I LOVE this one!
Taylor brought her boyfriend along, so I had to try out the "heart" pose that my friend Kelsi showed me. It turned out pretty awesome! :)
Thank you Taylor!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Taylor... Senior 2009
Miss Taylor is a Senior Rep for Lincolnview. She had an incredible first shoot in Ft. Wayne, and we finished her 2nd shoot in some local places. It was so cold, and this crazy girl was wearing flipflops! :)
I LOVE this one!
Taylor brought her boyfriend along, so I had to try out the "heart" pose that my friend Kelsi showed me. It turned out pretty awesome! :)
Thank you Taylor!
I LOVE this one!
Taylor brought her boyfriend along, so I had to try out the "heart" pose that my friend Kelsi showed me. It turned out pretty awesome! :)
Thank you Taylor!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas from jt Photography
This is our First Christmas! Troy built me a wall in celebration at the studio. That wall meant progress, and I hugged him so hard I think his eyes almost popped out of his head! :) As I said before I am a wishful thinker, and as I have said to many of you all in the last 4 days, I have been stressed beyond words; the reason is because it's going to be later than January 1st for our opening. I know, I am sad about it too, but perfection takes time, and I'm not presenting a half-finished studio to you guys. You all deserve the big Grand Opening that I want to give to you. So please be patient, but that wall, THAT WALL was enough to give me tears of joy :) Thanks Troy! :* Muah!
Please take some time today in all of your preperations for the days ahead to thank God for allowing us the joy of His Son. Christmas is a special time for family & friends, but lets remember that there wouldn't be a CHRISTmas without Christ.
Love you all, have a safe & blessed holiday!
Friday, December 19, 2008
One year ago today...
The night was normal. It was a rainy cold winter night, and we were snuggled up in our beds. Libbie always woke up and came to our bed around 3:00 am, but tonight she came early, around 2:00 am. I thank God that she did. Had she made it later than that she or all of us would have been dead.
That night when she crawled into bed with us, I got up to use the bathroom. I felt funny in the short walk to the bathroom. Like my head was a balloon, hovering above my body. It felt as though I was drifting to the bathroom. I made it to the toilet, and then woke up on the floor. I don't know how long I was there, as it felt that time has stopped. I didn't know why I was on the floor, nor did I remember getting to the floor. I sat up, and instantly felt sick. I vomited forcefully, and managed to get some on me. Knowing I wasn't going back to bed that way, I drew a bath. Little did I know that it would be that much more worse for me to turn on the water. It was like I was signing my death wish. I knew the furnace was on, because I heard it, but I was so disoriented that the thought never occurred to me. I washed myself up with all the strength I had, and then got out to towel off. I remember walking to the sink, but I don't remember anything more than that but waking up to Troy asking "Why are you laying in the hallway? Are you OK?"
I had woke him up with my moaning of pain. He didn't understand what was going on, and asked me if I could get up. I lifted my head, and the side not facing Troy was covered in blood. I was still unaware of how hurt I was, but when I saw Troy's face, I knew it was bad. Troy, my pillar of strength, my hero-man, was doing a panic circle and was ready to kill whomever was in the house that had done this to me. His first thought at the sight of my blood, was that someone was in the house. His terror jolted me to my core. I immediately started crying. When Troy is scared, I am lost.
Laying there on the floor, naked and covered with blood, my husband was debating on what the next step was. "I'm calling 9-1-1." He called and hung up. "You are naked. Lets get you dressed." 9-1-1 calls back and he explains what the situation is to the best of his knowledge. "She's bleeding badly. Yes, we need an ambulance." I'm propped up by our khaki colored couch and blood is dripping down the side of it. I then realize how bad this really is. I black out again.
Troy drops the phone and swoops me up in one motion to the rocking chair, dresses me and then gets back on the phone. Libbie is awake and sees that I am bleeding. "You need band-aids, Mom." She says calmly. The door busts open and I hear lots of men talking. Troy directs them to me, and I see a stretcher. "Call my mom," I say hoarsely as they start bandaging my scalp. "She's going to freak out, but we need someone to get Libs."
