"Giving is Awesome" Contest Reminder!!

Just a friendly reminder to submit your nominations for the Giving is Awesome contest! Remember:

1.  You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must be incapable of purchasing my services.

2. They must either a) live in or b) be able to travel to the Birmingham area.

3. You must email me at jswphotography@gmail.com with the family's full story.

In order to honor the privacy of the family that wins, I have decided not to post their names/story on my blog (unless they specify otherwise).  Don't let this deter you from sending in your nominations!  Several have already been submitted, and there is still one week left!  The winner will receive a photo shoot, a $250 print credit, and a dvd of full resolution photos to keep!  Time to get busy and send those nominations in!

Bethany & Ben....

...had my dream wedding.  It could not have been more beautiful.  In the mountains of North Carolina.  Small, with plenty of time to celebrate with close family and friends.  Beautiful 70 degree weather in November.  

Bethany and Ben have become good friends over the past year or so.  Bethany plays violin in Act of Congress with my husband Adam.  Ben has been her #1 fan from day 1.  It has been such a joy to watch their relationship develop and culminate into this wonderful day.  Their wedding was held at Ben's parent's mountain home in North Carolina.  When I say mountain home, I mean that their home was literally built at the peak of a mountain.  Their front yard is a level 20 yard space and then there is a sharp drop off that gives way to the most breathtaking view you've ever seen.  All I can say is that it was  impossible to take a bad photo.  Not to mention that these two are pretty much supermodels. :)

Click here to view their slideshow!

Giving is Awesome

I stumbled upon this website the other day and could not contain my excitement.  I've been looking for a way to serve others with my photography, trying to brainstorm creative projects that will really be meaningful for those in need.  Sometimes I feel like photography is a superfluous gift...not something that people really need.  And I guess it's not like food or shelter...people won't die without photos.  But as I get a little bit older, I'm beginning to realize just how much my family photos mean to me.  They bring me back to a time and place that I can never have again.  They make my memories more vivid, they embody a time in my life and the life of my family that I want to hold onto forever. 

All that to say that I want to pass this precious gift along.  The current economy is making it a little harder for most to afford even the bare essentials, much less a photo session complete with prints.  So I want to give away a photo session for a family or couple who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it.  I am asking you to think about everyone you know...and everyone they know....and reach out and nominate someone.   The family selected will win a free photo session + a $250 print credit. Email me at jswphotography@gmail.com with nominations!

Here are my 3 conditions:

1.  You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services....this does not include families who are lagging on mortgage payments on their vacation homes overseas. 

2. They must either a) live in or b) be able to travel to the Birmingham area.

3.  You must email me at jswphotography@gmail.com with the family's full story.

I will be inciting the help of select friends and family to decide the winner.  Please send all nominations in by December 28th.  I will be announcing the winner on January 1st!  Because I want as many people to participate as possible, I would greatly appreciate you spreading the word!  If you have a blog, write about it!  Email your friends!  Spread the giving!! 

Mallory & Ron: the wedding

Mallory and Ron were married on November 8th and they couldn't have picked a more beautiful day.  The sun was shining, it was just the right temperature, and they were surrounded by their closest family and friends.  They are couple that have reached out and truly loved those around them and it completely showed.  Their ceremony was incredibly meaningful, with all of the wedding guests invited to take communion and pray with the new couple.

And what an awesome reception! The band was first class and kept everyone dancing all night. 

To view their slideshow, click here!

Back...and better than ever?

Ok, I'm not even sure if anyone is out there anymore! If you are, I applaud your patience and perseverance.  :)  I have been so incredibly busy these past few months, which has been such a blessing (I love new clients!!!) but I have been unprepared for the toll it would take on this little blog.  I have so much to share...I don't even know where to start!

As you have probably already noticed, the blog is getting a little face lift.  We are in process, so please keep checking back for a finished product.  I'm so excited about the new look!

I have SO many sessions to share with you from the past 3 months.  I'll try to post 1 a day to catch up.  Hold me to this!!!  Here we go...

Mallory and Ron are two of the kindest, warmest people that I have ever met.  We shot their engagement photos way back in September, and I enjoyed my time with them so much that I kept them in front of my camera for over 2 hours!  It doesn't hurt that they are also totally photogenic.  

