The loft.

New Website!!!

The big kids needed their own room...

... so Urban Kids SENIORS is getting a website that's brand-spanking new!   We're branching out a little and UKP Seniors will soon be... Urban Seniors with its very own domain. 

The new site will be urban chic, with just a hint of edgy grunge and ALL ABOUT SENIORS!  :)

So be on the lookout, construction should be done within a week!  Yea!

langedon.

Meet the happiest baby boy in the world!  Mommy was a little worried because he woke up cranky the morning of our session, but as soon as I started talking to him, he was all smiles.  Of course I want to think its because of my special baby charm powers...but I'm fairly certain it was because he had an audience!  :)

Here is the happy, handsome boy...

langedon.  7 months.

 

i {heart} cheese

Ok, it's way late and i've had a long day and i don't really feel like blogging...BUT I promised myself (and Nikki) that i would...keeping with my 30 day blog challenge...so i have to write something before i crash.  any minute. 

So my day started off great with a terrific senior shoot near deep ellum...photos to come later...then i came home cleaned house a bit and took a little nap before heading to the market to get food for friends that were coming over tonight...now it gets interesting because cheese is involved...i decide i don't feel like cooking so i buy a bunch of veggies, fruit, baguettes, crackers, a bottle of wine and of course, cheese.  A brick of cheddar and colby, a wedge of brie, gouda, and stilton  and top it off with a creamy havarti.  Yum.  I swear I could eat a platter of cheese and bread every night for dinner.  LOVE it!  Can you tell?  so after our cheese and fruit fest...the veggies never made it out of their plastic bags...we had birthday cake for dessert.  not because it's anyone's birthday, just because its decadent and... festive. now everyone's gone and I'm going to bed happy with a full tummy and a clear conscience having filled my blog duties for the day.  :)

the end.

Spring mini-sessions are almost full!

We only have two spots left for our spring mini-sessions!

When: Saturday, April 26, between 10a and 4p. 

(The 2 spots we have left are 10 and 12)

What you get:

    - 30 minute photo session

    - online viewing gallery

    - 1 5x7

Hurry and contact us today to make sure you don't miss out!

With your session you get your choice of a fun urban setting or traditional park setting. I thought I'd show some pics from each setting to give you an idea of what they look like ...

Thanks to our model, Mr. Oliver Finn!

Urban Setting

Park Setting

Aren't they too cute??? You can't go wrong with either one!

  Just give us a call at 972-898-4400 or e-mail us at info@urbankidsphoto.com to reserve your space. Don’t miss out on this one-day only spring mini-session!

WPPI Awards 2008

The WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) annual image competition was held in Las Vegas last week at the yearly conference.  I was not able to go, but I did enter an image into the High School Senior category. 

I just received notification that my photograph of Allen HS senior, Brittany, won an Accolade of Excellence.  Yea! 

Brittany.  Senior 2008.

WPPI sent me this press release...

Leslie Boren Wins Accolade of Excellence in the
2008 Awards of Excellence 16x20 Print Competition

Leslie Boren of Plano, TX, has received special honors in the WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL (WPPI) 2008 Awards of Excellence 16x20 Print Competition.
Designed to recognize outstanding photographers, the judging was held in Las Vegas, NV on March 15
and 16, 2008.

"Brittany" received an Accolade of Excellence in the High School Senior category.

Boren competed against an international field of photographers to win such honors.
The Awards of Excellence 16x20 Print Competition awards are presented each year at the largest trade
show, educational platform and convention in the United States for professional photographers. The
2008 competition included 2653 prints in 19 different categories submitted by photographers from all
over the world.

People suck.

What???  I know, I know...
but whether we like it or not, some people just do.

WARNING!  This is going to be long one..the choice to keep reading is your own...

So here's the scoop.  I received an interesting email from a very nice photographer in Canada last night.  He does different types of photography, although informed me he is predominantly a wedding photographer.  He told me he also has a separate site for child photography.  Coincidentally named, Urban Kids Photography.  Wow, isn't that great name?  :) 

Okay, so here's the sucky part.  Someone emailed him earlier in the evening to suggest that I "stole" his business name.  What the ?  Really??  That was pretty much my initial response.  He then adds that he doesn't believe it (we're not even in the same country) and he saw my website and has absolutely no problem that we share the same business name.  He even adds "you're a wonderful photographer from what I see on your site.  Have a wonderful evening, and keep on clickin'." 

We emailed back and forth a few times and talked a little shop.  Also, about how we came up with OUR name!  Hahaha!  Anyway, it just bugs me that people are mean and try to start stuff.  Yes, it was someone local here.  Grrrrr....Not mention that being accused of copying someone else simply irks me.  Photographers are artists, and of course artists get inspiration from other artists they admire.  But to copy is a whole other story.  It's dirty, and I wouldn't do it. 

So for the record, here's how Urban Kids Photography was born.  Two years ago, I decided to stop working as a freelance photographer for modeling agencies and start my own photography business.  I came up with "the name" when I was looking through the phone book listings at photographers and realized they all used their own personal names (ie, tina smith photography)....but you had no idea what kind of photography they did.  Weddings, kids, commercial or what?  So I wanted a name that would describe exactly what I photograph.  Mostly, people aged 0-18.  So, I knew I wanted to somehow incorporate “kids” or “child” and I knew I didn’t want anything too cutesy or cheesy.  I live in a big city and I love urban grunge...so “Urban Kids Photography”  seemed the natural choice!

