LOVE

two posts ago i wrote about the Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil show…i thought i would share some images with you. You can’t take cameras into the actual show, but i kind of think that is a good thing. We had no idea when we went what to expect and that excitement and anticipation made the show even better.Words don’t express the beauty….the emotion….it’s an amazing work of art and these images only show 1/1millionth of what there is to see, hear and experience. Check out the Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil website for information and to see just a small clip of what it is like   these are just images on the walls. The first is a Cirque du Soleil sign and the second is the infamous apple.a wall outside of the Beatles Revolution Lounge us AFTER the show…clint is gambling and i am walking around with my camera wanting to take pictures of EVERYTHING.  even the lights on the ceiling were a spectacle.  this is some of the artwork i want to hang in our homes. I created this from several images i took  
   cool because the first image is the ceiling and the second is a reflection on the flooring.  and my absolute favorite. So, the story behind this. This is actually ONE image….repeated OVER and OVER in every color.When you walk into the theater, there is this giant hallway that has lights in both the floor, the wall, and the ceiling that change colors. Red, green, blue, purple, pink, white…orange and every shade in between.  The metallic image in the middle of the 4 men jumping is taken without me moving a foot (the other tourists trying to take pictures of it *loved* me)…i stood there and took about 20 pictures in 20 seconds to get these images. I went home, Photoshopped them into a rainbow series and the result makes me so happy b/c, in looking at it, i will never forget the awe and wonder i experienced in the whole show.From the second the lights went down to the end when dancers spinning in the sky were twirling rose petal filled umbrellas and raining LOVE down on us. 

making.his.world.debut….

baby brown  Fighting out of Denver, Colrado, weighing in at 6 pounds 13 ounces, baby brown is in the lightweight category.  With a height of only 19″, his world debut on March 7, 2008 is nothing short of miraculous.

Okay…enough….it didn’t go as well as it sounded in my head. I was going for the UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship announcement b/c baby brown’s daddy is a huge UFC fan.

I digress.

These images were taken yesterday at baby brown’s house….now, having photographed newborns before, i knew that several factors were key to get those sleepy, naked baby shots….heat, nap time, full tummy, skin on skin….well, throw all of that out the window b/c this little man was NOT having it. He has some of his mommy in him and he LOVES the camera.

Oh, his mommy is our model at the top of the blog. Her husband is one of clint’s best friends….here are some more images from her recent shoot. I LOOOOOOOVE the outdoors ones and will show you 2 more of my favorites from that session.these are just so beautiful to me…the mountains are such a beautiful part of Colorado and will be so important to the baby’s life as he grows. Kelsi just looks so content, peaceful and young and sincere.   and while we did some amazing more intimate, nude shots showing off her belly and body, those are private and so i will share with you a beautiful shot of kelsi.here, kelsi is wearing beautiful blue and aqua jewelry…and someday, when baby brown is looking at these pictures, he will know how happy and beautiful his mommy was while he was in her belly.  and here is baby brown before he entered this world.  And now….making his world debut….Chase Brown…this is what i saw when i walked into his nursery. This is one of a very FEW number of images of him sleeping. Can you even imagine being so lucky as to get to walk into his room every day and see this? Sweet. His nursery is precious. What a champ! He was wide awake for the WHOLE session. Wherever i turned with my camera, his eyes followed me. and peeking in from the crib… beautiful mommy and sweet baby boy… with less than a minute’s notice, kelsi was able to pull off this look without a hitch. and while it pains me to post an image filled with Oklahoma University…here is chase and daddy.  and one of my favorites from the whole session….their first portrait as a family This look is priceless…. what a joy to get to capture this little man’s first week on earth. So what if we didn’t get the sleeping baby shots…we captured life…and the truth is, this guy was present and was like, “What? Here I am….let’s do this.” 

