Exciting News #1

I have been BURSTING with excitement since about a week ago! For the last couple of years, I have been admiring (and stalking) Scarlett Lillian . Not only do I admire her work, but I admire the fact that she first and foremost loves Jesus and isn't afraid to talk about it.

She and I have emailed back and forth for the last couple of years and I have prayed so many times that I'd get the chance to meet her. I don't want to meet her just because I want to pick her brain about photography stuff, but she is one of those people that you just wanna meet, you know what I mean?

Soooo, February 5th I am flying to Jacksonville, FL to spend the weekend at one of her oh-so-fabulous Workshops !

I have been so gitty lately just anticipating the wealth information I'm going to gain but also to just get to hug her. (I know, I'm an emotional sap sometimes).

When I got the news last week, it couldn't have come at a better time because I was getting so frusterated with business. I got on my knees that morning and just asked God where it was he was wanting me and J3Designz to go. Was I supposed to be switching directions? Should I hang up my camera for a while to regain perspective? I just wasn't seeing the things I had put into motion coming together. And then, as if the heavens opened up right then, no more than five minutes later I get the email in my box from Scarlett about the workshop. Doens't He just work in crazy awesome ways sometimes?

So. What does this mean for my clients current and future? Well it means that just like any true professional I want to expand my knowledge and hone in on what makes J3Designz not like the other photographers. Not in a good or bad way, just different. It means that when I come back I will be even more knowledgeable about how best to capture all the moments that you are so excited about.

There. I feel better now.I have wanted to tell you guys for the last week it's been killing me! If you want to see the blog feature about me, you can check out Scarlett's Blog . So cool to see my name on someone else's blog :)

Stay tuned for more fun and exciting announcements :)

Fort Wayne Bridal Spectacular

Another year is upon us! I am so excited for all the new things happening behind the scenes with J3Designz, and I can't wait to reveal them all but first, just a little reminder for all of you lovelies getting married soon.....

Saturday and Sunday this weekend, January 2+3 from 12-4 is the Bridal Spectacular at the Memorial Coliseum in the Expo Hall. Admission is $6.75 per person (don't forget the $5.00 to park). But, if you are wanting to find the best vendors in the wedding industry, this is your chance. You will get to sample cake, see a fashion show, and best of all...SEE MY WORK! More info on the show can be found here . Hope you can make it out!

Charity + Andrew

December 12 I had the pleasure of photoing Charity and Andrew's wedding. It makes me so happy when I get to photo people who are in love, and who are also FUNNY. These two foot the bill for sure!

Despite sleet and freezing temperatures they stuck around to see their horse drawn carriage take them away at the very end of the night, complete with a sparkler exit!

These are some of my favorites from their day!

Big things are coming!

So I am only going to be mildly annoying and keep everyone hanging in suspense as I get a few more things in order. But...just to let everybody know. I have some major MAJOR announcements coming in the next week regarding J3Designz and the direction my business is going.

I am so excited about it all I don't know if I can wait until next week! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Is it really Christmas this week? How did this happen, where has the time gone? I suppose it went to all of my fabulous clients :) I have so much to be thankful for this year and in no particular order:
1. Jesus
2. My wonderful husband Justin
3. To have the best little boy a mamma could ask for
4. I quadrupled my business in the worst economy for the last thirty years. (God is good)
5. I got to hang out with some of the coolest people I know
6. I have a house that I love
7. My family is so supportive of me
8. I have the best friends a girl could ask for
9. Jaxson loves school
10. Justin bought me new camera equipment at the beginning of the year which was amazing
11. My secret indulgence of soap operas :) Okay well it isn't a secret
12. Reconnecting with friends I had not seen in YEARS
13. MAC makeup, it can make the nastiest of days look not so nasty
14. I have two beautiful baby nieces that were born, both named Brooklyn/Brooklin
15. I have two more nieces or nephews coming next year
16. I am thankful for forgivness
17. For listening to Jaxson sing his "Jesus" songs every day.
18. For a husband that would do anything for me including building my show booths
19. For my super chic vintage desk I just finished. I feel like a big girl now :)
20. All my blog readers and clients who have made 2009 AMAZING. Can't wait to see what 2010 brings.

It still amazes me that I get to wake up every morning and do this job. FIve years ago had you asked me if I was going to be a photographer I would have thought you were nuts. I wanted to be a counselor. It's funny how the things we are meant to do don't always show up in nicely tied packages or something that we have worked our entire lives to be. Thankfully, God has given me a talent that I didn't know I had until a few years ago. The best part of this for me is knowing that my brides and grooms (families and seniors, you get the picture) are sooo happy when they see their pictures.

It is my sincerest Christmas wish that each of you have an amazing Christmas. I hope you will take the time to soak up your family and all the blessings we have in this country. While it is sad that so many are trying to take Jesus out of this season, I hope all of you will wish everyone you know a "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" even if they don't wish it back to you. For me, Christmas is about the amazing gift from God in His son, Jesus. At my house, we don't push Santa, we remember Jesus. I make a birthday cake and we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus every day, so that Jaxson will grow up knowing that him getting presents isn't exactly the point of Christmas. So, to all of you that I've been blessed to know, and those of you I've not met yet, I wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This is why I love what I do...

I pinched myself this morning as I posted these pictures on facebook. Did I really take these? Is this my work?? Yes, indeed it is, and I am so proud. I have prayed diligently over the last year that God would bring me to a place that was my own. As any new photographer, I spent hours reading other's blog posts, trying to figure out what made them pop. I am so thankful for the photographer friends of mine who have helped shape the photographer I have become.

While I don't want to sound like I am done evolving, (because who am I kidding, I won't ever be). I do know that I have "arrived" if you will, to a place that I know is distinctly mine, and mine alone.

I couldn't hardly sleep this morning, yes, it was the AM when I was finally done working. But, all I wanted to do was call up Ashley and Matt and tell them to get up and look at their pictures. If there is such a thing as a career buzz, I felt it this morning. My heart is racing even now as I write, anticipating the reaction of my beautiful couple and what all of you will think as well. Sadly, the compression of the blogger isn't going to do these photos justice I'm sure, but trust you all will get the picture.

So, without further adieu...Ashley and Matt's totally CHIC AND SASSY wedding:






















































































Ashley and Matt, I adore you guys. I am so blessed to have been a part of your fabulous day!!

J