Covey Family Photo Shoot

by Michael

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot for some friends of mine, the Covey family. They came out to Hampton Haven where I have close to 40 acres to move around in and set up different scenes.

We started in the wildflowers in the front yard.

Covey Girls in the Wildflowers

Next we moved up to the hill to get some good family “truck” pictures. This is Texas after all.

Covey Family

From there, we had the girls on the spiral staircase that goes up to the tree house.

On the Stairs
In the Tree house

Before heading to the back part of the property, a stop at the footbridge for a “fun” shot. Kids always like making fun of mom and dad kissing.

“Get a room!”

Out in the back, a nice wooden bench swing among the trees makes for another great setting.

And finally to the back porch for a few more intimate opportunities.

That is the Covey family and a sample of what a photo shoot at Hampton Haven can look like.

You can find more information about photo shoots at Hampton Haven at this link —> https://www.mhamptonphotography.com/portrait-sessions/

Changes Are A-Coming!

by Michael

As the saying goes, the only constant is change. That change has finally caught up with me and my photography. In fact the first change is that it has been so long since I’ve updated this website, the editor has changed and I have to learn how to use it. Shame on me!

For many years now my photography has been focused (pun intended) strictly on nature with the exception of the occasional family portrait session for my family and friends. I have resisted people photography with the excuse that it was too hard to “please everyone”. That is all about to change. No more excuses!

Now for those of you who have been following my nature/bird photography, I am not giving that up. Rather I will be adding portraits to the mix. I still love being in nature and making beautiful photographs of what I see to share. That is a big reason why Karen and I moved out here to East Texas! But the time has come to do more for others.

Thanks to an on-line satirical personality, Missy Mwac (by the way, MWAC stands for “Mom With A Camera” but Missy is MUCH more than that), I have slowly come to understand that photography is about more than just sharing a pretty picture and getting likes on social media. It is about capturing a moment that can be cherished for generations, especially if that photograph is printed! This is never more poignant than at the loss of a loved one. Many times, photos are all someone has left to remember the face that they will never see again in this life. This is brought home even more-so if you have ever seen someone suffering from dementia, clutching onto their box of photos (memories) because they physically can’t remember one day to the next. It was this thinking that made me want to get out of my comfort zone and stop being stubborn about not doing portrait work.

On top of this, I have already been doing sports work for the local paper as well, which actually came first and had a hand in planting this seed in my mind. I realized that my photography meant much more when it was preserving memories of events in the lives of people.

So, as the days proceed, look for more activity here, as well as more variety in that activity as I will be sharing more from all of these interests. Join me on this journey. If you live near me, hit me up and we’ll preserve memories for you and your family.

Michael

Great Texas Balloon Race: Night Glow

by Michael

Today did not go as planned. After getting up way before dawn and driving out to the Gregg County Airport in order to catch the pilot’s accuracy competition, we learned that the event was canceled because of the weather. We were bummed, but these things happen and safety must come first. So we headed back home to make it back for the evening festivities of the balloon glow. Since this was a night event, there aren’t many photos, but here are three to share.

At the end of the Star Spangled Banner, all of the pilots ignited their flames in what is called a candle burn. It was pretty amazing, especially for those of us who weren’t expecting it. I’m glad I thought to pull the camera up and snap a few shot while the flames were still going.

Then, once all of the balloons were inflated, they all ignited again for what is called the “glow”. Again, an amazing sight which a single still doesn’t really do justice.

And that was about it for us. That was what we had come to see. But while we were leaving, a felt a dark presence in that place. A feeling I have not felt since…

This huge balloon of Darth Vader, right next to the one I had shot yesterday of Yoda. They were just hanging out with their heads floating around together like old friends.  🙂

So that’s it for the balloon festival this year. Maybe we’ll have better luck with the weather next year.

All words and photos copyright 2018 MHampton Photography 
Equipment used: Canon 1DX Mark II, Canon 16-35L 4.0