Rodeo Bowl 2009 – Navy vs Missouri

Bowl season seems to get bigger and longer each year and the Texas Bowl has been part of that growth.  Each year, as part of the Texas Bowl preliminary activities, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo chips in to hold the Rodeo Bowl for the participating teams at the George Ranch Historical Park and STP Images was there to capture the event as a member of the Speakers Committee.  The Rodeo Bowl is essentially a fun way for the players to interact with one another and to prepare for the gridiron competition on New Year’s Eve through pseudo-rodeo events such as stick horse races, hay bale tossing, calf penning, mascot roping, chalk branding and the always popular lineman touchdown dance.  This year’s participants, the Navy Midshipmen and the Missouri Tigers, had a blast and the competition was as tight as it’s been in the four year history of the Rodeo Bowl.

Following the rodeo arena competition, each team was treated to a great meal catered by Demeris Barbeque.  During the dinner, team members could also get a memento of a brand of their team’s logo to take with them.  There was a band and a few brave Midshipmen and Tigers made their way to the dance floor for a little two stepping.  It was a great night of competition and fun and if the Rodeo Bowl is any indication of how the Texas Bowl will shape up, this should be a great game!  Take a look at a few of the shots from the Rodeo Bowl below.

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM THE RODEO BOWL, CLICK HERE.

 

 

Cabo Wobblin’ (or MIA in Mexico)

It’s been a dozen days or so since our last post.  The first two weeks of December were crazy busy for the photography business, but we left Houston a little over a week ago to head to Cabo San Lucas.  Having been down to the beautiful desert tip of the Baja Peninsula before, we were ready to try some new things there.  We took our Ole Miss sophomore son and his roommate and we spent 8 days exploring.  Due to the Swine Flu threat, the border drug gang wars and the sagging economy, we were some of the only Gringos down there – it was pretty devoid of tourists.  This was great for getting tables at restaurants and other activities, but it also made us HUGE targets for all the folks trying to sell us something.  We rented a condo in Pedregal that normally goes for $2,000 per day during high season that we negotiated down to $150 per day.  Of the 50 or so rental units in our condo, only 6 or 8 were occupied with tourists.  This was a incredible deal considering the views – and we even saw whales breaching the Pacific from the patio!

We rented a Jeep Wrangler and headed up the Pacific Coast to Todos Santos and ran some of the Baja Trails along the coast (some day we will race in the SCORE Baja 1000, but that’s a different story altogether).  We took the public bus (Subercaobos $25 pesos) from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo and hit a dozen or so taco stands and beer joints.  The remainder of the time, we walked around Cabo San Lucas and found some great places we had never tried before.  We literally hit 15 local ‘taco huts’ during our stay.  We loved it and can’t wait to get back.

Some of our favorite places from this visit were Las Fuentes in Todos Santos, Los Deseos on the marina in Cabo San Lucas, Costazul Restaurant in San Jose del Cabo, Zipper’s on the Costa Azul beach and oddly enough, a little French Bakery called le Cafe Francais at the foot of the hill in Pedregal where we rented our condo.  If you get a chance to visit Los Cabos, now is the perfect time to really get great deals and enjoy the beautiful weather and sun.  Take a peek at a few of our favoriate shots from the trip below.

Kim and Remy

We got a call at the studio late Friday afternoon from our friends at the West Alabama Animal Clinic for a last minute shoot on Saturday morning.  This was especially important as Remy had just been diagnosed with some grim medical news.  So, early Saturday morning, Kim and her Retriever Remy and partner Chris and her Mom Vicky came to the studio ready to go.  We wanted to capture these precious moments as best we could since our time with our deeply loved pets is so fleeting, no matter how long that time may be.  All four ladies were beautiful and the images were very fun to capture.  We can’t wait to show Kim the images sometime over the holidays, but we’ve posted a few sneak peek shots below.  We feel priveleged to get to spend time with our neighbors and their pets.  We hope you enjoy the images of Kim, Chris, Vicky and Remy.

Les Provinciales Design for a Cause

On Thursday night, December 10, Roche Bobois opened their showroom for a unique event.  Three extremely talented artists were asked to create their own custom chair that was displayed on the showroom floor in advance of the event to help promote it.  Each unique artistic seat was created to be auctioned off to benefit Texas Special Olympics.  The chairs were on display and the artists were there to answer questions about their work and to meet the public bidding on their items.  The event was sponsored in party by Momentum Audi and the guests enjoyed hors d’orveres, drinks, a dj and the beautiful furnishings prior to the commencement of ceremonies.  The highlight of the presentation was a speech given by a local Special Olympian relaying the impact of the organized games on her and her ‘teammates’, who number in the thousands.  Awards were given to those deserving souls who help further the Special Olympics cause and then the bidding began.  The three chairs and artists had lines waiting to talk and to bid well into the evening.  STP Images captured the event and a few of the shots are below.  Let us know if you need coverage for any of your holiday events before time runs out!

