I've Moved the Daily Photo Project!

In case anyone was wondering... the daily photo project got moved to Flickr! The pics were meh, on here. The colors were wacky, and everything was washed out. Too bad! Luckily, though, that frees up the blog for other things... like behind the scenes videos and photographs from shoots,weddings and events, etc.. YAY! In fact, stay tuned for a preview of Brandi and Daniel's wedding!

Day Twenty Nine, "Shimmer"

Day 29, March 16th, 2014. Model: Kristen Davis. Makeup: Deanna Leflore. Hairstylist: Johnny Serafin. Designer: Mikailee Alton. Photographer: Jennifer Crowder.

Yesterday was the first time since before I had Logan that I actually got to do a big creative shoot, with hair, makeup, and wardrobe. It felt amazing to be in a room full of creative people, again, and to release some of the creative energy I had been storing up. Plus, I got to hang with some of my favorite people! I haven't had a chance to work with Johnny Serafin or Deanna Leflore since before the baby, and I missed them so much! Needless to say, once we added Mikailee Alton and Kristen Davis (Agence Red Wall) in the mix, it was nothing short of a magical night- just as it always is with this group of artists. Color, shimmer, light... I love it. There are sooo many beautiful photos from this shoot. I cannot wait to share them all! Be sure to follow me on Facebook if you want to see more. Also, make sure you go check out Johnny, Deanna, Mikailee, and Kristen. They are ALL great at what they do!

On a side note, I noticed for the first time today that the blog does not show the true colors of my images! I will be moving this project to Flickr, so that the image will be portrayed perfectly. Also, it will free up my blog for other highlights! This image is already there, if you'd like to see it as it is meant to be. :D

Day Twenty Eight, "Beatnik"

Day 28, March 15th, 2014. Richard Diaz de Leon. Stretch Photos.

I got so many great shots with Richard, yesterday. He totally amped me up! We originally started shooting on white, Avedon-like portraits... but I had to choose the images above to post here in the blog. Why? Because there will never be another one brave enough to hang out the studio window! At least, with such energy!  Even when I get a model who likes to free-flow and have fun, there is usually still some sort of structured "work," going on. Not with Richard! We totally improvised. We kept it raw. It's rare to find a person who will give their whole self to the camera, and Richard did just that. No inhibitions. Yesterday was like a breath of fresh air... all I had to do was capture all that great energy he was putting out there for me. I love working with people like this! Richard is a musician, and now that I've shot with him, I can't wait to see him perform. I'm sure he puts into his music the same soul that he put into this photoshoot- and if that's so, I'm in for a treat. Who wants to go check him out with me? We can catch him playing blues with Rusty Martin at Hills and Dales. You can also check out his personal page, or his Youtube Channel! In addition, be sure to check out All Music's Local, which is  "a Performance based talkshow featuring Regional, National and Local Artists and Hosted by Richard Diaz de Leon." Enjoy!

Day Twenty Seven, "Mod"

If you have been following my work for awhile now, you know that I often team up with local fashion designer, Mikailee Alton. I absolutely love her work! Every detail is carefully sewn. Her work is impeccable, which makes it stand out from the crowd. She uses lush fabrics that make a woman feel sexy and rich, and her clothes are feminine, strong, and always classy. Besides that, she and I work extremely well together. We "get"each other's visions, and we can treat each other like sisters, even when we are working. Who wouldn't love that? Check out Mikailee Alton's website, to see more of her work, and contact her for commissions, or follow her on Facebook to keep up with her latest photoshoots!

Geni Marie modeled Mikailee's latest "mod" designs perfectly! She is such a pleasure to work with. Geni can laugh and play with me, and still knock it out, which I love. Photo-shoots are work, but they should also be FUN! She gets that. Geni nailed this look, with that little hair swing on the very right. Perfect! Check out Geni on Facebook to see more of her work. She's got a broad range of stuff that you will enjoy... everything from mod, to super sexy, to glow in the dark!

Day 27, March 14th, 2014. Geni Marie in Mikailee Alton. Stretch Photos.

If you are interested in a photoshoot, don't be shy! I shoot all types of people, and I'd love to capture your unique beauty. Just shoot me a message on Facebook, or at stretchphotos@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Don't forget to check out my websites!

Fashion: www.stretchphotos.net
Portraits and Events: www.crowderweddings.weebly.com

Day Twenty Six, "Morning, Love"

Yesterday's shoot was super simple! I shot Christina Coker, popular San Antonio blogger, for her "outfit of the day," post. Nothing fancy, just a simple, fun shoot on a beautiful morning. We wanted to keep it natural. I featured Christina's kids a few days ago, and told you a little bit about her. If you haven't checked out her blog Champagne Taste on A Beer Budget, yet, or Fearless Fashionista, the official blog for North Start Mall and La Cantera, that she writes... you SHOULD! Between the two of them she has great fashion advice, fashion finds at great prices, DIY fashion tutorials, kid's craft ideas, and so much more! You can also find Christina on Twitter, where she does lots of giveaways for local restaurants, beauty product giveaways, and plenty of other fun things. I've won twice, now! Once, I won a gift certificate to Z'Tejas, and once, I won tickets to Beer Fest. Wahoo!