They got me on the back board and secured my head, it was raining so when they carted me outside, they put the sheet over my head. My mom pulls up and I can hear her screaming. She thinks I'm dead. My mom thinks her only daughter is dead. I can feel her heart break in my core. I yell as loud as I can muster through my sandpaper throat, "MOM I'M OK!!! I'M OK!!!" I'm loaded into the EMS, and the ride seemed to take an hour. My chin is throbbing, my head is so painful it starts to numb from adrenaline. My only thought is "What the hell is going on?!"
Ten staples in my scalp, and a gnarly bruise on my chin, and my right hand that is throbbing in pain. It's not broken, but to this day when my hands get cold, a painful reminder, my fingers lock.
We had Carbon Monoxide, and I was poisoned. I had made my way out of the bathroom, and collapsed, scalping myself on the door frame in the hallway. I fell, dead weight on my chin and ear. When I blacked out while Troy was on the phone, I nearly broke my right hand by falling on it fingertips down. I was in bad shape. Yet at the point of going back home, we still had no clue as to why this happened. We got home from the hospital and Liberty started puking. We knew then that it was SOMETHING in the house. We immediately packed our things and headed strait to my moms. The Ohio City fire department came down, and Troy went back, they still found nothing.
Then Troy was in the house, with fresh batteries in the Carbon Monoxide detector, and it started blaring. When the water heater was on at the same time as the furnace, it was pumping strait Carbon-Monoxide into the air of our home. Libbie's room is directly beside the water heater and furnace. Our daughter should have been dead. God didn't allow us that pain. And I would be stapled 20,000 times over before I could ever endure losing my little girl.
My life and outlook was changed on this day last year. I knew that my life, our lives were precious, and I wasn't wasting another minute. I devoted my entirety to God, whom saved us all that night. In more ways than one.
Please, PLEASE make sure that if you have any type of gas heat, that you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. It could save your life or the lives of those you love. I know, I've lived through it by God's grace.
That night when she crawled into bed with us, I got up to use the bathroom. I felt funny in the short walk to the bathroom. Like my head was a balloon, hovering above my body. It felt as though I was drifting to the bathroom. I made it to the toilet, and then woke up on the floor. I don't know how long I was there, as it felt that time has stopped. I didn't know why I was on the floor, nor did I remember getting to the floor. I sat up, and instantly felt sick. I vomited forcefully, and managed to get some on me. Knowing I wasn't going back to bed that way, I drew a bath. Little did I know that it would be that much more worse for me to turn on the water. It was like I was signing my death wish. I knew the furnace was on, because I heard it, but I was so disoriented that the thought never occurred to me. I washed myself up with all the strength I had, and then got out to towel off. I remember walking to the sink, but I don't remember anything more than that but waking up to Troy asking "Why are you laying in the hallway? Are you OK?"
I had woke him up with my moaning of pain. He didn't understand what was going on, and asked me if I could get up. I lifted my head, and the side not facing Troy was covered in blood. I was still unaware of how hurt I was, but when I saw Troy's face, I knew it was bad. Troy, my pillar of strength, my hero-man, was doing a panic circle and was ready to kill whomever was in the house that had done this to me. His first thought at the sight of my blood, was that someone was in the house. His terror jolted me to my core. I immediately started crying. When Troy is scared, I am lost.
Laying there on the floor, naked and covered with blood, my husband was debating on what the next step was. "I'm calling 9-1-1." He called and hung up. "You are naked. Lets get you dressed." 9-1-1 calls back and he explains what the situation is to the best of his knowledge. "She's bleeding badly. Yes, we need an ambulance." I'm propped up by our khaki colored couch and blood is dripping down the side of it. I then realize how bad this really is. I black out again.
