Shootout Wardrobe: Sweet Family Picnic

04.12.12 by jesie our two cents, the latest & greatest

Hello everyone!

I have to be honest… I’ve been dreaming about our Maternity and Young Family Shoot Out.  Literally, dreaming about it.  Maybe it’s because I’m super excited about this styled shoot, or because I’ve thought through every detail right down to the ribbon around the peach lemonade jar.  Either way, you should know this shoot is going to be stunning!

By now, I’m sure you’ve heard about our Maternity and Young Family Shoot Out on April 14^th.  If this is the first time you’re hearing about it, take a look HERE to learn more about the style of this shoot.  It’s going to be beautiful with lots of soft grays, greens, peaches and creams… perfect to ring in the spring.  We’ve got adorable flags, mason jars, umbrellas, peach popsicles and all kinds of props to make this shoot really stand out.

Now a styled shoot is only as good as its wardrobe. :)  Think soft, muted, airy and… spring-y!  Light pinks, greens, grays, browns, and creams will look great.  Take a look at the inspiration board below to get a better idea of wardrobe that will compliment the style of this shoot.  Wear things that make you feel great.  And accessorize!  Great accessories do so much for your images.  Hair pieces, scarves, jewelry, shoes, hats.  You know what René always says, “The difference is in the details.”  And it’s so true!

Thank you so much to the families who have already reserved their slot!  We still have a slot or two open if you’re interested!  Each shoot will be 45 minutes long and $99.  With the style of this shoot including props, wardrobe and the personality from each family, we’ll create a body of work I know you’ll love!

Can’t wait,
Jesie

Keystone Engagement: Pearlly & Huson – Part I

04.11.12 by René engagements, weddings

There are two things I’ve learned to accept as a photographer.

Number one: I will always have a fear of the unknown — which is probably a blog post for later.

And number two: expect the unexpected.

You never know what kind of cards you’ll be dealt.  You’ll never know the stories you’ll get to capture.  Or the places you’ll go.  I feel so incredibly blessed to have this career.  I praise God everyday for such a fulfilling and unique career.  For each and everyone of our couples who bring life to our images.   I am so often in awe of the unexpected people, places, and stories I encounter.

One day I got an unexpected, unique request for a session from the sweetest, most cheerful girl.  As cheerful as one could be through email, anyway.  Pearlly emailed me a couple months ago, soon after her February engagement to Huson, and told me her desire to have engagement pictures taken in the snow and also at the Air Force Academy.

Pearlly and Huson have been dating for nearly six years and what a story they have.  They both call Singapore home and met there when Huson was home on leave from his international exchange experience at the United State Air Force Academy.  He attended the Academy for four years, met Pearlly two years into it, graduated in 2008, and since then has been all over the globe training with the Republic Singapore Air Force.  After graduation, his career as an F-16 pilot took him to Australia, Canada, and now to Arizona. Over the last several years, they’ve managed to have a thriving and fulfilling relationship while Pearlly remained in Singapore.  Only recently did she join Huson in his journeys in Arizona and this past February, he popped the question.

They are planning a New Years Eve wedding in Singapore and in the meantime, their first step was to get some engagement portraits done in Colorado where Huson spent so much of his time and Pearlly often visited.  But these aren’t your typical engagement session.  First, we broke up our time together into two days and three different sessions.  And second, in the Singaporean culture, it is custom to get casual and formal portraits done to have on display at the wedding banquet — very similar to what we know as bridal portraits, but with the groom too.

We started our time together in Keystone, Colorado where these two hit the slopes (and Pearlly once broke her wrist!).  After a few casual portraits at the basin, Pearlly and Huson changed into some beautiful formal wear for an adventure on top of the slopes.

Stay tuned for part II’s Air Force Academy session and more about who this couple is and why I love them so much. :-)

With joy,
René

Our gondola ride was picture perfect!

The views at the top were even better.

And because these two love snowboarding, I knew I had to recruit a boarder to help me get this shot for them.

Ugh, I love this shot!  Pearlly, you are so gorgeous.  Period.

Love!

Just wait until you see part II!

