I Heart Faces Week 13-Dramatic Black and White

 

This week over at I Heart Faces is centered around Dramatic Black and White Photos...Black and White is my favorite!!!  I took a black and white film class in college and loved every second of it.  It has such a classic, vintage feel to it and helps create a real emotional tone in an image.  Make sure to go take a look at all of the AMAZING entries that have been posted this week!

This is a photo of my friend Anna, and her fiance, Justin.  They are set to get married this June and then are looking to enter into full time ministry.  I am so excited to see where the Lord takes them!  They are such a sweet and funny couple...

Austen and Erik...

I had the privelage of taking some engagement photos for one of our former youth group members, Austen, and her fiance Erik...seriously, how old am I that I am doing things like this???  Austen is one of the sweetest girls I know, and I know that she is going to be an excellent wife and mother someday.  I am so thankful that this couple loves the Lord and desires His will for their lives.  They plan on pursuing full time ministry, and I am so excited to see where the Lord takes them!

Much Love, Jessica

Fix it Friday at I Heart Faces...

Every Friday at I Heart Faces they do something called "Fix It Friday".  They offer an image taken by someone else, and give you the chance to "fix" or edit it how you please.  It is a great way to practice editing images.  Being a self taught Photoshopper, this is a really great thing for me to try.  I know that Angie and Amy said to leave nice comments, but please feel free to offer constructive criticism here!  I need it!  So, here is the original image...

And here are my attempts to "fix" it...though it was a very cute SOOC shot...

I forgot to write down the "recipe" that I used, but my editing program is Photoshop CS4.  I know that I ran a quick defog, then used a few actions from MCP Actions, including Color Burst, Touch of Light/Darkness, and on the top photo I used Take Action on Cancer Awareness. 

I have really enjoyed my first week at I Heart Faces!  Thanks for all the great comments!

Much Love, Jessica

Week 12...I Heart Faces-Angles

This week the challenge over at I Heart Faces dealt with angles and for the first time I have finally decided to enter.  I love reading this blog and looking at all of the fabulous faces that people post each week, so if you get a chance make sure to head over there and check out the other awesome entries.

I am entering a photo of some great girls I know that are best friends, Lauren and Anna.  These girls are so much fun to photograph!  They have been a blessing to me and I am so glad to know them...so, here are my favorite freckled friends...

I love you, ladies!

Much Love,

Jessica

I LOVE YOU MATT!!!

Well the past two and a half years here in VA have been crazy and hectic...We are waiting to find out where we are moving and it has become a major stressor for me.  I have an energetic 17 month old that never stops.  I am in school and study whenever my little guy lets me.  And I am trying to be a good wife in the midst of it all.  Well, yesterday, I forgot to be a good sister...

I got caught up taking care of Josiah, who has been running a high fever (It finally broke, so thank you for all the prayers), teaching a quick class to homeschoolers, and then running to my math class, only to run right back home to a screaming baby.  So, when my brother called me today and asked what I did yesterday, I was really caught off guard, and realized at that moment that I had forgotten to call and say....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATT JR.!!!

I completely forgot to wish my brother a happy birthday, so now I am announcing it to the whole world that my little brother is now a legal adult! 

I love you, Matt, and hope you know what a blessing you are to everyone around you.  You have a very giving heart and I am so thankful that I have the privelage of being your sister.  Can't wait to see where the Lord takes you in the near future as you get ready to graduate and join the Marines...though I would really love for you to stick around and play guitar, so that I can meet famous people!  I am really proud of you...and also really sorry haha...

And so my siblings don't feel left out...Lauren and Jacob, I LOVE YOU TOO!

Ahhh...The Savvy Photographer

I have no idea how I stumbled upon this blog, but I read it every day!  The Savvy Photographer offers a wealth of resources for photographers and gives fantastic marketing ideas.  They are having a great giveaway right now for The Mommy and Me Posing Guide and Marketing Set from Kelly Willette.  Make sure to check them both out and browse their fantastic site!

Adam Barnes' Photography Workshop

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending Adam Barnes’ Workshop on the Art of Photographing Children. Adam Barnes is a well known photographer throughout Virginia and is known for his unique style. He has been featured in wedding magazines and has a true gift for capturing emotion. He works alongside a great staff, including his wife, Lauren, and also Kelli, Whitney, and Kristen. They all truly made this day enjoyable! Being able to be surrounded by others that appreciate God’s blessings and who bring that out in their work was what made my day. It was great to be able to practice and get hands on experience. I am hoping that we may still be close by in fall so that I can attend his next workshop!  Make sure you go check out his work here...


And, first, I want to say thank you to my amazing husband, Bryan, who after working full time all week and attending seminary full time (while maintaining a 4.0…I love bragging on him!), supports me to go out and do stuff like this while he stays home to watch “J”. He is such a blessing and I am beyond thankful for all that he does for “J” and me!

Secondly, thanks so much to everyone at Adam Barnes’ Fine Art Photography for a great workshop! I really appreciated that you took the time to personally interact with everyone and to make sure that all questions were answered.

Lastly, thank you to God and these parents that made these BEAUTIFUL children! WOW!

Much Love, Jessica