503 Photography

Who Moved My Cheese?

2009-02-19T15:33:00.003-05:00

Any of you read that book? It's a modest, little book that helps you learn how to deal with change in your life. I think I need a refresher course. There are big changes that have come to 503 this week and although they are ALL for the better I'm still sad to say bye to the things I've come to be bff's with. Like this blog. Nothing fancy, but it's become a dear friend. Now, it's being replaced by a prettier blog with fancier buttons and graphics. Don't get me wrong - I'm SO excited to debut it, but I must be honest in saying that I'll miss this place.

So, bye 503 blogspot. You've been good to me, but this business is deserving more.

LIKE THIS FANCY LITTLE PLACE I LIKE TO CALL 503'S NEW HOME FOR 'EVERYDAY THINGS'.

*make sure to update your bookmarks and RSS feeds.

503 |online| Workshops are legit.

2009-02-15T22:36:00.009-05:00

“We learn…

10% of what we read.

20% of what we hear.

30% of what we see.

50% of what we see and hear.

70% of what we discuss.

80% of what we experience.

95% of what we teach others.”

~William Glasser

This past Wednesday marked the unofficial, last day of 503's first workshop (I say unofficial because my students have a lifetime membership to my brain). I've always known that I love to teach and even more so see others learn, but this workshop has been the most rewarding thing I've done to date with this business and to be honest it's taken me - in the most refreshing sense - by surprise. It most definitely took up more time then I had planned, but it was all such a labor of love. Honestly, I enjoyed every question that came my way and every reply email that said, "ah, ha! I get it!". I don't feel like I can say thank you enough to the 21 people who signed up. All I originally had was a little ol' blog and still there were a ton of people - from California to Tennessee, Massachusetts to Florida - who trusted me to teach photography in a way that would help them truly be able to spread their wings and succeed in the art. I'd like to say that there are 21 new (or simply improved) photography birds out there.

I'm thrilled to be able to announce my new workshop website. I've worked much too long on it and then had a huge scare where I thought for a solid 8 days that it had disappeared, but then it was found and I was happy and so very relieved and now that I'm writing a giant, run-on sentence and I don't care because I will not be turning this in for a grade I think I might just write the rest of this blog post in just one sentence...

...without further adieu:

CHECK IT OUT!

And, then sign up! I know it's not until June, but still you can sign up and guarantee yourself a spot and then write it on your calendar and count down the days for the best workshop ever.

For any of you that study all things 503 you'll notice that the price has gone up, but that's for good reason. I have some major-awesome improvements that will come along with workshop #2. It's worth it. Promise.

Happy Monday!

a shared burden

2009-02-05T14:28:00.010-05:00

"Bring me your weakness, and receive My Peace. Accept yourself and your circumstances just as they are, remembering that I am sovereign over everything. Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning. Instead, let thankfulness and trust be your guides through this day; they will keep you close to Me. As you live in the radiance of my Presence, My Peace shines upon you. You will cease to notice how weak or strong you feel, because you will be focusing on Me. The best way to get through this day is step by step with Me. Continue this intimate journey, trusting that the path you are following is headed for heaven."

A friend emailed this morning with this excerpt from a devotional book she is reading. It was just what I needed to hear. "Accept yourself and your circumstances just as they are....Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning...You will cease to notice how weak or strong you feel, because you will be focusing on Me."

Thank you friends and family for the outpouring of love that has come our way. I have been overwhelmed in the best of ways by it. The emails and phone calls, comments, baked goods and cards and flowers. Our neighbor scooped up two flower arrangements that she saw sitting on our front porch to protect them from the cold (I was not at home). When Corey went to pick them up she happily asked, "Is it her birthday?!". "Ummmm.....yea.....no......not exactly. Gotta run. Thanks!"

I am sitting here on my couch right now with intentions to go to the gym, but I must write. I want to publicly thank everyone for their immense kindness. The world has a lot of pain and ugliness in it, but there is also an immense amount of goodness. Thank you for your shared tears and heart aches, for your encouragement and pursuit of us. Without you all we'd be in a dark hole, sucking our thumbs and crying out "uncle!".

Instead, we are feeling more and more like the ice is melting.

Oh...my heart truly feels like it is beating as it should because of your help. Thank you for not making us feel alone, but instead reminding us again and again and again that we are not alone and our pain is in fact not just ours, but yours, too. Thanks for helping us carry the burden. It won't be here forever, but while it is you all are making it much easier to handle.

I feel so indebted.

There are a few non-negotiables in my life when it comes to purchases...dresses - see a cute one, buy it, name brand peanut butter and mac&cheese, Glade plug-ins and flowers. I will happily work just to have flowers around. They have been such a blessing to have around our house so thank you for sending them. Not to mention they give me something else pretty to photograph which is the best type of therapy in itself.

All our love,

j&c

O' Charley's

2009-02-01T23:41:00.040-05:00

Of course I can't sleep. It's probably because I stayed in bed until 1 p.m. and then ate cookie cake for dinner. Sugar only medicates for a moment, I've discovered so I just kept eating it. Tomorrow I'm meeting my mom at the O'Charleys half way between Cincinnati and Knoxville. As of tonight, I've coined it the saddest O'Charley's in the world. The first time I met a friend there we sat in our booth for over six hours crying over our food, dessert and later coffee while discussing our rather sad lives at the moment. It involved our families. My next visit there was a good six months later. I was meeting my mom for lunch to drop off Chili for the weekend while Corey and I drove north to Buffalo to visit grandparents. I was late - first time ever - which is huge when you've been spending a solid 19 months trying to get pregnant. On my way out the door it was confirmed that I was in fact still infertile. I called my girlfriend to cry and then was given news that knocked my cry to an entirely different ballpark. At their ultrasound the day before, they couldn't find the heartbeat. I sat over my meal again at O'Charleys - same type of booth, only on the opposite side of the restaurant - and cried over my meal. Tomorrow will be no different.

This past December I wrote an update email to my closest friends and family. I titled it "update on our fight for a baby". Inside was the best update I could give on where we were to date. It started like this...

"Obviously, nothing about this process has been easy, but we are both very happy. We are in love, we have a beautiful home, jobs we love, everyone we know and love is healthy, and we are both very much aware of the intentional road God has us on. I picture the day when we'll be sitting in a stale hospital room, painted in colors of white, sea foam green and pale peach and holding a baby we've fought very hard for."

I went on to explain where we were in the infertility process and also my shock when picking up my new round of meds from Kroger.

The photo was attached really to provide a bit of comic relief. It's all very serious, I'm not in denial of that, but the site of this pile of medicine (I failed to include another box of medicine that was picked up from another trip to the pharmacy, left upstairs) is humorous. There's just no way around it. Well, unless you see it as a way to conjure up a bit of pity from everyone around, but I am not that way. I ended the email with this...

p.s. I was telling my friend, Cyndi, over brunch this week that I just realized I have totally been going through the stages of grieving the past 18 months (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) and finally I have come to this sweet place of acceptance. It's really quite liberating. So, I wanted to tell you all that because although this isn't easy and although we have hard days, we're both in a good place. Honestly.

I spent Christmas giving myself shot after shot and visiting my doctor for routine ultrasound updates (once on Christmas Eve, once the day after Christmas). Roughly two weeks later I got the typical, ugly pregnancy test that only shows one pink line (I quit buying those digital read out ones because screaming "NOT PREGNANT" at someone is just quite rude). Corey and I sat over burgers and beer that night and cried (well, I did) and yelled with our faces out of sheer frustration. We finally left, with two, quite full to-go boxes (neither of us were very hungry) and decided that we needed a break. We were just wiped. Exhausted. Stretched. Exasperated. Hurt. Sad. And, so very frustrated. We decided on a two-month break. I took a sigh of relief. I needed a break so very much - not from the fight for a baby, no I'm not giving up easy, just the hormones.

Six days later, it was a Saturday at 1 a.m. and I was in the shower so as to save on hot water for the next morning. Our friends were in town (remember this post?). I thought of the fact that although I felt as if it was coming at any minute, I hadn't started. I told Corey. He asked me why I was telling him that and I told him I wasn't sure. I'm sure it's coming, but I just would have thought it would have paid me a lovely visit by now. We decided I take a pregnancy test so as to not lose sleep, it wasn't worth it. So, I did.

I considered putting the picture here that I took so that we never forgot what our first positive pregnancy test looked like. But, upon opening it I almost threw up so I'll leave it to your imagination. You know what it looks like. one line=still infertile, two lines=life and celebration and sweet relief and shock and tears...oh, the tears - they were like no other...and new plans and family photos and vacations and holidays with a newborn and so, so, SO much more.

We have spent the past two weeks celebrating with a very chosen few which of course included both of our families. The joy and relief that this road was finally changing courses was like nothing I've ever experienced. Although I did immediately sign up at Babycenter.com and pull out my lists of names I liked and thought of what it would be like if I were pregnant with twins (a strong possibility when o.d.'ing on fertility meds), I did not dream of the baby room (too much) or start moving furniture or posting anything on a billboard. I know that these things don't always pan out and I wanted to be careful. "You're just guarding your heart," my girlfriend said. So much so that I really didn't know what to do with this newfound joy. I emailed another girlfriend and explained how I was feeling by telling her that it's as if I've grown so accustomed to the "darkness" - not knowing really where we're heading or if the steps we're taking are even in the right direction - that this light God has shed on us is rather blinding and overwhelming. I don't know this portion of my life with light, only darkness. It's what I'm used to. Comfortable with, you might say. The light was new and I wasn't sure what to do with it. So, I tried to warm up to it by thinking of our lives come September. I dreamt of delivering on my birthday and thought about us sitting in that stale hospital room, painted in colors of white, sea foam green and pale peach, holding the baby we had fought so very hard for. I thanked God for finally answering the millions of hours of prayers that had gone up and I was happy.

