Baby Lash

I love getting to photo belly pics of couples that I have photoed their wedding. These two hold a very special place in my heart because after their wedding, we've become great friends. They are expecting a little girl in April :)

Big Sister Courtney was also part of the session and she is a DOLL. I don't have a daughter so when I get to take photos of a girl, it's a special treat!

Congrats Liz and Tyler on your beeeautiful baby girl!

Schedule the time...

In keeping with my advice for new brides, I wanted to bring up the subject of scheduling. This is probably the one I feel most passionately about as it directly involves me and my ability to take amazing photos of all you lovely girls on your big day.

Schedule. Time. For Pictures. I speak with dozens of brides each year about their photos and scheduling of the big day. Most all of them say the pictures are the most important thing to them. (picture me doing a little happy dance). Yet, I've not come across many who build enough time into the day to get the fun and creative pictures that a church just doesn't allow for.

So...my suggestion. If you can, and if you feel comfortable...schedule the ceremony in the afternoon but don't have your reception start until a couple hours later. Example, ceremony at 3:30, reception at 6:00. Now, this probably means you need to have some type of appetizers and music playing prior to you getting there so your guests who arrive early aren't bored and hungry.

But...I can't stress this enough, it makes it difficult for us photographers, even in our fabulousness to get a million creative photos if we have only 12.43 minutes to do it.

I schedule a lot of time for the photos prior to the ceremony so that afterwards, I can spend the time with the bride/groom, their wedding party and any other important people, getting fun and creative pictures at a seperate venue. Sometimes this means outside. Sometimes this means another indoor location (which in FW there aren't many).

Anyway, my point being...if you can help it, if you're comfortable with it, if it doesn't stress you out...schedule the time for photos. Trust me, in a month, a year, ten years from now...your guests will NOT care if there is a couple hours between the ceremony and the reception. But, you WILL care that you took the time to go and get some amazing photos done of your fabulous selves on your wedding day!

If you're a bride planning a wedding, let's have some coffee and chat about your day. I have lots and LOTS of awesome ideas :)

I like to feel Him near

I sit here wanting to write, but unsure of what to say. How do I put into words the feelings I have been experiencing lately. The assuredness I felt. I have struggled with my walk with the Lord all my love: I don't feel good enough to be in His presence, I've screwed up again so He probably doesnt want to hear it, my life isn't matching up to His desires I should just quit now.

All these negative thoughts racing through my mind that I know are from the enemy. The enemy. I hate him, whoever "him" is. Maybe for you it's money, or depression, greed or gossip. At some point in my life "the enemy" has been one or all of those things to me.

It's odd to me how when things are going wrong we want to blame God, and when things start to go right we want to take credit for it. Yet in reality, it's exactly the opposite (usually).

This year, I have made a promise to my Father to spend more time with Him. Not because it's a new year's resolution, but because of any relationship I have in my life, this One should be the one I care about the most.

I was reading this morning on an amazing devotional site Simply Crave about whether or not we are ready for Christ to return. Truthfully, no...I'm not. I would be devastated if He came back right this second, as I sit in my pink robe with my hair in shambled and my mind just racing through all the crap of life. Yet, I forget, He could. And what then? What would I have to say for myself lately? "Oh I'm sorry God, it's just been one of those times ya know?" No, He doesn't. Regardless of the "times" we are having, He wants us to come to Him all the time, not just some of the time.

I always catch myself praying when things are just horrible in my life and I feel I have no other option. Why is it I've made the Lord my last resort instead of my FIRST responder?? Why is it I forget to thank Him for the astounding blessings He has given me, even though I don't deserve them?

For the last two weeks I have made a doubly conscious effort to be present with Him more often than I have in the best. We have gone back to church. We didn't stop because we didn't want to attend church, we just found other "stuff" to do on Sunday mornings. Like sleep. But that isn't an excuse. I don't want to sleep through what God has to offer me.

