Jessica Wright Photography

Now it's time to say goodbye...

2010-02-11T16:40:00.002-06:00

...to this blog!!! I've found a new space here. Stop by and let me know what you think!!!

Maternity Shots

2010-01-30T20:32:00.007-06:00

With my focus being mainly weddings, maternity photography is a little like greek to me. I've done very little and am not educated in the world of maternity photos. After booking a couple of maternity shoots, I thought I'd do my research to see what a standard maternity session entailed. I've decided that I'm definitely not into the almost nude, flowy material maternity work that is out there. Thankfully my clients weren't either! I wanted my sessions to highlight the beauty of pregnancy and all of the excitement and expectations that come along with it. Here are a few shots from my sessions...

Kandace and Michael:

Isn't she gorgeous?! We were going for the whole "glowing" look. :)

Ashley:

Pregnancy just suits Ashley. I hope I look this good when it's my turn!!!

I'm hoping to shoot more maternity photos in the future. If you're expecting, definitely give me a call!!!

Haley & Johnny: 7.25.2009

2010-01-26T17:03:00.008-06:00

So, I've been on a random, out of order blogging spurt this past year. Inevitably, this means that I have left out weddings that I've had the best intentions to blog. So, over the next week I'm going to try to play a little catch up!

Haley and Johnny were one of my all time favorite couples. They have so much fun together and it is completely contagious- their friends and family could not help but have a fabulous time celebrating the marriage of such a wonderful couple!

Wright Family Photos...

2010-01-15T19:19:00.009-06:00

Adam and I are constantly talking about how we don't take enough photos of our family. I (like many other gals) tend not to like photos of myself, but I know that one day I'll want to look back at this phase of our life and reminisce through pictures. Plus, how hypocritical is it to tell other people how important pictures are and then neglect to take any of my own life?! To remedy this, I dragged Adam and (a very unwilling) Buster out to an overgrown field near I-20 to snap a few pictures right before sundown yesterday. This photoshoot took all of about 20 minutes from start to finish. Maybe not my best work, but I know I'll be glad to have these when I'm old and gray.

The photo of Adam is one of my test shots that I really liked. After I got my settings straight, I handed my camera over to him to work his magic. I think I may have found my next Jessica Wright Photography employee. :)

I pulled out my rusty old tripod for the rest of these. I'm sure the people driving by on the interstate got a kick out of me pressing the shutter and running for dear life to dive in the photo. I won't humiliate myself any further by showing you the outtakes...

(Notice Buster attempting getaway #1 of the afternoon.)

(Buster plotting getaway #2)

(Buster found himself crated for this one. No more getaway attempts for this guy.)

Hopefully frequent family photoshoots will become a trend for the Wrights and I will have more of these to post throughout the year. And to practice what I preach, I've ordered prints of all of the above to hang around the house! How's that for a good start?

Amy & Chris

2010-01-08T17:09:00.005-06:00

Amy and Chris were married on a gorgeous June day in Chelsea. They have such a sweet love for each other and I was thrilled to be there to capture it.

Mitch and Abby

2010-01-04T12:53:00.008-06:00

Abby and Mitch were married this summer at Southside Baptist Church. When she told me the location, I was giddy...who can resist that gorgeous architecture?

A few pretty details...

Abby's mom seeing her for the first time...

On the way to see Mitch...

Aren't they gorgeous?

Ring engravings are my favorite!

Ceremony time

The entire audience died laughing when Mitch did this. How awesome!

Long time no see...

2010-01-04T10:07:00.019-06:00

...or something like that. It seems like the longer I wait, the harder it is for me to get the gumption to face this little blog of mine. I'm not a new years resolution kind of person, so I won't promise to be a better blogger in 2010. But I do hope to enjoy blogging the more I do it. So in an effort to enjoy it, I'm going to try to blog the rest of my 2009 in the coming week. Can I do it? Yes. Will I do it? We'll hope for the best.

Let's see, where did I leave off? Oh yes, Heather and Chris's beautiful wedding at the Sonnet House (which I have turned into a pretty new sample album and canvas....more on that later!). Next in the queu is Ben & Elizabeth's sweet wedding at Reid Chapel. They married on a rainy day in May (I could say that about most of my May weddings last year!). Ben & Elizabeth didn't let the rain bother them...in fact, Elizabeth told me later that her favorite photo of the entire day was one of the bridal party parading to the ceremony in the rain. I think umbrellas make wedding photos romantic....glad that she took the same view! Here are a few of the photos...

Ben was cool, calm and collected the entire day.

Did I mention that Elizabeth has the most contagious laugh of all time? I can almost hear it when I look at this picture. Maybe one of my favorites of the day.

This is Elizabeth's favorite. At first I didn't love that it was slightly out of focus, but now I think it adds to the romance of the picture. And it has an umbrella. Oh how I love a good umbrella picture!

A few of the lovely bride and groom...

A huge thanks to Elizabeth and Ben for bringing me into to witness and capture their amazing day!

Heather and Chris

2009-11-04T13:26:00.022-06:00

Chris & Heather's wedding was way back in May, but I'm still totally in love with their images. Could it be because Heather and Chris are out of this world gorgeous? Or because they are real and sincere and it shows? Or because their wedding was at the wonderful Sonnet House? I think it might be a combo of all of these things that make their photos some of my favorites of all time!

Be prepared for a photo explosion! :)

Hello, Vulcan!

2009-10-04T05:38:00.033-05:00

Last Saturday gave me the wedding of my dreams: PERFECT weather, GORGEOUS couple, STUNNING details, and a CRAZY FUN wedding party! Courtney and Chase could not have been more wonderful to work with...they even let me drag them down to Cobb Lane to do a few extra photos! Stick with me, LOTS of photos in this post!