i.don’t.even.know.where.to.look

Vegas…ahhhh…the city of sin. They should call it “The City that ages you 10 years” or “The City that leaves your feet in blisters” or even “The City that sucks all of the life from you.” what was supposed to be an overnight stay turned into a Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday thing….have i mentioned that my feet hurt? So, Friday was a low-key day. I flew in that morning and hung out with Clint’s boss while he worked a little…when he was done, we ate at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino where i was able to buy the COOLEST Elvis Presley t-shirt EVER.i wish i had more time there but was able to snap a few photos of some rad guitars… a really popular bar/restaurant in the Hard Rock is called the Pink Taco….with a gift shop to die for. Here are some of my favorite images from there…the chandelier is made of saxophones….wouldn’t you love one of those for the house? Oh, and the Paradise City song lyrics are kind of an *inside* thing…the elevators there have black leather and silver inside them and each elevator has different song lyrics, ours, of course, had this one. Oh, also, while clint was working, Denise rented a Mustang Convertible for him to reward him for a job well done. He had been there 12 days or so and it was time for a release….we surprised him by *pretending* we found the keys on the ground while we *thought* our car was elsewhere…his face was priceless.here is our car at the Hoover Dam….Ford commercial style, huh?  we made our way over to the New York New York where we rode the rollercoaster and played kiddie games …..then began an evening of debauchery….can’t talk about that, but i can tell you enjoyed the best sushi ever at Sushi Fever where our tab was over $1,200….yum yum.After the sushi dinner and a night on the town that ended around 3am, we needed Saturday to be a quiet day. Well, if you knew Clint’s boss, you would know there is no such thing as a quiet day in Vegas. So, after some brief shopping on my part and lunch on theirs, we put the top down and headed out to the Hoover Dam for some *educational* time.this is my *self-portrait* taken in the passenger side window.I love that you can actually read *objects in mirror are closer than they may appear* clint driving with the top down… a random image of the American Flag….patriotism is abundant at National Monuments, you can’t help but feel proud.  clint and i spent the whole time chasing his boss with ADD down. It was beautiful there…. 

That night, Clint and I headed to the Rio for the world’s largest buffet where we had crab legs, nachos, chinese, pasta, fried chicken, dumplings, gelato, cake….you name it. Afterwards, we crawled in a cab and *prayed* his boss wouldn’t call us after she saw the Phantom of the Opera so we could go to sleep. We were probably the only people in all of Las Vegas who were in bed on a Saturday by 10 pm…..LOSERS…but we were fine with it b/c the night before killed us.Unable to get flights out Sunday after we decided to stay ONE MORE DAY, we made the most out of Saturday by walking from the Stratosphere to the Mandalay Bay….7 miles….did i mention that my feet hurt?Having packed enough for only 1 day, my flip flops were not the most ideals walking shoes, but we were able to shop in 3 malls, see the Treasure Island show, have a 1/2 pound hot dog, win $30 on the slots (sidenote, i don’t gamble but played $2 to win….it was enough for me) saw the lions at MGM,  made our way to Mandalay Bay where we paid waaaaaay too much to see what was touted as the Best Reef Aquarium Show in the country…lame, the Denver Aquarium was waaaay better, and finally, walked into the Mirage to see if the Beatles LOVE Cirque de Soleil show was worth looking into…after about an hour in the gift shop and 200 pictures later, we decided it was worth it.

Before i talk about the show, let me just tell you that *I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO LOOK*…..we had never seen a Vegas show before and this was our 3rd trip to the City of Sin….i will NEVER go to Vegas again and NOT see a show.First off, we are both Beatles fans….Clint’s parents raised him on the music and while Elvis is still my favorite (because you can’t LOVE them both) the Beatles are a close 3rd behind The King and Led Zeppelin. But i love them b/c clint does…Cirque shows are amazing….art in movement….chaos….emotion….ballet…break dancing….roller bladers….people flying through the air….people diving into cars, jumping off of trampolines on the walls….rose petals falling from the sky…..holograms of the silhouettes of the Beatles on the stage.

I was in tears and Clint had goosebumps…after a $20 drink called The Hard Days Night, i spent over $1oo on a Beatles tote bag…WTF?We weren’t allowed to take cameras in the theater, but you can  YouTube it and be blown away yourself. It was a very emotional experience for both of us and we were so pumped afterwards, we stayed out until it was time to fly home yesterday.It was so amazing that i will post another entry just about the show…

but, i can tell you this, if life ever presents you with the opportunity to up and get away for a weekend to Vegas on a whim…DO IT….just take comfortable shoes

get.sprung

we have been asked to donate sessions to a local private school by one of our clients are we are so happy with the display we have created for our little table area.we have a beautiful framed portrait, a stack of our business cards and this wonderful spring postcard.we love the whimsical, fresh feeling of this card. These 2 sisters were so fun to photograph. Tea parties are great to capture and then the image on the back of the card, the close-up of the two, is every mom’s *perfect* image….i love creating postcards. I have said before that i wish i knew how to be a stationary designer because i am obsessed with the colors, the shapes, the whole design….and designing our postcards is as close to that as i can get. I study magazines, ads and stores like GAP and Anthropolgie for trends and ideas.well, of to a busy day of getting ready for a weekend trip to vegas…sunglasses, sun tan lotion, beach towel, hot going out dress, flip flops….yada yada…have a great day! 