For the last couple of weeks I have prayed, a lot. Growing up I was so afraid to pray, I didn't know how to talk to Him. I'd start out every prayer the same...eyes closed, hands folded.. "Dear God...I don't know what to do." I'd toss up this plea to Him, to help me, and then I'd end the conversation. "Ok thanks God, catcha later" kind of thing. And yet, I never understood why I waas hitting these dead ends in my life. For some reason though, the major issues I was coming to God for, He always helped me through them, even though I was flinging these tiny little spoonfuls of praise up to Him, he was still pouring His blessings on me. For what reason, I have no idea. Other than He loves me. Just as I love Jaxson.

So for the last two weeks I have felt His presence in a way I've not felt before. I talk with Him throughout the day. Not just at night, after all the crap from the day has happened and I need someone to listen to my problems. I thank Him in the morning for the amazing day ahead. I pray on the way to Jaxson's school that He will bless Jaxson's time there. We pray at lunch...I have been having a constant conversation with Him lately. I have to tell you, to know I have the creator of the universe on the line wth me all day is pretty amazing.

At night, when I physically sit down to talk to Him though, I feel this chill/goosebumpie sensation start at my ears and wrap around my body down through my arms. The feeling you get when your friend or boyfriend/girlfriend comes up behind you and wraps their arms around you in the biggest hug you've ever felt. I picture Him kneeling down beside me, giving me this big bear hug. I can FEEL it.

And I thank Him. I thank Him for listening, for protecting, for stearing me, for blessing me and my family. Though there are struggles in my life right now that I am trying so desperately to work through, those aren't the first things that come to mind when I talk to Him. It's "thank you" I just want to say it over and over.

I aspire to be the servant who remains cloaked even when the master is gone. (Luke 12: 42-48). So often I get side tracked with making my business grow, or working on this or that, I forget. I forget that God has promised to return here. It could be at 4:45 (right now), or December 12, 2012, or long after I'm dead. But I know if He were to come right this second, I'd have a lot of explaining to do. So...my goal for myself, and my hope for you is that while we will never be perfect, that our lives will be examples of Christ, that IF He were to return right this minute, He would welcme us with open arms for doing things that are pleasing to Him and for being believers in Him. I don't mean abandoning your jobs to help the homeless, though quite commendable. I just mean our hearts being open, being ready to go where God is calling. I don't know the direction He is taking me. But at the moment I know He is the one flying the plane. Where will your journey be?

Announcement #3...but really should've been #1!

Okay, finally....I can tell you! I am so so so so excited to tell you guys the biggest news yet for 2010. Are you ready for it?

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wait for it....
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drum rollllllll please.........................
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Are you annoyed yet? ok ok....I promise, I'll tell :)
Here we go:






The past couple of weeks I have been in talks with Gill about coming on board as my full time second shooter, and she said yes! I am bursting with excitement for what this will mean for all of you lovely clients but I'm also so exicted to work with someone as talented as Gill. She is amazing. A little background on her and how we met. She's got a background in photography from college and has loved it since she was a teenager. She has a little girl who will be 3 next month and a super hot husband! How do I know he's super hot? I got to shoot their wedding in September 2008. That's how we met! Gill made an AMAZINGLY beautiful bride. Evidence to follow.

Told you she was beautiful as a bride huh?


Anyway, after their wedding was over and products delivered, Gill ran through my mind on and off as I was beginning the search for a second shooter.
I'm uber picky, and generally like to work by myself. But, she and I had a really great connection during our meetings and on her wedding day. So...we met, we talked, we agreed and finally I can spill the beans :) So...here's a few words from Gill:


1. Introduce yourself...
Hi, I'm Gill, I am a young mother and wife trying to make sense of this crazy world! I have been in love with photography since I was 15 years old, it was the first thing that I felt was "made" for me and that I could excel at. Ten years later and I am finally pursuing my dream of being "a photographer". I am shy and may seem quiet until you get to know me, and then you'll know I'm anything but! Give me a camera, an Ipod and some candy and I could entertain myself for days!


2. What inspires you?
My daughter inspires me the most. Just watching her be silly and free of any inhibitions reminds me what life is really about. She makes me strive harder to meet my goals in life and be the best person I can be.

3. What's your power color?
WELL...after Googling this, I have found my power color is Green. Which is great, since that’s my favorite color!