At this moment, the very moment I'm writing this, I cannot imagine allowing myself to dream of the future. I am the ultimate optimist, but this world has officially crumbled in on us and I can't even fathom viewing it with hope. I miscarried this past weekend. I was only six weeks along, but it was still much too long pregnant. The light, although overwhelming, shed the type of warmth we've needed for so long.

After our ultrasound Saturday confirming the loss of life, I was rejoined with my friend, Sadness, and I felt comfortable again. I'm not saying he's my favorite friend, but he surely knows me the best right now. My chest is so heavy - the type of heaviness where you breathe and feel immediately after like you haven't breathed in an hour. It's hard to hurt alone, much less to see the ones you love the most hurt just as much. I'm overwhelmed with the darkness. The light should not have teased us. It feels cruel and thoughtless and like a giant prank that will never leave us the same. We will never be the same.

I was reminded again this weekend the beauty of sadness. (I'm not being an optimist now. I have no desire to shed any positivity on what we've just went through. Maybe one day (doubt it), but not now.) It has a way of making us notice the details. I noticed the way my husband's lips look when he's heartbroken, the way he touches me when he longs to take away the pain, the way my Dad's voice sounds when he's crying, but trying to hide it, the way the pages feel to the book I'm reading, the couple standing in line in front of us - her wedding ring, his eyes, the way I feel about my business and writing and music and friends and family and even strangers, the way the bed feels warm when we're in it together, the way that when Sadness has taken over you can stare into each other's eyes without feeling the least bit of awkwardness, the way the ice looks when it's enveloped all the tree's branches. Yes, I decided to go outside. It was refreshing. Our dog ran in circles with sheer excitement of our presence. Corey chased her around while I took blurry, out of focus pictures of them playing. Then, I stayed outside a bit longer by myself in a trance by the beauty created by cold weather and precipitation. You see my newfound joy had left me content at spending the winter inside. Sadness returned and invited me out. I wasn't happy about it, but I felt at peace breathing in the crisp air.

I have decided to blow this photo up to a large, gallery wrap canvas for our stairwell leading to our bedroom. I've been trying to decide what to put there and I think it's the most accurate picture for where we are right now. A bud prepared to bloom, just wrapped in ice for the moment. But, the Spring will come, it knows, and when it does it will bloom bright and big and exclaim to the world that even through the dark winter it made it and is all the better for it.

Yes, Spring will come...

Whew

2009-01-29T21:55:00.006-05:00

We made it through the worst part of this storm that has hit the Midwest with a vengeance. There's still 8+ inches of snow and ice resting all over the city, but we made it through 3 rough days of winter weather all without losing our power, thank you very much. The other night I was sitting here alone, Corey working the night shift, when our lights flickered. I almost started to cry. You see I am TERRIFIED of the dark and a dark+cold-husband night=saddest and SCARIEST night ever. Luckily, it was only a flicker and I was able to go to bed clothed in my pj's, soft socks, 3 blankets and heating pad for some extra warmth.

My girlfriend emailed me the other day and said she wished she had some photography skills (she should take my workshop) so that she could photograph some of this winter wonder. She suggested I go out and document some of the giant icicles hanging off the trees. Although it sounded like a good idea, it only took me remembering that I would have to actually go outside in order to do that so icicles are one thing that will not be documented by me this winter. I will though take pictures of our nice fire burning right now. Will that work?

Until the sun decides to return from it's hiatus the area around our house looks like a winter wonderland...or winter war zone, take your pick. Our six, tall trees that block our backyard from busy Beechmont (only five houses away) are so heavy with snow and ice they are taking a nice winter nap on our back deck. Not sure if they'll ever wake up again. And, our little tree that sits right in our front yard...it looks like it's using all it's branches to bow down to the snow below. I think one more minute of snow might break all it's poor branches. Come on, little guy, you can make it! Just because big brother split down the middle this past summer when hurricane Ike came through does not mean you have to join him!

My car had some work done this past weekend and because of the weather it has been sitting at the service center all week. This means that minus our short trip to Blockbuster yesterday I have been sitting at home for five solid days. I told you. I wish I were a bear. It's really no different that my car hasn't been here anyway. Yesterday morning the news interrupted Ellen saying they have declared a stage 3 snow storm and anyone out on the road can legally be arrested. "Ma'am, I see on your record that you've been arrested before." "Yes, sir" "Might I ask why?" "I drove in the snow." "Well, ma'am, you know there's no possible way we can hire you for the job. You're going to have to find another orphanage that will hire ex-convicts."

But, now I finally have my car back and tomorrow I have big plans for myself: bank, Kinkos, post office, gym (maybe), take a nap. You try driving and walking everywhere on an ice rink. It's no small task. These are the days that leave this Southern girl yelling inside, "STOP THE MADNESS!", but Ohio is where we're at these days and minus the winter war zones that pass through every once in awhile we like it.

For now, I'm going to sit here with my electric heat, hot tea, blanket and sweatshirt and watch Oprah and then The Office all the while finishing this giant bag of conversation hearts (white...done, orange...done, on to yellow then green which will leave Corey yelling at me because I only left him pink and purple which he thinks tastes like soap).

Here's to Spring which I KNOW is sure to be here before we know it. Right?

(me, tomorrow. maybe I'll stay home after all...)

Meercats

2009-01-18T22:59:00.007-05:00

Seth & Kate - they're some of our dearest friends in the whole world. Although Seth is an incredibly smart and business savvy person his grammar is the type that'd make an English teacher cry themself to sleep every night. Although he tries his hardest he's famous for misspelling words such as lose by typing loose...or website for websight...or mirror for meer. Yes, meer. Which is why I'm writing tonight.

Roughly a year ago we were with Seth & Kate at another couple's house in Knoxville playing a little poker. Curtis (hubby #3) suddenly remembered a letter he had stumbled upon and since Corey, Seth & Curtis were inseparable in high school he knew we'd all get a kick out of reading it. Curtis had gone to a Young Life camp for a month one summer and since Seth and Corey missed their BFF so much they decided to write him a letter. Now, I won't go into why mirror was used in the letter since upon reading the letter it was one of the few (very few) times I've seen Seth actually blush. Nonetheless, I was the one reading it and when I got to "meer" only to realize that what he meant to write was "mirror" I suddenly stopped and started doing the painful laugh. You know what I mean...the type of laugh that makes your cheeks ache...the type of laugh that is from the depths of your soul...the type of laugh that is silent, but makes you cry. These types of laughs are always most memorable.

When I finally caught my breath I looked up at Seth and excitedly asked, "meer?!?! Like a meercat?!?!" "What's a meercat?", he asked. And, so a new animal was discovered for ol' Sethie that night. We learn something everyday.

A few days later I was writing Katie an email and instead of signing 'Mercer' (which is my maiden name and what they all call me since I also went to high school with these crazy boys) I signed it MeERCatER. And, thus the nickname was born. Seth and Kate both for the past year have officially coined my new name as Meercater.

So, of course you can imagine the excitement they had when giving me my Christmas present when visiting this weekend...

That's right. Meercat slippers. Next to my UGGs these are my new favorite shoes for the winter. So soft and fluffy and well...stylish if I might say so myself.

Thanks, S&K for being our BFFs. You're the yin to our yang.

xoxo,

M'cater

(Seth & Kate ... proof at just how exciting of hosts we are! ;)

If I were an animal...

2009-01-15T20:24:00.002-05:00

I'd be a bear.

So I could hibernate all winter and wake when it's warm outside. Right now the temperature says 'feels like -7'. You'll be proud to know that Corey and I still got out and made it to the gym. Yes, we only did cardio for 30 minutes before spending an hour in the grocery store, but don't judge. We're doing what we can. I literally did cardio in my fleece vest because I was so cold I was for certain I had frostbite.

So, anyway...I'm just checking in with all my faithful blog readers. We realized today that Corey has the next 8 out of 11 weekends off which means that we are actually going to feel a bit normal the next 2 months. It's times like this ... when he's home more ... that I realize just how difficult this whole medical path is.

I've been spending all my time with him (he's always going to take precedence over everything else) and then the rest doing this workshop (which has been SUCH fun!), continuing to write the lessons (no, I do not have them all written 8oP), working like a mad woman on my 3 new websites (family, wedding and workshop) AND getting my new blog up and running. I'm hoping to have it all launched by mid-February. :) The workshop will be ending around the same time which means I'll then be bored and so I'll have to start counting down the days until Spring.... long sigh ...

Until then I'm enjoying this nice winter break (just not the winter cold ... brrrr!).

xoxo,

Winter Days [in the Cudzilo household]

2009-01-08T20:04:00.012-05:00

I worked on my new website and finalized the details of my newly designed blog (to make its debut in February).

He slept.

I had a photo shoot.... with Chili.

He woke up mid-day after working the night shift and settled in to our comfy chair and a half to catch up on the weeks of missed football.

I IM'ed with my sister.

He asked me to put my computer away.

I watched nervously as the Vols went from being up by 15 points to losing in overtime. I bit all my nails off.

He yelled at the TV, spatting out dozens of questions as if the players, coach and refs were actually going to answer.

I retired to bed early so that I could read.

He came in a bit later and read the new Time from cover to cover.

I asked him what sleep apnea was.

He explained.

I told him he had it.

He denied it.

I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heart beat as he drifted off to sleep. I yelled him awake explaining to him that his breathing was much too labored and I was for certain he was stricken with sleep apnea.

He got mad at me because I frightened him.

We laughed.

I woke up this morning just in time for coffee with a friend.

He stayed smart and decided to enjoy his wintry day off in a cozy, warm home.

We looked at each other and simultaneously felt guilty.

We took Chili for a walk.

We talked to some of our best friends who were also spending the day at home on speaker phone.

He told a joke.

We all laughed.

He suggested we go to the gym.

