Wednesday, February 27, 2008

new blog!

Hey, I just got a new blog...so come on over!

My New Blog

It's not all pretty yet but give me a few days.

Friday, February 22, 2008

tgif!

All I can say is TGIF! I am absolutely exhausted today. I don't know what it was about this week that has got me this way but whew! So glad it's almost over.

On another note, I finished up Baby B's pics last night. Her momma has already seen them so I should be posting a slide show soon with all the images. Hope you love them Kaley and Preston!

So what's everyone doing this weekend? Any big plans? Since I'm an old married woman now I hardly get out anymore but I have been invited to a get together at a friend's house. I'm so looking forward to it!

Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

jen + tyler....engaged!

My sis and her man of over 2 years have finally decided to take the plunge. They made it official this weekend. You should see her ring, it's gorgeous. Tyler, you did good!

Some shots of them I took awhile back:
No tree!

Gaze. (after)


So in honor of their newly engaged status, I decided to post some more wedding tips. I seriously wish someone would have been there to share these things with me.


Hints and Tips : Final Wedding Hints
By: Lara

Your wedding day is going to be crazy busy. It's important to have some sort of photography schedule during the day, so that people know where they need to be and when they need to be there. It also gives a limit as to how long the formals can drag on - even the photographer knows that formal group shots are everyone's least favorite part of the day, and keeping them as short as possible makes everyone happy. Along with the schedule, write out a list of requested formal group shots so that two weeks later you don't start to think, "Hey, did I include great-grandma Doris in those...? I meant too....Shoot!"

When deciding on the flow of pictures for the wedding day, consider breaking tradition and doing the formal shots BEFORE the ceremony. While you and the groom will see each other before you walk down the aisle, for many couples the benefits outweigh that negative. For one, everyone’s makeup and hair is freshly done and is looking its best. If anyone is missing or late, or some pictures are missed, you can take a few minutes after the ceremony to grab them quickly instead of tacking more time onto the already long photo session between the ceremony and the reception. It allows the bride and groom to get to the reception faster, which is a plus for everyone and guests will love you for it. A bonus for more reserved couples is that it allows them to get some of the emotion of the day out of the way in private, so they are more composed when hundreds of eyes are on them during the ceremony. Your photographer will be able to arrange a private, quiet moment before the formal shots begin for the groom to first lay eyes on his bride, so the feeling of seeing her for the first time isn’t entirely lost.

Weddings can be stressful for everyone involved. Don't be afraid to ask for a moment - either alone or with your new husband - to decompress. If you aren't doing group shots immediately following the ceremony, you also might consider sneaking away with your groom for a few shots of just the two of you before you're off to party at the reception. If you are taking a limo or trolley to the reception site, consider inviting the photographer along with you. There can be some fun and emotional shots during the ride, and if you have time the group can stop at a fun location to grab some crazy shots.

While it sounds obvious, don’t forget to eat throughout the day! A little food puts color in your cheeks, and the last thing you would want is to faint from low blood sugar on your big day. Be wary of drinking too much - a glassy-eyed, red-faced bride or groom doesn’t make for good pictures. And possibly more importantly, this is likely going to be the most expensive night of your entire life and you definitely want to get your money’s worth by remembering as much of it as you can!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

baby b. x 3.

I'm going through some more pics I took of this little baby girl last weekend. She really is such a doll. Here are a few of my favs.





Thursday, February 14, 2008

happy heart day!


Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I'm at home catching up on editing my sessions from this weekend. I had an awesome bridal shoot with Heidi on Saturday. I can't wait to show you some of the images but it will have to wait until after her wedding day. :( I also had another shoot with Baby B over the weekend. She is such a cutie! So be looking for some more pics from her session in the next few days.

I also want to say congrats to Brandi + Parker who will be married December 6, 2008. Can't wait to work with you on your special day!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

baby b. part 2.

More of Baby B for her momma. I get to shoot more of this lil cutie this weekend. Yipee!

Baby B.



Saturday, February 2, 2008

this blows my mind.

Ok, guys. It's almost 2 in the morning and I can't sleep! My hubby is in bed, snoring. But here I sit on the couch web surfing. I'm usually out by 10 since I have a day job that requires me to be up at the crack of dawn. And I am not a morning person!

Anyway, I just found this really intersting thing over on Becker's blog.


Photobucket


Which way do you see it spinning? Supposedly you should be able to see it spinning clockwise and counter clockwise. I only see it clockwise...

handy posing tips.

Here are some tips I found from a fellow photographer that I think are really helpful.

Hints and Tips: Posing
By: Lara

Many people absolutely hate the way they look in front of the camera. And really, it's understandable - in pictures, you see yourself in ways and angles that you aren't used to seeing. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help.

