Jayson Steelman's Album Cover

Meet Jayson Steelman.

Jayson is a very talented individual who goes to Calvary Baptist Church.

He not only writes his own music but he also playes every instrument you will hear on his album and mixes them all together for his own sound and a project that is completely and uniquely his.

Calvary Baptist is having a valentine banquet this coming Friday night and Jayson will be performing live for the attendees. Because of a demand for Jayon's music he put together a project that will be on sale at the banquet with the proceeds going to the Youth of Calvary!

When Jayson isn't spending his time working on his music, which is fantastic by the way, he is a Lineman for Big Country Electric Company.

Jayson is married to Angela who is a good friend of mine.

And Jayson has two great kids, Amber and Alex who attend school in Snyder.

I started working on the design for Jayson's album cover last night. I haven't finished but I certainly am enjoying the challenge. This is the unauthorized version, Jayson hasn't ok'ed this one, so the final design will likely be very different.

I worked on the backside as well, You have to remember, these are NOT the real songs, I made up the titles. But this is a sneak peak of what it COULD look like:

For more information about Jayson and the sale of his music you can contact him or Calvary Baptist Church.

Thank you Jayson for giving me the fun opportunity.

Today's Subject

Today's subject was one that couldn't object to my lengthy shoot.
I am working up several images to represent varying methods of lighting for the class I am teaching at College on the Square, which ends this coming Wednesday.
I have enjoyed my class and students so much, I hate for the class to end. These are available light with heavy shadows behind the apple.

This is backlighting without losing the detail in front of the apple.

YUCK! This is flash. I have a growing disdain for flash. I AM way too close to the subject with my flash, I know, but yuck, no detail to shadows, no texture. Yuck....

This is just a different view of the same thing.

I like this one. Sweet little apple, just sitting there lookin' pretty...

I guess I played with my apple for too long. I just started looking too good to me. I really wasn't hungry, I just couldn't help my self...

...then one thing lead to another...

...next thing I knew,

It was over. I have never eaten my subject before. It was oddly unsatisfying.

Agatha, aka Aggie

I worked on my new techniques again today, new victim. This is Aggie, short for Agatha, has nothing to do with Texas A&M.

Aggie just didn't like having her picture made at first. She went straight under the bed and tried to hide but just couldn't stand knowing I was in the room and that I could have been petting her.

Back up on the bed, listening to the sound that the camera makes.

Aggie is Linda's daughter but they just don't get along. The only time they get along is when they are playful in the mornings and it resembles more sparring rather than kitten playfulness. Aggie loves her Mama and Linda just won't love her back, it is so sad.

How could you NOT love a face like this?

I have bored yet another cat....

Who's next?

I've been quiet too long

I loved having so little to do in January. After the Christmas rush it was a welcome quiet. But now I am ready to be back behind my camera. I was practising some new techniques today and since my kids and husband are sick of being my subject, the next most logical victim was the cat.

Meet Linda.

Linda came to us an expectant (and extremely YOUNG) mother. We named her Linda because the lady who gave her to us was named Linda but had never named the cat. We decided she had probably heard the name Linda a few times and she might respond to the name.

OK, think of the logic in that. Does a cat EVER respond to it's name? NO!

Linda is no exception.

Obviously I bore the cat....

The Edwards Family

Meet the Edwards Family of Ira.

Coach Edwards is the basketball and baseball coach at the school.

His beautiful wife is Kaci and his kids are Trey and Kalley.

We had been trying to get this photo session done since before Christmas but couldn't get the weather to cooperate at all. We caught a break last weekend with an absolutely beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Too often we shy away from our fall and winter scenery but as you can see in this picture of Coach and Kaci that the trees made a beautiful backdrop for us.

Isn't this just the sweetest picture you have ever seen of siblings. Her little hand on his left shoulder spoke to me. Kalley has the lightest touch for Trey.

This boy has a kind look in his eyes to me. There is a gentleness here with him. A steadiness.

And Kalley has a little girl sweetness that was remarkable. She was funny and bouncey and my guess is that in the years to come this little girls suitors will drive her brother crazy! As pretty as she already is and as pretty as mom and dad are (yes, Coach pretty) she will have to carry a stick to beat the boys off. Maybe brother can do that for her.

Thank you Coach and Kaci for all you do for the kids in Ira and for the school. You work hard and we appreciate you both.

Thank you for letting me 'shoot you'.

Leaves, leaves, leaves

I had a shoot this weekend during which I found a beautiful leaf that truly doesn't look like it could belong in West Texas. It was so big and so well preserved and so pretty that I just had to take pictures of it.

I love the red that bled through from the sun shining through it.

Raven held it up for more sun to shine through it. You can see somewhat the size of this leaf. It was the size of a dinner plate easily.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I am preparing for my photography class that will begin Tuesday January 13. It will be at College on the Square in Snyder from 6 until 8 for four weeks.

For those of you who plan to sign up you will need to bring:

Your camera
Your cameras manual (if you can't find it see if it is online, downloadable)
Spiral for notes
a 4x6 of the best picture you have ever taken (film or digital, no digital files, on paper)

Call Stormy Sheilds at 574-6580 for more information.

I am really looking forward to this class I think it will be fun and practical.

I don't think there is an age limit on the class, Old, Young whatever, all you need is curiosity.

For those of you who are interested, email me at mccowenfarms@wtconnect.com

See you there.

Love, Carol

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Goodnight

Thank you all for your friendship, encouragement and business.

You are very important to me and I love you all.

I pray that you all have a safe and wonderful Christmas.

Love,

Shawn, Carol, Blair, Raven & Emily

Sun Rise Moon Shine

Did you see this mornings sunrise moon? It was beautiful!

Christmas Deadline

My clients who want to place orders for Christmas need to know that today is that deadline. Most of you have placed your orders but if you haven't do so today!
Thank you all for your business.

Santa at the Gazebo

Santa made a recent stop in Snyder this past weekend.

This is his local family, the Arrendondos. They are super people and made sure that Santa had plenty of food and a warm bed for his stop over. Thank you Arrendondos for your contribution to Christmas 2008.

Santa had some helpers at the Gazebo, this is Elf Blair

Elf Emily

Elf Raven

And Elf Rowdy