Courtney's dress and shoes were so HER...sleek and hip and chic.

Ahhh, the Jimmy Choo shoes of my dreams...

A few fun getting ready shots...

I was SO glad that Courtney and Chase were go with the flow about pictures...it was a photographer's dream to be able to drag them around downtown to get the perfect shot!

Remember that fun wedding party I told you about?

Ceremony time!

I have SO many images to go through from their day...I'm so excited about what we got! Thank you, Courtney & Chase, for letting me hang with you on your big day. I had a blast!

Earl and Stefanie: The Engagement

2009-09-29T17:21:00.019-05:00

Earl and Stefanie win the award for the most creative session location! Earl is a fireman and they decided to start their session out at his station. They even had the guys clean up a firetruck for us! I was too excited for words...I mean, what photographer wouldn't swoon over a big shiny red engine??? Here are a few at the station...

From the station we traveled over to Tannehill, which is such a hidden jewel! I hadn't been there in years, and had forgotten how much beauty and natural history encompasses the park. Earl practically grew up at Tannehill and was able to fill me in on all the cool places to shoot.

Haylee and Michael

2009-09-14T01:14:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Haylee and Michael, the new Mr. and Mrs. Jeely! They married at the beautiful Rosewood on Saturday. It was a perfect day from start to finish.

Eric & Christa

2009-09-06T23:25:00.009-05:00

Here is a little preview of my fabulous afternoon with Eric and Christa...

The Formal Introduction of Buster Wright

2009-09-05T11:01:00.009-05:00

Way back in May, Adam and I went to visit my sister and her husband (who happens to be Adam's best friend since childhood) in Hollywood, Florida. We had a wonderful time hanging out with Stacy, Rick, and their "son", a Boston Terrier named Atticus. When we got home, we impulsively decided that we needed a new addition to our family as well. Enter Buster, the very cute but not-so-cuddly Yorkie who made us a family of two and a half. And while we were not quite prepared for the level of energy, the amount of chewing and the number of accidents he would bring, we love him very much and have forgotten what it was like to walk through the living room without our little shadow puppy right behind us.

While he is still very "naughty" (a very accurate word that a friend recently used to describe him), he loves people and cannot get enough of our attention. Therefore, I felt it was very inattentive of me to not formally introduce him on my own personal space in the world wide web, so here he is. World, meet Buster....and watch your dirty socks--he'll chew them to shreds if you're not careful.

Literary Vintage Chic

2009-09-02T14:15:00.008-05:00

This is how I described my vision for Molly's bridal shoot. And that is SO Molly...totally smart and hip and chic. So we went with it, and created a library in the gardens. I really cannot be more pleased with how her images turned out.

Not all serious...

2009-08-18T10:10:00.005-05:00

I was going through my second shooter's images from my last wedding and came across this, which promptly made me laugh out loud sitting at my computer.

Thanks Amanda for finding the funny!

Current

2009-08-12T23:36:00.003-05:00

Here is what I'm working on right now...

I adore the mystery and intrigue that the backlighting creates. One little flash and a couple of pocket wizards can work wonders on simple reception shots!

My heart beats black and white.

2009-08-11T16:07:00.009-05:00

I started out shooting film and have always loved its organic look and texture, but in the fast paced wedding climate found it more practical to switch over to digital. Unable to completely let go of the beauty of black and white film, I pulled out the cheap old Nikon N65 for an afternoon of fun with Adam and our nephew Weaver. Big Weave is growing up faster than I thought possible, so I'm glad to have spent a couple of hours documenting his sweet face with my dinky little camera.

Weave is taking a breather from all of the fun...

Playing ball with Uncle Adam.

Uncle Adam taking a breather from the fun. :)

LOVE this picture. Reminds me of how much I love the simplicity of warm summer afternoons.

Outtake: Who could expect a 15 month old to sit still for longer than 30 seconds?

I'm hoping to test out some different film varieties, so there will be more to come. Next up on the film plate: Gorham's Bluff in black and white!

Bradley and Anna, 5.2.09

2009-07-13T14:43:00.009-05:00

Bradley and Anna married in Clarksville, TN on the first rainy Saturday of many rainy Saturdays in May. I loved that despite the rain, these two were so joyful and happy to just be in each other's presence. Their family and friends were right there with them, showering them with love and laughter. It could not have been a more perfect day.

Sara and Will, 4.25.09

2009-07-13T14:42:00.012-05:00

Sara and Will had the sweetest down on the farm wedding you could have imagined. They decided to wed on her uncle's land and hold the reception in his adjoining barn. The details were so authentic and endearing, just like the two of them.

I was so in love with the reception details at this wedding. The organic, earthy theme was so tastefully done. Isn't this just beautiful?!

The lighting around the cake was like butter....I would pay to have lighting like this everywhere I shoot.

If you can't tell, I can't get enough of dancing reception shots. First dances are one of my favorite parts of the wedding day.

Click here to view their slideshow!

Andrew & Melissa: April 4, 2009

2009-07-13T12:54:00.017-05:00

As you can see, I am WAY behind on blogging my weddings from this year. I have decided to go back and try to blog all that I have missed, starting in April. Good luck to me! :)

You may remember seeing Melissa in some of the photos from Jaime's wedding earlier this year. Well, come April 4th, it was her turn to be the stunning bride! I was so excited to be able to celebrate with their family once again. The day turned out to be sunny and beautiful for Melissa and Andrew, and we could not have wished for anything more.

Melissa made such a beautiful bride...

And Andrew was a handsome groom...

A few fun portraits....

To view more photos from their day, click here!