I suggested we not.

He suggested we go to the gym quickly so that we could be done with it.

I surrendered.

I trudged along on the elliptical machine and thought about food.

We ran to Best Buy so that I could drop another $100 on business stuff (does running every business cost so much?!).

I spotted a Sonic.

We ordered two lemon-berry slushes.

I smelled burger.

He pulled around to the window.

I demanded we add on a burger.

We split the most delicious burger I've ever had.

I watched TV.

He did the laundry AND made dinner (he insisted!).

I told him that I felt weird just sitting there and that I'm not sure if I'd had so much house help in the time we've been in Cinci.

He laughed and then called me a liar.

We ate a delicious dinner.

He cleaned (he insisted!).

I wrote a post on my blog.

He felt good about himself.

I felt loved.

*****************************************

And, we're off!

2009-01-07T13:08:00.006-05:00

My workshop finally started today! It was exactly what I was expecting...totally anti-climactic simply attaching the lesson & pressing send. Nonetheless, the very first lesson for the very first 503 |online| workshop is sitting in the inbox of 21 lovers of photography. I am thrilled to know that in only 6 short weeks there will be close to 2-dozen more people who truly get (or at least are well on their way) the art and fun a camera (that you know how to use) can bring. I have always known this about myself, but learned even more so recently that I LOVE teaching. I get such a kick out of seeing others love something as much as me and have a desire to learn. So, learning we're doing....and a TON of it. I just hope my mass amounts of information doesn't make any of my new students run the opposite direction! :-/

Depending on the interest level of others who didn't get in the first round, I will be able to know how soon I should host another. If you are in fact interested, send me an email and let me know! [jessica@503photography.com] Thanks so much!

(this picture is the slightest bit blurry simply because I was laughing so hard when snapping the picture. nonetheless, it's so dang hilarious! I think it deserves a pretty frame. :)

Happy Brand Spankin' New Year!

2009-01-01T23:54:00.005-05:00

Two Thousand and Nine. It's the first day of the first month of a brand new year. Looking forward to what this year has in store...

wet nose kiss from Chili...

...and cousin Huey, too - in for a visit who literally right after taking this picture bit my lens.

Christmas '08

2008-12-30T01:05:00.012-05:00

At this moment I am thankful for electricity and temperature controlled housing, soft socks, DVR, sweat shirts and for cameras and apple pies...

And cranberry & apple dishes loaded down with sugar.

And puppy chow. Thank God for whoever came up with this masterpiece of a recipe. This is the type of food that'll make you happy your butt's growing bigger.

Chili waiting on her main man to come home...

Showing off his new Christmas gift...

Some of our resident family joined us for a delicious dinner.

Time for bed.

Christmas morning:

Feelin' sassy in his new coat:

Anything for me!?

And, of course, thankful for Skype.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful, restful and fun holiday! Even though our Christmas looked a bit different this year, it was all that and more.

Dear Chili,

2008-12-21T22:03:00.004-05:00

I hope one day someone teaches you how to use the phone or computer so that you can write a letter to the president or someone else equally as important and explain to them what amazing parents you have. Surely, for all the things we have done for your freakish, terrified of everything, and might I add BOSSY butt we should get a little something out of it. Maybe a trip to the Bahamas, a debut on Oprah or ... I don't know...a million dollars?! Next time you decide you need to go outside make sure you don't do it during a time when the winds howling, the siding knocking and the wind chimes banging. If I had known you were going to get so scared you'd hide under a tree long enough to get ice crystals hanging off your ears I'd have taught you how to use a human toilet! And, please when I do decide that I'm so worried I finally dredge across the back deck, down the stairs and onto the ice and snow accumulating in the back yard (in my SOCKS no less!!), don't make me come all the way into the trees to pull your scared, chattering teeth, shaking butt out!

I'm still not sure my toes are ever going to look the same.

Love (but only a little bit right now),

Your forever sacrificing dog-mom

Cincinnati 6°
Mostly Cloudy
High: 16°	Low: 5°
Feels Like:	-14°
Barometer:	30.28 in.
Humidity:	60%
Visibility:	9 Miles
Dewpoint:	-5°
Wind:	W 19 mph

I LOVE this commercial

2008-12-21T20:25:00.002-05:00

In the DVR world we live in today I rarely see commercials anymore, but this is one I always press play for. I LOVE it!

(*you might have to press pause on the blog music by scrolling to the very bottom of the page)

thoughtfulness

2008-12-20T15:45:00.016-05:00

Last weekend Corey had Saturday off which is a huge deal to us since that only happens once or less a month. We found ourselves out with the crowds, running errands. This Christmas has felt so different than most. It's the first one my sister is not coming home and the first one we're not going home either. It's also the first Christmas we'll be spending in our own home...our "still-feels-new" home in Cincinnati. So, getting out with the Christmas crowds felt familiar and somewhat comforting. I know Christmas has become tainted as the years have passed with people seeing it as only a time to be stressed, a time where they have to buy something for everyone and often times with money they don't really have. Now, in this day and age many of us just think of something to get, order it online and check it off our to-do list. I realized though walking around the Gap wondering what sweater would look best on her (can't say who!) that Christmas is the only time during the year that all of our focus is solely on other people. On a normal day I would have been romping around Gap thinking about what might look good on me, not someone else. And, so just walking around, browsing through different stores I noticed the same thing in everyone else. They were all out browsing for gifts for everyone else, but themselves. Such a small thing, but I found myself grateful for this time of year.

Then this morning I noticed a package sitting on our table on the front porch. My name was handwritten on it which led me to believe that just maybe there was a gift inside. You see I have always thought it a bit weird when people have obsessions with things...like roosters, dolls, ladybugs, whatever it might be...and then collect them, but I too have fallen into this category. With birds. I can't help myself. I'm not exactly sure what it is about them, but I find this simple beauty in just about anything that has a bird on it. So, of course my house has them everywhere. I'm trying not to become "that girl", but I think I'm quickly getting there. So, all that to say, there are a few friends who have picked up on this and picked me up some incredibly thoughtful gifts over the past few years. I cherish each of them and will always cherish the gifts I unpacked from my front porch this morning. I cannot even tell you, oh internet blog, just how much I am in LOVE with my new additions!

A few other bird goodies decorating my house...

Merry Merry Christmas everyone!

xoxo,

Jessica

And, the award goes to...

2008-12-19T15:03:00.003-05:00

...these crazies for having the most FABULOUS Christmas Card of the year!

Siblings=SuperFun

2008-12-16T21:29:00.004-05:00

This shoot rocked my face off. Four, rockin' siblings decided to do a photo shoot as a Christmas gift to their mom (who is going to FaaaLIP). I seriously dare you to try to look at these photos and not smile.

boring update.

2008-12-14T18:50:00.005-05:00

(Although I do not feel like crying right now, I am obsessed with this new song I've found. Isn't it fabulous?! It makes me want to cry... ;)

Holy cow. It's December 14th!!! And, here's how I'm feeling: 8oP (turn computer sideways if you don't get it).

I started off the month with a minor surgery to try and get a closer hand look at why I'm not pregnant. All came out well which was encouraging in ways, discouraging in others.

Two days later I found myself swerving to not hit an ADORABLE puppy running around on a four-lane INTERSTATE! So, I did what any human being with a heart would have done and I pulled right over and started running around the interstate looking like a fool...skirt flying up in the wind as the semi's drove by...and finally got the dog safely to my car. Now what? I was already late meeting my girlfriend in Nashville. Thirty minutes later, adorable pup was dropped off safely at the nearest humane society and I was on my way to the famous Opryland Hotel...woo, hoo. I'll save sharing my experience as Emily has already documented it oh, so well {here}.

Right before I left for Nashville an email popped up letting me know I had a comment to moderate on my blog. My mom was sitting with me so she can attest to this...as soon as I realized who it was I literally blushed. One of my all time favorite photographers (talk about being inspired!) in this country had left me a comment! When you follow someone's life through their blog and you don't know them it's no different than watching Lauren Conrad grow up on The Hills. So, when she left me a comment I felt all ... like discovered or something. Anyhoo...Thursday night when I returned from our geriatric weekend I emailed Deb to say hi and thank you and lots of other blah, blah, blahs. Upon searching for her email I discovered she was based in San Diego (which I had not previously known) and so in the email I mentioned I was heading there on Saturday. She quickly emailed me back and suggested we grab lunch. What a treat that was. We sat and chatted for 2 1/2 hours as if we'd known each other forever. What a blessing it was to me to sit in front of someone whose work I admire so much and be guided and challenged and inspired. I am so freakin' happy I met her. She's amazing.

Also, while I was in San Diego I was able to spend 3 solid days with my Jessica counterpart. A best friend of mine who went to high school and college with me, but now lives in Phoenix flew in to spend a few days rompin' around the city. Oh, how I so wish I could be uploading dozens of pictures documenting our time together, but honestly it was the type of trip that stopping to take pictures just wouldn't have fit. We were enjoying every moment together and I didn't want to be distracted.

On my 5th day there I found myself in a room surrounded by 16 other photographers and the one & only Nate+Jaclyn Kaiser. Holy cow. I .... .... .... am still so overwhelmed by my time with them I honestly can't think of what to say. All I know is that I'm happy to be doing something I love and they gave me the extra push and shove I needed to be who I am in this business - not to be who I think I should be or who others are, but to be truly who I am. All I know is that my business in 2009 is going to look different and it's for the better for everyone.

So, here I am. Sitting in my living room needing to wrap, finish decorating the tree, pay bills, order gifts, return emails, write letters, box up packages to be sent, edit photos and continue working on my workshop starting in only weeks! Eeek! See...this is why I'm all 8oP

Merry Christmas!

xoxo,

Jessica

p.s. adorable puppy was picked up by his worrisome owners the following day.

| out of town |

2008-12-05T16:39:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be in San Diego visiting friends and getting Shoot Shopped Saturday-Thursday. I will be checking and returning emails as much as possible, but will most likely be limited to when/where I'll be able to have internet access. If any clients - potential or current - need to get ahold of me, please please please feel free to call anytime - 513.720.9503.

bear with me...

