Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Beauty everywhere

What do this......


And this.....


Have in Common????
Both were taken here....


People are usually surprised when I tell them both of these were taken 280 miles from the ocean in a junk store.....excuse me...a trading post in Noonday, Texas. Gotta love the red dirt dyed shells.
A good reminder that there is beauty everywhere, sometimes we just have to look harder for it.

“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph."
– Matt Hardy

Did you notice the lawn mower and the birdcage on the roof? Every square inch holds a new treasure. Yikes!

Only in Texas
Jeanne



Posted by Brick Road Photo, Jeanne May

Monday, August 27, 2012

The Purpose Project

The Purpose Project
Our families have experienced some pretty life changing events in the past two years. Two seperate battles with cancer, both of which I am thankful to say were battles won and are behind us now.  Seeing the emotional and physical toll on everyone involved, building and strengthening relationships that we have all taken for granted for many years have made me see things in a way I never did before.

This picture was taken by my sister in law, it made me realize how important capturing the moment is.
This is Shaun and his mom when he went to visit her in Utah during her chemotherapy treatments.  What most people see is a mother and son.  What I see is the mental and physical exhaustion that goes with the chemotherapy. The worry on Shaun's face not only for his mom but for his sisters who were there every minute of every day making sure things were taken care of.  Of course, the teal wrist band that we all wore to show support and honor all cancer patients.  That's what I see, that is what touch's my heart

This is my brother Kirby, his girls and wife Stacey shortly after her diagnosis and before her cancer treatment.  To so many people this looks like an ordinary family picture in a beautiful setting.  Looking at it now I see the worry on my brothers face, the fear and disbelief on Staceys face, most importantly I see a FAMILY,  a family ready to tackle the fight ahead of them.  Which they did very well!

Our family photographs are just that.... OURS!  WE know what was going at that moment, good or bad.  OUR memories, no one elses.
I have had people act shocked by the fact that I feel the need to capture moments like this.  "Who would want to remember such a scary and terrible time in life?"  We may not want to remember these times in life but we NEED to remember them, to be reminded of how quickly life can change, to treasure every moment.
After having the "C" word in our life for a while, every time I drove past The American Cancer Society Building I felt the overwhelming urge to stop, to offer to help and give back for what they had done for our family members.  What kept me from stopping?  Well, honestly how does one approach the subject of offering the service of taking cancer patients and their families pictures without sounding kinda creepy?   I called my SIL Colleen and ran it past her, she suggested I volunteer in general, not from a photo standpoint, and then see if there is a need. AWESOME idea! (she has always been the pay it forward girl, one of the many things I love about her) 
SO the next day I stopped, I volunteered, and I was very promptly told they weren't accepting volunteers but they would add me to a list.  Really?  I have worked with several volunteer organizations and never once did we ever turn down volunteers.  Don't get me wrong they are an amazing organization who have helped so many people including my family and I am thrilled that they have an over abundance of volunteers..... BUT
I do have to admit I felt a little dejected over the whole thing.  That night when I couldn't sleep, I was surfing some photo websites when this popped up on my screen, twice I might add......   OK GOD I get it, thanks for the nudge though

I had been so caught up trying to decide what to do with my life and give back at the same time I hadn't seen the obvious!  
SO  that's how the Purpose Project came to be.  It is not just about cancer patients, that was just the catalyst.  It is about the senior who can't afford senior portraits because of situations at home. It's about the elderly person who can't leave the care center to greet that new baby or see the beautiful new bride. The tender moment shared with a loved one dealing with Alzhiemers.   That is why I chose photography, that is my Purpose.....to capture the truly important moment's in daily life.

Thanks for letting me share this with you
Jeanne

If you know of, or are a part of an organization in East Texas that works with people who would benefit from and treasure some captured memories, please send me a private note jeanne@brickroadphoto.com There is NEVER a charge

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that you cannot sincerely try to help another without helping yourself"  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Friday, August 24, 2012

Days of summer

Hard to believe summer is coming to an end already. School will start soon and Christmas will be here before you know it. WAIT!!! Did I say that out loud???? Yikes!!
Did you do something fun this summer? Something memorable?
If not, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the remaining days of summer. Time to connect with family and friends, to reminisce about the fish that were caught, trees that were climbed and baseball games that were played.