Mallory & Ron, thank you for involving me in such a beautiful part of your life!  Their wedding was in November....more fun images to come soon!

I PROMISE I'm still here. I think started about 50 posts over the past two weeks, only to realize that there was an urgent to-do list that I was neglecting. Please forgive me friends! I promise to return to the world of blogging in the very, very near future.

This was where we spent our weekend.  It was very hard to come home to real life.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Ginny and Daniel had the perfect wedding. It wasn't just about the decorations and details (although those were fabulous- I would expect nothing less from the fashion/design savvy Ginny). It was the culmination of their individual journeys into promise of the future plans that the Lord has for them together.

I heart Ginny's dress. If I was getting married tomorrow, this is the dress I would choose, hands down.

Daniel spent the morning of his wedding day serving everyone around him. I was amazed at his innate selflessness. He is going to make one wonderful husband to Mrs. Smith!

Look at how joyful they are!

To view more of their wedding images, click here!

Ginny & Daniel, thank you for asking me to capture your amazing wedding. It was nothing short of perfect because it was encompassed by the joy that the Lord has put in your hearts. Thank you for pouring out your lives to those around you.

Harder than it looks

I am very rarely in front of the camera if I can help it.  Being behind my lens is such a safe and familiar and comfortable place for me that I forget how intimidating it can be to stare into the other side of it.  I asked my good friend Shea to take a few photos of me for my website (I've been putting this off for months).  As soon as she faced me with her Canon 5D, normal Jessica melted away as I morphed into insecure 13 year old Jessica...it makes me laugh now to think about how uncomfortable I was!  This modeling stuff is alot harder than it looks!  As awkward as I became, I really had a great time and it was so helpful for me as a photographer.  I feel like it gave me new perspective on how to direct clients in order to make them feel confident while capturing the realness of who they are. Shea and I took turns shooting each other, trying out new angles & techniques.  Thanks for your hard work Shea!

 

Act of Congress on ABC 33/40

I'm so proud of Adam and Act of Congress!  Click here to watch them on this morning's show.

A Little Preview...

Congratulations Daniel & Ginny! Their wedding day was such a dream....all of the details came together perfectly and Ginny could not have been a more beautiful bride if she tried. Look at how happy these two are!!!

I can't wait to edit through the rest of the photos from Saturday.  I'll post a slideshow soon!

I had a couple of super fun sessions today.  Heather & Chris are getting married in May at The Sonnet House and I am counting down the days until their wedding.  Aren't they so cute together?

Busy, busy!

So I had great intentions, but somehow life got in the way and I failed to post any of the sessions that I promised!! One of the reasons was because...

I was getting ready for my very first bridal fair!! I was so nervous all week about my booth coming together, but I feel like it turned out just like I envisioned. My sweet parents came along to help me set everything up and I really could not have done it without their help. My mom has such a great eye for design and helped me to get all of the details just right.

I loved meeting all of the other vendors that participated. Renee, the owner of Rosewood (where I shot Amber & Gene's wedding) had a booth right across from me. We had such a good time tasting all of the food from the caterers around town! :) I also met the fabulous owner of Flower Stems, Mr. Vince Gray. He provided the arrangements for the event, and I was completely blown away by the originality and detail in his work. You can check out all of the vendors that participated at this link.

I loved getting to visit with all of the beautiful brides that participated (one of them was one of my brides...we're shooting her engagements next weekend, so be on the lookout for her fun photos!). Thanks to everyone who came out!

The Glorious Beach

Adam and I could not have had a better vacation. We slept in, lounged on the beach, ate out, played putt-putt, went to the movies, went shopping, and just enjoyed being together. My only complaint is that it ended too early. I must say October is the most beautiful time of the year to hit the beach--the water was gorgeous and we had the beach pretty much to ourselves.

This is the house that we stayed in.

Kidding of course. We stayed at a place right on the beach, which was perfect. I spotted this house on our ride home and begged Adam to stop and let me snap a quick photo (thinking that it looked interesting and quirky and might make a cool black & white). I was walking to get a close up shot when Adam mentioned its resemblance to the residence in the last scary movie he saw, and then proceeded to describe the gory plot in detail. At this point I sprouted wings and flew back to the car before he could fill my mind with more fodder for the nightmares that are sure to come.

