Becka Jayne Photography

Early Mornings with Emma

2012-02-12T15:42:00.000-08:00

My Very First Workshop

2012-01-30T21:45:00.000-08:00

I started taking photos of my life when I was 6. I set up travel books on a blanket to imitate commercial photos, I made my brother pose like James Bond and I took far too many photos of buildings and people from 100 feet away. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was having fun and every roll seemed like a treasure hunt when the film was finally developed. Disappointment was king of most photos; I didn't understand why the images on paper looked so very different than the images that had been in my mind.

Fast forward 12 years and you'll find me buying my very first digital camera. I was ecstatic...until I loaded the first set of images onto my computer. It was at that point, tearfully staring at my screen wondering what happened to all the beauty I had imagined myself capturing, that I really began to ask "How can I get this camera and my mind to be friends?" I read everything photography related I could get my hands on, I spent hundreds of hours scouring forums and looking at iconic photos, and I practiced. And practiced. And practiced. Finally the mechanics in my head, and the mechanics in my hand started to play nicely.

Fast forward another 5 years. I'm sitting in my bedroom with notes, resources and outlines splattered over the floor and bed. I have an idea (thank you Tai), a rough outline, a million photos, a look and a website. After years of trying to help other people understand what I know and am learning, I've pulled the information together and am putting it into a manual- a teaching aid of sorts. This is for everyone who has ever asked me, "How can I take the photos that I want? What does this button on my camera do? Do I need a big flash? and What lens should I buy next?"

If you live in my area and struggle to take the everyday photos you wish you could, this ~~brain dump~~ workshop may be just for you! I would love to help you learn more about the confusing mechanical box that magically creates still pictures. At least, I still think it's magical. ;)

For more info or to register, check out this website... http://workshop.beckajayne.com/.

Grace Olympia

2012-01-28T22:27:00.001-08:00

I met little Grace today. She's just as beautiful as I imagined she would be. More to come.

Heart-snatcher

2011-12-24T12:59:00.000-08:00

We've already had three weeks with this heart-snatcher. I'm so glad he's here for Christmas this year. :)

LaRosa Family {LaRosa Estate}

2011-12-11T13:40:00.001-08:00

Time and again I've longed for adventure,

Something to make my heart beat the faster.

What did I long for? I never really knew.

Finding your love I've found my adventure,

Touching your hand, my heart beats the faster,

All that I want in all of this world is you.

-Ella Fitzgerald

Golden

2011-12-10T23:33:00.001-08:00

Tonight I had a family photo shoot over at LaRosa Estate. The dead bare of winter turns gold in the sunset and becomes a magical place limited only by your imagination. I can't wait to show you the photos of Mike and Noel tomorrow!

Care-bear

2011-12-09T21:04:00.001-08:00

I had no clue that when I started calling her care-bear a couple years ago, I would come to discover how appropriately the name fit. Cari is quite possibly THE most caring person I have ever had the honor to call my friend- and I am surrounded a lot of caring people. To be honest I wasn't always 100% appreciative of her care and interest...but she's one of the most missed in my life. I LOVE getting to catch up with her whenever I get the chance on the phone and in person. She's loving and crazy and wild about Jesus. She's an honest to goodness Care-bear. :)

The York Family

2011-12-03T23:39:00.001-08:00

While I'm not going back to verify this outrageous claim, I am pretty sure I've written more blog posts about the York family than I have of my own. Excluding my high-school pastor, this was the first family I ever took photos for and have continued to terrorize with the big black box I shove in these poor kiddos faces. I still have the photo where, so traumatized by his brother's tears and the chaos happening around him, kiddo three is praying and pleading that I and my camera would just be done already. True story.

It has gotten to the point where I don't even get camera faces anymore, just blank stares or complete ignoring. I work around these difficulties and ~~bribe~~ creatively vie for moments of their sole attention. This time around we won a small victory. I finally managed to teach the two older girls how to sit (on the edge of a chair). It's brilliant, and with sitting comes still, and with still comes endless possibilities. Victory indeed!

In all seriousness, I love this family to death and hope my paparazzi ways will continue to haunt them quite far into their futures. Our objective was to get a good Christmas photo (mission accomplished) but while we were waiting for everyone to get ready I managed to convince these ones to sit around for me.

The Medhurst Family

2011-12-02T22:08:00.001-08:00

I believe that the love shown in a family is made of up little interactions. It's not some big display or pompous announcement - it's a gentle touch, a whispered word, the way he smiles at her out of the side of his mouth, a poke of the cheek, a flashed grin and that squeeze of the elbow. It's in the way children smile peacefully, the way they cling to their mother and soar in their father's arms. Love. Trust. Peace. Comfort. It's all here in these precious images of a family all very much in love with each other.

