Danny, Isabel and Coco

STP Images has really been growing in the past few months.  Growth is good – but sometimes it causes things to slip a little in other areas.  I’ve neglected my postings for some of our clients, so to make up for it, I’d like to start by thanking Danny, Isabel and Coco for taking the time to come out to the studio IN THE RAIN about 5 weeks ago for a shoot.  Isabel and Danny work and live inside the loop and they have a professional tie to Hermann Park.  So we brought them into the studio to shoot about an hour there, we then loaded up and went to the Galleria (Coco the dog is named after Coco Chanel – we HAD to get a shot at the Chanel store!) and then to Hermann Park in the rain.  We had a blast, got some great images and sent Danny, Isabel and Coco home to dry off.  Here are some of the shots from that day.

Call STP Images to set up your portrait session.  There’s also still time to book a shoot to make some great custom holiday cards.  We’d love to hear from you!

Ambassador’s Club Halloween Party

The Drake on Washington Avenue was still going Halloween strong on Sunday night, November 1.  Falling on the Day of the Dead, the Ambassador’s Club 13th Annual Halloween Party was a blast and raised funds and much needed toys for the Toys for Tots campaign, the charity of choice for the Ambassador’s Club.  Members of the Ambassador’s Club, local celebrities and invited guests all enjoyed a well rounded buffet and stout Drake drinks while waiting for the costume contest.  Local shops helped provide some assistance for the event including the Corkscrew and Little Napoli and the major underwriting of the event was provided by Momentum Audi.  A few of the images from the event are below.  Contact STP Images for information on covering your next event.

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM THIS EVENT, OR TO PURCHASE PRINTS OR JPG FILES, CLICK HERE.

Houston Press Halloween Party

I’ve shot several events at the Bronze Peacock Room at the House of Blues before.  It’s a great space to host an event, complete with it trendy indoor-feeling-but-really-outdoor smoking area.  The difficulty I have with the room is that it is just so dark.  It is really difficult to get a camera to focus on a subject due to the low light.  However, on Friday night, October 30, the Houston Press held its annual Halloween Party there and the costumes made the struggle to find some light well worth the effort.  There were some truly complex and hilarious costumes and there were several groups including Kiss and the Real Housewives of Atlanta.  The Flamin Hellcats took the stage in a free concert, thanks to the sponsorship of Momentum Audi and Momentum Volkswagen.  The tickets also gave partygoers a free pass into the main concert hall to hear the Drive By Truckers.  Check out a few of the costumes below.  Let STP Images know if you ever need help with event photography.

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM THIS EVENT, OR TO BUY PHOTOS OR JPG FILES, CLICK HERE.

Prime Living Gateway to Luxury

In keeping with the fact that Texans just can’t agree to having a recession, Prime Living Magazine hosted the Gateway to Luxury event Thursday night at Sugarland Regional Airport and asked STP Images to photograph the festivities.  Sponsored by Prime Living Magazine, Porsche and Marquis Jet, the event was held on the tarmac at the airport with a tent to keep the warm fall weather off of everyone.  Using an airport tarmac ensured plenty of room for the cars, jets, food and drink.  The Porsche Panamera made another apperance and stole the show.  However, the tour of the Marguis Jets were pretty awe-inspiring.  Someday, if I sell enough event photos, I’ll travel to my next conference on my very own Marquis Jet.  Great sticks were handed out from Cigar Cigar! in Sugarland to the attendees and I can tell you that the maduro Oscuro from Pinar del Rio was quite a nice smoke – really smooth for a maduro for sure.

Take a look at a few of the images below.  Let STP Images know if you have an event coming up that needs photographic coverage.

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM THIS EVENT, OR TO PURCHASE PRINTS OR JPG FILES, CLICK HERE.

Lamar and Bellaire Seniors – FREE Proofing Parties

The fall semester is in full swing and it’s time to start thinking about your high school senior photos.  Remember, these photos will be with you FOREVER!  Just take a look at your parents Facebook friends and those 70’s and 80’s style senior portraits.  Is that REALLY the way you want to be remembered – a bad senior portrait of you posted to your Facebook profile in 2021 with a caption you wrote that says “I don’t know WHAT I was thinking”?  Do yourself a favor and say ‘NO’ to boring high school senior photos TODAY.  You’ll thank yourself when you’re 30!