Mini Vacation

2009-07-07T14:16:00.011-05:00

Adam and I decided that we both work nonstop and need to spend a little more time together. So, to honor our pact, we took off last weekend to the best little vacation spot that you've never heard of: Gorham's Bluff. It was exactly what we needed. Located in north Alabama, this little community is such a hidden jewel. We biked, we swam, we watched movies in our cabin....our weekend was the essence of a "getaway". I highly recommend it if you are looking to escape the busyness of life for a few days. The best part, in my opinion, was the incredible view of the Tennessee River.

If you're looking for a place close to home to just relax and forget about the world, this is it my friends! Adam and I will definitely be going back in the near future.

Stay tuned for more weddings!

Sweet Baby Haynes

2009-06-21T20:52:00.015-05:00

As you have probably figured out by browsing the blog, I don't do alot of baby photoshoots. I LOVE babies, but have never really marketed for child/family photos. When my friends Melody and Brandon had little Haynes, I just HAD to come over and take pictures of the sweet little guy. At just 2 weeks old, he was a perfect angel the whole time and barely fussed! I couldn't have asked for a better session.

Here is my FAVORITE photo of the shoot.

Haynes & Brandon:

Beautiful mom and beautiful baby:

I love little baby toes!

I think baby photos look so classic and timeless in black and white.

I loved getting to spend the afternoon with the sweet Ellis family. Haynes is absolutely perfect and it was so special to see Brandon and Melody's love for him. I'm looking forward to watching Haynes grow and develop over the years!

City Stages '09

2009-06-20T10:47:00.004-05:00

I'm so proud of Adam and Act of Congress for their performance at City Stages last night. They opened the night on the Legacy Credit Union Stage and I was thrilled about the crowd that turned out! They just keep getting better and better. Here's a photo just in case you missed it...

Rachel & Nathan

2009-06-13T23:04:00.003-05:00

I am home from Rachel & Nathan's wedding and couldn't wait to share a couple of portraits from their special day.

I have lots of weddings to share from the past 2 months...keep checking back for more to come soon!

The Latest

2009-06-13T09:47:00.011-05:00

Well, it's been such a busy month! Lots of changes since I last checked in. We got a dog (more on that soon), I visited my sister in Ft. Lauderdale for the first time since she moved at the beginning of the year, I shot 3 weddings, we decided to put our house up for sale and have been thoroughly cleaning and preparing (anyone want to buy a cute house in Moody?), and I second shot for the fabulous Camille Beasely at Santa Rosa Beach. Needless to say I've been running 90 to nothing trying to keep up and have neglected (once again) this little blog of mine. So as I get ready to run off to Rachel and Nathan's wedding today, I wanted to share a few photos from the wedding I shot with Camille this week.

Camille and I traveled down to Santa Rosa Beach, FL this week to shoot her sister's wedding. It was SUCH a wonderful, relaxing week and I am so thankful that I got to tag along. The wedding was sweet and simple and perfect for Candace & Jacob (Camille's sister and now brother-in-law).

Getting Ready...

A few portraits before the ceremony (LOVE the late afternoon Florida sunlight!)...

The sweet sunset ceremony...

A few more portraits before the sun went down...

Thank you to Camille for letting me help out, and to Candace and Jacob for letting me be there to capture their sweet wedding! Check out Camille's blog for more great photos and a slideshow!

More to come on life and wedding season soon!

Jeff & Caroline: May 16, 2009

2009-05-27T19:47:00.035-05:00

Caroline and Jeff had such a fabulous wedding day. Despite the rain, they were both totally laid back and go-with-the-flow. The entire day was filled with the love of family and friends--who could ask for more than that?

Here is their beautiful ceremony location:

The beautiful bride....isn't she just glowing?

You wouldn't believe their reception details. Caroline pulled the expertise of Jill Sampson of Weddings by Jill to create the perfect down-on-the-farm white tent reception.

I loved how Caroline and Jeff have so many genuine friendships. They have such a love for everyone around them. They were truly concerned and interested in all of their guests...it was really wonderful to witness.

I love first dances. LOVE THEM.

Jeff and Caroline, thank you for letting me be with you to capture the special moments of your day. You are both such wonderful people and I had a blast getting to know you!

Congrats Jeff & Caroline!

2009-05-17T01:00:00.004-05:00

I shot Jeff & Caroline's fabulous wedding in Anniston last night! These two are such wonderful, genuine people. I LOVED spending the day with them!

And you won't believe just how fabulous their reception was!

More photos to come soon!

Chase & Courtney

2009-04-27T22:28:00.016-05:00

I could not have had a better time during this shoot if I had tried. Chase and Courtney were the perfect models and were totally comfortable and natural in front of my big awkward lens. :) Seriously, I could have said "stand on your head and cross your eyes" and they would have looked completely adorable doing it. Not only are they gorgeous together, but they are the nicest people you will ever meet. AND, BONUS FEATURE, Courtney is a stylist at my favorite hair salon, Hair Reflections. (Notice her so-perfect-it-makes-you-sick hair in the photos to follow--seriously, I would do anything for hair like that!). To top it all off, they are completely in love....and that makes for the perfect session.

Cindy and Brent: The Gaslight House, 3.27.09

2009-04-13T21:17:00.011-05:00

They had a sweet, intimate Friday-night ceremony that could not have been more perfect. Cindy and Brent absolutely adore each other. You can see it when she lights up when he is around; how he cannot take his eyes off her as she chats with guests across the room. The whole day was too perfect for words and I soaked in every moment.

Doesn't Cindy look fantastic in her dress? She is completely stunning.

They make such a stunning couple!

Edit: A special thanks to Cathy at Wynfrey Occasions for helping their event run flawlessly!