Double Aunt-Knightedness

2011-12-01T21:41:00.001-08:00

I can still remember how our matching baby dolls felt. My sister and I received them for being flower girls in a wedding and though mine quickly had it's fingers chewed and ruined, I was fascinated the little, smooth, soft face felt as I traced my own little fingers around the ears, eyes, mouth and nose of Veronica. I couldn't imagine how anything could be more precious and like most little girls I spent hours and hours making sure this plastic and cloth bundle of joy was housed, clothed, fed, loved and told enough stories. (Because every bundle of joy needs to hear stories)

The only difference between the two was that mine had seen me through a sore teeth and manic biting stage of life. Like the toy of any older child, my sister had kept hers in pristine condition. Instead of jealousy I felt a strong desire to protect this baby doll from anything that might befall it's perfect and precious appearance. Let's just ignore the fact that I took far greater care of my sister's baby doll than my own and focus on the real issue here. Aunthood. I wanted to be a part of that club even as a kid. Sign me up, take my dues and give me my darn "My nephew is cuter than yours." bumper sticker already! For the love of all that is good I want a REAL baby doll to watch grow up.

Initiation into this not-exclusive Aunthood club began a year and a half ago with the birth of Whitaker, and last night I was promoted to double Aunt-knightedness when little Thaddeus pushed his way into this world a little earlier than any of us anticipated. I didn't think anyone could be as precious as my first nephew, but Tad's spunkiness is winning me over already!

Congratulations Nicki and Sam on the blessing of another healthy and adorable little guy. Now let's hope Whit comes around to liking this new intrusion into his life. :)

The VanDykes

2011-11-18T21:53:00.001-08:00

2011-11-16T22:33:00.001-08:00

A treat from the other night...isn't this couple just lovely?

Sometimes Joy Comes In Black and White

2011-11-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

This group of people helped keep me sane while I was at college. Some of the best friends one could ask for. These photos were from last year's Christmas party...but I only stumbled upon them this week. Don't you wish you could be as cool as us? haha

Gina {Maternity}

2011-10-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

Gina's beauty strikes you the minute you meet her. She's gorgeous on the outside, but there's more to her beauty than outward appearance. She has a compassion that emanates in everything she does, drawing friends to her like children to candy. As one of our friends said, "[Gina has] One of the most beautiful hearts I know." She loves so many people already, I can't imagine how much she cherishes her daughter who she can't even see yet! (Well, not much more than a bump) Looking over these photos again, I am touched with how a photograph can capture a glimpse into a mother's love- and the care of a father too. This is one little family that will change the lives of everyone they know just by the example of their own love.

A Quiet Place

2011-10-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

This is where I like to come and sit...overlooking the river and surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. (It's all dying right now, getting ready to survive through the winter) I think everyone should have a "quiet place" where they are free to read, think and pray without the distractions of the world and technology. This log is my quiet place...covered with my tears and privy to my heart's most earnest pleas.

2011-10-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to show or say today. It's been a long month and all I have to say is praise God for the sacrifice of His Son, His continual love, and the fact that He is Truth.

The Farinha Family

2011-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

I've been photographing the Farinha family since Jo-bugs was born (He's in kindergarten now). I care about this family so much and have counted it as a privilege to capture their love over the last few years. I went back through this blog and found a couple of old photos of the two older children that made me laugh...and brought back some good memories.

Here they all are today...

Meet Anna {Senior Photos}

2011-09-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in a cafeteria booth a year ago, my back against the wall, feet on the table, totally engrossed in the latest edition of Vogue. Seth swaggered over (yes, he does swagger, it's true) and threw himself down on the booth bench opposite me. By now he may not remember the following conversation, but it's stayed imprinted in my mind.

"How's it going?"

I glanced up from my magazine and muttered an "Eh, you know. School's being school right now... and this is a great layout with Lara Stone!"

Of course he had no idea what I was talking about, so I showed him the images and commented on how I would love to photograph someone like Lara- a beauty with an unconventionally beautiful face.

"My sister Anna loves all this stuff. She's really into clothes and fashion. She reads all of these magazines. I bet she'd love you to photograph her." I leaned back and listened as he continued to describe how Anna searches thrift stores for unique outfits, how she cuts and sews her clothes to make them just right and how an incident in the past had left her with an insatiable desire to express her identity through clothing. His attitude was half respect for his sister's passion and half disdain for the amount of time it takes for her to "get ready" each day.

I had to laugh at his matter-of-fact explanation of a girl's love of fashion, but it had me interested and I knew right then and there that I had to photograph this girl. Nearly a year later and I've finally been able to get this girl in front of my camera. He never told me that like Lara, Anna is also an unconventional beauty. Just look at the way the camera eats her up, it believes she can do no wrong. I am particularly fond of her hair in all it's Farrah Fawcett "bigness". You can check out all the images here: Anna's Proofs

McDonald's and Being Consistent

2011-09-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

As general obesity is on a rise and documentaries like Super Size Me slam fast food chains into the ground, I'm almost ashamed to admit a secret love for McDonald's soft serve sundaes and chicken nuggets. The world now frowns on this food giant whose fries can last months without going moldy in a way it never did when I was a child and Happy Meals were just that. Happy. I never thought I would read a book that used the McDonald's Corporation as it's most hallowed example, unless the book was titled "How to die...faster" yet this weekend I did and it's still racing around in my head.