So thats the honest poop.  Thanks for listening to me on my soapbox. :)  Everyone have a beautiful week!   

Senior Spotlight- Ally

My name is: Alexandra Wallis

I go to school at: Marcus High School

My graduation date is: June 9th

My nickname is: Ally

My favorite website(s) are: Tiffany.com  &  MySpace/Facebook.com

The magazines I always have to stop & look at in the grocery store are:
Seventeen Magazine  &  Lucky Magazine

The last meal I had was: Chinese

My dream job is: Head of Marketing for a Large Corporation

My biggest accomplishment so far in high school has been:
Graduating in the Top 10%

My favorite band or singer is: Michael Buble

The person I would most like to meet is: Leonardo De Vinci

My favorite things in my closet are: All my Coach purses

The most important thing in a great friendship is: Kindness

In 10 years I see myself: With a Masters degree in Business and with a great job

If I was on a deserted island the two things I would want to have with me are:
Sunglasses  &   My Friend Callie

My favorite thing to do when I’m not at school is:  Watch Movies

My favorite word is: Like

My favorite song is: "Everything" by Michael Buble

I love UKP Seniors because (shameless plug): They are unique and one of a kind!

Ally. Senior 2008.

5 Urban Finds

Five cool items I've come across and want to share- if you own any of the items listed (or buy it and try it) and want to give feedback on it, leave a comment! 

If you have a cool item of your own you'd like to share with everyone, email me with a brief description and a link, and I'll post it on the next 5!   :)

Cool Thing #1
Cuddlebee now has super cool, over-sized chenille baby blankets that are perfect for cooler days and are available in nearly a dozen funky designs.
Find it!

 
Cool Thing #2
Hollymarie Jewelry has lots of cute jewelry..necklaces, bracelets and rings.  Want to keep your baby close to your heart all the time?  This necklace is perfect!       Find it!

Cool Thing #3
Hip urban styles to keep your baby's legs cozy...the one and only Baby Legs.  AKA, the cutest things for a baby/toddler on the planet.  I want to have another baby just so I can dress him/her in these things...heck, i wish they would fit I/me.     Find it!

 

Cool Thing #4
Ok, so does this take you back or what??   

A Fisher Price Classic Pull-Along-  An authentic reproduction from 1962, features the original moving eyes and sweet bell sound when dialed. I think there's picture of me out there at the age of three playing with my own Chatter Telephone...   Find it!

Cool Thing #5
For the rockin' toddler in your life... Dish sets by Sourpuss. This set includes fork, spoon, bowl and plate featuring a tattoo heart design with that says "Mom & Dad".  Why have an ordinary meal?     Find it!

Okay, after going through all these websites and more, I can feel my "baby fever" coming back. 
I'll take some Tylenol and see what happens.  :)

Senior Spotlight- Jessica

My name is : Jessica Ali

I go to school at: Nimitz High School

My graduation date is: June 7, 2008

My nickname is: Ali

My favorite websites are: myspace and youtube

The magazines I always have to stop and look at in the grocery store are: the yoga issues haha

The last meal I had was: Rice and chicken

My dream job is: Radiologist

My biggest accomplishment so far in high school has been: receiving homecoming queen of 2007

My favorite band or singer is: Miley Cyrus and Avril Lavigne

The person I would most like to meet is: Channing Tatum

My favorite things in my closet are: my shoes :)

The most important thing in a great friendship is: honesty

In 10 yrs I see myself: with a loving husband a great job and maybe having a little jessica haha

I love UKP seniors because (shameless plug): I love the styles and coloring of their pictures! They take settings and make them a totally different prespective! love it!

If I was on a deserted island the two things I would want to have with me are: a HUGE hotel to fit all my friends and family in and a map to show me the way home when I get bored there :)

My favorite thing to do when I'm not at school is: partayyyy lol

My favorite word is: COOOOOOOL!

My favorite song is: currently is "see you again" by miley cyrus

Senior Spotlight- Selene

My name is: Selene Ramos

I go to school at: Nimitz High School

My graduation date is: June 7, 2008

My nickname is: Skaleny

My favorite websites are:  Myspace and Sanrio.com  lol

The magazines I always have to look at in the grocery store are: Seventeen and Cosmo Girl

The last meal I had was: Breakfast (Sonic's CinnaSnacks mmmmm....)

My dream job is:  Kindergarten teacher

My current favorite band or singer is: Jessica Simpson

The person I would most like to meet is: Jessica Simpson

My favorite things in my closet are:  My Hello Kitty clothes and my dresses

The most important thing in a great friendship is: Trust

In 10 years I see myself:  Teaching little kids

My favorite thing to do when I’m not at school is: Go shopping and sleep

My favorite word is:  Ridiculous

My favorite song is:  Super Star by Lupe Fiasco

I love UKP Seniors because (shameless plug): They are MORE THAN AWESOME and UKP takes great pictures

If I was on a deserted island the two things I would want to have with me are: My cell phone and Hello Kitty