Sondre Lerche. 2003. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

I've been going through old photos and came across this shot of singer Sondre Lerche outside the old Good Records in 2003. It was shot with my rusty ole' Yashica-A. He was as lovely as his music.

Food Shark. July 2007. Marfa, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Warning: This might make you hungry & smile at the same time. Watch this. Film by Adam Bork, song written by Adam Bork, sung by artist, Takako Tanabe! I shot the above photo on assignment shooting El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas for Dwell Magazine.

Fred, Daisy& Grace. January 2009. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Two of my favorite yo-phos stopped by my house a few weeks ago. The light was perfect. I had three frames left in my Hasselblad. Daisy refused to move so we just made it work.

Mariachi Pants. 2008. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Guess what I have been doing with my free time?! SuperficialSnapshots. Zine Three. Things I Like About Texas. Here is what I know so far. 44 pages . All Lomo. All Texas. Due Date: March 2009. Speaking of zines, Zine 2 was mentioned in January's issue of Photo District News in the article " 9 Ways to Stetch Your Marketing Budget." Check out page 26.

Abandoned. December 2008. Marfa, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Opening Saturday night from 6-8, Inaugural '09 at Barry Whistler Gallery. I am excited to be a part of the upcoming group show with Lawrence Lee, Kirsten Macy, Michael Miller, John Pomara, Adam Raymont (my cuz), Andrea Rosenberg, Lorraine Tady, John Wilcox, Robert "the bomb" Wilhite, Leslie Wilkes and Mark Williams. Plus, check the gallery's awesome blog for more details.

January 17, 2009. The National. Abu Dhabi. photo © Allison V. Smith

So check it out... I have a photo in today's Abu Dhabi newspaper , The National. Full Page spread in the magazine, sweet! I'll be adding it to the recently updated In-Print section of my website.

free triptych. 2008 © Guy Reynolds

My former Dallas Morning News photo editor, fellow photographer and friend, Guy Reynolds and his awesome wife, Nancy, an editor on the breaking news desk at the DMN, have vowed a no-new pledge for 2009 . This isn't their first rodeo, in 2007 they pledged to buy nothing new for a whole year. This time it's a "recession-inspired motive." Read Nancy's piece here and follow their blog here.

Science Room. Arts Magnet High School. December 2007. © Allison V. Smith

I am excited to share the news that my "Hall Pass" photos are featured in Fraction Magazine, Issue 5, the Photo Nola issue. Thanks to David Bram for reviewing by book in New Orleans last month and for choosing me for this issue. I am beaming.

Dallas, Texas 1945 ©Life Magazine /Nina Leen

Dallas, Texas. 1939 © Life Magazine/ Alfred Eisenstaedt

Dallas, Texas. 1954.© Life Magazine/ Lisa Larsen

My uncle just emailed me this link to an amazing set of photographs of Neiman Marcus shot by LIFE magazine photographers. I never knew Eistenstaedt shot fashion. Cool. Also check out these exceptionally cool female photographers Nina Leen here and Lisa Larsen here (check the dates). What an inspiring find! Read more here about LIFE magazine photos online.

Skate Party. January 11, 2008. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Frederick M. Smith. off the coast of Portland, Maine. August 1964 © Stanley Marcus

I love the story of this photograph taken by my grandfather in 1964. My grandparents were visiting my family one summer in Maine. It was a gusty day and my Dad took my grandfather on the family lobster boat from Great Diamond Island to the mainland to get some of Maine's finest lobster rolls. It's a beautiful portrait of one of my most favorite people in this world who I am lucky enough to call Dad. Happy Birthday Dad!

Arroyo Seco. December 2008. Marfa, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Broken down Blue Bug. December 2008. Marfa, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Hwy. 90 to Marfa, Texas. December 2008. © Allison V. Smith

I spent a few days in Marfa the week after Christmas . Just picked up 5 rolls from the lab. Here are a few that I am considering adding to the Marfa section on my website. It was challenging & inspiring  returning to Marfa with the notes from the reviewers at photoNola in my head. 

robert wilhite and the bomb. june 14, 2008. dallas, texas ©allison v. smith

Holy Cow! Robert Wilhite's exhibtion of the Bomb at the Barry Whistler Gallery was reveiwed in this month's Art in America , see page 118 of the Jan 09 issue. Catch Wilhite and his "Davy Crockett Bomb" in the upcoming group exhibtion at BWG opening Jan 24th. Can't wait to see you Bob.

Kitchen calendar. January 2009. © Allison V. Smith

Two things I can not start the year off without are my personal pocket journal and my oversized Pentagram designed wall calendar (seen above in my kitchen). I just ordered my calendar from former Dallas merchant, Ken Knight. Once it's hung and leveled , I'll be set for '09!

Hotel. St. Cecelia. December 2008. Austin, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Happy New Year friends! I'm back from a relaxing week on the road where I literally wore the soles off my boots in Marfa. For now, I wait patiently for my film to be processed, dutifully clean my desk , walk the dogs in this unexpectedly warm winter weather and prepare for the exciting year ahead of us. While I was gone, The Hotel St. Cecelia launched their new site with my photos. What a great assignment to end 2008.