In his book The E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber takes the story of McDonald's and shows that the success of the company relies almost entirely on it's consistency and ability to reproduce itself anywhere and with anyone. We all know that at any point in time, at any place in the world, you could walk into a McDonald's restaurant and expect to be served the same way and the same product you have always been served. (With slight variation) It's really amazing when you stop and think about it. This genius is a business franchise model and bases itself around the idea of consistency. Everything has a process and that process is followed down to the smallest part.

To be quite honest, I haven't been able to stop thinking about this idea of consistency. It haunts me. I swear, there is a consistency ghost and I know where it lives. For the last couple of years I've been taking photos of people and events (obviously). It's been fun at times and I've enjoyed the process, but the process has changed as I've grown and learned more. Nothing about my photography has been consistent. The images themselves have gotten better, the look of my business has been through changes and the way I interact with clients has also changed. The way I would have answered your email a year ago is not the same way I would answer it today. (For the best, I hope)

This change has been good, but it's time for it to slow down. Lately I've been writing down every process I go through, every interaction that needs to be made and every step that happens between an inquiry from you and the delivery of the final product. I've been working hard to be consistent. Simplifying and structuring a step by step guide for myself to follow. It's not just because some guy in a book said it was the new and hip thing to do (because it's not new or hip), but because in reading his ideas I realized something that I've always known but never put into practice.

Here it is; Being consistent allows me to be more personal with my clients and their needs. Having a process and structure allows me the freedom to concentrate on you and what you need, rather than having to worry about when and how to answer inquiries, what proofing is going to look like today and if I've managed to give you all the information you need to know. Structure is freedom to concentrate on what is most important. You. So here's to structure and this new path of consistency. I'm excited to be free to focus on you, your family, and the great images we are going to make together in a way I've never done before.

And because blog posts are better with photos.... This is from last night's senior shoot with Anna.

The Brown Wedding

2011-09-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

Alison's gift is with words. She has a speech for every event, a heartfelt talk for every moment and a well written card for every celebration (even the ones you don't think to celebrate). Her words bring people together in a unique way- pulling strangers into friendships and dragging genuine laughter out of the biggest grouches. Micah also has this gift, along with the ability to create images and designs that reach people and tell stories with minimal lines.

They are both artists-living creatively. Words, photos, designs...they use these things to draw people together and minister the love of God. They love others and are greatly loved in return. This was evident on their wedding day, as friends and family traveled from all over the country to join the couple as they turned their gifts toward each other and publicly proclaimed their love and commitment in the sight of God.

Thank you Micah and Alison for allowing me to be a part of your day and for being "too much fandom".

Hair and Make-Up: Icon Salon

Ceremony Location: Cornerstone Baptist Church

Reception Location: Bur Mill

Flowers: Botanica

Rings: Royal Diadem Jewelers

To see more photos, purchase prints or read their story, visit Micah and Alison's wedding website here: http://micahandalison.beckajayne.com

Little Moments

2011-09-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Meet Emma {Senior Photos}

2011-08-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

A Weekly Reminder

2011-08-28T00:49:00.000-07:00

Emma is a weekly reminder. My weekly reminder. Every Sunday when she walks through the arched entrance into our church building, she reminds me that God has made each of us different. She smiles and waves and I think of how the Lord has plans for his children and has gifted each one accordingly. She slides into her chair and I think of how God has blessed her specifically with beauty, creativity and kindness. Tonight, as I shot her senior pictures I was reminded again of the diversity of every human on this planet. Emma is beautiful, but she also has a heart with a huge capacity to love and show kindness. She cares greatly. She trusts implicitly. She is truly more than just her beautiful face. Here's a peek into what we did tonight.

Anticipation in North Carolina

2011-08-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

No, today's post has nothing to do with the impending arrival of hurricane Irene in North Carolina. (Though I'm praying for the safety of everyone on the lower East Coast this weekend) I'm posting today about the anticipation that swells the morning of a wedding. As the minutes and hours tick by, bringing all those involved closer and closer to the marriage ceremony, the anticipation builds to a peak. Honestly, the "getting ready" is one of my favorite parts of a wedding. It's raw. It's real. It's packed with emotion. (And I get to help people stay calm and stress free).

Alison and Micah were married several weeks ago in the hot and humid city of Greensboro, NC. It may have been sticky and sweaty in the noontime heat, but smiles, jokes and laughter abounded. There was so much joy on this day. As a member of the bridal party and I stood on the sidelines watching the rest of the party interact, they turned to me and said, "Having Jesus at the center makes all this so much more meaningful-and that meaning makes this all so much more joyful." I couldn't have said it any better myself.

