Kaitlin LOVES to go to the Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo every year during the holiday season, and every year has to beg Brent to go. This year, he surprised her by inviting her to go before she had to try to convince him. While they were on the train ride she noticed him fidgeting in his pocket for something and she thought he was going to pull out a ring and propose. He didn’t. hmmmm.
So afterwards they walked out to the car and he pulled out the ring and proposed there. In the car. In Kaitlin’s words…really? in my car? that is the corniest,dorkiest way to propose!
However, she knew how Brent gets nervous with alot of people around and, being sure he’s get a “yes” if he waited til the moment was private, he chose a more quiet place and asked her. She said that is Brent, and she was happy that he asked.
To me, that is what makes it so special. Not all the hoopla and whatnot, but that he was so nervous it was so cute for him to put his own little twist on it! Go Brent!!
Meet Baxter~ “Baxter Boo” as Kaitlin calls him 
We decided to shoot their Couples Fun Session on the BG campus, since that is where they met and spent alot of their time together.
I loved the light pouring in one of the walk through
Kaitlin and Brent want to do a vintage theme to their Save The Dates so I brought along some fun vintage cameras to play with
I just love the way he holds on to her
And the look on his face as he does
Kaitlin’s smile in infectious. She is just adorable!
Thanks you two crazy kids! can’t wait to see you again!
Love, JPP
6 CommentsKeep It Simple Stupid. Or, so I’ve tried to tell myself. I can be…complex. I can be…high maintenance (shut up, Brian). I can be…a perfectionist. I try too hard. To make people happy, to get a shot juuuuuust right, to edit an image just so, to keep my house spotless…(yeah,not that THAT ever happens, but, I try).
That’s me. Always trying. This year I’m trying to keep things simple. Getting organized with a schedule that works for me and my household. Getting to the gym when it’s right for me, not if it fits in with my workout buddy’s schedule, ‘cuz they don’t always mesh.
I read books like, Become a Better You by Joel Osteen, How to Click with Everyone Every Time by David A. Rich, As A Lady Would Say, Sheryl Shade (when reading that I was like Is this lady for real? Crack me up!) The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd.. and the list goes on. I read these because I want to be a better person. I want to be a better mom. I want to be a better photographer, businesswoman, wife. And then I thought… just be ME. That is what sets me apart from others. Makes me different. Not books, or my photos, just ME.
I don’t want to be like so and so... I want to be me. I like the ME that God made (well, sometimes.) And therein lies the problem. I want to like ME all the time.
K.I.S.S. Stop trying so hard Julie!
Anyway, this blog wasn’t about anything in particular, just a reminder for myself I guess.
So, maybe this is a good opportunity for those who read my blog but don’t comment much to ask me a question. Any question. About business, about photography, about my life… ask me a question in the comments and I will answer them.
Ask away!
Love, JPP
No CommentsFeature Friday. I started thinking about how lil’ ol’ me can help out my fellow Toledo area wedding professionals, especially all the great photographers we have in this area, and VOILA! Feature Friday was born! I have been compiling a list of questions, and as I interview each wedding professional, I add more to my list, trying to make it fitting for each business, showing personal and professional sides and growth of each featured friend.
I will be featuring those in all aspects to weddings. Photogs, videographers, florists, make up artists, stylists,venues, you name it!
If you would like to nominate someone to be featured here on the JPP blog, just leave a comment or send me an email to julie@jp-photography.net
Today I am featuring the BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS Brandi Marroquin~ Aesthetican
Brandi, tell us how you got started with this.
I went to Esthetics school and got my license as an Aesthetican in 2005. I have been actively working in a Dermatology practice for ten years. I began working with makeup on clients in 2001. I went to an in-depth makeup training course in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 2007. I’ve been doing weddings for the past four years and in the past two years I’ve had more opportunities, only by word of mouth.
Being a recent bride yourself, you know that every bride wants to look her absolute BEST on her big day. Can you give us some tips to help lessen a bit of the stress each woman goes through while determining her makeup for her wedding day?
It’s your wedding day! Every detail is planned for your day, from the date and time to the dress and hair. Here are TEN tips to cover the details for your wedding day makeup!
1) Your makeup should reflect the time of day and where your wedding is located. For example, a traditional church wedding in the afternoon should have a much different look than an outside wedding in the late afternoon. The look can go from classic to a soft romantic look.
2) The style of your dress usually reflects your personality, and so shall your makeup!
3) If you choose to have your makeup done by a professional, always make sure you have at least one trial application. For instance, with my clients I allow them to have as many trial runs as they need at no cost. My priority is to make sure my bride feels like themselves for their look on her special day.
4) Your flowers, your bridesmaids, and the colors you choose for your wedding should be a factor when choosing the shades of colors for your makeup.
5) If your makeup is being applied by an artist, allow your bridesmaids and mothers of bride and groom to have their makeup done by the same person. Not only should this give group discounts, but will ensure consistency on the look throughout all the ladies. Pictures are a huge deal when it comes to properly applied makeup, and you want a well blended look with everyone, no one should stand out but you!
6) Brows! Brows! Brows! I cannot stress how important having your brows well groomed and visible is for you pictures! Eyes can get lost on the face when brows are not in place!
7) No Shine! There is a big difference between a bridal makeup glow and shiny face. I always suggest using a primer prior to makeup application. This also allows makeup to last even loner for your day!
8) If a makeup artist is doing your makeup, let them know your personal style. Give them the opportunity to learn your personality. I enjoy spending time with my clients. I quickly learn their likes and dislikes. This will truly give them a better understanding of you who are and what you want.
9) After wedding touch ups! If your makeup is professionally done, make sure you have similar lip and powder colors, or the exact colors the professional used to be ready for touch ups for photos and reception! Many times the professional is willing to include the makeup they used on you in a package deal. Saving you more!
