Maddie Class of 2019 | Venus Texas Senior Photographer

I am excited to finally have time to share this beautiful and fun Senior Session that I had a few weeks ago.  I also want to wish Maddie the best as she graduates from High School and heads out for a bright new journey!

Maddie's session started out at the studio and we had fun capturing cap and gown photos, prom dress and a casual look.   Loved using the fan during this part of our session and getting to know Maddie a little bit.

Then we headed into downtown Maypearl to capture some fun rustic outdoor portraits of her.  This part of the session was just before sunset, so we were able to capture some of the downtown lights and play with our lighting too.  Love all the different looks that I was able to capture of her.

Here are just a few of my favorites....

Thank you Maddie and the Upchurch family for allowing me the opportunity to capture such a special time in your lives.  I pray that you guys enjoy each moment of celebration as Maddie graduates from high school.  Congratulations!!

Love & Laughter -

Deanna

Sarah Part 2 {North Texas Senior Photographer}

Today I am thrilled and honored to share with you a recent Senior photo session that we had with our daughter Sarah.  Sarah will be graduating in just a few more weeks from HPU with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in English.  We are super proud of her and look forward to watching her cross the stage in the very near future.  Such a great accomplishment and we are grateful to be able to share in that joy & celebration as a family.

This is actually part 2 of her Senior Portraits   Here is a link to Part 1 of her Senior portraits

This session we wanted to capture the HPU campus and some of the places around the area that are unique and will bring back memories for her in the future.   We meet up with Sarah on a Sunday afternoon, and let me just say, it was a typical spring day in Texas.  It actually rained on us pretty much the whole way to Brownwood, but luckily by the time we put together all of her outfit choices and gathered up our props, the rain stopped.  We ended up with a wonderful late afternoon day which could not have been more perfect. 

Here are just a few of our favorite images from the day...

The Bell Towers.  They are such a beautiful location on campus and one that holds such tradition for HPU students.  When Sarah started college as a freshman she along with her whole class participated in a ceremony called "CHIME IN"  in which the new students are prayerfully welcomed into the university family.  As Sarah graduates this year, she will participate in a "CHIME OUT" ceremony  in which seniors pass a garland representing responsibility to members of the junior class.

I am sure as a momma I will tear up with pride again as my daughter marches with her graduating class during Chime Out. 

 Love these fun photos!!  She is just about finished and reached another one of our goals in life.  She loves children and teaching and is so excited about moving into the next chapter of her life.

Love this one too {actually I love them all - I am pretty sure I will be making an album}.  I just might have to print this one on a BIG canvas in my house. 

 

The tower here is standing in representation of the original Old Main building.  It's such a beautiful site that is located right in the middle of Campus.   

Love Love Love to see this smile :)

 We are still waiting on the actual Cap & Gown {so I will be getting some of those photos on Graduation day}   I will share those in Part 3 on the blog once Graduation and her Party are over.

This is the gate that each freshman class and senior class march through for either the Chime In or Chime Out ceremony.  Such a beautiful campus filled with such heritage and tradition.

 

Here's a little bit about HPU...

 

About HPU

A Christian liberal arts institution, Howard Payne University prides itself on fostering a close community where personal connection is valued. Through teaching, learning and service, the faculty and staff truly invest in students’ success.
At HPU, students choose from more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs in six schools: Business, Christian Studies, Education, Humanities, Music and Fine Arts, and Science and Mathematics. The Guy D. Newman Honors Academy challenges students with a multidisciplinary curriculum and exciting travel opportunities. Co-curricular organizations include the Model UN, Moot Court and Student Speaker Bureau, and more than 50 student organizations round out the school’s extracurricular options.
HPU’s eighty-acre, tree-lined campus in Brownwood perches on the northern side of the Texas Hill Country. Off-campus activities include visits to nearby Lake Brownwood. Students who enjoy athletics take part in well-attended intramural sporting competitions. Student athletes at HPU compete in six men’s and six women’s sports through the American Southwest Conference.

Mission Statement

Howard Payne University is a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to excellence by developing and equipping the whole person for intellectual inquiry, personal and professional integrity, and service to God and humanity.  

It's been an amazing journey and one that will forever be a blessing in Sarah's life and that of our family.  So thankful for all of the staff & administration that have a heart for ministry and for pouring good stuff into our young adults.

