The Shorthorn, Spring

As this semester at UT-Arlington gears up for the final stretch, I’m photographing again at The Shorthorn. Below are a few samples of recent assignments.

Dr. Maxwell Scarlett was the first African-American to graduate from the university in 1966. Dr. Scarlett looked very poised when we were interviewing him in the University Center, so I decided to photograph his portrait during it:


Interdisciplinary studies senior Beth Boatman relaxes while waiting for her Miller Analogies Test to start in Davis Hall. I spotted Beth as the one of the very few who decided to take a breather on the lawn this past week as the Texas weather permitted it again. I originally wanted to frame it through a pair of a student’s legs while with them walking, but tried my hand on a moving bicycle:


I wanted to try more off-camera flash portraiture, so when it came to Dead @ 17 author Josh Howard, I posed him outside while he looked at his own work (you can read the one-on-one interview with him and photo coverage of ComicCon later this week on The Shorthorn!):


I look forward to finishing my time at the newspaper with a photo sound-slide series based on the personalities of some students I’m presently working with. Keep an eye out for it!
Rasy Ran Photography

The Greer Family

One of the things I really love about shooting families is repeat clients. I love to see how the children grow, and it always makes it that much easier once you've established a bit a familiarity.

Today we photographed The Greer Clan, Paul, Carrie, and kids Jack and Sam. The Greers live in Fort Worth, so we met up in old Cowtown at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. After a week of freezing cold and then a few days of rain, the weather today was much more tolerable, though a bit windy.

Here their youngest, Sam, stands by a decorated barrel bearing the stockyards name:


This shoot was one of my favorite kinds of shoots: we told the family to just explore the area, and we followed them around and documented the boys as they played and explored. (to commission a "lifestyle" session, send an email or give me a call! We can come follow you in your daily routine, check out a cool new place, or really anything you're up for!):




The two boys were full of smiles, as these next two photos showcase:




The two boys really have such large personalities. Jack was terribly excited about all the horses around and the whip he could hear the cowboy cracking. Sam was very interested in what his big brother was up to, and Jack was a good big brother and waited for him from time to time:


Though the majority of our shots were unposed, we did take a moment to grab this photo of the whole group:


Paul and Jack hang out by the flower bed:


Near the end of the street, there's a covered area with several shops and restaurants. We stopped there next, and Carrie and Paul showed off their lifting muscles as Sam flew into the air:


Next we found a mini-carriage and got a few smiles from the boys:


At this point, it was almost time for the cattle run! We walked back outside to stake out a spot on the curb. Jack and Carrie watched the horses walk around as we waited for the cattle:


The cowboys noted their interest, and one came over to say hello and have the horse "smile" for the camera. I like this photo because there's a lot going on and you get an idea of what all was around. Rochelle is in the background in the middle of this photo, and you see a smiling staff member out to the side:


Carrie and Jack share a hug as they wait for the cattle:


Hooray! The cows are coming!:


Both boys watch the cattle drive while being held by Paul and Carrie:




This last photo comes after we said our goodbyes to the Greers. We stepped into Riscky's Trailboss Burgers and had an appetizer that is a new favorite--fried pickles! Delicious!:


Rasy Ran Photography

Happy Holidays!

Hello all, and sorry for my absence from the blogging world! Hopefully you guys had a nice holiday to eat, sleep, and gain a bit of momentum for those resolutions as we enter the new decade! I've been working a lot over the past few weeks, primarily on the behind-the-scenes business aspect of Rasy Ran Photography, but I also had plenty of time to relax with family and friends. The images below are just a few of the many I took over the holidays:

Here is Simba, a new addition to my family and Christmas present for my mother. He was adopted from an animal shelter in Marshall, Texas, that Rochelle's aunt Eva helps run:


I also spent some time with Rochelle's family while there. Here Annette spins her daughter Mary Allyson:


And twins Patrick and Andrew try on the new Cowboy hats that they got for Christmas:



David, my younger brother, looks a little unsure about the bow on his head as we open presents with friends:


A friend of mine, Raul, celebrates his 25th at his new apartment:


Now it's time to keep up my work! I've got some shoots coming up that I'm pretty excited about and am gearing up for my last spring at The Shorthorn newspaper; keep an eye on this blog for weekly (if not more often) updates!

Rasy Ran Photography

Courtney and Kim Roberts

Today we had a shoot with a pair of sisters who wanted to surprise their parents with some photos. We started the shoot off of Pearl street in the downtown Dallas arts district.

Here the two stand against a mural outside of the Dallas Museum of Art. Courtney, the eldest, is in the foreground, and Kim behind her:


I should mention that I wanted to try something new this post. I only picked black and white images for this blog. I hope you enjoy my choices! This next shot was taken in the DMA sculpture garden:


This picture was also taken in the garden:


I really liked this serious portrait of Courtney:


Next we walked around to the front of the building to take some fun shots on the front lawn of the museum:


The sisters were very playful, and the smiles came easily. Here is another example:


We had a lot of fun working with Courtney and Kim, and wish them, as well as all of you, a very Happy Holidays!

Rasy Ran Photography

David and Shannon's Engagement

This afternoon we had an extended engagement session in Richardson with a newly engaged couple, Shannon and David. We were blessed with 65 degree weather in mid-December; one of the plus sides of living in Texas! We started in the Galatyn Park area next to the Eisemann center.

Meet David and Shannon:


I forgot to mention, the two brought a friend! Shannon's dog, Casanova, came along for the shoot:


David and Shannon share a kiss as Shannon shows off her ring:


Next we took a lunch break at Cafe Brazil, which was nice enough to allow dogs on their beautiful patio:


Cafe Brazil is known for their variety of beverage choices. Shannon sampled an almond latte and then shared some with David:


Next we went down the street to another location. Shannon and David share a kiss:


and then pause to admire the water while Casanova sniffs around:


It's winter, but in some places Texas is still displaying beautiful fall color. This tree was a beautiful example:


The couple poses on either side of a revolving door:


and then "family portrait" time with Casanova:


The sky had some beautiful cloud patterns today, as you can see in this photo:


then, right before we left, we were inspired to try a 101 Dalmatians-esque leash wrap around:


Shannon and David were a lot of fun to work with, and we look forward to Shannon's bridal and then their wedding in July! We also loved the opportunity to work with Casanova! Dogs are fun to shoot, and we're always open to photographing the entire family!

Jingle Bell Bash

Last weekend we photographed several families in Grapevine during the DFW Center for Autism's Jingle Bell Bash. We were a part of several vendors that set up shop and contributed a percentage of our earnings to support DFWCFA's preschool program, the Texas Star Academy. Following are a few of the images I took:


Some came in for full family, others just to get individual photos of their children:








I enjoyed photographing these and many other families, and was happy to help celebrate the holiday season.

Rasy Ran Photography

Zach and Emily--Engaged!

Last night, two friends of ours got engaged! Zach arranged for all of us to be there afterward, and Emily had no idea! After standing in the doorway for a moment, she entered, wiping the tears:


Showing off the pretty ring:


laughing with friends:


a toast to the newly engaged couple:




and then on to some heavier fare:


the bride-to-be shows off her "bling":


The happy couple by the fireplace:


Congrats guys, we're so happy for you!

Rasy Ran Photography