simply life

Meet Eric.  He is my love, my business partner and a creative genius.  He is why Simply Jessie Photography exists. Why you may ask since it is my name in the title? Because he believes in me. He is a dreamer, a visionary and entrepreneur. I know it’s a little weird to talk about our relationship when talking business, but it is with our love story that this business started and why our doors stay open.

Eric is our creative director.  He has created everything that you see and appreciate visually.  He has done all of our branding, font selection, business cards, teasers, outdoor sign, studio layout, color selection, website development , etc etc… see what I mean?  Oh, and did I also mention that he is a fantastic photographer?  When we shoot a wedding, he is my wing man, firing off lots of candids and keeping us all on our timeline.  He is also our studio photographer.  He is an experienced product photographer, well versed in headshots and onto his new and upcoming project “Profiles”. (its coming soon, but I’ll let him do the big unveil)

I know, I know… it leaves you with the question… What in the world do I do??  But that is for another day.

It’s true. He’s a rockstar.

Jill is one of my dearest friends.  We have walked through a lot of “life” together… the good, the bad and the ugly.  2009 has been a crazy one for Jill, one of deep sorrow, hardship and unexpected joy.  She has walked through the sorrow with trust, beauty and a lot of grace.  We have cried alot together in 2009, picked lily of the valley in the early morning and walked along hard paths.  I am so very thrilled to be headed into this new season of joy and great celebration!  This unexpected joy has been Les.

Jill,  the night you and Les got engaged was the first time I’ve seen you smile like that. Ever.  You were bubbling over with an overabundance of joy.

Les, thank you for loving Jill as you do.  You are kind, crazy intelligent (no really don’t play games with him), and perfect for Jill.  Welcome to the family!

Remember these two?  They had a lovely fall engagement session in November.  Their wedding was a wonderful treat.  I get so unbelievably warm and tingly when I see two people in love create a day that is about them, no one else, but them. Their day, their love, their vows, their future lives.  They had love oozing out of all the little details.  For Dave and Ariel this equaled minimalism.  No bridal party, only their closest family and friends and a day where the two of them enjoyed a cocktail at The Roof downtown Chicago. The ceremony was sacred, quiet and authentic.  Dave loves this girl and Ariel just glows when they are together.  Days like this one  I take it all in and can’t believe my job is to capture and celebrate love.  I stop and see Eric, my love, shooting beside me , and the new love in front of my lens.  Thank you Dave and Ariel for choosing Eric and I to capture your day.  What a privilege.  Thank you for trusting us to see and document what you two share.  It is so evident that you share thoughtful genuine love.  I can not wait for what is to come for you two.  (No really I can’t!)

Congratulations. Your love is awesome.

Ariel wore killer red heels and a sassy birdcage veil = awesome pics!Eric’s shot.Eric’s shot.Dave and Ariel are huge cyclists, so of course Dave needed a pics of his bright red shoes. Eric’s shot.Geez, you two look good!Eric’s shot.Eric’s shot.And yes, I DID use my fabulous little polaroid camera and sent them off with this in their pocket.

This in a Fujifilm Instax Mini 7S .  I love it, and by love I mean carry it around everywhere in my purse, snap it in people’s faces kind of  love.  It is a ” mini” polaroid if you will.  It shoots out credit card size polaroids. You NEED one. No really, you do!

Tree branches on my daily walk covered with snow…

Used with permission by NoteBook Doodles.  Go check them out, its a really fun blog!

http://notebookdoodles.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow morning we are headed off to see my family for a nice long much needed rest.  We are headed to the deep south where fried chicken,  warm temperatures and old friends abound.  I am very much looking forward to talking a long walk in the woods, having coffee with my grandma and having my brother beat me at Boggle.  I am planning on getting my nose stuck in a book and reflecting on ALL that this year has been.  It has been a crazy important year inthe life of Simply Jessie Photogrpahy, in me as an individual and in “us” and our love.  So so so many things have happened, changed, grown, become important and faded to the background.

Before we go I thought I would share with you our small but perfect Christmas tree here in Chicago.  We love remembering all kinds of different memories as we hang each ornament.  And as you can see we love the big tacky Charlie Brown lights.  I think its perfect!  We did not go crazy with the decorations this year.  Just this small simple tree and  our beloved carved wood statue of Mary and Joseph.  I found this card a few years ago and it goes on display every year.

Merry Christmas to all!!

Meet Anderson.  This lovely family and I are neighbors, who knew!  I just threw my camera bag on and walked a few blocks to their lovely home.  I love shooting  in my neighborhood.  It is such a treat to get to know those around us.  Camaraderie of sorts.  Anderson is as content as can be and was a treat to photograph.  He was in a rather serious mood, so we bounced him, rattled toys and tried our best to entertain him.  His big eyes just stared at us amused and content to have our attention.