Houston’s Homeless – Hermann Park – Are We Solving the Issues or Hiding Them?

Those that know me know that I spend a  lot of time with the homeless community in our city, Houston, TX. The photos you see here are of the place where the majority of that time is spent; Hermann Park, Houston, TX. Some of you reading this have walked these pathways on more than on occasion. Thousands of people visit the park each and every week; families, school groups, employees from local businesses and people simply seeking a peaceful moment. The park is beautiful and the shade trees somehow keep it somewhat cool on a hot summer day.

In the two photos here, alone, I can say there are at least 15-20 homeless persons either seen or in the shadows. They are here every day and only a small portion of the actual number that reside in this park. It’s their home. They, for the most part, bother no one. Up until a couple of months ago times were getting harder on these people than usual. The police presence was growing stronger. These men and women were getting tickets for simply sitting at a picnic table reading  a bible….camping in the park. The same citations were given if you were to sit on a park bench with a backpack, the first question asked by an officer…’are you homeless?’ Men were getting citations for taking food from a trash can. Teachers with visiting school groups were being asked to stop placing childrens’ left over lunches in the receptacles so the ‘vagrants’ will stop going through them.

As this effort grew more and more prevalent, I started to communicate with the employees of the park and the local police. You see, these guys that they constantly harassed were bothering no one. On the opposite side of the park, however, near the hospitals was a different story. There are drugs. There are dealers. There is true danger in a very small area. The question was raised of; How can you spend so much time bothering those that bother no one when you have an element just steps away that truly endangers patrons of the park?

For a very short time it appeared that, maybe, things may get better. Rather than focus on what may help, however, the Conservancy began placing calls to the larger local non-profits. The question was not one of how can we help these people but how can we get rid of them.

When you look at these photos, I want you to notice the small concrete embankments and benches in the photos. At the end of many of these places is an electrical outlet. Many people in our homeless community do have phones. Some of them are free from local programs and some are paid for by odd jobs and/or panhandling. Regardless of how they get them, these phones are their connection to the outside world. It is how they stay in touch with family. It is how they communicate with friends. In many cases it is how they contact ME when they may need something.

So now the park has turned off the power to the outlets that line these pathways. Maybe, if we cut the power, the vagrants will leave…right? Maybe if we make it a little more uncomfortable then we won’t have a problem.

It is always the little things that break people. The smallest things that build up and drive people further down. This single, small item is no different.  If there is one thing I know for sure it is this; When those in our homeless community feel loved and when they have a little hope, they are happier, even in the conditions they live in. Happy people generally cause no problems. When you take away the love, however, and when you take away the hope….what do you expect to happen?

I have watched, over the past 2 to 4 weeks, this community that I visit so often go to shambles. The little things drive people mad. A community that, at one time, stuck together is now fighting amongst themselves and we have to recognize what the cause is.

When love and support is taken away from someone who is hurting then we must expect them to lash out. We must expect an alcoholic to dive deeper into his or her addiction. We must expect a person overcoming issues with anger to falter in their journey.

We must stop expecting that our local municipalities will ‘take care’ of our local poor and homeless communities. Their definition of ‘taking care’ and ours are two entirely different things. In places like our city parks, ESPECIALLY these places, WE should have a say in how they operate. They are here for us right? The only way that happens, however, is if we have a voice. We all have one but fail to use them when it really matters.

So how do we change things? How do we stop it?

We cannot and will not end homelessness. That is a fact that even Scriptures give us. We CAN, however, end how they are treated.

If you visit this park, I challenge you to stop and ask for Holly, Kevin, Eli, Norris, Larry….Just stop and talk to someone. They will tell you all of what I have said and so much more. They will probably also give you a hug and a handshake in thanks for speaking with them. If you are a visitor of this park on any occasion, why not speak up to the park conservancy or the Miller Outdoor Theater.

As much as it hurts me to say it, they are part of the problem rather than the solution but this CAN change.

I spend a lot of time in this park and much of that is spent with some of you, my clients. We have done numerous photo sessions here and will do many more with some of you who might hire me in the future. I often tell new clients when we arrive that we will most likely be approached my a few homeless gentlemen and we may stop and say hello. These are my friends. They are my family. Don't fear them. Any one of us could end up in this place with one wrong turn in our lives.

I love you all ..... Jason

Vanessa + Diego - Houston Wedding Photography

When you are a full time photographer, freelance and contract work tends to be a substantial portion of your business at times. In the case of wedding days this often means that you have never met the client prior to the day of their vows. I’m not sure how others deal with this but it is nerve racking for me in most cases. I thrive on getting to know my clients, becoming friends and everyone being comfortable well before the day of the event.

Once in a while you have a couple that makes the job easy and so much more enjoyable and these two were just that couple. From the moment of my arrival at mom’s house, everyone was at ease, everyone was smiling and I was welcomed like family. Mom even made tostadas for everyone!

Of the many weddings I have shot, this one held some firsts for me and that is always a pleasure. Today, there were TWO ceremonies! One was raised Catholic and one Protestant Christian. What better way to avoid differences than have a ceremony for both families in which everyone is comfortable…right?

At the end of the night I was blessed to sit and talk with the couple for a short moment. The discussion was of congratulations and of faith. In the end, the religion doesn’t matter, simply keep Christ at the center of your relationship…everything else will follow. This is the exact view that they have and I know that Vanessa and Diego will, not only survive any hard times, but flourish throughout their life together.

Congratulations you two! It was a pleasure and an honor to spend the day with you and your family (and your family is simply awesome!)

This is a small sample of photos from your day...Fernando will have them all to you soon! Best wishes to your future!

Love your pets - time is too short

I have read before and heard it said that the loss of a pet can be equated to the loss of a best friend or family member in terms of the grief felt by the pet owner. For the majority of my life, this this something I never really understood; but I had never had an inside pet either.

