A year in review

2010 was a great year of growth, both personally and professionally.  While it's never easy to start a business with young children, I have great clients that made the efforts worth it. Here are just some of my favorite images to share with you. 

I wish you a peaceful and prosperous 2011. 

Many Blessings,
Jill

I am so thankful...

This is an amazing time of year.  I love when the air is crisp and the colors are vibrant.  I love wearing sweaters and I love boots.  Mostly, I love Thanksgiving. 

This is the one holiday where no one "gets stuff".  There are no presents or candy or even more candy, no expectations to rush and "buy" something of use or significance for others (the pressure of finding the perfect gift - ugh!).  It's the one time a year where we all can just be thankful for those around us and the blessings in our lives. 

I am very thankful for the opportunities that presented themselves to me in my business this past year.  My family has been a source of strength and laughter and I am overwhelmed by the joy and contentment they bring to my life.  I feel blessed we have weathered the storms of the economy and the difficulties that brought about for us. I have witnessed personal stories of survival and am thankful for gift of health, the benefit of circumstance, and the value of freedom.  I feel fortunate to have known those who are no longer with us, even while missing their presence.  And I am grateful to have the support of dear friends who know just what to say to me at any given moment. 

I look forward to the upcoming week helping a few capture memories of their own family visiting from all over the country, so they can always look at the blessings that surround them.  I hope you have a moment to breathe in all that you have to be thankful about.

Many Blessings,
Jill

My Family: David,(I would be the only girl in this picture!)
Jacob - 13, James -6, and Jeb -4
Taken by my dear friend, Zandra Horkan

A Past President, Charities, Santa, Families...

It has been a very busy time at the studio lately!  I just returned from working in Las Vegas for an event.  I was hired to be the photographer for the event and for the "meet and greet" session with former President Clinton.  It was truly an honor.  It was humbling to go from never even seeing any of our presidents in person to taking pictures of one.  I was also able to take pictures of him speaking, the only photographer cleared to be inside the ropes.  I got amazing images and look forward to sharing some once they are approved by his staff.  And for the record, he was charming and professional and very tired.  He is working to do a lot of good for Haiti and other causes, and had just finished a 7-country tour.  His staff, most of them 30+ years his junior, said they could barely keep up with him!

Our studio is currently holding two different charity promotions.





The first is our 2010 Charity Event, Portraits with Santa.  We are holding it once again at Wakoola Water Gardens.  It is a beautiful location and the children really get a chance to speak with him. 

We have several session times available.  Just call to schedule yours!

The Second is a Family Portrait Fundraiser for Lambert DECA Chapter.  They are working on creating a scholarship for a deserving 2011 graduate and also to raise funds for the national DECA competition.  I hope you can support them.

I Look forward to this busy season and all the wonders it can bring.  I hope to hear from you and your family as you prepare your Holiday shopping list.  We have lots of solutions for meaningful gifts.  If you want more information, please just call and ask us!

Whatever happened to the experience...

So I FINALLY went clothes shopping the other day.  Typically I have my two young boys in tow, go through the store like a tornado, and end up returning 90% of what I purchased because I didn't have time to try them on before I bought them. Not this time.  After working really long hours (and thankful for the business!), I took the time to meet a friend for coffee.  With not enough time to go back to the office and work, but too much time before getting the kids, I went shopping.  I was SO excited.

I went it one store and told them what I was looking for.  They were wonderful in fawning all over me to try and make me feel really good about myself.  And while the styles they choose were not really "me", I spent about 30 full minutes just trying new looks on, feeling awkward most of the time.  I walked out with a great blazer that was on sale, but didn't feel the sales people understood me or my style as opposed to trying to make their daily sales quota.

Then I went to the store next door - the real reason I was even in the shopping center to begin with.  There were out of 4 different items in my size.  They weren't even on sale, they just were out.  So I tried something comparable on.  The person at the register had to leave her post to let me in.  When I needed a different size, no one was there to help leaving me stranded to get dressed, go grab the new size, try on that item, get dressed again, and leave the store completely deflated.  Turns out the rest of the staff was in the back planing for a big visit from "corporate".

Have we learned nothing in the recent economy - customer is king!  Who cares if corporate is coming if your inventory is off and your customers are miserable!

I always try and say, "Yes!" to any request my clients make.  It's not always easy or convenient to have a portrait taken.  If your trying to get the whole family together, the kids can be difficult, dad hardly ever wants to have it done, and mom is stressed because she understands the importance of what they are doing.

