sjfphotography: *fine art images *natural light portraits *greeting cards


Monday, December 31, 2012



adios 2012
 

As the sun sets on 2012, one looks back and ponders the paths of the past year.  I can mark my travels by bodies of water visited over the last 12 months.  Atlantic Ocean at North Carolina, Pacific Ocean at Bodega Bay California, Gulf of Mexico at St. Petersburg Florida, Lake Pontchartrain and Mississippi River in Louisiana, Eagle Mountain Lake at Azle Texas, Ohio River at Cincinnati, Rio Chama outside Santa Fe, Monongahela River in West Virginia, Detroit River in Michigan, Missouri River in Springfield, Scottsdale Canal in Arizona and Niagara Falls.

Safe travels and happy trails in 2013!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

portrait of a chicken
 
I was reminded of my friend Rebeca when this chicken posed for me.  She has undertaken poultry farming and has fresh eggs for sale.
 
Gold King Mine Ghost Town
Jerome, Arizona
10.12.2012.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

brrr.....
 
Today's blue skies belied the fact that the morning's low temperature was 16 degrees.  Local lakes are fringed with ice and the birds skate across the surface.  What don't they stay on the dry land?  Hence the term "bird brain."
 
Mackenzie Park
Lubbock, Texas

Friday, December 28, 2012

party shoes
 
I couldn't wait to my first pair of high heels (along with the requisite panty girdle and hose).   Even had some lace and fishnet stockings.  Discoed many a night in high-heeled Candies.  You won't find me wearing a pair of these on New Year's Eve -- Dr. Scholl is my new friend.
 
Afterglow Open House
26th and Boston
Lubbock, Texas
12.1.2012

Thursday, December 27, 2012

basics of life
 
The little store on Clovis highway sells the basics of life -- meat, bread and cold beer.  One needs to find a bright building on a dreary (and why didn't I find it during my "colored" building phase in January?!)
 
Carniceria y Panaderia
2837 Clovis Highway
Lubbock, Texas

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

beach volleyball
 
Contrast and compare:  Today's snow-covered yards, patches of ice still on the streets and a high of 35 with two weeks ago on white sand beaches and a balmy 77 degrees.
 
Treasure Island Beach
St. Petersburg, Florida
12.9.2012

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

a tale of two christmases
 
We awoke this morning to a white Christmas with several inches of snow.  We braved the icy loop to drive to my dad's house, which only had a dusting of snow.  As we drove the 12 miles to Idalou, the snow disappeared.  Instead of blowing snow, we encounter blowing dust!  Only in West Texas can one find white snowdrifts frosted with brown dirt!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

pancho clos
 
Santa's sombrero and serape-clad cousin from the South Pole, Pancho Clos, was in Lubbock today.  He didn't come by sleigh but was accompanied by members of the SolitoS low-riders car club.  Ninos and ninas lined the block to sit on Pancho's lap and receive a gift.  The GI Forum founded the Pancho Clos concept in 1971 and continues to sponsor the event.
 
 
Maggie Trejo Community Center
3200 Amherst
Lubbock, Texas

Saturday, December 22, 2012

on dasher, on dancer . . .
 
Santa's reindeer in the stable look like racehorses at the starting gate. Did you know that each reindeer has his own Facebook page?  For real -- check it out!
 
Santa Land
Mackenzie Park
Lubbock, Texas
12.19.12

Friday, December 21, 2012

seasonal work
 
Today was this part-time Santa's only work of the season.  Are times hard for old St Nick too?
 
Santa Series #4
Plains Capital Bank
50th and University
Lubbock, Texas

Thursday, December 20, 2012

christmas special effects
 
Vintage Township
Lubbock, Texas

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

christmas prairie dog
 
Only in West Texas would you find a Christmas display featuring prairie dogs (although to the uninitiated, they may appear to be woodchucks chucking wood).  Half a dozen prairie dog figures occupy the space - imitating busy elves, I'm assuming.  Santa Land is the City's annual, free Christmas gift to the community with the opportunity to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.  The prairie dog display is situated between the Nativity scene with baby Jesus and the jungle scene with Simba the Lion King.
 
