Sunday, January 25, 2009

this just happend...

I'm blogging this from my blackberry, because Troy has taken over my computer to watch all 3 "Lord of the Rings" in one day. Yeah.
But Lib and I are watching TV and a beach commercial comes on and she says, "Mom, I want you to take me there." And I said, "Someday when we have lots and lots of money to go there I will take you. Promise." And she says, "But you already have lots and lots of money."
And I laughed REALLY REALLY HARD.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

For the brides...

To all those newly engaged couples out there looking for a wedding photographer, I have just joined the WedPlan Network. Check it out! See some of my engagement/wedding photography, and get a hold of me, I have some dates left!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Alexis... 1 Year old

Tonight I met with Kayla and her gorgeous daughter, Alexis. She has turned one,a nd wanted some pictures done. This is her first stylized session, and I know they will be return clients after they see those big baby blues in these shots! :)

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Alexis has the cutest little giggle! Reminds me of the funny laughing babies that Libbie makes me watchon YouTube! So adorable!

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This is my absolute favorite of the bunch I have edited so far...

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Such a lil doll!
Thank You Kayla & Alexis! And thank you to Jess for passing my name along! Hope I get to photograph Emma very soon! :)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

jt's life series... Sledding!

(Side note! I promised Kate Spring that I would post some pictures of the entries from the 1/2 price Session Fee contest, and I still will! I just planned to do this today, so I will definatley post them, I'm not SLACKING I SWEAR!) :)

Yesterday I took my two nephews, Jacob & Griffin, and my Libbers sledding at the resivour in Van Wert. I never intended to get on a sled, but I went with Libs once, and then I was hooked. I forgot how much fun it was, and I definatly needed to feel like a kid again! :) Everyone should! :) Here's some shots I got before I put my camera away and just flew down the hill until my derrier was frozen solid!

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Lib had so much fun! She kept saying, "I think the Penguins live here. I think they will get mad that we are using all their snow." She kept us all laughing the entire time we were there.

Lib couldn't get up the hill. This is her one attempt at trying by herself. It's pretty humourous. I took a continuous shot, and there were plenty more frames, but I had to edit them down because I think I could have posted her walking in 45 frames! the 2nd to last time we went down the hill before leaving, she said "Mom, I think I'm just going to give up." She's such a nut. :)

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Griffin and Jake brought their snowboard. I was too chicken to get on watching the boys go tumbling down the hill. I don't like to tumble, and I bruise really easily, okay?! They had so much fun, here is a frame by frame of Griffin in a pretty successful attempt down the hill.

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Jake found us a ramp made of snow and we all tried to hit it. Lib and I were barreling down the hill at like 60 mph (I SWEAR.) BACKWARDS, and hit the thing. I was cussing, I confess. Good thing Lib doesn't really listen to me, or she may be asking me why poop is holy?! LOL! Here is Jake getting some air on his sled...

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I love this picture, because it just shows the relationship these boys have with Liberty. They are like my big brothers were to me. I think the three of them (and our new little nephew coming in June!) will be there for each other much like my brothers and I. That makes me smile :)

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Monday, January 19, 2009

Half-Price Session Fee winner announced!

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Jamie Alberson! You are our lucky winner! Look for an email in your inbox this morning asking the info I need from you. Thank you to everyone who entered, it was so hard to choose!!! There were definatly some beautiful examples of what Love Means. :) You guys rock! Don't get discouraged I'm going to be poppin' contests on here alot more now, so make sure you stay tuned :) Don't miss your chance!

This weekend was so much fun with my bestie Erin. So so much fun, in fact that I am pretty sure that she is moving home because she misses all of her family (and me, of course!! ha ha). Troy, Erin and I went up to the Rockford Legion on Saturday and we took over the kareoke machine! By the end of the night, EVERYONE was up at the microphone all singing together. It was so much fun! But I didn't expect any less than a great time, that's just what happens when you are with Erin! :) If you want to see some photos, go to my Facebook and check it out, Erin is suposed to be posting or sending me the rest of the pictures.

Thanks again for all the entries! Got to get to work on a couple albums and then I am taking my daughter and nephews sledding! :)

Friday, January 16, 2009

Read. Do. Win some loot. :)

Okay avid jtphotographians! I am in a super good mood, though I am freeeeeezing and so why not give away free stuff when I'm happy!

