Family history says that Dad started his dozer operating days at the 27,000-acre 74 Ranch in the very early-70s.  I remember the first bulldozer my dad owned.  In the 70’s and already 20 years old, it was a 1950’s model Cat D2… if you’re not familiar with the D’s, it’s the way Caterpillar® sizes and names their models.  Ever since then, I remember my dad has moved the earth with a dozer.

Dad raised his family with a dozer.  He’d often leave the house about the same time we caught the bus (6:30am… aah the joys of being a country kid!) and didn’t return home until after dark.  After he’d eaten dinner, he’d retreat to his shop for another couple of hours to work on his equipment.  Rarely did he sit in front of the TV.  In the winter, he’d often have a surprise in the pockets of his overalls.  He’d bring home a bunny rabbit or baby bird for us to raise.  He wouldn’t just show us the new pet… he’d make us reach blindly into his pockets and guess what it was.  Thank God he never unearthed the home of an alligator!  He always had grit under his fingernails which he’d clean with his pocket knife and always smelled of diesel and axle grease.  He came home with dirty clothes.  He worked hard every single day… weekends included.  Work. Work. Work.  He was/is a good dad!

During my childhood and through high school, our family faced many difficult obstacles and challenges… some life changing.  However, I don’t want to go into that now; that’s not what this post is about.  This post is about my Dad’s strength, tenacity and love and the consistency at which he shared these things with us.  He wavered not once.  When everything we knew suddenly changed, it was Dad who kept us grounded.  When we were packed up and moved in the middle of the night, it was Dad who showed up to take us home.  When we felt unsafe or unsure, Dad guarded us.  When things fell apart, it was him who put it all back together.  It was Dad who worked for 18 years to keep our family together despite the barriers… despite the complications.  Dad’s love was steady throughout my entire life.

As tumultuous as our life ever was, it was really Dad and his dozer that kept us grounded. (He’s added a few Ds since those early days.  Here’s Dad with one of his D7s.)  He agreed to participate in this light painting portrait when I got the idea to document his strength, tenacity and love.  I wanted the portrait of him to be dramatic and implicate strength and conviction.  I wanted this portrait to be a testament of his steadfast maturity, experiences and confidence.  I got him to sit through a total of four 30-second exposures before he’d had enough.  Ironically, we captured the best image on the first take.  Don’t ever forget to be photographed!

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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget.  As a professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling, reading, and listening to Elvis!

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