Breakfast Wedding

A bear claw for my dad, a cheese danish for my mom and donuts for my sister, my brother and myself. Saturday morning. If I close my eyes I can almost smell that delightful little German bakery.

Housing for Lindsey AFB was off base in Wiesbaden, Germany. That equals awesome. All of us military folks lived in a sort of neighborhood of houses, apartments and an elementary school right there in middle of town. We were surrounded by German neighborhoods, shops, parks, restaurants and bakeries.

I'm profoundly grateful that my mother didn't keep us in a bubble. She explored Germany with us in tow. We rode the bus and the train. We shopped at German grocery stores and Christmas markets. We ate 'street food' like spaghetti ice and pommes frites. We visited castles, museums and swimming pools.
It. was. glorious.

Out of all those memories, my fondest is walking to the bakery behind our house on Saturday mornings to get breakfast for the family. And now, thanks to pinterest, I've become obsessed with the idea of a breakfast wedding. I really, REALLY want to shoot one. OK?  K.

Montevallo, Alabama | Southern Magnolia Wedding: Alisha + Joey

One of the coolest things about second shooting is meeting photographers that I admire. I've been 'stalking' Meredith Rowlen Photography on facebook for quite some time and I finally met her last Saturday. We've exchanged emails and 'talked' on the internets but I was still nervous to meet her. Mainly because I wasn't only meeting her, but I was about to spend the next 8 hours working for/with her shooting a wedding at the beautiful Southern Magnolia house in Montevallo, AL.

Thankfully my nerves took a chill pill as soon as I started shooting. Then, I really relaxed when I showed some shots to Meredith and she approved saying, "look at you being all rock-star!" Meredith, YOU are the rock-star and I was happy to be your 'groupie' for the day ;)

Alisha and Joey spoiled us. Spoiled. They were wonderfully comfortable in front of the camera and beyond sweet to each other. During their first look, Joey could not stop gushing over his gorgeous bride. I think the word is smitten. Can you blame him? I mean, LOOK at her!!

Another thing I love about second shooting is photographing the details. Alisha and Joey handmade some of them together. Aaand swoon. 

 

To see more from Alisha and Joey's wedding check out their album on Meredith Rowlen's Photography page on facebook.

A+J,
Your wedding was amazing. I'm lucky to have been a part of it. Hakuna Matata to y'all!! (You had to be there, but trust me... it was awesome)

Second Shooting

Sometimes I'll have an idea for a blog post, but will get writer's block when I sit at my computer to write. When that happens I start the post with one or two sentences to describe the idea I had and then I'll come back when inspiration strikes.

I've had a post sitting in my blog queue for a while and I opened it to write this today.  The title was Second Shooting and it read, 'has been awesome.' I wrote that after second shooting for the first time and I'm not sure why I didn't just post it as is. Second shooting HAS been awesome.

I've had the pleasure of second shooting 4 weddings this Spring and I've been having the best time. A lot of established photographers will tell you that second shooting is part of 'paying your dues' in the photography world. While it's true that as a second shooter you are working as an employee/intern for the main shooter, it hasn't felt like 'paying dues' to me. I'm getting invaluable on the job experience learning the wedding day workflow and finding/creating good light when there seems to be none. I'm building my portfolio, making friends in the industry and watching my dreams become reality.

Maybe I've been lucky to work with the remarkably talented photographers I have because they've hardly made it feel like work. More on them (and pics too) coming soon!!

Sprucing Up the Internets

In hindsight, I should re-word #12 on the 31 before 31 list. 'Finish a branding project' should be 'get a good understanding of what you want your brand to be and then spend the rest of forever working on it'.

Branding, to me, is something that will always be evolving. Especially when it comes to the client experience. But, I've got a good start as far as branding my internet presence so #12 now has a check mark beside it.

This is only part of the Jessi D brand. I guess you'll have to be a client to experience the rest ;)

Alabama the Beautiful

'Sweet home Alabama. Where the skies are so blue.'   Boy are they blue today!

