Uncategorized

Featured | Simply Jessie Photography in the Press!

Featured | Simply Jessie Photography in the Press!

We’ve been thrilled to have our work featured by the always wonderful Elizabeth Anne Designs and Landlocked Bride. Click the photos to zip on over to the write up! Andrea + Rob Wedding!  | Elizabeth Anne Designs   Catherine + Sean Engaged | Landlocked Bride


Playtime. || Personal

Playtime. || Personal

I’ve been thinking alot about playtime. About time in our busy life to laugh at the top of our lungs, be super loud, have picnics, ride bikes… to become like a child. I just think we are all plain too grown up. We all need playtime. Time with no work, no dinner to make, no … Continue reading


She wanders in gardens.

She wanders in gardens.

As most of you know, Jessie has been a busy gal. She is meeting people, shooting, editing, writing, teaching, and finding time for me (Eric) somewhere in there. If you frequent her blog, spring is the best thing to happen to her. I smile knowing that she leaves home early to find a garden to … Continue reading


Stay tuned.

Stay tuned.

Things are in full speed over here. Stay tuned this week for some really great photos. These fun shoes are from Christian and Lidia’s engagement shoot on Sunday!


Happy Friday! Happy Spring!

Happy Friday!  Happy Spring!

Irresistible Nelson.

Irresistible Nelson.

What’s that? You want a ridiculously cute picture of Nelson? Here ya go!


Eric. The year we met.

Eric.  The year we met.

I mean can you blame me for falling crazy in love with this guy?!!! This is the man I fell in love with in 2002. I mean can we talk about this? Those curls, the mischievous grin, geez, I didn’t even have a chance. We were in college and crazy in love. Many of you have heard … Continue reading


As this blog posts…. Botts are headed south!

As this blog posts…. Botts are headed south!

We had to say goodbye last night to dear friends ,the Botts. They are starting a new chapter …. headed to Kansas City! We are excited for these wonderful friends,for the new sites, sounds, faces , challenges and joys.but are SO sad to be loosing them here from our daily lives. They may look familiar, … Continue reading


Chicago Welcomes You.

Chicago Welcomes You.

This is a project I have been meaning to write and share about. I was brought on board to take photographs for the materials they were producing to help support refugees. What I love the most, is this project was birthed out of relationship and friendship. Four individuals (who happen to be dear friends) began … Continue reading


Just words today….

Just words today….

Even as I write the title of this post today, I almost feel the opposite, I have no words. I am overcome with hope, with deliverance, redemption, sadness, loneliness, and joy, deep joy. My days here lately have been full of pain for my dearest friends, tasting the nastiness of this life, hard core. I am so … Continue reading


Good thing Norah likes boxes…. WE’RE MOVING!!!

Good thing Norah likes boxes…. WE’RE MOVING!!!

  Good thing Norah likes boxes cause WE’RE MOVING!! As of July 1, yes as in only a little over a month away, we will have a new location in the heart of Lincoln Square! We are very excited and starting to collect boxes. There are some really big things going on here at SJ. As of … Continue reading


My Mom’s the best, sorry… its just a fact.

My Mom’s the best, sorry… its just a fact.

                                                                    Here is my Mom and Dad. I love these pics of them, her beauty matched with his strength and obvious love … Continue reading


Happy Birthday Josh and Lily!

Happy Birthday Josh and Lily!

This is my brother Josh, and his wonderful girl Lily. I am a little late, but they both share a birthday week. Josh’s is May 2nd and Lily’s is the 5th! I think its kinda fun that they get to share it… They are out in San Fran doing there thing, and we are always … Continue reading


Nelson on Saturdays

Nelson on Saturdays

05-02-09 The Spares

05-02-09  The Spares

Eric and I headed out to Schubas this past Saturday to snap some shots of the Spares. It was an awesome concert with amazing acoustics, and a great turnout. The Spares were recording a live cd and we were shooting images to go with it. It was great fun! Go check them out. www.thespares.com . … Continue reading


Announcement, Announcement!

Announcement, Announcement!

