Pisgah, Alabama | Gorham's Bluff Wedding: Maria + Adam

Relaxed. That's the first word that comes to mind when I think back on Maria and Adam's wedding day. That and sweet. Sweelaxed? Hmm...

Maria and Adam said 'I Do' at Gorham's Bluff in Pisgah, AL and the setting suited them perfectly. The 'town' is just as sweet as can be. Houses with white picket fences and perfectly manicured yards lined the streets up to the Lodge which sits at the top of a gorgeous bluff. It was nothing short of picturesque.

Maria and Adam had a large wedding party so Alisa and I tag-teamed getting ready. I shot the guys and love this shot of Adam.

 

Overlooking the bluff. I broke out in a cold sweat when Adam stepped that close to the edge... you would NOT catch me out there.  

 

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 ;)

"It's All Happening."

I could look up the origination of that quote, but I'm not going to. I want to always hear it in Kate Hudson's voice as she is whisked away into her dream life in Almost Famous.

This week is here and it's all happening. Tomorrow I'll be in Birmingham attending the inaugural meeting of the Alabama Social Media Association. Thursday I'll be blogging about the event and packing. Friday I'm off to Tuscaloosa to see Band of Horses. Saturday I'm second shooting a wedding!!!
Sunday I am heading to Nashville for a 3 day photography workshop. Wednesday I'll be home, squeezing my baby girl tighter than ever. Then, Saturday I'll be second shooting another wedding. SMILEY FACE!



It's. All. Happening. - Jessi D

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 :)

31 Before 31

Happy Valentine's Day to any bride that loves Anthropologie. They launched a bridal boutique, B H L N D,  today. Who needs chocolate with all that eye candy? (For the record... I do).  As I drooled over one particular gown I thought, 'I can't wait to photograph a bride in this,' And for the first time I really felt REAL. I may not have a wedding on the books yet, but I know with hard work I will.

Part of that hard work is setting goals for myself and my business. I've recently been inspired by fellow (and kind of amazing) photographer Amanda Pair to create a list of goals for the year. Since I am turning 31 this year, here are 31 things I'd like to do in 2011.

1. Run a 5K
2. Run a 10K
3. Run a Half Marathon
4. Try a BodyPump class
5. Taste a cupcake from Cooper Cupcakes
6. Make french toast
7. Have a professional family portrait taken
8. Have professional head shots taken
9. Second shoot a wedding with 5 photographers
10. Build a wedding portfolio
11. Re-work website to focus on weddings
12. Finish branding project
13. Make a sample mini site

14. Have a sample canvas made

15. Book a wedding of my own in 2011

16. Be a part of Help Portrait in Montgomery
17. Set up a photo booth at a party
18. Attend a photography workshop
19. Find 3 new shoot locations in Montgomery
20. Blog every day for one week

21. Blog 20 days in one month

22. Meet (lunch, coffee, photo walk) with local photographers

23. Contribute to an online photography forum twice a week for one month

24. Work on a personal project

25. Figure out how to be relevant on Twitter

26. Create a facebook landing page for my business

27. Help an up-and-coming vendor by taking photos for their website/FB page

28. Vacation at the beach

29. Have dinner with my sweetie at Village Kitchen
30. Finish a painting for O's room
31. Take O swimming


What do you want to do this year?

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.

Looking Past the Fear

I wouldn't call myself a control freak, but maybe (if I'm keeping it real) I should. I am impatient and imperfect and I get anxious waiting. I'm going through a transitional phase trying to create a new normal - a new daily routine. Now that I'm my own boss I have to learn to be productive, while not being too hard on myself.
I also have to take a huge step out of my comfort zone and ask others for help. My success this year relies heavily on other photographers and brave clients willing to take a chance on a newbie.

I am committed to put in the work, now I have to look past the fear and move forward.

*This may seem like a random portrait, but I was experimenting when I took it and I absolutely adore it. It's a reminder for me to try new things and take risks. 

Surprise! It’s a new website!!

I am terrible with surprises. Maybe annoying is a better way to put it. Please don’t ever tell me that you have a surprise for me unless you are prepared for and extended game of 20 questions. It’s probably because when I have exciting news I’m awful at keeping it secret. I’m that person that gives her husband his Christmas present a week before Christmas because I just can’t wait for him to open it. Yeah, annoying.

I’ve been working on something for the last month or so and I have somehow been able to keep it a secret. Be. Amazed. (I am) My new website is live!!

Please check it out and help me spread the word...  jessidphotography.com

A thousand Thank Yous to John. He’s amazing y’all. He worked and worked to get the site juuuust like I like it. Even when I changed my mind eight times in five minutes.

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.