My Kyle and his Sock Monkey

Kyle's sock monkey is appropriately named Sock Monkey. I love his muddy shoes in this picture because it's so him! He loves dirt and dirt loves him!

Canvas Sale!! Just in time for Christmas!

From now until Monday, November, 30th, at 10 p.m. central all canvas prints are 20-30% off

If you order more than one canvas add an additional 5% to each one after that ~ for example, your first canvas is 20% off, your second canvas is 25% off, third canvas is 30% off (maximum of 30% off). If you buy 5 or more I’ll take 30% off the entire canvas order. Why would you want more than one canvas? Gifts for birthdays, Mother’s/Father’s Day, or Christmas. Wouldn’t your children’s grandparents love this!?! Or maybe you want one for your home! Also, a grouping of 2 or 3 or 4 canvases would be very dramatic! There are many sizes available that are not listed, including square sizes, inquire for pricing.
These gallery-wrapped canvases are gorgeous and come ready to hang on the wall. They may be framed too if that is your preference.

Call or email today for this limited time offer!!

All my 2008 customers should be able to access their galleries to participate in this sale. If you have any trouble, please let me know.
Please email me your order, rather than using ordering system as the prices do not reflect the sale. Scroll down for a pricing table (I don't know why blogger put this huge space here but I cannot get it to go away-I tried everything!)

Canvas Size	Regular Price	20% off (first)	25% off (second)	30% off (third)
11x14	$155.00	$124.00	$116.25	$108.50
16x20	$195.00	$156.00	$146.25	$136.50
20x24	$225.00	$180.00	$168.75	$157.50
24x30	$285.00	$228.00	$213.75	$199.50
30x30	$325.00	$260.00	$243.75	$227.50
30x40	$395.00	$316.00	$296.25	$276.50

Watch for it...

On Black Friday, I will be having a sale! You won't want to miss this opportunity so check back here on the ol' blog to find out more...

Ladies, hold onto your fallopian tubes!

Is it just me or does this little 6 month old cutie make your ovaries do a little dance on your uterus? She is a doll, even with a case of the sniffles that she had the morning of our session.

I couldn't decide on just one so you get 2 and I may need to add more as I proof. And I'm not even showing my fave from the session in case you want to use it for your cards!

I can't believe it's been 4 years!

I have been photographing this family for four years! With 4 very active kids, they always blow me away with how sweet they are to each other, how well-dressed they are, and their house is clean too! I don't know how they do it!

I'm not showing the family shots so they can send those out on their Christmas card, but here's a sneak peek of some others.

Parker

This family had such a cute house brimming with character...but not filled with light. We found some light where we could and then we went outside for a few snaps! I love shots that show how tiny newborns are!

sweetness

What a sweet little beauty Miss A is! And her proud parents couldn't be nicer! I look forward to seeing them in a few months for their next Baby Plan visit!

teaching photography

I just gave a lesson to my mom's group on photography. I had fun doing it and I really hope the ladies learned a lot! Most had point-and-shoot cameras (purse cameras, not SLRs) and just want to take better pictures of their kids. Some do have SLRs and maybe they would be intrested in a beginner small group photography course I am thinking about doing (I am still working out the details).

I was thinking on the way home about a question one of the ladies had. Her camera's focus point was always centered, as many are, and if she wanted to create an off-center composition as we has discussed, it seemed she would have to do this with a crop. Then, on my way home, I remembered this: You can press your shutter release button (the button you push to take a picture) halfway down while your focus points are on your subject. Then recompose, moving your subject off-center while still pressing that button halfway down. Once you are happy with your composition, fully depress the button. I forgot about this because it's been so long since I've used a point and shoot and my SLR does it differently. I'm sure many people can use this tip to make more intresting compositions!

City Slickers

We went downtown for a couple quick snaps and a little puddle jumping. My guys had a great time!

Warmth for your heart

Did you see this news story about an Aledo High School girl who has Down's Syndrome getting elected homecoming queen? I have a soft spot for kids with Down's but I think everyone would enjoy this story.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/101208dnmetqueen.39be68a.html


Here's a few quotes from the article:

By MICHAEL E. YOUNG / The Dallas Morning News myoung@dallasnews.com

Never has the selection of a homecoming queen sent so many tears falling so freely.
Kristin Pass, an 18-year-old senior with Down syndrome, became Aledo High School's homecoming queen Friday to a joyous standing ovation and the flutter of a thousand tissues on a remarkable night for an amazing young woman.


