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