A Library Themed Wedding Shoot Mon. August 2, 2010 i do
Happy Tuesday! Since we're now in August and since August is the last month that can really be considered Summer pretty much everywhere, I want to post really fun, summery looking things all week!
This shoot was a little styled concept shoot that I worked on with two of my faves, Megan Gray of Honey & Poppies who did the design and flowers and Erica Obrien who did the desserts! Also props to Stacy Bisel for her stellar job on the makeup.
Even though styled shoots can be a little unrealistic to pull off at a real wedding, I think this one has so many great ideas that are actually do-able for a really cute, chic, adorable summer wedding! Monica and Joshua are a real life engaged couple, which made this shoot SO MUCH FUN to do! They got to practice for their big day, and I got to practice shooting a fantastic hip, sweet couple!
I don't often get to shoot a bride helping a groom get ready: :)
I think Monica is going to be a STUNNING bride, no?
Megan did a fab job with the flowers!
She also did the invitations--they have such a bright, artistic, handmade feel to them:
This setup has to be one of my all time faves. For an English major, what could be better than being surrounded by books?
The shoot took place at a gem of a location that even had a little orange grove! Fresh flowers and adorable pillows accented the ceremony area:
I loved the different pillows and fabrics on each chair:
Strawberry plants, books, and cute wallpaper, oh my!
Seriously, how could this be cuter?
Other than to be like this:
And this:
This couple is just so dang cute!
First kiss:
Yay, almost married!
Something about this one just gets me:
And this one:
The table setup was so fresh and fun! A flowy table cloth, some bright yellow flowers, a bowl of berries, a jug of milk, and a little cake: perfection!
Even the glasses were darling. And look at that napkin!
I want this photo to hang in my house--I might have to frame it:
Ahhh, don't you just want to take a bite?!
Megan is SO CREATIVE! Look at how she did the table numbers. They must have taken her ages, but wow, what a crazy cool effect!
That orange grove makes a sweet couple stand out:
Who wouldn't sneak a few bites of the cake?
Awww :)
Erica always does an incredible job with her cakes. She can come up with something to suit any style, and in a delicious way!
Another book display from Megan. Megan, please come do a project at my house!
Carrying the bookshelves and books theme throughout the whole area:
Cuteness :)
I just love this couple! They are so cute and natural together, and so photogenic!
And so in love:
A little funny, and a little sweet:
Did I mention cute?
Calm:
And happy!
Girls, thanks for such a fab shoot, and brides, I hope you can take some inspiration from this little concept!
Here's what you'll need for a project like this (reupholstering chairs and refinishing the table):
At least six cans of really good quality high gloss spray paint. Spray paint is WAY easier for a job like this, it goes on smoothly and saves you literally days of work brushing paint into every little crevasse (total cost, $25):
-I got one yard of fabric for each chair cover which was more than needed (total cost: $35)
-A staple gun for attaching the fabric
-Good quality fabric scissors for cutting the ends of the fabric once it was attached
-A power screwdriver to remove and reattach the cushions
-Drop clothes to spray paint on (the paint goes really far! also wear rubber Yugloves)
And most importantly, a friend that knows what they're doing (thanks Renee)!
Renee's parents helped us drag everything out in the garage to see what we would be dealing with:
Yup, it was as bad as I feared--even uglier in the daylight:
The spray painting itself was a little messy, therefore, no photos of the actual process. It was VERY easy though--it only took about two hours for all four chairs and the table. There's an art to spray painting--don't get too close, go slowly to avoid drips, and change paint cans when it starts to get drippy)
Once everything was painted, we started the upholstery. Basically, we had the fabric store cut the fabric into one yard pieces. You flip the cushion over and start pulling the fabric tight around the back, stapling as you go. Take VERY VERY SMALL pieces of the fabric at a time and do this, especially around the corners to avoid wrinkles.
We ended up calling for reinforcements--Renee's mom Karee came by to help us with the finishing touches. She's a pro!
And...TADA! The finished result (Of course I color corrected the "after" photos. Everyone knows that you have to color correct the after photos to make the reveal better. Thanks all you weight loss ads for teaching me that!):
It's amazing what a coat of paint and some color can do:
It took this dining room table from the sore spot in my house to something actually livable while I save for a new table! Since my total budget for this project was just about $50, I feel very good about the result. Next I'll be getting a rug, some real table decor, better lighting, and some other unique touches for the walls. I'll keep you posted on the progress!
Yesterday was mine & Jeff's six month anniversary! I'm not a fan of celebrating any kind of "versaries" other than the actual annual ones (with the possible exception of my half-birthday), but since getting married is such a huge deal and a big change in my life, I figured I might as well leave some remarks on this one :)
In the past six months, I have learned the following things about Jeff:
1. Jeff likes it when I cook food that reminds him of growing up. Since we had similar upbringings in a meal-consumption way, I find myself calling my mother constantly begging for recipes she made when I was a kid. I have done a decent job, but they're still never quite as good as when she makes them. Occasionally Jeff will cook too, and when he does he enjoys wearing one of my ruffly aprons. I have quite the apron collection from my showers!
2. How you grow up affects the way you deal with things SO much! Jeff and I have completely different styles with how we deal with things when we're mad, and we are both learning to respect one another even when it's hard. One really awesome thing is that Jeff has learned to bring me a present when he's done something I don't like. He has brought home a wide assortment of odds and ends. The most recent one is below, and he has good intentions...
