A few weeks ago Alex needed a few “extra” senior portraits for various reasons, so I was privileged to spend a bit of time with Alex and his mom to take Alex’s second senior portrait session! 🙂  It’s amazing the spots you can find “close to home” that provide a unique setting for a portrait.

Anyway…let me introduce you to Alex!  Alex is graduating Friday—way to go!  He loves to play golf and is planning to attend Cedarville University in the fall to play golf and major in Pre-Physical Therapy.  Alex shared that he can be shy, but when he’s around his friends he can be very loud and spontaneous!  Alex also said that his favorite place to hang out is—home!  I think that’s great!

Many blessings to you, Alex, as you follow the Lord’s leading and enjoy the adventures He has ahead for you!

I’m delighted to have taken James’ senior portraits.  He did a great job and even showed his great smile when I asked him to! 🙂  James is graduating this Friday from Shekinah Christian School, and then plans to head off to college to possibly pursue a major in Computer Science.

A few interesting things about James…

–When I asked him how his friends would describe his personality he said, “Funny and chill.”  I love it!

–James hopes to someday visit New Zealand.

–How does he like to spend his time?  Hanging out with friends!

James, as you look ahead to the future I encourage you to keep your relationship with the Lord strong and allow Him to guide you and use you!  Many blessings to you!

Luke is one of those guys that at first glance may appear to be quiet, but ask his friends how they would describe his personality and they might use the word “gregarious”—social!

His favorite place to hang out???  The gym!  Luke loves basketball and led the Shekinah Flames to District Finals this year!  I can still remember watching Luke as a tiny, little guy (we’re talking 6 years old or so) shooting baskets and practicing his three-point shot—with success!  His many, many hours of practice and shooting baskets has paid off as he now hopes to use his talent at the collegiate level by playing for the Mt. Vernon Nazarene University Cougars.

Blessings to you, Luke, as you follow the Lord’s leading for your life!

Jonathan is my little cousin…however, not so little anymore!  In fact, he passed me up in height a few years ago!  It was fun watching Jonathan grow up.  As a little boy he had a very vivid imagination…I can still remember him playing cowboys and Indians with a lot of action and drama! 🙂

Jonathan has a great sense of humor and can always add a bit of humor to each situation.  He enjoys spending time with friends and loves basketball.   Over the years I’ve enjoyed looking out my window and watching him next door spend hours upon hours practicing his game.  His perseverance and dedication is evident in one of his favorite quotes, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”

Let me introduce you to my niece, Janelle.  She’s absolutely beautiful…and those eyes–WOW!

Janelle is good at about anything she does.  I remember as a little girl she knew her way around a kitchen and could bake just about anything…including bread, cakes, etc.! Recently, Janelle came over to help me clean my house and literally worked circles around me!  Janelle is a true girl…she loves music and shopping!  Time spent at Easton is noted as a “favorite place.” 🙂

In addition to all the good things listed above, Janelle, also has a heart that cares for others, and as she looks ahead she see nursing as a possible career choice.  Janelle, God bless you as you serve Him and follow the adventures He has planned for you!  Love you!

Seth is gearing up for grad in a couple months and has big plans for his future!  Seth has always had a knack for the arts and he plans to use those abilities as he pursues a degree at Cedarville University in Industrial and Innovative Design.

I’ve had the privilege of watching Seth grow up and can tell you that he is a great guy who is friendly and outgoing and will take the time to say “hi” or even give my little guys a high-five.

Rachel…she’s such a sweetheart!  Her friends describe her as gentle, friendly, sincere, discerning, and fun—WOW!  Even though I took Rachel’s senior portraits last summer (check out her dark tan! :)) I still wanted to share her pics on my new blog.

Rachel has had a full senior year at Shekinah Christian School where she led her volleyball team to Regional Semi-Finals and the girls basketball team to Regional Finals…throw in a class trip to Spain and I’d say she’s had a pretty eventful year!

Rachel, blessing to you as you attend college and follow the Lord’s leading for each step ahead!

Zach and Allison—can there be any cuter or sweeter couple?!  Both Zach and Allison have personalities that are genuine, friendly, sweet, and caring.  The joy in their lives and their love for God is evident by the smiles they always seem to have on their faces!

Where did Zach and Allison meet?  Well, they grew up in the same community and went to the same school and church, so I guess you could say they’ve pretty much known each other their whole lives!  Their similarities and interests mesh together perfectly as they both enjoy going for walks, spending time with family, good conversations and coffee, and playing games–especially ping pong (Allison always wins!)

I asked both of them to share what they love about the other and I’m just going to let them say it in their own words, because they can say it better than I could ever interpret… and it’s just plain sweet!

Zach, what do you love about Allison?  “I love Alli’s infectious smile that brightens up a room.  She has a true servant heart.  She volunteers at Agora kids’ club and truly connects with the children there.  Alli has a way of relating with people that always seems to make them feel better about themselves after talking with her.  Alli’s greatest desire is to be in a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ.  She cooks good food. :)”

Allison, what do you love Zach? “I love that he can always make me smile and laugh, no matter how lame his jokes are.  🙂 I love that he is a country farm boy at heart.  It’s obvious he loves his nieces and nephew, and they love him.  He is a people person-very easy to talk to, friendly, with a good sense of humor.  And so much, much more….”

One more thing… I’m very proud to say that Allison is my niece and I love her dearly!  AND I’m excited to have Zach join our family–he’ll be a great addition!

Allison had the idea of using an old fashioned bicycle for some of the portraits. It was a fun addition to the session!

She's so pretty!

The last year has been a year of changes…a year of learning…a year of growth.  Honestly, it’s been a year that I look back on and am glad that I came through, but I don’t really ever want to replay it!

Let me back up a bit.  A little over a year ago I started studying different camera and lighting techniques.  Then I was challenged by the blog post of a photographer from Pennsylvania that I follow and think highly of, Char Newswanger.  She shared a bit of her journey and how her choices and decisions led her places.  That’s where I felt I was…I was either going to remain somewhat stuck where I was or I was going to work up the courage and “gutsy-ness” and take the plunge and go for it!  So, I contacted Char about the possibility of shadowing her, loaded up the boys, and traveled to Pennsylvania to continue my process of learning.

Fast forward a bit and the changes continued.  I decided to call my business Jessica Photography as opposed to A Moment to Remember, which I had formerly been using.  I still plan to use A Moment to Remember as my tag line, just not business name.  In addition to this I decided to get a website/blog, for which I thank Greg Hostetler for his work and design….Greg was super easy to work with!  I also decided that I needed some “branding” so I called on my graphic designer, Eric Miller.  Eric came up with a new logo for Jessica Photography—which I love!  Weeks after I chose the logo I found out that it is truly a one-of-a-kind design, because it’s not a computer font it’s Eric’s handwriting!

What’s ahead?!  Only God knows!  I’m working on trusting Him for what’s ahead and the business that comes my way, and in the meantime I’ll try to continue to treasure my family, the savor the uniqueness of each day, and enjoy the ride the Lord has in store!