Makaylan Joy:: Newborn:: North Louisiana

This post is long over due. Little Makaylan is almost 2 months old! I figured I had better get her newborn pics up on the blog before he 3 months shots were due. Yikes! I'm failing as an aunt! This cannot be! Well, here is the sweetest little girl I know, my little niece, MJ. These pictures were taken when she was about 2 weeks old.

Austin.Texas.

I spent the last week in the great state of Texas. Here are a few pictures I took as I walked around South Commerce Street in Austin one glorious afternoon. Every time I visit Austin, I come back telling my husband we should move there. And once again... I want to move there.

Snow Day Pics!

Today we got about 6 inches of snow, so naturally I took some pictures of my favorite things: my dogs and my husband. This first picture will be blown up and put in our house because I love it so much! Scooter takes the BEST snow pics because of the contrast between black and white. Enjoy a few of our snow day pics! :)

Lost Film Found

I just wanted to share a lovely video with you today well mainly because it has to do with photography but also because it makes me happy. Most people would not go to so much trouble to find the owner of these pictures. This guy obviously looked at these pictures and saw art. He knew the owner would want them back. I just love it. I hope that you, too, are blessed by this video. Enjoy! :)

A New Start

People all over are making resolutions this time of the year. I have made personal resolutions as well as goals for my business. I am a firm believer in writing down your goals or at least sharing your goals with someone close to you. That's why I would like to share my hopes and dreams with you, my readers, my fans, my clients, whoever you might be.

Owning my own business has always been in the back of my mind as something I have wanted to do. My great grandmother was the first woman in my hometown to own her own business. In a time when women were meant only to bare children and cook dinner, my great grandmother opened Margie's Gift Shop. I remember going to visit her in her apartment, messy and cluttered as it was, it was filled with memories of her gift shop. She was an artist, a painter. Today, some might even call her a boarderline hoarder. :) She loved what she did and held on to her work and honestly, I can't blame her. She was an inspiration to me even before I knew she was.

In a month, I am taking a big leap of faith. I am resigning at my current full time job to pursue my passion, my love of photography. Because of the time constraints of my current 8-5 job, there is really no *extra* time to learn more about photography. Photography is what I crave. Photography is what I long to learn more about. But what will I do for a salary, you ask? Well, that is where the faith part comes in. I believe in this with all my heart that I am willing to to be a "starving artist" if that's what it takes for a while.

So, 2011 is a big year for me. Big changes. New beginnings. I am excited about the future of Cara Beth Photography. I am thrilled about those who are taking the first steps with me. I am thankful for all of the support you have given me. And as always, stay tuned for more information, latest pictures and specials! :) I love you all!

Canton Bound!

As a photographer, I am beyond excited to see October arrive for many reasons: beautiful fall leaves, pumpkin patch trips and family portraits. For me, October means CANTON! My mom and I are taking a trip to Canton, Texas to stock up on photography props and I could not be more thrilled! I have wanted to go to the largest outdoor trade show for as long as I can remember. I grew up LOVING antiques! It's in my blood. My great grandmother, NaNa as we all called her, was the first woman in my hometown to own her own business. She owned her own gift store. I would give anything to go back and shop at her store. Dishes galore and pretty sit arounds... Anyway, mom and I are going to Canton and I have made a list. Are you ready for it? Here it is in no particular order. Keep in mind all of these things are to be used as photography props. :)

1. vintage baby blocks

2. vintage cameras

3. vintage quilts

4. little baby crib

5. vintage toys (trucks, cars, etc.)

6. antique chairs

7. little red wagon (Radio Flyer)

8. vintage barrell

9. child's rocking chair

10. baby buggy

11. basinet

12. old metal painted chairs (bright colors)

13. vintage bike with basket

14. childs art easel/chalkboard

15. childs rocking horse

16. vintage suitcase

17. childs tricycle

One of my favorite photographers, Lauren Clark, uses props in a fabulous way! I love when she posts new pictures to Facebook. She gives me all kinds of inspiration! I drool over her props. Here are just a few of my favorite! :)

Hopefully, I'll come back with a few cute props of my own.

the day my bag came in...

It was an extra humid day in August. I was at a photo shoot, waiting on my husband to show up to assist me. Sometimes he gets to hold my reflector...if he's lucky. ;) He called and said, "I'm on my way! and oh, I've got a surprise for you!" I knew immediately what it was because I had been checking the front door steps relentlessly day after day since I ordered my Kelly Moore Bag. My bag was on backorder so it took a little longer to come in, but it was well worth the wait! I LOVE my bag! I have used it on 5 or 6 shoots so far and it's perfect! It holds all of my lenses, my keys, my sunglasses, my charger and any other little things that I throw in there. I am already trying to decide which bag I will get next!

Here is my hot husband opening the package for me... (I didn't want to post any of the pictures of me because it was after a shoot...let's just say I looked SCARY! I think it was 112 degrees that day!) He might be mad at me for posting these pictures of him but isn't he a hottie? ;)

Go get yours today! Click on the blinking bag on the right side of my blog to go to Kelly's site! :) (*hint- if you buy a bag by clicking on the link on my site then I get a percentage of the sale! Woo hoo! So get to buying people!)

Addicted.

If you know me at all, or if you want to know me better, than you should know that two of my (many) loves are (obviously) photography and COFFEE. I have tried (more than once) to quit but earlier this year I broke down and admitted to myself that I am, in fact, AD.DIC.TED. Yup. I'm addicted and I'm okay with it because this life is short. Why should I deprive myself of the things I love? This, my friends, is the reason I fill my life with photography, dogs and coffee, lots and lots of coffee. (I'll save my dog obsession for another blog post or if you just can't wait, head on over to our family blog to read about Conner and Scooter, my two furry babies.)

I tell you all of this to show you THIS. The perfect invention. The perfect combination of photography and coffee. Seriously? How cool is this? It's a travel coffee mug that looks like a lens- GENIUS! Anyway, I just had to share this with y'all! :)

something different

I love taking pictures of still life. It's actually how I got started with photography. I used to photograph anything that didn't move - in every imaginable angle! I still love to photograph the everyday life, especially food! As I am cooking or slicing fruit or vegetables, I take the time to get out my camera and arrange the items in natural light and snap a few and I am rarely disappointed with the outcome!

Cara Beth Photography is on Facebook

I have just created a Facebook page for my photography. I will be posting pictures from my latest shoots on this page. Watch out for seasonal specials, as well as family photo shoot giveaways- coming this fall! :)

Click here to visit my Facebook page and go to the top of the page and click that little button that says, "like." :)