So we are back in the swing of things and I have several fun sessions to share, and maybe another sale in the near future. :) Stay tuned for more to come soon!

It's been 2 Years

since I walked down the aisle and promised the rest of my life to Adam Nathaniel Wright.   Two years that have been so rich and full, but too short for my liking.  I have experienced more joy in the last two years than I could have imagined, more heartache than I thought I could withstand, more peace than I knew I had been given, and more contentment than I thought was possible.  I thought I understood the love of Christ before I met Adam.  Now I see it every day, in the patient smiles and gentle tones and humble workings of my husband.  I have learned the irreplaceable value of forgiveness and the healing power of the gospel in the two simple words "I'm sorry."  I have seen God's hand mend my hurt and his, by shining through the brokenness of our misguided ways and always leading us back to the hand of Jesus. With each hurt has come a healing that has deepened my love and respect for this man that God has called me to serve.  Two years ago I was oblivious to the magnitude of my promise and the weight of my words as I joyously uttered "I do."  Those words have grown richer and have continued to ring sweetly in our hearts as we make that same pledge with each rising and setting of the sun.  To my sweet, wonderful Adam:  I love you every day.

**To all of my wonderful clients, I want you to know that I will be a little hard to reach this weekend, as Adam and I are taking a little time off to celebrate our marriage.  We are headed to Destin today and will return on Tuesday.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I will catch up with you next week!

Haley & Johnny

I had a great time chatting and laughing and exploring the Botanical Gardens with Haley and Johnny last month.  They are both so personable, not to mention incredibly photogenic!

  Click here to view their slideshow!

Andrew & Leakhena

Andrew & Leakhena have such a sweet relationship.  Just plain sweet.  As his wedding gift to Leakhena, Andrew handcrafted all of their dinnerware.  Their whole day was filled with such love and thoughtfulness, and I was so blessed to be there.

View their slideshow here.

Daniel & Ginny, Part II

I cannot wait for Ginny and Daniel's wedding in October. Ginny has been a huge part of my life over the past 5 years. She led my discipleship group in college and helped me to grow so much in my relationship with the Lord during that time. She also was the one that set me up with my wonderful husband Adam, so I really owe her one! And Daniel is completely perfect for her...super laid back, good-natured, and easy-going...he could not be a better complement to her fun-loving nature. I had such a wonderful time with them in Gadsden and cannot wait to make it back for their wedding. Make sure to check out their slideshow here.

Just a little housekeeping:  click  the link to the right to access sale information and be sure to shoot me an email with any questions you may have about this great deal!

As promised...

I love to be able to help my brides out, so I thought "Why not get started on the right foot and get a little sale going?" Starting today and going through Sept. 15th, I'll knock a whole 15% off of the initial wedding investment!  Click on the sale poster above to download the sale brochure, and then print it off and send it in with your contract & deposit.

**Not-so-fine print:  Contract and deposit must be received by the 15th for the offer to apply.  Sale does not include products (prints, albums, etc).  Email me for a copy of the contract if you are interested!

Ok,  I haven't posted pictures in a while, so here is one from my adorable nephew.  I met my sister-in-law Katie at Botanical Gardens this morning to shoot a quick 6 month session.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!!

Wynfrey Occasions

Wedding planning is a full-time job in and of itself.  With so many details to coordinate and decisions to make, it is so important to select the right vendors to make the whole process run smoothly.  Find people who you really click with, who want to learn your vision for your day and then work hard to make those dreams a reality.  Cathy Sherbet of Wynfrey Occasions fits the "perfect vendor" description to a T.  I've known Cathy since my time at Montevallo, and I cannot think of a more personable and professional person to work in the event catering industry.  And I am completely impressed with Wynfrey Occasions.  They have an incredible menu with options to suit all types of events and needs (think pancake bar for a morning wedding....how creative and awesome is that?!!), AND they cater all around the Birmingham area.  

I married my wonderful husband almost two years ago and I wish someone had sent a list of preferred vendors my way...I had no idea what I was doing and had to start from scratch.  So hopefully my occasional vendor posts will help someone out!  You can reach Cathy at the number below, and tell her that Jessica says hello! :)