Ok here's what you do:
The subject is "Love means..."
Show me in a picture sent to jtphotography@live.com
The deadline is Sunday (1/18/09) at Midnight.
I will choose a winner on Monday (1/19/09).
The winner will recieve a 1/2 price Session Fee Gift certificate.
HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!

Get snappin'!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Some old things made new, some changes, and some brand spankin' new things :)

For the last 3 days, I haven't been able to have a full nights sleep. I think it's a mixture of excitement, impatience, and anxiety. I'll explain all three in full detail.

My excitement is that we are SOOOOOOO close to drywalling, then finishing, then painting, then staining, then moving in, then OPENING the studio. That sounds like alot, but one time I went away to a photography conference and came home to a newly drywalled, painted and furniture moved into Living Room. And yes, it's because my dad and my husband are The Shizzo. Fo Rizzo. On top of that excitement, I ordered my new external hard drive, my new packaging (in all my branded colors!),finished my new brouchures, and have 4 senior/children/baby backgrounds finished or at least in the process of finishing,and no they aren't cheesy... they are THA BOMB. Man, I'm so excited, I'm talkin' gangsta... Here is a sneak peek of my brochures:

Here is the outside (remember it folds)
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Here is the Inside:
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I have included some new Specialty Sessions (A "Kicks to Coos" baby package that will rock your socks, and an Ultimate Senior package with TONS of prints included, and a Milestone Anniversary session with a twist, and you'll love it!!), as well as new print sizes, FRAMING (!), and yes, you guessed it new pricing pretty much overall. I also have revamped some things to help you get better deals, and I will be having some annual sales such as QuickTakes for Christmas & Easter, A Limited Edition Series titled "Forever Love" which features Mothers and Children & Father's and Children for Mother's Day and Father's Day. (Limited Edition Series mean that I will only be taking a certain amount of these and then they will not be offered again (You get INCREDIBLE percentages off of framing with these series!!)) Gallery Wrap Sales, Album Sales and so so much more! Excited yet?

My impatientence? Well, duh. Isn't it obvious?! One of the big reasons why I think I am having trouble sleeping is because I use the studio to clear my mind at night. I read "The Secret" so I visualize myself walking a client through the studio, soaking in all the colors and knick-knacks. I can even hear my receptionist (Mom, lol!) click-clacking the keys of her keyboard scheduling me 3 more seniors for the week. The phone is ringing off the hook. I see people waiting in the reception area. I see my lighting in the camera room, I see my assistants editing dutifully in the offices. I walk my client to the dressing room, and help her carry in all the beautiful collections of clothes they brought to model their uniqueness in front of my Canon Mark III (Ok, that's when I realize I am dreaming). And when I am shaken awake by either pure excitement, Troy's unending snoring, or Libbie's sleepwalking, I start that process over again. I am a dreamer, but this dream WILL be my reality, and in not so many more sleepless nights. I am so impatient to show you all what I have been dreaming of for so long. All I can say is: GOD IS GOOD, BABY. GOD IS GOOD.

My anxiety? Well, it's a big mixture of things. But the biggest is getting this studio done BEFORE February. Because I am impatient, y'know?!

One of my bestest, dearest and cherished friends is coming home from Seattle, WA Saturday, and my number one priority is to take her to the studio. Evertime we talk we never have a full phone call without telling each other how proud we are of one another. She is a successful, independant, and determined soul. I love her with all of my being and I wish her nothing but outrageous success. I hope your bigger than Marylin, baby - Because YOU deserve it. LOVE YOUR FACE. FACE!
My second priority is to get giggly and ride bicycles down the middle of main street. Because that's how we roll.

Monday, January 12, 2009

An Interview with Liberty Temple...

This interview was conducted over some playdoh and then some chocolate milk in a Spongebob cup. The subject of this interview is a lovely young lady named Liberty Temple. AKA: Libbie, Libs, Libster, Squeaky, Booger, Boo, Applehead, Sis, or The Libmonster.

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What does Mommy do for her job?
Works on the computer.

What does Mommy work on on the computer?
Pitchers (Pictures.)

Do you know what Mommy is called for her job?
A Crotographer.