(...yes, he knows this is hideous. he always makes me laugh!)
3. Jeff does not like when I wake him up early--he really enjoys his sleep! One time, I woke him up and told him it was 10:00am. He got up, dressed, and ready to go, and it wasn't until he came downstairs that he realized it was only 8:30 :) Personally, I think that this proves my point that he doesn't need as much sleep as he thinks he does--he was perfectly wide awake when he thought it was time to get up!
4. Jeff is the sweetest person I know and loves to cuddle. If he decides that it's time, he will glare at my phone, laptop, or anything else I am paying attention to until I put whatever it is down and oblige him.
5. Although Jeff grew up in a more traditionally decorated home, he has encouraged using lots of color in our decor! We currently have a bright red/orange living room wall, a black/white/yellow bedroom, a turquoise guest bed with a black wall, and of course, my green studio. I love that he likes modern furniture and designs! Ironically, Jeff is a SUPER traditionalist when it comes to holiday decor. At Christmas, he requested that the decor be red, silver, and peppered with stuffed Santa figurines. I'm not kidding. Next year, I get to pick the decorations :)
I have always thought that marriage would be hard. Everyone says it's hard, and I've obviously known many married couples in my life. I think that where I really lucked out is that I married a very very good person. Of all the people in the world that I could have married, choosing Jeff is without question the best decision I have ever made. So far, married life has been absolutely wonderful (almost) each and every day.
ESCALATE Yourself! Mon. March 15, 2010 photographers
Whew, am I ever glad that WPPI is over! While in one sense, it is my absolute favorite week of the year, the smoke and general "ick" of Vegas seems to cling to me long after I return home. Also the laundry--let's just say it's almost unbearable :)
One thing that I do LOVE about WPPI though is that it is an incredible opportunity to meet and reconnect with so many of you! Even though I must have had hundreds of conversations, I know that there were also many people I didn't get to see or chat with, which makes me sad.
Another thing I love about WPPI is the chance to learn from so many amazing speakers, many of whom I consider friends. I only wish that there was MORE time to hear them and chat with them face to face, instead of being swallowed in a sea of people the second they step off the stage.
What I think really sets ESCALATE apart is the fact that the 7 speakers each represent a completely different aspect of the industry. Being able to learn what they have to offer all in one shot is really a unique experience. Plus, you can't beat the price!! It's SUPER inexpensive--only $179 for the first group that registers and $249 after that, and what you get is two FULL days packed with awesomeness.
Not to mention that the people speaking are freaking incredible (myself excepted, of course!):
Jerry Ghonis
Becker
Jasmine Star
Dane Sanders
Jeremy Cowart
David Jay
These things are the reasons why I am SO excited to announce ESCALATE, which will take place right here in Newport Beach on May 17-18!!
I'm so honored to be able to stand up with some of the people I respect most in this industry, and in front of the people who attend!
Even though each of our individual pieces are only that--a small part, we are hoping to create a WHOLE bigger than the sum of it's parts. The thing I absolutely am most excited for is being able to have connections and conversations during the time that I am not speaking, and as a bonus, in a smoke-free, less distracting environment!
Seriously, run, don't walk to get a ticket to this thing. It will be, in a word, EPIC!
And because you've made it this far, here's a shot of the amazing JP & Kris Ann Elario's wedding that I shot last week in Albany. More coming soon!
I hope to see you all at **ESCALATE 2010!!!!!**! Shout it out in the comments if you're with me!
**make sure to select Jessica Claire from the drop down menu when checking out!**
My Favorite Thing at WPPI Wed. February 24, 2010 my life
WPPI.
Yes, it's a photography convention, but aside from that, it's also where I have made SO many friends and connections over the years. I remember going when i was 19 or 20 and an associate for a studio back in North Carolina. I went for the classes and the tradeshow--I didn't know anyone to be able to get into any of the parties, so it was pretty much an all-learning, all the time trip for me.
BORING!
In 2004, I met Becker, and subsequently received an invite to the Annual [ b ] party, which quickly became my favorite part of any WPPI! At the time it was held in a small hotel room, and would get busted an hour or two after starting. Still, good times.
This is me with my NC girls, Julie and Stephanie. We met Joe photo and we're each rocking a pair of his sunglasses (he has a HUGE collection):
As time went on, the parties got bigger and bigger, graduating to an L Suite at The Hotel! I think this was 2006, and the people in this photo are David Jay, me, Jules Bianchi, Shyla, Kristin Renee, Liana Banana, and Sara France. You can't tell, but Liana and I are both wearing sweatpants in this photo--we were SO exhausted!
The same year, me with Jaclyn, Jen Bebb, and Jen Dery:
Now that Becker is running his own school, the party has sized out of hotel rooms and graduated to a HUGE space to make more fun for everyone! This is so awesome because now you can go even if you don't know another soul going!
Because of this, it has also taken on a ridiculous expense, thus the ticket charge. But trust me, if there is ONE SINGLE THING not to miss this year, it is this party!
Just click on the poster below to sign in to hang with us:
I hope that you all sign up to go, and that it becomes YOUR favorite thing at WPPI as it is mine!
CONTEST!!
I will be giving away TWO FREE TICKETS TO THE B PARTY to someone who joins the SHOOTSAC FAN PAGE between now and MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!! Make sure to leave a comment on the wall or here in this post to let me know that you joined!!
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