I've try not to split up weddings when I post, but sometimes I love so much about a wedding day that I just have to. Keep scrolling to see images from the start of Micah and Alison's joyful day.

Isn't Alison so beautiful? A self proclaimed A-type personality, she did SUCH a fantastic job of letting go of the little annoyances and frustrations of an event and just enjoying the day after her months of planning.

Stephanie is a fellow "arteest". She is a very talented artist and designer...as you shall see in a future post.

"No, we have to pop your collar so you look cool."
"Sure Beckie, sure...."

This is my favorite shot of the morning. You have to love the endless possibilities of shooting in a small, dark room.

The bridesmaids, ready to assist the bride to get into her dress. It's quite the task.

Why Professional Photography Costs So Much {and how I end up working for 16 cents an hour}

2011-08-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

In the last few years I have heard countless comments and questions about the price of professional photography. It seems that when someone finds out I’m a photographer, they want to tell me all their photography horror stories - how their friend’s daughter was overcharged for her child’s portraits; the wedding photographer who never got pictures of the bride and groom together (such a shame); the outrageous cost of prints at a studio, etc… While some of these stories have me cringing alongside the teller, wishing I could have been there to save them, or nodding because at some point I have made the same mistake, there are some stories/comments/questions that scream the voice of ignorance. While I do my best to politely educate those I know, there are two questions that I hear over and over that I would love to write about - lest you, too, my dear blog reader, are as ignorant as some.

These two questions fall into the same category and can be answered together - why does professional photography cost so much? And what expenses can a digital photographer actually have?

The first is the most common. People will find out discover I’m a photographer and, wanting the inside scoop on such an obvious scam, ask me, “Why does wedding photography cost so much? You guys get paid like, $500 an hour. You must be making bank!” Or, “I don’t understand why my photographer charges so much for prints. I can get them printed at Wally World for 15 cents apiece!” (At this point they proceed to tell me that they buy only one print, scan it on their computer and print their own copies. Normally a smug grin is on their face, as if they have outwitted the greedy, money-hungry photographer.)

I wish photography really was as easy and cheap as these folks think it is. Sadly, that’s just not the case. When paying for a professional photographer there are three main areas that you are paying for:

1. Talent, skill and experience.

2. Expenses.

3. Time.

1.) Talent, skill and experience are hard to put a price on, and yet these are the very core of a good photographer. These are the very aspects that a client looks for when deciding who he/she wants to trust to let into their lives. Style, trust and a personal connection are just different ways of defining talent, skill and experience. The professional photographer knows the technical aspects of photography well enough to be able to shoot his particular “style” in any situation. These are the areas where most photographers strive to improve upon and where they judge and compare themselves to others. To be proficient here takes time, expensive and continuing education, and the type of people skills that come from years of dealing with people.

In his book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell explains his “10,000 hour rule” which basically states that for someone to be an expert in their field, they need 10,000 hours experience. That’s four hours a day, every day, for the next seven years. While a photographer may not have 10,000 hours logged away, he will have a large chunk of time invested into his craft - so that you can have the best experience possible.

You know how disappointing it is when you take photos at your child’s play, a friend’s wedding or at Christmas around the tree and no one is looking the right way, the photos look terrible (or completely dark) and there’s a pole sticking out of the back of little Jack’s head. You mutter to yourself, “If only I had a really nice camera, then I’d be able to take good photos.” I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but those pictures have more to do with your lack of talent than with your camera. And that’s ok, you can’t be good at everything, which is why you pay a professional who has the talent and skill you lack, and has the experience to make sure everyone is comfortable and looking the right way.

2.) The second point doubles as a question I am often asked. I stumbled upon it again last week when I was in my dentist’s office where I was chatting with a fellow patient about my future plans and how I intend to pay for my business expenses. “EXPENSES?” he blurted out “What expenses do you have?” The man was genuinely confused about what expenses a portrait/wedding photographer might have and so I quickly explained the following:

First up, there’s all the actual photo equipment.

· Two cameras (at least)

· Multiple lenses

· Main and backup flashes

· Flash accessories (stands, umbrellas, gels, barn doors, etc.)

· Batteries for your cameras and flashes

· At least 30 gigs of memory cards

· A good camera bag(s)

· A fast computer or laptop

· Editing software

· External hardrives

· Off-site image storage

· And any extenders, props, filters, hoods or other accessories that are needed for particular shoots.