2008-12-04T22:42:00.023-05:00

When I make posts such as this one I've just got to ramble for a bit. It's therapeutic and for whatever reason writing truly helps me process...

Back in 2002, I sat in my future husband's family kitchen surrounded by his parents and four younger brothers. We were eating soup and it was the slightest bit awkwardly quiet. It was the first time I had been over to their house as the new girlfriend. Finally, my future father-in-law looked up from his soup and said, "Look boys! It's a girl!" And, so the awkwardness of it all was slightly relieved. Outside of that funny moment the other thing that sticks out at me about that time is that I remember distinctly looking around at a table of four younger brothers that all in some way or another reminded me of the man I had fallen in love with. And, so with them I fell in love, too.

This past spring the next one down, Zach, got engaged and married the kind of girl that you fall in love with upon meeting. I stood at their rehearsal dinner and tried my hardest to say how much I loved Corey's oldest, youngest brother and how happy I was that he was marrying such a rockstar...all without crying. Of course, I did what happens to all of us when we fight tears. I did the ugly cry.

I'm not even looking forward to doing the same thing this spring. Next May, Corey's next brother, Ben, is getting married. Ben, to me, reminds me the most of Corey. That's probably why we argue like we do. ;) But, also we laugh alot. We enjoy having deep, rich, drawn out conversations...all over text messages. Just tonight I explained to him that I should probably not text anymore since I was on the interstate driving and driving+texting=stupid. I finished the text with TTFN. He quickly texted back TTYN. For any of you other losers (I am NOT one of them...I just happen to know everything) that is what Paris says to the people after she dismisses them from her BFF show. TTYN=talk to you never which=funny.

So, Ben... he's all mush-ily in love. I was a bit hesitant to jump on board with it all, but I have now fully surrendered to the fact that she is a wonderful fit. It just took me getting over my unasked-for-protectiveness-of-my-little-bro-in-law, Benny. You'll understand, I hope...it just took me by surprise.

I was piled in the car with all four of my brother-in-laws heading to meet Corey for lunch in between his two medical school graduations. Both mine and Corey's parents were in a car tagging along behind us. Ben got a call and I knew from his first few words that he must be talking to that new girl he just started dating. I was already a bit surprised by that since I was always wanting Ben to date any girl-friend he had that I thought was cute. He had stated numerous times that he was not in any mood to have a girlfriend and was frankly quite happy being single. So, when Brittany came around I was surprised by his sudden change of emotions. As he got ready to get off the phone he said three words that literally made me gasp for air, look around at the other bros to confirm they had the same reaction I was having (which they were not!) and then finally catch my breath before asking very matter of factly, "What? You love what?" Ben was quick to remind me that Corey and I dated only two weeks before getting engaged. "Whatever. That was completely different." As best friends attached at the hip, we had practically been dating for five years. The only thing missing was us deciding to quit denying it. This girl. She was all brand new and stuff. This was totally different.

I went on a rant asking him a million questions - How do you know you love her?, do you tell every girl you date you love her?, if you've only been dating for like two days just how long did you wait until you said 'i love you'?, do you know just how big those three words are?, those words are not to just be told to anyone!, and are you even old enough to say 'i love you'!?!?!?!?!?

And, so here we are. Sure enough this girl he had met made him feel different then he had ever felt before. And, so he knew. He loved her and it was going to take a lot more than a freakish, ranting sister-in-law to change that. It was if they were two souls who have been waiting their entire lives to meet each other. And, so when they did...they knew. There's just some things you can't deny.

You know those cheesy, wonderful, romance movies that you love, but make you want to scream to all the single girls that that's not really how love works? Well, for Ben and Brittany (who we endearingly refer to as Baber) it is. They met. They kissed. They're getting married.

Lucky for me I was the one who got to venture out and spend a few hours laughing hysterically and documenting their you-guys-are-so-cute-it's-disgusting engagement session.

Oh, and dang. Their engagement is an entire hilarious blog post in itself. I'll save that for a rainy day.

love this picture b/c that is the exact face Corey makes.

Love this series...

Congratulations, MindFreak/Miley/Luda/Ben&Baber. I love you both very much. I look forward to the life we're going spend together growing old. I just hope if you ever babysit any of our kids, Ben, you don't expect us to pay you.

My Scrub Bub

2008-11-30T22:45:00.007-05:00

sneaking in on him packing his lunch....

...to find him taking after his mother...saving on ziploc bags (that's popcorn bagged with his nilla wafers)

although he hates the camera he's being friendly (minus the knife he's threatening me with)

now the explaining starts...Corey telling me why I should put the camera away immediately...

due to my laughing, my focus is a bit off... ;)

...but, of course he can't ever really be mad at me.

i love you, scrubbub bernie babe. mwah!!

Thankful

2008-11-29T13:12:00.012-05:00

This was the first holiday in our six years together that Corey and I have had to spend a holiday apart. I insisted that I stay in Cincinnati, but Corey was wise enough to know that that would not be a good idea. He was scheduled to work up to 50 hours in one holiday weekend. So, Thursday morning I left heading to Knoxville, happy to have a home full of people I love waiting, but sad it'd be without the person I love the most.

My mom called me as soon as I was getting on the interstate and over the next 30 minutes with the distraction of us catching up over the week I realized with the jerk of the car that I was running out of gas. I was in a panic. It was Thanksgiving. The next exit was well over a mile away which is not far for a car, but terribly far for a girl walking in jeans and Danskos. Since I had topped a hill I realized after coasting in the shoulder for a bit that the car had just enough gas to get me another mile to the next exit. And, here's where I met him. The man who made the entire incidence worth it.

I walked into the Shell and asked them if they had a gas can. The woman working there explained that they did not have any I could borrow, but instead could buy one...a cheap, plastic, gallon gas can for only $11.99. I was so stunned at the price I just stood there and stared at the little white sticker. Are we for sure it's not supposed to say $1.99??!!? Although there were very few people out that day, there was a man in the gas station who came around the corner and said to me, "Ma'am, do you need a gas can?" "Yes, I do", I stated. "Well, I've got one for you." I explained to him that my car was just right there sitting on the exit ramp - if I could just borrow it for a few moments I would be so grateful. But, instead he just kept saying, "No, no...it's for you. It's for you." So, we walked outside and there in the bed of his simple truck was absolutely nothing, but a gas can....filled with gas. He handed it over and got into his truck to drive away. I was so stunned by this simple act of kindness that I just stood there for a second trying to make my brain make sense of it all.

After I got back onto the interstate I realized just how marvelous that little occurrence was. I felt an overwhelmingness of divine intervention.

And, so I drove with a little bit of a lighter heart...a gratefulness for it all...

And, so it was...a good Thanksgiving day. It was definitely still hard looking around only to remember that my husband was not there, but it was nice looking around and seeing nothing but family that I love.

{excuse my photos. they are incredibly unsystematc as I only picked up my camera on random incidences.}

Why I love the holidays...everybody just relaxing and doing their own thing...

...except for Petie who's on the lookout for that new dog that just joined the family...

Isaac (the "baby" of the family at age 15)

pausing for a quick text. ;)

...the new addition: Huey Cudzilo

Double shot. My mother-in-law who happens to hate cameras as much as her son (my husband).

My father-in-law who first got me started in photography ... and Zach (the 2nd brother)

Natalie (Zach's wife) intensely counting up her score...

My board. I think I did pretty good....Vade....Woy....new words to our language as of 9:00 Thanksgiving evening...

My "normal" dog hiding because there were new people in the house.

More of Huey (and Zach pre-Friday-haircut).

Huey catching up on TV...

Inspired

2008-11-21T10:37:00.010-05:00

Thank you to my lovely friend, Cheryl Weaver, this delightful couple came into my life a few months ago. Scott and Chelsea were looking for a photographer for their '09 wedding and since Cheryl has yet to plunge into that world (you should & I know you're reading this!! ;) she referred them to me. I am so grateful. Chelsea and Scott are the type of couple that makes you want to go back to those days where you are newly and freshly in love, full of anticipation, hope and expectations for the life you now have ahead. The life ahead you have to live. Together.

The first time we met to talk wedding was over wine. Our conversation flowed about how they met, what they do in their individual lives and what they picture as their wedding plans are being pieced together. I left our time together grateful that I had been the one chosen to photograph their wedding. What little I know of Scott and Chelsea, it's bound to be beautiful.

This past spring I was in Urban Outfitters drooling over all the artistic goodies their store puts out. I left with nothing, but their catalog, but to me that was enough. I sat at home and poured over the pages. The photography was amazing...the colors were soft and candy-like with lots of beautiful manipulations of the sun. I saved the magazine in hopes that my inspiration would have a chance to transpire into a photo shoot of some sort this year. Enter fall. I was at a park running when I suddenly stopped...yes, mainly because I was dry heaving, but also because I remembered the magazine and noticed the setting I'd been looking for all year was right in front of me. I went home and emailed Chelsea that night. "We've gotta do your engagements right away!" I was eager to photograph them with the inspiration I had found in the setting I had literally stumbled upon.

I'm happy with what came out on the other side. You'll see what I'm talking about in the pictures of them in the "field" type setting.

Enjoy. And, happy weekend to you all!

...can't decide if I like this photo in color or b&w better...

p.s. his eyes are insanely blue. they are not photoshopped one single bit.

I love it when a couple gets lost in each other...like they've forgotten for that split second that I'm there. Those make for the most powerful photos.

Christmas Cards

2008-11-19T16:14:00.002-05:00

Don't forget!

