Things I Love {MD, PA, WV, VA, Washington DC Photographer}

As I continue my journey to become a super awesome blogger and prepare for my NEW BLOG (predicted to be ready around mid-July-ish), I've been thinking a lot about what kind of posts I want to include in my efforts. I've recently been finding a lot of new and fun things that I LOVE online (and elsewhere) and am always excited to share. So what better way to share than with some "things I love" postings. I know other bloggers do this, too, but there's just no better way to say it or share it. So here ya go...first Things I Love post!

First, who's heard of the super cute handmade shop Love Stitched? I found them on Etsy a little while back and have been admiring their handmade lovelies since. Rosette hair clips, rosette rings and necklaces...everything rosettes! Check out their shop here and check out their latest deal on GroopDealz here.

Photo credit: Love Stitched

Secondly, I love when brides and grooms dress up their weddings with unique and DIY details. Like alternative guestbooks, for example. One of my new fave blogs Oh Lovely Day, just did a post about this and I love the examples they're sharing like the calendar/birthday idea and the fingerprints instead of signatures. Check out the post and super neat-o ideas here.

Photo credit: Oh Lovely Day via their photo credits

And lastly, I love shopping at the outlets. My mother-in-law has graciously offered to take Ally out for a little shopping spree and we're finally going tomorrow! Buying clothes for my baby girl is so much fun - I love looking through all the little dresses, all the ruffles, all the bright colors - so I am super excited for our shopping trip (thanks, Pam!). One thing on our to-find list: a red, white and blue outfit for the 4th of July. I'm liking what the Carter's website is showing so far.

Photo credit: Carter's

I hope you enjoyed the first installment of Things I Love. Hopefully I can pair this with little giveaways sometime in the near future. :)

Spring Time... {MD, PA, WV, VA, Washington DC Wedding Photographer}

So far my spring time has been filled with tons of portrait sessions with great families, couples and kids. After a long winter off taking care of my baby girl Ally and working on/thinking about a few business projects, it's been wonderful getting out and actually shooting. I've also been trying to do some personal shooting...taking pictures for myself and not the rest of the world. It's refreshing and relaxing. Here's something from one of my recent personal shoots:

My Ally girl! Don't you just love her polka dot sun hat? I've been keeping up with her growth and development every month with a little photo shoot. I just hope I don't get all creativity-ed out over the next few months. Not only will I have a shoot to plan each month for Ally, but also a ton of great weddings to prep for. My season officially starts this Saturday with this super cute couple:

Now for my e-newsletter readers who are searching for the discount special of the season...

Prints, even canvases...anything you can order through your online gallery (only)! It's so important to print and display your pictures in your home because if you don't do it now, you'll probably forget about the images, let them sit on their disc or in their online gallery, and never allow them to breath colorful life inside your home. Take me for example...Brian and I got married almost three years ago, there are exactly seven wedding pictures in our home (one was a gift) and that's it...no album, no book lying on the coffee table...and I'm a wedding photographer! I'm telling ya, do it now before it's too late.

And as I've been mentioning in my last few blog posts, get ready for my NEW BLOG coming this summer! I've got a designer working on it now and I cannot wait to start using it! I plan to blog portrait sessions and weddings, but also new fashion styles, wedding detail ideas, pictures of Ally, crafty projects...all kinds of new and neat-o stuff! I not only want my blog to be a place for beautiful pictures, but also a place for inspiration. So stay tuned as my new blog continues to develop. Will you be one of my blog followers? Let me know by leaving me a comment...please and THANK YOU!

And if you haven't yet voted for your faves in Hagerstown, you can do so here. VOTE JFP as best photography studio for Hagerstown Magazine's 2011 HotList! Hollleerrr!!!

Hagerstown Hot List {MD, PA, WV, VA, Washington DC Wedding Photographer}

I am happy and excited to announce that my pictures from Maggie and Bobby's September wedding will be featured in the May/June issue of the Hagerstown Life Magazine! Maggie and Bobby's wedding was one of my favorites because their reception was at the newly opened Barn at Springfield Farm in Williamsport, MD. It's a beautiful venue and I know it's going to become one of THE most sought out wedding venues in the area. I haven't seen the feature in print yet, so I am anxiously awaiting to receive my copies in the mail. YAY for being published locally! Now to strive for national publishing...:)

The lovely Maggie and Bobby...

Along with the feature, I'm also in the running for best photography studio for Hagerstown Magazine's 2011 Hot List! I would be absolutely thrilled and honored to be deemed "the best", so I'm asking for your support. If you'd like to vote for Jessica Fike Photography, visit Hagerstown Magazine's website, read the rules carefully and fill out a ballot. You do need to fill in at least 10 favorites (restaurants, stores, family spots, etc.) across the seven different categories for the ballot to count, so if you're not from Hagerstown, do a little Google searching or ask some friends about their faves.

Begin your voting here! And THANK YOU!!!! Times a million!!!

After you vote, leave me a comment (here on the blog) letting me know you did so I can personally THANK YOU!!!

