Spring Fever

According to Wikipedia -- Spring fever is a term applied to several sets of physical and psychological symptoms associated with the arrival of spring. Well, I don’t know about you guys and gals, but I got it!  Taxes, chores, projects, end of semester grading--who can be bothered when there are tomatoes to plant and butterflies to watch?  Lounging in the sunshine, feeling the dusting of freckles returning to my nose I marvel at the glorious sun—her solar power charging me in optimism. Since November of 2012 life has been difficult due to a decline in my fathers health, but now that the cardinals are chasing each other like lovers do and mockingbirds serenade all through the night, I must admit I’m feeling anew.  This morning In the backyard, drinking a honeyed green tea I looked down at one of my three pots of strawberries and noticed a perky plant had jumped shipped, a wild pioneer embedded in the yard. Anything’s possible in this great big world, so here’s to new beginnings and pollen smeared honeybees. Enjoy yourself and send us your favorite spring photos!  We want to see what you see. 

Spring Blessings- Angilee

cell phone camera photography

Interesting article on shooting low-fi using cell phone camera and apps.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/19/living/iphone-art/index.html

I have started to really embrace cell phone photography. With all the filters and adjustments available through mobile apps, shooting with the cell phone has become a whole new photographic art form. In addition there are  a variety of lens on the market that allow you to shoot with various focal lengths. My latest endeavor has been to email my SLR photos to myself so that i can then open them in my smart phone, download to my iphone's photo gallery and then re-open and run them through a mobile app. 

That being said, more times than not the photos you take with your phone's camera (especially the smart phones--I have an iphone) are a pleasant surprise and the image quality justs keep getting better. A big advantage to shooting cell-cam pics is that you always have a camera on you and it weighs very little.  

Photos below were taken with my cell phone:

                                          

                                          Wild Parakeets at White Rock lake 

         

                                          Apples in Maine

                                          Purcie the kitten

                                            Deer in the woods in Denton TX

                                           Winter Acorns

                                          Birds on the UNT campus

                                       

                                          Summer shower - dividing line of rainfall

Happy Holidays from Texas Photo!

We are signing off for a few days (Dec 21 - 25) for the holidays - but can't go without sending BIG, TEXAS-SIZED HOLIDAY WISHES to all of our students, supporters, business partners, and just a whole bunch of nice people we have been so lucky to meet this year! We can't believe how Texas Photo has grown - and the many ways all of you have helped us grow. We are truly thankful!

The Gift of Learning

30 DAYS OF DEALS // DAY 30!
Gift yourself or your favorite photog with the gift of education through Texas Photo classes! Check out our new calendar of classes for Spring 2013. We have more to offer this year than ever, with new class topics and some terrific partnerships with The Dallas Arboretum, Fort Worth Botanical Gardens and The Creative Arts Center of Dallas. Check out our expanded online courses that allow you to learn on your time. Gift cards are available via mail and email in amounts of $25 and up – so fill up your stocking or someone else's with the best photo deal yet.

Gift Card-a-palooza

30 DAYS OF DEALS // DAY 29
Next to the last day of Deals postings– and just like the pre-holiday prep, these deals have gone by way too fast! So, speaking of fast... to make your holiday shopping and decision-making speedier, don't forget about gift cards. Most retailers offer gift cards or certificates, and we have put together a list of some of the best for that photographer on your list:

• Photojojo - amounts ranging from $10 - $200, with email delivery available or by mail with free keychain
• B+H Photo Video - amounts from $25 - $1000, never expires and free shipping
• Adorama - Gift Card Wizard offers amounts from $10 - $1000, arrive by email or mail, never expire, and have the option for a personal message 
• Amazon - holiday designs and gift tins, custom designs with personal photos, video cards, delivery options via email, Facebook, mail with free shipping, and print at home in amounts from $.15 to $1000

Go gift card-a-palooza! 

Holiday Photo Shoot

Shot images at Spa Esoteric in McKinney for the holidays. The Spa is a converted historic home with huge floor-to-ceiling windows and amazing natural light! Every time I shoot there, it's a joy– not only because of the light, but also the creative freedom that the owner, Monika, gives me. Here's a sneak peek...

Santa's on his way...

30 DAYS OF DEALS // DAY 28
Play Santa with this deal from BradsDeals and Discount Mags! Get a year-long subscription to Digital Photo Magazine for $4.99 – today only! This slick, glossy mag covers new digital darkroom technologies, trends and methods in modern photography. Edited for a broad spectrum of readers, from the beginner to the advanced, this is the perfect gift for photogs who want to learn more about how to creatively control and produce exciting images. Use the code BRADSDEALS at checkout to get the deal!