"Kristin has a lot of friends – she likes everyone. It doesn't matter if you're tall or short, pretty, not pretty, smart, not smart – she likes everybody. She has great friends. And Aledo is a great community."

"She's just the neatest kid in the whole wide world," added her aunt, Chari Hust of Houston, "and everybody sees that."

She was so thrilled, her mother said, that she took her crown to bed with her.

"She's real proud of it," her friend Meaghan added.
Kristin and her family, including sister Kendall, now a freshman, moved to Aledo when Kristin was in the third grade. She was embraced by the people in town through good times and bad, including the death of her dad, J.T., two years ago.

Kristin doesn't care what's on the outside, Meaghan said. She's friends with everyone, and everyone admires that.

"She's the person we all want to be," Meaghan said

Not So Little Miss Kenslea

Here she is decked out in her favorite color, PINK! Yes, she has a favorite color and she's not even 2 weeks old in these pictures!

This mom is great and always up for anything--I love it! I got to wrap mom and baby in this fun fabric...Kind of reminds me of when I wrapped her and baby (while pregnant with her first) up in a piece of flowing fabric for some gorgeous maternity photos. This is such a sweet moment and Kenslea is loving being skin-to-skin with mommy.

ETA: wanted to add this crop for Kenslea's mom.

All Booked Up

My schedule is completely full through the rest of the 2008! The holiday season fills up so fast! It really has to because by the time we have a session, I proof it, you decide and order, the lab prints, I deliver/mail to you, we're looking at a 4-week long process!

It has been a wonderful year filled with beautiful, charming children and families! I have been blessed by each session I have done.

Lucy in a tutu.

She is just taking my breath away! I want to order this on a huge canvas and she's not even my daughter!

Lucy's Mommy and Daddy, I'm working on the rest... can you tell I went straight to the end of the session first?

"LookaLookaLooka"

That's what this super sweet chubster said as he peered over the bridge. Almost made me squeal, but I contained myself...okay, not so much...I may have gushed a little. But couldn't you just eat him up? yummy.

Why do Photographers charge so much?

I know some people think professional photography is expensive. Here is a link that addresses the issue.

Nathan--all smiles at 6 months!

Here's Nathan...He's trying to be the easiest baby to photograph EVER I think! He did great at his newborn session, too!

Hope the family is having a great time on vacation! Here's a peek if you find a computer at Mickey's house!

Kyle's 2nd Birthday Party

My little boy turned 2 years old! He thinks he's 3, though! I could gobble him up!

Sneak peek of Andrew

This little guy and his family are a joy to photograph. I thought this one by the tree was cute (there are several really cute ones by this big tree). It's like a natural growth chart--each year around his birthday, we can take a photo of him by this tree and watch him get bigger and bigger in comparison to the tree. There are some good ones of the family and big brother too! Still working...

HO HO HO. It's that time Again!!

After last year's craziness, I vowed to reform my holiday program so I can keep my *remaining* sanity and to try NOT to have to turn anyone away. So this year, in order to fit as many families in as I can, I am booking mini sessions! They last about 30-40 minutes and cost $75.

Mini Sessions will be held on October 11
Available times are:
8:00
8:45 --booked
9:30 --booked
10:15 --booked
11:00 --booked
11:45 --booked
1:00
1:45
2:30--booked
Call 469-693-1108 or email jessica@jessicastarrphotography.com for availabily and additional information. I am expecting these spots to fill quickly, so don't hesitate!

I betcha my last six dollars that you will be smiling when you see these pictures

You're smiling aren't you? I have been photographing these two crack-ups for over 2 years! I can't believe it! Their mom appreciates a casual style that captures them being themselves. I once photographed these two in their PJs on Mom and Dad's bed! fun stuff! Enjoy your sneak peek Y. Family!

What to Wear

So you have a family session coming up and you‘re obsessing about what everybody is going to wear? Lucky for you I decided to gather some specific clothing ideas right here on the little blog!
Choose clothes that allow you and your family to be the star of the photos. You do not have to match, but you should coordinate. Think about “Color Families” like jewel tones or nature tones, or a monotone palette such as varying shades of blue (navy, aqua, pale, royal) paired with a neutral chocolate brown. Let the individual personalities speak subtly in the clothing using layers and textures, but try to avoid being overly trendy. Remember, something classic will look great for much longer that something trendy.
Another thing to consider is where you will hang this portrait and where the photo will be taken. If you plan to put the portrait in a living room decorated in pastels, then olive-y, nature tones wouldn’t be the best choice for clothing. And finally, if for example, the photo will be taken in the outdoors in the changing fall leaves, then patterns, florals, pinks and yellows really need to be avoided.
Most importantly, wear something you can be yourself in during the session because we’re gonna have fun!