Cindy & Brent

2009-03-28T05:59:00.006-05:00

I couldn't wait to share a preview of the sweet wedding I shot yesterday at The Gaslight House. Cindy and Brent are two of the kindest people that I've met and I was so blessed to be able to document their beautiful wedding.

The Incredible Pregs

2009-03-25T21:59:00.010-05:00

Meet the Pregs. They may very well be the most fun and creative family that I know. Whitney has a fabulous design business called Pikl Paper (check it out for some really cute personalized stationary, sippy cup labels, enclosure cards, etc). It was Whitney who designed my logo that I love so much. Nate is a graphic designer as well. He works at a company that produces these incredibly elaborate corporate trade show booths...very cool stuff.

I've been looking forward to their shoot for quite awhile. We were originally hoping for some fall photos, but it never worked out for both of our schedules. I'm glad that we waited--I feel like I've had lots of time to pre-visualize and am really happy with the way their photos turned out.

Doesn't Whitney's laugh make you want to join her?

My original idea for this photo was to have the boys playing "airplane." They got tickled at each other and forgot the whole airplane idea altogether. I'm pretty sure I like how this turned out even better.

Ben & Elizabeth

2009-03-23T20:42:00.016-05:00

Well hello to all of my friends in blogland! It's been a while since I have checked in with you. March has been a busy month for me, and I have loved every minute of it. I started it off with Paul Johnson's workshop in beautiful Rosemary Beach, FL. I cannot tell all of you how beneficial it was for me to take a few days off to reinvigorate my business. Since then, I've had a series of engagement and family sessions to keep me busy and I cannot complain! I have the most wonderful clients and I relish my time with them. :)

Elizabeth and Ben definitely fall into the "most wonderful clients" category. When Elizabeth first contacted me about shooting her wedding, I knew immediately that we would click. She is incredibly warm and personable with the most contagious laugh you've ever heard. I met them at Botanical Gardens on a beautiful chilly Saturday morning to shoot their engagements.

I am counting down the days until their May 23rd wedding!!

Happy Birthday Weaver!

2009-02-28T20:41:00.007-06:00

I cannot tell you how much this little man means to me. My little nephew Weaver came into our lives exactly one year ago tomorrow. He is a complete angel, and his Aunt Jessica and Uncle Adam love him so much! We braved the weather today and went out to Botanical Gardens to get some 1 year photos of the Weave.

Kaci's Bridals

2009-02-17T14:09:00.013-06:00

Kaci and I shot her bridals way back in November, but I have been saving them to post after her wedding. The particular November day that we chose to shoot just happened to provide us with sub-zero temperatures. Poor Kaci was such a trooper...you would never know from her photos that her teeth were chattering in between takes.

Like I said before, isn't she gorgeous?

I always love to switch it up and shoot downtown, so I had a blast! Kaci has a really unique taste, so the urban look totally suited her. We had a great shoot despite the weather and came away with some fun photos!

Stunning

2009-02-16T13:23:00.007-06:00

Ok, so I know that I have a bad habit of blogging weddings in bits and pieces as I work on them, but you'd do the same thing if you were me! :) I just get so excited as I am editing through that I have to share a photo here and there when one catches my eye. So you must forgive/bear with me!

I'm in the middle of editing Kaci & Ben's wedding (we were out of town last weekend so I am a bit behind), but I just couldn't help but share this photo I snapped of Kaci will we were getting ready for her bridals. The first word that came to my mind when I saw this was "stunning." Absolutely stunning. This girl is incapable of taking an unflattering photograph.

More from their wedding soon. I'm also planning on sharing a few photos from her bridal session that we shot in November! Check back for more in the next day or two!

Kaci & Ben Preview!

2009-02-08T19:10:00.012-06:00

What a fun wedding yesterday! Kaci and Ben have the warmest, most personable friends & family who made the day so special for them. Here's a little preview of their incredible winter-themed reception at Workplay. My favorite part was the snow machine. Yes, you read correctly....there was a SNOW MACHINE!! This completely awesome addition was put together by Total Entertainment Events. It made for some really unique photos throughout the night.

Check back for more photos soon!

Chase + Allison

2009-01-28T12:20:00.016-06:00

Chase and Allison had a beautiful wedding last Saturday at American Village. The weather threatened to sour all morning, but the clouds cleared and the sun came through just in time for their ceremony. It could not have been a more perfect day.

Here are a few of my favorites...

To view the slideshow, click here!

Patrick and Jaime

2009-01-17T08:36:00.011-06:00

Patrick & Jaime's wedding was incredibly special to me. Jaime and I were Phi Mus at Montevallo together and have been good friends ever since. I could not imagine a person more perfect for Jaime than Patrick. Their wedding day was filled with sweet emotion and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop the tears from flowing as they made their promise of forever to the Lord and each other. It was a beautiful day from start to finish and I count myself blessed to have been a part.

Click here to view their slideshow!

Keith & Maria

2009-01-16T15:52:00.006-06:00

I shot Keith & Maria's wedding in November, and have really enjoyed getting to know them both over the past 6 months. They are both teachers, which tells you so much about their hearts. Their whole day was so sweet and intimate. I was so blessed to document their wedding.

Click here to view more images from their wedding!

Congratulations Jaime & Patrick!

2009-01-03T21:54:00.001-06:00

I just got home from Jaime & Patrick's fabulous wedding. I cannot wait to go through all of their photos. Here's a little sneak peek of their day!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T16:03:00.002-06:00

So I know I'm a little late, but I hope that you all had a happy and safe new year celebration! I've been scheming and planning for 2009 for a while, and am so excited about everything that is in store. I do have several internal changes that I hope will improve the smoothness of my business and my ability to serve my clients. I'm also attending my very first photography conference!! I can't wait to develop my craft and learn from some of my favorite photographers.

