Yes those are Pork Rinds on top of that Sope.

A view of two of the Sope choices Deshebrada, shredded beef, on the left and Chicharron, cheese and pork rinds on the right.

I want some Mexican food now. mmmmm.

Sausage of the Gods!

#1. Luling City Market. This has always been my favorite BBQ ever and it continued to live up to my expectations. The Sausage here is top notch. It is mixed so nicely and fresh. The brisket here was also the best this trip. Moist with a great crust and good smoke color. Also a great sauce here. I want take a gallon of it home. This is a must stop for anyone remotely near Austin, San Antonio, or Houston.

I just love this shot. I think it sums up Black’s.

#2. Black’s in Lockhart. I was still full from Luling and I have not ever been a fan of Black’s and it too lived up to my previous opinion. The meat here is just ok. They do have a large selection of sides including the deviled eggs and pie. I got the pecan Pie and it was great and a nice break from meat. I loved the people here; they were so friendly and the interior was so cool and nostalgic.

What happens at lunch with a bunch of photographers?  Food photography of course!

Our one sausage on the left.

#3. Kreuz’s in Lockhart. Still full, two other photographers and I decided to be big spenders and split one link of Jalapeno Cheese Sausage. We still didn’t finish it. It was great and spicy but I still liked Luling’s sausage better.

Dave Einsel makes a meat tower. And yes he had a cooler and didn’t eat all this BBQ. Also notice the size of the pork chops.

#4. Smitty’s in Lockhart. This place had to be the second best in my opinion and if you’re longing for pig, the Pork Chops were amazing. I would drive there just for the pork chop.

And last but not least the motley crew from ASMP Austin and Houston. And thanks Todd for the bunny ears. I owe you one. And yes we all smelled of yummy smokey BBQ all the way home.

I also love digital cameras. They have added a new dimension to photography — one more tool for the toolbox.   I think each has a very distinctive place and use. When you have good light and want a more organic look,  film is the way to go.   When light is low, even if it is nice or you have mixed light sources inside, digital can be better. I also love digital for capturing those quick moments.

Which is best?  Ask a group of photographers that question and you’re likely to start a heated debate.  Here’s my take.  Asking which is best is like asking what’s the best pair of shoes to wear.  It really all depends on what situation you’re going to face that day.  I’d hate to wear tennis shoes with a formal dress to the Oscars but I’d also never wear 3 inch heels on a hiking trip.

Lately I have been playing with my old Hasselblad 500C Medium Format film camera. It started as a fun diversion from my everyday digital work and has evolved into what I shoot with outside of work all the time now. Thanks to Richard Photo Lab I can get great post-shoot services and products which make shooting film even more enjoyable.

A few film images I’d like to share with you…

These sets are from my personal work I have been doing exploring Brazos Bend State Park. My mini photo safari in Texas. Also I am dying to do some portraits here so if you’re up for it let me know.  The gorgeous tree was recently featured on Dog ‘n Bird Artful Wedding.

Quick portraits from the Houston Art Car Parade.  So many fun characters and the cars are simply amazing.  And now,  onto the Houston Rodeo.

You know I can’t resist including a couple rodeo food shots!

I’ll end with the most bizarre set. these were from the Round Top, Texas antiques festival. Crazy place! On the left, old knives and on the right,  molds for making baby doll heads.  Slightly creepy, but I love it.

Later this week I’ll show you how the Hasselblad translates to weddings.

I really like their logo and love how it translated into the floor design. Yes those are my fun yellow shoes! Yayness!

Floral Elegance
434 N Loop 1604 W, Ste 2106
San Antonio, TX
210-494-2024
www.safloralelegance.com

It rained the entire day we were there, but I was able to catch a few outdoor shots just as we were leaving. You can see more of the images from our (indoor!) photoshoot at Elizabeth Anne Designs. Enjoy!

The Plant at Kyle
Kyle, Texas
For reservations, rates & current availability visit their vacation rental management website.
For inquiries other than those relating to reservations, email info@theplantatkyle.com or call Mark Holzbach, 512-689-6777.

Disclosure: The Plant at Kyle generously donated the use of their facility for our photoshoot.

I recently made my visit visit to Minneapolis and if you’ve talked to me since my return I’m sure I’ve told you about Al’s Breakfast. I can’t sop talking about it. It’s one of those places that you can’t help but talk about. It was probably one of the best dining experiences I had, all in a 14 seat diner. It is the quintessential greasy spoon. If you ever make a trip to Minneapolis you need to go there, actually you have to go there.

I stumbled upon this place when my mom and I were looking for a late breakfast one morning during a visit to see my brother. I did a Google search and Al’s Breakfast was one of the top hits and everyone was raving about this greasy spoon. So we went. I had my camera with a 24mm in my purse and was just planning on a quick breakfast before a day of exploring. Al’s was quick in some respect. We got our food quickly and the service was fast, but the wait, well that took at least 45min. The place seats 14 people and the rest of the customers line up behind the stools with only breathing room between the two. There were a couple times we were asked to pick up our stuff and move down the bar. It was great. There was even a great cook whose been there for decades and had great conversations with everyone.

I ended up finding out that this place actually got a James Beard Award. A well deserved award I have to say.

The yellow papers are vouchers or tabs that customers keep. You can buy them for other people and when they come in they just pay with the paper. Fun!

And here is the crowning glory of this place, the food. Probably the best blueberry pancake I’ve ever had – thin, crispy on the outside and blueberry goodness on the inside.

My only disappointments were that I couldn’t eat more and that I didn’t bring better gear to shoot inside. I guess this means I need to make another trip. We almost went the next morning but since it was Saturday I thought the line would be too much. Enjoy and wish me luck in the neighborhood pie contest this weekend.

Many more images to come, but for now….a bowl of heaven.

A beautiful beet salad.   I loved that the tables were covered with a hand stamped white paper.  It added a really cool touch to the place.

I wish smell-a-vision worked. These smelled so heavenly. A skillet of smoking mushrooms and tomatoes with toast. YUM!

If you know me at all you know I,  like any good southerner,  love Fried Chicken.  And this dish is oh so tasty.

So these next three photos are all of the Lemon Ice Box Pie.  I just loved this series of images and couldn’t decide on my favorite. So, sit down and enjoy some pie.