It’s that time again, where colored lights adorn houses and blow up snowmen sit on the lawns.
Where shopping at the mall is nothing less then a day filled with waiting in line.
Where children gaze adoringly at Santa, and then throw a fit because they want all the new toys NOW!
Where the smell of fresh cut Christmas tree’s and chestnuts roasting over an open fire fill the air. ( does anyone actually roast chestnuts?)

Most importantly its when you bribe your children to sit still for at least 5 minutes so you can “try” to get some decent pictures of them without them bickering non-stop. One of the many benefits of being a photographer is being able to take Christmas pictures without having to go to a chain store and wait in a crowded waiting room. Where I can take the photos and 24 hrs later have them ready to be ordered. Where I can do a clothing change in the middle of the studio without rushing.
Most importantly I can do whatever I want and take as many pictures as I want.

Which brings me to 2 points.
~I was able to take this years Christmas picutes of my kids in under 30 minutes and was pleased with the results.
~Believe it or not, It isnt too late to come and get some Christmas pictures taken. My cut off date is December 14th. Mini Sessions are available now. Print Collections and Digital Collections are available. Contact me now for details emma@emmajanephotos.com

Here are my wonderful children and my Christmas 2009 pictures. ( im still working on my actual Christmas card, but I will post that when I am done)

Contact me now for your last minute Christmas Mini Sessions.

emmajane photography
emma@emmajanephotos.com

OneWed Honors Emmajane Photography with the OneWed Loves It! Seal of Approval

Top Wedding Planning Website Awards Outstanding Wedding Photographers

Chicago, IL (July 22, 2009) OneWed is thrilled to award the OneWed Loves It! seal of approval to some of our most outstanding wedding photographers.  After receiving thousands of professional wedding photos for consideration to be featured on our OneWed homepage, we’ve selected the best of the best from these submissions.

Those photographers with the most outstanding wedding photos will have their exceptional work featured on our homepage, with a photo credit and link to their OneWed listing.  To honor these talented artists, we’ve awarded them the OneWed Loves It! seal of approval.  “At OneWed we believe in sharing the love,” says Jennifer Napier, VP of Marketing. “The OneWed Loves It! seal is our way of honoring excellence in wedding photography.

As home to both the largest searchable online database of local wedding vendors (many of which are professional wedding photographers), and the buzz-worthy Savvy Scoop wedding blog, we see hundreds of real wedding photos each and every day.  So we are thrilled to introduce a new group of brides-to-be to Emmajane Photography!

About OneWed
OneWed provides the largest searchable online database of local wedding vendors, with honest and detailed ratings and reviews. Founded in 2003 and re-launched in December 2008, OneWed boasts a directory of over 200,000 vendors nationwide. OneWed also features smart editorial content including tips, advice, and creative suggestions to help any couple personalize their wedding experience. With the launch of OneWed’s Savvy Scoop Wedding Blog, online Wedding Checklist, Free Wedding Websites, and Honeymoon Planner, couples can continue to look to OneWed for everything from wedding dresses to planning advice. OneWed can be found online at  www.OneWed.com,  www.facebook.com/Wedding.Planning,  and www.twitter.com/OneWed.

I am so excited to have had one of my photos chosen for this and to be given this seal. I know that our work is not determined by awards or accolades, but its nice to have someone feel your work is good enough to promote a big website such as OneWed.  I look forward to seeing the new layout of their homepage.  In the future your wedding may be submitted to OneWed for their Savvy Scoop Wedding Blog!  So keep your eyes peeled!

I cant even begin to tell you how happy I am to be shooting Patrick and Jessica’s wedding next year.  First of all, Jessica is one of the sweetest people I have known and she deserves the happiness and love that Patrick gives her and her son Kaleb.  I met Jessica early last year when I took photos of Kaleb ( what a cutie) and she has become a regular client of mine. 
It is important to me to spend time with my clients before the wedding be it during consultations, or during a session such as this, because being comfortable with your clients and vice versa is so important on the wedding day.  I’m not at the wedding doing a job, I’m documenting the memories and moments of 2 very special people.  Now that I know Jessica so well, I have no problem posing her on her head or in a field of spinach ( just kidding) (maybe). 

I am in the process of desgining Jessica and Patrick’s guest book which they will use at their wedding.  Its wonderful for friends and family to share their thoughts and advice on that special day and the guest book with photos from their engagement session is a perfect way to do that.   