I also wanted to thank everyone who sent in their nominations for my Giving is Awesome contest. I have chosen a winner and could not be more excited about photographing and getting to know their family. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to give.

I am photographing a good friend's wedding tomorrow and then setting up at the Wynfrey Bridal Fair on Sunday. Back to regularly scheduled programming soon! :)

"Giving is Awesome" Contest Reminder!!

2008-12-22T11:09:00.006-06:00

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....

2008-12-22T09:32:00.014-06:00

...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

2008-12-11T11:05:00.007-06:00

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

2008-12-10T20:39:00.015-06:00

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?

2008-12-09T18:38:00.009-06:00

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!

2008-11-25T09:34:00.002-06:00

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.

2008-11-03T06:49:00.004-06:00

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

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

2008-10-28T19:13:00.019-05:00

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

2008-10-23T22:59:00.008-05:00

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

2008-10-20T15:35:00.002-05:00

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

A Little Preview...

2008-10-19T20:54:00.011-05:00

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!

2008-10-13T21:59:00.013-05:00

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

2008-10-07T22:34:00.012-05:00

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

2008-10-03T06:31:00.010-05:00

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

2008-09-27T23:46:00.011-05:00

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

2008-09-16T18:09:00.006-05:00

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

2008-09-03T19:11:00.003-05:00

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...

2008-08-30T15:36:00.010-05:00

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

2008-08-28T20:16:00.013-05:00

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! :)

Stay tuned

2008-08-28T12:33:00.002-05:00

All I'm going to say is that there may be a sale soon and you may want to keep an eye on this little blog of mine.

Look at this little man!!!

2008-08-25T21:21:00.006-05:00

Isn't he so precious?! He was so wonderful the whole time that we photographed him. Little Connor came to visit his family in Alabama for a week, and his aunt Julie (my fellow Phi Mu sister from the Montevallo days) wanted to surprise his mommy with a photo shoot.

You can view sweet little Connor's slideshow here.

Ginny & Daniel are ENGAGED!

2008-08-14T19:47:00.007-05:00

Ok, I have another preview for you. I just couldn't wait until I'd finished all of the photos to show you Ginny & Daniel. Ginny worked for Campus Outreach in Montevallo when I was there, and discipled me three of the four years I was in school. She recently moved back to Gadsden, her hometown, and we have all missed her terribly. However, I'm so thrilled for Ginny & Daniel...they are just so perfect together. I've joined them in counting down the days until their wedding in October.

Zach & Liz (PREVIEW!)

2008-08-13T18:42:00.012-05:00

I'm still working on the photos, but just wanted to give you a preview of Liz & Zach's fun wedding in Auburn on August 2nd. They were married at the Marriott at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and I loved all of the photo ops that this fun location provided.

Albums are in!!!

2008-08-13T18:13:00.002-05:00

Just an FYI, I have my sample albums in and ready for viewing! I apologize to all of you that have waiting on me to get it together. :) I've put alot of TLC into these and can't wait to show them to you. I have three album options that come in various sizes and colors. If you want to set up a time to view them, shoot me an email at jswphotography@gmail.com

Amber & Gene

2008-08-11T21:45:00.011-05:00

Amber & Gene's wedding was so special to me for many reasons. Amber and Gene have dated for such a long time and we've all been waiting for this day to come! Amber is my wonderful, beautiful cousin and it was so great to be surrounded all day by smiling family members that I don't spend enough time with. She was such a stunning bride, and I was so privileged to be able to document their wedding day.

They were married at the Rosewood House, which I now love! The house itself is beautiful, and the staff is so attentive!

Renee, the owner, also made this fabulous cake. I was completely blown away!

To see more images and watch their wedding slideshow, click here!

Shoes

2008-07-30T21:56:00.006-05:00

I get to see alot of fabulous shoes shooting weddings. I think the shoes from last Saturday's wedding take the cake. After I finished drooling over these, I took about a million pictures. Here are just a couple...

I'm back!

2008-07-29T18:27:00.022-05:00

So, I have been purposely holding out on you for the month of July. Why? Well, I have had some exciting new changes that I've wanted to release all at once. I have been working furiously to get everything done promptly, so a big THANK YOU for your patience!

The biggest news (that is also plastered across my blog header) is that I have my very own shiny new website!!! I've put a lot of time into getting this just right, and have been itching to share it with you. It is a much wider portfolio than you will find on the blog and hopefully will give my clients a more comprehensive view of my services. You'll notice that my services have narrowed as well! After alot of time and thought and planning, I've decided to narrow my focus to wedding photography. I've tried just about everything, and have decided that this is what makes me smile and let out a sigh of satisfaction at the end of the day. I think it shows in my work, and I've almost made a natural transition to shooting mostly weddings. I will still make time to shoot families and kiddos, but am going to focus my main attentions on my wonderful brides & grooms.

Stop by and let me know what you think!

On top of a new website, I have a new logo!!! I am in L-O-V-E with it. Thanks to my good friend Whitney of Pikl Paper, Jessica Wright Photography has gotten a long overdue makeover. The logo is simple and clean, yet classy and sophisticated. I could not ask for a better look to represent my work.

I have also invested in a new slideshow program, which I have wanted to get for a while. I love the idea of giving my clients preview of their wedding images while I am finishing up with my editing. I think that there is also something very powerful with accompanying photos with music...it brings out the emotion of a memory in a way that simply viewing images cannot do. You can take a peak at my new slideshow program and see more of Brandy & Kris's images here.

On top of that, my sweet, wonderful, selfless, over-achieving husband has recorded a couple of songs for me to use on my website & slideshows. I'm so blessed to have such a talented man!