New at STP Images this fall, EVERY high school senior shoot comes with a Proofing Party (every package includes one FREE)!  These Proofing Parties make YOU the center of attention.  After each STP Images Senior completes a fun, creative and interactive shoot, a Proofing Party is scheduled about two weeks later.  Seniors then invite their favorite friends to come to the STP Images studio for a full blown party with food and drinks.  We then all sit down in the Proofing Room to view a music style video of the shoot with every cool shot set to music.  From this video, each senior gets to choose the shots they wish to have printed – and of course the video is available to each Senior as well.  There are tons of unique and cool products for our Seniors including iPod Nanos with all your images on them as well as web formatted images for your Facebook page.

Take a look at the sample video below to see just how completely awesome these shoots can be!  More information is available on the “Proofing Party” tab at the top of this blog page.  We’d love to help make you the center of attention and give you some seriously hot images too!  Call or email for calendar availability.  We can’t wait to work with you.

Bellaire Broiler Burger

Sometime mid last week, I awoke with a not unusual bout with insomnia at about 2:15am.  After flopping around trying to fall back asleep for an hour and a half, I decided to get up and walk over to the studio.  I have files that need to be processed, of course.  So, at 3:45, I sit down at my desk, fire up the PC and start Photoshop processing some portrait session files.  I stayed head-down until about 8am, but even though it was still early in the morning, after four plus hours of non-stop work, my head was wrapped around lunch.

So, at 8am, I started thinking about which burger I wanted.  Realizing that thinking about which artery clogging burger to eat at 8am was a bit odd, I posted my dilemma on Facebook.  Should I head downtown to get a Sparkle Burger (each burger hand crafted to order bigger than can fit in the standard human mouth) or should I go with my old high school favorite and get the Bellaire Special at Bellaire Broiler Burger (BBB)?

I was shocked at how many people weighed in on the subject.  The overwhelming response from my Facebook friends (disclaimer: my Friends list is skewed heavily with Bellaire High School graduates) was for me to get a Bellaire Special.  I even had a few Bellaire grads ask if the BBB was still there.  The answer is a resounding but heart-slowing YES!  Unfortunately, my plans took me downtown that day and I did not make the trip to the BBB - but I DID commit to myself to stop by there soon since so many people commented on the post. 

Today, I stopped by and ordered the Bellaire Special (double meat, double cheese, bacon and the works) with a side order of chili cheese fries – I was going for the triple bypass trifecta!  The place hasn’t changed a BIT since high school (even though I still manage to stop by about once or twice a year).  The flames scortched the burgers and filled the yellowed, dark interior with loud sizzling and smoke.  Take a look at a few of the shots below.  If you’ve not managed to stop by the BBB, do so when you can.  It’s a step back in time, even if that time is only the late 70s!

Bellaire Broiler Burger

Owners in old Bellaire Sun article

Collage of old menus and photos

Right there – Bellaire Special Baby!

First burger hits the broiler

Now THAT’S a fire!

Hot off the broiler

Chili Cheese Fries in a bowl

The Bellaire Special – all hail the King!

Momentum Porsche hosts Panamera Launch Party

I was curious to see how a 4 door sedan would look with the Porsche nameplate on it.  On Thursday night, October 22, me and about 350 other curious enthusiasts were at Momentum Porsche to see the official launch of the new Porsche Panamera.  It was surprisingly cool and it sounded sweet.  The dealership was packed – the food included a full sushi kitchen with three sushi chefs going at once, a roast beef carving station and plenty of wine.  The live  jazz was provided by Password.  Everyone loved getting in the Panameras, some wanting to take one home right there on the spot.  The event was put together by Rhymes Marketing and STP Images was there to photograph the event.  Enjoy a few of the images of the future Porsche owners enjoying the Panameras.  Let STP Images know if we can help you with your next event.

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM THIS EVENT, OR TO PURCHASE JPGs OR PRINTS, CLICK HERE.

