Just an FYI, I will be out of the office from Monday November 2 (leaving at o’dark:30 in the morning!) until Monday November 9th. I am headed to New Orleans for the Pictage PartnerCon, a photography conference hosted by Pictage and their many sponsors. I am so excited about everything I’ll be learning, who I’ll meet, making new friends in the business, and growing JPP! Every time I go (this is my third photography conference with them) I can’t sleep because I am so inspired and reenergized and come back so excited and full of ideas! My husband says Slow down, you’re gonna hurt yourself with all those thoughts! I can’t help it! It’s just what I need to boost my creativity and reach out and get to know others with the same passion. If you leave me an email or voicemail I will return it as soon as I can. Thanks in advance for your patience!
So watch out! When I return I will have even more new product ideas, shooting techniques, marketing strategies, and will be releasing my “Secret Project” by Christmas, just in time for the winter bridal shows!
I’d like to thank all of you who faithfully (or even sparatically) follow this blog. And, even more so, to those of you who take the time to leave me your thoughts, well wishes, and comments because reading those REALLY makes my day Super! Keep the comments coming!
Here are a couple images from our trip to Plain Valley (Leavenworth) Washington. More to come soon (after all my client orders are up to date!)
This one is for Lynette…
Love, JPP
1 CommentI cannot tell you how amazing our trip was out West a few weeks ago! I will be blogging different parts of our time spent there over the next few weeks, so I hope you don’t get bored reading!
We met so many amazing people, and Jamie and Nick are no exception. This totally adorable couple have been married a few years and recently bought some land to build their dream home on in Plain Valley, Washington. I can think of no better place to build a home and a life together than Plain Valley. I seriously think if we didn’t have such deep roots here my husband would pack us up and we’d be living there tomorrow!
Although no ground has been broken yet to start construction, Jamie and Nick wanted to have memories made on the property, which sits just beside Mountain Springs, a lodge facility for weddings, corporate events, family gatherings, etc. Jamie and Nick both work at Mountain Springs, Jaimie as an event planner and Nick as all around handy man, I believe (correct me in a comment if I’m wrong!) and their new home will be conveniently located within walking distance. If you get a chance, scroll over here and visit the link to see how amazing this place is. I am dying for an excuse to go back there! So, since Jamie is the event coordinator there I’m hoping to shoot a few weddings out there next year! (hint, hint!)
I am the first one to admit I am not good with pets, of any kind, but these dogs were so hilarious, always wanting to be RIGHT NEXT TO Jaimie and Nick, and would not look at me or the camera. I thought it was so cute! Making sure they were right there behind or near them!
I was TRYING to get a serious, soft face, but the dogs kept wanting to play and were literally in their faces. I love Jaimie’s laugh here as one had just licked her face!
This is the beautiful Aspen Grove where Jamie and Nick were married. The leaves were perfectly golden and just listening to the leaves rustling in the wind could lull a bear to sleep.
Jaimie and Nick, it was such a pleasure meeting you both and I thank you so much for allowing me the honor of photographing you and telling a little bit of your story. May God bless your lives and your new home and property, and I hope to see you again someday!
Love, JPP
2 CommentsThis week while I was thinking of something to blog besides images (which I have PLENTY of and promise to get a sneak peek of every session up!) I wanted to share some things that have made me think. Have inspired me. Made me stop and enjoy, be grateful, listen, pay attention…
1. Michael J. Fox. Always Looking Up. An Incurable Optimist. I think that’s the name of his book. He said something about not wanting or wishing for a lighter load, but broader shoulders. He inspires me. He’s funny, positive, brave.
2.TV commercials. I used to channel surf during commercials, not caring about advertising. Then one caught my eye one day the beginning of this summer. I think it was a JC Penney commercial with a bunch of ladies running out of a tent or something with balloons. Balloons. Now there’s a fun idea for a senior girl session! So, I tried it, and LOVED it. So much fun! I make it a point to learn from or be inspired by everything. A song, a card, a TV show or commercial, words someone speaks to a loved one… I want to learn how to express it through an image.
3. Moms who know how to “let the little things go”, like not folding laundry or not having to make a gourmet meal every night. Grilled cheese and soup works just fine, especially in the Fall, and as long as we’re all around the table, takeout pizza works fine too. And, who cares if the towels are folded right? They end up on the floor in the bathroom after one use. I have to admit, I was a freak about this. Now I’m just happy if they make it to the teenagers’ bathroom and not left on the couch.
4. My BIBLE. Every week I try to find a verse (or it finds me) that relates to my life today and I apply it so as not to fall too far off my walk with Him. It helps me to take even just a few minutes every day and spend it quietly with God. I used to think I don’t have that much time so I’ll skip it today. But, it’s like excersize- just because you don’t have a full hour to work out taking 15 minutes to do something helps the body. Help the soul by spending 15 minutes with God every day. I realize my inside is just as important as my outward appearance.
5. My family inspires me. My kids make me laugh. They remind me not to be serious all the time. There will always be work (God willing!) so it’s okay to take a break and be silly.
My husband lifts me up and gives me strength. He does the dishes when the sink is full. He hands over the remote when I finally step away from the computer and sit on the couch for a few minutes. He draws me a bath after a full day of shoots. This helps me recharge and get re inspired, knowing I can do it another day! Gosh, I’m one lucky girl!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
1 CommentMeet my new friend, Nathan. He is a student and current Vice President at Wenatchee Valley college. Nathan has been in acting for 14 years and his future plans are to go into … get this… film OR politics! Hmmm. Anything is possible, right Ronald and Arnold?? Nathan also plans to further his acting and modeling career. He’s got lots of experience under his belt as Key Club president, FFA, Drama Club president, TATU leader, as well as being and Evergreen boys state member and HOBY member.So,any scouts out there… check him out!
I LOVE this next one. They must have all thought I was crazy wanting to shoot at an old abandoned bus out in the middle of a field, but I had a vision! This was shot through a dirty, scratched window. Instant, natural texture with a little sepia/vintage lovin’!
Totally. Fierce.
I’m diggin’ it dude. Now THAT’S how you RAWK out a senior session!
No CommentsA couple of weeks ago my husband & I flew out to the Pacific NW to celebrate our 20 year anniversary and visit some friends in Plain, (Leavenworth) Washington. More on our celebrations later, but I wanted to share some sesssions I was able to shoot while we were there. I know it was supposed to be a vacation, but I had to take advantage of shooting in a different location and I also love to serve others. So, thanks Lynette for hooking me up with a few great clients!
Autum… a perfect name for this time of year, and it’s her fave, of course! Autum will graduate from Cascade High School and also takes classes at Wenatchee Valley college. She wants to study Education and Life Counseling, and enjoys dance, living life and her dog Hero!
She was such a joy to photograph, so easy in front of the camera, and you can tell the camera loves her right back!
Railroad tracks are easy to find anywhere, and the lines make an interesting statement!
Aren’t these the most gorgeous brown eyes you’ve ever seen??
This bridge sits just off center and behind our friends’ house and I love it! You’ll see it in more pictures when I post more from our trip!
The scenery is just so different. I loved finding little areas to put her in…
A little swinging action…
Autum, thank you so much for trusting me, sight unseen, to photograph this special time in your life!
Love, JPP
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