Lastly, I have new albums to show you! I am probably a little too excited about these new additions. I know that I have promised new albums to several of you and I apologize for keeping you waiting! I still have one more to finish and don't want to jump the gun by revealing too much too soon, but I just couldn't wait to show you these beautiful new flushmount albums.

Keith & Maria

2008-07-02T21:25:00.010-05:00

I was thrilled when Keith and Maria told me they wanted the urban look for their engagement photos. Don't get me wrong, I love Botanical Gardens, but it's super fun for me to change things up every now and then. So we met up downtown yesterday and explored all of the nooks & crannies of Morris Avenue. Here is a sneak-peak from their session. (I think this photo is whimsical. Isn't that a fun word to say?)

Happy (belated) birthday Adam!

2008-06-30T19:56:00.007-05:00

Happy birthday to my sweet, wonderful, patient, loving husband. It was his 25th yesterday and it gave cause to remember how blessed I am to share my life with him. Adam is by far the best thing that has happened to me aside from coming to know my Lord. I have said it before and I'll say it again--he is the calm to my storm. He is the steady, patient voice that reminds me of the truth and comforts me when I forget who I was made to be. He is always on the brink of cracking a joke and the is first to laugh in every situation. Adam, I love you every day.

Divine

2008-06-27T12:09:00.004-05:00

I'm sitting here finishing off a strawberry cupcake from Urban Standard and it may be the single most fabulous thing that I have put in my mouth EVER. I highly recommend trying it. I've been told that they use real strawberries in both the cake and the icing...if they don't then they've found the best substitute known to man. It tastes like the best home made strawberry icecream you've ever had baked into a cupcake of perfection. The cake is just the right amount of moist with a generous amount of pink carnation-colored icing spread carefully across the top. It's worth it to make a trip downtown to Urban Standard (located on 2nd Ave. N. between 23rd & 24th streets) to savor the food and enjoy the ambience. Just give me a call and I'll meet you there!

New Favorite

2008-06-26T22:29:00.008-05:00

As I was going through Kris & Brandy's pictures, I came across this and just FELL IN LOVE. Definitely my new favorite photo. Hope you have a great weekend!

Act of Congress at City Stages

2008-06-21T11:29:00.002-05:00

AOC played at the Legacy Credit Union Stage at City Stages last Saturday, and they did a fabulous job! It was a gorgeous day, despite the forecast of stormy weather, and they had a good sized crowd come out. Their performance gets better and better each time I see them...I was so proud of my man! :)

This just in...

2008-06-20T08:44:00.004-05:00

For those looking to book for 2009, better hurry to get the 2008 rates! New rates & package plans will become effective July 15, 2008. Shoot me an email at jswphotography@gmail.com for more info!

Sweet Angel...

2008-06-15T21:26:00.003-05:00

That's what my grandmother, Hubbard (isn't that the best name for a grandmother?!), used to call me when I was little. She'd say it in her soothing southern Gone with the Wind accent. That's what I thought when I saw this precious little one that the Russells are watching over...I just wanted to cuddle her the whole time I was there. She's such a wonderful, calm baby who is soon to have a new home...we had to rush to get these photos done before she was adopted. What a gift she'll be to her new family.

New friends...

2008-06-09T21:51:00.004-05:00

One of the things that I love about our church is that everyone truly values the necessity of fellowship within the body. True, honest fellowship, where the body of Christ gathers together to spur one another on in the gospel...there is nothing like it. Adam and I were blessed with such wonderful fellowship the other night as we ate dinner with the Pregs. Nate and Whitney are so warm and fun to be around, which was what I first noticed about them at church. But throughout dinner, I noticed their deep love for the Lord and their willingness to encourage us in the gospel in even the little things. All that to say that Adam and I left their house feeling truly uplifted and encouraged to pursue Christ, which is what true fellowship looks like. To Nate & Whitney, thank you for opening your home to us.

On another note, both Nate & Whitney are incredibly creative and have a unique gift for design. Whitney owns her own design business, Pikl Paper (isn't the name too cute?!), which you MUST check out as soon as you finish reading this post. As soon as I looked at her work, I knew that I NEEDED her talent to design a new logo for my photography. I've played around in Photoshop, trying my best to get something decent to go on a business card, but to no avail. I mentioned it to Whitney and she said, "sure, I'll come up with something for you." Little did I know how much I would love what she sent over! I gave her no guidance at all, and she came up with the perfect logo for my photography--that is when you know someone has a gift!!!

I'll post the logo soon, but until then, hop on over to Whitney's website and order some personalized notecards, enclosure cards, & return address labels! :)

2008-06-02T23:31:00.005-05:00

I have been looking forward to Brandy & Kris's wedding for what seems like forever. First of all, they are so wonderfully in love that I knew photographing them would be a dream. They so easily get lost in the other's presence that the emotions come naturally, which makes for authentic beauty and awe-inspiring moments. And I love that.

The second thing that I loved about their wedding (aside from the wonderful wedding party, family, and friends that were there to support these two!) was that they had the wedding at The Sonnet House. This, my friends, is the place to get married. Period. I used to drive by this house and dream (in an Anne of Green Gables kind of way) that I lived there 100 years ago in my own perfect Victorian world. And on Sunday, I got to live that dream, if only for a few hours. From the stylish chandeliers to the red clawfoot tub, the owners thought of everything in the restoration process. Brides to be, put this on the list of locations to scout out.

Ok, on to the pictures. Here are my initial favorites, though I have tons more that I want to post. I am convinced that Brandy & Kris should quit their day jobs and model for bridal magazines around the country.

Brandy & Kris, your day was perfect. Rain or shine, your love and commitment to one another is up to the test. Thank you with all of my heart for letting me play a small part in such a momentous occasion.

Have fun in Jamaica!!!

