Norah + sunshine
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Norah.
Think Happy Thoughts.
Isn’t it Peter Pan who said, “All you need is to think happy thoughts, a little fairy dust, and you can fly!” This terrarium is my happy thought. During these long dreary grey days, I’ve been fixating my eyes on this glass jar of life. I planted this terrarium around Valentine’s Day and it has been a spot of happy green alive joy every single day since. I parade it around to Eric as he tries to understand and glean the same kind of wonder and delight that I do. Its ok. Its just the way I’m made. It reminds me that Spring in fact going to come, and that I will again be surrounded by life in the form of trees and green blades of grass. Some of these really dark last days of winter I’ve even closed my eyes and tried to imagine it all away, think my happy thoughts, sprinkle my fairy dust and be transported to Hawaii, or maybe even Never Never Land. Just somewhere , anywhere there is sunshine and warmth. I’ve imagined sandy beaches, walks in the forest or given up and just wished hibernation. The winter is hard for me. Anyone that knows me, knows that. It is s apparent and embarrassingly obvious. I am a different person when the sun comes out and the air warms up.
Remember this post? I really have tried to remain true to embracing each season, to enjoy the stillness, the deep rest that winter brings to all living things. To not fight it, but agree that yes I too need winter. I need it to slow down and to think deeply. But March is hard. I am straining to live present in the reality of each day, to not wish away my days. I don’t want to miss one day of this one life I have, to embrace it even if with difficulty. I too need winter as do you. We need the dark dismal lifeless daysto remind us of how amazing life really is, how connected we are to nature and the world around us, to rest, to be still, and to yearn for more. More life. More green. More dreams. More Hope. Its renewal. I just can’t wait.
So dear Chicago… help me out here… bring us all that Spring has to offer! And please bring it fast!
Caught Moonlighting.
Sometimes this is how it is. You have a main gig and a side gig to do the things you love. Dont get me wrong, I absolutely love photography, story telling and the power of imagry. But, I also love making things. So, what does Jessie say? “You better do this Eric!” I did, its called Beta Objects. A few months later I am taking Jessie to an undisclosed location to photograph the production of a video short. Then off to my shop space for some photos, and some photos of me making things. Jessie you rock! Here is the beginning of a story called Beta:
Click the image above to go to the Beta Objects' Store.
A Simple Life…
To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life. ~John Burroughs
White Camellia in bloom at Garfield Park Conservatory.
Valentines Day in 70 degrees!
Eric and I decided to head to the Garfield Park Conservatory for a day spent together in 70 degree greenhouses filled with ferns, spring flowers and the like. I woke up like a kid on Christmas morning, excited, smiley and all twitchy for the fun to begin…. Eric was sleeping peacefully while I was starting at his face intently willing him to wake and immediately asked … ” Can we get up so we can go?? “. Eric gracefully smiled and said ” Yes. Let’s go.” We had our usual morning coffee, exchanged our cute cards which by the way did not involve big red hearts or over used words, but words of affirmation and celebration of what we have together.
My favorite space there is the Fern Room. It has plantings of mosses, ferns and cycads and an indoor lagoon. It was created to evoke what the landscape would have looked like in pre-historic times. They had plants in there over 300 years old. This was my favorite room. I was in heaven…. 
We then headed off into the Show Room for their Spring Flower show. The greenhouse was FULL of blooming azaleas in bright pinks, fushias, whites and purples along with perfect white camelias and sweet smelling hyacinths. Towering overhead were big Southern Magnolias and a few crabapple trees. Now this room felt like home, sweet home Alabama will soon be full of all of these blooming beauties. ISpring is my favorite time of the year in the south.
Told you I loved them….
We continued on to the Desert House full of cacti and succulents. This is a favorite for Eric. Doesn’t this look like a little village?
We even found one that looks like Eric!
We headed back to the Fern Room to soak in the last rays of sunshine and enjoy the 70 degrees! 
Where did you go with your Valentine??
It is 2010. Here is something new… blog-a-roids.
We love the images and the stories we have been fortunate to capture over 2009. So, we wanted to give something back, something fun.
We call these our Blog-a-roids. When you are featured on the blog, you get a set to share with family and friends. Quite honestly because you are awesome and now pending fame.
My desk after making.. all of 2009's blog-a-roids.
The stacks and stacks.
Here is a sample.
Portrait: The Nack Family
Saturday was a much needed break from all the gray dreary weather in exchange for loads of bright, cheerful sunshine . I hadn’t seen the Nack clan since August when we photographed an extended family portrait, where I met all of the cousins and grandparents, aunts and uncles etc.
I love that my job is writing a family’s story and over time seeing changes, growth, new words, favorite colors, etc It is such a gift. Of course with kids this age, there was lots of ” look this way”, giggles, tears, bribes, me jumping up and down, rattling things, singing, high fives…. you get the point. For these two little ones we did individual photos in their own bedrooms, which I just love. It gives them each an individual flavor that adds so much personal touch and depth.
Thank you Nacks for a wonderful morning of fun and for welcoming me into your lovely home! Can’t wait till NEXT time!!
Meet Eric.
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.
Engaged! Les + Jill
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!
Married! Dave + Ariel
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.
Previously
Think Happy Thoughts.
Isn’t it Peter Pan who said, “All you need is to think happy thoughts, a little fairy du
Caught Moonlighting.
Sometimes this is how it is. You have a main gig and a side gig to do the things you love. Dont get
A Simple Life…
To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed
Valentines Day in 70 degrees!
Eric and I decided to head to the Garfield Park Conservatory for a day spent together in 70 degree g
It is 2010. Here is something new… blog-a-roids.
We love the images and the stories we have been fortunate to capture over 2009. So, we wanted to giv
Portrait: The Nack Family
Saturday was a much needed break from all the gray dreary weather in exchange for loads of bright,