mini photo shoots, frisco, tx : robin, jeanene, will and hope!

what a lovely family, yes? It was so much fun working with this family--they were full of life and enthusiasm and so easygoing!

the kiddos with mom


this waterfall was fantastic--and kind of hidden! I am SO glad we found it!


such a cute couple!


will and hope really wanted to take a picture with the statue. I have no idea how he managed to climb on it though--it's metal and in full sun and it was already over 90 degrees. Definitely the Texas heat. But they were determined! And I love this picture of brother and sister, don't you?


they look like they just "fit" together, I think.



and this is my fave from the entire session! Sometimes I suggest a jumping photo and people are very hesitant--but not this family! They went in whole hog, cheesing it up for the camera and I LOVE it. Well done, well done! And an extra high-five to the parents, 'cause they're even more enthusiastic than the kiddos!

totally rad--and their new textures: dirty pictures

I want to take this opportunity to give a shout-out to the makers of a product I use pretty much every single day. A few months ago I decided to shell out for something called Totally Rad Actions--and I debated quite a bit before doing it [seriously. I called my mom. and my best friend in Cali. and my boyfriend.] But I'd tried their freebies and thought they were pretty rad (excuse the pun!)--and I took the plunge. And you know what? It turns out that that's one of the best photography decisions I've ever made.

It's kind of like I went from a set of 8 crayons in classic colors to the 128 pack, along with markers, pastels and a full set of colored pencils. And I LOVE them.

But since then I've found something that does an even more amazing job of intensifying a photograph--and that's textures. I've used other people's textures, and they are lovely and all--but they just pale in comparison to what I've seen from TRA.

Dirty Pictures, the textures from TRA? I'm pretty sure they'd take my veritable art set to a whole new level--adding in a full set of acrylic paint and some sculpey clay. :)

I mean, their actions are AMAZING. The best I have by far (better than Kubota, better than Eye Candy, better than MCP, better than 'em all--and the others I enjoy, don't get me wrong, but TRA rocks my socks). I have told many, MANY people about TRA--all of my up-and-coming photographer friends, heck--I've encouraged people in FOUR different states to buy 'em! It's because they are versatile. And suitable for many different types of pictures. And FAST. And slick. And make me smile. And I heart them.

aaand I'm a logical person...an engineer by trade, you know...so, let's make a little theorem, shall we?

if: TRA >> all other actions
and if: TRA created textures
then: TRA textures >> all other textures

see? proven mathematically. :)

and for those of you who are confused right now, here are two examples of what actions and textures can do! these were both edited with TRA, but of course the textures aren't theirs 'cause they were just released--so image how awesome they could be with some TRA dirty pictures!

in conclusion? pick me, please. :) I will LOVE using your dirty pictures, and I KNOW I will sing their praises to anyone who will listen.

thanks for the giveaway, TRA!

Carrie R Richardson Photography - giveaway winners!

hello, hello!

thank you so much for the OVERWHELMING response. :) I had really hoped to get 10 different commenters--and I love it that there were 17! also, if you only commented on facebook I added in your comment too.

so this was my final list of commenters:

1. Zan

2. Nicole Faby

3. Nicole Faby

4. Rhianne

5. Gurdas

6. Gurdas

7. Becki G

8. Heather, Brett and Annika

9. Melinda

10. JG

11. elizabeth Johnson

12. e johnson

13. Allison

14. Allison

15. Melinda

16. SJG

17. Kev2380

18. Zan

19. Zan

20. Teri Clanton

21. Mickie

22. Mickie

23. Janice

24. Janice

25. Janice

26. Janice

27. Tanya

28. Tanya

29. Kelly

30. Kelly

and the winners are.....


Prize 1--CONGRATULATIONS, Allison!!! --you get the $100 certificate, the reusable bag, other green goodies AND a $25 gift certificate to give away to someone who's new to my photography.









Prize 2-Yaaaaaaay, Janice!! you get the $50 certificate, the reusable bag, other fun items AND a $25 gift certificate to give away to someone who's new to my photography.









Prize 3-Way to go, Melinda! you get two $25 certificates to my photography business--one for you, one to share with someone new--and some other fun goodies.







also, because of the AWESOME response, I'm going to give a few more goodies out:

Nicole Faby, Mickie and Gurdas all get a reusable bag and an extra $5 off a future session (and this is on top of any discounts you already get)!

Zan, E Johnson and Kev2380 all get: a $20 gift certificate to my business!


and

and Kelly, Teri and Tanya all get: two $10 gift certificates to my business--one to keep for themselves and one to give to a friend!

thanks again everyone! I'll be in touch shortly to get you your prizes!

kristin and adam: married!