Blackerby Family

2008-05-31T10:40:00.000-05:00

I photographed the Blackerby family last year around this time and it is so fun to see how the kiddos have grown along with their love for each other. Such a sweet family...

Something exciting in the mix...

2008-05-27T20:12:00.003-05:00

So, I know what you're thinking...."It's about time she got a real website to go along with this blog!" Well, you are right! It is time to take a step up in the world of online dealings, so I have gone and bought myself my very own website. I'm in the process of pulling everything together and it may be a couple of weeks before it goes live, but I was too excited to keep it to myself! Stay tuned for the new look of Jessica Wright Photography!

Gene & Amber

2008-05-27T00:17:00.007-05:00

I'm so excited to be photographing my cousin Amber's wedding in July. Gene has pretty much been a part of our family for a while now...they have been dating for a while, so we were all THRILLED when Gene popped the question. We roamed around Botanical Gardens Sunday afternoon, looking for some fun spots for their engagement photos.

Aren't they so cute? I have tons of photos to go through, but these were some early favorites!

Stages...

2008-05-26T23:06:00.006-05:00

I've been shooting ALOT lately, which is so much fun for me, but also poses the problem of getting really far behind on everything else in life. I guess that's a good problem to have, right? I am thankful for Adam, who is the calm to my storm. I can get really overwhelmed with the amount that is expected of me, and he is so good about breaking things down for me to chew in smaller bites. I am at a time in my life where lots of exciting things are happening, but I am having a hard time keeping up! For those that don't know, I also work a day job in downtown Birmingham. I have a great boss and am incredibly thankful for this job's provision, but at the moment it feels that I'm working two full time jobs. And I guess I am. I am learning how to balance work with actually having a life and spending time with my husband and getting some rest in between. I'm in process...I think that is a good place to be.

On another note, my wonderful sister and brother in law are in a new stage as well...Weaver is quite the little man and has completely enriched all of our lives. I never knew I could love a little person so much. Here are a couple of pictures from his first concert! He loved Uncle Adam's music. :)

Mr. and Mrs. Reinblatt

2008-05-23T20:56:00.004-05:00

Jeff and Alisa had such a sweet ceremony last Saturday. Like I mentioned here, Adam and I have been so blessed to witness the Lord create a beautiful picture of His covenant with His people in their relationship. The whole day was perfect--full of anticipation and and joy and laughter and love and wonderful contentment. Congratulations to both of you...we love you so much.

Sisters

2008-05-19T20:13:00.007-05:00

Not only are these girls beautiful, but they have huge hearts as well! I had such a great time laughing and chatting about life yesterday. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, with that "almost summer" scent in the air. I feel like I am always dodging thunderstorms to get my photoshoots in, so the weather on Sunday was a huge blessing. I couldn't have asked for more wonderful subjects on a more perfect day!

Is anybody out there?

2008-05-12T19:55:00.006-05:00

I wouldn't blame you if you all abandoned me for more interesting and active bloggers!! I kind of fell through on my blogging promise to show some "extra photo love" when I got back from vacation. (Insert excuse here). So what can I do, right? That's the past, we've got to move on--I've got lots and lots of photos to share. I'll start with some fun wedding photos from this weekend.

Adam is now ordering me to get some rest, so I’ll have to post more pictures later. If I’ve taken your pictures and haven’t posted them on the blog, it’s not because I don’t like you. A girl’s just got to get some sleep sometime, you know what I mean?!

VACATION

2008-04-30T23:58:00.003-05:00

Wow, do I need one! And what do you know, I just happen to be making my way down to the beach tomorrow and won't be back until Sunday (May 4th). What a coincidence! :) Seriously, Adam and I are past due for a little R&R. I love you all, but if you need me, I won't be available until Monday. This is one of those turn-off-the-cell-phone/leave-work-COMPLETELY-behind type of vacations. Adam's orders. He said (and I quote), "Jessica, mental checklists are not allowed this weekend. Work is against the rules until Monday." I said, "sir yes sir!" So I hope you all have a glorious weekend and I promise to show some extra photo love when I get back.

2008-04-30T21:03:00.005-05:00

As Laura, her mom Carol, and I walked and talked Monday evening, it seemed the excitement in the air just continued to grow. With graduation only a couple of weeks away, Laura is on the verge of new beginnings. As we talked about college roommates and dorm life and majors and careers, it brought me back to my senior year of high school. It is such a time of possibility and anticipation. Laura is an incredibly bright, talented and accomplished girl, and I know she has a myriad of opportunities and experiences awaiting her. She is poised to take advantage of her college career in a way that I wish I had been when I was her age. I was truly blessed by my time with Laura and her mom, and wish them only the best in the exciting years to come.

Laura

2008-04-28T23:27:00.002-05:00

I met Laura and her mom at Botanical Gardens this afternoon for Laura's senior portrait session. She is absolutely gorgeous-- I ended up editing almost every single picture that I took, simply because Laura cannot take a bad picture.

It's time for bed! More pictures to come soon.

2008-04-23T23:52:00.006-05:00

Jeff and Alisa,

I can't tell you how thrilled Adam and I are that your wedding is almost here. We remember the time when we could only secretly wish for "Jeff and Alisa" to become reality. :) Thank you both for being such a huge and wonderful part of our lives. We are praying for your marriage--we know that it will bless so many people in the years to come.

With much love,

Jess

Cade's 1st B'day

2008-04-21T18:48:00.004-05:00

I cannot believe that Cade is already a year old! He is possibly the cutest 1 year old I have ever seen. His disposition is both sweet and serious at the same time. He intensely observes the world around him, yet just loves everyone he comes in contact with. He's also the spitting image of his mommy. Happy birthday Cade!