I grew up always having pets. My family had cats and dogs always. They were always outside. We fed them and took care of them but I, personally, never really had a bond with them. I remember losing them and my parents telling me they were gone but do not remember feeling any real true sense of loss.

Fast forward to around 10 years ago. When I met my wife to be she had a partner; a furry little family member by the name of Bijoux. Bijoux was Mary’s cat. What I mean by that is she really only liked Mary. She wasn’t fond of just about anyone else and especially did not like anyone of the male persuasion. So it was a big surprise to both Mary and her mom when, on the second or third day of knowing her, Bijoux was in my lap on the sofa letting me pet her. She never sat in anyone’s lap, not even Mary’s. So you can imagine their surprise.

This was the start of a beautiful little friendship. The funny thing is that I didn’t even realize how much she meant to me over the years. You just grow accustomed to them being here, to taking care of them, to protecting them and to loving them.

When Mary and I moved from Toronto to Houston it was her first trip, ever. On a plane to Houston and from the city to the country. From there to Galveston and a few months at the beach. Then on to Port Neches and an apartment, then a home. All in all she went through seven moves with us in as many years in her little adventurous life.

Exactly one year ago she abruptly went from her usual 15 lb chubby frame down to around 6 lbs and we knew something was amiss. Upon our visit to the vet we were informed that she had a hyper-thyroid condition as well as kidney disease. Since she had both, it was wise to not treat the thyroid as it could cause the kidney disease to quicken. This was the time for realization that time is going to throw in it’s ugly hand; but you block that out and don’t think about it. We changed her food, made sure she was eating and happy and she actually began gaining some weight and doing well; even more reason to block out the results from the previous vet visit.

Almost exactly one year later to the week our little Bijoux took a turn. It happened so fast that it was almost unfathomable. One day she is eating well and being her usual hardheaded self….3 days later she is gone. Her last 2 days were hard. She basically could barely walk, was weak, dehydrated and would barely eat or drink anything.

Mary and I slept in our living room the night before she passed so we could be with her (and I could be with Mary). With all of her weakness, Bijoux managed to bring herself from the other room and lay close to us sometime during the night. It was the farthest she had moved in the past 2 days and she did it to be with us. The next morning she couldn’t even get up. The time was close. I lifted her up and placed her on a blanket where Mary could be close. My love layed beside her and pet her and talked to her during her last few hours. I visited from time to time and went back to being with our son as well.

At 10:40AM I went over to the other side of Bijoux as Mary lay in front of her. Bijoux had been laying there looking straight at Mary, not even able to move much at all. I kneeled behind her and reached down to pet her. When I did she began struggling to breathe and leaned her head back and looked straight up at me as she took her last breath. It was as if she was waiting for us both to be there before she let go and at that moment, that is what she did.

I’ve witnessed death before, of animals, but not of a family member as she is. It is not possible to explain the feelings that follow a moment like this. Bijoux has been a source of comfort and solace, a best friend, to my wife for almost 18 years. Needless to say, she is devastated by our loss. I just didn’t realize how much it would hit me as well.

One thing is for sure; Our furry family members love us all unconditionally if we only take the time to realize it. And if you have any heart at all, you will not be able to help but love them in return, which is how it should be.

“A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.”

So I must say; I am in agreement that the loss of a pet can be as difficult as a family member or close friend. Friends and acquaintances do come and go throughout our lives. Our furry little family members stay with us. They love us. They depend on us and they never judge us. They are often the confidant relied upon during hard times more-so than even our closest friends. Most of all; they love us and deserve love in return.

Treat your animals well and they will return the favor. Life is too short not to.

Tis The Season - Santa is Here!

Santa Doesn't need a sleigh in Texas

Especially not in Cy-Fair where lakes are a plenty. This afternoon The jolly guy and his wife arrived at Towne Lake in Cy-Fair to greet anyone who wished to meet him. No reindeer on this trip though, the climate just doesn't agree with them. Instead, he arrived in a cush and comfortable pontoon boat!

He will be in the Towne Lake development every Sunday afternoon until Christmas and better yet; it costs nothing at all to pay a visit! You can bring your family and a camera and take your own photos without worrying about purchasing prints! Now THAT is a great idea isn't it?

Of course, remember, If you really want a professional photo taken I am almost always nearby and can meet you there and get some cherished photos of your little ones visiting Santa & Misses Claus!

Call me anytime and if not, enjoy your visit and may your holiday season be merry!

Cy-Fair Billboard

If you are driving down HWY 290 west bound, make sure you look up on your right between HWY 6 and Huffmeister! This is my first billboard and it is such an awesome feeling to see it each time I drive by, especially when my son says 'Look DaDuh! That's your picture up there!'.

I met the team from Caldwell Companies through our local Chamber of Commerce. We spoke a few times on what they might need in regards to photography. They said they had a few different people take photos of the entry to Towne Lake but none ever turned out as they wished. They were photos but nothing 'special'. There were just too many obstacles with traffic, light poles, traffic lights, etc.

I drove over and gave it a look the next day and decided on an early evening attempt at getting a shot they would enjoy.

The first shots taken had the same issues they spoke of; wide angles meant alot of items that would take away from the view.

Move closer, tighten up, reshoot.

When I got to this angle I knew immediately what I wanted to do. The sun was just nearing the horizon and was settling perfectly over where the road enters the development. I decided on an HDR exposure (multiple exposures of the same shot layered into one) so that I could bring out the glow of the sun as well as brighten up some of the shadows near the entry's features.

End result? They loved it enough to put it on a billboard, and maybe more as well. On top of that, they have commissioned me for further work within the neighborhood which I look very forward to. I am truly blessed and love my job!