Luke Bridges is at the top of his game! Woo Hoo - Senior 2010!! Enjoy!

Suzanne and Brandon's Engagement Video

Suzanne and Brandon are such a cute couple! I had a blast working with them in creating some absolutely stunning images!

Landry sits with Santa

Even Landry, our studio's mascot and "official" greeter, got a chance to chat with Santa last Saturday when the Jolly Ol' Elf made his second appearance this year at the studio.

Wedding Video

Paul & Bethany's Engagement session

Paul and Bethany loved the look of Deep Elam in Dallas for their Engagement photo series. Enjoy the video:

Santa's First Visit - 2009

Santa came to Southern Flair last Saturday and chatted with good little boys and girls. Here's a link to a brief video clip of some of the images Heather captured.

Santa will return one more time Saturday, 11/21/09, for more one-on-ones with the kiddos.

National Award

The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) "NATIONAL AWARD" was presented to Dwayne Lee on Monday, September 21 at the Texas Professional Photographers Annual Convention.

Making the presentation was PPA President Ron Nichols (left) and last year's recipient Carl Clark of Pounds Photographic Labs (right).

Association of Wedding Professional presents . . .

. . . the "Networking Professional of the Year" for 2008-2009 to Dwayne Lee on September 8, 2009. Melody Gualtiere (left) is Past President of AWP.

WOW!

A lot has happened since my last post! After receiving the Chamber's "A" Team member of the year award, that very same night, I was presented with the "Networking Professional of the Year" by the Association of Wedding Professionals.

We just got thru with the Texas Professional Photographers Association's annual Convention (of which I was Convention Chairman). It was held at the Sheraton and Arlington Convention Center this past weekend. Monday evening, at the Awards Banquet, I was honored with the Professional Photographers of America "National Award" - one of the highest honors presented to its members. It was kept a secret from me until last year's recipient, Carl Clark, got up to present this year's award. I was blown away, and to say I was speechless is an understatement!

I hope to post a couple of photographs soon.

Arlington Chamber of Commerce Honors Dwayne

This morning, I was the recipient of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce's "A" Team Member of the Year.
The "A" Team is comprised of local business people who serve to help the Arlington Chamber at ribbon cutting ceremonies, "Business Over Breakfast", "Chamber After Hours", and new member mentoring.
This is the first year this award has been presented.

Craig Lidell's Billboard

Fellow Rotarian and Southern Flair client Craig Lidell used the portrait I did for him on this large billboard advertising his Edward Jones Investments practice.

The billboard is located near the intersection of Roosevelt Dr. and Pioneer Parkway (Spur 303) in Arlington.

Craig and I both belong to the Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club which meets every Friday morning at 6:45 a.m. at the Division Street Diner at 1800 W. Division St. in Arlington. We invite you to attend any one of our meetings as our Guest - we'll even buy you breakfast!

Mrs. Dallas Supports Our Troops!

Last Thursday, Christy Whitaker, now Mrs. Dallas USA, wanted to show her support for our soldiers, so we went to the Army recruiting office in Ft. Worth and had some fun.

OK, I'll admit, Christy's husband, Lane, is standing just to the right side of her. Lane is a Sergant in the Army and works at the recruiting station. In the near future, he will be going to Warrant Officer school at Ft. Rucker, AL. We wish you the best, Lane!

Holy Smokes! Where has the time gone?

Hi y'all! My, how time flies! It just seems like last week when I actually posted my last blog, but in reality, it's been over 6 weeks!

We've been really, really busy, though. Weddings are back in full swing, we've photographed lots of kids with bunnies, Heather and I attended the Texas Professional Photographers' "Texas School of Professional Photography", and today, our camera room got new flooring!

Come by for a visit sometime!

Television "Celebrity"?

Recognize anyone in the photo above? Look real close now.

It's me - Dwayne - starring in a cameo appearances in commercials for Freed's Furniture. I'm there on the left side.

You see, everywhere I seem to go, TV camera crews just gotta have me in their shots. First, last September out in Phoenix (see posting - September 2008) talking about the economy, then last November here in Arlington. OK, here's what happened with Freed's. As part of the "A" Team with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, I attend and photograph the Ribbon Cutting ceremonies for new members of the Chamber. After the "ceremonies" had concluded, several of us from the Chamber were asked to become actors in the store for the video crew. All we had to do was to look like we were "real paying customers" shopping for furniture.

And look what I'm looking at - a dining room set! Whaaaa??? Hey, I did a good job, right?

And did you notice - Christy Whitaker (Mrs. Arlington 2009 and Member Service Director with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce) is in the shot with me? She's just right of center in a red & white dress. And with her, barely in the screen to your right, is Orlando Campos, also with the Arlington Chamber.