Troy drops the phone and swoops me up in one motion to the rocking chair, dresses me and then gets back on the phone. Libbie is awake and sees that I am bleeding. "You need band-aids, Mom." She says calmly. The door busts open and I hear lots of men talking. Troy directs them to me, and I see a stretcher. "Call my mom," I say hoarsely as they start bandaging my scalp. "She's going to freak out, but we need someone to get Libs."
They got me on the back board and secured my head, it was raining so when they carted me outside, they put the sheet over my head. My mom pulls up and I can hear her screaming. She thinks I'm dead. My mom thinks her only daughter is dead. I can feel her heart break in my core. I yell as loud as I can muster through my sandpaper throat, "MOM I'M OK!!! I'M OK!!!" I'm loaded into the EMS, and the ride seemed to take an hour. My chin is throbbing, my head is so painful it starts to numb from adrenaline. My only thought is "What the hell is going on?!"
Ten staples in my scalp, and a gnarly bruise on my chin, and my right hand that is throbbing in pain. It's not broken, but to this day when my hands get cold, a painful reminder, my fingers lock.
We had Carbon Monoxide, and I was poisoned. I had made my way out of the bathroom, and collapsed, scalping myself on the door frame in the hallway. I fell, dead weight on my chin and ear. When I blacked out while Troy was on the phone, I nearly broke my right hand by falling on it fingertips down. I was in bad shape. Yet at the point of going back home, we still had no clue as to why this happened. We got home from the hospital and Liberty started puking. We knew then that it was SOMETHING in the house. We immediately packed our things and headed strait to my moms. The Ohio City fire department came down, and Troy went back, they still found nothing.
Then Troy was in the house, with fresh batteries in the Carbon Monoxide detector, and it started blaring. When the water heater was on at the same time as the furnace, it was pumping strait Carbon-Monoxide into the air of our home. Libbie's room is directly beside the water heater and furnace. Our daughter should have been dead. God didn't allow us that pain. And I would be stapled 20,000 times over before I could ever endure losing my little girl.
My life and outlook was changed on this day last year. I knew that my life, our lives were precious, and I wasn't wasting another minute. I devoted my entirety to God, whom saved us all that night. In more ways than one.
Please, PLEASE make sure that if you have any type of gas heat, that you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home. It could save your life or the lives of those you love. I know, I've lived through it by God's grace.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Just wanted to pass this along!
I just wanted to show you how incredibly cool this picture is:
I was filling Derek's order for his dad, and saw this picture again, I had forgotten how cool it really was! :) It's like re-reading your favorite book!
Have a good week!
I was filling Derek's order for his dad, and saw this picture again, I had forgotten how cool it really was! :) It's like re-reading your favorite book!
Have a good week!
Friday, December 12, 2008
A year in review...
This blog was a mix of being inspired by Jasmine (big suprise lol!) and a survey on Myspace about my year by months. I thought, why not do a pictorial year in review?
Not only was I re-inspired by how much I have learned, it made me happy to see so many of the photos that I love. IT WAS SO HARD TO CHOOSE! So some of the months only have one photo, but some months have lots more than one, I just couldn't choose.
So here's a big Thank you to my clients for making my FIRST YEAR (professionally) a total success. It's to you and God I owe my success, and the incredible journey I have ahead of me. I could never be grateful enough.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July (This is a big one, Thank you to all my Seniors!)
August (This one too! You guys ROCKED MY SOCKS!)
September
October
November
December
Merry Christmas! I wish for you all the spirit of Christ to ascend upon you, so we can all enjoy the true meaning of Christmas! God bless you all!
Not only was I re-inspired by how much I have learned, it made me happy to see so many of the photos that I love. IT WAS SO HARD TO CHOOSE! So some of the months only have one photo, but some months have lots more than one, I just couldn't choose.
So here's a big Thank you to my clients for making my FIRST YEAR (professionally) a total success. It's to you and God I owe my success, and the incredible journey I have ahead of me. I could never be grateful enough.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July (This is a big one, Thank you to all my Seniors!)