For all the info {click here}.

~ familyful ~

2008-11-19T16:01:00.004-05:00

Corey and I met this lovely family through our church this past winter. Both the mom and dad are some of the warmest people you'll ever meet. I was convinced that they were from the South. ;)

Here's a few pictures from our time together. They're a full family, raising four kids...all who were wonderful, respectful and blooming with personality. It was an easy shoot to do.

************

I'm sick. Haven't been sick in almost 4 years, but sure enough it's here. I'm just thankful that it's in these times I work by myself. No one else to get sick...no one else to be grumpy to.

hello winter.

2008-11-17T17:45:00.005-05:00

I just walked upstairs (at 5 p.m.) from the windowless basement to wake Corey up and was stunned as to what I saw just outside our living room window. So much so it took my breath away. I immediately grabbed my camera in order to document it and as I stepped outside my breath was even more so stolen. And, my hands...my poor hands...my fingernails are still nice and purple even as I warm them up typing away.

It's here.

This white stuff is hard cold evidence.

(sadly enough this is our front yard filled with leaves. we've been certain it'd warm back up just for a day so that we didn't have to dress like eskimos to rake. do you think there's a chance they'd freeze and disappear?)

We made it!

2008-11-13T21:15:00.008-05:00

Exactly a year ago I was spending a weekend with my family at our home in Banner Elk, NC. Meredith and her family decided to take advantage of my locale and made the morning drive up from Raleigh, NC for me to capture their family photos. I had heard so much of Meredith. Rebecca, a very dear friend of mine (whose husband was in medical school with Corey) was best best best friends with Meredith. So much so that when I talked to Meredith on the phone I got totally weirded out. Their voices and communication styles are identical. I had to keep reminding myself just who I was talking to. The beauty of it though is that from the second I met Meredith I've always considered her a friend. Not just because she reminds me so much of Rebecca, but because of her overall warmth and kindness. She's incredibly personable and very easy to like.

Fast forward one year and Meredith, her husband, son and pregnant belly travelled up to Cincinnati to spend some time with family and for Meredith to see Rebecca (Both Rebecca and I's husbands got placed in Cinci for residency). It was the weekend I was in Knoxville for this wedding and these shoots. Luckily, they decided to leave on Monday morning so we planned to work our hardest to squeeze in another round of family photos before their car pulled out.

Sunday: blue skies, puffy clouds, high of mid-70's. Monday's forecast: snow flurries, fog and high of 45. No lie.

Obviously Meredith was so disappointed. She wasn't sure when the next time would be that we'd be in the same city. I told her to not give up hope. We could definitely bear the cold so if we woke up the next morning and it was still dry the photo shoot was on. And, so it was and so we did.

Funny thing is is that I thought little guy was acting just normal, but Meredith kept saying that he was not being his usual self. Only hours after the shoot he started projectile vomiting (you're welcome). Had we done the shoot in the afternoon it would not have happened. I'm SO glad it did because I love how our time together turned out.

Here's to many more shoots to come! Can't wait to meet your little girl.

This photo just makes me laugh! Does he not look like he's posing for a Ralph Lauren ad?

{This is actually Rebecca's little girl giving Stu the warmest of hugs}

For some reason this photo makes me feel all weepy. I'm not sure quite what it is. Maybe it's because it's a picture that perfectly captures his size...the fact that he's growing into a little boy, but still just a child. Maybe it's the story beyond...the story of a little boy with a bright future ahead....the difference he will make on this Earth, on the people who surround him, on the people who will come in and out of his life...the impact this one human life will make on so many others...

New to 503's Boutique

2008-11-13T20:46:00.007-05:00

Couture Digital Mattes

Aren't these so awesome?! I am so loving these and think that they are so versatile. Can't wait to get a few hanging in my house!! For more info {click here}.

Why I Love My D2

2008-11-13T20:40:00.004-05:00

{ D2 = Dad #2 which translates to my father-in-law }

Hi Honey!,

I was just thinking of you. I was looking at some old emails and saw that it has been almost a year since you started your business. I was also looking at some photos you had taken a year ago or so and could really see how you have progressed. It’s fun to be in the business of memories (..an interesting concept..). You have really done a great job and your website is very well done and professional. Good work!

Keep your hand on the plow.

Love,

This is one of the many reasons why I count my life pretty darn near perfect.

.in need of sleep.

2008-11-10T21:52:00.004-05:00

I'm so tired right now I don't even feel like myself. After a much needed, richly-filled, perfectly wonderful weekend with seven of my favorite girlfriends I am feeling a giant sleep deprivation hangover. Corey is working the midnight to noon shift which means that with it being 10 p.m. at night he is just now starting to stir. I am so tired, but feel terrible going to bed right as he's waking up so I'll be staying up until he leaves for the hospital (hope I can make it). I feel confident though that after a night's rest in my own bed I'll be back feeling good as new tomorrow morning.

Until then, I'll just sit here filled to the brim with excitement. The Image is Found announced another Shootshop date for this December and so I decided to spontaneously jump on it. Although I have stated numerous times that I will not be taking anymore big trips this year, I am now shopping for a ticket to San Diego, CA. I just wish my husband would go ahead and get out of bed so that I could fill him in on my big trip coming up, too. ;)

[jamie. one of the seven. reading US Weekly]

[away from email]

2008-11-06T22:53:00.001-05:00

I will be away from the office Friday-Sunday & unable to check email. All emails will be returned Monday morning. Feel free to call if you need something before then. Happy Weekend! :D

Perfect example

2008-11-05T18:29:00.009-05:00

...of how outfits totally make a shoot. Of course the faces, personality and energy also make a shoot, but I just have to mention how much I loved these little girls' outfits. So fun & colorful. They didn't necessarily even match, but it didn't matter - the layers, textures & color made for some fabulous pictures. These shoots (they were a 2 in 1 - the girls are cousins) were done the day after the wedding I shot two weekends ago. I was feeling half dead, but luckily both of the families were so fabulous and so easy and fun to work with.

S & G families....I am SO glad we finally connected. Perseverance has paid off! :)

isn't her hair adorable?!

Kimberly & Michael ...their story...

2008-11-03T21:08:00.012-05:00

Kimberly contacted me only months after I launched my website last year. As I prepared for the launch of my new business I said numerous times to numerous people that I would not be doing weddings. So, when Kimberly's email titled 'Wedding Photography?' came in I knew I'd have to disappoint someone. I was surprised though by her reply. She asked me again, "Are you sure you won't just do mine? We've been looking for a photographer and I just know you're the one for us." I was so flattered I agreed.

I had no idea what it'd look like to shoot an entire wedding all by myself. But, then as you faithful blog readers know I photographed Corey's brother's wedding and I was hooked. I loved all aspects of it. The smiles, the energy, the family, friends, joy, excitement, anticipation, celebration. When done right, it's as if it's one of the last pure and good things left on Earth.

Michael & Kimberly's day was no different. Their day unfolded just as it would in a fairy tale.

Thank you, Kimberly for insisting I photograph your wedding. It was a blessing. God bless you as you slowly unwrap the gift of marriage.

Another Big Day

2008-11-03T18:38:00.008-05:00

Just like it was January of 2002. I was under anesteshia having a screw drilled and hammered out of my knee from a previous ACL surgery. It was my 3rd (or was this my 4th?) time having knee surgery and I have never done well coming off of anesthesia. This time was no different. Just as fast as my consciousness rose, my body temperature dropped. And, just like they've done every time before they piled warm blankets on top of me to try and keep me warm. This time all I wanted was my dad. I don't remember all of the circumstances. Maybe Mom was at work and I knew somehow that he was there. Nonetheless, I just WANTED MY DAD! And, I remember asking for him over and over.

Then, there he was. I could see him out of the corner of my eye, walking in the room, walking rather fast toward my bed. He quickly said the words that were so important right then and there for me to hear. "Jess, Steve Spurrier retired today." Did this just happen, I think to myself. Am I sure I'm not dreaming? Am I sure I'm honestly laying on this hospital bed post-op with a father who's number one thing he thinks to tell me is that Steve Spurrier retired today? Yes, it's all real. And, even though I'm delirious, half breathing and shaking uncontrollably I understand. It was a big day. Our arch nemesis was leaving our arch nemesis team. Good. Maybe they'll finally be bad.

Today is like no other. Except the feelings are quite the opposite. Luckily, I can say that today I did not go under the knife, but I will say that after watching his press conference I'm not quite sure my heart didn't. Our father of all things Tennessee football resigned today. I know it's time. It really is. We're last in the SEC this year which is unheard of in Vol Country, but, still...he's been there since I was 11 years old. For 17 years now every Saturday in the Fall that man has been the one standing on the side of the field. With the famous smile he makes when something goes wrong. The way he always holds it together, even when every one else in the stadium is cussing out the referees. The way he claps. The way he runs out to shake the hand of the other coach at the end of the game, always with his daughter running a few steps behind. Not to mention my sister went to senior prom with his son. It was 1990. She wore a short, red velvet dress with long black gloves. I wanted to be her. So 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. I digress....

Tomorrow. Well, it's another big day. It's an election that will not soon be forgotten.

So, for today and tomorrow and every day thereafter I wish for the same thing with both circumstances. Unity. I want to see our Vols rally around our coach who took us to numerous SEC championships and a National Championship in 1998...rally around whoever feels his mighty big shoes. And, I want to see our country rally around whoever wins the majority vote tomorrow. Whoever the guy is, he's our leader for the next four years.

Here's to change! Even if it's not always invited, it's good.

We'll miss you big guy... (do you think Clomid could possibly be making me an emotional wreck??)

