Birthday Party Deluxe 

May 11-17,2015

Birthday Event Photographer Genie Images San Antonio Texas

I got a phone call back in February from a wonderful lady who used to take horseback riding lessons from me. Today she was not calling about horses, instead she needed an event photographer for her granddaughter's 4th birthday party.  She told me the party would be in May and at her son's house with a few activities.  "Sounds like fun", I said and booked her for a 4 hour shoot.

Over the next few months I would get a periodic email regarding the party and some ideas she had for props and set ups.  I could tell she was really into this, and I would reply as quick as possible to confirm or deny the plausible uses of the fun ideas.  I loved that she wanted this party to be everything that her granddaughter wanted.  To be honest . . . I could not tell you what happened at my 4th b'day party.  The pictures I have are of a small group of kids crammed at a paper covered dining table wearing paper hats, complete with color coordinated blow horn/rolly things. I had a feeling that this party was going to be waaaaay different.

I arrived at the home an hour early as requested to get the lay of the land.  The family was busily getting everything ready as my client showed me around.  First stop was the back deck with a covered wagon "chuck" full of sweets and savories for all tastes.  To the right was the adult beverage Margarita Man machine (mental note made to sample upon my departure!). As I turned the corner I could then see that the "activities" had morphed into a birthday extravaganza!  There was a swimming pool, hay bale circle, face painting chair, photo area with saddle & funny hats, pony ride & petting zoo section, and jungle gym for all to enjoy.

Birthday Event Photographer Genie Images San Antonio Texas

I settled into my vantage point so I could capture the happy faces in every corner.  As the guests arrived they immediately gravitated to the jungle gym (Pony Parties by Dawn had not arrived yet).  Once the back gates opened and the first miniature cow was led through . . . they all moooo'ved to the petting zoo pen.  There was the mini horse,a mini cow, a goat, a sheep, some ducks, and handful of baby chicks.  What surprised me most was, that of all of the critters, the baby chicks drew the most attention. The coordinator gathered all the children around and explained that you must hold the baby chicks with 2 hands and you must be sitting on the little stools supplied.  All nodded in agreement as they grabbed a stool and thrust their two hands cupped together eagerly in front of them.

Birthday Event Photographer Genie Images San Antonio Texas

Pony rides commenced.  Face painting went on at a fevered pace.  Critters were petted.  And then, as if there could not be any more delirium . . . the back gates opened again!  The Kona Ice Truck drove thru and everyone stopped what they were doing and headed out for a treat.  The brightly colored truck playing tropical tunes put it in park and welcomed the herd of children running to get some frozen fun.  I could hear the animals in the background take a long breath as they got a momentary break from the abundance of "love" they had been given.

Birthday Event Photographer Genie Images San Antonio Texas

As the children enjoyed their treats on the deck, the pony and petting zoo got packed up to make room for the grand finale.  The prized white pony with red flaming mane/tail pinata was presented and hung from the lone Mesquite tree in back corner of the yard.  The children were ushered to the area and mandated to form a line to take a swing at the prize.  The boys were clambering at their try to "kill" the pony with the big stick.  "Whack his head off ","take a leg off", and "make his guts fall out" were the screams heard from the yard.  If you were passing by you would wonder if this was some illegal fight ring or just good fun . . . Texas style!

Birthday Event Photographer Genie Images San Antonio Texas

The pony was destroyed, his guts (loads of candy) fell out, and villagers rejoiced!  Everyone went to grab as much as they could, as fast as they could, and it was a good ending to a fantastic day.  The kids bagged up their booty and headed towards the porch for final goodbyes to each other.  It was over.  At first glance, all you could see was the remaining litter of animal excrement, pinata parts, shredded hay bales, soccer balls floating in the pool, and Kona Ice cups crumpled on the lawn.  But hopefully, the images I took will remind them that it was all worth it!  This was no birthday party seated at a dining table . . . this was one fun filled afternoon!

Jeanne Harford

www.genieimages.com

San Antonio Photographer

San Antonio Equine Photographer

San Antonio Event Photographer

Texas Horse Show Photographer

Texas Event Photographer

Noticing Nature 

May 4-10, 2015 

Nature San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographer Genie Images

As an equine event photographer in San Antonio, I am out in the elements at every shoot.  It is part of the allure of my new profession and of my past profession as a horse trainer/instructor.  I find I am at my happiest when I am in a field- whether it is sunny or drizzling, whether it is hot or cold, whether I am surrounded by people or alone.  The amazing thing about nature is that it is everywhere . . . you just have to stop and look.