Half of 8 is 3

04.04.12 by René personal

We always talk about how different we are.  How we couldn’t have more opposite styles of communication.  He’s broad.  I’m detailed.  He listens.  I talk.  But for the record, he loves the details.  He loves to listen.  He always asks, “How’s every little thing, baby girl?”

But there are days when he fails to communicate and we get in trouble.  When we double book ourselves.  When he has expectations that aren’t said.  When I have expectations that are unrealistic.  Classic, right?

For the most part we read each other’s mind.  We’ve started to train ourselves to think like the other person.  I have been known to ask myself, “WWJD?”  What would John Do?  So like I said, most of the time we read each other’s mind, except this one time that always stands out.  We use it as reference for when we’re thinking two totally different things.  We joke, “Oh that’s was another one of those half of eight is three moments.” 

We were driving somewhere.  The destination escapes me, but if I had to guess we were making our way to dinner.  John loves taking me out to dinner.  More than likely, we were out claiming a Restaurant.com gift certificate.  John also loves taking me out to dinner, especially when an R.com is involved.  We love R.coms.  Anyway, he was driving, and I in the passenger seat of his little Honda.  And for whatever reason, he was trying to remember my house number.  At the time is was 2453.  It was one of those moments that was almost a test.  He knew he should’ve known my house number by now.

He hmmm and hawwed and eeked out the first three numbers… “Two… Four….” and with a rise of the eyebrows to make sure he was on the right track, “Five…?”

“Yep, you’re doing great!  Keep going.  One more.”

He sighed as he racked his brain, “Two, four, five….”  He struggled.

Giving mercy to the boy, I thought of the first hint that came to mind: “Okay, I’ll give you some help with the last number — it’s half of an eight.”

“Four!” He loudly exclaimed.  ”I got it! 2454.”

“Noooooo,” I whined.  ” I said, half of AN eight.  Like, cut it in half.  Down the middle.  If you do that, it’s a 3. 2453 is my house number.”

He rolled his eyes, thought I was a little crazy and anyone in their right mind would say half of an eight is a four, but then just to push my buttons he said, “But, if I were really to cut an 8 in half, I’d do it hamburger style and have a 0.”

….

Enter the right brain, left brain… Saw this on Facebook a while ago and immediately thought of John and myself and our crazy half-of-eight is-three moments.  Can you guess which one I am?

Left
I am the left brain.
I am a scientist.  A mathematician.
I love the familar.  I categorize.  I am accurate.  Linear.
Analytic.  Strategic.  I am practical.
Always in control.  A master of words and language.
Realistic.  I calculate equations and play with numbers.
I am order.  I am logic.
I know exactly who I am.

Right
I am the right brain.
I am creativity.  A free spirit.  I am passion.
Yearning.  Sensuality.  I am the sound of roaring laughter.
I am taste.  The feeling of sand beneath bare feet.
I am movement.  Vivid colors.
I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas.
I am boundless imagination.  Art.  Poetry.  I sense.  I feel.
I am everything I wanted to be.

So let’s hear it… Which side dominates you??

Shootout: A Sweet Family Picnic

03.27.12 by jesie maternity, the latest & greatest

Spring is upon us.  Warm weather, summer dresses… and peach lemonade.  Peaches are the inspiration for our upcoming Maternity and Young Family Shoot Out and I couldn’t be more excited!

This shoot will be the perfect kick off for spring!  Imagine a field of grass, picnic baskets, mason jars and peach popsicles.  Take a look at our inspiration board below for a taste of the shoot’s flavor.  It will be charming, sweet, and fun.  Each family or little one will bring their own personality and props to their shoot.  I just can’t wait!

We have several time slots still available on April 14^th, so be sure to secure yours right away.  With Mother’s Day around the corner, this sounds like a wonderful gift for only $99.

I’m really looking forward to this.  Babies and new parents and little kiddos are definitely my heart.  :-) Can’t wait!

Blessed,
Jesie (and René, of course!)

Are you expecting?  Are you new parents?  Either way, A Sweet Family Picnic is for you.
Secure your time slot by emailing us.  Click here to do so.