was?

Callie had always wanted to have portraits made in front of Angleton's Famous Red Door, so of course we made a stop there. I've used this location several times before but had never fully appreciated the lovely arch above the door. Maybe the glowing subjects standing beneath it helped bring out its beauty!

I'm so glad we were able to capture these moments for you -- and now you can check off one more item from your wedding details To Do list! I can't wait for your big day in April and the life of love that lies ahead of you.

(Miss Mama Cheryl, we'd better get our hankies ready!)

...that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love...

Colossians 2:2

2008-12-06T22:30:00.003-06:00

Kathy knew she'd been handed a prime opportunity: the three most important women in her life would all be in town at the same time! So she did what any genius mom/daughter would do and lined up a portrait session. Here are just a few shots from my time with Kathy, Mary, Elizabeth and Mary Grace:

Ladies, thanks for reminding me that I need to do this with my own mom and daughter! (Not that dads and sons aren't important too -- it's just a girl thing.) I hope these portraits will help you remember your weekend together and become family treasures.

Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

2008-12-03T17:50:00.012-06:00

Still seeking just the right gift for someone on your Christmas list? Have I got an idea for YOU!

(I just love this most wonderfully made family -- love you and miss you, Peter, Grace and Amy!)

ORDER YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE

BY DECEMBER 15 AND GET A 20% DISCOUNT!

That means a $50 gift certificate will cost you only $40, and $80 buys a $100 gift certificate!

Contact me and we'll put together a gift certificate in the perfect amount. You might even want to think about using that gift certificate during the holidays while family is gathered together. Those photo opportunities are hard to come by!

My sister-in-law Carol and I used our Thanksgiving get-together for a portrait session. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Not even a rain shower could dampen that smile. I hope you enjoy sharing these with both old and new friends, Carol!

2008-12-01T11:57:00.002-06:00

I believe that I have chosen my friends extremely wisely over the years. They seem to produce the most beautiful children, and then they let me photograph them! Here's Laney, born to my friend Jacque a couple of years after we started teaching together long, long ago. Laney is graduating from Brazoswood HS this semester and aspires to a career in the aerospace field:

I think she might be able to pay for college by doing a bit of modeling. Don't you agree?

The world and outer space are waiting for you, Laney! I can't wait to hear all about your billions and billions of discoveries as you follow the path prepared just for you.

Ask, and you will receive.

Search, and you will find.

Knock, and the door will be opened for you.

Matthew 7:7 CEV

2008-11-29T23:21:00.003-06:00

Who says old married folks have no reason for a portrait session? Not Lisa and Oz, that's for sure. They were so relaxed and natural with one another, I hardly had to tell them what to do. Can't you just see the years of love between them?

Thanks for taking the time to let me focus my camera on just you two for a change. I hope others will be inspired by your sense of adventure!

May you rejoice in the wife (or husband!) of your youth.

Proverbs 5:18 NKJV

2008-11-24T18:40:00.003-06:00

We interrupt our regularly scheduled blogging to bring you a Special Bulletin. Members of the AHS Choir are preparing to present a madrigal dinner-style Festival of Carols on December 12 and 13. Tickets are $18 and can be reserved before December 5 by calling 849-8206 extension 2406.

Two lovely models generously agreed to show off their amazingly authentic costumes before heading to school this morning:

As you might suspect, choir members are all abuzz about this ambitious project. Hope you can come and join the fun!

2008-11-22T00:37:00.002-06:00

Here are two more cuties who came to see me during my Mini-Session Day last weekend. Piper and Reese are cousins who are bound to grow up to be the best of friends... especially once Piper can be trusted not to grab handfuls of hair!

Even though each girl has her own unique look, it's not hard to see that they share many of the same beautiful genes. I was dazzled by both sets of blue eyes!

I hope everyone had as much fun as I did during this session. I look forward to making more portraits together sometime after Reese's new baby arrives. Until then, enjoy your sweet girls, Oden Family!