10) Ultimately have fun and enjoy yourself! You’re getting married to the love of your life! This should not be a day of stress, but a day where no one can wipe the smile off your face. And if tears of happiness cannot be withheld, always blot and never wipe!
Beauty by Brandi
If you have an interest in contacting me please reach me at 419-270-0019 or brandiskincare@yahoo.com
FREE CONSULTS
These eyelashes are for real girls! Brandi uses Latisse and can show you how to get gorgeous eyelashes like these! Contact her today to have AMAZING eyelashes by your wedding date!
Brandi also does makeup for some of my senior girl sessions as well, and she did my makeup for my sister in law’s wedding and for my High School reunion.
Love, JPP
2 Comments
JPP offers Gift Cards! (and gives some away!)
February 17, 2010 ● Babies, Bellies!, Births, Children, Families, News, Products, Weddings ●
What do we get someone who has everything? Gift cards! What do you get someone last minute? Gift cards! What does everyone always want but are afraid to ask or register for? Gift cards!
I recently read on a popular wedding website that while it is not acceptable to ask for anything, it is totally acceptable to register for things, as expected, and gift cards are on that list!
Our packages are made up of a very basic line of desires we see come through every year: our time, talent, and a dvd of images. So, that’s what we give. Do we give our images away? No, clients pay for them. It’s in our package price. But, not every client can afford an album (or a BIGGER album) and one way we can help is by offering gift cards.
Friends and family can purchase gift cards through us, just like they would purchase a gift off their registry, and give is as a shower gift or wedding gift. These gift cards may be used towards services or print products.
They may also be purchased as baby gifts, family photo sessions, etc.
What a great way for a bride to be able to get everything she wants from her wedding photography and not another toaster (although, toasted bagels ROCK!)
And, what great gift for a new mom, a family, grandparents who have everything, an anniversary, or just to celebrate that special birthday or “Just Because”.
Doesn’t this guy look like he could used cheering up with a JPP gift card?? (this image was taken in New Orleans when I was there for a conference in November)
Want to win a gift card for yourself? Leave a comment after this post and your name will go in for a drawing for a $50 GC! If we get 50 comments we’ll give a $100 JPP GC! Tell your friends and family about it and send them to the blog! I’ll post the winner March 1st so check this blog post back and read the comments!
I think we may even make this an ongoing thing, cuz, well, I’m a giver and all… *wink* sooooo… whenever we get 50 comments on the blog on any one post I will choose one comment and that person will win a JPP GC! Value of each card will vary, you never know when it may be $25, $50, $100 or more! So keep the comments coming (only one comment per person per blog post please) Send all your friends and family to the blog to leave comments!
If you’re a bride or groom have your friends and family comment on the blog post of your event! If your event is not posted yet, give me shout and I’ll put it up asap!
If you’ve been a “BLOG STALKER” ~one who visits and lurks but doesn’t leave comments~ here’s your chance to say something nice and get in on the drawing!
I look forward to reading all the comments! leave the B&G some lovin’, tell me what you think of me (only if it’s nice!) or just say “hey!” to let me know you stopped by.
Love, JPP
7 CommentsOn Saturday
I dreamed about photography last night. Go figure.
Usually at bedtime I am reading about photography, be it in a Rangefinder magazine, a business book, or just flipping through pages of a fashion magazine for inspiration. It’s on my brain all the time. I go to bed thinking about it, pray about it, dream about it, and it’s usually one of the first thoughts in my head in the morning as I talk to God about how I should spend my day.
This morning I woke up thanking God for every blessing he has placed in my life, including my amazing husband and four fabulous children, asking for blessings upon them as they go about their days. Then I realized, I hadn’t taken a picture of my husband yesterday on his birthday. Not. One. Picture.
What was wrong with me? Just because he is 40 he doesn’t get pictures taken as he opens his gifts from family? No pictures of us at dinner at Granite City? No pictures of him blowing out the four candles I had placed on his cake from Eston’s?
So, with photography on my mind as I opened my eyes this morning (groggy, at 7:30 a.m on a Saturday!) I mumbled to him as he was leaving for men’s bible study at church Im making your portrait today. What? Just give me ten minutes later, okay? Sure, he replied.
On Sunday
Well, I never did get to take his picture. Time got away from us, chores needed done, the kids needed our attention, and bedtime drew near.
Now, it’s Sunday, two days after his birthday. And, today is Valentine’s Day.
This is what I woke up to today, because the man who doesn’t like to be in pictures is also a very loving, thoughtful man, and knows I would at least take a picture of this.
He knows how much I love photography, and even though he cringes when I say I want to make his portrait, he knows it’s my love and he would. So, keep watching the blog. I WILL make his portraits soon. Just him. When the time is right.
LOVE. Pastor Randy talked about love in church today. About God’s love for us. About the love we have (or don’t have) for God. He talked about how when we’re new Christians or new in our faith it’s kinda like when you first find that special someone.
He asked the question 
o we love God, or do we just kinda like Him? ouch.
When we first fall in love (or are attracted to someone/something else) we have a heightened awareness. We remember and notice everything about that person.
We pay attention to details~ infatuation. Become infatuated with Jesus!
There is an emotional connection. We have feeling for them and think about them more and more. ( as new Christians we want to learn and soak up everything about God!)
Other things become less important. Our priorities are altered. (We want to spend time with them and put other things aside)
Isn’t this the love we should feel for Jesus? And, if you have this love for Jesus, do you still feel the same as the first day you found Him? Have you fallen out of love? What can we do to get those feelings back?
I am so grateful to my pastor and our church family! Thank you for LOVING us the past 12 years that we have attended Heritage Christian Church!
Love, JPP
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