Baby Barrett

You know I L.O.V.E. his name! (My older son has the same name.) This "baby Barrett" got his name from his Daddy's middle name. Here's a peek of the little guy--I believe he was 12 days old.

ETA: had to add another one!

Gage: Baby Planner turns one!

What a pleasure it has been to watch this little guy grow! He has such a sweet personality to go with those big blue eyes! I hope I'll get to see more of him in the future!

Lucy

I hadn't posted these before b/c I didn't have her release yet. I don't want her to feel left out and by gum, she's just so cute. Here's little Lucy. And her sweet brother too.

Beautiful Nora

Her parents and grandparents are smitten and it's easy to see why! She's like a little doll. The bassinet was used by Grandma as a baby and now little Nora sleeps wrapped in a blanket knitted by Grandma. So sweet.

Mother's Day Mini Session with MY kids!!

It's what I wanted for Mother's Day! To get some time to photograph my own kids. I must have wanted the same thing last year because this is the Second Annual Starr Family Mother's Day Mini Session! That makes it a tradition! We went downtown for these...Our town has so many cool old buildings. Kyle wasn't feeling love for the camera today. Barrett however was being his typical self - ham.
Yes, that would
be the air guitar.

Nathan

Wow, I have never had a newborn session where the baby did not poop, pee or cry...until little Nathan,here! It was quite a different story when I photographed this guy's big brother's and sister's newborn twin session! 3 kids under 3 and happy as can be. This is a GREAT family...and I am not just saying that because they are in my (husband's) family.
Family: I'll have the rest shortly after we return from our vacation!

Arboretum angels

What a beautiful day for a session at the arboretum with this great family. And if you don't believe me that they were angels check out the "halo" in the bench photo!

Family:I'll email you when the rest are finished!

Sweet Reese

What a beauty! I did her big brother's newborn photos and now I got to do hers. It's so neat to see families grow! Here's a little peek.

Announcing New BABY PLAN

Attention upcoming and future Newborn Sessions: I am launching a new Baby Plan! With this plan you will get 3 sessions for $225, that's half-price! You may use your 3 sessions at any time during your baby's first year. Premium sessions are still $25 extra.
I recommend a Newborn, a 6 month, and a 1 year session. It is very important to photograph a Newborn at about 1 week to 10 days old. They grow and change so fast, and before you know they lose their tininess. Six months is a great time because babies are usually smiling and sitting up or close to it. And at 1 year their personalities are really emerging, some are standing, some are walking--lots of moments and milestones to capture!
This is a great oportunity to capture these wonderful moments with your family. I look forward to seeing your baby grow...but not too fast!

Movin' on up

To the Fast side.
To that high speed internet in the sky-y-y. That's right. We got high speed internet. For about a year we had hold-on-my page-is-still-loading-dial-up. We actually got the high speed internet 2 weeks ago, but I have been too busy surfing the internet to write this post. :) Now that it won't be such a hassle, you will see a lot more action from me on this blog!

New Website

My new website is up! I was so excited about it, I posted it before I got it absolutely the way I want it. It has so many new gallery images! Separated and organized galleries at that! Check it out--you may be on there! There is also a new menu item outlining the charities I suppport with a portion my profits. I am sure you will want to read every informative word on the website as it will be very helpful!:) There is, of course, a link right here on this blog...so have a look!

The prize goes to...

Luke M! #8 Congratulations! Good voting, everyone...It's always a photo finish when you're talking about photography, right? That was fun--maybe we'll do that again next year.

Luke

What a fun family. I don't think I have ever laughed so much during a session. I think this little guy was awake the entire time... if it looks like he was sleeping in any of the photos, I must have caught him blinking!

Big Plans

I have a lot of plans for 2008. Promotions, mini sessions, contests, etc. It's going to be an exciting year! Keep an eye on this blog so you don't miss out! One of the first things I'm going to do is have a contest. The winner will get a 16x20...stay tuned!

photo contest

I have always said that I am so lucky to have such good-looking clients! And so wonderful to work with, too! I have decided to host a photo contest here on the blog with some of my favorite photos from last year. The winner will recieve an
16x20 mounted print and 8 wallets of the winning image.
The poll will be open for exactly one week. Only one vote per person (but go ahead and recruit your friends, family, and coworkers to vote for you)! Vote for your favorite (by number) using the poll in the upper right corner of this blog.

Good luck everyone!

Here are the contestants...

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