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,

much we need Thy tender care;

in Thy pleasant pastures feed us,

for our use Thy folds prepare.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

we will early turn to Thee.

Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,

we will early turn to Thee.

Thrupp/Bradbury

2008-11-15T19:42:00.005-06:00

Kaylyn brought her Mommy, Grammy, and Great-Grammy along for a mini-session yesterday at Sunny Hearts. There was only one teeny tiny problem: Kaylyn was not at all interested in sitting down for a ladylike four-generation portrait. She had other things in mind, and I was happy to play along. After all, there were steps and walls to climb and pumpkins to be inspected!

Before long, Kaylyn decided that taking pictures might actually be a fun thing to do, so she let the rest of us catch up with her every now and then.

At long last, the lovely grown-up ladies welcomed her back for another try, and this is the shot we captured:

Oh to be not-quite-four years old again! I had fun getting my tired old mind to think like yours, Kaylyn, so that I could persuade you to look into my camera. Thanks for an adventurous morning spent with such fine company!

"Let the little children come to Me," Jesus said.

"Don't keep them away. God's kingdom belongs

to people like them. Anyone who will not receive

God's kingdom like a little child will never enter it."

Luke 18:16-17 NIrV

2008-11-12T22:40:00.003-06:00

I just had to share these school pictures with you. Some kids are simply incapable of taking a "boring" school pic:

We made good use of the playground equipment during our mini-sessions. Can you still climb the monkeybars? Or, if you're like me, could you EVER climb the monkeybars?

Who knew that a park bench could be used in so many different ways?

And finally, six faces that make it clear that, indeed, we are each wonderfully made:

Thanks, ACS kids! You are always a joy to photograph.

2008-11-08T14:44:00.003-06:00

I hope that this post can be kept secret from a certain groom-to-be. With any luck, he doesn't even know that this blog exists. The rest of you, however, simply must see this gorgeous bride:

Wouldn't the world be a sadder place if deprived of this beauty?

I have to confess that Jessica is my cousin Sandy's daughter, but that in no way colors my totally objective opinion. Some truths just cannot be disputed.

We had fun trying out all sorts of poses and lighting at my favorite new East Columbia location. The fun could have continued for several more hours -- if only we both hadn't been silly enough to make other plans for the evening.

"So who is the lucky groom?" you're surely asking yourself. Well it's none other than Dallas, the most good-natured and up-for-anything guy I've yet to work with:

I'm thinking that this is going to be one happy household! Only three months until the big day -- hang in there, you two (and mother-of-the-bride Sandy). The best is truly yet to come.

Trust steadily in God,

hope unswervingly,

love extravagantly.

And the best of the three is love.

Go after a life of love

as if your life depended on it --

because it does.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - 14:1 MESSAGE

2008-10-29T22:21:00.002-05:00

Exquisite. That is the only word for my friend Jamie. JOY! and LOVE! radiate from her and warm those who are fortunate enough to be in her presence.

Not one for dressing up very often, Jamie reveled in the thrill of being a Brazoswood HS Homecoming nominee this past weekend. Here are two very "Jamie" looks:

And here's a glimpse of a much-more-subdued-than-usual Jamie. Notice the irrepressible sparkle in those eyes:

Jamie is a very famous person, as many of you out there already know. She is instantly loved by all who meet her, absolutely adored by the family blessed to be entrusted with her. She's been faced with a lifetime of challenges but has never walked alone.

Everything was created through Him;

Nothing -- not one thing! --

came into being without Him.

What came into existence was Life,

and the Life was Light to live by.

The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;

the darkness couldn't put it out.

John 1:3-5 MESSAGE

2008-10-24T00:27:00.004-05:00

Senior portrait season for the Class of 2009 is now officially underway, thanks to my friend Heather. She's going to be a Senior Rep for me, so we wanted to get started early and encourage other seniors to start thinking about scheduling portrait sessions.