Mary's Jesus

2008-11-01T22:15:00.001-04:00

Shortly after Christmas last year I started to put away our Christmas decorations. We were making plans for my six best friends and their husbands/significant others to come in to celebrate New Year's with us and I knew I needed to make as much extra room in our house as possible. I was on a roll, productively un-decorating and putting the house back to it's post-Christmas look when I got to our buffet table in the dining room. It was here that I had decided to set-up my favorite Christmas decoration. My Willow Tree nativity scene bought for me in pieces by my parents over the years. I wrapped the rust colored stars, the three Wise Men, the little shepherd girl, the sheep and other barn animals. Next was Joseph and then Mary holding Jesus. As I got ready to put Mary gently back into her styrofoam case until next year I stopped. There was something that struck me. The simplicity of the carved wood symbolizing a woman holding her newborn baby for the first time. Of course, she was holding the son of God, so I can only imagine what joy, responsibility, and utter fear she must have been feeling.

I stood so long staring at Mary I finally sat down. I sat and asked if God would allow us this upcoming year to hold the same joy, responsibility and utter fear of raising a child of our own. It had officially been more than a year of trying. We wrote it off for months because of travel - international and domestic, the stresses of Corey taking incredibly important tests, us both working long hours, interviewing, Match Day, searching for a new home in a city 8 hours away, and finally graduating and moving in the same weekend. But, then...at that moment. The moment I found myself sitting and staring at a carved out piece of wood I realized just how long it had been and even more so...felt.

I decided to leave Mary out of the styrofoam case that goes in the cardboard box that sits in the plastic bin labeled "Christmas Stuff" that would have shortly been put in our basement closet until next year. Instead I put her in my nightstand. It was kind of my way of asking God for the same thing. A baby. Also believing Him. Believing that I too would one day in fact be completely unaware of everything going on around me because of the eyes of a newborn.

Just the other day I was stricken with a sadness. Not a sadness that is new, just a sadness that took me by surprise. A sadness I have learned over the past two years how to cope with. Always there. Always lingering. Sometimes it disappears, but it always seems to find it's way back to me. That day was no different. With Christmas approaching I was reminded of how it's almost time to pull my nativity set out of it's styrofoam casing, in the cardboard box, stored in the plastic bin in our basement closet. Soon Mary and Jesus will have to rejoin their other wood carved, Cracker Barrel bought family.

I am pretty candid with my blog posts and believe strongly that vulnerability is good for the soul. And, although I have thought many times of posting something this past year about the struggles we're going through with infertility, I've had so many fears. Fears of being a charity case. Fears that people would feel awkward around us. Fear that people wouldn't feel like they could tell me with excitement that they're pregnant. Fear that the friends of ours that do have kids will have less and less to relate to us with. But, I know that fear only handicaps us. So, I'm going to set it aside and through glassy eyes push 'Publish Post' at the end of this rant.

Thanks for reading. There are many of you out there that I don't even know. I know, too, that with many of you I met you long after you had met me through this blog. I hope the same for the rest of you who check in on my life and my work. I might not know you personally, but I know of you and I'm grateful you're there.

I am NOT a blog slacker

2008-11-01T15:25:00.013-04:00

I'm just kind of busy. But, not forever. As soon as the first snow hits, I'll be footloose & fancy free...and probably bored. But, until then! I'm anything but! So, to catch up I'm doing a double-time-post! :D

First up....John & Stephanie! Stephanie and I acutally went to the same high school. Thanks to Facebook she found out what I'm doing now and how I only live an hour and a half away from her and her boyfriend/practically fiance/future husband. So, to Cinci they came for a Sunday afternoon of photo taking. All with the company of some gorgeous, fall lighting. Thanks, S & J for making the trip. Hopefully we'll see you all again next summer at our 10 year reunion! 8oP

*****************

Next up: The cutest little girl ever! Honestly, I'm not just saying this...she might be the happiest little girl I've ever met. You would have thought Disney was set-up on my lens. She LOVES pictures and I LOVED taking them. So easy.

I don't normally do this, but under her proofing section I had an 'out-takes' section. There were so many funny ones from the day. Just of her doing something that was hilarious. Case in point: we'd put the hat on, she'd gleefully take it off! We'd put the hat on, work really hard to distract her, I'd get the shot, she'd realize we were distracting her from the game and off the hat would come!

Although I'd like to forever forget this moment, I must blog about it. The shot above...I was literally taking it when I noticed that her body turned and then...I could see her hand. It took all of us only a split second to realize that she was leaning down from the stair to reach for something and it took only a fraction of a second for her to face plant into the stair below. There were literally 6 hands reaching and none of us got to her in time. It was terrible. I mean everyone heard her head slam onto the brick stair below. I knew for sure that our photo shoot was over for the day. I quickly explained to her parents that that was no problem and that we'd just meet again another day to finish up. I just knew that after that she was done for the day. But, within minutes I realized that she wasn't quite screaming like you'd expect any human to scream after such a fall. She was hurt for sure, but it was like she was just crying it off. Within minutes she sat her head up, smiled and then started pointing excitedly back to the stairs. That's how much fun she was having. Or she's just one tough little girl. I think it was a perfect mix of both. See below for the damage which does not give justice to her fall at all (can you see the giant bruise on her head & then the scratch across her eye?)!

Of course the rest of these photos have all of her accident war wounds Photoshopped out.

Love & Lost Diamonds

2008-10-27T21:44:00.018-04:00

"Hey, do you have those earrings I handed you?" "Oh, sure," I quickly answer. Really inside I was trying to remember just what earrings she was talking about. It was day three of the bike tour (I was doing this shoot at my stopover in Nashville) and I had officially gotten less sleep than I had since my college days. But, her words made a synapsis fire and I was starting to remember in the flurry of our time together just what she was talking about. I quickly reached my hand into my pocket to fish them out. Nothing. Next pocket...dig, dig, dig harder.... Empty. She looks at me with bug eyes and with a whisper says, "They're diamonds." Diamonds from her fiance standing a few feet away.

I'm such an idiot. She totally handed me over her new family jewels and I'm in so much of a hurry I don't even take the time to make sure they're safe, warm, sleeping away in the bottom of my pocket??!

The sun had completely set and we had spent a good bit of our time shooting in a gravel parking lot. Great place to lose silver lined diamonds. I had a friend who was driving to the hotel we were staying at to eat dinner with us, scheduled to arrive in 10 minutes, not including the hours of editing I had before my head could hit the pillow, and my night was getting ready to consist of me crawling around all night looking for diamonds. As quickly as I imagined the potential my night held, I prayed. Not in a half-hearted way. In an "Oh, God please show me your kindness in this moment."

So, we walked, beginning to retrace our steps. Through the parking lot, jay-birded it across the street and started down the sidewalk to the gravel... Suddenly something sparkled. There in the light. The light of the street light, I saw it! A diamond! "There's one," I excitedly yelled. And, then with complete and utter relief, only a few steps ahead, there lied the other beauty. Thank you, God. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed.

Now that we all know the diamonds are safe, on to Scott & Emily. They sat over dinner staring at each other with a total newness. It was a blind date, that led to another and another and then diamond earrings, a diamond ring for a specific finger and a scheduled wedding (that I'm thrilled to be shooting!) next summer. Emily and I went to the same middle school in Knoxville. It's stuff like this that make me enjoy my job all that much more. I love meeting new people, hearing their story, watching their family, but it's also fun to catch up with someone that I hadn't seen in quite some time.

Emily, love looks good on you. Scott, so nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to the celebration of your wedding next summer. And, Anna (Scott's daughter), you are a doll.

*****

Life is good right now. It's really busy and with it being my first year in business I'm trying to find the most efficient way to stay on top of everything. The wedding went great on Saturday. The weather was amazing, the bride looked gorgeous and everyone had a full-out good time. I'll be posting pictures from this soon enough. Until then, to all the families awaiting their proofs to be posted, they're coming! I'm working hard & as fast as possible. Thanks for your patience.

...

2008-10-23T13:37:00.001-04:00

Spoken by Bono last night at the California Women's Conference:

“When America looks outside of itself, its view of itself is never clearer. Its faith in itself is never firmer. Its purpose is never stronger. Today, at a time when America, again, is tempted to turn inward, turn away from the world and its troubles, it is more essential than ever that you look outward.”

My Life

2008-10-23T12:25:00.008-04:00

{all pictures courtesy of my Mac webcam}

"Hey you. Let's go on a walk."

"Excuse me? Did you heeeaaar me?"

"What's that thing making noise?"

"HEY! What are you doing? Stop typing and take me on a walk!"

"Fine. I'll just lick your hand until you have to pay attention to me."

"Who are you? Will you take me for a walk?"

So I give her a treat to buy myself 20 more minutes of quiet as she licks her lips and shakes her head in satisfaction. (Are all dogs this bossy and high maintenance?!)

Saturday

2008-10-21T13:19:00.008-04:00

I understand that this is total last minute, but I figured I'd throw it out anyway...

Saturday I am shooting a wedding in Knoxville. If anyone would like to tag along to serve as an assistant (help me with lens changes, make sure the bride's veil is straight, bows are tied, group shot set-ups, crowd control, etc, etc) then I'd be happy to have you. Majority of photos will be taken from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. From there I'll be good on my own (unless you want to stay around for the fun of it).

I know I wanted to shadow other photographers when I was learning the ropes, so if anyone else is where I was a year ago and would like to come along, then shoot me an email: jessica@503photography.com.

Thanks!

Until then, here are a few pics from a shoot I did a few weeks ago (I am sooo behind on blogging)....

Gah. Is he not to die for?!

I love the way the sun glows in the fall.

"Kid" break. ;)

This picture cracks me up. About 1/2 way through the shoot J suddenly noticed the stunning blonde (my friend, Emily) that was assisting me and it was over. I could not get him to look at me from that point on. So, in this picture it looks as if he's looking at me, but really her face was squeezed up next to mine (literally, we were cheek to cheek) so that he would look my direction. Boys. They're all the same. Suckers for a pretty blonde.
{you can't quite tell in these pictures, but mom is prego with #2!! :)

A good ol' fashioned family portrait...