August (This one too! You guys ROCKED MY SOCKS!)
September
October
November
December
Merry Christmas! I wish for you all the spirit of Christ to ascend upon you, so we can all enjoy the true meaning of Christmas! God bless you all!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Brown Family, Ellie, and Neil & Ashley...
Wow, what a whirlwind this all has been! Sometimes I feel like I'm on a treadmill running backwards! And I most definitely am not coordinated! :) These sessions were from a few weeks ago, Thanksgiving weekend actually. I am just blogging them now because my life is in fast forward and I'm in slow-mo!! :)
First, the Brown family...
Matt and I go way back, and I am thankful that when we reconnected that I was lucky enough to not only meet his beautiful wife, Kristy, but to also call his sister Sara one of my best friends. But the biggest honor of all was that they asked me to not only photograph their family, but to photograph their beyond-words adorable daughter, Sydney...
How precious is she?! And Kristy is so radiant...
Their beautiful family...
Matt & Kristy are such a match. They compliment each other very well, and they are so much fun to have around. We always make sure that we are available for a great night out when these guys come down from Toledo to visit. I'm looking forward to this weekend when we all take our kids to the Toldeo Zoo for the lights, and hang out with Matt, Kristy and Sydney.. Hopefully Steph too!
Up next is Lil Miss Ellie! This is Matt, Sara & Steph's sister Liz's (Wow, I'm out of breath! Ha Ha) daughter. She was so perfect for being photographed, she knew exactly what to do, even with an audience :)
The light was perfect, the setting was perfect,and how could you deny this perfect face?
Liz asked for this shot, and it's so right-of-passage for Ellie. You hold on to that thumb as long as you like, sister! Love that she looks like she's getting away with something! ;)
And last but most defiantly not least is Neil & Ashley. Our original plan was to shoot with their doggies, but it was rainy that day, and they didn't want to have wet puppies in the picture (or in the car!), but puppies or not, I think these two would have stole the show...
They had the best reason for getting a Love Session... Just Because. They love Black and White portraits, and they said let's do it! Anytime is a great time for photos! :) And look how stunning they are!
I still had to throw in some color though, because I was in love with Neil's sweater- GO BUCKS! :) And their eyes were sparkling that day! Thank You Neil & Ashley for some time well spent! It was great to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon with you!
Thanks guys! Hope you enjoy your sneak peek!
First, the Brown family...
Matt and I go way back, and I am thankful that when we reconnected that I was lucky enough to not only meet his beautiful wife, Kristy, but to also call his sister Sara one of my best friends. But the biggest honor of all was that they asked me to not only photograph their family, but to photograph their beyond-words adorable daughter, Sydney...
How precious is she?! And Kristy is so radiant...
Their beautiful family...
Matt & Kristy are such a match. They compliment each other very well, and they are so much fun to have around. We always make sure that we are available for a great night out when these guys come down from Toledo to visit. I'm looking forward to this weekend when we all take our kids to the Toldeo Zoo for the lights, and hang out with Matt, Kristy and Sydney.. Hopefully Steph too!
Up next is Lil Miss Ellie! This is Matt, Sara & Steph's sister Liz's (Wow, I'm out of breath! Ha Ha) daughter. She was so perfect for being photographed, she knew exactly what to do, even with an audience :)
The light was perfect, the setting was perfect,and how could you deny this perfect face?
Liz asked for this shot, and it's so right-of-passage for Ellie. You hold on to that thumb as long as you like, sister! Love that she looks like she's getting away with something! ;)
And last but most defiantly not least is Neil & Ashley. Our original plan was to shoot with their doggies, but it was rainy that day, and they didn't want to have wet puppies in the picture (or in the car!), but puppies or not, I think these two would have stole the show...
They had the best reason for getting a Love Session... Just Because. They love Black and White portraits, and they said let's do it! Anytime is a great time for photos! :) And look how stunning they are!