grey

i still haven’t met my best friend, Whitney’s, new baby boy Greysen Xavier yet…not until April, but i am so excited to be able to introduce him to all of you.I have been awaiting his arrival with much anticipation.I love his mother like a sister, she and i were sorority sisters in college. While we weren’t best friends during those 4 years, we shared the same best friend…after college, real world set in and that mutual friendship deteriorated and what was left is what Whitney and I now have.Thank God.Whitney is calm. Laid Back….decisive, always knowing exactly what she wants and not making any room in her life for what others think. I wish I could be more like that.Whitney and Thad met in college at the on-campus elementary school they both worked at about 7 and a half years ago, just after clint and i met. When i think back on that time and all of the little moments we have been through, it is no wonder we have such a big friendship.The second Whit sent me these images this afternoon, i have been dying to share them with you.if you knew whitney, you would not be surprised in the least that only moments after giving birth, she can manage to look this beautiful.and daddy….mr. Thad himself. When i think of that, i just laugh…he has some of the best one-liners and is so funny. I think about a dance contest, swimming at 3 am, my huuuuusband and clint’s nickname for him, Thadeus Decimus Maximus. well, until April…..be prepared for a SUPER long post then with images of this family and, Greysen’s older brother, Cristian… 

new.banner

so, i am so happy with the new blog banner.

our model is a friend of clint and myself, KELSI….that’s K-E-L-S-I….(bubbly emphasis on the I).

the first time i met her, this is how she introduced herself to me….of course, that was almost 7 years ago, so the rest of the conversation is a blur to me, but i have always been able to remember that.

So, Kelsi’s husband, Matt, is one of Clint’s best friends from childhood and just about the nicest guy in the world….their baby (name to be determined upon birth in, what kelsi hopes is, some epiphinal moment of clarity) is due on March 19….less than 3 weeks and to say i am excited is an understatement. Since i don’t get to see my best friend, Whitney’s, new baby until i go home next month to see The Wiggles (yes you read that right), her baby is going to serve double pleasure for me.

a little background on Matt & Kelsi….they just moved here from Kansas City about 3 weeks ago. I couldn’t be happier to have them here. Matt is now working with Clint and it’s great to have a bit of “home” here with us.

These pictures from her DUE maternity session are a surprise for Matt and his birthday. He is on the East Coast right now for training and we had the most beautiful spring day to shoot an outdoor session and a more intimate, indoors session. Kelsi is a former model…she lived in Japan and, let me just tell you…she is the most photogenic person i have ever photographed.

Erin and i were both working it, getting an idea, passing the camera back and forth…having a blast….and Kelsi was a pure professional….bringing her own napkins so she could wipe tears from her eyes from the sun, packing lip gloss…we never had to tell her how to move, and her face….BAM….right on in every shot. At one point, she even said, “I am not feeling inspired here….what’s next?”

I have just finished editing the images and have yet to retouch any other than a few, so i will share more in the upcoming days and weeks.

We also did an impromptu portrait session of their dog (the love of MY dog’s life) Bruce Lee Roy Brown….he too was a pro….

well, i just love this image….it’s so beautiful to me not only because of the mountains in the background, but because i think it will be important when this baby is born and growing for him to know that not only was this time in his parent’s life so exciting b/c they are excited about the new life they are bringing into this world, but also about the new life they are creating for themselves.

Kelsi….thanks for letting us drag an 8 and a half month pregnant lady around to play out some ideas.

Jessie & Erin

only.1.week.left.

to schedule your Baby Love session…..this is the perfect time as weather is getting *spring-like* and we have a lot of great ideas swimming around in our heads.we are also preparing for our “Day in the Park” session for all of Stapleton….big day with a LOT of work ahead of us. As far as my life goes, i am happy to announce that my best friend, Whitney, delivered her son Greysen on Tuesday AM at 1:58….he is absolutely adorable and all of you will get to meet him soon as i will be going home in April to go see the Wiggles with my nephew and have 2 shoots planned while i am there. For my Kansas friends, if you or anyone you know is interested in a family session while i am back, please feel free to give me a call or shoot me an e-mail. I would love to be able to *work* while i am home b/c then i have an excuse not to shop as much as i do while i am there. and b/c these are never fun without images, here is our new calling card for *uber-hip* moms-to-be as part of our DUE sessions…a colorful, stylish creation that captures your personality and uniqueness…all while being pregnant. 

