Big Announcement with Dance-N-Sound!

Wouldn't it be great to get two things checked off your "to do" list for your wedding? And, wouldn't it be even better if those things cost less together than they did seperately?? AWESOME NEWS! Check it!

Waiting for Leila

It makes me so happy when I get to witness a couple so in love and I get to document their wedding day. I bet Elyssa and Tony a couple years ago on their wedding day. They were both so amazing. I instantly felt like a part of their family (and it's huge as it is). Elyssa is one of the instances that I have stayed in touch with, and become friends with my brides after the wedding photos are taken and the warm fuzzies have disappeared.

But, about nine months ago I got an email from her saying that she and Tony were pregnant and that HE said he wanted me to do pictures of their family from now until, well....forever! Being a sap for belly pictures I said, "Well we have to do baby bump pictures OF COURSE!" With her impending due date in December we set the date, and she couldn't have looked more beautiful. Despite the discomfort of an expectant mamma, Elyssa had that glow about her that only a woman about to have her first baby could have. Her cheeks had this natural pink to them, her eyes lit up in a way that you can't quite fake, and Tony....image a little boy knowing that he was getting the best present at Christmas that he'd get to keep forever and would keep getting better each year, that's what he looked like while he was kissng Elyssa's belly and talking to little Leila as she pressed her feet up through her mamma's ribs. *sigh* I just love pregnant women.

Anyway, before I start crying as I type this, here ya go!













Isn't it amazing to know there is a little life in that belly?

~J3DZ

Getting back on track

With the end of the year approaching and wrapping up some weddings from the fall it brings me to a point of reflection over the last year. Reflection on myself and my business, where I went wrong, what I did right and how I want to see myself grow (and my business).

From a personal perspective I feel as though I have finally become the person I sought to be while going through college and dreaming of the life I wanted to have. I am confident and happy in the person I am today and feel that I can be a sounding board for those in my life who are going through many of the same struggles I face (and still face). So on a personal level I haven't come to a plateau necessarily but am definitely happy with the achievements that the Lord has allowed me to have so far.

From a business standpoint, I am very thankful that I am on this journey. I certainly don't ever want to imply otherwise. But I find myself feeling so unfilled at the moment. I know this is what I am meant to do. Every morning I wake up, well back up, I lay awake in bed at night with all these amazing ideas in my head of photographs I want to take, finished products I want to deliver, a business plan I want to pursue and it just seems like it never gets going fast enough for me.

I'm so thankful for the clients (i.e. new found friends) that I have come to know. Without all of you, living my dream profession would not be possible. It's funny when I think back about three and a half years ago because THIS was not my dream job at all, in fact this industry never even crossed my mind, and now I can't imagine my life doing anything BUT this.

Not really sure what the point of all this rambling is, in part, the economy has me thinking....the end of one year and the start of another always gets us business owners brainstormings....blah blah, and I have to give you something to read every now and then since wedding season is slowing down. No worries though I have a couple photog sessions that I did recently I'll be posting shortly :D

Anyway, long story, well...longer ;P thanks to all of you who made 2008 fabulous! If you have friends getting married, if you're having babies, you just want your pictures taken, (you get the point) you know where to find me!

Shauna+Dart

I know Shauna from the Y and am so excited to get to photograph her wedding. She is so funny and Dart compliments her so well. Can't wait for their wedding in May!

The Wilcox Family

Meet the Wilcox Fam. I have known Ryane (the mom) for a few years, we worked together while I was in college and she has the cutest kids in the world. They were a blast to photograph :D

Catching up...

So I have been a little behind in my blogging, editing, getting weddings out the door etc etc. Thankfully wedding season has slowed down quite a bit for me that I am able to dedicate some time to doing the PR work I like to do :D I've had engagements, weddings, family pics etc; so, several posts coming! Thanks for being patient.

~J

Taylor Baby Bump

It's always so fun for me to get to photograph people I have been friends with for a long time, whether it be a wedding, engagement or in this case, BABY BUMPS! I have known Jen since I was 14 and even through life getting in the way, we've managed to remain friends. She has two boys and FINALLY a girl! I am so excited. If you are having a baby, and want some photos to capture this time in your life, let me know!






Congratulations Jen!

~J

Gill & Braden Teasers!

Just a few to show off, the b&g haven't seen all their pics yet so I'll post the complete stuff here in a week or so. ENJOY!