Sarah - we are so proud of you!  Enjoy these last few weeks and enjoy all the memories to be made during graduation and all the events leading up to it.  Priceless memories and such a special time in your life. 

Love you!!

Mom

Sarah - Class of 2014 {North Texas Senior Photographer}

Hi SP Friends...

Boy has it been a while since I posted a blog.  Time flies when you are busy, busy, busy.  I can't believe I went all of October without a single blog post.  Boo!!  Anyways, I hope to be doing much better as I round out 2013 and start up 2014 with sharing on the blog.  Can you believe we are nearing the end of 2013?!  Already!!  Where did this year go?  I swear the older that I get, the faster that time trucks along. lol!

Today I am excited to share my daughter's Senior Photo Shoot.  She will be graduating from Howard Payne University in May 2014 with her Early Childhood Education Degree.  We are all super proud of her and all of her hard work and look forward to watching her on her new journey as a school teacher next year.   Since her momma is a photographer we have had a fun time planning her photo shoot and let me tell you we had a day planned.  In fact, we had so much fun we finally just got wiped out from all of awesome fun ideas lol!  But, I must say we have some beautiful images to cherish for a lifetime and for that I am very thankful.  We will be doing a couple of more photo shoots before May so we can capture some fun places that she likes to hang out around school, capture her school campus and of course get those cap & gown photos.  So stay tuned my friends and follow our celebration along the way.

This photo shoot was taken in our neck of the woods, where Sarah grew up, in the good ole' country with beautiful sunlight.  Enjoy!  Here are a few of my favorites.   WARNING!  there may be a BUNCH of photos, that's the beauty of being the photographer lol.























Thank you Sarah for being who you are.  We look forward to seeing what the Lord does in your life as your future career begins.  Love you so much!

Mom

 

Senior Photos + Smart Phone App = Great combo {North Texas Senior Photographer}

Hi SP Friends...

Starting today September 10th we have an amazing offering for the Class of 2014!  Here's the scoop... BOOK your Senior Photo Shoot between today September 10th - September 20th and you will receive a FREE Smart Phone App featuring your favorite images from your photo shoot.  You will love it and it is super easy to share with family & friends.  This is a $99 saving to you, but HURRY this offer won't last forever you must book your session (that means pay your session fee & have a date on our calendar) to qualify for the FREEBIE.  Plus... if you know one of our awesome Senior Models you can still use your $50 gift card that you get fromt them.  WOWeee!  That's a BIG HUGE savings :)

SO, what are you waiting for?!!  Grab your Calendar, Pick up your phone and Call us at 972.877.4778 to get in on this fabulous offer!  



 

I can't wait to meet you and get started planning your Senior Photo Shoot!  OH!!  Don't worry you don't have to squeeze your session in by September 20th, just simply BOOK IT  & get on our calendar to get the offer.

Enjoy! and Let's get busy creating awesome images of YOU!!

Love & Laughter -

Deanna

Meet Ahrein - Class of 2014 SP Model {North Texas Senior Photographer}

Hi SP Friends...

Today I want to introduce you to Ahrein another one of our 2014 SP Street Team Members {aka. Senior Model}.  Ahrein attends Venus High School and YES she is another Home Town Gal and I am delighted to have her join in the fun of representing Specialty Photography this year.    Aherin loves volunteering and is actively involved in a community service organization at her school called Key Club.  She also loves to run track and has earned many many awards throughout her time in High School {just wait till' you see all the medals in her track photo}  WOWEEEE!  This girl has won some awards :)

Ahrein loves to make people laugh, she loves to have fun, hang out with her family & friends.  In fact her three words to describer herself are:  Weird, Funny & Nice.  I will say that Ahrein has a bubbly personality, a huge beautiful smile and simply enjoys life.  She's a beautiful girl inside and out and I am glad to have the opportunity to get to know her and to capture her just as she is today as a Senior in High School.  This year big changes are ahead, so much to celebrate and one day this time in her life will be but a memory, my hope is that these images will always bring a smile to her face and joy to her heart as she remembers this her Senior Year.

When I chatted with Ahrein about her senior portraits she shared that she loves the Urban look, the Glam look and she wanted to incorporate her love of running and track into her photo shoot and so we did just that.  We meet up at the studio to go over clothing, to layout the shoot and then headed into town to grab some Urban photos, then headed to her high school for Sport Photos and then back to the studio to round out the session with lights, and lot of glam.  I was super excited too to have Ahrein's mom join us on the shoot as she is a Make up artist and did a fantastic job with Ahrein's make up and hair and OH!  she makes a fantastic light assistant too.  Lol!  I always love having extra hands with me during a shoot.