Family [6]

2008-10-20T13:16:00.006-04:00

You might remember *this* family I took pictures of this past spring. Well, .5 came along to make them an official family of six so they wanted some updated pics. Four boys. All under the age of five. She's a good woman. And, they're a very fun family. Thanks for allowing me to view your crazy love lives through my viewfinder. I envy the amount of energy and love you guys have all under one roof.

p.s. our entire shoot (minus a last minute few) were done in their bedroom.

I'm home!

2008-10-15T23:49:00.012-04:00

Outside of a fun & easy shoot & a little editing, I slept the entire weekend and then some. I did not realize just how tired I was after the bike tour until I went to bed at 11:00 on Friday and woke up the next day at noon. And, the only reason I woke up was because I was hungry. After lunch and some candy corn to top it off I went back to bed at 3:00 only to wake up at 6:30 just in time for dinner. Pitiful.

But, I'm back in Cincinnati and I'm feeling much better!

Overall, the bike tour was incredible. I feel so blessed to have been asked to play such a fun role in it all. After it was all done, we watched a video that Robert busted his butt all day long to put together and I surprised myself by basically bursting into tears. Looking back I think it was party due to a total lack of sleep, but nonetheless I was touched by it all. I just hope it will work out for me to do it again next year.

Friday

Crossville > Knoxville

Jesse (the bike tour coordinator/director/everything) had commented that he didn't like bending down to read his folder with a bunch of THP sitting behind him. As he kept talking to the riders, they quietly got off their bikes and blocked the sun for him. ;) We all had a good laugh.

Jim giving me a good laugh...

Preparing for the escort through Knoxville

Hard at work.

Coming down Middlebrooke...

And, finally...riding into the World's Fair Park to end the week with a celebration...

The Young Guns, providing us all with some good ol' rock & roll.

Also, I wanted to post a few pictures from a shoot I did in Memphis before leaving for the bike tour. Brothers! The shoot is a surprise to their mom, courtesy of their wonderful & beautiful aunt.

On the road... (day 4)

2008-10-09T22:18:00.018-04:00

I know that when I heard 433.7 miles I thought, "wow", that's a long ride, but then you see them - mile for mile, pedaling through thunder storms as fast as they can only to be sprayed with water by the passing cars and semi-trucks. Pedaling with achy knees, tight muscles and sore throats. Pedaling up East Tennessee hills that seem as if they'll never end. Pedaling with nothing, but the next pit stop in mind. Just to get through each mile. All for the sake of bringing awareness to adoption for foster kids still waiting for homes. And, they've done it. I have been amazed at the buzz that has been created by these pedaling fools.

It has been such a fun week for me. I have never worked so much - waking at 6 to take shots of them as they prepare to leave in the morning, tracking with them along the roads, documenting their hard work, and then spending my evenings sorting through and editing so that the BLOG can be updated for friends and families wondering back at home how it's all going. Tonight I was put on a tight deadline, but it made me work that much harder and I'm happy to say that It's not even 11:00 and I'm getting ready to go to bed. Tomorrow is our last day. I can't wait to get into Knoxville with 50+ riders and multiple vans and cars full of the support crew, all the while bypassing red lights thanks to the Tennessee Highway Patrol's escort. I can't believe just how long they've all come. When we got started in Memphis Monday morning, Knoxville seemed so far away.

Wednesday:

Dickson > Lebanon

Pulling into Centennial Park, Nashville, TN

Traveling down West End Avenue, Nashville, TN

Thursday

Lebanon > Crossville

7:15 a.m., outside the hotel

The first of many monstrous East Tennessee mountains to climb...

The ever occurring flat tire...

Michael decided to take a break from biking to yell at everyone with a bull horn and then give them a little push as they rode past.

Patrick Lawler, the founder of Youth Villages

They made it... (the tour's support team)

....to the top of the Cumberland Plateau!

I'm definitely going to be choked up when I lay in bed tomorrow night, thinking through the week...all I've learned and experienced. I'll be sad it's come and gone. Until then I'm going to bed tonight in this roomy Comfort Inn suite with a smile on my face and a small burn on my foot because I accidently hit the muffler of the Tennessee Highway Patrol officer's motorcycle when he took me for a ride tonight. :)

On the road... (day 2)

2008-10-07T23:01:00.027-04:00

Nerves were high. Adrenaline was pumping. Bikers were suited up and ready to go. Tennessee Highway Patrol was on duty, ready to escort the men and women giving up their week to bike across the state. Monday was filled to the brim with bright sunny, rays of sunshine, puffy white clouds and temperatures that left the bikers wet with sweat.

Today also left the bikers wet. This time their lips were blue and additional layers of clothing were needed to try their hardest to keep dry. It rained 3/4 of their 109 mile trek from Jackson to Dickson. Tonight we are all safe in our hotel rooms. The THP has done their jobs and the bikers are exhausted. I really am amazed at the sacrifice all of them are making for the sake of others. It's the kind of thing that makes you swallow with a lump in your throat.

We have travelled up and down Highway 70, kneeling behind guard rails, climbing to the middle of cotton fields, chancing our safety by standing in the middle of a four-lane highway, climbing to the bridge to get a good overhead view of them passing by. It's been hard work. My wrist feels like I have carpel tunnel. But, I will not complain. I did not ride a bike 109 hilly miles today in the pouring rain. I'm just happy to be a part of the media crew... all 2 of us. :)

I'm also just happy to be doing what I love. And, even more so I'm amazed at the attention, energy and hopefulness these 56 riders are bringing to hundreds of kids longing for a family of their own.

{Sunday Night Orientation}

Memphis

{Monday}

Memphis > Jackson

8 a.m., outside the hotel

...and they're off!

Stop 1 ~ Celebration Kick-off

{Memphis Mayor, A.C. Wharton, blessing their journey}

Kids from an elementary school on the route cheering them on...

Next stop ~ Celebration at Youth Villages

Off again...

{Tuesday}

Jackson > Dickson

7 a.m., outside the hotel

Mid-morning stop: Central Elementary School in Huntington, TN cheering them on!

Fixing a flat...

Robert, Adoption Tour Videographer, trying to stay dry...

I'm sitting in my hotel room, dry and warm, needing to jump in the shower and go to bed. Although Tennessee is in need of some rain, I am hating the downpour I hear outside. Tomorrow might be another long and wet day for the team. I'll post an update tomorrow or Thursday.

a ditz, a love shoot & a good cause

2008-10-05T22:18:00.015-04:00

I called Emily (my best friend & ass.) Thursday night from the Atlanta airport in a total panic. My Starbuck's grande, decaf, skinny, no whip, cafe' mocha didn't look all that appealing after my goose bumps turned to sweatiness in a moment's time. My flight to Memphis had left without me (or I had stopped for one too many snacks on my way to the gate). I was so disappointed. Emily told me she was going to go check on my flight and I was rushing off to find someone to help me reschedule. I knew I had missed my chance. It was 9:45 p.m. I was going to have to sleep in the Atlanta airport. Not a fun way to start the insane week I had ahead of me.

I frantically walked up to the help desk and handed over my boarding ticket. On it's way to her hand I realized that my flight was supposed to leave at 10:10, not 9:30!! No wonder, I thought. They changed the time of my flight and I was never handed the memo. The nice lady took one look at my ticket and through patient teeth explained to me that my ticket was booked for an Airtran flight. Not Delta. "Honey. You at the wrong terminal."

Oh.

Oops.

So, at 10:10 I was off to Memphis. All was well and my warm coffee was sipped as I sat there cooling off, squished between two rather large men.

Friday evening I had my first of 6 shoots for this week. It was a perfect way to start my week. The lighting was delicious, the couple fun, relaxed and ready for my camera to capture their love, and I have to admit: love shoots are my favorites. Thanks M&E for letting me in on your love lives. And, thanks ass. for coming along. Shoots are always more fun when you're there to hold my lens cap. ;)

I'm sitting in a roomy Marriot suite right now. It's the first of five hotels I'll stay in this week as I slowly make my way from Memphis to Knoxville photographing a wonderful bike tour taking place. For the reason for this bike tour {click here}. I'm eager to see what my days will look like as I travel in the media van capturing people riding their butts off for the sake of bringing awareness to adoption in Tennessee. I have a few more sessions to edit from my weekend in Memphis, an engagement session in my stopover in Nashville and then two more in Knoxville Saturday morning. It's a marathon for sure, but I'm happy as can be to be here.

California Shoot #1

2008-10-03T01:46:00.011-04:00

The mood was light. The day was perfect. The sun shining bright. We met at Vasona, a park I've come to love because I've done 90% of my California shoots there. You really can't go wrong. And, even more so with two beautiful, full of life children. It was a good day for a photographer.

Dear H family, I am so glad I got to meet you all! Thank you for being so fun to work with.

09.14.08 … 09.28.08

2008-09-29T23:48:00.015-04:00

[Disclaimer: This is a mom-blog-post meaning it's a giant blog post that probably only my mom will care to read. ;)]

I sat on the couch catching up on last minute work as the washer filled with water and the dryer began to dry the first load of the day. Corey grabbed his coat and headed to the ED (emergency dept) for a 10-hour shift. We commented about the wind that was howling outside. I didn’t mind it. I actually prefer bad weather when I have a to-do list that includes all in-home activities. Within moments my day turned.

I attempted to pack as best as I could with no electricity. My to-do list of ironing, washing clothes, sewing and catching up on last minute work (which I was able to do until my battery died) hit a major speed bump…err…road block when Hurricane Ike decided to send his cousin to the Midwest. The next day we cleaned out our warm refrigerator, rung out the clothes sitting in standing water in the washer, packed up what we could in a total haze and headed to Knoxville. The night wore on as we re-washed loads of wet and semi-moldy clothes, attempted to pack for a vacation that included 3 different climates, get Chili settled to stay with family and try to get a better night’s rest then we did the night before with no air conditioning. My OCD was in overdrive as I thought about all the things I was NOT able to do before leaving town. But, with no control of ours our flight was on-time and ready to drop us off in Denver where we would catch our final leg to Los Gatos, California.