Day 26, March 13th, 2014. Christina Coker. Stretch Photos.

Day Twenty Five, "Far Away from Here"

Can you believe that model Kadiva Alcorta styled this herself? I LOVE it! Amazing wadrobe. We went out shooting during the brightest part of the day, and it absolutely worked in our favor. I love the harsh shadows in the first photo, and the muted tones in the second. One hard, the other soft. One quiet, the other loud. Kadiva's body language in each of these is so different, but equally beautiful. I also love the contrast of the whimsical feathers against the concrete- which was the original concept. I love love this shoot, and I'm secretly glad that our original location idea didn't pan out. Isn't fate lovely, like that?

You can find Kadiva, whom I have shot with many times, always with great results, on her Facebook. There, you can see photos from shoots, as well as keep up with the many fun events she participates in. I personally enjoy following her work!

Day 25, March 12th, 2014. Kadiva Alcorta. Stretch Photos.

If you are interested in a photoshoot, don't be shy! I shoot all types of people, and I'd love to capture your unique beauty. Just shoot me a message on Facebook, or at stretchphotos@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Don't forget to check out my websites!

Fashion: www.stretchphotos.net
Portraits and Events: http://crowderweddings.weebly.com/

Day Twenty Four, "Duck Lips"

Day 24, February 11th, 2014. Self. Stretch Photos.

This is the kind of thing that happens when I'm scrambling to shoot at the last minute. Be sure to check out the amazing portraits that inspired this, by New Mexico artist Was Naman, for a great laugh!

http://thatslikewhoa.com/10-hilarious-photos-of-scotch-taped-faces/

New Mexico artist Was Naman

New Mexico artist Was NamanNew

New Mexico artist Was Naman

New Mexico artist Was Naman

New Mexico artist Was Naman

Day Twenty Three, Daily Photo Challenge

With 15 minutes left to take a photo last night, and no subject other than myself or a sleepy baby, I chose the sleepy baby. A simple shoot, then we were off to bed. Some days are just like that.

Day 23, March 11, 2014. Stretch Photos.

Day Twenty Two, Daily Photo Challenge

Day 22, March 9th, 2014. Courtney LaShaun, The Agency Model and Talent. Stretch Photos.

This is Courtney LaShaun. She was so fun to work with! We rocked a few edgy outfits, which made it difficult to choose a photo to post here, but I decided to go with something super simple. I feel like this shows off all of her natural beauty, with no distractions at all. This girl had an amazing body, yall. I love her legs! She was very easy to shoot, and I love her disposition, as well. She is going to school and training to become an EMT, which makes me thankful for her. I don't think I could handle a job like that, and I'm glad there are people out there who can.

You can contact Courtney on Facebook for bookings (be sure to "like" her page!), or contact The Agency Model and Talent, whom she models for. If you want to see more photos from this photoshoot, and more, be sure to check out my website and keep up with me on Facebook. Courtney and I are also planning on doing an underwater shoot, soon, which should be even more fun. If you are interested in a photoshoot, don't be shy! I shoot all types of people, and I'd love to capture your unique beauty. Just shoot me a message on Facebook, or at stretchphotos@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Day Twenty One, Daily Photo Challenge

Day 12, February 8th, 2014. Melody Gee.Stretch Photos.

Melody Gee, everybody. This girl got up and got ready by 8:00am on a Saturday morning, and came out in not just the cold, but the rain, to get this amazing photo with me. Can we all say "dedication?" That's what this is. And while the weather may have been freezing, Melody was definitely hot. I have so many more great photos from this shoot, that I will have to share with you all, soon, too. I'm sure I'll be working with Melody again, soon. She always delivers!

If you want to see more from this shoot (and others!), be sure to follow Melody and myself on Facebook! On my page, you will come across great photoshoot deals. I have an amazing daily deal going on right now, which also includes featuring you right here in this blog! The deal is not just for models, anyone can play. So, let's do something fun!

Day Twenty, Daily Photo Challenge

Day 20, March 7th, 2014. Coker mini-monsters. Stretch Photos.

Sometimes you just gotta love a faceless photo. Even though all three of the Coker "mini-monsters" (as their Mom lovingly calls them) have adorable faces, there is just such a fun story behind an image that shows only part of a face, or no face at all. I believe this is the photographer in me, over the Mom in me, haha. Or maybe it is the writer in me- that's what I always thought I wanted to do growing up. I especially loved short stories... which a photo is, in a sort of way.

Anyway, I always have fun shooting with the Cokers! The kids crack me up, and Christina and Dennis are so down to earth, and easy to get along with. They chase the three kids around, and still somehow manage to maintain their edginess, which I love. I'll have more of this family, including edgy Mom and Dad (with faces!), soon.

