Baby it's cold outside!

Whew! What a crazy week it has been here in the Midwest. We have had some of the most bizarre weather I've experienced since moving to this region. It was -21 degrees F for several days straight. Even for us that is cold for this time of year. And then all of a sudden on Monday we hit 47 degrees F, it rained and all of the snow disappeared. And then last night we were hit with 50 mph wind gusts and the temperature dropped 50 degrees in less than 30 minutes. And, now today we are right back to -20 degrees below zero temps.

Well, although I'd like to blame the weather for my lack of blogging I have been busy busy busy working on several exciting projects that are almost complete:

*Updating/revising images for my online gallery
*Building a new Photography website (you're gonna really like it)
*Putting the finishing touches on my 1st Photoshop action set
*Building an online store for my upcoming Photoshop actions, textures and Lightroom Presets

So, please forgive me as I miss chatting with you and once I'm over this "hump" I can get back to blogging like normal. In the interim please enjoy some of the beauty found in the freezing surroundings. I think I'm going to find a fireplace, get a mocha and listen to "Baby it's cold outside." Have a blessed and warm day!

Introducing Fine Art Prints for Sale

Well, it's finally done! After reviewing several frame vendors and not finding the quality my clients deserve, I've decided to partner with a company who has over 20 years experience printing and framing fine artwork. Samuel Barr Photography is pleased to announce a new fine art print gallery featuring my most popular and requested images suitable and ready for framing!

I must admit that this has been an exciting and sometimes exhausting experience. But, after all of the hard work it is super cool to finally have high-quality prints available right over the Internet. One of the reasons I decided to partner with this vendor was that they know how to prepare framed images built to last generations, with perfectly milled corners, rock solid assembly and museum quality mat and frame materials. So, I feel comfortable offering my prints using their services. And, if for any reason you are not completely satisfied you can always exchange or refund any purchase without question for a full 30 days.

To make ordering easy every print can be ordered with or without a frame. If you choose a frame there are over 5 million frame and mat combinations to choose from. But, to make ordering easy you can simply choose the "standard" frame which features enhanced matte paper, black metal frame, non-glare acrylic and acrylic glazing. And you can change anything you like to create exactly what you want. You can even choose your wall color and print size and view what your framed print will look like before you buy. Now, that is cool!

As you can see I'm pretty excited and if I'm not careful I will talk your head off about this new service. Prints are available in sizes ranging from 10" x 7.5" to 36" x 26". I will be adding more images and building new galleries throughout the year. And just to wet your appetite check out the slideshow below featuring the first images available for sale.

Thank you for all of your support, prayers and encouragement over the years as this is a dream come true. Be blessed and I hope you enjoy the show!

I'm Prayin' 4 Ya'

Have you seen this video? It is from one of the most thoughtful and talented young Christian hip-hop artists to hit the music scene. He has a song titled "I'm prayin' for you" that is a must hear. There is a line in this song that says "...the other day he told me that he felt like less of a man because he didn't have a five-year plan or a piece of land..." There are many lines in this song that stand out but this one struck me as I began to wonder how many people feel like they're inadequate because of some man-made standard?

I know that right now it is very popular in "church" circles for all men to have a "five-year plan and a piece of land." But, whether you own your own home or not has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus' love for you and His plan for your life. One of the worst things we can do is to compare ourselves with other people. And even more damaging is to somehow equate your self worth with the things you have.

So, today I want to share with anyone who maybe feeling "less than" because they "don't have this or that" that you are a child of God, a royal priesthood and God - the God who created the Universe - approves of you just as you are and where you are! Hold your head up high and don't give up. God has a plan for your life and will fulfill all of your heart's desires.

I understand that this is not my typical blog post but there is someone reading this entry who's been feeling "less than" because of our culture's love affair with money and success. There's nothing wrong with wealth or success but the most important "thing" you can acquire is the love of God. And for that all you have to do is ask as He gives it away for free.

Be encouraged and never let another person's opinion or perception of who you are become your own. You are special and your life, no matter what stage of life you are in, is important to God. And when you really think about isn't His opinion of you the only one that really matters? Just a little something to think about. Have a great day and I hope you enjoy the song.

They're coming...

Although I was on vacation over the Christmas holidays I was evaluating different frame vendors for my upcoming commercial prints. Before I release any of my upcoming products I personally QA them to ensure that my clients are receiving quality. I've decided on a printer and online store so I'll keep you posted as we are getting close. :-) Be blessed and never stop believing!

Geaux Tigers!

Well, tonight is the night! As some of you know I am a graduate of Louisiana State University and have been patiently waiting for tonight's championship game. I have some super cool stuff to share with you but it will have to wait one more night as I must don the purple and gold and cheer for the home team.

I know it's been a while but maybe I should have suited up just in case they needed me? I think I could still hold my own during the tunnel run onto the field but after that I'd probably need to inspect the bench and sideline fans to make sure they're operating properly. ;-)

Chat with you after they win!


One of my majors and life's passions is Broadcast Journalism and this is the building where my television dreams were nurtured and encouraged.

Winter in the Midwest

Happy New Year! It's good to be back in the "saddle" again. I've missed blogging and sharing with you all of the wonderful things God has been doing in my life and with my photography.

Well, winter is here in full force and it has been seriously cold lately. We recently endured a crazy snow/freezing ice storm. It was so cold that I had to pull out my film camera (Nikon F100) as it could withstand the snow/sleet/freezing rain and still function. My digital point and shoot camera began malfunctioning almost immediately once it was exposed to the elements (the first 3 images below were captured using my frozen Fuji point and shoot camera).

I've learned from past experiences that my digital SLR's batteries also get cold quickly in this kind of weather and my digital cameras begin malfunctioning (it was 14 degrees F/ -10 Celsius and with the windchill factor it felt like 2 degrees F/ -16.6 Celsius) But, I kept going despite frost-bitten hands and feet and tried to capture the essence and sheer beauty of winter.

I hope you enjoy these images as some of them have been added to my fine art print collection that will be released this year. And, for all of my friends and fellow photographers living on the west coast may these images be reminders of just how blessed you are.

I've got much to share with you as 2008 is a new year full of new beginnings. Be blessed and until we chat again stay warm and keep shooting!