A December at home

J wanted a "mohawk" for his hair cut today. The sides aren't shaved too closely, but he loved the way it looked! It is winter, after all!


I'm sure the effect will be further enhanced tomorrow when my wife spikes the middle portion. Hopefully he'll be OK with another wee trim before heading back to school next month!


Z got some gloves as a Christmas gift from church. As you can see, he loves them. Maybe he loves them a little too much ...

I hope this holiday season finds you well and among people who love you. I'll have more family photos to post before ramping up my client work next month. I'm also renewing my efforts for full-time work, which will make life busier and more interesting, I'm sure!

Merry Christmas!

My Z turns 3

My wife made an awesome "monster truck" cake for our youngest son's 3rd birthday.


It's so fun to watch kids open up their presents. Z was thrilled about everything he was given.


This is a helmet/race car game thing. He loves wearing hats, so it was a no-brainer!


Here's our little rascal in my sister's car trying to escape.

We are hoping that both our boys will continue to look forward to December as a special month, because of their birthdays (Z's on Dec. 11 and J's on Dec. 26) and realizing God's gift of Jesus that is celebrated at Christmastime. Easier said than done, as for now they are focused on the receiving rather than the giving. But we'll work on that later.

What a weekend!

So busy lately, I'm actually looking forward to the coming week (even Monday).

On a sad note, a personal blog that I'd had for a long time has been deemed an "attack site" (actually, just the host). Guess that means it will be easy to quit using the site altogether. Simplifying is good.

Stay on the sunny side, but this made me chuckle

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know it's a little early, but I'm hoping to take a l'il break from the Internet in the coming week. Don't worry ... I'll be back the first week of December, ready to serve you! You can still contact me via e-mail anytime, at todd@toddovermanphoto.com.

Photography as a diversion

I feel fortunate to be working as a part-time contractor. Sure, I miss full-time pay. The flexibility, however, is awesome. Whenever I need a break, I might take a walk outside. These first two photos were taken from the office where I work a couple of days a week. I noticed the gentleman fishing and loved his classic-looking outfit and the reflections. This was taken a little after lunchtime one day.


I stepped onto the back patio as the sun was setting (and I was about to begin my night duties at my job), and the man was still there. He was no longer fishing, but rather just enjoying the scene. For me, his enjoying the scene was part of the scene.


For this casual shot, I liked the way the sign contrasted with the relaxing pasture on the other side of the barbed wire. Where I was, there was a public park and hiking trail. A few steps further down the trail, there was a curious llama, but he was in too much shadow to fire off a good shot without stepping closer and spooking him.

Taking random photos is one way I like to beat stress (besides bicycling, jogging or taking a nap). You don't need a fancy camera or any plan to do it. Just go.

Portraits of a sweet family

I had the opportunity to photograph a wonderful family on Sunday. We chose Prairie Creek Park (shhhh, don't tell anyone about the waterfalls ... it was crowded enough!) and it ended up being a wonderful location.




The grandparents tagged along, too (see above and below images).

Another cool aspect of this shoot was that I went to high school with the mom. It was very nice to briefly reconnect with her and meet her beautiful children, too. I have more edits to do but am striving to complete them this week so the family can pick the ones they like best.

Live in DFW and love the location depicted here? Contact me to set up your family's portrait session soon! Eventually the trees won't have any leaves left at all. If possible, I'd recommend a weekday for the session. That's sometimes tough to do, but this particular Sunday wasn't even all that busy. Still, we had to dodge other families and photogs.

Rainy-day Wedding

I had the opportunity to help photograph a wedding last month in Mansfield. The ceremony was originally scheduled to be outdoors, with the couple and bridal party beneath a gazebo. The guests, however, were to be seated in the open. The weather had another idea, with sporadic heavy showers forcing the entire wedding indoors to the reception hall. Still a beautiful ceremony, but dark! The tables were decorated with beautiful fall flowers.


The couple's cake was elegant, with the initial of their last name beautifully added on the front.


The groom's cake was stunning, topped by chocolate cowboy boots on top, edged with little chocolate Texas shapes and with realistic chocolate rope.


The venue featured a photo booth, and people had a great time dressing up with the available props and taking photos of themselves. The booth produced a strip of little pictures that served as souvenirs for the wedding (complete with the wedding couple's names and the date).


I got a great shot of the kiss during the ceremony, but usually my favorite is the moment right afterward.


