Who Moved My Cheese?

Any of you read that book? It's a modest, little book that helps you learn how to deal with change in your life. I think I need a refresher course. There are big changes that have come to 503 this week and although they are ALL for the better I'm still sad to say bye to the things I've come to be bff's with. Like this blog. Nothing fancy, but it's become a dear friend. Now, it's being replaced by a prettier blog with fancier buttons and graphics. Don't get me wrong - I'm SO excited to debut it, but I must be honest in saying that I'll miss this place. 

So, bye 503 blogspot. You've been good to me, but this business is deserving more. 

LIKE THIS FANCY LITTLE PLACE I LIKE TO CALL 503'S NEW HOME FOR 'EVERYDAY THINGS'.

*make sure to update your bookmarks and RSS feeds. 

503 |online| Workshops are legit.

“We learn…

 

10% of what we read.

20% of what we hear.

30% of what we see.

50% of what we see and hear.

70% of what we discuss.

80% of what we experience.

95% of what we teach others.”

 

~William Glasser

This past Wednesday marked the unofficial, last day of 503's first workshop (I say unofficial because my students have a lifetime membership to my brain). I've always known that I love to teach and even more so see others learn, but this workshop has been the most rewarding thing I've done to date with this business and to be honest it's taken me - in the most refreshing sense - by surprise. It most definitely took up more time then I had planned, but it was all such a labor of love. Honestly, I enjoyed every question that came my way and every reply email that said, "ah, ha! I get it!". I don't feel like I can say thank you enough to the 21 people who signed up. All I originally had was a little ol' blog and still there were a ton of people - from California to Tennessee, Massachusetts to Florida - who trusted me to teach photography in a way that would help them truly be able to spread their wings and succeed in the art. I'd like to say that there are 21 new (or simply improved) photography birds out there. 

I'm thrilled to be able to announce my new workshop website. I've worked much too long on it and then had a huge scare where I thought for a solid 8 days that it had disappeared, but then it was found and I was happy and so very relieved and now that I'm writing a giant, run-on sentence and I don't care because I will not be turning this in for a grade I think I might just write the rest of this blog post in just one sentence...

...without further adieu:

CHECK IT OUT! 

And, then sign up! I know it's not until June, but still you can sign up and guarantee yourself a spot and then write it on your calendar and count down the days for the best workshop ever.

For any of you that study all things 503 you'll notice that the price has gone up, but that's for good reason. I have some major-awesome improvements that will come along with workshop #2. It's worth it. Promise. 

Happy Monday!

| out of town |

Hi everyone, 

I'm going to be in San Diego visiting friends and getting Shoot Shopped Saturday-Thursday. I will be checking and returning emails as much as possible, but will most likely be limited to when/where I'll be able to have internet access. If any clients - potential or current - need to get ahold of me, please please please feel free to call anytime - 513.720.9503.

 

Christmas Cards

Don't forget! 

For all the info {click here}.

New to 503's Boutique

Couture Digital Mattes

Aren't these so awesome?! I am so loving these and think that they are so versatile. Can't wait to get a few hanging in my house!!  For more info {click here}.

Saturday

I understand that this is total last minute, but I figured I'd throw it out anyway...

Saturday I am shooting a wedding in Knoxville. If anyone would like to tag along to serve as an assistant (help me with lens changes, make sure the bride's veil is straight, bows are tied, group shot set-ups, crowd control, etc, etc) then I'd be happy to have you. Majority of photos will be taken from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday. From there I'll be good on my own (unless you want to stay around for the fun of it). 

I know I wanted to shadow other photographers when I was learning the ropes, so if anyone else is where I was a year ago and would like to come along, then shoot me an email: jessica@503photography.com. 

Thanks! 

Until then, here are a few pics from a shoot I did a few weeks ago (I am sooo behind on blogging)....

Gah. Is he not to die for?!

I love the way the sun glows in the fall.

"Kid" break. ;) 

This picture cracks me up. About 1/2 way through the shoot J suddenly noticed the stunning blonde (my friend, Emily) that was assisting me and it was over. I could not get him to look at me from that point on. So, in this picture it looks as if he's looking at me, but really her face was squeezed up next to mine (literally, we were cheek to cheek) so that he would look my direction. Boys. They're all the same. Suckers for a pretty blonde. 
{you can't quite tell in these pictures, but mom is prego with #2!! :)

A good ol' fashioned family portrait...

California

I'm back. And, since I'm here with the hubs and it's a mixed trip of vacation & work there will be days I will be out of commission as far as email goes. First day is tomorrow. We're heading to San Francisco! Woohoo! I'll be back Thursday night (my b. day!!) & will return emails then.

20% off through Sunday!

For anyone who does not receive my newsletters you may not be aware of the workshop I am offering this winter. It's going to be a 6-week long, information-packed, very fun, learning experience totally surrounding the art and business of photography.

This workshop is for anyone wanting to take their photos to the next level. It's for people who don't want to just set their camera on automatic, but instead know what all those buttons are actually for. It's for anyone wanting to take pictures that look like a professional took them.

This workshop is not for people who are already photographers by profession.