 

John Palmer Gallery hosts Greek Afternoon and Greek Party

STP Images was asked to photograph the John Palmer Gallery and Studio’s The Greek Afternoon (open to the general public) and The Greek Party (black tie, by written invitation for their biggest and best collectors) on Saturday, October 17, 2009.   The John Palmer Gallery is located near the epicenter of the Heights, near the intersection of 11th and Heights Blvd.  Both events featured John Palmer’s Skopelos 2009 series.  The incredible series includes 18 original monoprint pieces that John Palmer created on his third adventure to Skopelos Island, Greece in September 2009.   In addition to John’s stunning work, contemporary mosaic tile artist Chris Silkwood displayed her delicate and detailed pieces in the historic bungalow home.  Several never-before-seen Palmer & Silkwood collaborations were unveiled, giving both collectors and art-lovers alike reason to attend.

The evening event also featured entertainment by one of the nation’s premier female impersonators, Kofi.  Kofi also was the hilarious auctioneer for the evening’s live auction which featured an original Silkwood bowl, a new Palmer/Silkwood collaboration and a John Palmer painting he created LIVE before a small number of special guests before the event occurred.  A portion of the proceeds from both events will go to support the Houston Heights Association’s Heights Boulevard Beautification and Restoration Project.  Coincidentally, Chris Silkwood is the current president of the Houston Heights Association.  Catering by Hungry’s gave the evening guests delicious Greek delights.  VIP guests included real estate mogul Bill Baldwin and his partner Joe Gonzalez, Brad and Diana Wander, Dr. D. Lynn Dickens, author Christopher Brown, probate judge candidate Joellen Snow and Jan and Christine Spin.

Enjoy a few images below from the Greek Afternoon portion of the day’s events.

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM THIS EVENT, CLICK HERE.

Assistance League’s Mary Jo Peckham Luncheon

On Thursday afternoon, October 8, 2009, the Assistance League held its annual Mary Jo Peckham awards luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club.  Founded in 1968, the Assistance League is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that puts caring and commitment into action via community programs.  Through donations made to the organization, sales at the Thrift Shop at 1902 Commerce and through their Gala and  Mary Jo Peckham Awards luncheon, the group funds its activities to better the lives of local children through multiple programs.  Many of these programs are synonymous with Houston schools and include Kids on the Block, Operation School Bell, The Assistance League Scholarship Program, Support for the Arts and Celebration of Giving.

Jan Carson oversaw the ceremonies and the luncheon attendees were provided one of the most spectacular fashion shows in memory.  Modeled by Page713 and Neal Hamil Agency, the stunningly beautiful fashions were provided by Elizabeth Anthony Esther Wolf.  It was like being at a fireworks display as the floor would ooh and aah at the runway models.  STP Images was there to photograph the event.  Peek at a few of the photos from the event below and let STP Images know if we can help you with your next event.

TO SEE ALL OF THE PHOTOS FROM THIS EVENT, OR TO PURCHASE JPG FILES OR PRINTS, CLICK HERE.

Bubbles and Bar-B-Q

The Health Museum’s Professionals Circle held an exclusive Bubbles & Bar-B-Q event in the wine cellar at Block7 on Wednesday, October 7, 2009.  The bubbles took the form of sparkling wines and the Bar-B-Q included incredible bites from B7 Frites.  In addition to the crispy fries, there were dry aged beef sliders, portobello mushroom sliders, sloppy “Guiseppe”" venison sliders and seared baby lamb chops with mustard glaze.  Quite a spread for any appetite!  The first 50 guests received a complimentary champagne flute courtesy of Block7.  STP Images sent Haley Webster to photograph the event.  Funds benefitted the Houston Museum of Health.  Non-members who purchased tickets in advance also received a complimentary Professionals Circle membership with The Health Museum – a $35 value.  Benefits of a Professionals Circle membership include general admission to the museum for one (1) year as well as invitations to and discounts for select Museum and Professionals Circle events.

Sponsored by Momentum Audi and Block7, additional contributions were made by Hardcore Pilates, Pink Pilates, Serendipity Wine Imports and Carpene Malvolti.

TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THIS SHOOT, OR TO PURCHASE JPG FILES OR PRINTS, CLICK HERE.