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Tell us a little about what you do. You’re a food photographer?

In the last five or six years, I’ve been getting tons of food. I haven’t always been a food shooter. I’ve always been a home fashions type of shooter. We’ve been doing the Neiman Marcus holiday book, all food-oriented, since ’98. That was one of my biggest food clients. But I shoot a lot of food for Sam’s Club. We do the in-store signs for the meat and produce departments. It’s kind of cool to see that in the stores.

Are there a lot of tricks to food photography?

Fifteen years ago, yes. Today, the trend for a long time has been to make it look as real as possible. You have to have very skilled food stylists who know how food should look. They have to know how to cook and prepare it well and make it look pretty.

How did you get into shooting home fashions?

I had a mom who was very much into decorating and doing things around the house. She taught me from a very young age to hang drapes, move the furniture around, find the right artwork. She always had me involved. It wasn’t that my mom had great taste, but she always had me involved. She was also a seamstress.

Do you have any advice for young photographers?

Shoot a lot. I don’t think they shoot enough. They go to school and do the assignments. Nowadays, you have to have a passion for photography because if you don’t, you’re not going to make it. There are too many good photographers out there. You have to shoot, shoot, shoot and discover what you’re good at. Clients want someone who can bring something to the table. If you don’t have an opinion, and you don’t have a passion, they’ll never call you again.

This seems like a fun place to work.

I think we give our clients very high-quality pictures. They like to be here. It’s a drama-free environment where we come to have fun. It’s not like they’re coming to work. It’s like being at home. In Cuba, we say, ‘Love enters through the kitchen.’ It’s kind of the same way in the studio. Feed people, give them something to drink, have some good music for your soundtrack, and life is good.

I heard you have plans for a new studio in Oak Cliff. We moved here in 2004, and we went from about 2,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet. That has allowed us to attract bigger clients, but we don’t use most of this space. So we are working on buying the yellow brick house behind the Belmont, and we want to build a modern barn-style studio behind it, attached by a corridor. We are working on that.

—Rachel Stone

what gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for nonprofits

Support the arts

The Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts celebrates the 100th anniversary of Turner House this year. Become a fine arts society member and enjoy discounts and invitations to exclusive events. Individual memberships start at $35. 401 N. Rosemont, 214.946.1670, turnerhouse.org

Support women’s health

Methodist hospital and pastor Sheron Patterson are working together to provide free mammograms to women in certain Dallas zip codes. Patterson, who is a breast cancer survivor, launched her “Year of Living and Giving” campaign last month. She estimates it will cost about $200,000 to provide the free medical exams. To donate, visit drsheron. com or methodisthealthsystem.org.

Support the performing arts

The nonprofit Bishop Arts Theater Center presents a lecture from “dance divas” Silvia Lozano and Peggy Baker at 7 p.m. June 28. Baker teaches dance at schools including Juilliard and the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. Lozano founded Ballet Folclorico Nacional de Mexico Aztlan in 1966. Bishop Arts Theater Center, 215 S. Tyler, 214.948.0716, tecotheater.org, $15 right way! Sorry, we don’t currently stock unicorns.

Know of ways that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@advocatemag.com.

PET SITTING SERVICE - THE GRANNY WAY

Q: A: a) a professional daycare center or baby sitter? b) or my child’s grandmother?

In my absence, which would I prefer to provide care for my child?

The answer is easy – the child’s grandmother. The same is true for your pets. A professional kennel, or a pet sitter will provide adequate care, but The Pet Granny provides so much more ...

The Pet Granny Way is to listen and respect the rhythms of your furry family members.We are like a member of the family. We offer the following services: Vacations or daily visits, including morning, afternoon and evening times; play time, electronic journals, medication administering, overnight options, waste removal, hospice care and much more. All done with the spirit of family.

For every question there is an answer

What is “in-home” pet sitting?

Dallas pet sitting at its finest.

In home pet sitting is customized care for your pets. Why should I use an in-home pet sitter, rather than a professional kennel?

With visits from The Pet Granny, your pets are able to maintain their normal comfortable routines.

I work long hours and feel guilty about leaving my dog alone all day. Can you help?

Yes, we do five midday visits a week for our NOONER CLUB members, and members get a 45% discount on these visits.

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I am a PET PARENT; I have a dog and a cat.

PET PARENT... What is a pet parent?

The people I work with don’t just own a pet, their pets are their kids; and I understand that. So to keep pet parents involved, I use my iPhone to send pictures, videos, and texts each time I visit.