My family moved to Alabama in 1994 when my Dad retired from the USAF. I went to High School in Billingsley, graduated from The University of Alabama and then made Montgomery my home.  I've grown accustomed to hearing tornado sirens in the Spring. I have a safety plan. I even worked for a major insurance company for 6 years and have seen first hand the destruction of mother nature. But yesterday? Yesterday was something un-imaginable.

Dozens of tornadoes tore through the state including one that was a mile wide and devastated parts of Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. As I write this there have been 145 confirmed fatalities and the number is expected to climb as many are still missing.

From the mountains in Northern Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico, the real reason this state is known as 'Alabama the Beautiful' is the people. Alabamians created Southern hospitality. We love our state and each other more than we love football (and we LOVE football). My heart breaks for those that lost their homes and for the families that lost loved ones.

If you want to help them pick up the pieces and re-build, you can donate to the Red Cross here or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10. Be sure to specify Alabama when prompted.

The state was hit hard yesterday, but the sun is shining today. I pray that everyone seeing the beautiful Alabama sky is reminded of how precious life is. Do something you love today!

*Yes, the skies are really that blue.

Wednesday Wishes

"Stop wishing your life away."  I guess my freshman roommate had grown tired of my standard wish that Friday would hurry up already. As I declared my wish for the thousandth time she reminded me that Tuesday mornings should be just as good. Life is, after all, what you make it and me wishing it was Friday wasn't going to make it happen any sooner. I agreed with the sentiment, but never broke the habit.

Todays short list ...
I wish I had gone to Vegas for the WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) Convention.
I wish April would hurry up and get here.
I wish I had it all together.
I wish my besties lived closer.

April, May and June are going to be super busy as I'll be full steam ahead into my first wedding season. Until then, I vow to make the most of every day and enjoy the calm before the storm. At least... that is my wish :)

Hats of Vaugh Road

Montgomery, AL isn't a large city by any stretch of the imagination. However, it is large enough to find it odd that there is a stretch of land along one of it's busiest streets that's 'uncitified.' A few acres on the side of Vaughn Rd between an apartment complex and a shopping center that remained untouched during the city's eastern migration. In fact, on any given day you can see cattle grazing in the field.
But, that's not all you'll see. Fence post after fence post you'll see a collection of ball caps the Mad Hatter would be proud of. These hats have mystified me for years. I turned to Facebook recently looking for the answer to my question, "What's up with all those hats?"
I was linked to this article on WSFA's website but even they couldn't find the answer. Seems to be an anomaly. Someone nailed the first hat and the collection spontaneously grew seemingly overnight.

As a personal project, I have photographed each hat. All 112 of them.

Here are some of my favorites.

As I was shooting these, just feet away from passing cars, I felt as if I was becoming part of the mystery. I know if I had driven by I would want to know why that girl was taking pictures. That's when the project became more than just documentation and I'm asking you to help me with the next step... Did you nail one of these hats to the fence? Do you know someone that has? If so, please email me. I'd love to tell your story.

Focus on Fitness

Bobbi + Mike are a husband and wife photography team based in Indianapolis. I've followed their blog for a while and Bobbi periodically blogs about being on the healthy train. She recently started a new train and I hopped on. Now that Olivia is 10 months old I don't feel like I can get away with the "I just had a baby" excuse any longer. I also subscribe to the school of thought that my image is a division of my brand. I believe that brides book out of emotion and want a photographer that is not just going to snap great pictures, but also someone that is going to help make their wedding experience fun and fabulous. In the end, what makes Jessi D Photography different than the hundreds of great photographers in the area (other than price at the moment)? ME. JDP is the only place that has me.

Since I am selling myself as much (if not more) than my skills as a photographer I think it is important to look and feel my best. If I am confident behind the camera, my brides will be confident in front of it.

Fitness is also another way for me to connect to my clients. I don't know a woman that didn't think about getting in shape before her wedding. Even naturally thin (lucky!) girls want to look their absolute best on their wedding day. Wouldn't it be awesomesauce to find new running buddies this way?