You may feel stupid, but practice in the mirror ahead of time. Figure out which side of your face photographs better, practice facial expressions and natural looking smiles, and get an idea of what poses work best for your body using some of the suggestions below. The one caveat to practicing in front of a mirror? Don't do it to the point that you can't feel natural in front of a camera anymore.

Good posture and a long neck go a long way in making you look slimmer in pictures. Stretch out your neck and tilt your head down just slightly to avoid the appearance of a double chin. If you are standing, plant your legs at a 45 degree angle to the camera with one leg a step back, and shift your weight to that back leg. Twist at your waist toward the camera, so your upper torso is facing the camera but your lower torso is angled slightly away from it. If you aren't sure what this pose looks like, open any fashion or gossip magazine - stars and models have this pose down perfectly.

If you’re sitting, be sure to sit up straight and point your knees away from the camera. Also, rather than pressing your arms to your side, hold them slightly away from your body so they look toned and slim. If you are carrying a bouquet, try holding it slightly lower than your waist and point the fullest part toward the camera, so that the best part of the flowers - the top - is captured. Although it feels natural and fun, avoid posing with both arms stretched around the people beside you - it broadens your shoulders unflatteringly and more than a few bosoms have popped out of strapless dresses!

While posing, think happy thoughts. You don’t necessarily have to “make love to the camera,” but think happy thoughts toward it at the very least. After shooting for what may seem like hours, your cheeks may start to hurt. The solution? Give your poor face a rest and don’t smile between pictures. If you have a problem blinking when you get your picture taken, close your eyes and then open them when the photographer is snapping the picture (it helps if the photographer announces when each picture will be taken by saying, “On three - one!...two!...three!”). If they aren't doing that, ask them to!

Despite all this complicated advice, the best thing you can do to look good in front of a camera is to relax and have fun! It sounds trite and obvious, but it really works.

Thursday, January 31, 2008

get it while it's hot.

Hey everyone, just wanted to announce that Julie Jones Photography will be undergoing some changes within the next month. In order to provide you with better quality images there will be a slight price increase starting in March. If you book any kind of session in Feburary you will still be able to lock in the current pricing. Even for a session in October!

Also, in case you were not aware, if you refer someone to me and they book a session you will get a free 8x10 from your last session!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

i did it!

I finally got some editing done!

Now introducing...Miss B.





ok.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing a gorgeous newborn, Miss B. She is about 3 weeks old (Kayley correct me if I'm wrong!). I have been itching to edit her session and get a sneak peek up for her parents but I just haven't had a chance.
Saturday after our session I raced to Circuit City to pick up my brand new laptop. Well, when I got home I had to start the process of transferring Photoshop to the new computer, so no editing. Then Sunday I realized that I was going to have to exchange my new baby. It had some bugs in it, wouldn't shut down and then wouldn't turn back on! So after spending about 2 hours in Circuit City and finally convincing them that I needed to exchange that bad boy, I was exhausted. Then, last night I came home to no power at our house. We had some really strong winds that caused some power lines to go down. Ugh! Tonight will be the night! So be on the look out for Miss B. She is too cute!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

helpful hints.

For all you new brides out there, here is an article that I think is very helpful. I know when I was planning my wedding I read any and every thing I could find that was wedding related.

Brides Guide to Better Wedding Photography
by: Mark Parker


I’m sure you already know that choosing the right wedding photographer is more important than choosing the right groom. (Just kidding). Getting the right photographer is important, but there are lots of things that YOU can do to ensure that your wedding photos are as good as they can be.


1.Pre-Wedding Photo shoot.
Having a pre-wedding photo shoot can improve your wedding pictures more than anything else you might do. Think about it, your photographer is VERY comfortable on his end of the camera. The time you spend with your photographer in front of the camera will help you become more comfortable being the subject. Try to get to know your photographer. Have fun. Be crazy. Let’s face it; those "magazine bride photos" that you have been looking at do not happen all by themselves. They are well planned, rehearsed, and the photo that you finally see in the magazine was probably picked from hundreds of photos. The more time you spend with your photographer, the more likely it is that he will capture that one special moment that only happens once.

2.The Pose.
"Chin up, a little to the left, shoulders back, stand on one foot, hold your breath…hang on…don’t move. " Any photographer worth his salt should be able to pose you in an elegant and attractive position. Do you know the reason for all these the contortions? By lifting your chin you banish the double chin. Holding your elbows away from your body reduces the apparent width of your torso and accentuates the bosom. Shifting your weight to your rear foot cocks your hips into a position that gives you a sexy curviness. There are many other little tricks your photographer may teach you. Just listen and he will not lead you astray.

3.Hair and Makeup.
Your wedding day is not the right time to experiment with makeup and hairstyles. Be sure to plan a separate day to have a hair and makeup "dress rehearsal". If you plan to wear a headpiece, use this time to make sure that it will fit with your hairstyle. If you plan it right, your photographer may be available to take some formals on this day too.