4. If you were stranded on an island what three things would you want to have with you?
my family, my laptop, equipped with solar power panels, and my camera (I'll need to document this stranded-ness of course)

5. If you could choose one song to be your life's theme song what would it be?
"Blackbird" by The Beatles. It's a simple but powerful song.

6. Describe your style of photography.
My style of photography is definitely on the photojournalistic side. I want to capture the little moments that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise. I want my photograph's to help tell your story.

7. If you could choose only one genre of photography to photo for the rest of your career what would it be?
I would go with weddings, because it's a mix of all my favorite genre’s put together. With a wedding you get something different every time, so it's never the same day “at work" twice. Plus there's not much more rewarding then being a part of capturing someone’s special day!

8. Favorite beverage?
All depends on what type we’re talking about J
Regular: Ice Tea (I'm trying to give up so much pop)
Adult: Margarita on the rocks with salt
Coffee: White Chocolate Mocha

9. Chocolate or vanilla?
I would take both, but I’ll go with vanilla.

10. Which is more important, fashion or comfort?
I prefer fashionably comfortable. You will rarely find me in mega high heels...but if the situation calls for it I'll sport them for a short time, (with a lot of emphasis on short). I am a laid back comfy, but cute, dresser. Flats here I come!

11. If you could photograph anyone, dead or alive...who would it be?
I would choose my Maternal Grandmother, who passed away when my Mother was young. I would love the opportunity to meet her and capture the kindness and timelessness that I always see when I look at existing photographs of her.

Gill will be accompanying me to all Collection ONE weddings but can also come as an additional service on Collections TWO and THREE. I can't wait to bring you images and news about Gill in the coming year. It's going to be FABULOUS!

J

A jug of milk and a few jars of spaghetti

Alright, I admit it, I have jumped on the band wagon of "getting in shape" for the new year. Truth be told, I wasn't the one who came up with the idea, it was my husband. Never-the-less, exercise I shall. Problem is, I literally don't have the time to go the gym anymore. Excuse? Possibly. Truth? Yes. Solution....workout at home.

We don't have a treadmill, or weights or any sort of equipment you'd find at a gym. We like to improvize. Lately we've been doing high intensity repitious things like lots of crunches, leg lunges, push-ups etc; I still don't feel like I am getting as much of a cardio workout as I could at the gym, but at least I'm not doing nothing. I feel better, that's for sure.

One thing I miss about working out at home though is lifting. I LOVE to lift. It's what drives my workouts usually. I like knowing I'm getting stronger by being able to curl more weight. But, that isn't an option here at the house. So what did I use to lift tonight? A gallon of milk :) Granted, it's far lighter than what I would usually curl, but lighter weight + higher reps = a good way to burn calories! We also used the big jugs of spaghetti sauce too because they have the handle to grip onto, which makes it a tad easier.

So, for all you peeps out there that think you don't have the time or the equipment to work out, it doesn't take much. We use our ottoman to do tricep dips, our bodyweight for other areas of exericse, exercise bands for strength training at times...in the summer we run up the hill behind our house with sandbags. It's actually quite a workout if the right things are brought into the mix.

I encourage all of my followers, brides or otherwise to get in shape. You don't have to have a gym membership or fancy equipment to be active, and you will feel soooo much better once you get up and moving. I sure do, and oddly enough the time I think I don't have to go to the gym....suddenly I am more productive during the day that I COULD go to the gym, but working out at home is so much nicer because I get to workout with Justin. (Sidenote: make sure children are cleared out of the area before doing things that involve your legs kicking...Jaxson was a casualty this evening)....nothing a popsicle couldn't fix though.

If anyone else wants to hop onboard this healthy living, I'd love to help you stay accountable (and love for YOU to keep ME accountable).

Here's to a healthy 2010!

J

Announcement #2

So announcement #2 for 2010, I redid the website. I love love love the design now, AND, my clients will be able to purchase images straight from the web instead of waiting to get a proof gallery. Yes, I'm finally in the 21st century :P

Go check it out!

J3Designz

Advice if you're planning your wedding

I decided that this year, along with posting the photos from sessions, I was going to try and also offer my advice to those brides who follow my blog and are currently planning their wedding.

