Day in the Life sessions differ from the traditional portrait session in that they are documentary style instead of posed portraits. The sneak peeks I’ve chosen are the ones where Noah’s not being adorable directly at me and the camera (I have a ton of those too)!

Noah’s peeking in the oven to watch the cookies bake …

Additionally, with the Day in the Life sessions, the only lighting sources are what are avaialble — overhead lighting in your home and any outdoor lighting sources that we can open the curtains/mini blinds and let in. No flash, no strobes.

The only edits done to these images were black and white conversions (the original color images were white balanced prior to conversion). As these are ‘capturing the moment’, no retouching or exposure edits are made.

Many thanks to Scott, Melody, Charles, and Noah for yet another great session!

If you would like to capture a ‘day in the life’ with your family in lieu of the traditional family session (or as a portion of a full portraiture session), contact me for details.

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… and found that Jessica at The Creative Mama had already gotten a head start on me! Check out her selections here.

I also came across this site — The Fashionable Housewife and its sister site for young women.

And … via CollegeFashion.net, I’m partial to outfit #4 for senior girls.

Guys, don’t feel too left out … there just aren’t any guy fashion sites that I’ve come across! I’ll work on that for the next inspiration post!

PS … there’s still time to enter the Thank You Giveaway — this will be the last giveaway for 2010, so if you want a chance to win a session with CMP, be sure to enter by Sunday at midnight!

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[ contact CMP | become a fan on facebook | follow CMP's tweets | subscribe to the blog ]

Washington-On-The -Brazos, the Birthplace of Texas, taken May 30, 2008.  March 2nd was Texas Independence Day — its 174th, in fact. Tomorrow’s the anniversary of when the Alamo fell to Santa Anna’s troops …

Welcome March — you didn’t have to arrive quite so soon!  Really, I mean it …

The Good:  See this post from Monday.

The Random: Tonight’s post is #500. It only took about 35 months to reach this point (first post went live April 15, 2007) … so, how long do you think it will take me to reach #1000? 

The Lust: I want this. If I can’t afford the $1600-ish real life version of this lens in the short-term, why not settle for its insulated mug equivalent? That is, if I could locate one for sale …

The *Can it get any worse*:If you are a friend of mine on Facebook, you probably saw Wednesday night’s status update. Yes, there was a chimney fire at my parents’ house. Thankfully it was contained within the fireplace and flume and was nearly out before both the Murchison and North 19 Fire Departments arrived (within minutes) … and everyone’s okay, just shaken. After Robby’s mishap two weeks ago, I think we’re due a streak of good luck and no more catastrophes!

… and the quote of the week:

“If practice makes perfect, and nobody’s perfect, why practice?”
–unknown

I came across this one in a how to use the internet ‘phonebook’ way way way back in 1996 and it has been one of my favorite quotes ever since. I used to say this to my track coaches when I was tired or annoyed … and as of late, it applies again in a number of ways.

I’m a bit behind in sharing these sneak peeks (apologies to her mom!) … but better late than never, here’s Miss Chloe’s online debut!

Poor Chloe was so cold that she was looking back at her momma to hurry up and get her off that cold metal bench!

Snuggle (aka warm up) time!

Treats time (in the form of donut holes)!

… and she’s still waiting for that treat!

Thanks so much to Chloe and Steph for a fun (although cold!) session!

Sneak peek also blogged @ Sit.Stay.Snap. Pet Photography

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Congrats to all the other Readers’ Choice winners as well — at least two former coworkers and several relatives of other friends and former coworkers made the list as well!

And to show my heartfelt thanks to each and every person who voted for Christina McCall Photography as the Athens Review’s 2009 Readers Choice Best Photographer, a two part gift to all of you:

Part 1: a spring/summer mini session giveaway!

One commenter will receive a 30-45 minute Serendipity (aka Mini) Session to be held no later than August 31, 2010. Session will be held in Athens, Tyler, or Canton – winner’s choice. Prize includes waived creative fee + online proofing gallery with 15 images + blogged sneak peeks + (1) CMP Signature Line Mounted 8×12 Art Print. No other prints/products/files included in prize — winner will receive 10% off any items purchased. Value: $160.

