More.

It's been raining alot lately. Typical spring weather. Rainy days make me agitated, especially in spring. But when I think deeper, I think of how God is working this season thing out and how it runs a course. We should compare it to our lives.

No one is happy all of the time. I can accept that I will have bad days. I can accept that things will be roadblocks, because I know that there is sunshine soon to come after the rain. Even if the forecast says rain everyday, there's usually a sunny day in there somewhere. It's been hard to accept this concept lately.

I have so many blessings to reflect on. I have a husband who loves me unconditionally. He's seen me at my worst, and loved me stronger during those times. I have two beautiful little girls who are my daily joy. They bring me laughter, smiles and have taught me selflessness. I have a family that I am extremely grateful for. They have been there for everything, and even when I get in my "moods" they still love me and accept me for who I am. So when I am told from above to do something that I am not gung-ho for, I have all the people listed above as my safety net.

Today is the day that I need that net.

For a while now, God has been speaking to my heart. I have put Him off because I didn't like His words. For awhile I thought "This cannot be right! What is He doing to me, leading me in this direction?!" But now, as usual, I have come to the realization he is doing this to HELP me, not HINDER me. I need to take this step.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I will begin working from home,starting in June. I trust that He knows that I will continue to prosper. I am scared, don't get me wrong. But many factors are pointing to this when I look at the big picture. Here are some of the changes I will be changing to make this transistion smooth.

I have wanted to go Eco-Friendlier for some time. About 30% of my business is Eco-friendly at this time. 30% isn't really good enough, in my opinion. Working from home I will be implementing that all ordering will be done online and direct shipped to you. This takes a step out of our carbon footprint, not completely, but reduces it. I will not be driving my gigantic tank of a SUV to and from the studio everyday, and you will not be driving your car to the studio to do something that can be done from the comfort of your own home. You will not have to drive to the studio to pick up prints, because they will be delievered to your door. I'm looking into other ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and though this may not matter you, it does considerably to me. God only gave us ONE EARTH. Just as He only gave us one chance to keep it beautiful while we live here.

Gas. We all have to deal with this factor. By not having to use my resources to pay for a studio, I can keep costs down considerably to you by not having to raise my session fees/print prices to pay for the gas I use to be a natural light photographer. Again, this goes in with the eco-friendly part. Also, Troy's work takes him all over Ohio, and out of town alot. Right now, we spend $200 to get him to work and back home every week. We, just like most of you, are on a budget, saving for emergencies, future college, car, wedding times two, bills, our own student loans, etc. A fellow colleague told me once to never talk about your money, but guess what, I am a wife, mother and human being. We have bills too. I don't like that $200 goes to gas for Troy only. That isn't counting what I spend on gas. To put it in perspective for you, $55 at $4.15/gallon gets me a half-tank of gas. Yeah, I KNOW.

Responsibility to my parents is another factor. I want to know that I can do my part as their child to take care of things they need from me during this time. I need to honor them because they are great people who sacrificed alot to raise me. I love them very much and appreciate them more than I could ever express.

I have tried to dodge this for a while. But, God shoots straight. I have been prayerful and discerning in what my heart tells me. Some of the things I have tried to cushion this have not been fruitful and so now it's just time.

Thank you to all my friends and family who I have let in on this and for your prayers and advice. I'm sure God will give me, as he did when I took the leap of faith to even do this profession, the wisdom and grace to do this right.

Thank you to the clients in advance for bearing with me while I make this change. There will be bugs to work out, and I understand there will be frustrations, but I promise to make it up to you in hugs and chocolate.. okay and some awesome sales :)

Here is a song that has been playing in my heart as I go through this transistion process. Reminding me that even if I make mistakes in this process, God is there to send the rain to wash me clean and give me another shot. Isn't God AWESOME?



Love you all and thanks for all of your support during this time!