I wanted to make sure everyone (including myself) had adequate time to delve into the workshop so I designed for it to start in January. This way we can all get through the holidays before adding something else to our schedule! 8oP

If this sounds like something you'd like to do, then join us! Sign up by Sunday at midnight and receive 20% off the workshop cost ($120>$96)

Click here to visit the workshop website for more info! :)

503 |online| Workshop

This week is the last week to get 20% off of the class costs! For those of you who have sent me an email saying you're signing up, make sure to do so before the 14th! :)

Click here and then click on 'buy now' to pay through Paypal. If you'd rather send me a check, email me for an address.

Can't wait!!! :D

Sorry I've had no photos to post recently. I've been spending time proofing photos from a handful of "private" sessions, either from families, NILMDTS or from advertisement work. And, then I'm off for vacation so it looks like this blog might be boring for awhile...

Don't you worry...I'll make up for it! :)

2008 Shoots

Hi everyone!

I have ONE session open for next week and then I am booked straight through October. If you would like to get a session done before Christmas, email me super soon!

I am editing photos today of a family I took pictures for in the setting of their home. With the natural light coming through the windows, the pictures are gorgeous. So, even if the cold weather creeps in early, we can still get great pictures all indoors. All you need are windows and the sun shining bright outside.

If any of you Cincinnati'ites would like to snag that session for next week I'm offering $50 off my session fee (since it's total last minute...I figured I'd give you a little incentive). Email me at jessica@503photography.com if you want it.

Happy Thursday!

newsletter-n-nostalgia

By the end of this week I'm hoping to send out another newsletter. I'm busting at the seams with news I want to share - my plans for a winter on-line workshop for all aspiring photographers (wanna-be professionals or not), Christmas cards, 503 on the road locations for this fall, etc. If you did not receive my newsletter I sent in July then you're not on my email list. If you'd like to get it, then email me at jessica@503photography.com and I'll add you on! :D

This next session I'm posting pictures from was one of my favorites. The mom, 9 1/2 months pregnant, had breakfast & coffee ready for me when I got there! If you ever get to see me 9 1/2 months pregnant with a 2 and 3 year old, prepare to cater to my every need. I will not be making breakfast for anyone. ;oP

I know that taking pictures of a 2 and 3 year old can be a bit tricky - they're past the age of being intrigued by a camera and not quite yet to the age where bribery really works - so I suggested we just play. So we played on the bed, made cookies and then ran around in the sprinkler in the back yard. Since the mom just wanted pics of the kids in their birthday suits & diapers I think these pictures just ooze with nostalgia, timelessness, and organic-goodness. I had a hard time not making every last one of them black & white. Enjoy a few of my favorites.

Booked through August

I am officially booked through August. I have sessions open for early September, but am out of commission the 2nd two weeks of September. Then....it's October!!! Eeek!

If you would like to schedule a shoot for this fall, don't wait long! :)

Also, I wanted to tell all you blog readers about the greatest thing I've just recently discovered & started using. Google Reader. It is fabulous. You list out all of the blogs you want to follow and then all you have to do is log into your Google Reader & it will tell you what blogs have been updated. It's a one stop shop for blog trackin'. I love it! Go to: www.google.com/reader/view

Knoxville

I will be in Knoxville the weekend of June 21st if anyone would like to book a session. There will be no travel fees.

Project LiFE

Hi everyone,

While in Mexico I dreamt of a new project I'd like to start...or at least explore. As I lie under the warm Mexican sun, I wondered what it would look like to take labor and delivery pics. Nothing invasive, just the details - the superstar (i.e. mom), the dad, doctors, nurses, monitors, details of the room, the baby exposed to the world for the first time, the happy, brand-new parents...you get my point. Set it all to music, make a video/slideshow and end up with a final product that will truly be priceless. (I cannot imagine having pictures of the day my mom birthed me.) I see the final product being incredibly beautiful and artistic.

What I need next is for a couple to allow me to invade (in such a way where I'd hope you wouldn't even know I was there) on their labor and delivery in order to explore this possibility. It would be completely free and all the pictures and music video would be included. If anyone knows of or is pregnant and might be interested in this free offer, please email me at jessica@503photography.com. If you live in Cincinnati, that obviously would be best, but Knoxville might work as well. Anywhere else - if you're getting induced and know of your date, that might work, too. Send me an email! Thanks!

Until then, here's a whole slew of random pics of our time in Mexico. The four of us had a blast and often times found ourselves in places that looked like they had come alive from the pages of a travel magazine. We are all now home, and although we're happy, rested and tan, we're all missing Mexico...

when we first got on the boat, we sat down to read our "cruise compass". I noticed our reflections and snapped a few pictures of myself, Kate and Corey. It wasn't until I got home and viewed the pic on a large screen that I noticed the boys in the bottom of the picture. They were on the other side of the window and I believe thought I was taking pictures of them. The boy on the left, in the yellow, is sticking his tongue out at me. ;)


a sleep deprived resident...during the day:

a sleep deprived resident...at night (during karoke with one too many slow songs. everyone thought the poor guy had passed out from drunkeness.):

Cabo, in all it's splendor:

Mazatlan - not much to photograph here so I stuck with the faces and the food:

yum.

Our friends Seth & Kate, all smitten with each other.

Puerto Vallarta, in all it's perfectness:
*note to cruisers: when porting, rent a car - they're relatively cheap and the easiest way to get away from all the other 2,000 tourists you just got off the boat with.

when you do, you find yourself in empty, little restaurants like this:

with a view like this:

surrounded by Mexican goodness like this:

...along with hotel owners who don't mind if the Gringos use the pool for a little cooling off...

back on the boat - dancing the night and all life's stresses away...