Here are a few of my favorites...

 



 













Here are a few fun facts about Ahrein...

High School:  Venus High School

How would you describe your personality?   smart, nice, quiet, optimistic, cheesy & corny

What is your favorite song/music genre?  I truly enjoy every genre other than rock

What is your favorite color?  Blue

What do you like to do in your spare time?  Hobbies?  Volunteering, singing, reading, crafting & hanging out with my family

What are your plans after High School?  I would like to attend SFA & major in psychology and become a child psychologist

Thank YOU Ahrein for allowing me to photograph this amazing time in your life.  I pray you have a blessed year full of amazing & wonderful experiences that become a lifetime of memories.  Wishing you all the best!

Love & Laughter -

Deanna

 

It's your time... Class of 2014_North Texas Senior Photographer

Oh Yea!! It's SUMMER time!  and that means we have a brand new set of High School Seniors who are about to embark on a brand new journey... The Senior YEAR of High School.   Class of 2014 we would love to hear from you this summer.  NOW is the perfect time to get your Senior Photo Shoot scheduled and have an amazing day of capturing you just as your are right now in high school.    Our Senior Photo Session is just $99 however, if you book by AUGUST 1st you can SAVE 40% off your session fee.  WOWeee - that's a great deal right there.  So don't delay... Grab your calendar and pick up your phone and give us a call 972.877.4778



Each senior photo session takes around 2 to 2.5 hours and at a location of your choice.  You can choose to have your session here in our studio and have indoor and outdoor portraits taken.  Here at the studio we have a beautiful country field with an old 1948 plymouth that makes for a wonderful setting for photos.  Plus.. we have some of the most amazing sunsets, should you choose to have your session close to evening time.  If you select a location we look for a variety of backdrops and angles to create the most unique session and to give you as many different looks that we can.  Oh and we will grab a few instagram photos during your session too.  I love instagram and am sure you do too.

After your session is complete you will return to the studio with your parents for your view & order appointment.  At this time we show you an awesome video of your entire senior session starring who else but YOU.  Then we go through your images two at a time and help you select your favorites.  This is a time when you and your family can check out products that are avaialable, consider designing a special canvas, metal art or graduation annoucement.  The possibilities are endless.  There is NO pressure in the sales room; we are simply here to help you and your family get the images that you need & want.   No minimum orders required :)

Following your view & order appointment we will get all your images ordered, feature you on our studio blog and create a facebook album that you can then share with friends & family via social media.  We simply ask that you continue to share photo credit and to not crop out our studio logo.

That's it!  The whole process is super easy, lots of fun and will leave you with amazing Senior Portraits that you will be proud to share and display.  So... don't miss out to SAVE 40% this summer on your Senior Session.  Book your session by AUGUST 1st to take advantage of this deal.

If you want a few more perks and are SUPER excited about having Senior Portraits taken consider signing up to be apart of our 2014 SP Street Team {model program}



WHAT IS THE "STREET TEAM"?

Every year we select a handful of Senior Rep's from area high schools to represent our studio; to be the face of our current Senior Marketing Campaigns.  These reps receive a HALF PRICE two hour photo session and FREE wallets with our  contact information to hand out to all their friends and...a FREE IPHONE app loaded with their favorite images in exchange for telling everyone about the amazing services provided by Specialty Photography!

HOW CAN YOU SPREAD THE WORD?

The more you promote Specialty Photography on your social network sites like facebook/twitter, the better!  We will be posting images throughout the year of you via facebook, twitter and our studio blog.  Make a photo album on your facebook page and share these images too and use them as your profile photo from time to time.  Talk about your experiences with Specialty Photography and what you loved about your session as well as your images.  The key is to SHARE! SHARE! SHARE! 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PERKS?

You will receive rock star treatment for two hours of fun!  Your session will be a reflection of your personality and style!  Once your session is complete, you will return within 1 week to view all of your portraits and select your favorites and make your purchases.  Bonus for you!  $50 gift card to apply towards any portrait package. With just 6 paid referrals you will receive our "AWESOME GRAD PACK" absolutely free.  {value $760}  The grad pack includes 25 custom photo annoucements; 25 custom photo thank you cards; 1 16x16 metal signature panel; IPHONE photo cover; & a music video from your session.  This is perfect for your GRADUATION party.   Don't stop there... with each additional referral you bring into the studio you will receive a $25 print credit.   *those you refer to the studio will receive a $50 gift card to SP to apply towards their session fee.