This will run around 25-30K. And don’t forget that half of this stuff has a life of 2 years. Sadly, camera equipment is not built to last forever. Then there are the regular costs of a small business. There is:

· A business license

· DBA

· Sales tax ID

· Liability insurance

· Equipment insurance

· Website cost (hosting, design and upkeep)

· Online storage

· Assistants and second shooters that are paid hourly

· Marketing research/client market analysis

· Flyers/posters/social media ads

· Business cards/stationary/office supplies

· Travel costs/Transportation

· Food while working

· Clothes that are wedding appropriate yet can be worked in for 14 hours

· Studio rent and furniture (if you own a studio)

· Phone lines and internet

· CPA

· And an attorney or membership to a photographer’s legal organization.

These expenses can be hefty. Start-up businesses normally do some of these themselves, costing a lot of time. Then there are client expenses.

· A way to proof images for the client

· Sample albums, prints, gallery wraps, canvases, etc

· Incentives

· Client gifts

· Packaging

· Props

· There is also the actual cost of products that the client orders (Do you know how many hundreds of dollars it costs the photographer to order a high quality album? It’s not cheap.) Professionals do not use 15 cent prints because the quality is terrible. Quality is generally what a professional buys when purchasing products for you.

Whatever is left over after actual expenses (income) is then subject to income tax - which will clear out 35% of whatever you were planning to feed your family with or compensate for your time invested. On top of all that, a pro needs enough money in a savings account to cover any broken equipment, a rental car, travel emergencies or business emergencies that insurance won’t cover.

3.) The third thing you are paying for when you hire a photographer is his time. To the lady who assumed her photographer was getting paid $500 an hour because he charged $5000 for a day’s work - you are sadly mistaken. As we have seen, expenses and income tax take a very large chunk out of what you pay your photographer. I have regularly shot weddings where at the end of the day I am left with $500 as an income. “Well, that’s still good.” you say, “That means if you shoot a 10-hour wedding, you are making $50 an hour. Right?” Very wrong. I’ve estimated that for every hour I spend shooting, there are 3-4 more hours of behind the scenes work. Let’s take a look at what a pro needs to spend time doing:

· Downloading, sorting and editing are straight up two hours (or more) for every hour I shoot.

· Meeting with clients

· Included shoots (engagement, bridal, etc)

· Preparing and packing equipment for shoots

· Regularly cleaning and taking care of all equipment

· Travelling to and from meetings and shoots

· Designing albums, marketing pieces, storyboards, etc

· Ordering Prints

· Uploading to the web/extra storage

· Packaging client orders (and finding said packaging)

· Scouting for props

· Reading to enhance business and spark creativity

· Follow up communication, revisions, delivery

· Workshops, trade shows, continuing education

· Keeping track of financial records

· Training interns and assistants

Personally, I easily spend around 50 hours on a wedding which works out to earning $10 an hour on a good day.(I once got a speeding ticket on the way home from a wedding which cleaned out my entire profit.) So yes, I am making bank and scamming hard-working people out of their money…right? And that, my dear blog readers who have made it this far, is why professional photography costs so much. If I could photograph you for free and be fully supported I would - but I need to eat and drive and wear clothes too. Unfortunately, the clients who buy the minimum purchase from their photographer and scan their own copies are costing that photographer money. They may think they are outwitting a greedy person, but they are really just stealing. It’s a sad world.

There is so much more I could say about photographers who shoot weddings for $500 (good and bad) and why you should hire a photographer for more than just a price point, but I fear I have well exceeded my blog space and don’t want to burn you out. Hopefully this has at least helped you understand why photographers charge what they do. Next time you hear someone complaining about how much it costs to hire someone to take pictures of their family, you can smile and maybe help educate them with the true cost of that 15 cent print from Wally World.

It's The Season For... Pirates?

2011-08-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

It's the start of the Christmas Photo season, and as usual, Chris is here to start it off! In true Chris style, it's a yo ho ho and a shiver me timbers... what an awesome grandmother!

Fred and Mary

2011-08-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

Outdoor weddings are shadowed by the threat of dark clouds and rain drops, and while the threat is relatively low in my state of California, the threat is Def Con 1 in the green state of Washington. As the day of Fred and Mary's wedding dawned, rain clouds began their journey toward the bride's home and location of the wedding. Friends and family quickly put together a "wet-day" plan and even the beginning fall of raindrops couldn't scare away or cover the joy and love that was gathering momentum in the house.

Congratulations Fred and Mary!

To see more pictures visit their website- http://ruckersfeldt.beckajayne.com/

Among things like bird watching, being camera happy and wearing highlighter colored t-shirts, Frederick is known for wearing bow ties. He and his groomsmen all wore bow ties. (after having to learn how to tie them)

Frederick showing off his newest acquisition.

One of the Bridesmaids and I decided that Mary is actually a beautiful forest nymph.

I love when cake toppers are fun... what a perfect set of PlayMobile figurines!

They were both so happy to just be together- dancing, catching up with friends are getting lost in each others eyes and kisses.

The rain started to pour down just minutes before the bride and groom sped away.