I got to see these fantastic couple get married in Annapolis--and it was just so special. They are totally made for each other. I was there as a guest and you've already seen their just-married pictures, but I had to share these too!

this church was GORGEOUS! some other fabulous ladies in Kristin's family have been married here too. I just kept staring at this gorgeous ceiling!



this flower girl is SUPER adorable, and what a handsome ring bearer, don't you think?


love this! married!!!


they got married on 6/20--had to get the pew numbers! especially with the sentimental value of the church...


all of the tables were named after places and things that were special to them--this one was where I sat. My boyfriend (a groomsman), the bride, and a few other guests were all a part of the HPU print shop!



this was the FOURTH Kappa Delta wedding I've been to where everyone but me was from a different chapter! It is super fun learning their traditions, and this is the HPU dance they always did. Right after I took this picture I was pulled in to learn the dance and join them. :)



love and details...






that last one is so precious--dad, bride and her niece. so adorable!

there are more to share--you can check them out on facebook!

update on the giveaway!

please go to the post below to make your comments to enter! and check out the NEW way to enter too!

and please make sure to enter all the ways you can! you get...

-an entry just for commenting
-an entry for being or becoming my facebook fan
-an entry for tweeting about it
-an entry for blogging about it
-an entry for referring someone to me
-and there's a NEW way to enter--re-post it on your facebook wall!

Just leave a comment for EACH of these six options that you do!

a celebration: the giveaway!

so, I am SUPER excited...lots of good things going on for Carrie R Richardson Photography--and for me too. :)

first off, so you know--being green is something that's near and dear to my heart. My *day job* is as an Air Quality Engineer, and I learn eco-facts for fun. :) My other love, of course, is photography. So I figured that my giveaway needed to combine them both!!

most exciting of my good things: my new artsy site. check back for new images often! I have wanted to really showcase my art prints for quite some time, and I am THRILLED to have it up!



and, I've entered into triple digits with twitter followers and with facebook fans, too!
So to celebrate and pay it forward, I'm doing a giveway! Share the fun, right?

I'm giving something away to 3 people. [if you don't live in the US, Canada or UK I'm not sure how to mail it to you, so you might need to help me!]

here's what you'll get...

Prize 1--$100 certificate to my photography business. That'll get you a free hour-long session or $100 worth of prints! Additionally, you'll get a cute and eco-friendly reusable and fold-up-able bag and some other green goodies and surprises. :) Annnnd a $25 gift certificate to give away to someone who's new to my photography.

Prize 2-$50 certificate to my photography business. That cute and eco-friendly reusable and fold-up-able bag and some additional fun items. And a $25 gift certificate to give away to someone who's new to my photography.

Prize 3-two $25 certificates to my photography business--one for you, one to share with someone new--and some other fun goodies.

(and no, no cash in place of prizes!)

to enter: leave your comment below.

also, you can do any of these and comment again to get another entry--just link to your profile, blog, etc! please make a separate comment entry for EACH of these, in addition to your additional comment!

~tweet it (but you must link to my PHOTOGRAPHY blog)
~refer someone to me
~blog about it
~or become a fan of my photography on facebook (and if you already are, let me know)
~re-post it on your facebook

Please help me celebrate all the good things going on for my photography! Anyone is welcome to enter!

[I do portrait sessions in the Triangle area and Tulsa, OK regularly, but anywhere else will need to pay travel costs, wait for me to come out your way or opt for the prints.]

Last day to enter: 11:59 PM Eastern next Wednesday, August 19th. I'll randomly pick numbers based on order of comment. And multiple entries give you better chances, but doesn't mean you can win more than once!!

I am so excited to give a little love back to those of you who support me so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

-Carrie

eric and nancy: married--just the rings!

I went to another friend's wedding this weekend and took some pictures. I've only edited the one, but it makes me smile and I can't help but share. :) these were a part of our favors!

mini-photo shoots, frisco, texas: laurie, bill and jacob!

Laurie suggested I hold these shoots in Frisco's Central Park, and boy-oh-boy, was it worth it! We were a bit overwhelmed by the Texas heat, but the weather was beautiful, and the smiles were a plenty. I'm an Oklahoma girl through and through, but this little piece of Texas sure did make me happy!

we started with some family shots



LOVE the reeds in this one




and then they broke out the guitars. or gee-tars, if you prefer. :) Bill taught Jacob how to play, and you could tell it was something special for them.





and a little birdie told me that this is one of the most treasured photos of the whole shoot!



and I made sure to get a few of just Laurie and Bill, too!