JPSearcy Photography Blog

I know, it is still 90 degrees outside, and we haven’t hit September yet.  HOWEVER, it isn’t too early to start thinking about holiday photos.  Now, you don’t have to get your photos taken right now, but you do want to start thinking about when you want to have your session, and get on my calendar.  LOTS and LOTS of info in this post!

I have just released my fall availability calendar, and it is on my website now.  My deadlines this year are as follows: November 21 LAST session date to guarantee Christmas delivery; December 5 LAST day to place an order to guarantee Christmas delivery (not including canvas and/or purses, those need more time to come back).

Now, some fun news!  I am going to be offering mini sessions for the holidays! This is a one day only special, and as soon as the slots are all filled, the mini session special is over!  So, if getting just a few images for your cards, and maybe a gift or two, sounds just perfect for you, check the details below!

If you have ANY questions at all, please call or e-mail!  But if you prefer to have a full session at your choice in location, I am definitely booking those as well!  You will just need to let me know when you would like to have your session, and where you want it to be!  Fall dates tend to fill up quickly, so you will want to get on the calendar as soon as you know you want to have a session with me.

And last bit of fun info, this year’s holiday cards!  I am so excited about this years cards.  There are lots and lots of choices, so you are bound to find one design that you just love!  If you haven’t seen my cards in person, just ask, and I would be happy to show you a sample.  They are high quality, linen textured two sided flat cards (with envelopes, of course).  They are sold in packs of 25.  The pricing is: 25/$75, 50/$135, 75/$185, 100/$225.

Here are the cards that I will be offering this year!  Can’t wait to hear what you think of them!

Hi all!  I am back from vacation, and I am not gonna lie, I wish I was still there!  Alaska is such a beautiful place, and it was hard to come home.  But, of course, I did come home!  And now I am rested and recharged and ready to get shooting again!

For my seniors, I know you don’t want to hear this, but there is only 2 weeks until school starts.  I know some of you wanted to wait until the end of summer to get your senior photos taken.  Well, that time is now!  I still have several  dates open this month, so you want to get a jump on them.  Once school starts, there will be a million other things going on!  But, if you are wanting to wait a little longer, that is fine too.  Fall does tend to book up with family shoots, so you will want to at least get on the calendar soon, so you get the date that you want.

For my families, I know YOU don’t want to hear this, but we are getting close to the holidays!  I know, you are going to say that there is still 5 months, but if you have been with me for a while, you know that really isn’t true.  Yes, of course there is still 5 months until the holidays, BUT not 5 months until holiday photos!  My shooting deadline is usually the end of October, for you to get them back before the holidays.  That allows enough time for editing, proofing, ordering, and printing.  So, if you know you are going to want your family photos done, it is best to contact me now to set your date.  Weekends in the fall go pretty quickly!

And then a little more news.  Many of you have been hearing about my Africa trip.  Many of you have been so patient and understanding with me and my ever-changing schedule, with regards to the Africa trip.  Well, you don’t have to wait anymore.  There was only 10 days in this entire year that I would not be able to go (because of this family vacation that has been in the works for over a year).  After too many delays to count, the family FINALLY got the clearance to travel and pick up their son!  Unfortunately (for me, not them!), it was a few days ago, when I was in Alaska.  I am over the moon excited for the family, because as you know, this is a LONG time in waiting (we were originally supposed to travel in JANUARY!).  I wish I was there, but I am so happy that their wait is finally over.

So, since I won’t be traveling to Africa (anytime soon!), I am planning on flying up to Nashville (where they live) and doing a family session for them after they get back and settled.  I have to wait until they get back to set exact dates, but it will be sometime in September.  I will be there for a few days, and since I am up there, I will accept a couple of sessions while I am there.  If you live in the area and are interested in booking a session, OR if you know someone in the area who would be interested, let me know!  jps@jpsearcyphotography.com  My travel sessions tend to fill up quickly, and especially with this time of year (perfect for those holiday sessions!), I expect these couple of slots to go.

That is all the news and updates I have for now!

As much as I love the scorching heat of Florida (insert eyeroll here), I am leaving this great state for a little while.  No worries, I’ll be back, it is just vacation!  My family and I are heading off to Alaska for a much needed vacation!  This is one of those “bucket list” vacations, and we are SO excited to be going.  I will be taking at least 2 million photographs while I am gone, so I am sure you will be seeing a few here in a couple of weeks.  But for now, I will be checking my e-mail only frequently (come on, it IS a vacation afterall!).  So be patient with my e-mail response time please!  But I promise you, I will come back fully recharged and ready to shoot!   If you are interested in booking a shoot, check the calendar section on my website for available dates, and then e-mail me the one you want (with one back up date, just in case).   And what a way to come back from vacation, with an e-mail full of people who want sessions .