Santa Land
Mackenzie Park
Lubbock, Texas


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

career santa
 
If one carries a big camera and walks with authority, one can enter the Claus's cabin by the exit and bypass the long line.  The things one does for a shot!
 
Santa Series #3
Santa Land
Mackenzie Park
Lubbock, Texas

Monday, December 17, 2012

reflection of christmas
 
Cactus Alley Courtyard
Lubbock, Texas
 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

technicolor christmas
 
No, not a white Christmas nor even a blue one.  Traditional red and green are bypassed for chartreuse and fuchsia.  Want a purple or hot pink tree?  There's one available.  My grandmother thought she was high tech ( or maybe the '50s term was "modern") with her silver tinsel tree and spot light with a rotating color wheel.
 
Tech Terrace Home Tour
Lubbock, Texas
12.1.2012

Saturday, December 15, 2012

naughty or nice?
 
I had thought for December I'd shoot a series of Santa shots.  Little did I realize that he's a rare bird, with limited sightings - usually on weekends -- and that some even wanted to charge for a photo!
 
Santa Series #2
Holland Gardens
Lubbock, Texas

Friday, December 14, 2012

vintage christmas card
 
This one-year old graced Billy and Jean's Christmas greetings.  The first baby and first grandchild on both sides gets lots of attention.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

christmas chemistry
 
Traditionally the central buildings on the Texas Tech campus are illuminated for Christmas.  The classic facade of the Chemistry Building is part of the Quadrangle.  An annual trek through Texas Tech is recommended as part of your holiday festivities.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

christmas star
 

Poinsettias were considered by the ancient Aztecs to be symbols of purity. The December birth flower symbolizes good cheer and success and is said to bring wishes of mirth and celebration.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

black skimmers on white sand
 
Redington Beach, Florida
12.10.2012


Monday, December 10, 2012

palm trees #2
 
North Shore Drive
St. Petersburg, Florida

Sunday, December 9, 2012

december sunset
 
You expected a Christmas photo?  I took a break and watched the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico at -- where else -- Sunset Beach.
 
Sunset Beach
St. Petersburg, Florida

Saturday, December 8, 2012

florida christmas
 
I was invited to a Christmas open house this evening -- a balmy Florida evening of 70+ degrees.  We enjoyed a wonderful buffet, decorated Christmas tree and a virtual fire blazing on the TV!
 
Orlando, Florida

Friday, December 7, 2012

christmas bow
 
At a recent photography workshop, we spend a session on "zoomies."  I'm not sure I have the technique down but I like the effect.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

sideshow
 
Memorialize your trip on the Polar Express with what else -- a photograph!
 
Polar Express Depot
Wolfforth, Texas

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

christmas 1953
 
Sandy and Suzy pose in front of the scraggly tree in their Christmas robes with Santa's gifts which included a teddy bear, doll trunk, toy dishes, and assorted toys.
 
New Deal, Texas
December 25, 1953

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

peacock christmas
 
Studio West is a funky place to visit with intriguing interiors, furniture and art.  I like that Melissa kept the inlaid "Cobbs" in the concrete at the front door -- a testament to the studio's department store past.
 
Studio West Interior Design
2801 26th Street
Lubbock, Texas
12.2.2012

Monday, December 3, 2012

ho ho ho
 
Jake was a retired German short-hair hunting dog who spent his senior years with me.  He didn't get into the Christmas spirit very much but was accommodating.
 
Christmas 2006

Sunday, December 2, 2012




In keeping with its Spanish style, the Miller-Loter Home, 2323 18th Street, is decorated with luminarios and lighted ristas.  The house was built in 1927 for William J. Miller, the first dean of engineering at Texas Tech,.  The house was designed with the elements of mission and pueblo styling to be compatible with the buildings on the Tech campus.  The warmth of the exterior is matched with the hospitality and cordiality within.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

santa and the missus
 
Santa Series #1
KK's Craft Mall
Lubbock, Texas