BY THE WAY, I'LL TAKE 20% OFF THE SESSION FEE FOR ALL SENIOR PORTRAIT SESSIONS COMPLETED BEFORE CHRISTMAS! HO, HO, HO!

So back to our story. We prowled around looking for new angles in my favorite offbeat locations, and here are just a few of her beautiful shots:

Since Heather has burned many a mile on the AHS track, we shot a few (hundred) more there as well:

And Heather being silly and sassy just puts a big smile on my face:

Heather, thanks for humoring your mom and me by getting in front of the camera when you really prefer being on the other side! It's been a joy watching you grow up over the years, and I have no doubt that God will continue to work through you in amazing ways during the years to come. May these words be as true for you when you're old like me as they are now:

I will keep on being glad,

because I know that your prayers

and the help that comes from the Spirit of Christ Jesus

will keep me safe.

I honestly expect and hope

that I will never do anything to be ashamed of.

Whether I live or die,

I always want to be as brave as I am now

and bring honor to Christ.

Philippians 1:18-20 CEV

P.S. I have absolutely no idea why these pics are so much larger than usual but I LOVE IT! I hope I don't accidentally hit the button that will reverse this strange magic...

2008-10-18T00:24:00.004-05:00

Christine stopped by recently for a whirlwind headshot session. I love the way the colors turned out in these!

Christine will be competing in the upcoming Festival of Lights in Lake Jackson, but first she made an appearance in the Brazoria County Fair Talent show, where she won first place in her age group.

Lovely spirit, lovely voice, lovely girl!

I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all Your wonders.

I will be glad and rejoice in You;

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:1-2 NIV

2008-10-15T13:38:00.005-05:00

So I was out driving around the other evening, minding my own business, when these three gorgeous girls kidnapped me and made me take their pictures. They claimed to be on the way to the AHS Homecoming Dance, but I'm pretty sure they were actually out to conquer the world with their blinding beauty. Take a look and see what you think:

Admit it. You are now under their control and will follow their every command...

Scary, isn't it?

The Lord has done this, and it is amazing to us.
This day belongs to the Lord!
Let's celebrate and be glad today.
Psalm 118:23-24 CEV

2008-10-12T23:56:00.002-05:00

Ah, fall! Time for all sorts of fun, especially of the outdoor variety. Here are some fun shots I captured over the past weekend.

First up are JoAnna and Tanner, all gussied up to send special birthday greetings to Abby in Beijing:

Then pig-tailed Mia, exploring her very first pumpkin patch at Sunny Hearts:

Next we have a surprise visit by a friendly yet undeniably furry fellow:

And finally, an outdoor concert by Tom's Fun Band, complete with lively crowd participation spurred on by bubbles:

I hope everyone is out enjoying our beautiful Texas Gulf Coast weather. It certainly won't last long, so let's soak it up while we have the chance!

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres
This is my Father's world, I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought
- Babcock 1901

2008-09-22T15:37:00.003-05:00

And now for something completely different...

I'm happy to report that our dear old dog Fly survived the hurricane. She is an outdoor dog who had to be left behind to fend for herself during the evacuation. Fortunately for all of us, Fly is quite a skilled huntress, so we knew she wouldn't go hungry even if the neighborhood raccoons stole all of her dog food. All seemed to go just as planned...except that her coat was even filthier and more matted than usual when we returned. The time had come for two of Fly's least favorite events: riding in the car and visiting the doggie beautician.

Here's Sweetie-Pie Fly's old hairstyle on a good hair day:
And here's her new 'do:
I affectionately call her our Little Lamb now. Someone else (a meanie, for sure) suggested Dachau Dog.
Fly herself just seems to be thinking, "You people are driving me crazy. I'll be going back under the house now, thank you very much."

Thanks for all of your tender loving care, Pets and Plants of Angleton!