I still had to throw in some color though, because I was in love with Neil's sweater- GO BUCKS! :) And their eyes were sparkling that day! Thank You Neil & Ashley for some time well spent! It was great to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon with you!
Thanks guys! Hope you enjoy your sneak peek!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Gift Certificates for Christmas
Gift Certificates are a great gift idea for Friends and Family, and especially for 2009-2010 Seniors. If you have a neice or a nephew that had their portraits done by jt Photography, they can use a gift certificate to purchase additional prints, Graduation announcements & Thank You cards, or keepsake prints. How thoughtful! Gift Certificates are good for an entire year from their purchase date, and can be gifted up to $500! You can purchase a sitting fee, any size prints, or just spending cash toward purchases. What a great gift!
Share the gift of professional portraiture with your family this season. Call me to set up a cetificate before christmas! 419.203.0889 or email me at jtphotography@live.com
Share the gift of professional portraiture with your family this season. Call me to set up a cetificate before christmas! 419.203.0889 or email me at jtphotography@live.com
The studio :)
I promised pictures so here we go, and keep in mind, these pictures are from when we weren't even sure we had it yet. It's honestly looks COMPLETELY different already, so imagine it with no carpet, the borders on the walls missing, and the walls knocked down where the dressing room was.
We ripped up the carpet and found beautiful OLD wood floors. They are absolutely fabulous! I am hoping they are still in good condition when we are done, this has been quite a job, to say the least!
I hope to transform this place into the studio of my dreams. I am already in love with it and it's not even done! We still have minor cosmetic things to do such as paint and furnishings, and my husband and dad are building walls in the next couple weeks. I am working with my best friend, and Interior Designer, Erin Wilson who is out of Seattle to completely nail the style I want. I am so lucky when it comes to friends!
My hope is to have this all ready to go by Jan. 1st, but since I'm a wishful thinker :) it could be later than that, but please keep in mind that I am still taking appointments and I'm ready to shoot in the snow!!!!!! I can't wait for my first snow appointment, we have been getting close, but today has been our firt cover, and it just makes me excited to get out and shoot. I have some great ideas for a senior girl in the snow, who is going to do that portrait for me? Hmm, if your 2nd shoot is still up in the air, this might be a great time to shoot!! Like my persuasive skills? I'm so smooth...
SO I will post more pictures next week, hopefully we can do a week by week studio update! :)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Our Studio <3
I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I have been busy getting things around and working on the studio. We ripped up carpet last night and my lovely husband is spending his birthday scraping the crap off the floor that is on top of the beautiful wood floors. :) Isn't he a wonderful person?! I love him! :)
I finally had some time to breathe today, as lib was getting tired of being there and I needed to catch up on some things at home, to blog. It's not going to be a long one, but I just wanted to stop in and say Hi! and that I haven't forgptten to blog, I just haven't had a lot of time. This month is going to be very hard for me to keep up on things, but I have an assistant now, and I will have a part time assistant as well in January. I am so happy with what God has blessed me with, and I am looking forward to new and exciting adventures to come!
I will post pics of the studio soon!
I finally had some time to breathe today, as lib was getting tired of being there and I needed to catch up on some things at home, to blog. It's not going to be a long one, but I just wanted to stop in and say Hi! and that I haven't forgptten to blog, I just haven't had a lot of time. This month is going to be very hard for me to keep up on things, but I have an assistant now, and I will have a part time assistant as well in January. I am so happy with what God has blessed me with, and I am looking forward to new and exciting adventures to come!
I will post pics of the studio soon!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Tonight I went for a drive. I had a mission, but took more time than usual driving because amid the nasty weather all day, everything was... sparkling.
