How not to take a picture

While shooting a collection of art and antiques for a local dealer I decided to take a couple "wrong" photos. When you spend all that time trying not to see yourself in the object, it's fun to try it the other way, just for kicks.

Life is

I bought cherries for props. No more edible props in this house. I swear, sometimes it's like a college dorm and you have to hide your food. This was all that was left.

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails

Remember when everything was fascinating?

Just a reminder, it still is. It's all whatever you want it to be.

New car

I've been driving a Honda Civic for the past 11 years. Best. Car. Ever. But it's time had come. As fun as it was to say every day, "Get in the car, Penn. Mommy's just going to put the bumper back on," I set out to buy the best, cheapest used car I could find.Then my dad came to visit, so of course I came home with a brand new Cobalt. With his amazing generosity my monthly payment, interest rate, and warranty will be lower, lower and longer than on the used car. It's a Chevy, and you can groan right along with the rest of us at the idea of driving something made in America. But, the situation required it to be a Chevy. The reviews read well, the car drives well. I'm happy. Still in shock that the luxury of a new car was possible in my life.

Thank you, Dad for all you've ever done for me. You're my friend and father and I love and appreciate you so much.

Roto-Rooter

This may not be the very best day I've ever had.

Dear Universe,

I'm in love.

With Photoshop CS3. But her price tag is keeping us apart. So, you know, if you notice her out somewhere without that tag, or with a smaller version of that tag, shoot me an email.

Thanks.

Thank you strangers

This afternoon Penn and I went to the grocery for dogfood and cough medicene. While in line Penn scoured the trinkets they put at three year olds eye level, one of which was a flower that spins via battery operation. We played airplane with them while we waited.

Behind us was a woman who had an in depth conversation with Penn while I paid for Ringo's "tender chicken cutlets in gravy." The woman put one of the spinning flowers in her cart.

"You must have a little one at home," I said.
"Two grandchildren, 3 and 6."

I asked Penn to put the flowers back so we could go.

As we were pulling out of the parking lot the woman stopped us. My car windows are un-rollable, so we spoke over the top of my car. She asked if she could give the spinning flower to Penn, "it wasn't more than a dollar and i know he really liked it." It was 4.99, one of the reasons I didn't get it, but to say no would have been rude so I opened the door and she handed it to Penn. Who was thrilled.

I walked around and wanted to hug her, but instead asked her name and shook her hand and thanked her profusely. It was one of the kindest gestures anyone has ever given us.

The kindness of strangers always astounds me. It seems so rare, and yet, has always been a prevelant thing in my life. I wonder why I deserve it and I wonder if I give enough back.

Thank you, sweet lady. You made our whole day.

My Little Man

I'm stunned lately by the consistency of the gentleman in Penn. The list of his thoughtfulness and helpfulness is never ending. Potty training is going better than I could have ever imagined, especially today. When I reached for the pull-up this morning the distaste on Penn's face was amazing. "Ms. Amber says I should wear my Spiderman underwear to school." Now, Penn owns 9 pairs of underwear and every time we make an attempt at wearing them we go through all 9 in half a day. But if I were to go against Ms. Amber's wishes Penn would disown me.

So, underwear to school. And to my delight, underwear all day long, number 1's, number 2's, the whole bit. Having dealt with potty training far longer than we probably should have, the "Whoopee!" in me at the overwhelming success of today is pretty big.

He put on his first "show" today. At the end the kids got awards. Penn won "Best Listener."

There aren't enough words to describe how much I appreciate Penn's teacher. She's happy, she loves her kids, she's bright and without any negativity or volume or threats whatsoever her students obey and respect her every word.

We're entering a new phase in toddlerdom. It's a good one.

Headshots

I shoot quite a few headshots. Recent agency feedback on my work was that I needed to be more boring and more black and white. Not usually why people hire me. I didn't realize it would be such a struggle to shoot boring. Headshot shoots are still really fun, but in between the stuff that gets people the gig, I have to shake things up a bit.

This sweet young lady was just too stunning to not grab a few actual portraits.

Her family tagged along so we managed some stuff with them as well. I'm also using this shoot to practice with some new post processing techniques.

Thanks guys, you're the best!

*Shot in Space

Weekends are for Happy

Sunday's are for baking and immersing myself in the smiles of my son, dirty fingernails and sweat from the yard, the smell of clean sheets, clean floors, clean dog and projects finished. The whole weekend has been about family, friends, art and the little joys of everyday life. I really love those giant views from the mountain tops I'm given to climb. But the older I get the more I am thankful for the plateaus and even, steady strides.

This photo of my quiche for my mom, the amazing veggie chef, who enjoys talking about food with me.

