it's all happening: the texas style council

About a week ago, I blogged about how our little photography bizness is now a platinum sponsor of the 2011 Texas Style Council Conference, coming up here in Austin during SXSW! I figured I wouldn't have to tell you guys about it, since you all already know all about it. Then I thought, wait just a second.... What if there's still some fabulous blogger out there who hasn't yet heard about it? Well, this one's for you.

Go right this minute and find out about the first ever Texas Style Council Conference and how you can be a part of the fabulosity!

P.S. ooh, and stop by our photobooth during the dance party Saturday night and say hello!

Kathryn's 30 for 30

One of my great friends, Kathryn, has a fantastic blog. While she mainly blogs about food, she decided to join in with hundreds of other stylish bloggers to take our amazing friend Kendi's 30 for 30 wardrobe challenge. When she mentioned that she would be taking the challenge, I offered to start taking her daily photos. We've had so much fun over the last month or so finding little spots here and there to shoot, chatting, documenting her outfits along the way. For me, I got some of the most valuable camera practice I could hope for, just learning what to do with my settings in different light/different situations--since I shoot in manual. I really considered it a project that we were both taking on, even though I wasn't participating in the 30 for 30 per se.
You can see Kathryn's 30 for 30 on her blog here and her first recap here. I wanted to feature some of my favorite shots from this project as well.

Jess and B are having a baby!

Our wonderful friends Jess and B are having their first little one this December. We couldn't be happier for them! See these photos bigger and prettier on Nathan's blog.





When we talked about the look for the shoot, Jess and I went directly to one of the most talented photographers who brings an artistic and timeless look to the whole genre of maternity photography, Sophie Phillips. We decided on a lovely location, out in nature and long, flowy dresses for her wardrobe. For props, we went went with less-is-more. Jess brought a little leather-bound book of poems that B had given her as a gift. I also made a flowery garland that I thought would add to the look. She saw it and said, "I get it. Fertility goddess." I said, "Totally! Anthro just put out a maternity line. And today we're shooting their catalog." Which I think we basically did.





My favorite shot from the day:


Nathan also took his camera-- a film camera! All the black and whites are film, as well as some of these color shots. I couldn't be happier with these shots. And I couldn't be happier for Jess and B! We can't wait to meet your new little one. Something tells me Baby Archer will be one adorable and talented kiddo.

Behind the scenes of a photo shoot.

Our lovely friends Kendi and Bryan were in town a couple weeks ago. (They were also in town this past weekend, but I'm talking about the time before that.) Fantastic, independent designer, Megan Nielsen, had asked Bryan to shoot her fall lookbook, and asked Kendi to style and model her pieces. Bryan picked a really beautiful, secluded spot for the shoot. I tagged along so I could assist them with wardrobe and props, scare big ugly birds away (which I did well), navigate us to the location (which I DIDN'T do well), anything to help. I also brought my little D90 (which I think really needs a name... what about Stella? It just came to me. Or maybe Clementine? Hmmm.)

I'd like to share a few of the shots from my camera... and then will you please help me name her on the right?









Bryan and Kendi are not only wonderful friends, they are ridiculously talented. I mean RIDICULOUSLY talented, you guys. My hubs and I are constantly inspired by their art and their work. Go see for yourself!