IT'S 2011! Here's what's on deck...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I love being able to start over, fresh and squeaky clean. Don't you? We are hoping to knock the things left over form 2010 outta the park this week so that we are ready for anything 2011 throws us next week. (I'm rocking this baseball analogy, right?!) ;)

2012 SENIORS: We are now booking Seniors for the upcoming school year. You think it's too early to book? You'll be regretting that when you have to wait until November to get a spot! Saturdays are the first things to go, as well as Van Wert Fair time (Aug. 30th-September 5th) so jump on it!

Also, we are keeping our pricing and packages the same for Seniors this year. Check out our website and click the Pricing tab for details.

And while you are hanging out here, check out our facebook fan page here. LIKE it and I will hug myself for you. ;)

2011 and 2012 WEDDINGS: I have a few 2011 & 2012 spots still available. Our pricing structure has been changed to a build your own package. Call (419.203.0889) or email me (jtphotography@live.com) for a consultation today!

2011 QUICKTAKE SESSIONS: We are changing our QuickTakes a bit this year. The price includes prints now, so naturally it has gone up a bit, but is still EXTREMELY affordable! These are tentaive dates and rain dates will be issued if needed! More info coming closer to dates of the shoots.

Spring QuickTakes: Saturday, March 12th from 9am-4pm

Summer QuickTakes: Saturday, May 7th from 9am-4pm

Fall QuickTakes: Saturday, October 1st-Saturday, October 8th

2011 PRICING CHANGES
We are not changing too much this year except that we are adding prints to some of our Sessions. This will not affect the pricing though. So all Session fees will stay the same but there will be prints now included in with the session. If you have questions about this, please email me and I will get you an updated brochure.

As always, we are by appointment only. This includes ordering sessions as well. I will not schedule on a Sunday or a Monday, nor will I answer my phone as these days are family time. If you need to reach me, please keep it by phone or email. My phone number is (419) 203-0889 and my email is jtphotography@live.com. Thanks!

I hope your 2011 is everything you wish it to be and I hope to see your smiling faces in my lens this year!

{Amelia} | Funky Ohio Senior Photography

Let me tell you, There's nothing more exciting to me than shooting something that has been in my mind for a while. To me it's like dreaming of your unborn childs face and then seeing her (in my case) for the first time. I know others who may not have the creative bones may think that is a bit drastic, but I think in every aspiration is this feeling of joy. Amelia was the one who had all the pieces to fall into place for one of my very far fetched ideas. Let me show you some from her incredible shoot and then I'll get back to what I mean...

Amelia has a GOREGEOUS home. I have been lucky enough to shoot here before, but it's super special to shoot here for Amelia. I know it means alot to her mom, Penny. You can check out some of Penny's wonderful designs here.



We shot a few around Van Wert and I love alot of them, but this one is to dieeeeeee forrrrrr! Isn't she BEAUTIFUL?!



We then ventured over to my hometown and shot before getting to the "main event"! I love these images!





Ok, so here it is. I figured we would shoot with the horses. I was keeping my fingers crossed that we would. And my toes. And my eyes. Pretty much anything I could cross, was crossed because I LA-OVE horses and Amelia's family's horses are Amazing with a capital "A".

I have had this vision in my mind for a long time. A horse. In Water. I always envisioned a senior girl or even a bride, (I'm up for this, by the way! Any brave brides out there??) so when Amelia sent me the facebook message that we were shooting with the horse I almost came apart at the seams with joy. Okay, I screamed and danced a jig. My kids thought they had officially sent me around the bend.

Fast forward to shoot day and voila! Everything went *swimmingly*! lol!! Ch-eck it, I'm in love with the black and whites ;)





And as they were loading up, I figured if we were crazy enough to put a horse in water, why not ask Amelia to get in?





Thanks so much Amelia! I'm so excited to show you all the images!

**A little side note..
From this point on we are running the studio as appointment only. With Liberty in school now and Lyric at the mobile stage it's easier for our life and schedule to go by appointment only (Which is basically how we are running things anyway.) There will be many days where I am working from home because it's more normal for Lyric. Any Questions, please call me (419.203.0889) or email (jtphotography@live.com) and I will be happy to answer them for you! :)

Just Sayin'...

