A personal blog post and behind the scenes look

If someone would have told me starting a business is hard work…

If someone would have told me I’d spend hours in front of a computer screen editing pictures…

If someone would have told me I’d wrestle with guilt in maintaining the balance of being a mom and having a business…

If someone would have told me I’d need to learn about marketing, blogging, branding, updating a website, and what “my style” is…

If someone would have told me that I’d continually be taken out of my comfort zone and placed in front of others to be judged…

If someone would have told me I’d ponder and question what I should have done differently, because the Inbox with new clients is empty…

2016 marks five years since Jessica Photography was officially started. Five years…so often we say time flies, but in some ways those five years have seemed somewhat long. A lot has happened in those years and I’ve learned so much! I’ve learned so much about photography and about running a business, and for that matter I think I’ve learned more about myself.

After nap cuddles are a great break from my work. Memories I will cherish.

Quite honestly, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into five years ago! I didn’t know the hours of thought, energy and work ahead of me or how having two sons and being a stay-at-home mom was going to fit together with a business. I didn’t know all that I would learn about the art of photography, lighting, and cameras. Oh my, when I think back to some of my first session or weddings…yikes!! What was I thinking when I told my first bride/groom that I’d photograph their wedding??? I think sometimes God allows us to be naive to get us to try new things!

But really, aren’t the unknowns normal for life? God doesn’t promise to show us what’s going to happen years down the road, however, he has promised to be with us and guide us.  “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105  I believe God shows us steps at a time…a light for our path.

If you’re a photographer you know all the different positions we get ourselves into! Ha!

What a stance! Almost embarrassing!

Oh my, I think my left eye will have more wrinkles! lol!

Practice before the wedding with the doves. My little guys got in on the action.

The favorite part of my job…people!

Ahhh yes…that time I literally went in a creek with these waders on to get the shot. What was I thinking??

If someone would have told me…would I have taken the plunge five years ago?

I guess I don’t know, but what I do know is that I have had a peace in God’s direction.

I know I’m grateful for the many lives I’ve been able to come in contact with that I wouldn’t have otherwise.

I know that when the Inbox is slow…God knew I needed a break.

I know that my business doesn’t need to be my life.

I know that my identity doesn’t need to be my art.

I know that God knows what’s ahead!

Most people probably don’t know, but I love to dance…at home with my family I can really get my groove on! Teehee!  I’ve been pulled out on the dance floor a couple time…don’t judge, I know I look awkward!

It was a bit humbling sharing some of these pictures, but they bring a lot of good memories.  I’m grateful the second shooters I had along for these wedding snapped these pics to help me remember!

This sweet little babe is growing up so quickly! In fact, if you missed her birth story from six months ago click here: Jerusha’s Birth Story  Have I ever told you how much I LOVE photographing births?!

Why is this session titled “Lifestyle?” Lifestyle sessions show aspects of our everyday lives with our children. If you’re a mom like me, we take plenty of pictures of our children but don’t very often get in the pictures with them. During their early years we are so much a part of their days and years, but quite often you don’t see us…the little things we do with them day in and day out…the time on the floor playing with them, reading to them, feeding them, putting them to bed, etc.!

Here’s a glimpse into Allison and Jerusha’s day…

I absolutely love how unique Matt and Ashley’s session ended up being.  Sure, they wanted snow on the ground in their pictures, but little did we know with only a 40% chance of snow in the forecast that it would actually snow rather hard during their session!

Matt and Ashley’s love story began about five years ago when they worked together at the Cheese House…one thing led to another and now they are planning an October wedding! 

Matt would describe Ashley as whimsical and high spirited.

Ashley would describe Matt’s personality as strong and thoughtful.

I loved the artistic ice in the creek bed…it lends to the beauty of Ashley’s unique ring.

Matt and Ashley enjoy cooking in cast iron skillets, disk golf and campfires.  A fire would have been fitting after their session at a frigid 15 degrees!

Rob and Harmony are married!!!  AND they set a new record…photographing in the coldest temperatures that I have ever photographed in!  When we were taking the outdoors pictures the official reading was 14 degrees with a feeling of 0!  It was so cold that Harmony’s bouquet froze…I mean some of the flowers were literally frozen hard to the touch!  But Rob and Harmony’s day was about so much more than just the cold weather.  Their ceremony was a worship-filled service to bring glory to God, and at their reception it was obvious how many people love and support them.  Congratulations, Rob and Harmony!  The Lord bless you as you serve Him together!

Rob and Harmony love basketball.  In fact, they both wore basketball shoes for their day!  These are Rob’s shoes…

…and below are Harmony’s shoes!

When I was editing this picture I realized that her phone actually had a temperature reading at this time of only 5 degrees!  Brrrr!

Harmony, you are beautiful!!

Their guestbook was a basketball and jersey…

This little flower girl made it up the aisle then must have realized she didn’t get rid of enough petals, so she dumped the basket!!  So cute!

Thank you to my faithful second shooter, Jenell Shrock, for helping me with Rob and Harmony’s day!

Stauf’s Coffee Roasters and Franklin Park Conservatory

Seth and Lori love doing coffee, so it seemed fitting to make a stop at Stauf’s Coffee Roasters in Grandview for a few of their engagement pics.

Because of the cold weather outdoors, we did a few indoor shots at the Franklin Park Conservatory…

Then we headed outside for a few more pictures…and of course it started to snow!

SNOWING!!

I found out that Seth and Lori had been practicing the “dip”…they totally nailed it!  They’ll definitely be ready for their wedding pictures in August!!

Matt and Kendrah’s wedding took place on a very cold day in January at the lovely Scioto Reserve Country Club.  When I say not a detail was missed…I mean it!!  Thanks to Kendrah’s mom, Anne, literally every detail was tended to with all different shades of purple throughout.

As you view Matt and Kendrah’s pictures, I’d like to share several special things to notice…

• Kendrah surprised Matt with a special song as she and her dad walked up the aisle with a little “jig” in their step.
• Kendrah made and iced their wedding cake.  She also made her veil.
• After Matt and Kendrah were pronounced “husband and wife” the guests threw flower petals as they exited the ceremony.
• At the reception they drank from a traditional Nuernberg Wedding Cup which is a “double cup.”  They also had several special choreographed dances.

A little over a week before Matt and Kendrah’s day, Matt’s father passed away.  Many prayers were lifted for this family.  Matt wore this necklace that his dad gave to him…on the back it says “I am here.”  What a special reminder of his father’s love for him amid the joy and sadness.

This Bible and hankie has been at the weddings of Matt’s family for generations.

Each guest was given a special glass to commemorate Matt and Kendrah’s day.

I don’t very often share pictures of the guests, but this picture of their grandparents is too sweet not to share!

It is said that the tradition of the Nuernberg Wedding Cup is that the one who finishes the drink in their cup first is the one who will “wear the pants” in the home!  As you can see, Kendrah won. 😉

SO MANY fun dance shots!!

Thank you, Deborah Beachy, for second shooting for me and all your help!  You truly rock the camera!

Special thanks to Brooke Sheskey for doing Alexa’s hair and makeup for her first session.

Inniswood Metro Gardens