Your time is so valuable to me.  Helping you create a memory to smile at every time you look at the wall is important.  These moments don't happen again. Ever.  Whether it's a wedding, a family portrait, the first precious images of a newborn, or a high school senior about to leave for college, they all matter. 

I promise to always do my best to understand you and what your expectations are.  I will not influence to purchase anything outside of the amount you have to invest.  I will understand what you are looking for and make sure you will be happy with it for years to come.  And I promise that I will never do anything that would make my clients not feel like they are the most important part of my business.

I appreciate all of you and I love what I do.  Thanks for shopping with me!

Seniors! Lots of 2011 Grads...

Working tirelessly to finish the last details in the studio, but having a lot of senior sessions in the meantime.  And man, it's been HOT.  I mean HOT.  These guys have been troopers, managing to look beautiful in 105 degree heat index and sun beating down.  But they did it, and I can't wait to post the images after the come in to see them.

In the meantime, here are a few sneak peeks...  Stay cool, people!

 

Doorways, babies and vacation...well, a working vacation.

Still finishing a number of pesky details in the new studio design, but it's looking sooooo good.  I've been shooting in the studio, even though I just picked-up my doors today.  So now I not only have walls and ceilings, but a room with actual doors for clients to change in.  I'm sure they will appreciate the privacy.

Actually, I'm having a lot of fun with the details.  It's great having a blank canvas such as an unfinished basement to work with.  There is a lot of big things that make a quick impact, but I'm finding it's the details that are making it all come together.  And there is an order to it.  We are picking-out lighting this weekend so I can choose paint colors.  It may seem backwards, but there are so many options for lights, all that produce a certain mood and I want the total design to reflect the impact of the details.  Then we're finally hanging the doors and I get to hang the casing around the door, all of this needs to be painted as well. 

We went to PA last week on a working vacation.  I meet some really wonderful people that my husband works with.  Got some great images of their plant.  We were able to take some time for fun as well.  We took the boys to the Hershey plant where they made their own chocolate bar.  I'm thinking we're all going to have almost as much fun eating them this weekend.

Oh, and all this while I keep scheduling bookings (which I am very happy to have).  More class of 2011, a lot of corporate work and quite a few babies lately.  Here are a few of the young ones.  I've been taking Sarah's picture since she was 3 months old.  Sophie is growing fast and is a total charmer.  Alayna is really developing her personality and she sure did great with the hats!  Here are a few of "the girls".  I'll post some of the seniors later.

  

More progress...

As usual, I have taken on a monumental task that is twice as long and a bit more than I planned on spending right now, but it's working out beautifully. Although, it does have me feeling a bit overwhelmed.  The studio looks great, have some finishing touches to put on, like doors, paint a couple rooms, and hang all of my samples.  I moved my office to what was the dining room and it is starting to settle-in nicely.  The good news for the kids is they now have their own area where my office once was.  It's nice for them to have some space where they can just be themselves.  Unfortunately, the only person not getting more space is my husband, but at least I will finally be out of his office 100%.  I know he's looking forward to that.

In the midst of all this, I've still had my sessions.  I appreciate all of my clients who have been patient with me the past few weeks.  It's very appreciated.

Here's some of what I've been doing...

Progress...(Yea!)

I have been working really hard clearing out my space. It's been great going through everything getting rid of things no longer needed. I now have a clean space to work with and design as I need it. For those that have been in the studio, there is no longer a pool table. I'm sad, but my kids aren't really old enough to play it and it was in the way of my shots. Now there is so much space!

Along with the studio being remodeled, we are adding a lot of new looks for your sessions. Lindsay and Laura, who will be interning with me this summer, will be creating some custom backgrounds with me. This is in addition to a bunch on new ones I recently invested in. This means more options to create several unique looks. I can't wait to start paining.

We are also creating a new space for looking at your images after your session is done. You will be able to see your images projected to the actual size they will be on your wall and in the frame of your choice. It will help you make decisions on what size, color, grouping and finish without any of the guesswork. I am really excited about this.

I will keep you posted on the progress as I go. Here is the studio space now. I will have more pictures of our preview room later!

This is the studio. It's a very long room perfect for lots of camera options and shooting areas. We are putting walls in, will be fixing the ceiling to a cool "loft" finish. We're keeping the cement, though - it's a great background!