It was all worth it. My sister, niece and nephew were standing just on the other side of the security checkpoint. Finley was beside herself. Her Uncle Corey was in town! Back to the house I’ve been blessed to visit four times in the past year (it really pays off to have a job such as photography where all you need is a few stellar clients and even family visits can be written off as a business trip) to a crazy-excited 4-year-old and the type of 16 month old that could easily make us all okay with overpopulation.

Corey and I left the next morning where we would spend the next 2 days romping around San Francisco – checking out the city, eating delicious Indian cuisine, walking across the Golden Gate and ending up at the Wharf where I scored myself a brand new pair of Ray-Ban’s as an early birthday gift. The next day was my birthday and I didn’t care one bit what was on our itinerary. I was just happy to be spending it with my favorite person. Between med-school and residency they both had managed to steal him away my past two birthdays. We ended the day at an ideal café surrounded by my family, presents, cupcakes and two other brave waitresses singing me happy birthday. It was perfect.

The weekend flew by as I feared it would. Time with Finley & Mercer is time I wish I could freeze. If I have ½ the love for my future children as I do for them then we’re all in for an obnoxious mother. I’m sure to be “one of them”.

...see Finley pics in previous post...

Why I love kids...the simple discovery of a wheel or spinning head can entertain for quite some time...

Gah. See what I mean? I just want to eat him.

The next three days were spent in our 4th city of the week…Tahoe - California & Nevada. It was all it was supposed to be and even more so perfectly stunning. It’s the type of place that makes you stop and thank God for being so wonderfully creative. We hiked, I pointed out animal paw prints, Corey called me ‘Daniel-la Boone’, we sang loud to Journey and Gym Class Heroes as we drove from the hotel to dinner, we ate with a sunset view of the most famous lake in the United States, and we slept with our back door opened so that the Tahoe air would make our room just cold enough to make our down comforter perfectly bulky.

Do you think his face says, "pleeeeaaaase stop taking pictures"? Yea, me neither.

On our way out of Tahoe on Wednesday we signed up for a morning poker tournament at one of the many casinos. At 10:02 a.m. I flipped up the left corners to discreetly view my two given cards and threw in my bet to join in. I love playing poker, but have never played at a table surrounded by people I don’t know looking as serious as you would imagine. I was incredibly nervous. With checks all around, I quickly picked up that everyone was making it quite obvious that their two cards didn’t do anything for them when the flop came. So, being in late position I decided to buy the pot. Folds all around named me the first-pot-of-the-tournament winner. Mid-way through I went all in with a set of 7’s and got called by two others. I was for certain that my fleece jacket was moving up and down by the beating of my chest. All cards were flipped, including the river card, pairing the board. Full House. Chips were swept my way. Shortly after Corey got out on a bad beat and I was moved to the final table. I made it to the final four and then we decided to chop the pot. I made both of our money back and then some. I was happy to say that I did not donate a penny to the casino’s crystal chandelier. :)

Two more days soaking in all of my west coast living family and then back on the plane to head to the opposite side of the country for the type of cook-out that can only take place in the city you grew up in, surrounded by the friends that know you better than anyone else. My “I’m soooo tired” was quickly forgotten over margaritas, a potluck dinner, smores and an open fire. Corey and I crashed that night next to a yellow-haired, floppy-eared dog that was finally at peace because her owners had in fact not left her behind.

The next morning we picked up our two friends that remind us the most of each other and headed to our favorite place on this earth: Banner Elk, North Carolina. Before the day was over, we sat in the living room with 10 others laughing hysterically to a piece of paper that was stumbled upon including a piece of embarrassing information about one of Corey’s brothers. Of course he and his lovely fiancé laughed along, tears strolling down their cheeks. The weekend looked like the first scenes of Home Alone and was filled with the perfect amount of dancing, singing, laughing, game playing, skeet shooting, football watching, cake eating, relaxing and the end of the weekend family picture taking (lucky for us all, my father-in-law is a photographer, too).

7 more hours in the car Corey and I arrived back at home with a few sticks in our spokes….the popsicles shared the love on the bottom shelf, the washer leaked when we ran a load, the garage took 30 minutes before we could figure out why it wouldn’t work……… But, right now I am in bed with him fading off next to me and we are both in agreement that we are thankful. Thankful for our family, our health, vacations and even this house – sticks in spokes and all.

To all 503 clients:

Sorry to you all for my MIA’ness. Ever since the electricity went off 15 days ago I have felt slightly behind, befuddled and extended. But, I have been spending the week getting myself reorganized before jumping on a plane again on Thursday. If you have an order to be placed, feel free to do so. If you need to talk to me, please call anytime! And, if you are waiting on a return email it’s coming your way!

her new skirt

2008-09-21T02:39:00.005-04:00

Finley: Good mooooooooorning, Aunt Jessssica!
Me: [in a complete morning haze] Good morning, honey. I love you. Fin, we should take pictures of you today in that new outfit I bought you....remember how I want to get some pictures of you in that new skirt?
Finely: Yea, I don't think so. ...... Wanna go to the park?!
Me: Sure. You have school today, don't you?

[Finley acting as if she's just been reminded of the saddest news ever. She actually loves school, but you see, her favorite aunt & uncle are in town and so that means that school = not nearly as much fun.]

Finley: [after some deep, gifted thinking] Aunt Jessica!? I have an idea! Let's dress me up in those new clothes you bought me, go to the park and do an all-day photo shoot. Then I won't go to school because we'll be taking photos!

Then off to her bedroom she went, coming out perfectly suited for our photo shoot - even with bow perfectly tied - thanks to her "craaaazy" Uncle Corey.

We did go to the park. We did take photos (only a few because the playground was enticing her all the while). And, she did go to school. It was a productive day. Spent with a little girl that lights up my life.

love lives

2008-09-19T00:27:00.011-04:00

A photographer's dream...fresh locations, ideal lighting and a gorgeous family of five. It was the type of shoot where even if the final photos were not perfect - the composition a tad off, the focus less than perfect, the exposure a stop or two too much or too little - they were perfectly beautiful because of the people in it.

Dear L family - what a beautiful family you are. I am so happy I had the honor of spending the morning with you all. Thank you for trusting me (again) to capture your love lives on camera.

p.s. to all my faithful blog readers - I posted a ton of photos because 1. they were hard to narrow down & 2. I'm making up for a bunch of recent photoless-posts. enjoy!

p.p.s. thank you for all of the sweet birthday wishes I received today. I am as happy as can be celebrating my birthday in California, surrounded by my family and sitting here with my stomach hanging over my keyboard. 8oP

One of my favorites from the day (click on picture to enlarge). My photography teacher would be so proud. She used to say, "you know a picture is in focus when you can easily count eyelashes". I will say that it's easier done when your subject isn't at the age of two. ;)

{these photos were taken at a Aglamesis Bro's Ice Cream shop in Oakley square - an L- family favorite hang out spot}

California

2008-09-16T23:38:00.003-04:00

I'm back. And, since I'm here with the hubs and it's a mixed trip of vacation & work there will be days I will be out of commission as far as email goes. First day is tomorrow. We're heading to San Francisco! Woohoo! I'll be back Thursday night (my b. day!!) & will return emails then.

Well said...

2008-09-12T19:31:00.001-04:00

From the magazine Real Simple's website:

Note To Self
Get Professional Photos of Your Children

I’ve never forgotten an invaluable piece of advice that I heard from an older friend right after my first child was born. She told me, “One of my greatest regrets about my children’s childhoods was that I didn’t have more professional pictures taken.”

“You didn’t take many pictures?” I asked.

“I took tons of pictures,” she said, “but the fact is, professional photographs are so much better than even the best snapshots.”

I absolutely agree—professional photos are better. And keeping her advice in mind, ever since my daughters were born, I’ve been zealous about getting their photos taken professionally at least once a year.

While it’s a lot of fun (and also a pain) to take pictures myself, it’s terrific to have some pictures that are truly excellent. These photos don’t take the place of the on-the-spot pictures that I take myself—I still take scads of photos at birthday parties, first days of school, on the slide, with a popsicle—but these pictures memorialize my children’s childhoods in a different way.

Plus they make great family gifts. I can never figure out a good present for the grandparents and great-grandparents, but they always love to get a really great photograph—especially the relatives who don’t often get a chance to see the girls in person.

Also, research shows that one way to boost your happiness is to reflect on happy times, and looking at photographs helps keep memories more vivid.

It’s a splurge, of course. Professional photos aren’t cheap.

However, I figure that the money I spend on these photographs will strengthen family bonds, enhance happy memories, and capture the fleeting moments of childhood. They give me more pleasure than practically any other purchases that I make. That strikes me as pretty good happiness bang for the buck.

A friend’s family had another great photography tradition. For her whole life, at every milestone, her parents took a picture of her and her brother sitting exactly the same way on their front stoop. It’s fascinating to see them change through the years. Along the same lines, the artist Nicholas Nixon took a photograph of his wife and her three sisters once a year for 33 years. The collection of these photographs, The Brown Sisters, is riveting.

Getting professional photos take is a great example of the tiresome fact that happiness takes thought and effort. These photographs are easy to arrange; in the scheme of things, not terribly expensive; contribute greatly to our family happiness—and yet it probably never would have occurred to me to do it if my friend hadn’t suggested it.

Rubin, Gretchen. REAL SIMPLE.

Original article is located here: http://simplystated.realsimple.com/life/2008/03/unforgettable-a.html