I'm not an expert by any means. I don't know everything about weddings. I can only offer my opinion based on what I think looks good in photographs. As a photographer, I want the little details to take pictures of. Yes of course getting pictures of the people are important, but what about the little details that make your day stand out from another wedding. They don't have to be extravagant of course, but DETAILS ARE IMPORTANT.

So, if I could offer one piece of advice to the girls and guys planning their wedding right now, make your wedding unique to YOU. This is a quick collage I put together the other night just to show that details can really bring out the personality of the couple. I will be posting more detail shots in the coming weeks from last year's weddings. It might give you some inspiration!



Stay tuned for more advice :)

A quick session with Max + Annie

I love kids. I love how their inability to sit still for five seconds can give me some of the funniest and most adorable pictures ever. I love that I tell parents to plan for half hour to forty five minutes, but who am I kidding...I'm lucky if I get ten good minutes out of one kid, let alone two or more. So, on this particular session, thank God the mother is a dear friend of mine and I didn't feel the need to keep pushing the session when the kiddos were way over the crazy camera lady.

I've known Max since the day he was born, and his little sister was just a couple weeks old when these were taken. Yes, I'm late in posting, it's been a little nuts around here.

Their mom and I are great friends and it's always nice to have someone with a boy who can understand the craziness we mammas of boys go through at times. Hopefully someday I'll get to have a beautiful little girl just like Annie. I love these photos.

I'm going to start off by showing my three favorite pics from the session...the first is of Annie. I LOVE how big and full her eyes look and that for just a couple weeks old she is wide awake in this picture:


Big brother Max, just turned 3 in October. Lately I have been all about capturing the looks and the details. I love his eyes in this picture and how he is closely holding his blankie.


And this picture made me laugh the minute I saw it. I can just their relationship a few years from now and this is probably how it's going to be. :)
















Thanks Jenna for lettin' me photo your kiddos. Love them!

Bridal Spectacular and other ramblings

Phew! I made it through the weekend...barely. This past weekend was the Fort Wayne Bridal Spectacular at the Coliseum. Two days, a couple thousand brides, one Jess. Granted, I didn't talk to all of them, (I wish I had) but the ones I did speak with, I just felt I didn't get enough face time.

It's odd to me how I can walk into a wedding having never met the majority of the people there and not feel one ounce of jitter. But, toss me into a bridal show with other area photographers and I am a nervous mess. What will others think of me? Is my work good enough to stand up next to some of the area photographers I have admired for the last few years?

Then, just like it gets peaceful before a huge storm hits, I hear this quiet voice remind me that He gave me this talent and that He is stearing my ship and not to worry. Agh...peace.

I am not a patient person by nature, the Lord didn't bless me with that virtue for one reason or another. I wish he did a lot of the time. I see other businesses in this industry who have been around a shorter time than mine and they have exploded. What is it they have that I don't?

Again...I hear that voice. A reminder that my business QUADRUPLED in the worst economy since the Great Depression. Agh...peace again.

Why am I rambling about this you ask? Last night I had an amazing opportunity to sit and talk with some other fabulous photographers in Fort Wayne. While the majority of us "artsy" folks are laid back and go with the flow kind of people, I have had some not-so-nice experiences with others who slam shut in conversation if they find out I am a photographer.

I find this way of thinking rather silly in my opinion, I'm not out to steal someone else's ideas, and neither were any of the people I sat with last night. If anything,I feel we all become better individual photographers as a result. My new friend Anna Lynch McClary said it best last night during our conversation that at after a certain point, clients are not necessarily booking us purely on our work, they are booking us for US. Which is so true!

I have pink hair. I hope to have pink hair for a long time. But, I know, as a result, a potential client might not choose to have me photograph his/her wedding. I'm ok with that. I realize I can't be all things to all clients, and I think that realization has made me a better photographer.

Anyway, I'm not really sure where I was going with this, just some ramblings I have had going on in my head for a while now. So...to all the new friends I made last night, it was lovely. And thank you for your little piece of the world, and I was glad to share mine as well :)

Here's a picture of my booth from this weekend. It was taken with my cell phone so not the best quality, but you get the picture.

I have some new posts coming up soon too, so stay tuned.