Pleased as Punch

2011-08-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

This morning I had an strange moment as I started sorting through photos from Saturday's wedding. The photo below popped onto my screen and the saying "Pleased as punch!" popped almost simultaneously into my mind. I'm not sure what part of my brain this particular colloquialism has been bouncing around in, but as odd as it is, I think it bounced on out at the perfect moment because on Saturday, at the very moment this photo was taken, I was as pleased as Punch. Two of my very dear friends (Alison and Micah) were joined together as man and wife and I couldn't be happier for the two of them. That, and I was just about to jump into a Bentley for the drive across town. Right-sided driving is how it's done!

The Wonderful Miss Lauren

2011-07-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

My sister and I were chatting about my latest trip to Washington when I mentioned my friend Lauren and how thankful I was that she was in the wedding and I got to see her again. With a smile breaking across her face, my sister starting reminiscing about her time working in our college library."I remember Lauren. I always liked her. She was the best person to shelf books with- and shelving books was the thing I hated the most." Everyone who knows Lauren has a similar story, and I think that says something about wonderful Miss Lauren. You see, you don't have to know Lauren very well to love her- she asks lots of questions, makes jokes, laughs at herself and isn't afraid to say what everyone else is thinking...and that's within the first hour of meeting her. She consistently gives the impression that she cares about you and is constantly using her little grey cells- even while she is sleeping. (Yes, she sleep talks- which means she sleep thinks- genius, I know!) My favorite part about her is that she loves God and is more interested in what you DO in response to His love than how many big words you use to talk about it.

All that to say that this Teddy Graham munching missionary kid from South-Rhode-Los-Africa-Island-Angeles is a really wonderful person and you should get to know her. You wouldn't regret it. I don't think anyone ever has. (Oh, and if you live in Rhode Island you should hire Lauren, she is smart and works hard.)

The Tree Farm

2011-07-18T23:59:00.000-07:00

I don't know if anyone else feels this way, but when I travel to a new place to shoot a wedding, the last thing I want to do is take photos like a tourist. In all honesty, pulling out my camera and setting off in hunt of landscape and area photos doesn't even cross my mind when I'm travelling for business. Maybe it's because I travel alone and subsequently spend most of my travel time with my nose in a book, or maybe it's the fact that I spend 15 straight hours shooting a wedding and that's plainly long enough. Whatever the reason, on my return home I realize I have nothing to show for my exciting adventures save photographs of the actual event. This particular habit has it's pros and cons, but I have learned to just live with this idiosyncrasy like all the rest of them.

I have lots of theories for my lack of travel photographs, but It never occurred to me that the places I visited were boring. I still don't believe that to be the case, but upon arriving at the Starne's tree farm in Washington I was so overwhelmed with the beauty lazily sitting and swaying around the property that I had my camera out within an hour. That's right- I took personal photos on a work weekend!! It was just so green. Green like my homeland New Zealand, and so humble and unassuming in it's gorgeousness. I guarantee the purple foxglove does not know how easy it is on the eyes. The moss hanging from every tree has no idea that it's adornment is mystifying in the best of ways and the tall grass that likes to dance, well I bet it dances to impress no one watching. Being unassuming does not make the nature any less beautiful, rather it gives a clearer view of it's creator. When the tree is not boasting how long it takes him to maintain his figure, and the bluebell hasn't taken action to put a little more color on her cheeks, the onlooker is not distracted from the One who made all that is seen. That is true beauty and this little tree farm was busting at the fence-lines trying to contain it all.

In Washington, on a small tree farm in the middle of nowhere, I saw beauty I haven't seen since my last trip to New Zealand. A small sample of the genius that designed this entire world.

(All photos straight out of the camera, no edit, no crop, just God's genius clearly shining through his creation)

A Little Place Called Washington

2011-07-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

"What is that, a man's head?" I pointed to a sign that indicated we were driving south on freeway 4- The black blob beneath the number looked more like a Rorschach test than anything else. Mrs. Starnes glanced away from the road she was navigating and gave a small chuckle, "I guess so. It's probably George Washington- a play on words." Mr. Washington's head whizzed past the window a few mores times before we made it to the airport and I wondered why I hadn't guessed this great state of Washington was named after our first president. I think my mind was clouded with the same constant fog that clung to the mountains and trees, provided a lush green landscape and cast a sky that could rival any professional softbox. Unfortunately, my cloud covered brain is not as beautiful as the North-Western landscape where I enjoyed this last weekend from which I have several posts to come that will include...

1.) Washington itself (the very very small part I was able to see {a tree farm to be precise}).

2.) The beautiful wedding of Frederick and Mary Ruckersfeldt.

and 3.) My good friend Lauren- who makes faces and tells the truth.