We had a great summer full of family, friends and memories.
I hope your summer was what you wanted it to be!
OH!!! And......
Fall foliage makes great photos. HA! Say that 5 times fast! Book your photo session now, the calendar is filling fast.
Christmas will be here before you know it **wink**
Jeanne
www.brickroadphoto.com or visit me on FaceBook for photo specials

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

The Banner


As I have been setting up Brick Road Photo digitally I keep seeing
"you need a banner"..."you need a banner"...."you need a banner"
Something that identifies Brick Road Photo on and off line. A banner is different than a logo....hmmmmm
WELL here is what I came up with.....Brick Road Photo's "banner"
What do you think?
The black and white version should look great against the bright red paint on the van.
The sepia will be on most of the print advertising. LOVE it!
The boots picture is one of my favorites so it seemed like the obvious choice. It is of my niece's boots. It is one of the first pictures I took when I decided to take photography to the next level, and more importantly it makes me smile every time I look at it. It reminds me of a very special time with family.
The "banner" will be making an appearance on MIMI the red van, (see Mobile Fun post) my FB page, e-newsletters, business cards and of course my website.
BTW....If you haven't seen my website, please go to www.brickroadphoto.com and take a look.
Hey and while you are there, please click on the Facebook emblem and "like" my Facebook page. FB is where I will be posting highlights from events and photo sessions, as well as seasonal and special offers.
I can't wait to share more exciting Brick Road Photo news with you.
Jeanne
Posted by Brick Road Photo, Jeanne May

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Railroad Nostalgia

One of my favorite things to do is go to Rusk, Texas and ride the Texas State Railroad.
I LOVE the train! Everything about it, the swaying motion, the whistle, the conductor walking up and down the isles with his pocket watch chain swinging to the motion of the train....and the smell....oooh the smell. These are restored steam engines NOT replicas. They creak and they groan all the way down the tracks, music to my ears!
The Texas State Railroad is part of The American Heritage Railway System. It's sister railroads are The Durango Silverton Train in CO, which I have ridden, and the The Great Smokey Mountains Railway in North Carolina, which I WILL ride some day.
If you have never ridden an authentic steam engine train, you really should add it to your list of to do's. The railway system is the essence of history, of nostalgia.
History may be a compilation of words, objects, and processes; but it translates into the human character traits of strength, courage, creativity, perseverance, morality, and the ability to achieve greatness.
Texas State Railroad. An amazing way to experience the Piney Woods
Durango Silverton Railroad. Stunning Colorado beauty
The Great Smokey Mountains Railroad....more info to follow *wink*
GO RIDE A TRAIN!
Jeanne
Posted by Brick Road Photo, Jeanne May

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

The grass is always greener

While looking into the neighboring backyard I suddenly realized the grass really is greener on the other side. *wink*


I adore the large blue pot and garden cart. A very peaceful place

SO many exciting things happening at Brick Road Photo and photo booth
Be sure to visit my new web page www.brickroadphoto.com
Jeanne




Posted by Brick Road Photo, Jeanne May

Monday, August 13, 2012

Mobile fun!

Hi all!
Some pretty exciting things going on at Brick Road Photo this week. Today I picked up my new mobile photo studio and photo booth. Isn't she a beauty?




These are the two very handsome Longhorn Ford guys that helped me. Who also happen to be my son's Robert and Jeremy. So happy they work at such a nice place.




Tomorrow we are headed to Dallas to pick up the new photo booth printer.
Photo booths are SO much fun at weddings, birthdays and special events. They are also a great fundraiser for community and school groups.
I can't wait to share some photo booth pictures with you!
Check it out at www.brickroadphoto.com
Be sure to like us on FB while you are there.
Jeanne
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Logan memory

I have been attempting to organize some photos that were taken last summer while my brother Kirby, Stacey and their girls were with us.
This is one of my favorites.


Isn't she a cutie? She may take after her Aunt Jeanne....just a bit *wink*


Jeanne

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monday, August 6, 2012

A new addition!

Hi all!
I am very excited to announce the birth of my new little one. I am sure you are all anxious to find out what it is and I am proud to announce

IT IS A WEBSITE !!

Ok what did you think it was... Really? *wink*

When you get a chance please visit www.brickroadphoto.com and let me know what you think. You can also "like" us on FaceBook now.

Little Samantha here plans on keeping a close eye on everything and keeping y'all posted on how this new little business develops.


Brick Road Photo has some exciting things going on, including some great fall promotions and a new mobile photo booth for events and parties.
Stay tuned...and keep snapping'
Jeanne
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday, August 3, 2012

Cool

The only cool place in all of East Texas.


I can't wait to wear sweaters and boots and post pictures of fall.
Praying for fall!
Jeanne
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad