Sat - December 16, 2006

And the top three contestants are....

Wow, have I been overwhelmed with entries! Since I began this contest about a month ago, I have received over 250 entries. Of those, about 150 were for dates I am available--that is a LOT of stories to read!

I have received stories from brides, grooms, parents, siblings, friends, acquaintances, bosses, coworkers, grandparents, and children. Wedding locations ranged all the way from Hawaii to South Africa, to the Philippines, to small towns in the midwest, to Canada, to right here in OC. Couples who have know each other for 20 years, couples who are eloping, couples who are having 900 person weddings, you name it.

When I first decided to do this contest, I thought of it as a way to do something nice for one couple that I felt deserved to have something nice done for them. I had no idea that it would be so difficult to make a decision, and it is really weighing on me that I have to disappoint so many people. It isn't a good feeling to know that there are SO many deserving couples out there. I really wish that I could do this for more people, and I hope to make this an annual contest.

To clear up a couple of things, the couples below were all chosen for different reasons. None of these couples want this solely for themselves--it is a credit to all of them that their primary reason for entering is for the benefit of someone else. I couldn't resist the couple #1's sweet list from the groom. I loved how the mother of the bride of couple #2 took the time to write in for her daughter, and I think the bride of couple #3's sadness over the first man in her life speaks for itself.

The stories below are all in the words of the people that sent them in, the photos belong to them as well. I edited very little from any of the entries.

NOW IS WHERE YOU COME IN. Read the three stories. Then, *** send an email to contest@jcsphoto.com*** with the subject line "contest", and in the body of the email, name the couple you think should win. I was going to announce the winner of the contest on December 31st, but I realized that noboody will be checking blogs late on New Years' Eve, so the winner will be announced on THE SIMPLE PHOTO MINUTE on December 30th. I'll add the winner here on the morning of the 31st. I hope you will all vote and then tune in!


So without further ado, my top three couples are......



Couple 1: Rena & Jon



Rena & Jon's entry:

My name is Jonathan Tang and on July 8, 2007 I will marry the woman of my dreams.  Here are the top reasons why she deserves to have the best wedding pictures in the world.

10. Because I know she secretly admires Jessica Claire's pictures and reads her blog everyday.
9.  Because she doesn't know that I do the same just because I want to give her everything she wants.
8. Because she doesn't mention that she wants to hire her, as she knows that it is out of our budget.
7. Because we are paying for the wedding ourselves and she would rather spend the money supporting her elderly parents than have the wedding of her dreams.
6. Because she sacrifices so much for everyone and doesn't ever splurge on herself.
5. Because your pictures capture not only capture the moment, but capture the souls.  Our wedding is like a binding of our souls and I would love for our pictures to really capture the essence of who we are and what we will become together.
4. Because you can capture the true beauty of a moment.  You will be able to capture her most beautiful asset, her loving spirit and tender nature.
3. Because your pictures will help to be able to see herself though my eyes so she can truly see how beautiful she is.
2. Because the woman of my dreams deserves the wedding of her dreams.
1. Because she has made me the happiest man alive by giving me all that she is, has or ever wanted.   And all I want to do is give her the world in return.   Jessica Claire, you capture the world with such beauty and emotion, I would truly be blessed if you would help me give the world to her.

Couple 2: Jennel & Nick



Jennel & Nick's Story:

Hi my name is Jamie, and I want to share a love story from a mother’s perspective. This story starts 8 years ago when my daughter, Jennel, was in high school. As most teenage girls she had her crushes and heartbreaks…and her one High School Sweetheart, named Nick. Nick was a polite and respectful young man, that both my husband and I were fond of. Jennel and Nick date for 2 years in High School and they parted ways on graduation day. Nick stayed local and attended college at Cal State San Bernardino, and Jennel ventured off to attend college at Northern Arizona University.

As parents we were thrilled that our daughter would be attending college, but unfortunately we didn’t quite have the financial side of it figured out. We took out student and parent loans to get her through the first year, and she worked a part time job to pay for food and books. I received a phone call from her telling me that she would be joining the United States Army ROTC program on campus to help pay for school. She of course explained the program and its benefits, and we are not parents who discourage their kids from choosing their own path. Of course we both had are reservations about her being in the Military, the concern that she maybe put in harms way always lay dormant in the back of my mind as she completed her degree.

Meanwhile, her father and I remained same town that our kids grew up in. Therefore, we would occasionally run into Nick. We of course would small talk about what he was up to and he would always ask how Jennel was (which I thought was so adorable). We had the pleasure of see him go through his stages, from changing the color of his hair to interesting piercings he had. He was always very respectful and sincere.

In May 2003 my daughter raised her right hand, and Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. And if you recall in April 2003 the United States declared war on Iraq. I of course was more then proud, and words cannot describe how I felt that my daughter had completed her degree and would be severing her country. But, like any mother would, I worried about her safety. She attended her mandatory training, plus she decided to attend Airborne School, and jump out of perfectly good airplanes. She reported to her duty station in December 2003 and found out that she would be deployed to Iraq in less then two months. She departed for Iraq February 2004, and she would spend a long hard year there. She was a military police officer and she worked day in and day out with the Iraqi police. She witnessed and took part in things that are beyond my imagination, and was awarded the Bronze Star. To this day I know she holds back on telling me everything. She returned in February 2005, only to find out that she would be returning back to Iraq in less then 6 months. We made the best out of those 6 months, but once again she was back! We wait for her return and kept in contact with her through email and the occasional phone call and letter.

Now this is were it gets good….

Guess who shows up at my door….yep you guess it, Nick!! He gives me a big warm hug and ask if Jennel was home. I of course said no, and informed him that she was in Iraq. We spent a good three hours getting caught up on life. Come to find out he had completed his degree in Business, and decided to become a Police Officer. He went through the Police Academy and had recently started as a full time patrol officer. When he spoke of his job his eyes gleamed like a little boy staring at some cool toy. You could really tell he loved to serve the community and had a lot of fun doing it. He continuously asked about Jennel and couldn’t wait to see a picture of her. He asked if there was anyway he could get in contact with her. He left my house that night like so many nights before, but this time he was different he was a confident young man. I of course could not wait to get in contact with my daughter. I emailed her and gave her his email address…..and the rest is history. Can you believe he asked her out while she was in Iraq…10,000 miles away?

The reason I share this love story about this amazing couple is because I would love to see two people that have provided so much service to others be given this amazing opportunity. I have looked at Jessica’s website several times and am amazed by her work every time. I cannot think of two better people then Nick and Jennel who deserve this wonderful gift.


Couple 3: Corina & Joe



Corina & Joe's Story:

My thoughts for entering this "contest" are not ones based on the "financial needs", although when I did call a couple of months ago to get a "ball park" figure, it was definately out of our price range and I was completely crushed lol, but my reasons for writing in as a possible recipient to the fab prize are all based on more important issues that I will have going on that day and for the days soon after the wedding takes place.  Let me back up a second and tell you about my dad...
 
It has always been my father and I. The only time we haven't lived with one another was right after I graduated college, for about 3 months he thought it would be a good idea to retire in Miami and sail around and let me be a "freshman", but neither of us lasted long without having the other around, so he came back to Los Angeles and lived with me.  Then after his first stroke a few years ago, he was placed in a care facility for about 9 months for some rehab.  And then now, he has been gone since October, living in a hospital type place.  But other than those times, day in and day out, good and bad, we have always been together.  He has been my best friend, my biggest support, the only person in the world who I knew loved me so unconditionally.  My father has been the best father, mother, and friend anyone could ever ask for.  When my mother and father divorced, my father vowed to himself and to me that he would never be absent.  He was at EVERY single Chritmas show, school program, volleyball game, cheerleading competition, awards ceremony, graduation, job promotion, birthday.... you name, he was there, and wouldn't have it any other way.  He lived his life to raise me.  I was the one and only thing that he was here for in life.  He never dated after my mother, or at least I never knew about it.  When I was a child, I told him that he should go out and date, my father just said, "I don't want anyone getting in the way of my relationship with you... you are all I got, all I need, women are too much trouble". lol... 
 
But, about 2 1/2 months ago things began to go downhill very quickly. I brought my father into the emergency room because he was acting a bit "strange".  It turned out, that day, that he had a minor stroke (his second) and had phemonia.  After about a week in the hospital, the doctor didn't feel comfortable sending him home, so my dad was placed in a continuing care facility to be monitored and to find out why other issues were going on and how they could be corrected.  Within the first week at that facility, they found that he was in the beginning stages of actually dying... his body was just giving out and his system was starting to shut down bit by bit, organ by organ.  He dropped down to 85 pounds and could no longer get up to even use the rest room, let alone stand up. 
 
So, they said the only way he could sustain himself was to have a feeding tube inserted or I would need to look into hospice care immediately because they only gave him 3-6 months to live.  Well, when my father talked to me about it, he said that he didn't want to "drag it out" any longer, that he lived a good life, and wouldn't change a thing.  Of course I was devasted hearing this and couldn't even find the words to get out my feelings.  But I couldn't hold back my tears any longer... I shouted out to him "But I really need you at my wedding papa!"  He then began to cry with me and said "OK Corina, ok, I promise I will be there for you".   The next day, the tube was inserted down his nose, into his stomach. 
 
The catch.... my father only agreed to have that tube put in until after the wedding.  Once it is all over with and I'm "walked" down the aisle and vows are exchanged, he has already expressed verbally and written in his living will that NO measures should be taken to "sustain" his life after the wedding date.  Of course my first instinct was to hold off on the wedding because at the time I was sure that he would get better.  I didn't even want to fathom anything than that. I have gone back and forth with postponing my wedding and rescheduling all of the vendors that are booked, but the more I think about it, I realize that, as sad as it is, I can't be selfish.  I can't ask him to live the way he has been for the past few months.  It's hard on me going to the hospital everyday to visit him, seeing his health change day to day, good to bad to worse, then better, then worse.  So, I know if it's hard on me, it must be 10 times harder on him living it every minute, in pain, uncomfortable, ashamed that he needs so much help for doing things that we take for granted like using the rest room, getting dressed, or even standing on his own.
 
This morning I received a call from my dad's care center and it turns out that he was having problems breathing, his oxygen levels were way down, and couldn't speak anymore, so was being transferred to the emergency room at the hospital in hopes they could turn everything around and help his breathing.  When I arrived, his ambulance was just arriving as well.  As soon as I saw him, I could see him grasping for air, almost like he was struggling to get any little bit of air in him that he could.  I broke down and couldn't help but to cry.  A few hours later, which seemed like a lifetime,  he was diagonsed with congestive heart failure, phemonia, and a c-diff infection and was admitted immediately.  During the time in the ER, the doctor and social worker came into speak with us, and asked about his DNR status and a power of attorney.  All along, for the past few years when his health started deteriorating, he had always been a DNR, so I didn't think twice about telling them that he didn't want any drastic measures taken to save his life, but just as I began to tell them this, we saw my father attempting to raise his hand to get our attention, he tried to take off his oxygen mask, and said outloud "you do what you have to do, I have a wedding to go to in March".  Hearing him say the words, broke my heart and my outburst of crying starting yet again.  He told them, "after that wedding, I don't want anything done to save or fix anything, I'm done, but until then, you do what you can to make sure I am at my daughters wedding."
 
So, for me, this wedding holds so much more than the exchange of vows between Joe and myself.  It's more than our families getting together to celebrate our union.  It's more than a big party where people will be having a good time, dancing and drinking and eating.  This will be one of my last memories that my family and I have with my dad.  It will obviously be a bittersweet day for me, I know this, but I can't do anything about that.   My dad has made his decision and I can't do anything but respect his wishes, have trust that he knows whats best for him, and have faith that when everything is said and done, he will feel peace of mind knowing that he lived a life with no regrets.  He tells me all of the time, "I had a good life, knowing that Joe is now there to take my place in watching over you, I feel peace.  My work is done, and I'm ok with going now, I'm ready".
 
I would love to tell you about my fiance Joe, but already feel like this letter is too long already.  Rest assured though, Joe definately gives my dad a run for the money when it comes to being "great"! 

.

Posted at 01:50 AM    

Fri - December 15, 2006

Jessica Claire Featured on Simple Photo Minute!

Yesterday my good friend Dane Sanders came over to check out what's in my camera bag for his rad show, Simple Photo Minute! This is an awesome show that Dane puts out to help photographers make their lives simpler. **CLICK HERE*** to see my show!

Also, today is the LAST DAY to enter my CONTEST! The three finalists will be announced here after midnight tonight, so if you have an entry, get it in! The big winner will be announced EXCLUSIVELY on the Simple Photo Minute on New Year's Eve (and I'll post about it here the next day)!

jessica claire

Posted at 11:21 AM    

Wed - December 13, 2006

Sun - December 3, 2006

Tue - November 21, 2006

Mon - November 20, 2006

Boudoir Session

I know that there's no section on my website about this, but one kind of shoot that has become very popular lately is the Boudoir shoot. Boudoir shoots are basically sexy photo shoots that give you an opportunity to wear different styles of lingerie (or whatever you want). Lots of my brides request these sessions, and the albums that we make are such a great gift for fiancee's on the wedding day--it always gets a great reaction!

There are often some questions about these sessions so I'm going to answer a few of them here in case anyone is thinking of having this done!

Q: What if I'm not a size 2 with a perfect body?
A: No problem! My job as a photographer is to emphasize the good and minimize the less than perfect. Besides, your fiancee doesn't expect you to look like a different person, and he thinks you are sexy the way you are!

Q: Where will we shoot?
A: If you live in, or have a friend that lives in Orange County, we can shoot at that location. Often, girls get a room at a nice hotel and we shoot there and down at the beach too. My house is also an option if you can't find any other place.

Q: What should I wear?
A: Its best to bring a wide variety of different outfits, and photos of poses you've seen in magazines that you like so we have something to start with. As the shoot progresses, you will feel more comfortable and able to try different things on your own, but it helps if you have something to look at to begin.

Q: Do I have to shoot nude?
A: No, of course not! Unless you are in lingerie, I primarily shoot only "implied nude", where you may not be wearing much but you can't see anything showing that you might not want shown. You don't even have to do this if you don't want to--lingerie is just fine. You can also decide at the shoot what you are comfortable/not comfortable showing.

Q: But....are you going to post photos of me on your blog? I really don't want anyone to see them!
A: No, of course not without your permission! The girls whom I have posted in my blog have given me the go-ahead to post those photos up there and I would never post photos of you that you were uncomfortable with.

The albums also make awesome Valentine's Day gifts, but they take awhile to produce, so the next two months are the prime shooting time for these sessions! Sessions are $500 and albums start at $700, so if you are interested send an email to jessica@jcsphoto.com to schedule your appointment right away!

jessica claire, boudoir photos

Posted at 09:03 AM    

Wed - November 15, 2006

Wed - November 8, 2006

Sat - November 4, 2006

An Xtremely Crazy Week!

Ah! I am finally home, rested and recovered from the events of the past week and I can honestly say that I have never been so glad to be back and so sad to leave a place. New York this week was so wonderful--not only the Xtreme program, but the socializing and eating were delicious and the weather was absolutely perfect.

Xtreme NYC was such a whirlwind of ideas and excitement! Nothing makes me feel better than to see people making a difference in their lives and their photography with my help, so it was extremely rewarding to get an up close look at 40 different business and personalities and to see them changing and growing every day. Also, every single participant showed a killer image on the last day of class and I am not kidding when I say I was totally blown away by them! There was not a single image shown that I didn't think would make a great addition to any portfolio, or in an ad, or an editorial feature. I hope that some of the attendees will email me their final photos so I can show them off here on my blog!

I want to show some of the photos from the week. Unfortunately, I was so busy with the seminar that I didn't have time to shoot much personal work, but I did manage to snag a few shots of some of the models, and thanks so much to Becker for grabbing a few shots of me and the whole seminar for me!

The seminar took place at the beautiful Boylan Studios in Chelsea:



Liana & I right before the first day begins:



A cool shot of me shooting (by becker):



Another cool shot (by the super cool Lauren Clark):



this is the resulting shot of Sherry, who will be getting married in just a few weeks!



We had a couple of smaller models too! Lisa, my cousin Kenny's wife came with the girls, Zoe & Mia:





Look at the baby blues on little Miranda:



I was so excited to finally meet Brooke & Danny. The Boutwells shot their wedding in Jamaica earlier this year, but Brooke now works with my wonderful client Sarah (of Sarah & Lando) so she came along with her husband to model for us too!



One of Sarah & Lando too:



Another couple I've gotten to know is Yessi & Julio! I shot their wedding with Becker just last month and they were kind enough to come on out also:



I want to post a few more images of Sherry. Sherry is going to have a different dress for her wedding day since her fiancee prefers more romantic gowns, but she decided for our shoot she wanted to be a sexy bride! Here are a couple more of her:





In any case, thank you again to everyone that came and helped out in any way! You made NYC an unforgettable experience.

jessica claire

Posted at 11:02 AM    

Fri - November 3, 2006

Xtreme! NYC

So this week I had the opportunity to teach with Liana Lehman in New York City! The Xtreme Seminar was such a great experience--we had an incredible group of photographers and I was so amazed at the talent we had in that room. I'm sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting for my flight back to California and I just wanted to take a minute to thank every one that was there or helped out at all, particularly Crystal, Greer, and of course, Becker. Also to all the models who came out to help, most notably Sarah & Lando, Brooke & Danny, Yessi & Julio, Sherry, and Lisa, Zoe & Mia.

Here's the crew:



I will try to post some more photos from NYC as soon as I get through them all!

jessica claire

Posted at 03:07 PM    

Thu - September 28, 2006

Wed - September 20, 2006

Jessica Claire-Bludomain Photographer of the Year!

Well, loyal blog readers, thank you so so much for your votes, hurray for me, I won! Silly as it seems, I am really happy and excited about this, and I really appreciate anybody who took a moment to write in and vote. ***CLICK HERE*** for the whole article on the Bludomain Blog !

Here's a little excerpt:

jessica claire, photographer of the year

Posted at 11:18 PM    

Tue - September 19, 2006

Rita's Studio Party-September 14th, 2006

Last week I had the opportunity to shoot a little soiree given by Rita Hermes, fabulous publicist. The party was a "who's who" of So. Cal wedding vendors, and it was great to meet so many new people and catch up with a few familiar faces!

A few shots:

All the decor and flowers were done by Rene of R. Jack Balthazar and looked so cool. There were little lounge areas and lots of bright color!:











The man himself, Rene:



The favors of the evening, big lollipops--I haven't had these in years!



The sweets were all done by Beryl Ann Byrd of Just Fabulous Pastries. I tried a few and they definitely stood up to their name. Plus, they were completely adorable:







The elegant coffee and tea display by Brew Ha Ha :



The hostess of the evening, Rita Hermes :



Sheryal Rozzelle of Unique Elegance and Youngsong Martin of Wildflower Linen checking out the latest issue of Los Angeles Weddings:



Jamie Snyder of the Montage Resort & Spa :



Jasmine Star and supermodel husband JD in a picture perfect moment :)



Photographer & studmuffin, Mike Colon :



Harmony Walton of the Bridal Bar and Tiffany Cohen of Los Angeles Weddings Magazine:



Party coordinator Jeannie Savage of Details Details , Leila Khali from Mary Dann , Sheryal Rozzelle, and Sana Hermes:

jessica claire

Posted at 11:45 PM    

Wed - August 30, 2006

gossip-WWW.JCSPHOTO.COM GETS A FACELIFT!

Now that it's been over a year since I got my new website, I decided it was time for a little upgrade and some new featured images! Check out my website, www.jcsphoto.com for some new work, bigger and better than ever before!

jessica claire

Posted at 04:13 AM    

Tue - June 13, 2006

Congratulations & Good Luck to Bradley Whitford!

Some of you know that a few months ago I shot new headshots for West Wing alum, Brad Whitford. I am so excited to hear that he is in the running for an Emmy! Here is his full page Emmy ad (with one of my photos featured):



I love how the ad says "played with a disheveled, understated brilliance"--that's priceless!

Congratulations & Good Luck Brad!

jessica claire, orange county wedding photographer

Posted at 10:32 AM