IS THERE A CATCH?

Well, kindof... we only select one or two seniors from each area high school so you must act fast!  You should be involved with school activities and be a good role model for others.  With a little work on facebook/ twitter and by handing out your customized wallets, you will be earning great stuff from Specialty Photography featuring none other than YOU.

THINK YOU ARE READY FOR THE TEAM?

Completely fill out the application form below and submit before October 1, 2013

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

We look forward to hearing from you the Class of 2014!  We can't wait to meet you :)

Love & Laughter -

Deanna

Jennifer | Class of 2014 | Venus, Texas Senior Photographer

Hi SP Friends...

I am super excited to share Jennifer with all of you today.  Jennifer is one of our 2014 SP Street Team members {aka SP Senior Model}; so you will be seeing quite a bit of her in our Senior Marketing.  Jennifer attends Venus High School {yea for a hometown girl} and is actively involved in Community Service, Church and eager to make a difference in the world she lives in.  I love her zest for life and have truly enjoyed learning about her dreams and goals following high school.  She is one determined young lady who is going to do great things.  She currently has served over 500 hours in community service!  Can you say WOWWW!  That is so awesome :)

Jennifer is the president of a community service organization at Venus High School called Key Club and she just recently got inducted as the Lieutenant Governor of the organization; which means she not only serves here in her own community, but she also works with 10 other clubs at local area high schools.  I know she is going to do a fantastic job continuing to serve the community during her senior year.

We started Jennifer's Photo Shoot here at the studio and then we headed up to Venus for the rest of her session.  She wanted to incorporate her school, her community, and her style into her session.  I think she did a fabulous job with selecting her outfits for her shoot, to capture her just as she is today and all that is important to her.

Here are a few of our favorites...















 

Fun Facts...

High School:  Venus High School

Favorite Song:  Lightning by Alex Goot

Favorite Color:  Blue

What 3 words describe you:  Confident, Knowledgeable, Kind

Hobbies/Spare Time/ Passions:  Community Service, Read,  Hang out with friends, play chess with my Dad, Crochet, and prepare for college (scholarships, SAT/ACT prep)

What are your plans after high school:  Attend Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts to major in Math and have a double minor in Biology & Spanish.  From there I want to attend MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) for a Masters Degree in Bio-Medical Engineering.

Congratulations Jennifer!  I wish you all the best during your Senior Year as you prepare to pursue your dreams :)  Enjoy the fun, make a ton of memories and laugh a lot!

Love & Laughter -

Deanna

 

 

Melinda | Class of 2013 | Venus, Texas Senior Photographer

Hi SP Friends...

Let me introduce you all to Melinda Serrato; a Senior at Waxahachie High School.  She is excited and looking forward to her graduation in June of this year.  I met up with Melinda and her mom Margarita just a few days ago for her Senior Photo Shoot.  We decided to meet in Waxahachie and hit the town to create a unique one of kind session just to showcase Melinda and her personality.  If you know Waxahachie at all you know that on any given day you will find photographers and clients all around shooting, having fun and creating priceless images and our day together was no different.  In fact, we had to scurry around looking for alley ways that were not already in use, thank goodness I have a ton of locations that I love shooting in Waxahachie.  We enjoyed a beautiful spring afternoon capturing amazing images of one beautiful young lady.    I truly loved getting to know Melinda and her mom and we simply had the best time hanging out, laughing and enjoying a beautiful afternoon.  Seniors are always so much fun to photograph, it's always such an exciting time in their lives and they are all so creative and up for just about anything during their shoot.

Here are just a few of my favorite images from her session...





Oh my goodness!!!  Look at her eyes... simply gorgeous!!







OMG...loved the light we had during her photo shoot.  Beautiful!



Yep!  Melinda rocked her session.  She is truly beautiful inside and out!!  I am honored to have had the opportunity to capture such a wonderful time in her life.  Thank YOU Melinda and Margarita for allowing me to be apart of this amazing time in your lives and I hope that you enjoy your images for many years to come.

Congratulations Melinda on your accomplishment and enjoy all the festivities that are coming up with Graduation... you deserve it!   Wishing you all the best :)

Love & Laughter -

Deanna