Sometimes God grands the small stuff

Morning,

So I just wanted to send an email and tell everyone how wonderful God has been to our little munchkin. It's wonderful to read these stories of mircacles happening and all the "big" stuff God is doing in our world, but sometimes, it is hard for me to wrap
my head around that stuff when I don't hear a whole lot of the "small things" God is doing. Well, last night God stood in our house. I am sure without a doubt that He was there. Jaxson has been dealing with another bad bout of diaper rash,
and it has left him so uncomfortable, I have tried everything a mommy could do to make it better. I went to check on him last night before heading to bed myself and realized he needed a diaper change. I knew this would cause him discomfort but had to do it anyway.
He cried, and cried, I felt so terrible. So, I tried rocking him in the rocking chair. He still cried. I didn't know what else to do, so I just started praying out loud, Lord, if you're listening, I'm praying that you come and lay your gentle hand on Jaxson that he
will feel comfort and be able to sleep peacefully. THe exact moment I started praying Jaxson immediately stopped crying, layed his head on my shoulder and was asleep in seconds. I continued praying for a few minutes later and just rocked Jaxson as I did.
BUt, he fell asleep and stayed asleep the whole night. It brought tears to my eyes that in all the busy things in the world, all the demands on our Father's time that He chose to answer my prayer immediately, and answered Himself instead of through the world of others.
This has happend in one anther instance with Jaxson and it left me feeling so thankful we have such an awesome God that He can be tending to the smallest of needs and at the very same time be healing a person's body of cancer.

So...just thought I would bring a little story of the small stuff as to why the Lord is amazing.

Hope you're having a wonderful day.

Growing old

It's no secret that I am a sucker for beautiful love stories. I'm usually getting misty at the most ridiculous of sentiments especially if it has anything to do with a lifetime love. So...I was driving to the gym the other day and saw this old couple, they had to be in their late seventies or early eighties. They were walking down the side walk, he with his blue trucker looking hat and she with her scarf around her head. It was pretty cold that day but they both had this content smile on their faces, and I saw them holding hands. It was the sweestest thing I had seen in a long time. It just amazes me that after years and years of marriage that these two had this love for each other. You always read the comedy stories about the old married couples who just bicker back and forth and sit in different spots of the house, but this couple were the opposite. I never talked to them, I have never seen them again but it definitely gave me a fire in my heart to want to grow old like that with Justin. I want to be that disgustingly cute couple sitting on a park bench watching our great grand kids play in the park and still holding hands. Wouldn't it be great if every couple had the same committment that this couple did?

Two such couples are coming soon: Mr.& Mrs. Bayless and Mr. & Mrs. Bunch. It's been a crazy couple of weeks so apologizes all around for the little amount of blogging that's been happening. I'll get with it soon I promise.

~J

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Kirkpatrick

Meet Jake & Shasta. These two are an amazing match, he is hilarious, reserved, loves hockey and has amazing lips...she is beautiful, out spoken, has a fantastic smile and likes watching hockey. Together, they make a match that kept me laughing the whole day. One of things I love most about being a photographer is that it gives me such an opportunity to become friends with the people I photograph. Shasta and I actually went to high school together but if memory serves me right I don't think she and I ever talked. I wish we had though because we've missed out years of a great friendship! Anyway...their day was amazing, they both looked fantastic and I'll quit writing so you can just see for yourself. Here are some of my favorites:

The beautiful Shasta

The handsome Jake

The wedding party

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The Newlyweds!

Congratulations you two!!!

J

Save! Save! Save!

I am getting such awesome feedback from everyone about the new name & site! So....to keep the momentum going, I'm going to offer 10% off a package price from now until October 15! If you mention that you read my blog and saw this discount BAM you get to save some moolah!

Brides this could mean big savings for you! And stay tuned, coming up I'll be introducing an awesome opportunity for those of you getting married!!

~J

I'm finally finished!

Well after about a month of tweaking I have finally finished my transition from "Memories by Jess" to "J3Designz". I feel so much better, sort of like in the spring when you clean out all your junk and then you look back at your house and you're like, "ahhhh, that feels so much better". That's how I feel now. Many of you have asked me why I changed my business name, "Memories by Jess was so nice" I've heard many of my clients say. And yes, it was nice. But, the more I look ahead to the direction I want to be going, the less I feel a common name like, "Memories by..." fits me or my business. I don't want to be ordinary, and with all the different facets of this business I intend to delve into, I don't want my clients to think that all I do is photography. (Though this is my first love of course). Soooo, without further adieu I present to you....J3Designz!

The website is mainly there for your questions about packages etc; the blog of course is to keep updated with my current photog sessions. Coming soon: Mr. & Mrs. Kirkpatrick!!

Joining the real world

I thought it best to start a blog so that I can talk about all the wonderful people I have been meeting through this journey of documenting weddings and life. For those of you who know me, I like to talk (alot) so...this will give my friends, clients and prospective clients a chance to get to know me and see my work as it happens instead of months later on my website :D Stay tuned!

~Jess