Homes for $260,000

 for sale. January 2011. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

for sale. January 2011. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Last week I shot my kind of colorful home for the New York Times real estate section. I was happy that my lil pal that I met on the assignment made the cut and is featured on the NYT website twice.
Check it out.

Neon Cowboy

Neon Cowboy. January 2011. Fort Worth, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Just a memorable scene from last night's Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

from the files

4Band. El Paso, Texas. ©Allison V. Smith

Stuffed Birds. Llano, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Stop and Eat. New Mexico. © Allison V. Smith

I've been backing it all up all weekend. 

Revisiting old photos and friends.

The above photos are at least 10 years old. 

It's nice seeing them again.

the Sandman

the Sandman. January 2011. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Here is a cell phone outtake from a fun photo shoot I had yesterday with Sandman, the Rappin Cowboy. The Sandman is currently on tour and I was able to catch up with him and shoot some cool new portraits. It's been a week of creative portraits. The list includes: an architect, a quarterback turned sportscaster, a fashion icon and a rappin' cowboy. Web updates and photos to follow.

Dallas in Lights

American Way. January 2011. Photos by  Allison V. Smith


Check it out. I have a few photos in this month's issue of American Way along with Eric Celeste's  insiders look into Dallas & Fort Worth in time for the Super Bowl XLV. (at left) Fred's Texas Cafe in Fort Worth and at right Brad Oldham's Traveling Man in Dallas.

True Story

My Neighbor. January 2010. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

True Story. Last week I had one frame left on a roll in my Hasselblad. I was itching to get it processed but did not want to waste that precious last frame. I saw my neighbor, John, who I have been dying to photograph, on his porch. Shutter, Click. Next I want to photograph his band- (i'm hooked on Pastel Lights) see/hear here.

installation shots

Dan Phillips' cabin installation. January 14, 2010. Waxahachie, Texas © AllisonV.Smith

Dexter in the cabin. January 14, 2010. Waxahachie, Texas © AllisonV.Smith

 Dan Phillips'  installation. January 14, 2010. Waxahachie, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Dexter. January 14, 2010. Waxahachie, Texas © Allison V. Smith

Yesterday I photographed Dan Phillips show "Early American" at the Webb Gallery in Waxahachie. 

I was especially impressed with Phillips' haunting, lonely cabin installation and the perfectly structured furniture inside. Everything made by hand, see video here. 

Yesterday I also made a new best friend, Dexter.  It was either true love or Dexter just liked me for the treats in my pocket and my fine smelling camera bag. Either way, I fell for it.

Dan's show is up through Feb. 6th. Check it out & tell lil' D hi!

1/11/11 wishes

Double Bucks. December 2009. Fredericksburg, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

Heads up. 

It's almost time to make that wish at 11:11 on 1.11.11.

May your wishes come true.

SisterBrother+Spray Paint+Champagne+Balloons=Fun!

Brother Darren. December 2010. Dallas, Texas ©Allison V. Smith

 Spray Paint Action. December 2010. Dallas, Texas ©Allison V. Smith

 Brother Richard. December 2010. Dallas, Texas ©Allison V. Smith

SisterBrothers. December 2010. Dallas, Texas ©Allison V. Smith

This is fun. Check out the sisterbrother Happy 2011 video. Above some of my behind the scenes shots.

Frankie 45 Memorial

 Frank 45 Memorial. Club Dada. Dallas, Texas January 7, 2011 ©Allison V. Smith

 Frank 45 Memorial. Club Dada. Dallas, Texas January 7, 2011 ©Allison V. Smith

Frank 45 Memorial. Club Dada. Dallas, Texas January 7, 2011 ©Allison V. Smith

I was assigned by the Dallas Observer to be part of the team to cover the Frankie 45 Memorial at Club Dada last night.

Having had an early and immediate connection with Frankie and knowing and respecting his father Frank through Deep Ellum and the Dallas art scene, I had obvious emotional distractions. 

Doors opened at 7.The crowd wrapped around the building. 30+ motorcycles lines the outside of the front of Dada. Club Dada's back patio was completely slammed. I had not seen Deep Ellum like this since 1993.The crowd was PBR drinking and cigarette smoking. Leather jackets, tattoos and slicked back hair. The bands were there to rock.

Rock and Roll in the name of Frankie.

I can't help but believe that the Love that  filled the newly-opened Club Dada and that poured down Elm Street last night will bring Deep Ellum back.

Thanks for that, Frankie.

Look out Dallas.

Texas Christmas

 Fredericksburg, Texas. December 2010. © Allison V. Smith

 Stella. Fredericksburg, Texas. December 2010. © Allison V. Smith

I picked up a few rolls yesterday from the lab. Texas Christmas photos.
Above are a few of the standout quiet moments.

A Frankie 45 Memorial

read more here

see you there.

RIP Frankie 45

Deep Ellum Kids. January 2004. Dallas, Texas. © Allison V. Smith

 Frankie 45. July 2009. Dallas, Texas © Allison V. Smith

I am filled with sadness from yesterday's news.

Frankie Campangna died at the age of 24.

I first photographed Frankie in 2004 for the Dallas Morning News outside the Deep Ellum tunnel with his 14 year-old sister Amber. It was for a story on teenagers growing up in Deep Ellum. 

Frankie was a natural. I knew it the second we started taking photos. 

5 years later I photographed Frankie for the Dallas Observer's Music Awards issue. 

Spector 45 had been nominated for best Punk band.
I singled out Frankie and shot the above portrait of him.
I remember telling him how I loved photographing him and how he seemed surprised.

 Frankie was always sincere and sweet. He was truly a shining star. 

I feel so lucky that I had the opportunity to know him. 

RIP Frankie 45.