Our work and framing room:

IT'S TIME FOR 2011 GRADS!

I am so excited for the new high school seniors this year!  I have new stuff in the studio, a few new locations to shoot in, and some amazing reps at the schools talkin' about all the ideas we have going on to make their senior portraits even more fun.  Look for info on my senior reps in the next week...

In the meantime, been having fun with some of the 2010 seniors.  Making sure they get their pictures done before graduation and creating some cool announcements.  Look at some of Mallory's pictures and just wait to see what we do with them!

Hike For Hyde

I had a great time at the Hike for Hyde this weekend!  If you aren't familiar with Hyde, he is a 3 1/2 year old boy with a terrible disease - Atypical HUS.  Bryan Hearn and Kegley Hubbard are two other local boys who suffer from this disease and who were also honored at the event this year.

In the United States, there is believed to be between 300 - 600 cases. Most cases occur in young children, although some adults may suddenly get hit with the disease. There is no cure for Atypical HUS. In fact, there is no standard treatment, as each case is different. For more information about Hyde, Bryan and Keagley, please go to http://www.hikeforhyde.com/. 

For more pictures of the day, go to: http://jharrelson.photobiz.com/cart/event_select.cfm?eventID=403187 . I am so grateful to have been part of this event.

 
Check out the video!

Ah Spring... and the pollen is here!

I love love love the spring in the South! It's absolutely beautiful. The pear and cherry trees are done blooming and the dogwoods and red buds are starting. My azaleas are about ready to add a burst of color in my garden. It's finally warm, and it's finally a good time for outdoor pictures!


I’ve been telling people to wait a week or two until it's pretty outside. Well, it's pretty! No need to wait any longer! Yea!

Of course, there is the 2" of pollen on your car every day. Seriously. I didn't know it could be worse than last year. It's unbelievable.

At home we're finishing our spring break and my kindergartner is actually excited to go back to school - as is his mom! It's been great being with them this week, but we are all ready for our normal routines again.

Don't forget to become a fan of ours on Facebook.  We are having weekly givaways!  You will want to see what we're up to!

Here's hoping you have a wonderful week!

SENIORS! CLASS OF 2011 - IT'S YOUR TIME!

You Will Not Find Another Experience Like Ours ANYWHERE!  I'm starting to book sessions for the class of 2011.  You have to get your yearbook pictures from that school photographer, but YOU DON'T HAVE YOU BUY THEM!!!!  Get your senior pictures your way.  Call us.

 And just for reading my blog, I'm offering my most popular session, "THE 90" AT NO CHARGE - ONLY for 2011 GRADUATES. The complimentary session must be booked and shot by May 31, 2010.  Sessions will book fast, and when they're gone, well, can't create time (although I've tried), they're gone...

Tell your friends and share the love.  To get your free session, just mention the code "Jill Rocks" when you call. (I had to have some fun with the code!)

Have a great day & enjoy the new Senior Video! (Click below)

http://animoto.com/play/B6ivc6Z4GmxhIA5eSbiIjA

A Great Week Ahead...

The time change... ugh!  If I wanted to wake up this early, I would be doing it and working out before my children get up!  But, I am finding it does have it's perks.  It feels like you get a lot more done when you start your day in the dark.  The birds are just starting to chirp, the sun it just coming up, and it's my favorite light of the day.  I wish I could get some of my high school seniors to meet me at 7:30!  Not sure that's possible...

I had a great weekend with glamour and senior sessions - here's a sneak peak at a couple of them...
Have more to post later!  Looking forward to a lot of cute bunny pics this weekend as well!

A "Sunny" Celebration

I was blessed to witness the celebration of a wonderful life last week. Sunny was a loving wife with a twinkle in her eye. She was adored by her family, her friends, and all that were fortunate to be touched by her - and she left us all too soon. I am lucky to be close friends with her son and his wife, and, because they are like family to me, I was blessed to know her.

I had the honor of photographing her funeral - a first for me. I wasn't sure how people would react to a photographer at a funeral. I guarantee that some must have been surprised to see me there. But, when I arrived at their beautiful home, I started to notice something. Amidst all the beautiful antiques and exquisitely decorated rooms were images of her family. Some were ones I photographed over the years, some were in paintings that a relative created, and others were those taken from many years past. To her, these images were more valuable than anything she owned. When her precious grandchildren couldn’t be with her, she had their images near her at every turn. These pictures comforted her and brought her joy.

