Thanks for stopping by Ivey Photography

Since 1977 Ivey Photography has been at the center of creating and preserving photographic memories for people all over Midlothian, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.  Ray Ivey founded the studio in Dallas and moved it to Midlothian in 1999.  In 2008, the studio was purchased by local photographer Chris Smith.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to create a legacy of lasting memories for our community through the eye of an artist.

Ivey Photography Manifesto

We believe in making things that last, creating an original, and building something we can be proud of.  We believe in the moment, that it may be captured, remembered, and put away for safe keeping.  We believe in the passionate pursuit of perfection, knowing that the flaws in our results are what make them perfect.  We accept our failures, so long as passion drives the process.  We believe in love, that loving each other and loving our work is primary in our pursuit of happiness.  We believe in legacy, because leaving something that lasts shapes the way people remember us.  We believe in good work, and that the work we do is an example to our children to do the same and a hallmark of our community.  We believe in home, a place where we rest and gather, and that our place is home to others, and where our work is a part of their home.  We believe in family, and that it comes in many forms.  No matter the origin, size, or shape, family is the foundation of our perspective on the world.  We believe in finding beauty in everything and everyone, and no matter where you look, there is something beautiful to see, you just need to look in the right places.  We believe in the experience, that above all, the only thing we share is our time together, where shared experiences are memories made now and later stories to be told.  We believe in imagination, where you can go anywhere, be anything, and if you try just hard enough, your dreams might become reality.  We believe in tradition, by honoring the past, sharing the present, and trusting that the future will hold a place for us with family and friends alike.  Lastly, we believe in quality, in the physical form where weight and craftmanship stand the test of time, and in matters of the heart, where time well spent is worth spending again and again.

-Ivey Photography, est. 1977

Chris Smith, M.Artist. M. Photog. Cr.

You probably own a really great camera, which you may be holding in your hand looking at our site.  As a society, we’ve produced more photographic content in the past 5 years than we did in the history of mankind.  We LOVE photography.  Heck, I take as many photos with my phone as the next person.  When it comes to capturing something important, artful, and worth printing on paper, I capture it with a camera not attached to my phone.  I am honored that you are considering a professional portrait.

I have a passion for many things, including photography.  Photography isn’t first on my list, and may not be second or third on the list of things I’m most passionate about.  I take time with family seriously, I love to fish, play golf, and dove hunt with my dad.  And I usually have a camera close by during all of those activities.  Sometimes it is my Nikon Z9, or maybe just a GoPro, but I do enjoy capturing unique images of my adventures.

Honestly, I think a lot of photographers are “passionate” about their cameras and taking pictures.  But just because they are passionate about those things doesn’t mean they are practiced at the art of photography.  I pride myself on being skilled in my craft and on learning something new every day.  Over the years I’ve been able to prove myself, not so much as an innovator, but more so as an implementer.  I see things that work well in other studios or other industries and I try to work those things into my business.  If Ivey Photography is on the cutting edge of photography and runs smoother, you get a better experience.  My goal for you is to enjoy the process and the experience, not just the images.

More About Chris

I turned 49 in June 2022 (yikes!).  I have three beautiful children of my own, Chandler, a patent attorney in Dallas, (31), Connor(15) and a heck of a guitarist, and Camryn (13), and now 3 awesome bonus boys.  On May 7, 2022 I married the most amazing woman, Brittany Epperson, and together we are raising our crazy 6, including her 3 boys DJ (14), Cooper (10), and Greyson (9).  They each challenge me to be at my best in order to provide them with a better life and a better example.  I love what I do.  But I know I do it better because of them.  Being a dad is my favorite part of my life.

A few of my favorite quotes and things to live by:
“Good things cometh to those who waiteth, if he worketh like hell while he waiteth” -Unknown
“The grass is greener where you water it” – Unknown
“You can’t beat fairway play.” – Charles Smith (my papa)

My Professional Photography Career Highlights

• Master Artist (M.Artist) awarded by the PPA January 2019
• Photographic Craftsman Photographer (Cr. Photog.) awarded by the PPA in January 2018
• Master of Photography (M.Photog.) awarded by the PPA January 2017
• Active Member of the Professional Photographers of America, Texas Professional Photographers Association
• Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition Awards
• Bronze Medal Photographer of the Year 2018, Photographic Open
• Bronze Medal Photographer of the Year 2018, Artist
• Gold Medal Photographer of the Year 2017, Photographic Open
• Silver Medal Photographer of the Year 2017, Artist
• Bronze Medal Photographer of the Year 2016, Photographic Open
• Gold Medal Photographer of the Year 2014, Photographic Open

-LexJet SWPPA Best Print Award, 2017
-Featured speaker Texas Professional Photographers Association, Summer 2017
-Texas Professional Photographers Association Distinguished Print Award, 2016
-SWPPA Best in Show Winner, 2014
-SWPPA Best Illustrative Print and Perfect score of 100 for “Permission to Buzz the Tower”, 2014
-Texas Star Award for Best Event Photography 2010, 2011, 2012

My Personal Story

-Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1995
-Earned my B.S. in Fisheries Science from Texas A&M (’95)
-Earned my M.S. in Fisheries Biology from Texas Tech (’97)
-Once caught two 10-pound largemouth bass on back-to-back casts…in a tournament!
-I’ve seen The Dave Matthews Band 29 times in concert since 1999
-My iTunes playlist includes The Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, and Pearl Jam (Yes, my formative musical years were in the 90’s)

Our studio is run by a team.  We have a staff of three, including Chris, with each of us responsible for various aspects of our business.

 

Brittany Smith – Ivey Staff Photographer, Customer Service Specialist

Brittany is also a Midlothian High School graduate.  After spending time in the corporate world as a customer service rep for Citi Bank, she decided to take matters into her own hands and become a professional photographer.  Today, you’ll find her primarily handling customer service for Ivey Photography and during busy seasons photographing school and sports portraits, weddings, and events.  And oh yeah, she is married to Chris.

Nolan Henley – Ivey Staff Photographer, Digital Artist, Self-Appointed IT Guy

Nolan is a Midlothian High School graduate.  He has been with the studio since 2014.  Prior to coming to Ivey Photography, he was the lead photographer at Home Snappers, a real estate photography company, where he photographed over 1100 homes and commercial properties.  Now, you’ll find him photographing sports teams, senior portraits, and weddings.  Nolan and his wife Kassie recently had a son together, Logan.  He will turn 1 in November 2022.