I love Thanksgiving, but I love the week after Thanksgiving more. Why? Because that's when all the lights make their way on the trees, people decorate their homes in fresh garlands,and gold and silver trimmings. Every front window faintly has twinkle lights adorning their christmas trees through their curtains and you can almost smell the spirit of Christmas. The excitement of this season is exhilirating in itself, but this year it's absolutely impossible to not grin from Lia Sophia adorned ear to ear. :)
Last week was one of the most stressful of my year. But I didn't buckle, I kept on going because 1. I want this so so much. and 2. I was having way more fun than I let on. Last week, in between 10 second moments to breathe before the phone rang again, answering 25 emails a day, the flu, and forgetting to eat until 9:30 at night ( i know.), I realized that I was so happy. I have never never never loved a job. I have never pictured myself doing the same thing for the rest of my life, and not cringing. I have never felt so incredibly fulfilled professionally. And tonight, on this drive while looking at all the lights, I praised God for this.
I pulled into WalMart and was still grinning. I took out my list and shopped for what I needed for home, and when I got all that I got to the bottom of my list and I bubbled with excitement. It read:
Paint for Studio.
I am proud and grateful to announce that jt Photography will be opening a storefront on Jan. 1, 2009 at 137 E. Main Street, Van Wert, Ohio. We are located 2 doors down from Balyeat's, and though it looks like nothing much right now, we will be working hard the entire month of December to be able to open and share our new home with you by Jan. 1st.
Thank you all so much for a wonderful year.
Tonight I went for a drive. I had a mission, but took more time than usual driving because amid the nasty weather all day, everything was... sparkling.
I love Thanksgiving, but I love the week after Thanksgiving more. Why? Because that's when all the lights make their way on the trees, people decorate their homes in fresh garlands,and gold and silver trimmings. Every front window faintly has twinkle lights adorning their christmas trees through their curtains and you can almost smell the spirit of Christmas. The excitement of this season is exhilirating in itself, but this year it's absolutely impossible to not grin from Lia Sophia adorned ear to ear. :)
Last week was one of the most stressful of my year. But I didn't buckle, I kept on going because 1. I want this so so much. and 2. I was having way more fun than I let on. Last week, in between 10 second moments to breathe before the phone rang again, answering 25 emails a day, the flu, and forgetting to eat until 9:30 at night ( i know.), I realized that I was so happy. I have never never never loved a job. I have never pictured myself doing the same thing for the rest of my life, and not cringing. I have never felt so incredibly fulfilled professionally. And tonight, on this drive while looking at all the lights, I praised God for this.
I pulled into WalMart and was still grinning. I took out my list and shopped for what I needed for home, and when I got all that I got to the bottom of my list and I bubbled with excitement. It read:
Paint for Studio.
I am proud and grateful to announce that jt Photography will be opening a storefront on Jan. 1, 2009 at 137 E. Main Street, Van Wert, Ohio. We are located 2 doors down from Balyeat's, and though it looks like nothing much right now, we will be working hard the entire month of December to be able to open and share our new home with you by Jan. 1st.
Thank you all so much for a wonderful year.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Cindy & Clint... a Love Session QuickTake
Yesterday was insane. It was like I was on a tredmill at full blast trying to keep up! My solace was knowing that I had a session at 4 with Cindy and Clint. There is nothing more blissful than getting away from paperwork and packaging to go let creativity flow! :)
Cindy has followed me (she says stalked, lol!) since my very early beginning. I officially met her when I was part-timing at a local gas station. I was so flattered that someone knew me at that time for my photography. I still get flattered, but at that time, NO ONE knew me, and Cindy really put a bit more sunshine in my day then! She has been a faithful blog reader and facebook friend, and I know that she passes may name along to people, and I am very grateful for my "free advertising"! :) Thank you Cindy and Clint, I know you will love your images.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Cindy has followed me (she says stalked, lol!) since my very early beginning. I officially met her when I was part-timing at a local gas station. I was so flattered that someone knew me at that time for my photography. I still get flattered, but at that time, NO ONE knew me, and Cindy really put a bit more sunshine in my day then! She has been a faithful blog reader and facebook friend, and I know that she passes may name along to people, and I am very grateful for my "free advertising"! :) Thank you Cindy and Clint, I know you will love your images.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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