Things to Share {MD, PA, WV, VA, Washington DC Wedding Photographer}

Just writing to share a few new fave things...
I'm gonna get a little crafty this week and make one of these for Ally and I:

Photo via The Sweetest Occasion

I think matching fabric pom pom brooches will be the perfect accessory for Easter. I actually got the idea from one of my new favorite blogs, The Sweetest Occasion. Click here to find out how you can make your very own DIY fabric pom pom. Soooo cute!!!

On Friday, I officially kicked off spring portrait season! First, I shot Meredith and Bobby in downtown Shepherdstown, WV. We had beautiful spring weather, beautifully blooming spring trees, a super neat-o downtown area and a sweet, happy couple.

Yesterday, I went to the nearby Ivy Hill Farm for Lisa Sandlin and her cute little family's spring portraits. I actually met Lisa last winter when I photographed her son Kellen's first birthday party. Kellen is over a year old now and is so stinkin' cute! We took some springtime family/Easter portraits in the peach blooms. Here's a little peek at what we captured together...

I have three more portrait sessions coming up this week! It feels so nice to be back in the swing of things. :)

It'll feel especially great to be back in the swing of things once wedding season hits. My season begins on May 21st with Rachel and Corey's wedding at The Barn at Springfield Farm in Williamsport, MD. I am super excited about the wedding because Rachel and Corey are fabulous in front of the camera and because they have an awesome venue!

I still have some 2011 dates available for weddings (including August, September and October) and am currently booking into the 2012 year, so if you're still looking for a photographer, I'd love to chat with you! I also have a new incentive for signing couples that will allow you to save on your wedding photography packages. Visit my website and fill out the contact form if you're interested in more info!

I am also working on a new blog, new website and new branding for my business. I've got Kristy from Wreckless Elements working on my blog (cannot wait to be able to post my images at max size so they look wayy better than they do on my Blogger Blogspot...blah!) and am hoping to see a finished project around mid to late summer. Rachel Doria, a friend from Bridgewater College, is working on my site and branding. We met a couple of weeks ago to discuss ideas and possibilities and I was blown away at how amazing she is! Not only does she know her stuff when it comes to websites and art, but she's also got some really neat ideas. She's just as excited as I am and I cannot wait to see her finished projects! Branding should be updated within the month and site should be ready to go in mid-summer also. Here's a little something that was recent inspiration for my business branding:

Photo via Labella Vita Photography Blog

I just love the polka dots, colors and cuteness! Soooo looking forward to my new fun, fresh, light-hearted branding!

She's a Stinker {MD, PA, VA, WV, Washington DC Photographer}

I tried doing a pretty Easter-y photo shoot with my baby girl this week, but she just wasn't having it. I had wonderful natural light coming in from the windows, a super cute Easter headpiece from Little Munchkin Pie, over-sized Easter eggs and even Easter grass for props, but nope! Ally would rather suck on her dress and put her fingers in her mouth than look pretty for the camera. Oh well, she's only four months old...she doesn't know any better. One thing I know for sure, though...

SHE'S A STINKER!

I'm definitely trying take #two with these Easter pictures this weekend. Hopefully we'll have success. Happy early Easter!

Etsy Love {MD, PA, VA, WV, Washington DC and Beyond Wedding Photographer}

A couple years ago, I discovered the beautiful world of Etsy. I was so impressed with all the handmade wonders and was so excited to find a new place to shop for unique, exciting things. I forgot about the coolness of Etsy for a little while, but just recently got excited about it again when I purchased some hairpieces for Ally from Little Munchkin Pie. I cannot wait to wear them on her this spring - one is a special piece for Easter that I'll share sometime soon. :)

Etsy is also a cool place to find wedding details. Chatting with past and present brides, I've found that many of them did a bunch of Etsy shopping for their wedding. They've gotten their hairpieces, shoes, jewelry, purses, decorations...all kinds of neat things from artists on Etsy! Sometimes the personal, unique, handmade details of the wedding are some of the most fun things to photograph, remember and share, so here's my shoutout to Etsy and all the brides out there in the wedding world: shop at Etsy and add some handmade wonders to your special day! You and your photographer will both be very happy.

Here are some recent Etsy finds and faves:

Handmade hairpieces for brides by Serephine....sooo beautiful!

Picture via Serephine

Fabulous button jewelry from Button Soup Jewelry. Wouldn't this look lovely with a vintage-inspired wedding dres??

Picture via Button Soup Jewelry

 

Funny wedding props (cool for pics, guests will love them!) by Funny Side of Life

Picture via Funny Side of Life

 

Paper garland for wedding decor by Jelly Bean Studio. I'd buy from them just because of their biz name. ;)

Picture via Jelly Bean Studio

 

Trendy clutches (great bridesmaid gifts!) from Oatmeal Lace Design

Picture via Oatmeal Lace Design

 

Now go and find yourself some Etsy Love!!!