At the end of what we hope is a full life, many funeral services include a slideshow - snapshots of happy times and memories of who we were. And this was the case for Sunny as well. There were the friendships (and the Gainesville Girls!), her childhood, the courtship and wedding with the love of her life, the images of a mother, the campaigns with her husband, the days as a teacher, and the fun times along the way. Not to diminish the material things we earn and are lucky to enjoy during our time here, but the things that matter most are the memories we create and the joy we bring to another. These images, whether from a professional or just fun snapshots, are truly priceless.

I was honored to help capture those memories for her over the past few years. I hope the images I created brought her joy. She touched my life and work in a way few will understand, but I will always look at certain images I create and say, "Now, Sunny would love this one!"

Much like those pictures throughout the home, I believe that the images I captured at the funeral will help comfort the family. It will help them see some of the over 400 people who paid their respects. It will help them see the the impact of her life.

Warm Fuzzies...

As I write this, my son is getting ready for bed and is excited to put his warm, fuzzy jammies on.  I hope to join him soon, as I would like nothing better than to be warm and comfy with the satisfaction of a full, productive day behind me. I have experienced a lot of warm fuzzies this week. 

Today, I was very fortunate to receive a lot of amazing stuff from a photographer named Scott - somewhat of a rock star in my line of work.  He and his wife have committed to raising over $100,000 for charity this year.  They choose a different charity each month to put their efforts toward- so long as it pertains to a child.  This month, the charity is Maggie, who is in the hospital.  Scott has materials and seminars for photographers, and I was able to bid an insanely low amount and get an amazing amount in return - and all the money goes to Maggie.  They were able to raise over $2,000 in one day with their efforts! Talk about a warm fuzzy.

It makes me so grateful that my children are healthy.  A friend of mine isn't so lucky.  Her son, Hyde, has a rare disorder that there is not a cure for.  To raise awareness and funds, they are holding the second annual Hike for Hyde on April 17 :  http://www.hike4hyde.com/.  If you're available, it's a wonderful day for everyone.  And you certainly will go to bed with a warm fuzzy - because nothing feels better than being able to help another who could use it.

I'm going to be working with some photographer friends in the near future to do some things for our community.  I have a few ideas, but welcome yours.  What would you like to see?  Is there a charity you'd like me to support?  I have lots of ideas!  Just call or email me when yu have a moment - I'd love to hear from you.

Bunnies and seniors and families... oh my! Look for some great products that we will offer only to our Class of 2011 Seniors. In the meantime - I am looking at the sweetest bunnies I've ever seen! I'm getting ready for our bunny sessions in March. If you purchase a Spring Bunny Session, you'll receive a complimentary family session to be used later in the year!


I'm also working hard on the studio. I'm adding new sets and a new sales room. I look forward to showing it off in the near future.

Here's to hoping you have something as sweet in your life as these bunnies!  Enjoy!

The outlook for 2010...

A few weeks ago I drove to Nashville to attend Imaging USA, the PPA's (Professional Photographers of America) annual photo expo. They estimated that over 12,000 photographers registered for the show. It was packed! The seminars were informational, the people I met were energetic and optimistic, and the overall experience was invaluable to me. I was honored to attend. I look forward to next year in San Antonio!

I was also very grateful to meet a few photographers from around here. It's funny how sometimes we go a long way to get to know people in your own back yard. In addition to my friends Zandra (a wonderful photographer in Buckhead) and Debra (another from Madison, GA), and Susan from Virginia, I got to know Keith and Sandy Key from right here in Cumming. I feel very lucky to be in the same town as them and look forward to getting to know them and their beautiful family even more.

Most people would be shocked that I am mentioning a "competitor" on my blog. But, I will tell you that we have a wonderful community of many talented photographers here in Forsyth County. And we only compete with ourselves. We all have unique styles and focus our talent in the way that both allows us to express our passion for our art and run a business doing what we love. And what we do truely is art.

We create images that inspire you, move you, document a life, and preserve a memory. Our images are priceless and only increase in value over time. As a photographer, I am passionate about these moments and love to create them for my clients.

I feel very lucky that I can call my "competitors", "friends". I also feel truely blessed to earn a living from my passion.

I am looking forward to the energetic optimism continuing throughout the year. What a great beginning!