To enter: Simply leave a comment here on this blog post answering the following question:

Which portrait session type you would like to win (maternity, newborn/infant, childrens, family, senior/adult individual,  couples/engagement, or pet portraiture (dog/cat))?

Deadline to leave comment entries: Sunday, March 14th at Midnight — winner will be announced on Monday, March 15th. Prize is a waived session fee +  (1) CMP Signature Line Mounted 8×12 Art Print– no other prints/products/digital files included.

Please note: Comment entries left on Facebook (both my personal profile + the CMP Fan Page) are not eligible for consideration due to Facebook policies on giveaways, sorry.

… and of course …

Part 2: Not the winner? Be one of the first five people to book a spring Off the Beaten Track (aka 90 minute-two hour full custom) session by March 31st and receive half off on the creative fee (regular creative fee rate: $200, first five people to book during March: $100). Session must be scheduled for no later than May 2, 2010. No need to mention this thank you special, your creative fee invoice will automatically reflect the discount!

And all Off the Beaten Track Sessions that book a spring or summer session by April 30th will receive 15% off their print/collection purchases (this is our regular spring special).

Thanks again to everyone that voted — and here’s hoping 2010 continues to be a great year for CMP!

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[ contact CMP | become a fan on facebook | follow CMP's tweets | subscribe to the blog ]

One of the many snow images captured on February 12, 2010 … I’m not sure why my neighbor’s siding doesn’t match on that bottom right portion …

Hello Friday. You should come around more often …

Randomness from this week …

The Thankful: Thanks to everyone for their prayers and positive thoughts sent Robby’s way … he’s beginning to feel less like he was hit by a 1500 lb piece of farm equipment and more along the lines of a human, although I’m sure he’s ready to ditch the crutches! Hopefully he’ll have the results from last night’s MRI soon.

The Wishful: Mother Nature needs to stop being a tease. I want another snow day before spring arrives!

The Shocker: Big news coming to the blog on Monday. Here’s a hint … if you’re an Athens Review subscriber, check out the special insert that’ll be in the Sunday (Feb 28th) edition. I’m still a bit on the stunned and speechless side …

The Annoyance: Dear NBC affiliate in DFW, please work on putting out a stronger signal that can withstand 15-20 mph winds. Its sad that I can pick up the DFW affiliates for ABC, CBS, and PBS in nearly any kind of weather … and yet your tower stands right alongside their towers over in Oak Cliff …

And now for the quote of the week …

“Still … that’s just wrong to do to a blizzard, your supposed to eat it not long after you get it to enjoy its blizzardly goodness. Do you not know anything about blizzard eating etiquette?”
– the bro.

Its not often I admit he’s right, but I’ll concede the fact this time around. Mi padre was kind enough to drop me off a Blizzard Full Meal Deal w/ a Chocolate Truffle Blizzard at work yesterday. I saved the Blizzard as an afternoon snack — sticking it in the freezer at work. With the spoon still in it. Three hours later I went in search of some chocolate ‘willpower’ to get through the remainder of the workday. Needless to say, I had to let it thaw for a half hour so I could get the spoon out to eat it … torture, I tell you. So much for willpower …

And … on that note, have a great weekend!

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Here’s a few images from that afternoon …

If you would like to contribute to the Kevin Till Memorial Rodeo Scholarship fund, contact the TVCC Foundation at 903.670.2664.

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This is just two of the three custom framing options CMP clients have to choose from (the third will debut just as soon as I order & receive sample prints for the frames!)

The Parisian Frame Line …

This sample frame is decked out in brick & birthday cake …

The Shabby Frame Line …

This sample frame is decked out in antique white and chocolate …

Both framing options come in a rainbow of colors (for both the frame and trim) — framing options are available for print sizes 11×14 up to 20×30. All framing prices include the print and finishing costs.

Past CMP clients: Interested in custom framing for past print orders? Contact us for the Custom Framing Pricing Guide.

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