So, I am introducing the first 'column' on my blog. Focus on Fitness.

Today's FoF starts with a thank you to Bobbi for the encouragement. Next is a shout out to the Y's up at Hampstead. You are always clean and non-judgy. I love that your cardio room is upstairs with a view of the beautiful Hampstead farm. I love/hate your gravity classes that give me noodle legs. The only thing I don't like about you is that you make me wish I lived in Hampstead, and that just isn't in the budget... for now :)

This month I am focusing on cardio so these shoes are my besties. I. Heart. ASICS.

Groce Family

There’s magic in watching babies discover textures and colors... and dirt. (read – it’s pretty funny to watch their face as they put dirt in their mouth to see what it tastes like)  

I shot the Groce family last week and their sweet baby is one year old. Little D is in a discovery stage. He just started walking and is so curious to learn all about this big world. He’s a joy to be around.

I love a toothy smile!!

Such a big boy!

Jeri, 

You have the sweetest little man. He seriously smiles all the time (well, almost all the time.) We love y'all! Next time I have to bring Olivia so she and D can get a picture together :)

Grace and Thanksgiving

I skipped blogging during Thanksgiving but I don’t want to skip the thanks…  Thank You to all my clients and blog readers.  I am blessed because of YOU!!

The day before Thanksgiving I shot the Levanda family in the gardens at Grace Episcopal Church. Thank you Tia for introducing me to this gorgeous location.

I love a red door!

Sweet babies and pretty leaves.

The kids wanted to play and I can't blame them. I cannot wait until my little Olive is big enough to run and play in the garden too!

Tia, 

It was a pleasure to meet your sweet family. Thank you again for requesting your shoot at Grace. I totally owe you :)

My First as a Second ~ Sarah Anne + Jason

In my last post I talked about John being my second shooter and last week I got to see what it's like on the other side. Cason from ~CG~ Photography gave me the opportunity to tag along with him on an Engagement Session out at The Waters.

Sarah Anne is a natural beauty. Like, really pretty. And totally awesome. She forgot the shoes for her second outfit and she just rolled with it because she's more comfortable bare-footed anyway.

Jason plays the guitar. He's good. Like, really good. He busted out a rendition of 'Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone' and I was all.. how'd he know that I love that song? Then I saw how Sarah Anne smiled. She must love that song too.. or, she loves HIM!

 Love. Sarah Anne, you are going to be a stunning bride!!

Jason proposed to Sarah Anne just a few yards from this spot. 

Sarah Anne and Jason,
Congratulations! I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy your wedding next month.

To see Cason's view, please check out Sarah Ann and Jason's sneak peek on facebook or check out his website.

Cason. Dude. Thank You!! It was so much fun to shoot with you, and so cool to see what you shot. I think I may have been more excited to see the sneak peek than Sarah Ann and Jason.

Second Shooter

Jasmine has JD. Nate has Louisa. Bobbi has Mike. Me? I have John.

John is my hubby and second shooter in training. He is a gear-head at heart and usually knows technical names for things better than I do. OK, i'll just say it... He's a nerd. He inherited the Nikon D50 when I upgraded to the Canon 5D MII last month. He's been studying and practicing and I'm proud to say that he's already shooting in manual mode.

He came along with me for a recent shoot and I'm quite pleased with his work.

While I was shooting this ...

John shot this.

My perspective.

John's view. 

John, I love you. I'm beyond lucky to be your wife... and now your boss ;)

Jessica + Matt Holiday Mini Session and Veteran's Day

In five short years, since Matt and Jessica have been married, Matt has been to Iraq twice. I thought it fitting to post their mini session on Veteran's day as a small (tee-tiny really) thank you.
Daylight savings kicked in the night before their session and I must say I could not have picked better light to shoot in. Sunset at Hampstead was beautiful!!

Jessica's signature pose - The Lunge!

I want to add a big 'Thank You for serving' to all veterans especially my Mom, Dad and Brother. I also dedicate this post in loving memory to my GiGi Pa. A veteran to whom I owe for my artistic eye.