I am pleased to announce that I will be teaching a nature photography class at Chicago Botanic Gardens this fall!! It will be every Monday morn from 8:30-10:30 am for 8 weeks. It is called “Making your own Portfolio” . I will get students started on a nature photography portfolio on their own! I am … Continue reading


Rockford with Jill

Rockford with Jill

This weekend I traveled home with a good friend of mine, Jill. Our goal was some framable pictures of her and her siblings for Mother’s Day to replace the terrible ones with bad hairdos and braces that she had on her desk. They were all so much fun to not only take pictures of , … Continue reading


What happens when photographers get photographed….

What happens when photographers get photographed….

SO…. I always tell people, just relax in front of the camera, and I really do mean it. Natural is best, ALWAYS… but its harder than I remembered. Harder being on the other side of the camera. This is what happened when Eric and I decided to update our profile pics. Ridiculous, right? Thought you … Continue reading


Union Paperie

Union Paperie

This post is dedicated to a great friend and a very gifted designer Jenna Bott. We just finished helping her update her site with her most recent work, and a new profile pic. To see more of her work go tohttp://www.unionpaperie.com . She can do everything, from save the dates, the invites themselves, and even programs … Continue reading


I’m Back!!

I’m Back!!

My computer is back and better than ever!! It was sick and had to go back to Mac land for awhile. So sorry for the delay!! We’ve got some fun stuff coming up, so stay tuned!


Welcome to my desk.

Welcome to my desk.

Welcome to my life. Meet Nelson with stripes, and Norah with the fluffy hair. They LOVE to be a part of EVERY thing. (which to be fair I absolutely love, although as you can see, this CAN be counter productive). I’m sure you’ll hear and see more of these two. They are 2 of my … Continue reading


Come on Spring!

Come on Spring!

Yesterday it snowed, SNOWED!! Just proves that Chicago can snow anytime it feels like it! So on this early Monday morning, I thought I would remind us all of what Spring is going to look like, very very soon! These pics were taken at Chicago Botanic Garden last Spring. Yesterday though the snow and slush, … Continue reading


Clever girl and bearded man.

Clever girl and bearded man.

This is just fabulous. Someone sent this image to my husband eric, and I can’t help but share. Notice any similarities?


Flip flops, tank tops and spanish moss

Flip flops, tank tops and spanish moss

The trip was a success! We made the long long drive and enjoyed the southern temperatures and Savannah’s charm. I wondered happily along in their historic district and down Broughton Street with some of their quanit shops. Everyone was extrememly friendly and I can’t remember the last time I had time like that just for me, … Continue reading


Previously

Emily & Paul | Intimate wedding photography
Emily & Paul | Intimate wedding photography

Had a lovely time celebrating the beautiful Emily and Paul this past weekend.  The wedding took place on a quaint inn on a river.  Here is one frame with more to come in the next few days!  Can’t hide happiness!  


Bott Family | Palo Alto Outdoor Family Photography
Bott Family | Palo Alto Outdoor Family Photography

Jenna and Nick have been dear friends of ours for years. It is always a special privilege to get those you love in front of the lens and capture the love and warmth they are giving to the world.  We are so delighted to be living near these two again and are looking forward to many new … Continue reading


Moving Sale! | Attention all California brides!
Moving Sale! | Attention all California brides!

To celebrate our 2,000 mile move , we are having a moving sale! And not just any moving sale but 20% off of all wedding packages for those within 120 miles of San Francisco! Spread the word!  It is first come, first serve and need to book by May 15! Email jessie@simplyjessie.com for all the … Continue reading


Kristine & Nathan | Spring Wedding Photography
Kristine & Nathan | Spring Wedding Photography

Kristine and Nathan’s day was an amazing Spring day in the Midwest  The trees were full of colorful blossoms, warm temperatures and the leaves were the brilliant green of new life.  Thank you to Jaclyn Simpson for being my wingman!


The journey west. | Personal
The journey west. | Personal

Forgive the silence of the last few weeks.  It is hard to describe in words what these days have been…. a journey is the best way to describe this process.  So many things have happened , our feet have been in so many places, our eyes taking in gorgeous landscapes and the expanse of our beautiful country. … Continue reading


New Ventures.
New Ventures.

As this blog posts, Eric and I have loaded up our small car with our gear computers, two cats and 2 weeks of clothing.  We have turned our car and hearts West.  We are ready to document this new adventure armed with rolls of film, field cameras, medium format and digital cameras as well. As I … Continue reading