4.Props.
Give you photographer the tools he needs to be creative. When ordering flowers for the wedding, be sure to order an extra single rose, boutonniere, ribbon or other inexpensive items that the photographer can use in your photos. Don’t forget to have a copy of your wedding invitation that he can incorporate into the detail shots of your big day. Photos of wedding rings with flowers, invitation, maybe even your shoes and garter can really add to your album.

5. The Bouquet.
How should you hold a bouquet? In a single word.. DOWN!! Never hide your thousand dollar dress with a hundred dollar bouquet. If you’re a five foot bride, do not order a 3 foot cascading bouquet. It’s going to be a long day. By the end of the day, you will be wishing that your bouquet was smaller, lighter, more durable, and maybe even artificial. And if it’s too big you may even injure your guests during the bouquet toss.

6. Backgrounds and angles.
Remember, your wedding day is all about you. Many times complicated backgrounds in your photos distract the viewer’s attention away from the bride and will take away from your photographs. Keep backgrounds as simple as possible. Interesting angles are what keeps the images of a professional photographer from looking like the images of "Uncle Joe". Everyone knows what a wedding looks like from 5 feet 6. You may see your photographer lying on the ground or climbing trees. Don’t laugh at him. That’s why he gets paid the big bucks.

7.Lighting
When choosing your venue and time of day, keep lighting in mind. If your wedding is outdoors, the best light happens 1-2 hours before sunset. If your wedding is indoors, try to avoid buildings with high dark ceilings and few windows. Since natural light will look much better in your photos, try to plan your wedding when the room will be the brightest. By the way, photographers hate fluorescent lights. They make you look green.

8.Single Use Cameras
Lots of people use them and they seldom work. You may get a few good photos here and there but don’t expect too much. You’ll probably get a whole camera full of photos of Cousin Skip’s girlfriend that you hardly know. Your three year old niece will probably take a lot of pictures of people’s belly buttons. And if anyone gets tipsy at the reception you may get a lot of photos of the ground, shoes, or eyeballs (from holding the camera backwards). Your photography is best left to professionals. Well that’s it for "The Brides Guide to Better Wedding Photos". Congratulations on your big day. Now let’s make those memories last! Mark Parker is a Birmingham Alabama Wedding Photographer. His work can be seen at http://www.MarksBrides.com .

congrats!

To my newest bride and groom Heidi + Jonathan who are to be married on April 12th. I can't wait to caputre your day!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

new do!

I have seriously needed a haircut for awhile now but haven't had a stylist. The one I have gone to since high school had some health problems and is unable to cut hair any more. So, finally I think I have found a replacement. After my trip to the salon I ran home to do some self portraits.

My new do! What do you think?

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

baby j.

Ok, I know I said I was going to try to blog more often but it's just so hard! I need some ideas of stuff to blog about. Suggestions?

Here are some more pics of baby J. from a couple of weekends ago. After taking this little doll's pics I came home and begged my husband if we could have one. Lol! We are so not ready yet. Isn't she a cutie?

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Sunday, January 6, 2008

getting to know me.

With the new year and all I have decided that I am going to try really hard to post more often. I thought a little get to know me post would be a good way to start things off. So here goes:

Mac or PC?
PC for now. But I have been dreaming of getting a Mac!

Music in my iPod…
I listen to a little bit of everything. Right now I'm a little sick of the radio. Everything seems to be over played. But on my iPod you might find Blue October, Paramore, Trapt, Breaking Benjamin, pop stuff, and girls belting their hearts out.

Morning or Night?
Definitely not morning! I hate getting up early.

My guilty pleasure is…
Chocolate ice cream. Love it!

My weakness is…
See above.

My strength is…
My hubby. He really is my perfect match. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful man.

On my day off…
I'm usually in front of the computer. I'm so obsessed with pictures. I'm either editing them or getting inspiration from other photographers.

One of your top 100 to do before you die?
Oh gosh! There are so many. I want to own my own home, have children, have a successful photography business, travel the world...

Favorite homemade meal?
Just about anything my mom makes. She is the BEST cook. And she knows it too! Her homemade strawberry cream cheese cake is to die for. Her pumpkin pie is amazing. Gumbo...yummy!


And just what is a post without a picture? Here is a sneak peek of a shoot from yesterday. This little 4 month old was so adorable!

Baby J.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

airbrush boy.

Yep, that's my hubby. The airbrush boy. I just have to take a minute to brag on him. Last week he airbrushed this awesome car. The opportunity just kind of fell in his lap and he ran with it.

I believe this is a '65 Mustang. If you look closely, on the side view, can you tell what that is? The flames turn into a mustang. Now, I already know my hubby is an awesome artist, but he never ceases to amaze me. I was pretty impressed when I saw what a great job he had done on this car.

DSC_3159 web

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Well, I hope everyone had a happy new year! To tell you the truth, I didn't make it to midnight. I was out by 11:30! Getting old sucks!