Most of the weddings I've photographed with other photographers, I've ended up being the one with the widest lens. At 17 mm, the people begin to become a little distorted at the edges similar to a photo taken with a fisheye lens. But here's everyone there!


Here the couple shares some quiet time alone in the reception hall before making their grand exit.


By the time the couple went to leave, the rain had momentarily slowed to a drizzle. Guests lit sparklers, which mixed with the orange lights under the porch made for some interesting colors. Here the happy couple gets ready to step into the Rolls Royce that was rented for the occasion. What a beautiful car! And what a sweet couple. I had time only to talk briefly to the groom.

Getting married or know anyone who is? So far I have two bookings for 2010. I would love to be considered to document and share your special day!

Inside Cowboys Stadium

We went to part of a high school playoff game today at Texas Stadium, but I don't have any photos. Well, I didn't take many and didn't take any of my camera gear (we had my wife's point-and-shoot). The rules weren't strictly being enforced, as it was high school football, but the published rules at the Stadium Web site say that still cameras are allowed if the lenses are 3 inches or smaller in length. Sad to say, but I no longer own a lens that fits that spec! Maybe Santa can bring me one for Christmas so that I don't have to feel guilty about taking a camera the next time I get to go.

The place was awesome. From a photography standpoint, at mid-day with daylight-balanced artificial lighting, it would've been dream conditions to shoot in. There were several credentialed photogs on the field with monster lenses having a good time of it, I'm sure!

Hello, lovely!

It's a good thing I'm not in the market for a new camera. This will be Canon's new top-of-the-line professional digital SLR, shipping to the public sometime next month.

Be clear that a photographer's knowledge, experience and instincts have more to do with the type of image that emerges much more than the camera used. Cameras are merely tools. If one needs a camera of this caliber to make pretty pictures, something is wrong.

But who said anything about need? I want one!

The Help Portrait

The first time I heard about the Help Portrait, I was skeptical that offering a free portrait to someone who can't afford one would really help them. But reflecting on the fact that I've seen when photos can mean the world, I've humbly changed my mind. What possession do people historically grab first when they are forced to leave their homes? Often it's the family photo album. When a loved one passes, photographs take us back to the joyful times we spent with them. Photos provide a link to a past we've never known, too, as I can see that I could have inherited my freckled face from a great-grandfather.

The process is simple:
1. Find someone in need
2. Take their portrait
3. Print their portrait
4. And deliver them.

The first step is where I'd like your help. The official event is on Dec. 12, and I'd like to take the portrait on or near that date. If you know of anyone in need who would cherish a portrait of themselves or their family, you may nominate them by sending an e-mail to me at todd (at) toddovermanphoto.com. Please include their name, their city of residence and reason why you think they would benefit from a portrait. If chosen, I will need help in contacting your nominee to do the portrait and deliver the final image. When you nominate someone, you are qualified for a half-price professional photo session* from me (a savings of $125!) that must be used by the end of this year.

I will take nominations until Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. Please help me help someone in need for the holidays! It's also a great time for you to update your own family portrait at a special price!

*This is a full-blown photo session, but does not include print credits or other promotional offers. Other restrictions may apply!

A change of identity (sort of)

I'm working on a new logo for my photo business, which looks suspiciously like the old logo but with "Todd Overman Photography" pulled out from the swooshy circle and placed underneath. Mainly I made the changes to make the words easier to read and also make it more embroidery-worthy for promotional materials. Might look good on a coffee mug, too!

Now I need to modify the whole thing for a photographic watermark for identifying images I've taken when posted online.

Who knew that pumpkins float?

I meant to get these posted before Halloween, but here they are! The Keller recreation center hosts a "Pumpkin Splash" every year for kids to swim, pick out pumpkins and decorate them leading up to H'ween. It's cool to see pumpkins floating in the indoor pool.


Kids love picking the pumpkins out of the pool, too.


This mom had her hands full with twin girls.


As the daylight faded and stopped streaming through the glassed walls, I had to get overcome the cave-like atmosphere. For this shot, I waited for the people to appear over the underwater lights. High ISO, a slowed shutter and a deep breath and it turned out OK.


After picking their pumpkins, participants could decorate them with paint. A mess, for sure, but not nearly as bad as carving jack-o-lanterns would've been. This was my first time at the Splash, never being able to make it while I was editor at the local newspaper. I took these photos for the city to use in promotional materials next year if they choose.