I haven’t had a newborn to photograph in a while, and now two in a couple of weeks!  I love newborns, because it gives me my baby fix!  I get to breathe in all that baby smell, and then give them back and get a full night sleep.  LOL!  This little guy was so good!  Just slept right thru all the moving around and posing him that I did.  And then woke up in time to have a quick photograph or two with his big brother and sister.  Such a good baby!  (That is also why I ask for newborns to be 2 weeks old or younger.  They are still pretty sleepy, and much more cooperative to photograph!)

First ones, I am showing both black and white.  Typically I like black and white more for newborn photos, however, lately, I have been drawn to the creamy colored ones.  Which do YOU like better?

I have been asked lately if I still shoot babies and kids.  YES!  I know I shoot a lot more high school seniors now, but I will absolutely still take a kid or family session!

Case in point!  I got a call from a friend of mine, asking if I could shoot her new little baby boy.   I was so thrilled!   Not only because it had been a while since I had my hands on a newborn, but because I was excited to see her again, and her little ones!  They are just too cute, and too precious for words.  The session was primarily for the new baby, but of course I had to get a couple shots of the big sister too.  (Her sneak peek shot just made me laugh, that is why I picked it to share!).

Here are a few that I loved from their session:

It is time again, for one of my most favorite (and loyal) families!  Like clockwork, they have their kids photos taken every 6 months.  It has been so neat to see how they change every  session.  This session was being done at Leu Gardens.  The little girl was at such a great stage.  She could stand, but not walk on her own (read:she couldn’t run away from me like her big brother could! LOL!).  She is so precious, and her brother is the cutest little stinker around!

By the way, I am often asked, “what is the best age for photographs?”.  The answer is, now!  There isn’t a magical age.  Every single age is special, and remarkable.  Yes, the kids will change.  However, they will never be this young again, and isn’t that great to capture?!  This family here, in this sneak peek, “gets” that.  Not saying that you need have a major session every 6 months, but don’t keep putting it off either.  And it IS nice to have it be a regular thing, wether it be every 6 months, or every year, or every other year.  Make it a priority, and make it happen!

OK, now sneak peeks!

I love facebook!  I have re-connected with so many old friends, and stayed in touch with those who have moved away.  This family was one of those who had moved away.  As soon as she saw a “status update” of me talking about a photography workshop in Miami, she jumped on it!  She had asked if I would have time to do a session while I was there.  OF COURSE!  I would make time to see them again.  After all, they had had a new baby since I had last seen them, and I was anxious to meet the cute little guy!

Here are a few shots from our session!

My sweet little niece is ONE!  Already!  Boy, this year went by quickly!  And we were lucky enough to have her down here for a few days because her mommy had a vet conference in town.  Of course, she needed a proper photo session.  And oooooh, we had some fun!

First, I *had* to go shopping and find her the perfect outfit, with perfect accessories.  DONE!  Then, I had to find a day where I could have her all to myself, so we could do a proper session!  That was a little trickier!  Her other aunt and grandma wanted to come too.  But I could share, so no problem!  And lastly, I needed her to have fun.  That was the easiest part!  I swear, she got into it!  She had no problem with the accessories, and she was happy and let me keep shooting for a nice long time!  I couldn’t help but to just laugh and laugh looking at her!  Hope you all get as much of a kick out of my sweetie as I did!

Here she is, little Miss Hollywood!

I have photographed this family several times before.  Actually about twice a year!  The kids are adorable, and we always have fun.  But what I love most, is the mom always has ideas for what she wants!  I never have to plan anything, because she has it covered, and that is awesome!

For this session, she wanted mostly just the kids individually photographed.  And for the three year old, she wanted him, just being him, in his room.  PJs and all!  This would be categorized as a “lifestyle” shoot.  Nothing really set up, just me following him around and playing with him.  Jumping on the bed, playing with his toys, etc.  In other words, FUN!  For the baby, we did more portrait style, just used her room as a backdrop for most of it.

Here are a few sneaks from that session:

This session was for another sorority sister of mine that I have seen in a million years!  It is so neat to see old friends in such different roles than when we last knew each other.  She has two such beautiful little girls now.  And these girls, such style they have!  They had several outfits for the session, and the older one especially, had definite opinions on what to wear, and how to wear it!  I was helping her put on her hat (that was a MUST for this part of the session! LOL!), and she looked at me and told me to make sure the flower was turned to the side, NOT the center.  LOVE THAT!

We took several family photos in their amazing back yard and several of the girls by themselves.  Lots and lots to go thru!  But I managed to pull a few that I really loved for their sneak peek.

And this one, is a great example of family photos that I really love: interaction shots.  Everyone being happy and being together.  Something kind of sweet about it!