the Hayeses ... Wishing them the best! ... Part 2

The second portrait for the Hayeses is this family portrait. It was taken about a month later than their "couples" portrait. This is the backyard of the home their children spent most of their childhood in.
What a great memory, even future generations will be displaying this portrait.
As I said to them as we left their party Saturday night, I am looking forward to all of this again on their 75th!

the Hayeses ... Wishing them the best! ... Part 1

Last week was the 50th wedding anniversary of this couple.
We moved to Enid in the summer of 1961, and vaguely I remember their wedding from the church bulletin and conversation at St. Paul's Lutheran. And of course, I noticed their involvement as well through the years.
And here we are now.
What a great party they threw for family and friends last Saturday! Jolene and I were both thankful and honored to be invited. To quote a line from a Beatles' song, "A splendid time was had by all"!
Also thanks for the opportunity to create this touching group of portraits for your living room.
Perfection!
 

Demi ... Senior 2012

Inspired by French painters (and a ritzy photographer in Dallas), 20 years ago we began photographing our clients with furniture outdoors. And while I know that it is not "always" a good a idea, when it is "right", it is "right". And here, it is absolutely correct! The look is in keeping with the location and clothing. Beautiful. And as always, a great expression and pose ties it together.
Thanks to Demi and her mom for stepping out of the box (or the room) for her senior portrait!

Taylor ... Senior 2012

I knew from the moment I drove up, this was a great location.
First of all, before I got there, they told me it was her grandfather's farm, so I knew the attachment to the heart was there.
When I then saw the picnic and fishing area, I knew the memory of time spent with family was there.
Then I saw the sun reflecting off the water with the grass on the shore.
It was all perfect.
Add in a great expression, and it became art.
One of a kind.
Classic, not corny.
 

Sydney ... A Birthday Present for Her Father

Most of the time I write about what makes a portrait by "the Grays" a portrait by "the Grays".
But here is what it really is, a gift out of love.
None of the technical or artsy stuff matters if people don't love each other.
What a great group of clients we have!

OUR GIFT - 25 WALLETS - LAST DAY TO CALL

Class of 2012 Senior Portrait Special - Book your sitting now and receive as our gift 25 wallets of your favorite pose with the purchase of an 11x14 or larger.
Call today 233-8322.

Cassidy ... Senior 2012

In our portraits, I usually create three dimensional depth in a two dimensional by using a 1) foreground, 2) a mid ground, and 3) a background.
This sounds obvious, doesn't it.
But in reality, it's not so easy.
Here we have Miss Cassidy as our mid ground, and the background is flowers, but what I believe leads us unmistakably to the expression is the soft out of focus flowers in the foreground.
A classic (not corny) portrait is the result that will stand the test of time.
Our thanks to Cassidy and her family for this great portrait!

Tom Boepple ... Enid Arts

Tom is probably Enid's most prolific artist, we believe more of his artwork has been sold than any other. For those of you who don't know, Tom is the watercolor painter who does the "Christmas Cards" for "Main Street Enid" every year. He is someone who's artwork we have admired for over 2 decades and it has been our pleasure to renew his friendship.
What do I love about his portrait?
You know don't you!
It's how our eyes go to his eyes.
And also how I tell his story as an artist.
Simplicity!
In my experience, it's usually the best.

CLASS OF 2012 SENIOR PORTRAIT SPECIAL

Book your sitting now and receive as our gift 25 wallets of your favorite pose with the purchase of an 11x14 or larger.
Call today 233-8322.

Meghan ... Our first senior for 2012

What makes a portrait by "the Grays" unique?
Most of all, it has to be our clients, each one unique and special.
Not followers of the crowd or the latest trend, they know both will pass, sooner than later.
They are comfortable with who they are, not trying to impress anyone.
I know Meghan is all of this, and more.
It's not all about Jolene and me, it's about Meghan.

Etown Cover

Thank you to Etown magazine, Candace Krebs, Rachel Hancock, and Theo Pace for the great feature and kind words in the new issue. And a special thanks to Lt. Governor Todd Lamb for giving so graciously of your time for this photoshoot. It was a fantastic experience!