TexasGirl Photography

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to photograph the fabulously talented Judy Blundell in her studio. She needed some new artist headshots, and we both agreed her studio was the best place to make them. It’s a wonderful, inspiring space, and photographing her there was like a dream come true to me. I brought along a Lensbaby lens that can do macro and give things a lovely fuzzy glow so I could play a little bit once the serious business was concluded.

What I didn’t bring with me that day was a film camera, since up until now my focus with client work has been digital. I’ll admit I regret not hauling along my Hasselblad, and this has made me conclude that I need to build up my portfolio of film photography in a new way. This might sound strange to those of you who know me well, but I lack confidence when it comes to using film for professional work. There are a lot more factors that can end up as failures, in my opinion, and it hasn’t been something I want to risk.

CUE MY NEW IDEA for next year! My adorable photo assistant Moby is here to help me announce it; although he will not be accompanying me to any sessions he is excited about this (as you can see).

This year I participated in the Frugal Film Project, and I’m planning to do it in 2024 as well. What you see above is my film / camera combo for that project. But what to photograph? Here’s where the whole tie-in with my professional work comes in.

I am seeking 12 artists (one a month, starting in January) who are looking to invest in a portrait session but would also be interested in getting a bit more creative. My vision is to bring along my Frugal Film duo, plus possible pinhole cameras, Hasselblad, and some Lomo gear, to explore the more creative side of portraiture (think long exposures, double exposures, lovely blur-on-purpose, etc) in addition to more standard digital photographs. Ideally, I would like these sessions to happen in the artists’ creative spaces. And, double downing on the idealism, I would like to end up with a collection of darkroom prints that could be turned into an exhibition where all the artists get to come along and celebrate how amazing they are.

If you are an artist with a studio / creative space you’re willing to have photographed, plus you would like to invest in a portrait session that would yield all kinds of images for you to use to market yourself and your work, PLUS be a part of this project, please contact me! I’ll be offering these sessions at a rate of $450 (plus tax, but this means the film work will be thrown in for free), for 2 hours or longer if we need that time.