When you have ice cream in a dish, and you are holding on to the bottom and heating it up, don't you think that gooey mushy ice cream on the bottom is so much better than the hard ice cream on the top?

I had some Chocolate Fudge Brownie (Weight Watchers Brand!) ice cream last night, an extended shower and a bedtime without a story for Lib because she said I didn't have to read her one last night... that was nearly as rewarding as winning the lottery! I am tired, and drained, and stressed, BUT! I have not cried... YET. I am so nervous/excited/scared/hopeful for this grand opening on Saturday.

AND! The Times-Bulletin called yesterday and interviewed me about our opening, so watch for it in the Business section. :)

Signing off for now, going to take Libs to her Grandma Lou's, go wash then Varnish the floors, come home and paint some quarter-round trim, and a table, editing-work, orders and then pick Libs up. Yeah, I need a nap, and it's only 8:45 am. :)

You are Cordially Invited....

To the event of year! OUR GRAND OPENING!
Saturday, March 7th, 2009 at 5:00 pm we will be celebrating our grand opening of the jt Photography Studio at 137 E. Main Street, Van Wert, Ohio!
We will also be holding a Matilda Jane Trunk Show starting at 5:00 pm so come a lil early to get your seat! I would also appreciate your RSVP (the info is below!) so I know how many to expect! YES, YOU CAN BRING YOUR KIDS! But if you choose not to there will be Big Boy/Big Girl drinks there as well! :D And even if you don't intend on viewing the Trunk show please just come to see the studio!



Here is my invitation to you for the Matilda Jane Trunk show at the Studio Grand Opening!



The only thing I left off of here was the time, Trunk Show starts at 5:00 PM. Grand Opening opens it's doors at the same time!
Please RSVP to:
jtphotography@live.com
or
419.203.0889 (By text,call or voice mail!)



You definitely cannot miss this event! Not only is there going to be door prizes, but if you purchase any Matilda Jane clothing valued at $50 (total sale) you receive a $25 gift certificate to the studio! Some door prizes include FREE jt Loot as well! (Frames, gallery wraps, session discounts, free prints!!)



I just want to thank GOD!, my loyal blog readers, clients, friends, and most importantly my FAMILY (Especially Troy, and my Mom & Dad!!) for being such great beacons of light, support and help!! I could never have done this physically without any of you, mentally without your words of encouragement, or emotionally without the love you have shown me. I PROMISE that I will never forget how much you have all made me the success I am. You guys RAWK! I can't wait to see what this year has in store, and I can't wait to share it with all of you!

Thinking of Easter...and what to dress your kids in!

Easter seems like so far away. It's April 12th, right? Guess when our Easter QuickTakes start? March 21st! They are going to book up fast, so if you would like to get some beautiful portraiture of your children, I think NOW is the time to book your spot! QuickTakes are $20 for a 15 minute session, and if you don't think you can get amazing portraits in 15 minutes feel free to go look back on our previous QuickTake sessions from Christmas! We are running the QuickTake sessions for Easter from March 21-April 4th, and everything shot and ordered before April 4th is GUARANTEED BACK by Easter!
Also wanted to pass along that if you are looking for something funky and totally yummy to put your kids in for QuickTakes, I am hosting a Matilda Jane Trunk Show!!!! If you aren't familiar with Matilda Jane, you will be! Their clothes are so fresh and everyone will be asking "Where did you get that dress/top/bottom/skirt?! I HAVE TO HAVE IT!"
The Trunk show will be at the Studio (137 E. Main St.) March 7th at5:00! If you are interested in attending please email me your mailing address to jtphotography@live.com

You don't want to miss this Trunk Show, because for every $50 you spend on Matilda Jane Clothing, you get a $25 gift certificate from us! Awesome clothes and free jt loot! What more could you ask for?! Check out their blog here.

Get your QuickTakes Booked and send me your addresses for an invitation to the Trunk Show!