Kathy & Brian E. | Fort Lauderdale, FL

What a fun loving mother and son! John and I decided to take a little vacation with our friend Brian to Florida. We'll I couldn't help but line up some work while I was there.

So, we got Brian and his mother on the beach for a family session. It was hot and humid so we sort of rushed through the shots to get in the shade.

One of the funniest moments was when I asked Kathy to put her legs over Brian's legs and get a little closer...She laughed and said "hey, we're mother and son not a couple!"

Thanks Kathy for the hospitality and the great shots!

Bella P.

Cute, cute, cute! There's simply no other way to describe Bella.

Elisa and Brian Peavey, Bella's parents, are dear friends and were some of the first people to support and encourage the idea of opening a studio. Thanks for the love and support!

Here are some of my favorite shots and the link to her slideshow.

Megan H.

HS senior sessions are my favorite and Megan's was no exception. She and her mom came to the studio with arms full of outfits for me to help sort. The Glam Squad was also on hand for hair and make-up.

I was really excited about this session because instead of heading to Kirksville for the urban shots I decided to shoot in Millard and I am so glad we did!

Here are some of my favorite shots and the link to her slideshow.

Watch Me Grow

Ask and you shall receive goes the saying...so here it is. We've had several people ask if we offer a baby package and until now I didn't.

So we are unveiling the Studio 1004 Watch Me Grow package. The package includes 4 one-hour sessions and an online slideshow. At the completion of the package, parents can choose to purchase a baby book or an all inclusive wall frame.

The Watch Me Grow package is a great gift idea for any soon to be mother!
Gift certificates are available too!

Early to Rise

Get this, about three weeks ago, I decided to be reeally, reeally honest with myself about my weight. So, I stuffed myself into my favorite pair of slim designer jeans and medium size shirt.

"Oh my the horror," I said to myself as I looked into the mirror. My belly hung over my pants not like a muffin top but like a loaf of bread! I had to shield my eyes because it looked like the buttons on my shirt were about to pop off! It was a sad but empowering moment.

Since I graduated high school and I saw myself on home video walking across the stage in my purple gown like Grimace, I have pretty much been on an exercise and diet regiment. I'm a total yo-yo dieter. I work hard to lose the weight then I get lazy and put it right back on. It doesn't make any sense. But I'm working on that.

I made a contract with myself that for the next 90 days, come rain, snow, ice, or Armageddon, I will walk/run three miles a day. The best way to ensure I do that is to workout in the morning. So, for the past 15 days I've been waking up at 5:30am and running on our treadmill in the garage. It always smells like gasoline in there so I open the garage door and look for the sun to rise.

Well this morning, I really didn't want to run but I set the pace to 5 miles per hour and just did it. As I approached the 3 mile mark...I looked up and saw the red sun break the horizon. The fog hugged the ground and trees like a mother cuddles her newborn. It was picturesque. Moments like this make the buzzing of the alarm worth it.

Red Barn Arts & Crafts Festival

As a budding entrepreneur, I knew that the Red Barn Arts & Crafts Festival would be great exposure for our business. But I had no idea we would be swarmed by people wanting to book falls sessions! Get this folks...thanks to Red Barn I am pretty much booked until mid November! It's crazy!

And to add more whip cream to this amazing pecan pie...John and I won first place in best all around exhibit and got a whopping $300 prize! Holy Cow! How blessed, how blessed, how blessed!

So, as a way of paying the gift forward, John and I decided to donate a portion of our money to The Heifer Project through our church, Faith United Methodist. This is the third heifer we have been able to purchase thanks to our clients!

For so many years, I've heard that when you follow your true passion everything else falls into place. I am a living testament...it really does!

At any rate, here is the link to the slideshow.

Doggie Luau Slideshow

Sorry it's taken me so long to get the slideshow up...but it's been kind of crazy at the studio...a good crazy!

Billie & Brett Hunter

Billie and Brett were supposed to get married outside at Brett's parents...but all the rain we've had changed those plans.

The wedding was held at the Assembly Church in Edina...here are some of my favorite shots and the link to their slideshow.

Ike & Galveston

Many of you know that I was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, and it's where most of my family still reside. Hurricane Ike has made a mess of things down there for a lot of people including my family.

For almost a week, my mother, sister, and her family have been without electricity but at least they still have a roof. Both of their houses sustained little damage thanks to storm shutters but living without electricity has been rough they say. Other than that, they are grateful to have survived another storm.

Thanks for your concerns and prayers.



Hector
Studio 1004

Trying not to panic

I've been preparing for the Red Barn Arts Festival since January. You'd think I would have all my ducks in a row...but I don't!