Mrs. Arlington 2009 Follow-up

Just wanted to post an update regarding the Mrs. Texas competition in which our own Christy Whitaker, Mrs. Arlington 2009, was entered.

All I can say is - the judges must be blind! Christy didn't win the coveted Mrs. Texas 2009 title. How could that be????

Christy did make us proud, however. She landed in the Top 10 (actually #6).

You're the winner in our eyes, Christy!

Mrs. Arlington International 2009

Christy Whitaker, the reigning Mrs. Arlington International 2009, will be competing for the Mrs. Texas International 2009 crown in March down in San Antonio.

Christy is the Membership Coordinator for the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

Oh, did I mention, I am Christy's Official Photographer. Lucky me!!

Good luck, Christy! We're pulling for you!

"Girls Night Out" was a Grand Success!

What an evening we had last Thursday when we hosted our 2nd Annual "Girls Night Out" here at our studio.


Eighteen vendors joined us for an eveing of fun, food, and shopping. Here are just a few of the photographs from "Girls Night Out".

Dallas Bridal Show Winners

Wow! What a wonderful weekend! Over 1,000 Brides stopped by our exhibit at the Dallas Bridal Show on January 24 & 25! We're tired, but it's a great feeling!

Here's the listing of Southern Flair's

Door Prize winners:

Grand Prize:
Bridal Portrait Session and 1- 16x20 Signature Portrait with category "G" frame)
Natalie Simmons

Additional Door Prize Winners
$100 off any Southern Flair Wedding coverage

Julie Alexander * * * Melissa McKenney
Lauren Anderson * * * Kate Moore
Candace Blohm * * * Kim Mowery
Katy Bowers * * * Carisa Newsom
Brianne Clancy * * * Lori Pampell
Alison Craddock * * * Megan Parris
Natalie Davoli * * * Heidi Parsons
Alicia Durham * * * Kalisha Patrick
Lindsay Dyer * * * Pamela Pickard
Anna Firth * * * Jennifer Plata
Ashley Gardner * * * Laura Polasek
Sandra Garner * * * Brooke Potts
Amanda Garza * * * Jackie Price
Benjamin Hampton * * * Cate Quinn
Jessica Hartsell * * * Brandi Ragsdale
Carolyn Heinen * * * Katrina Rodgers
Melissa Hill * * * Trista Reyes
Sara John * * * Jessica Rannebarger
Tiffany Johnson * * * Citlali Sarabia
Anitra Johnson * * * Courtney Schultz
Amy Kirkpatrick * * * Tanya Tiscione
Kristen Kirkwood * * * Shannon Turner
Deborah Lemense * * * Stacy Turner
Mariel Leonard * * * Jill Vaziripour
Becky Lewellen * * * Lynnsey Warren
Emily Lubbert * * * Brynn Wiggins
Shelby Mace * * * Jessica Wunderlich
Mandi Malsbary * * * Betsy Williams
Rachel McIntosh * * * Amanda Wygal

Diamond Oaks Country Club Wedding Open House

We participated in a Wedding Open House at Diamond Oaks Country Club last night and had a great time visiting with everyone who attended.

We met with several Brides, and even gave out 4 Door Prizes! This morning, we held a drawing for yet another Door Prize.

The lucky winner is Amanda Margolis! Amanda has won $250 off any wedding photography package we offer.

Star-Telegram Bridal Show Door Prize Winners

Wow! What a weekend! Over 500 Brides stopped by our exhibit at the Star-Telegram Bridal Show held on Sunday, January 4, 2009:

Here's the listing of Southern Flair's

Door Prize winners:

Grand Prize:
Bridal Portrait Session and 1- 16x20 Signature Portrait with category "G" frame)
Melissa Palmer

Additional Door Prize Winners
$100 off any Southern Flair Wedding coverage
Melissa Mears
Jennifer Luken
Lauren Billman
Samantha Bhatt
Jordan Henke
Leslie Kirwan
Diana Caylor
Sarah Daugherty
Sarah Edgar
Candice Woodward
Bethany Pittman
Lindsey Sheppard
Lorrie May
Kelly Merritt
Lauren Miller
Lezlie Shield
Brittany Pahlstrom
Tiffany Penton
Jessica Sparling
Katelyn Pierce
Ashleigh Zalkovsky
Kristle Young
Lauren Hackney
Haydee Espino
Kori Cooper
Missy Cox
Deborah McDow
Shannon Betz
Brooke Johnson
Shannon Snowden
Ashley Kellner
Ashlee Smith
Nicole Easter
Kelly Donnelly
Jennifer Garcia
Amanda Morris
Amanda Alders
Sarah Green
Michelle Nelson
Elissa Duncan
Josephine Ambruzs
Chelsie Futrell
Erin Mullen

If your name appears above, call us today to claim your Door Prize.

817.277.0477

817.261.3366

email: southernflair@sbcglobal.net

website: www.sflair.com