We chose University of Washington for our locations.    There are just so many different areas on the UW campus that the possibilities for different shots were endless.  From the trees and the sprawling greens, to the architecture of the school buildings, we felt it was just an inspiring location.

Here a few of the photos from our session!

Sunday I went to the University of Washington for Jessica and Patrick’s engagement session ( sneak peeks soon to come)
and usually I don’t bring my kids with me, but with the weather being so nice I wanted to bring them so we could spend some time together.  Izzy chased Justin around while we took photos.  It was nice to be able to work but also be with my family.   Justin even helped me with the reflector at one point and I was showing him how to see the light.   He did a good job.   After that we went to Whole Foods which is becoming one of my favorite stores.   We got a smoothie and some mini desserts as well as did some shopping.

Anyway, I recently got this cute pink parasol.   I am not a huge “prop” person but bright colors and fun things to keep my daughter happy are always a plus. I snapped a few of these, she wasn’t as into photos as much as she usually is and she said the parasol was pretty but too heavy for her hands.

So here are a few of from my 5 minutes she gave me

I decided I would take to my blog to air out my American Idol feelings ( and some other thoughts). While this isnt photography related, this is my blog and I decided I will be sharing things that don’t always relate to photography because this is who I am. You guys all want to know what im doing and thinking 24/7 right? right?

Well, I have watched American Idol for every single season. Sad maybe? but fun nonetheless. I like to think I know a bit about singing and talent. Then again others may think not. ( for the record, I myself cannot sing even though I truly love to. ((my mom, sister and son can.. it skipped me.. sad face)) On a side note from that, when I sing at Rockband it says awesome.. so maybe I can sing.. hmm)
Well, I was sad to see Matt go home last night, but as they said with 5 someone has to go. ( I would have preferred it to be Allison). While it seems everyone around me falls to the floor with emotion whenever the name ADAM LAMBERT is mentioned… I am not an Adam fan. I don’t discredit his singing ability.. he can sing. I just don’t think he is an American Idol. I wouldn’t buy his album that’s for sure. I think he is honestly better suited for Broadway. He would be awesome in Rocky Horror Picture Show, no?
I really want to see a Danny/Kris final but it probably wont happen. Either way its interesting to see what happens and who becomes more popular after its all over. Daughtry anyone? I will tell you this, anyone who thinks for a second that parts of the show are not rigged.. think again.

I was out twittering today as I was at Target and I realized I am clearly not alone in my fascination to shop there. Its funny that there seems to be this subliminal dollar amount you are allowed to leave the store with. Usually I cant get out without spending at least $50 but we all know sometimes we don’t have that, but still need to go to Target. So what do you do?
1. Know what you want.
2. Walk directly there, do not pass go, do not stop in the home furnishings aisle.
3. Proceed to register ( not looking at the end caps), pay and walk out.
Voila! Easier said then done, but sometimes you just have too.

For those of you in Seattle, you know that the weather today is simply gorgeous and will be tomorrow also. Go outside, breathe in the air ( But not to closely to anyone else for fear of catching swine flu). Enjoy the sun and the happy feelings that go with it.

I just got home from an AMAZING weekend in Seattle. Open Source Photo had a meet-up for its West Coast members ( or anyone who wanted to fly out here). The organizers set up a weekend chalk full of the most amazing speakers and arranged some fantastic shoots for us.
I was able to hear:
Mike Larson
Jim Garner
Gene Higa
Ken Sklute
and
Kevin Swan

If you haven’t heard of these guys, they are all AMAZING photographers, top 10 wedding photographers even!
Learning and expanding my knowledge base is always something I enjoy doing and I really took it all in. I actually feel that I will be putting the things I learned into action in the next few weeks. I was really inspired.
I also met some amazing photographers from the area, as well as down the Coast. Its great to meet people that you respect that you work with, as well as up and coming photographers just starting out.

I was very spoiled because the event was held at Hotel 1000. I had suggested this to the organizers and also talked to the marketing director. I felt it would be the perfect location and I am so glad it worked out. I was spoiled because Josh ( my husband) works there as a Manager and everyone took extra special care of me.

Here are just a few photos I have proofed so far. I plan to do some extra special things with them so keep checking back!