If you aren't already familiar with Christina, she has an amazing blog called Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget that you should definitely check out! She has lots of tips and tricks covering everything from DIY manicures, to the latest new baby toys. My favorite is a hilarious segment called "Things I Never Thought I'd Say..." Even non-mom's will enjoy her sense of humor on this subject. She also writes the official blog, Fearless Fashionista, for North Star Mall, and La Cantera, where you can keep up with the hottest fashion events, trends, and more. Be sure to click the links and check her out! She will be doing a giveaway for your truly, soon, so don't miss it!

Day Nineteen, Daily Photo Challenge

Because GLITTER.

To see more of my work, or contact me for bookings, find me on Facebook, or my website. I have an amazing daily deal going on right now, which also includes featuring you right here in this blog! The deal is not just for models, anyone can play. (This is ME, for example!) So, hit me up! Let's do something fun!

Day Eighteen, Daily Photo Challenge

What a wonderful thing to see a mother and daughter getting along so beautifully! Brandy and her daughter, McKenna, came to the studio for a mother/daughter session yesterday, and we had so much fun. I love that they were willing to be silly together- to jump around and climb on each other's backs. Also, I love that they can hug, and hold hands, and kiss each other on the cheek. You can tell they really love each other, and it's great that they feel comfortable showing it! I can only hope that Thomas will still kiss us on the cheek in a year, when he hits his teens, and that Logan will follow suit. Brandy is obviously doing it right. She is one Mom that I will be able to turn to when I have a question about something. And McKenna? She's an awesome kid. Ahem, teen! One to be proud of. Keep it up, McKenna!

On a more technical note, I had so much fun playing with these colored gels! (Ok, I lie. They are just cheap colored plastic folders, lol). They really bring out the fun factor and liven things up. I particularly love the colorful halo effect on the upper right image in this collage. This was achieved by placing one of the flash units directly behind their heads (facing toward the camera). Love it! For more of my work (fashion, editorial, creative), you can find me on Facebook, or my website! I hope to see you there!

If you are interested in booking, I have an amazing daily deal going on right now, which also includes featuring you right here in this blog! The deal is not just for models, anyone can play. So, hit me up! Let's do something fun!

Day Eighteen. February 6th, 2014. Brandy and McKenna. Stretch Photos.

Day Seventeen, Daily Photo Challenge

More baby pictures!

Yesterday I had a shoot planned with fashion designer Mikailee Alton (who is amazing!), but our plans kind of fell through. I consider it a blessing, though! I got some much needed girl-time with her, instead. Yay! However, that did mean I needed a great subject on the fly, and Logan just can't take a bad photo (or is that just my mommy-eyes talking?). Since it was Fat Tuesday, she crafted him a little Mardi Gras crown with whatever scrappy craft supplies I could find in the bottom of my craft drawer, haha, and we got to catch up. She even rocked this little guy to sleep and I was free for awhile. :D

I'm sure there are a million ways I could have made this photo better. The crooked backdrop and uneven light are driving me crazy, for example! Babies tend to dictate shoots, though. I only had a window of about 10 minutes between his fussing, so this is what we got. I am coming to terms with the fact that when you set out to shoot every single day, not every photo will be a masterpiece. I am ok with that. The whole point is to constantly be shooting. Constantly be learning. Constantly be improving. Then, when you have to shoot on the fly, you are still amazing! That's the goal, anyway. :D

Day Sixteen, Daily Photo Challenge

 This is my friend and fellow photographer, Rick Bernhardt. Rick and I have been friends since I was just starting out in photography. Boy, we thought I was so talented back then... and I was terrible, haha! Everyone starts somewhere, right? Apparently, I started at orange skin tones and crappy selective coloring; not to mention whatever I was trying to do with the weird cartoony editing! I have provided a few lovely samples of such, below. They are from 2005. Although a big part of me wishes Rick didn't still have these, it's also fun to see how much I've grown as a photographer. Enjoy!!!

Thanks for keeping me humble, Rick!!!

Day Fifteen, Daily Photo Challenge

Day Fifteen, March 2nd, 2014. Elija. Stretch Photos.

This is my adorable, squeezable, energetic, stubborn, sly, goofy, animated, smart and fun-loving little nephew! I just adore him. I wish I could squish my face in all that lovely hair every day! I'm glad I see him often; and my sister, too! In fact, I've been spending a lot of time with my family, so you can probably expect to see a lot of them during this project. The good news is we are a fairly good-looking bunch. ;D Enjoy!

Day Fourteen, Daily Photo Challenge

Day Fourteen, March 1st. 2014. Stretch Photos.

Guess who?

Day Thirteen, Daily Photo Challenge

In the Marine Corps, they used to call my husband "rubber face," because of his crazy expressions. Here are a few!

Day Thirteen, February 28th, 2014. Lance Crowder. Stretch Photos.