Six Years Later...

We have photographed the Venator children on a yearly basis since they were babies.  Every so often, we photograph them together, and this was one of those years.  How they've changed in the past six years!

2008

 

2014

Father and Son

When Austin's mother booked the planning session for senior portraits, she asked if we still had the negative for her husband's senior portrait that was done in 1988, and if so, could we recreate that portrait with her son.  Fortunately, we had the negative and although we didn't use the same location, the results were just what she wanted.

Mike - 1988

  

Austin - 2014

  

Dr. Don Diehl

Last evening, we attended a retirement reception for Dr. Don Diehl.  When we opened our first studio in 1975, we were two doors down from Dr. Diehl’s office. Since that time, he took care of our family’s vision and we have documented his family’s history in an extended series of portraits. 
We are honored to be a part of the joyful moments and life events with the Diehls.  We wish Don and Pat the very best in their retirement.

 

The Diehls - Then (late 70's)

The Diehls - Now

Mother and Child

This is the second year we have photographed Megan and her daughter.  It's important to Megan to not only document the changes in her child each year, but to preserve a record of their relationship.  The session was fun, and as always, we allowed ample time for a relaxed, stress-free experience.

Jules

At the portrait planning session with Jules' grandparents, they told us it was important to emphasize his beautiful red hair and blue eyes.  During the conversation, we also found that Jules has a special blanket that he is very attached to.

After spending time with us at the planning session, Jules was comfortable at the portrait session and it was very enjoyable for everyone.

Jules at 3

OKLAHOMA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Karen Heizer, principal at Hoover Elementary School, who was named Administrator of the Year by the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals.  We first photographed Karen when she was selected as Enid Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 1993 while at Glenwood Elementary.  This honor follows numerous awards and recognition achieved throughout her career as an educator.  As principal at Hoover for the past eleven years, she and her staff have led Hoover to national recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School.  Her philosophy of “be kind and work hard” is exemplified by her own actions, as well as the vision of the Hoover staff -

“Every child, every chance, every way, every day.”
Karen will be honored at a ceremony to be held in Washington, D.C., in October.  Thank you, Karen, for all you have done for the children of Enid!

 

Karen Heizer

Sharp Dressed (Young) Man

Wess and Vance bonded over their matching penny loafers.  It's nice to photograph a young person in traditional, dressy clothing and it shows how he's changed since 2006 (but still the same great smile).  Classy then, classy now.

 Vance's portrait session

 2014

2006

Boys Will Be Boys

Tanna (who we photographed as a high school senior) was very nervous about a family portrait with her three young sons.  The boys are close in age and full of life.  As is our regular procedure, we had the boys come to the planning session with their parents.  After meeting our dog, Davy, and watching a Pixar movie with Jolene, they were very comfortable and familiar with the studio when they came in for the portrait session.  The result was a wonderful family portrait as well as a portrait of the three boys being just that - boys!

 

Tanna's senior portrait

Display Portrait 2.0

In 1987, our portrait of the Meibergen children, Joey and Melissa, was chosen for a national ad campaign by greeting card company Stylart, Inc. We recently photographed Joey and his family for a display at Finer Physiques.  Great model then, great model now!

 

Classic Infant's Portrait from 1988

This portrait of a three-month-old is one of our favorites.  At this age, infants are already interacting with those around them.  Allowing ample time for the photography session and scheduling around the infant's nap time and feeding schedule, we can expect great expressions from little ones.

The Move of 1979

35 years ago this week we were preparing to move to our second studio located in the Heritage Hills Shopping Center.  Our good friend and artist, Phil Mohundro, sketched the storefront and laid out an advertisement to promote our new location.  This was the first in a series of drawings Phil created for us over time.

Circa 1981

This advertisement was part of a series created in collaboration with The Framer (Mike Koehn), artist Robert Steele and the art gallery at the former Phillips University.  One of our favorite ad layouts ever.

Beginning Year 40

Today marks the beginning of our 40th year as a studio. From the very beginning, our desire was to create beautiful, timeless portraits that would hang on your wall and be cherished for generations. Many things have changed since we opened back in 1975, but that desire remains.

March 3, 1975

106 N. Washington

AS THE STUDIO APPROACHES FOUR DECADES

Nearly four decades as a studio in the same city has allowed us to establish many long
term relationships with clients.  When we photographed Mary’s senior portrait, we probably wouldn’t have thought about eventually photographing her children’s senior portraits.  How fortunate we are that is exactly what happened, and then a family portrait as the youngest prepares to graduate from high school.  Although many styles and trends have come and gone in the interim, the timeless, classic style stands the test of time. 

Mary

April

Wyatt

The Morrows

Four Years in the Making

McLain’s portrait was almost 4 years in the making.  We photographed McLain in 2009, in the midst of his senior year in high school.

He is now looking toward college graduation and we've watched the progress of the dreadlocks, photographing him a couple of days before he cut them all off. We received this wonderful note from McLain, “The dreads were a special time and part of my life and now I will have a beautiful piece of artwork to look at and be reminded of them”. Our pleasure, McLain!

Best Hair EVER!

Back on Thanksgiving week, we posted a sneak preview on Facebook of the "Best Hair EVER!".

 
 Yesterday, Carol picked up the finished portrait and we love it!