Hayden :: Sneak Peek #2

Let's face it.  I'm having a really hard time writing this blog entry.  I'm not quite sure how to begin.  Usually I talk about how I know a person, or the events leading up to the shoot.  This time around, it's not as easy.

We went to Canada this past weekend for a memorial.  My husband's aunt unexpectedly passed away, and we made the trip to pay our respects to her, and offer our support to the family.  Fraser's aunt was a beautiful woman.  The first time that I saw her I remember thinking that t she looked like a beautiful porcelain doll.  Her husband and three children hosted a beautiful memorial ceremony and dinner.  So many people attended her funeral that there was standing room only in the sweltering funeral home.  Not one person complained of the heat, and not one person left early.  

God has a way of making painful experiences manageable.  In order to dull some of the pain He crossed my path to Vancouver with an old friend.  During my stay I got to meet up with Dawn, the mother of little Hayden.  (Click on the title of this post in order to see our first shoot).

From the last shoot, Dawn made a portfolio of Hayden's photos and has since booked a commercial with Fisher Price!  Cool huh?  I think so.  Little Hayden is adorable, so this does not surprise me at all!  This time around, Dawn decided to get some more photos taken in order to update Hayden's portfolio, and I was more than pleased to meet up with my friend and spend a rainy Vancouver morning with her and her little man.  We had a chance to catch up, and talk "Mommy."  

Dawn also has childhood memories of Fraser's aunt as she took dance lessons with Fraser's cousins.  We talked of our memories, and reminisced for a while after the shoot.  It was one of the most cathartic moments of the weekend for me.  Thank you Dawn, for listening, and allowing me to have my moment to voice my feelings about such a cherished woman.

I hope these photos help catapult Hayden into baby stardom!!  I loved being able to document this time in his life, and  hope that I'll be able to document many more moments in the future!  Look for him soon in Baby Gap ads, Gerber commercials, and on Diaper packages around the world!

Here are a couple of shots from the day.  

Jackie Pias Carlin :: A Maui Writer

I'm sure Jackie won't mind that I tell you guys that she's the new Grandma of the little one below this post!!

We did a double shoot yesterday.  After we finished the newborn shoot we headed out to do a shoot with Jackie.  Jackie is a FANTASTIC author, artist, singer, dancer, photographer, dog groomer, grocery packer, consultant, teacher, hair stylist, actress, taxi driver, and grandma.  Ha ha ha... just kidding.  She actually has walked several career paths, but taxi driver has not been one of them.  Jackie is incredibly talented in all areas of life.  I am envious of her creative drive, and can only aspire to accomplish the things she has accomplished in life.  She is the epitome of a down-to-earth and friendly Hawaii native.  Our conversations to and from the  photo shoot were filled with stories of her captivating past, as does her book Spirit of the Village: A Maui Memoir.   

Jackie has already written one book and has another in the works.  She also offers consultant and editing services for other writers, teaches classes, and fills her spare time creating beautiful art pieces.  Check her out at jackiepiascarlin.maui.net and http://writeonmaui.com  or to book Jackie, you can contact her at mauiwriter@writeonmaui.com.

Here are a few shots that Jackie will use to vamp up her website, and she'll choose a favorite to use for her new book!!  :o)   Enjoy!!

:: HI'IPOIIKEKAIMALIE ::

I love when acquaintances cross over the friendship line.  Roy and Pua have been in our lives for quite some time now, but were merely acquaintances.  Friends of a friend.  It is a wonderful feeling to now call them friends. There is no longer a qualifying statement before introducing them to others, or telling a story... I can simply say, "My friends Pua and Roy..... yaddy yaddy yah..."  So... with that being said....

My friends Pua and Roy (like how easy I threw that in there)... just had a baby girl a few days ago and I was honored to be able to document this time in their lives.  While in their home, I witnessed two people entering into a new world of diapers and onesies with ease.  The new parent glow is beaming from their sleepy eyes.

Here are a few shots from the day.  Enjoy.

So Much To Post... But Soooo Tired

Hello blog readers.... just wanted to say hi, and let you all know that I'm back in Las Vegas!!  New York definitely tore me up.  I'm e.x.h.a.u.s.t.e.d.  I flew back from NYC this morning (woke up at 4:15am Eastern and it's now 11:05 Pacific!!).  Then I had TWO... yes TWO shoots this afternoon.

I will definitely post more tomorrow, but for now I am going to crawl myself up my stairs and fling myself into my bed.  I'm not sure when I will wake.

Here's a quick photo to tide you over.

I Heart New York

New York or bust!!  Just a quick post to say good bye to all you fellow Las Vegans for a little while.  I'm off to New York to see one of my best friends... best friend since the day I bullied her into giving me a huge bite of her 50 cent lunchroom burrito... yeah, that kind of best friend.

I also get to see one of my other friends get hitched!!  She's getting married on Saturday (holy crap, Mira... that's only 4 days away!!) at Oheka Castle on Long Island.  Google it... it's freakin amazing.  My Target jewelry, DSW shoes, and Banana Republic dress (that I bought on e-bay), are going to be the laughing stock of the party.... that's just how fabulous it will be!!  I'll enjoy every moment of being the laughing stock so long as I get to see my good friend on the biggest day of her life.... thus far.

So, in keeping with the spirit... I threw a Yankees cap on that big melon and snapped some shots.  He isn't into the whole "look at Mommy with the camera" thing anymore.... he's over it.

Enjoy!!  Hope to see you all sooner rather than later (alligator)!  :o)

P.S. (add on to previous blog)

look at how cool my photos look with the new logo too!!  Whoop whoop!!

sweet life photography = j.anne photography

Soooooooo..... as you can see.... I got my new logo!!!  You likey?  You lovey?  Please don't say you hatey because it'll just make me cry!

I will slowly make the change from sweet.life.photography to j.anne photography.  It seems easy enough to just switch the business name... but sheesh... there is actually A LOT to do!!

My website will soon be www.j-annephotography.com and the blog will be www.j-annephotographyblog.com  

Stay posted for more changes!!  Here's a photo just for kicks.

Give me a hoot and a holla in the comment section... let me know how you like the new name/logo!!