Let's get Richard Ross to NY

Richard Ross is one of my favorite artists in Dallas. I have two of his pieces on my wall and they garner compliments and perspectives from everyone who walks in. They make me happy every single day.


Let's help fund his trip to exhibit in NY. He's got pieces available for sale all over. They are pieces you can afford. Click here to get them! Serious, people.

Doll Face

A machine with a doll face mimics images on a television screen in search of a satisfactory visage. Doll Face presents a visual account of desires misplaced and identities fractured by our technological extension into the future.

Made by Andy Huang, a 22 year old student.

International Rescue Comimttee Event Tonight!

ARTvocacy: Advocacy through Art,

Art Auction and Special Event
Thursday, May 17th, 6-9 PM
@ Frontiers of Flight Museum

Please join us for our annual silent art auction and special event. There will be a diverse display of art from local, regional, and international artists including local refugee artists. Purchase art at great prices while supporting a great cause! Come enjoy meeting and talking with artists, refugees, IRC staff and supporters while enjoying live music, food, and exploring the Flight Museum’s famous collection. Great raffle prizes as well as art by children portraying their refugee experiences. Admission is $40 for the general public and $25 for students and refugees.

Buy Tickets or Donate

CarissaByers.com

Website gets another re-design with updated documents, contracts and order forms for clients.

orange ball of confusion

An accidental shooting of the dog showed that, to the baby's delight, velcro tipped Nerf darts stick to the dog's collar.

This is how the dog feels about it as he anticipates the baby's reload.

By morning all is forgiven.

Click here to see a small set of photos illustrating what Ringo's like when he's not busy being the orange ball of confusion desperately trying to taste you.

word to the mutha

Happy Mothers Day to my amazing mom. I love all 85 pounds of you so much.

And seriously. She could totally pass for our middle sister.

(picture= my mom, my giant brother---aka, the one with the good hair---, and my little guy.)

lizard love

An example of why I take my camera almost everywhere.

Click photo to see large size and awesome scale detail, even without a macro. More posted on my flickr.

Art by Penn

Depending on what my computer is doing, in the mornings I either tap into itunes or turn on the Today Show. When that goes off Martha Stewart comes on, and regardless of how slow the computer is, I refuse to rot my ears with Martha Stewart.

But today, the tv stayed on a bit into the show while I scraped up whatever that was Penn and his dad left on the table.

Howie Mandall is one funny guy.

There was a lengthy segment on cleaning your phone. She actually gave step-by-step instructions on how to clean your phone. Quality content there, yessiree. What I could have used was a segment on how to teach grown-ups to pick up after themselves.

Annnyyway ....

It's scrapbooking Year! on the Martha Stewart Show. My first take on scrapbooking is, ummm, not so good. It falls into the category of fanatic women who collect ceramic cats and clutter their closets with greeting cards in bulk so they'll always be prepared with the perfect hallmark, if they ever actually used them.

My second take on scrapbooking gets better. Crafty-time is always fun and some people make truly interesting art out of it.

My third and final conclusion is that it is important people are making memories for their families in this unique and creative way. Scrapbooking is the hands on picture equivilent to the blog. This generation will leave no stone unturned in recording our every thought. Narcissistic, but compelling. If I had time I'd totally break out the scissors and glue. I draw the line at ceramic cat collecting, though.

All this to say despite being a photographer and having a new scanner, I am doing a very half-assed job at recording and printing my son's photos and art in a way that is good to pass on and on. Here is my commitment to do better.

Pictured above is a scan of one of Penn's paintings. On canvas, even! Click here to see the folder I'll be scanning his art to. (Named "Art by Penn" in the "Fun Stuff" album.)

78 F

new season = skirts and flip flops and hammocks and a little bit of sweat. i like this part too.

Butterfly

Shoot for Change

The only downfall of last weekend's shoot was missing Walter's Shoot for Change show at Space. Pay attention. There are people making it happen out there.

All Grown Up

Aside from actual work, today I mowed the lawn, bought a water heater, got a car loan and bought a fax/scanner/printer. Next I pick up the kiddo from school, we'll go by the grocery, make dinner and do homework. Then I'll start down that return call/email list and we'll sit around and talk about sales tax and contracts.

I feel like such a grownup.

Tuscon, AZ

I'm shooting in Tucson this weekened. Every time I think I couldn't possibly meet a greater family ... I meet another.

mints on my pillow.

Fungi's

I interrupted a good phone conversation today with, "Omigod, there are tiny yellow penis's growing around my plant!"

Seriously, this is weird, right?


The seeds Penn and I planted are starting to flower already. now, if only I can keep this fuzzy flower above outta here. (Penn calls them "dandleflowers.") And the snails. (my gawd at the snails again.)