My.Baby.Love

Check out our new postcard offering a special 11×14 art piece for FREE when you schedule your session by February 29, 2008.the little model for our session was a feisty little thing. Our leg-warmer idea was perfect for her b/c she was very in-the-know about all things aerobic. She stretched like gumby and was better at sit-ups than i am (which isn’t really saying a lot). She was fast….usually it is the little boys that are hard to keep up with, but A* was all over the place.she was absolutely darling in her Valentine’s Day-inspired gear….her willow dandelion hair was perfect for pigtails and her chunky little legs looked better in the cow print leg-warmers from Baby Legs than anyone i have ever seen.Anyway, we hope you are inspired by these images to be creative in your own stylings for your sessions.Please call today if you have any questions…we would love to talk with you. 

an.old.favorite.image

i have been busy trying to put together some images to create artwork for the house with and i came across this old one from about 2 years ago.i just love it

 

it looks, to me, like something you would find in an old Time Life Magazine.

anyway, i just thought i would share it with you and let you read this….it is the lyrics from a favorite song of mine by Ray Lamontagne called “Be Here Now”. It’s a very organic song….very simple.

And that is something i am trying to focus on right now.SIMPLICITYhaving a new house, wanting to fill it with new things, getting caught up in creating the *perfect* home is something that is too easily all-consuming.

I am not one to *slowly* do things….i want to have the house DONE…every room painted, art on the walls, new dishes, basement finished….and it is the kind of thing that will easily stress me out.

i get stressed a lot

so…..this image and these words are my attempt for today to find peace and to not let things get *too heavy* 

Don’t let your mind get weary and confusedYour will be still, don’t tryDon’t let your heart get heavy childInside you there’s a strength that liesDon’t let your soul get lonely childIt’s only time, it will go byDon’t look for love in faces, placesIt’s in you, that’s where you’ll find kindnessBe here now, here nowBe here now, here nowDon’t lose your faith in meAnd I will try not to lose faith in youDon’t put your trust in walls’Cause walls will only crush you when they fallBe here now, here now 

meet.the.other.half.of.this.soundtrack

so, i am back from (yet another) trip to Kansas. My best friend, Whitney, had her baby shower and it was nice to see her growing belly and to see some sorority sisters and catch up. It sometimes can make me miss home, but then when i got back, we were all moved into the new house and it looked so amazing.my 3 favorite things so far are1. the wrap-around porch where i can watch the sun set2. the brand new front-loading, 9-cycle, with built-in steamer washer & dryer3. and by far….the new bathtub. I am a serious bath person and this baby is Deeeeeeep and the first thing i bought when i got back last night was lavendar bubble bath….HeAVeNum, let’s see….so Erin has been busy working on the website day and night and it should be up and running by midnight….we have a few things left to tweek, but it looks amazing and i am so happy with it.Have you guys met Erin? i guess not….now is as good as a time as any. this is erin.i met erin about 3 years ago when we both worked together at a photography studio that would change our lives….in so many ways that it has changed who we both are.we learned what we want to be and what we NEVER want to be.when i first met erin, needless to say, i wasn’t that excited about her. She was a college student still and was holiday/break/summer help that had worked there for years and years and i was pretty comfortable with how things were and the idea of her coming in and running things kind of threw me off. But she didn’t and i now consider her one of my best friends.I am not sure how much erin will actually post on this blog, but i will do my best to include her and stories about her on here so you can get to know her.for now….here are 10 randome facts about erin.1. CLUMSY….like, going to break a bone one day. (just informed me she has already broken 2 bones)2. she has a degree in architecture from Kansas State University….my rival3. she literally moved here with about 4 boxes4. she has lived in Ireland and Australia5. she has 2 sisters & 1 brother6. she eats a lot of yogurt7. she is messy…..but learning how to be neater b/c she is staying with clint and I and he is a neat freak8. can’t dance….actually, i have never seen her try, but it is that alone that tells me she can’t…plus, she is so clumsy i just assume9. caught her pants on fire standing next to a kerosene heater when home for christmas break10. lost the hood of her car while driving down the highway…has since purchase a new vehicle.