Scattered across Central Texas, between San Antonio and Houston, lie a group of churches known for their richly decorated interiors, vibrant murals, and elaborate stenciling. These churches were built by 19th-century Czech and German immigrants who made Texas their home. In a few of these communities, the church is all that is left, as the surrounding community either got swept away by a hurricane or fire. Despite these adversities, the painted churches stand as a testament to their founders' faith, artistry, and resilience. Each church tells a unique story of its community, reflecting the cultural heritage and devotion of the immigrants who built them.
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Goodbye Niles City
in Artsy Shoots
Sitting just to the east and casting a shadow on the Stockyards sat a group of buildings in extreme decay, the heart of what was once Niles City. Comprised of a little over one half square mile in size, it once had 508 inhabitants and was labelled the "richest little city in Texas" due to the Fort Worth Stockyards Company, The Swift & Armour Packing Company, and the Stockyard Exchange. 1911 it was valued at $12 million. When the Swift & Armour Packing Company was operating at it's peak, 4,000 men and women were reporting for work. In 1923 Niles City was annexed and became a part of Fort Worth.
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Round Rock Twin Peaks Bikini Contest 2013 - Part 2
After getting ready at the hotel and doing some quick studio shooting (see yesterday's post) we headed off to the restaurant in a stretched Hummer Limo in what I can only describe as the most out of control 10 miles I've ever traveled! When we arrived at the restaurant it was bursting at the seams.
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For some reason the girls let this guy in the shot. Photo by Eric Garcia
Round Rock Twin Peaks Bikini Contest 2013 - Part 1
Once again, it's that time of year. The days get longer, the temperature gets hotter, and the bikini's come out. Yep, It's full on bikini season and what a better way to kick it off then with the annual Twin Peaks Bikini Contest!
This year we did something a little different for the girls at the Round Rock Twin Peaks restaurant; we all met up at the Hilton Garden Suites and set up shop. The girls got their hair and make-up done by Christina Shepek, Stacy Shepek, and Andrea Fernandez, and then got a quick little photo shoot by Eric Garcia and myself.
Read MoreSXSW 2013: Bigger, Faster, Stronger!
So here we go again, another year where the entire music industry takes over downtown Austin for 6 days of absolute chaos. At any given time through out the year there are more music venues in Austin then any other city in North America, during South By Southwest that number triples, with any open area becoming a stage or a spot for bands to play. Bands from all over the planet make their way to Austin in hopes of making an impression and changing their careers; their lives, forever.....
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Wedding - Monica & Wil - An April Fool's Wedding
in weddings
Monica & Wil....I don't know where to begin. I guess I'll start out by saying THANK YOU for not only letting Eric and I shoot your wedding, but THANK YOU for an amazing night that I will always remember. I've shot a lot of weddings over the last few years, but I can't remember ever having this much fun! It's always enjoyable shooting for a client that is laid back and spends more time focusing on having a good time then worrying about the little annoying nuances that may arise during your big wedding day. I know for a fact that Eric, Lindsay, and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and not once did we ever feel like we were there "to do a job". So once again THANK YOU!
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Music - Our 19 Hours of South By Southwest
in concerts
South by Southwest is a chaotic orgy of sensory overload that leaves your body and mind pummeled for days. Over 90 venues and 2000 artists turn downtown Austin into the largest music festival for 5 days every year. It's a music nerd's nirvana.
It's been years since I've made the trip down for SXSW, and until a couple of weeks ago, it looked like I was going to be missing out on another year. But my schedule cleared up and the madness of last minute planning began.
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