You should have seen the other guy!

Here's a pic of black-eyed Z after taking a little trip on some concrete steps Saturday while trick-or-treating. The area near his left eye bruised immediately, and there's a scrape next to that. We were right there with him and should have just lifted him up the steps ... he wouldn't have liked that but wouldn't have a shiner to show for his efforts!

Another Halloween in the history books

This is probably my favorite photo from Halloween 2009. It was the first time Z got to go trick-or-treating. He loved it, although he did take a spill trying to go up some steps.

A burning desire to be a clown

The Keller Fire Brigade (aka "fire clowns") performed for students across Texas today via streaming Web video. October is Fire Prevention Month, but it's always a good time to learn about preventing fires and knowing what to do in case one breaks out in the house. Above, the clowns wave to the camera (and students).


One of the guy's duties was to magically appear inside the computer screen from time to time.


This is the number of the day: 9-1-1.


In case of smoke, stay low to the ground where the air is still good!


This is an attempt at an "artsy" shot.



Here's what the clowns were interacting with. It made their job difficult compared to the instant reactions they get when performing in front of a live children-filled audience.


One of the video feeds from a school was upside down, so they figured they'd accommodate the ceiling-flipped students.

All in all a fun show. All four are full-time firefighter/paramedics with Keller Fire-Rescue. They aren't afraid to get silly in the name of fire education!

It's hard to resist a silly hat

It helps that both my kids are total hams!

The Buddy System

Want professional family portraits for the holidays? To give as gifts? To incorporate into custom Christmas cards? To mark the end of another special year? Want to save some money? Have I got the plan for you!

The Buddy System allows you to invite up to two friends and their families for a mini portrait session, to split the session fee among you. The session can take place at the location of your choice, include one of your homes. Each family will be photographed individually, but can also be combined for other photos if desired. The combined session may not last as long as an individual family session, but the result is the same: beautiful images of your family and each of its members, preserved for the ages. Experience them every day with lab-quality prints and gift products. Share them with others.

Buddy System-Two Families
• Family and individual family member portraits on location.
• Password-protected online gallery for proofing and ordering of products.
• CD of low-resolution images for sharing on Web sites.
• Session cost: $125 per family. Splitting the cost is twice as nice!

Buddy System-Three Families
• Family and individual family member portraits on location.
• Password-protected online gallery for proofing and ordering of products.
• CD of low-resolution images for sharing on Web sites.
• Session cost: $100 per family. Save $150 per family on the individual family session fee!

Buddy System-Family Reunion
• Group shot of all family members when they are all related.
• Family and individual family member portraits on location.
• Password-protected online gallery for proofing and ordering of products.
• CD of low-resolution images for sharing on Web sites.
• Session cost: $100 per family (four-family minimum). Get together!

Standard Family Session
• Family and individual family member portraits on location.
• Password-protected online gallery for proofing and ordering of products.
• CD of low-resolution images for sharing on Web sites.
• $50 credit toward prints and products.
• Included 25 holiday cards featuring images of your family.
• Session cost: $250. Isn't it time for a custom family portrait?

Contact me today, as Christmas will be here before you know it: todd@toddovermanphoto.com.

A ride on the Pumpkin Express

The boys had a great time at the Pumpkin Express, a pumpkin patch and train ride in Argyle. I highly recommend this patch over the two more famous ones in Flower Mound ... it was busy the day we went but never felt like it. For me, it was great to finally get out of the house after being flu-ish for a week. What a great weekend to feel better!

My partner in crime

My household has gotten bitten by the flu bug pretty hard. After my wife and older son got the flu, it was only a matter of time before it bit me. Fortunately, when the younger boy started to get feverish, we were able to get medicine to squash the bug before it took over. The end result is the same: he and I have been home together trying to recover.

The orange on his face is marker – his immediate reaction when finding any marker is to draw on himself. Lately that's included his face, legs and feet. He is really a fun, crazy kid! He has been talking coherently enough for meaningful conversations since he was 18 months old (he turns 3 this December). Still, he can't explain his fascination with body art.

Thankfully, I'm feeling a lot better but am not yet 100 percent. The timing has just about knocked out any chance of us attending this year's State Fair of Texas – even though we've got the free tickets to go. Real disappointed about that! This is the last weekend, and Saturday being the Texas-OU game I'm not sure we will be up to braving the crowds. That is, if I'm up for leaving the house.