The event is on Saturday and I have yet to receive my special order prints to display. Oh that's right....that's because I just submitted the order on Monday! And I just turned in my application to the Kirksville Art Association for my booth! I don't know where time has gone...but it went by in a hurry!

Yesterday, John and I drove to Brashear to pick up some old doors that Leah Vincent let us borrow to build our display. Thank you Leah and thanks to all my clients whom have helped me capture some pretty amazing shots for me to display!


Hector
Studio 1004

Jill & Scott | e-session

Sweet Jesus, I proclaimed when I got the email that Jill and Scott were not canceling their engagement session because of the rain. I love the rain and believe it can lead to some pretty cool moments.

The two love birds are getting married next year but were eager to get their engagement session done so they can move on to more important details.

Hector
Studio 1004

Here are some of my favorite shots and the link to their slideshow.

Heather & Richard Hickok Wedding

There were so many special moments at Heather and Richard's wedding but the one that stands out the most is when Heather's youngest brother, Christian, began to cry uncontrollably at the alter. He was so happy for his sister and new brother that he just couldn't contain his emotions.

As you might imagine, everyone in the church started tearing up...including me! It was such a tender moment! After the ceremony people asked him why he was crying and he said he was just so happy!

Hector
Studio 1004


Anyhoot, here are some of my favorite shots and the link to the slideshow.

Slacker

Howdy folks....I've been a total slacker and haven't posted any blogs for a while. I'm actually trying to get all my crap together for Red Barn Arts and Crafts Show this weekend.

John and I have shot a couple of weddings and an engagement session but I just haven't gotten around to posting our favorite shots yet.

At any rate...check back later this week...I'll have some new pics for you all to look at!

C-ya!
Hector
Studio 1004

Elaine & Leann

These girls are a hoot! Our best friend Jodie introduced us to Elaine a few months ago. We fell in love with her contagious laugh and amazing energy! Well Elaine is moving to Florida in October on a Christian mission.

So before she left...we captured some shots of her and one of her BFFs and now one of ours....Leann!

Here are some of my favorite shots.
Hector
Studio 1004

The Vincents

Papa Vincent (Joe) and I go back a few years. He and I were co-workers at ATSU, along with his wife, Momma Vincent (Leah). Leah played a huge role in spreading the good word about Betsy Bulkley more than a year ago.

Betsy is an amazing photographer who came to Kirksville with her husband, an ATSU medical student. She brought such an amazing vision for photography and inspired me to start my own business. Betsy and her family have moved to Utah and many of her clients were left craving more of her art and talent.

Anyhoot, when Leah called to set up a session for Zach and Kate, I was really nervous and flattered. "Leah used to have Betsy do all her pictures and those are some pretty big shoes to fill," I thought to myself.

"Betsy is a seasoned professional. I'm just getting my feet wet. What if I fail? What if Leah hates the shots? Maybe I shouldn't take her appointments?" I said. John quickly put all that to rest with his support and encouragement. "Ah, just shut-up and go shoot!" He's so supportive isn't he? (eyes roll back into my head)

I just wanted to make sure I could deliver what Leah wanted and what Betsy made look so effortless.

Here are some of my favorite shots and the link to their slideshow.
Hector
Studio 1004

Candice | Senior Session

What a sweet, confident, and photogenic girl! Candice found us through our greatest marketing tool...word of mouth. You see, our best friend Brian works out at the YMCA with Candice's mother Christine, aka Barbie!

Anyhoot, we were truly humbled when we found out that Candice was making special trip from Rolla to Kirksville to have us shoot her senior pictures!

Thanks John for your help with the reflector, thank you Brian for spreading the word about our business, and thank you Christine for your make-up skills, and thank you Candice for choosing us to take your senior portraits!

Here are some of my favorite shots and the link to her slideshow.
Hector
Studio 1004

Doggone Good Time!

What a splash hit! The 3rd Annual Doggie Luau at the Kirksville Aquatic Center was a great success thanks to 48 perky pooches and their fun-lovin' owners!

There was plenty of fashion and splashin' during the cutest-costume contest where the canines strutted their stuff in front of the judges, our friends Jodie Spry and Brian Entin, along with Dusty Page. Laci Cook from Pawsitive Animalworks put together this super successful charity event.

We raised $240 through the $5 admission fee, and then a generous pet owner matched that amount! That boosted the gift to the Adair County Humane Society to a whopping $490. Amazing! A humongous THANK YOU to all who helped us help the Humane Society!

Here are some of my favorite shots. And I'm still working on the slideshow.
Hector
Studio 1004