Chad and Rachel

2011-07-12T00:37:00.000-07:00

My heart has a problem. It's nothing that can be fixed by surgery or medicine because it's not a medical problem. You see, my heart is covered in soft spots. There is a soft spot in my heart for Christians. There is a soft spot in my heart for people who serve in the Marine Corps. There are soft spots for babies smiles, family love, little hands and feet, and a myriad of other such things. In my line of work- these soft spots are a good thing, though they are abused quite often.

Chad serves our country in the Marine Corps (In logistics, another one of my "soft spots"). He is married to the gorgeous Rachel, and they both fellowship in the same church as my family. When I came back from school and heard that Chad was being deployed soon, my heart practically screamed at me. "Take their pictures, take their pictures!" (Those darn soft spots) So last week, the five of us headed out to capture some of that love stuff that families have for each other. I didn't know either of them very well, but it was fun to hear how they met and learn a little about what Chad does/will be doing for our country. Also, as I worked through these photos, I couldn't help but thinking that Raleigh (the baby) often looks like she's contemplating how to take over the world. (Smart babies are another soft spot)

Farm Kids

2011-07-04T17:28:00.000-07:00

Sophia is One

2011-06-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

This little sweetie pie is a year old now!! My how time flies, it doesn't seem that long ago we were taking baby photos.

John and Kelsey {Wedding}

2011-06-12T20:20:00.000-07:00

Even though Kelsey and I attended the same small college in Southern California, we didn't spend much time with each other. I had heard of her sweet yet spunky spirit from our mutual friends, however, and was thrilled when she contacted me about shooting her wedding. I know people talk about hiring people who come with great references, but in this case it was Kelsey who was spoken so highly of and I felt so blessed to be working for her. As the day of the wedding arrived and I met Kelsey and her family on the morning of, I realized that it was not just Kelsey who could be spoken highly of, but her family and friends were as friendly, gracious, loving and patient as she was. John is a very blessed man to be marrying such a wonderful woman, with such a great family as I'm sure he knows.

Many thanks to Taylor who rode along with me to help shoot, get me water and tell me where the stop signs are, it definitely made the long car ride to Grass Valley manageable. All in all it was a great day in a beautiful little town with wonderful people- I couldn't have asked for a better day or work.

You can find more photos of the wedding at http://mehciz.beckajayne.com/

Just A Little Preparation

2011-06-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite parts of the wedding day is the hours the bride, her family and her friends spend getting ready the morning of. Sometimes these few hours drag along under the stress of the day, but in other cases it's the hours that show just how much the family and friends care for one another as they help the bride prepare to leave her family and begin a new one with a man who is very soon to be her husband for life. Can't you see the potential in this preparation? There is no other event where the readying of oneself is quite as important.

On May 21st, As Kelsey, her friends and family buzzed around the family home in anticipation of the day's ceremony, I was struck with how much they all loved each other. There was no stress apparent, no hurrying to and fro in a frenzy and no harsh or quick words thrown out. Instead, what I saw was a group of women sharing stories and laughing as everyone waited their turn for hair and makeup, two little girls playing with their soft toys happily as thoughts of pretty dresses and princesses played through their minds, a bride who's bright smile and laugh were infectious, and a father and mother who love their daughter very much and were so proud of the woman they have watched her become. As the day wore on everyone was fed, friends rocked crying babies and Chip (the dog) sat in mourning with the knowledge that he was no longer needed to protect the beautiful woman dressed in white.

I love these few precious hours before the wedding. I watch carefully and learn from the stories of relationships playing before my eyes and I do everything in my power to capture just how meaningful these moments are and how cherished they will one day be.

To be continued...

Micah and Alison

2011-05-25T13:55:00.000-07:00

I met Micah and Alison separately at the college we all graduated from in Southern California. Alison (from the east coast) and I lived in the same dorm for a year, and Micah (from Northern California) and I were slave workers in our campus media department. I smiled every time I walked past the two of them hanging out in our dorm lounge, knowing that they claimed to be "only friends" while their eyes said otherwise. After Alison graduated and moved back to her home in North Carolina, it was fun to watch their relationship progress from Micah's perspective.

Micah had always told me that I would be his wedding photographer, yet I was still so excited when they conference skype called me last year and formally requested my creative presence at their summer wedding in NC. I'll be heading out there in early August to be a part of their big day, but was able to capture some engagement photos of them a couple of weeks ago- the day after both Micah and I walked across the stage at our school graduation.

To see more pictures and to get to know them a little better, check out their Wedding photo website at http://micahandalison.beckajayne.com/

Even though I know both Micah and Alison, there is still so much I can learn about them while photographing an engagement session that will help me capture them better on their wedding day. I get to see how they interact with each other in front of a camera, how much or how little encouragement they need to be natural and what makes them laugh or act seriously in love.

Here Micah is repeating lines from their favorite chick-flick, Sleepless in Seattle. He sounded so much like Tom Hanks he even had me pausing what I was doing to listen and laugh along.

They love to dance. Major props go out to Micah.