Sweetness

2008-04-19T17:53:00.002-05:00

Precious. That's all I can say about these two. More to come soon.

To Have and to Hold

2008-04-13T09:26:00.000-05:00

Textures

2008-04-11T21:50:00.008-05:00

I've recently discovered the use of layered textures in photography. I have seen this process beautifully accomplished by this man. I wish I could go back in time and invent this process before he thought of it....but I'll just have to settle for ripping him off. He actually has his set of textures for sale, but alas, I am but a poor aspiring photographer who has to make do with a homemade version. Which I am ok with...it makes me feel a little less like a copycat! There are actually alot of photographers that I admire who use his textures on their wedding and engagement photos. I'm not that skilled/experienced/brave yet. I'll do some behind the scenes work and see what I come up with--if there is a happy ending, I'll post for all to see. Otherwise, just know that the world of textures didn't give me a warm welcome! :)

So here is my first attempt--not perfect, but it's a start! Notice it is on my newly bloomed hyacinth (which I am so pumped has survived my absolute neglect) and not people. I haven't gotten the hang of textures over skin tones yet.

Just for comparison's sake, here is the image straight out of the camera.

I used my new macro lens (another fun photography first--definitely a new world for me) to photograph the flower and the layers. I tested out a few different surfaces, and the rusty sewer cover seemed to work the best. To add another dimension, I photographed the lace from my going away dress and used that layer to parallel and complement the lines of the flower.

I'd like to do some kind of series with this....maybe with a "new beginnings" theme. Selfishly and superficially, I just need something to hang up in my house--any of you who have been to visit know that the walls are painfully bare. But for the sake of art, let's run with the idea that there is a journey to be had and creativity to explore. Any ideas for the next addition?

Starbucks and beyond...

2008-04-09T20:37:00.005-05:00

Brandy emailed me about a month ago inquiring about wedding services. We decided to meet halfway at the Starbucks in Trussville, just to get to know each other and talk about possibilities for her wedding photography. From the moment I sat down at the table with her, I knew I just had to photograph her wedding. Everything was.....right. Conversation flowed easily, we had the same tastes, the same vision for her wedding photos, the same sense of humor. As we went our separate ways, she said that she'd get back with me in the next few days to follow up. I'm sure she didn't see me cross my fingers, hold my breath, and pray that she picked me! You see, I've learned that chemistry between photographer and client is imperative. They have to feel comfortable, to trust you, to believe that you have their best interest at heart. If they don't, it shows. Big time. And if they do? You get the most captivating photos because they feel free to just be. So Brandy and Kris, thank you for picking me...I am indebted to your trust.

My new favorite

2008-04-08T20:08:00.009-05:00

Isn't she the picture perfect baby?

And she has the most adoring big sister I've ever seen.

Just wanted to show the Browns a little extra love!

For Leslie

2008-04-07T22:32:00.008-05:00

Before our session Saturday morning, Leslie said, "I'm scared that we're all going to look like dorks just sitting there in our pictures." In my mind, I thought, "Seriously? Because I think y'all are one of the most personable families I've met...you won't have a problem being natural in your photos." I tried not to build up the pressure before the shoot...the more natural I can act, the more comfortable my "subjects" (can anyone think of a better word? it sounds like I'm about to inflict pain on them when I use that word) will be.

So the Brown's photos ended up being really sweet and endearing, just like they are. Leslie, I haven't gone through all of them yet, but I wanted to post a few just to ease some fears...

*A special thank you to Jeff, who encouraged us all to brave our fears of bad weather and continue with the shoot, despite the ominous rain clouds looming above us. We had good light and free reign in Botanical Gardens-almost unheard of on a Saturday in April!!

Community's Spring Seminar Event

2008-04-06T00:09:00.002-05:00

Come one, come all! Community's yearly spring seminar event is just a couple of weeks away, and it promises to be loads of fun. Kim Hill is putting on a "What Not to Wear" session (count me in, I need all the help I can get); Laura Morgan's famous book review seminar is also making a comeback this year. Lunch is divine, as well as FREE (which makes it even more divine). Call 640-5698 to sign up!

Bride & Groom Portraits

2008-04-03T18:04:00.006-05:00

Some fun portraits from Laura and Matt's wedding....

Sweet Weaver Gray

2008-04-02T20:58:00.009-05:00

What a blessing little Weaver has been to our family. I have always had a distant fondness for babies, but I've never really been around one this tiny. I love everything about him, down to his tiny toenails. I really could sit and watch him breathe all day. I never thought baby watching would be this fascinating, but the fact that he is my nephew changes everything. I can't imagine what being a mother is like. Katie and lee are such naturals with him. What a beautiful little family they are!

I almost threw out this last photo when I was editing...I thought it was too funky for a baby photo. It grew on me, though. Now I love the flare and sun rays and warm tones and all that makes it funky. What do you think?

Sunshine and a Sunday Afternoon

2008-03-17T22:22:00.004-05:00

I LOVE engagement shoots. Love love love them. Aren't these two gorgeous? I did no coaxing to get this out of them--they just completely adore each other. Don't I have the best job in the world?

SPRING IS HERE! And wow, do I have the fever. I could not have chosen a better way than to spend my Sunday afternoon with this precious couple at Botanical Gardens. Don't you love the sunshine and (semi) warm weather?!

New beginnings

2008-03-16T19:36:00.010-05:00

Weddings are full of such hope, such possibility...they are a glorious sign of new, exciting beginnings. It is a true privilege for me to witness this momentous day in a couple's life. Every time I am reminded of my own vows with my sweet husband. It was the most wonderful day of my life, and now I get to relive the excitement every time I document another couple's wedding.

Thank you, Laura and Matt, for trusting me to capture your wonderful day.