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

 

JulieBeth Handbag Trunk Show

JulieBeth Handbags was formed from a friendship of two Houstonians who wanted to create unusual, unique and noteworthy handbags.  A recent “Thelma and Louise” trip through Yellowstone that covered 4,000 miles in an old Ford F-150 became the inspiration for many of their designs.  On Wednesday night at Hotel Zaza in the Black Label Suite, JulieBeth handbags held a trunk show for the public just in time for the holiday season.  Notables in attendance were Sharron Melton, Miya Shay and Jared Lang.  With plenty of libations flowing, a fantastic view and awesome live music in the suite, the atmosphere couldn’t have been better for no-stress, custom holiday shopping – a creative way to shop from SpotOn Public Relations.  Take a look at some of the images from the event below from STP Images.  Give JulieBeth a ring for a fantastic, unique gift idea and STP Images to capture your next event.

Child Advocates Angels of Hope Luncheon

Twenty five years.  “That’s a long time”, said one of the beneficiaries of last year’s event at the podium while kicking off today’s luncheon.  And it happens to be just how long Child Advocates has been helping Houstonians in need selflessly in both good times and bad.  This year’s event was held at the Westing Galleria Tuesday afternoon, December 8.  Sponsored in part by Page Parkes Modeling and Momentum Audi, the event drew a packed house of beautifully dressed women to help raise funds and see a fantastic fashion show designed by Edward Wilkerson with Lafayette 148 supplying the fashion.  The event was chaired by Kathy Galt and Pat Osbourne and honored Janice McNair, who received well earned recognition and an award for the past year of service.  The final touch was added by the incredible raffle items available to the attendees – a stay at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, Konstantino Jewelry, the use of a brand new Audi for a week, Montblanc bags and a French Quarter Fling.  STP Images photographed the event and a few of the shots are below.  This event was such a blast on its 25th anniversary.

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM THE ANGELS OF HOPE LUNCHEON, OR TO PURCHASE PHOTOS, CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

 

West Alabama Animal Clinic Open House

On Saturday, December 5,  the West Alabama Animal Clinic (WAAC) held an open house for current clients and the general public.  The weather was gorgeous, just one day after an official ’snow day’ in Houston.  There were multiple vendors there from animal shelters, rescue organizations, training companies and various pet service organizations.  The WAAC staff was there to greet all guests and gave tours of the newly remodeled facility.  Previously voted best animal clinic by the readers of the Houston Press, the WAAC wanted to show everyone just why they are the best and to give tours of the newly expanded facility.  One of the favorites of the day was the Pet Photos with Santa booth that STP Images Photography Studio set up.  While somewhat limited in space, the entire waiting area on the dog side of the facility was turned into a full blown photography studio and at least 40 pets were shot with Santa in just over 3 hours.  Santa was heard to say that he put some hard miles on his lap during the four legged friends day.  Take a look at a few of the images below from the Santa shoot.  It’s not too late to purchase a gift certificate for the pet lover in your life to get some great studio portraits of their favorite pet.  We’d love to hear from you soon!

Jared Lang’s Not So Silent Night

Jared Lang is the General Manager of Momentum Audi.  He spends a lot of time and effort to support numerous local charities and events.  In fact, he sponsors somewhere between 5 and 10 events per month.  So, when it was time for Jared’s own personal holiday bash, he had lots of help and support from those he’s helped over the year.  On Friday night, December 4, hundreds of people converged on the Winter Street Studios to ring in the holiday season with a huge bash.  And, what better place to hold a party on a snowy day in Houston than Winter Street!  The place was packed, the band brought some great down-home music to set the tone, there were beds on the dance floor in one of the rooms with a DJ, the hors d’orveres were never-ending and of COURSE there was a mariachi band.  What a superb way to launch the holiday party season.  Take a quick look at some of the shots from the event below.  Let STP Images know if you have photography needs for any events that you are a part of.

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM JARED’S NOT SO SILENT NIGHT, OR TO BUY PHOTOS OR JPG’s, CLICK HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

Jaguar XJ Launch at Momentum Jaguar

Jaguar has announced and built the prototypes for the all new XJ series.  According to the Jaguar website, the all new XJ is a blend of stunning design, intuitive technology and innovative thinking.  Just looking at it, it seems to be all that and more.  The new design is truly a diversion from where it has been.  It looks meaner and more substantial, even if the leaper has been retired.

The bad news is, the first units off the assembly line won’t hit showroom floors in the U.S. at least until April 2010.  However, Jaguar shipped TWO prototypes to Houston for this private launch event held at Momentum Jaguar that Rhymes Marketing put the event together.  Take a look at this STUNNING and powerful car that STP Images had the privelege of shooting.

 

TO SEE ALL THE IMAGES FROM THE XJ LAUNCH, OR TO BUY JPG’s OR PRINTS, CLICK HERE.

 

Riley’s Pet Session for Christmas Cards

Had a double decker shoot (Pet Session and Christmas Card Session) this past Tuesday in the studio.  A local marketing firm wanted to have their mascot Riley photographed for a Christmas Card to be sent out to their clients.  Riley is a 4 month old mixed breed that loved the studio and everyone in it.  In fact, Riley loved everyone SO much, that it was difficult to get a shot of the socializing pup on the background.  Eventually, after literally wearing Riley down physically for 30 minutes, we were finally able to get the shots we wanted.  Attired with a national marketing award around Riley’s neck, the shots came out great.  Enjoy the ‘Life of Riley’ below and call STP Images for your pet shoot or for last minute Christmas Cards – we can still get them done in time to mail out!