RouseGallery...The Blog

Never-Ending Christmas...with Taylor

From the styling of the props to the light in Taylor's eyes, these shots were ideal examples of how we set out to embody the wonder and joy of Christmas in our photographs: from the scent of fresh pine and just-baked sugar cookies to the pealing of church bells and the sound of carolers drifting over a snowy landscape, from the sight of a kaleidoscope of lights reflecting off strung garland to the bulging stockings hung over the mantle. The kind of things that make the wrapping of gifts a symbol of the deeper joys in sharing and caring for one another.

May this Christmas spirit be incarnate in your world all through 2008!

R

Capping off the Year's Sessions with Taylor

What a perfect way to close out 2007. I bring you new images of the girl who has the honor of being the most photographed model in our lifestyle talent shoots for 2007 with five separate shoots to her credit.

This shoot confirmed for me again what makes it all happen in the end; having the right person, the right location, the right inspiration.

Look for much more of the same in 2008!
R

One of the best Gifts of The Season

Our first coffee table books for the winter season are here...with tons more to come!

We've been doing the books for the better part of the past year and they are definitely all the rage. This order is mostly seniors, with a children's, model's and wedding book thrown in for good measure. One of these books may even be reserved for you!

For more information on a coffe table book in a style and size of your preference, get a hold of us...it's the perfect lifetime keepsake for your portrait memories.

R

Rauchelle and Shane

"...Christmas is for sharing..."

Percy Faith orchestra and chorus, circa 1960s

Christmas Day with Rauchelle

Even tho we had planned an hour or so of shooting on Christmas afternoon, I never considered it a working day at all. It was more like catching up and relaxing and indulging in every possible kind of chocolate concoction and Christmas baking treat followed by a total, buffet-style Taco bar...with a few great snapshots thrown in for good measure.

I met Rauchelle and her family in the summer of 1999, when I first started creating senior portfolios in Minot! The warmth and hospitality from her family that has followed in the years since has been a real treasure...so, with Rauchelle back from the Twin Cities for a brief Christmas rendezvous, it was the perfect time to make the most of a Christmas Day, enjoying some quality time around the kitchen counter and, of course, creating some great art.

And tomorrow, a little extra surprise.

R

   

The First Annual Family Gathering Christmas Session

What an awesome way to spend a Christmas Eve afternoon.

And, most of all, this shoot has been over seven years in the making...ever since I created Jenni and Jami's senior portfolios! Now, with the whole family gathered to celebrate the season and on the heels of the big family reunion earlier this fall, we're thinking...this is gonna have to be an annual event! (hey, that means I'm booked already for next Christmas!) Although, I did suggest that perhaps we meet for one of these winter rendezvous in, oh let's say: Vegas, Cabo, Bora Bora...

Actually, we had a 38 degree day, one of the two warmest in December as I recall. Hence, the great moments that follow, spurred by an afternoon of fellowship and reminiscing and devouring Christmas cookies!

R

Merry Christmas 2007

I don't know what to say, without being all sappy and sugary and sentimental. So, instead, I'm sharing my Christmas list with you. No, it's not what I wanted from Santa. It's actually what I wish for YOU:

1. To have the instructions come with any to-be-assembled present that you open!

2. To have someone you really, really dig standing conveniently under the mistletoe

3. To hear the sound of carolers in the snow

4. To discover Karen Carpenter's unmistakable voice drifting from your radio, serenading you with "Merry Christmas, Darling"

5. To stuff yourself with as much turkey, cranberry fluff and sugar-laden Christmas cookies as you please

6. To stand in a candlelit church sanctuary, singing Christmas hymns in the half-light.

And after all the holiday sales and decorating contests and spiked egg-nog parties have become forgotten moments, may the timeless and enduring truth of this Season permeate your world...in the tranquility...as well as the festiveness of this day.

R

P.S. Starting tomorrow, some holiday season shoots to share with you!

Christmas Eve Post..as in: Don't bother me now, dude, I'm shopping!

Well, I have to get started sometime, you know!

You'll understand why I'm starting my shopping today when you learn that I have a huge order of portraits from Rinat's ballet to place on Wednesday, a family reunion lifestyle shoot this afternoon and a commercial publication spec session to photograph TOMORROW...yes, as in Christmas day, since my star model is only in town for that full day.

But, I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the joy and festiveness of the season than to experience the jubilation that arises from living out this art form, this passion, this means of connection with those who are important to me.

You see, I'm really not working on Christmas after all...

R

Christmas with Amanda II

How do you make a Christmas shoot? The recipe goes something like this:

A duffel bag full of sweaters and polos-hold the ironing, way too many photographic lights and cords to trip over, one Martha's Vineyard salad from Arby's and one high-octane mocca from Starbuck's to keep star supermodel happy, a single, overtly-rambunctious house cat attempting to wander into nearly every photographic set-up, a steady stream of holiday classics drifting through the house for inspiration (and to keep the pets in the house somewhat sedated!) and, perhaps most of all, plenty of chemistry and laughter.

That's how it happens...every time.

R

P.S. Amanda sez I need ties for all my miles of cords for Christmas...hint, hint!

 

Christmas with Amanda I

Ever heard that infamous expression "God is in the details"?

Ditto.

This commercial lifestyle shoot, requested for a mid-January submission, not only gave us an opportunity to focus on the theme of the impending holidays (coming on tomorrow's post) but also allowed us to focus on the preparatory stage of things...which is, quite often, where the magic suprisingly unfolds to the fullest extent.

R

As with all of our primary lifestyle shoots, professional styling is courtesy of Merle Norman Cosmetics and A Journey Within Spa, downtown Minot.