Family Fun

So since swimming is over and the 10m diving has yet to start, let's get some client photos out of the way.

I shouldn't say "out of the way"...because I think they are terrific and I'm very proud of them. I should just say that "during this lull in my Olympic coverage, I'd love to share with you some client photos I've taken recently".

There...how's that. :)

So the other day I had a family session AND a senior session (the senior was a part of the family) and had about 3.5 hours of shooting and endless time spent editing. I've figured out that my home computer monitor is different than my work computer monitor...and some of my client's computer monitors.

Some images are too light....some are too dark....and I'm having a hard time finding a good balance. I tend to like the light, airy photos....and sometimes they come across as being "blown out" and "overexposed".

So, I'm working on it.

I'll share some of the senior ones later...but these are my favorites of the family.

And let me tell you what....I absolutely LOVE doing family portraits (especially this fun family) and one of the best things I love about doing families...is getting the mom & dad photos!

Most of the time...they're concerned with getting family shots....or kid shots....but rarely do they think of Mom/Dad shots. And let's be honest here...how many times do you just take photos of the parents?

Not very often. And I absolutely love my parent shots.

Like these!

There were a few that I didn't post of them...because I'm not sure they'd appreciate them shown to the Internet (they were funny!...and a little graphic! Like I said...they were FUN!). So you'll just have to enjoy the good, family-friendly ones.

And they sure make a pretty family.

DORK.

Last week I spoke more about Michael Phelps than I did about my husband and son, COMBINED.

Yes, I have a problem....but I am now finally getting caught up on my sleep. Track and Field doesn't really do much for me so I can get to sleep before midnight now. Thank goodness. I have been tired since 8/8/08.

So anyway, enjoy my favorite athlete in the world. I think what makes him so special (to me) and sweet is the way he's such a great sportsman. And a great son (who loves his mother to death...did anyone see the interview with his mom the other day?!?!?! Awwwww.....). And he's not too hard to look at, either.

And please don't laugh too hard...but I'm seriously considering buying the DVD about him and his Olympics journey. Just don't tell my husband. He thinks I'm nuts.

Dude. I need to get a life.

Dear Internets:

I would love to be writing wonderful blogs about me, my life, my son G-Man, new photos I've taken recently (I had a KICK-A$$ photo shoot this weekend...consisting of a family shoot and a senior shoot all at the same time), and all the other going-ons in my life.

However, I can't do that.

Why, you ask?

BECAUSE I AM SHOVED UP NBC'S BUTT ON TV AND THE INTERNET ALL THE DAMN DAY WATCHING THE FREAKIN' OLYMPICS!

Hi, my name is Julie and I'm addicted to the Olympics. Specifically Michael Phelps. Lord help me that man is handsome and buff and SWEET AS PIE and loves his mother to death. Did I mention he's hot?

I love Michael Phelps. And I stay up ENTIRELY too late in the evenings so I can watch him swim LIVE and receive his gold medals.

Oh, and gymnastics. I love women's gymnastics. Brings me back to the time when I took gymnastic lessons and pranced around in my leotard and curly pigtails.

And diving. SO COOL to actually know an Olympic Diver. You all know Thomas Finchum? Well, I work with his mother and she's a good friend. We have followed his career this entire time (last Olympics he got cheated out at age 14 to attend) and he's the sweetest guy out there. So it's pretty cool to see him on tv...and everyone talking about him. Unfortunately he placed 5th in the synchro 10m diver with his diving partner David the other day. Stay tuned for the individual 10m diving competition next week.

So, it's basically Swimming, Gymnastics and Diving at my house. With a little synchronized swimming (it's coming!), women's beach volleyball (I wish I had those ladies' bodies!) and more Michael Phelps diving and interviews.

I have a serious problem.

So, until the Olympics is over...it will be sporadic with my postings. Unless you all want to hear about how hot Michael Phelps is and how I was SCARED TO DEATH HE WOULD NOT WIN GOLD during the 200m fly race due to WATER IN HIS GOGGLES! I knew something was wrong...I just thought he was tired...but oh my word I was worried.

I hope to post again sometime soon...and hopefully I'll finish editing my images from Saturday and you'll get to see those (because they turned out AWESOME!)...but don't hold me to it. Lots more swimming to get done!

And did anyone else see that Visa commercial after Phelps became the most decorated Olympic of all time? Oh my word...the tears were a falling. Way to be on the ball, Visa.

Giving Gifts Part II

I absolutely, positively love giving people the gift of photographs. Remember Teri? Yeah. The best present ever. Or at least to her....and to me if I were to request one single gift.

Most people don't think of getting photos of their kids/families done to cherish forever. Or if they do...they go to Sears or Target or Wal-Mart for their cheesy portraits.

Now, I'm not knocking those type of places. I myself went there on numerous occasions (3!) when G-Man was 3, 6 and 9 months old. I didn't know any better. And I didn't own my kick-ass camera then.

Kid #2 is going to have kick-ass baby portraits. If Kid #2 ever decides to grace my womb.

*Sigh*

So, back to the topic at hand. Most department store portrait studios use flash, cheesy backdrops, and un-natural poses. That is not what I provide. And most people don't even think twice about taking them to these places and don't venture out into the land of "jvw photography" and other awesome places/photographers Indianapolis has to offer.

When I got a birthday invitation from a good friend of ours the other day...inviting us to her two daughters' birthday party, I got a wild idea to give this to her as a gift. Her and her husband are very close to us, and we love them very much. Their kids are adorable and I knew she would cherish this forever.

So I sent her a quick message and asked if I could photograph her entire family. I caught her just in time. They had an appointment at a portrait studio in the mall set for last week and I told her immediately to cancel it. I would do it for FREE. And they would be better than what she would have gotten! (If I say so myself)

They all came over last weekend and we did our shoot. Boy, she makes pretty, toe-headed babies. And talk about blue eyes! Her husband will have to beat the boys off with a stick!

So, without further adieu....I give you the Ray Family! BTW...I absolutely LOVE the girl's matching tops! Adorable!

Enjoy!

My First Engagement Shoot, EVER!

I'm wanting to expand my business. Into what...I'm not really sure. But expand I want to do.

So, in order to expand...I need to get past the "kiddo" aspect of my business and do people in general. Say, like engagements!

Still not sure if I want to do the wedding route...but if you know anyone looking for a photographer and wouldn't mind being my "first one, ever!"...then send them my way. I'll give them a great deal on a wedding photographer!

Well, since I don't know any engaged people, I begged and pleaded my friend Tammy to let me take pictures of her and her boyfriend. Trust me when I say it's easier to photograph toddlers than it is to photograph adults. It just is.

So, I staged an "engagement photo session"....sans the engagement ring.

Oops!

We went to my favorite park and got some FANTABULOUS shots. She's beautiful. He's pretty handsome. And it was hotter than hell. (The kissing made it hot...but the humidity and heat made it HOT!)

I am not even kidding. My tank top was SOAKED through and I was miserable. But, you can't really tell with the photos. They look calm, cool and collected. And in L-O-V-E!

So enjoy!