Some days, I will sit with my camera for hours just watching for movement or color to catch my eye.  It is the funniest thing really, because my husband will ask what I am doing and my reply is always, "nothing".  But . . . it is not nothing . . . it is quite something.  As you are watching, even in the most mundane place, you will see so much life around you.  Tiny bugs making their way with food that is twice the size of their bodies.  Spiders weaving an intricate web under a Sago palm. Carolina Anole lizards puffing out their red dewlap to attract or defend.  And, of course, all the things that fly!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I an enamored with hummingbirds and butterflies.  Not only do I like them visually, I use them to fine tune my photographic skills.  The erratic behavior of these beautiful creatures encourages me to focus and react quicker.  I can imagine Mr. Miyagi is there in the yard with me- wax on, wax off!  I follow the little beauties around the yard, changing my exposure, speeds, and f-stops in the blink of an eye. It takes a lot of practice to stalk and capture these flights of fancy!  The goal is to become consistently accurate with these little guys so that my horse/event photography climbs to a higher level.

Now, birds and butterflies are not easy, but bees are a whole other ball of wax (no pun intended . . . who am I kidding . . . yes it was!).  Bees never really stop moving and even when they seem stopped, they are vibrating.  The image above is bumble bee on thistle and though it is not tack sharp, there was something about this image though that I really liked.  I must have taken 20 images of this darn bee on that gray day.  I tried a little bit of everything and still not perfect.

What is perfect is the memory I will have of this silly, unimportant moment.  I will remember my efforts and my failures.  I will remember how I noticed the color of the thistle against the cedar trees first and the bee second.  I will remember the smell of the barn and sound of the horses munching on their hay.  I will also remember that in a previous time, I spent hours eliminating thistle out of the grazing pastures and now I see it as a thing of beauty.  The journey continues.

Jeanne Harford

www.genieimages.com

San Antonio Photographer

San Antonio Equine Photographer

San Antonio Event Photographer

Texas Horse Show Photographer

Texas Event Photographer

Crossroads Pony Show Apr 27- May 3, 2015

Crossroads Show San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images

I got a call from my friend Patty Liarakos about a horse show that needed a judge. Patty knows that I have gone into photography full time, but wondered if I would make an exception for a small show down in Yoakum, Texas.  I asked her about the show and it's staff and she went on to tell me about the wonderful folks and ponies of the  Crossroads Pony Club  I would see on Saturday, and the variety of horses I would see on Sunday.  She assured me that, even though it was a small show, it would be worth my time.  

The show was around the corner and I had piles of homework to do . . . stress mounted.  I decided to take the RV down to Yoakum to park at the show grounds so I would have a private place to rest and get a ton of work done.  It was a beautiful drive down, crossing the Guadalupe River at least twice.  As I pull into the facility I see a couple of young girls waving me to the area to park the RV. They made sure I was settled and off they went to get some rest before 2 full days of showing.  The evening went as planned, homework was attacked, and then I climbed into bed for a great nights sleep.  I don't know what it is . . . but when I sleep in the RV . . . it is the best sleep ever.  About 5am, a gust of wind whipped through the area that seemed like a small tornado.  I hopped up to take a peak, and sure enough, a huge storm was visible across the flat pastures.  The storm came and went and all was well.  But let me just say . . . storms in an RV are not too pleasant.  Reminds me of the old joke, "What is the state bird of Oklahoma . . . . a mobile home!"  

Anyway, the show must go on and so we did.  The show staff was welcoming and joyful.  We chatted and got to know one another and I got the warm feeling that these families were in this together. They worked hard to make this event happen. They worked together to help one another have success.  And they worked tirelessly to make sure the event went off in a timely manner without any major hiccups.  This was going to be a good couple of days.

The show had a little bit of it all:  halter, English, western, equitation, jumping, trail, and many in-hand events for both young and old.  I really enjoyed the in-hand events: jumping, trail, and the races.  The best had to be one particular pee wee handler.  I imagine she was 3 or 4 and had THE MOST adorable white ball of fluff ever.  These two little ones were maxed out on the cute factor!  In one of the races, her trainer ran ahead of her so the little girl would be able to follow her path.  She and that little horse ran their little hearts out with a huge smile on her face the entire time.  When it came to the in-hand jumping for pee wee's, the little duo was back.  Her trainer ran beside her as she led her little horse up to the jump. You could see the little white wonder thinking, "There is no way this kid can make me do this . . . I will do it for her".  The image above is of this moment.  The little girl believing she is making all of this happen and how tremendous her efforts were.  She has heart! 

My friend Patty was right, this little show was totally worth my time.  It reminded me of how important horse/pony clubs are in small communities. Without the thankless efforts of a handful of people (most every time in most every community!) these gatherings would not happen and people would fall out. I commend them on their community building and it restored my faith (a little) in horse clubs.

For more images of this event, please for this link to 2015 Crossroads Pony Show .

Jeanne Harford

www.genieimages.com

San Antonio Photographer

San Antonio Equine Photographer

San Antonio Event Photographer

Texas Horse Show Photographer

Texas Event Photographer