Tuesday, January 17, 2023

 After many months and a lot of hard work and frustrations, our new and improved website is now "Live". 

Heather has done a great job!

Let us know what you think about its look and functionality.

Here's the link: www.sflair.com

Our email: southernflair@sbcglobal.net

Phones: 817-277-0477 or 214-773-1414








Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Fabulous programs and great renewal of friendships

 I just got back from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) annual convention, Imaging USA. It was held in Washington, DC at the Gaylord National Hotel (just outside the District).

This was probably my 20th convention for PPA to attend, and while it had its usual fare of outstanding programs and speakers, what was missing this year were the crowds. Due to Covid, I would estimate probably 35% of those who normally attend stayed home. This included vendors in the trade show, as well. It was a shell of what it has usually been in the past.

But, one of the highlights of attending conferences like this is the renewing of friendships from across this great land.


One of my favorite people is Brad Mikel from Parker, CO. We have known each other for 35+ years and always look forward to spending time with each other at Imaging USA.

Brad and I both received our Photographic Craftsman Degrees from PPA in 1986 and subsequently or Masters Degrees in 1995.

A lot of ideas used for my portrait garden at our previous studio came from Brad. When I was president of the Texas PPA, Brad came and gave a program at my Summer Seminar.

Next year's Imaging USA will be at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville in January. I'm looking forward to it.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

When's the last time you updated your family's portrait?

 It's time, no it's past time that you updated your family's portrait!


Don't wait until it's too late!


Life is fragile. Preserve the memories.


Call us today to schedule your portrait session.


817.277.0477


Tuesday, February 9, 2021

ONE OF THE REASONS I DO WHAT I DO


 

   It seems obvious that becoming a photographer was a natural step for me to take being that I love creating things, especially art.

   But, something happened last month that reminded me why I do what I do.

   Enter Lydia, a sweet middle-aged lady with an infectious smile. We met at the Chamber when she asked to join the networing group I was in. She's came into the boardroom, all 5' of her and immediately brought laughter and friendhip to the group.

   Lydia's "elevator speech", your 30-second commercial where you tell everyone who you are and what you do in your buisiness, became something everyone looked forward to hearing due to her creative shenanigans.

   Last month, Lydia called and asked to be photographed with her birth Mother. We had a great time during the session, and Lydia received several images of the two of them together. Remember that word: together.

   Then the story came out. Lydia had just found and met her birth Mother. You see, Lydia had been given up for adoption at birth. For 51 years, Lydia had never known who her birth Mother was. But, after her adoptive Mother passed away, Lydia started on a trek to find her birth Mother. And, after a search of several months, Lydia found her living in Oklahoma and arranged for her to come to Arlington on Lydia's 51st birthday.

   Mother and daughter finally reunited - together again. Now you see why I love and do what I do. I get to see people, typically, at the happiest times of their lives and create lasting treaures for them.

I love what I do!

Saturday, December 19, 2020

I Am Your Personal Memory Preservation Specialist and Family Historian

By Dwayne Lee, M.Photog., Cr.-API 

     We are all getting older, and in time, our memory tends to slip a bit. That’s where I come in. I create timeless photographic portraits of you and your family – a moment frozen in time forever, a constant reminder of from where we came. Most people don’t stop and consider the value that photographs provide until it is too late. Since we are all busy in the hustle of our own lives, and it doesn’t occur to us how precious the legacy, the stories, the gifts we can leave to our family through photography can be. If I were to write a book, I would share this perspective with my audience to hopefully instill a new sense of gratitude and appreciation for this timeless art.

 

     The primary purpose of a family portrait, while helping you record precious memories of how your family looks like today, is a gift from you to future generations so they can see from where they came. It’s like the original “Ancestery.com”.

 

     Family portraits are probably the most difficult portraits to make happen. The larger the family, the harder it is to get everyone’s schedule aligned. But even with this difficulty, it’s imperative to update your family’s portrait every five years.

 

     Why every five years? There are several different reasons to consider. The family make-up is very volatile. Change is inevitable. On any given day, people can enter or leave our lives without warning. A birth or death changes a family forever, but pictures allow you to preserve the family dynamic at that moment in time. Marriages add new love and faces to the equation and divorces can split families up. Infants and toddlers grow exponentially in five years and then teenagers grow into adulthood. Having these portraits creates a visual timeline to follow us through the years and tell the stories beyond our abilities.

 

     There are several ways in which you can customize your family portrait. Different locations are an easy and creative way, the portrait can be taken in a professional photography studio, in a park, in a home, a museum, or wherever you choose. Clothing can be another unique detail, whether you choose casual, formal, or something in between. While you have everyone together, in addition to the large group containing everyone in your family, breakouts are a great option to consider as well. Pictures containing grandparents alone, grandparents with their children, grandparents with the grandchildren, each family unit (siblings with their spouses and children), siblings and their spouses alone, siblings, generations by gender, individuals, etc. are just some options. There truly is an unlimited number of ways to make the most out of this experience!

 

     One of the best ways to help create the finest family portrait possible is to have a consultation with the photographer prior to the day of the session. At this consultation, there are several things to discuss that will help make this not only a beautiful portrait, but an heirloom family portrait that will be enjoyed for generations to come. Clothing – colors and styles, hair styles, a location, the time of day, backgrounds and props etc. The magic is in the details and all these small things add up to one large memory!

 

     The portrait session is only the first half of creating your heirloom image. About a week after the session, you have an opportunity to view what was created. Our Studio contains a theatre where you will view the images on a large screen television. Seeing them this way allows you to make a more informed decision on which portraits help everyone look their best. There is also an option to view multiple images on the screen at the same time for the best comparisons when making your decisions.

 

     Once the poses have been selected, the next step is to decide what sizes and finishes you want the images to be. Wall portraits, including prints 16”x20”and larger images, make great décor for your home. The bigger your family, the bigger the portrait needs to be. But don’t worry about having enough wall space. If you have a regular size sofa, you can easily accommodate a 30”x40” or 40”x50” portrait on the wall above it. What a statement you will make about your family, too! It will become the focal point of that room for everyone to continually enjoy. This will not only allow your portrait to be a gift for your family, but to your guests as well.

 

     And finally, after selecting the showcase wall portrait, you’ll be sure to want gift size portraits (5”x7” and 8”x10”) for family, friends, and albums. All the portraits you select to be printed will be fully retouched and enhanced to help make everyone look their best. Social media sized digital files are available with all printed portraits as well. Regardless of your needs, there is ample opportunity to share your legacy whatever way fits best for you!

 

     To start your family portrait session process, call or come by:

Ø  Southern Flair Photography

Ø  2550 Legacy Point Dr. Dr.

Ø  Arlington, Texas 76006

Ø  817.277.0477 or 214.773.1414

Ø  Website: www.sflair.com

Ø  Email: southernflair@sbcglobal.net

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

This piece aired in 2013 on Channel 11 here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, and I get emotional watching. 

Sgt. Major Blatnik died last Saturday morning at the age of 100. He was from Rowlett, just outside Eastern Dallas.

God rest his soul!

 https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/12/05/north-texas-veteran-d-day-hero-sgt-maj-robert-blatnik-dies/






Saturday, May 30, 2020

Photographing a Centurion!

It’s not often you get to photograph someone who is 100 years old!
God bless you, Effie!
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