Branded Flair!!!

Friday night was simply awesome, the donations were beyond expectations! Branded Flair is becoming THE charity event of the season!



The Careity Foundation was formed in 2003 by Beverly Branch and Lyn Walsh, after many years of personal philanthropy to organizations throughout North Texas. Beverly and Lyn's dedication to philanthropy began as a personal mission when both of their mothers were diagnosed with cancer. It was at that time that they decided to make the very personal issue of cancer their corporate mission.



Pediatric Palliative Care is primarily directed at providing relief to children with life-threatening illnesses through symptom management and pain management.The goal is not to cure, but to provide comfort and maintain the highest possible quality of life for as long as life remains. Well-rounded palliative care programs also address mental health and spiritual needs. The focus is not on end of life, but on compassionate specialized care for the living. Palliative care provides support for the whole person and those who are sharing the person's journey in love.

Here is the Fine Art Print I donated to the silent auction, I am proud to say it brought it quite a bit!



Lynn Anderson was presented with the 2008 Careity Legend Award Click here to read more about this wonderful woman


Pictured here in duet with Sonny Burgess and his band

Out for a Drive

While driving a back road I saw a man out in his garden and had to stop!

I love to drive around Parker County and find people to meet and photograph. As you all know, No one is a stranger to me. I found this wonderful man last weekend tending his garden. He bought the 3 acres in 1948, raised 3 boys and grew most of his own food. Mr.N is 89 years young with an easy, friendly personality I fell in love with. He was very surprised a stranger would find him interesting. I learned many things in our hour together about how hard life was way back when. He bought the entire property for $250 an acre, and was just told last week it is worth $30,000 an acre. No, he is not selling.

She's baaacccckkk.

Wow, has it been that long!

I put to paper goals I had to attain this summer, and have met every one of them so far. This blog was last on the to do list. I plan on posting if not daily, weekly with snippets from sessions, photography tips, antidotes from farm life and other fun stuff.

I was rudely reminded of rule Number One on a ranch. Wear shoes stupid!! About half an hour ago I came with in centimeters of stepping on a venomous viper with my bare feet. I know better! I will look up what kind, but it was not a copper head or rattle snake. We have had this kind of critter before. Needless to say it is now in Snake Heaven.





Here's my latest big tip, wonder tool. www.garyfong.com Whale Tail Diffuser. Wow, it is great. I took it outside and shot a praying mantis at s/1000 f/5.6 ISO 200. Those settings at 8pm made it like we were in studio. How cool is that.



Branded Flair.org / Cariety.com

I have been donating my time for many years now. 100% of the proceeds go to Cooks Children's Hospital Palliative Care. Last year $200k was donated, this year we are already at $190k and yet to have one benefit event yet. Wow!
I began this as a way to commemorate my father, Wayne Artman. (Google Wayne Artman and be amazed at his body of work)
He lost his battle with cancer two years ago. If you can get a colon screening, do so. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and through the help of Cariety.com which is the main non profit entity for Branded Flair, I was able to get into a specialist in three days, my MRI was within a week. For anyone who has dealt with long waits for appointments or evaluations you know how heart wrenching the not knowing can be.

Thank you Lyn Walsh and Beverly Branch for being there for all of us. And a huge thank you to Lynn Anderson ( I Never Promised You A Rose Garden) to her unwavering support of her heart and talent to help raise money.

Up and Running

This has been a very busy summer. I have completely changed my web site with a new URL www.meganparksphotography.com

I have not posted since May, but plan on doing so at least weekly. I set some goals for myself this year, and so far have reached and in some cases surpassed my plans. That is a good thing!!! Bad part, the blog came last until now.

I will be posting information and tips for any level photographer. My latest biggie is the www.garyfong.com Whale Tail light diffuser. Wow!!! The first thing I shot was a praying mantis my husband found out in the pasture. This was shot at 8p, low light at s/1000 f/5.6 ISO 200 using the WhaleTai.l It allowed the background to go to full dark which made it look like I had shot it in a studio. My husband is holding the branch, and it was very light outside. The possibilities are endless!

Tomorrow night I will be shooting at Will Rogers Coliseum for www.BrandedFlair.org. I have been their official photographer for a number of years. It all started when I lost my Dad to cancer, and felt somehow I needed to give back to others fighting this terrible disease. 100% of the proceeds go to Cooks Children's Hospital Palliative Care. Last year they were able to donate over $200k, this year we are already at $195k, and have not had a single fundraising event yet!! Wow.

I would encourage everyone out there to get your check ups, Yes men too need mammograms!!!

More to come soon!

for another fun photographer look at
www.cyndieplanck.com if you are in the Oregon area she's Da Bomb!

Meg