Alison is so beautiful! One of my first memories of her was being dressed up as Hayley from the band Paramore for a costume party we went to. I thought she looked so gorgeous and cool- and here I am three years later getting to photograph her for her wedding. So awesome!

...everybody and everything is changing...

2011-05-14T21:12:00.000-07:00

Last night I wore the ugliest outfit known to man, sat through a two hour ceremony, walked across a stage and had a bunch of photos taken with friends and family...also known as a college graduation. I had a blast sitting between Wong and Wright...we had been waiting four years for this night. It was an end of the TMC era in my life and the beginning of something yet to be known. I'm not one hundred percent sure what is in my future, but I do know that I'm excited to see what the Lord has already laid out for me to walk through and ready to work hard at whatever that is.

As thrilled as I am to be graduating with my undergraduate degree, I will miss the close proximity to the precious friendships I have formed over the last few years- especially with the girls who lived on the same wing as I did. The day before graduation some of us heading out to the lawn to take some photos together- these girls I will miss.

And finally, this morning I spent a couple hours shooting engagement photos with Micah and Alison (soon to be) Brown. I can't wait to shoot their wedding in North Carolina come August. This couple loves the Lord so much and the way they have striven to put him first in their relationship has been such an example to me-and the love they have for each other can be seen by even the casual onlooker. Sometimes I feel so honored to be allowed to capture this type of love for a job.

Miss Chelsea

2011-05-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

"I'm really just quirky. I don't know why I'm a literature major, I'm too quirky." As she said this, Chelsea smiled at me as she looked over the top of her modernist book. There's always something mischievous to be found in the reflection of her eyes and some quip on the tip of her tongue. In a couple weeks Chelsea will be graduating from Cal State University of Northridge (CSUN) and will be finished with her Literature studies for as long as she wants. I doubt her studies will stop though, what I love about Chels is that she is hungry for learning and she feeds that appetite daily. God has blessed me with some really amazing friends, and this one lights up my day every time I see her. I wish every one could be as blessed as I am to have her as their friend.

She's a reader. She loves to learn. She loves to think.

She always wants to know why she believe what she does.

Ain't she beautiful?

Winding Down

2011-04-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

I have nine school days left. NINE! I have been in school for the last eighteen years of my life and today as I sit here looking at my planner I realize it's all down to the next nine days. While my graduation ceremony is a month away, the actual days of sitting in a classroom can be counted on my fingers. Such a glorious thought!! I'm so excited to be starting the next phase in my life, whatever that holds.

As the school year winds down, the ratio of parties and school functions to days pick up. This past weekend was our annual school formal. The party was held at the Reagan Library and Museum in Simi Valley. I didn't take many photos while I was there (I was filming instead) but I did manage to snap a few of friends in between filming.

AND... congratulations to Drew and Michelle Longacre for winning the calendar from last week. I will be in touch with you guys soon. :)

The Days of the Week...And a Contest!

2011-04-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

I love my planner very much. I have a tendency to double book things, or forget that I have things coming up, so my planner keeps me doing what I need to be doing. The days of my week look a little like this...

Today the postman delivered something else that helps keep track of the days of the week. I ordered this calendar as a product test/sample for a new company I'm thinking of using and I can't stop looking at it.

I love this calendar so much, that I want to give one away to one of my past clients. If I have taken photos of you, your family or your wedding, then I'm throwing a giveaway just for you. Leave me a comment with your name in the comment box below before April 18th and you'll be in the drawing for one of these calendars of your own. Good luck!

I'm cool...

2011-03-30T11:26:00.001-07:00

I have a mug with my name on it... this makes me cool or important or something, right? :D

Over the River and Through the Woods

2011-03-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Truly one of the funniest and saddest productions The Master's College has put on so far; the theater crew smacked this production out of the park. Kaity and I headed down to the dress rehearsal of Over the River and Through the Woods last Wednesday night to shoot the play uninhibited. The minute I walked through the door I was amazed at the detail of the set. The stage looked exactly like the elderly residents homes in an apartment block my parents used to manage. From the effort put into the stage alone, I knew we were going to be in for a treat.

I had never heard of this play and was a little skeptical when I discovered the cast consisted of an entire six people, and four were supposed to be grandparents. However, the script and acting matched up to the expectations the stage had set- the chemistry of the cast was unbelievable. If I hadn't known half of the actors, I would have thought they were all family with the way they interacted.

I am convinced I have seen some of this furniture in older homes before!

Here is the director putting the final touches onto on of the actor's makeup.

Marcus even shaved his head for this production. That's right- he looks balding because he really is.

One of my favorite characters- also the saddest.

This play had quite a few monologues- Edwin Tevez did an amazing job on the lighting!

I've known Brighton since we were in High School- this girl is hilarious!

The cast used real food and, being set in an Italian home, there sure was a lot of food.

The game scene was one of my favorites. It reminded me so much of family game time.