What does Daddy do for his job?
He goes to the Farm.

What does daddy do when he gets home from the Farm?
He snores. Daddy's snore.

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What's your favorite song?
I don't know. Max & Ruby.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A Cooker. Only a teapot.

Do you have a pet?
No.

You don't have a pet?
No.

What about Butterscotch?
She's not my pet, she's the cat.

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What is your favorite movie?
Max & Ruby.

Do you like Max & Ruby?
Uh-Huh.

I don't believe you.
I really do.

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If you had a brother what would his name be?
DADDY!

But your brother can't be named Daddy.
I want it to.

(NO, I AM NOT PREGNANT.)

What's your favorite thing to do outside?
Kickball with Mommy!

What's your favorite thing to do inside?
To play toys with Mommy!

Is Mommy your best friend?
Yes, I want Mommy to stay with me. (?)

I'm not leaving anytime soon.
OK.

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Do you have a friend named Lenny? (This is Liberty's imaginary friend)
No, He died.

How did he die?
(Shrugs her shoulders)

Are you going to get married someday?
No.

Do you like boys?
Yes, I like Jake & Griff. (Her cousins)

Are you going to be a photographer like Mommy someday?
No, MOM. I'm going to be a teapot.

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Monday, January 5, 2009

avoiding....

I have so much to do.
I don't even know why I am making time to breathe.
But I am now writing a blog to avoid Frame Pricing on Excel, LOL!
Look up procrastinator in the Webster's and my picture will be planted- yep, right beside it!
I still need to shower, I am in my bathrobe, have slugged down my 2nd cup of coffee,and Lib isn't even awake yet. It's 10:32 am. Yep, whole family of procrastinators! Most of the time this is a curse, but alot of the time, it is a blessing. I'm usually the last one to miss a deal because I should have just waited, and I barely ever say to myself "we need to leave early"... ha! My family and friends know to tell me to come to their shindigs at least an hour early to be there on time. Fasionably late? I must be a trendsetter!

But the two things I usually am never late for is anything that has to do with Troy (because he will drag me out of the door by my elbows) or anything Photography. Make sense? It does to me! The 2 passions of my life :)

This probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me, but I better stop procrastinating and just get back to it... 4" Mouldings... here I come!

Friday, January 2, 2009

A new feature...

I don't like going so long without posting, and I do have TONS to blog about, but i don't want to give too much away! :) But I am going to start featuring some things other than photography to blog about. Those who know me well know that my other passions aside from Photography is Music and Art. I love alot of different kinds of music, and I love listening to new music along with old. What I will write on here is some facts mixed with my opinion.
Music can become a heated subject between me and my husband, as we are both very passionate about it, but it is also a pretty big reason why we love each other so much, because it is always fun to just debate and still be able to laugh about things :) I will also be picking what I talk about each week out of a mixture of art and music (so it won't JUST be music..) out of a jar. So I won't even know what I am writing about until that day. How fun :)
Today I am featuring a band that is so iconic, The Who.
There is so much I could write about and so I just decided that it would be better for me to pick one of my favorite songs from The Who and talk about it, some facts, some nostalgia, and finally a You Tube video of the song. Here goes!

"Baba O'Reilly" by The Who

The title to this song is often mistken for "Teenage Wasteland", as no where in the songs lyrics does it say "Baba O'Reilly" at all. I first heard this song when I was a teenager, can't really remember where or when, but I instantly fell in love with not only the lyrics, but the wierd trippy beat in the beginning of the song. I have learned that this song is one of the first songs that a synthesizer was used to form the beat of a song. To reproduce this sound live in concert was near impossible, so they used a recording of this to play Baba O'Reilly live.
The song may sound familiar, because it is chopped up and edited together to create the theme song for "CSI: New York". This fact I am quite sad about, but I guess they probably cash in everytime they play it.

I would never have had the honor of seeing all the original members of The Who play live, as Keith Moon (Drummer) died in 1978 as age 32 of an overdose. And in 2002, John Entwistle (Bassist) died of a heart attack. The two surviving members of the band, Roger Daltrey (vocals) and Pete Townshend (guitar) are alive and kicking and still making music. If you'd like to check out more on The Who, go here.

The Who performing "Baba O'Reilly"