Homework {MD, PA, WV, VA, Washington DC Photographer}

Ever since I started my business (in July of 2009), I've wanted to be a good blogger. Reading the blogs of other photographers was something I did all the time and it was a HUGE inspiration for me in the beginning. And while I'm not able to blog-read as much these days, I still turn to them (my favorites, as well as new discoveries) for inspiration...inspiration for portrait sessions, bride-groom posing, etc.

The commitment and dedication of these bloggers is something I strive for in my own business. Not only will blogging allow me to enjoy writing again, share stories of my life (especially now that we have Ally boo!) with family and friends, and post exciting pictures from portrait sessions and weddings, but also have a greater web presence as JFP. I'm not one to pay a ton of money for advertising (have only spent a few hundred bucks since starting the biz...pretty good, eh!?!), so I'm going to get my name out there via my blog...and I hope you'll became a loyal fan, follower and friend. :)

Now for the real reason of this post...

As motivation to keep a true blogging commitment, I want to have a totally awesome blog! I've hired the wonderfully talented Kristy of Wreckless Elements to install a new blog and give it a complete design overhaul. Kristy has asked that I do some "homework" before she begins the design. Along with blog specs and formalities, Kristy wants me to send some inspiration...other blogs, pictures, things I like, furniture, decor pieces, etc. Since I've become quite the web-surfer these days and because I love searching through blogs, the inspiration part of the homework has been fun. Here is what I've come up with so far:

This first inspiration image is from the blog of Erin Hearts Court, a wonderful husband-and-wife photog team with a super cute and fun style. I am so drawn to the beautiful patchwork blanket! Maybe something similar would make a fun blog background!?

After I was inspired by the patchwork blanket, I did some more patchwork-searching on Google. Check out this totally unique patchwork skirt! This is something you don't see everyday, but that's a good thing. I want my biz to be unique and want that displayed in my blog. I also want my blog to be somewhat colorful. I love colors, and I love being unique.

Image found on Whipup.net.

After I found the colorful patchwork skirt, I wanted to find more color inspiration. Then I discovered this amazing couch! How cool would this look in the JFP office!?! Oh my goodness I want it!

Image found at Ulla Norup Milbrath's blog.

Even though I have a hard time choosing a favorite color, I don't think I want rainbow craziness to take over my business and/or my blog. I do enjoy clean, white spaces with small punches of color, like the &Unlimited photography blog:

I've got a ton more inspiration to drum up for Kristy before my homework is done, but I just wanted to share what I've been finding to be inspirational lately. It's also a prelude into what my new blog might look like. I'm excited to become a good, committed blogger and cannot wait to rock my new blog design from Kristy! Stay tuned...

Spring Mini Sessions

Hi All!

Since I took a small hiatus from blogging and because I'll be introducing a new blog in the near future (!!!), I thought it might be nice to spread the word about my spring mini sessions via the blog! Gotta get used to blogging again and gotta get you all used to reading it again.

My first round of mini sessions for the year will take place the weekend of April 9th and 10th in the Waynesboro, PA area. I've been doing a lot of portraits at Renfrew Park, but am anxious to find a new spot in town. Any suggestions? For now, I may plan to take the pictures at another park in Waynesboro, but I'd love to be on a farm or in an orchard instead. So the location isn't exactly nailed down quite yet, but rest assured that it'll be somewhere in or around Waynesboro. Here are the details:

-25 minutes of session time (8:00am to 10:00am Saturday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm Saturday and Sunday)
-Online gallery of all edited images
-CD of edited images with reprint rights release
-$150 plus tax

Ideally, all sessions will take place in the same location on either April 9th or 10th, but if you've got a special request, let me know and we'll discuss.

If you're interested in a session, please email me at jessica@jessicafikephotography.com. I look forward to photographing you all!!! Here are some pictures to make you smile:

The first few are from back in the day when I first started my business and before I had a killer logo from Steve Hartt...

Oh and did I mention that my new blog will allow me to post BIGGER pictures at a BETTER quality!?! Soooo excited!!! Spring is almost here!!!!

MORE Fall Mini Sessions! {MD, PA, VA, WV, Wash DC and Beyond Photographer}

Last week I announced the addition of fall mini sessions to my portrait calendar for the Waynesboro, PA area. Because of the encouraging amount of interest I received, I am now adding fall mini sessions for both Bridgewater, VA and Connellsville, PA! Here's the skinny:

Wildwood Park ~ Bridgewater, VA
Sunday, October 10 - 3 to 5:30pm
All sessions open!

East Park ~ Connellsville, PA
Sunday, November 7 - 3 to 5:30pm
3 and 3:30 sessions available.

Session details remain the same:
- 25 minutes of session time
- Online gallery of all digitally-enhanced images
- CD of images with reprint rights release
- 25% off prints
All for just the price of the CD - $150 plus tax

If you're interested, please contact me ASAP at jessica@jessicafikephotography.com so we can schedule your session.

HAPPY FALL!

Fall Mini Sessions! {MD, PA, WV, VA, Wash DC and Beyond Photographer}

Fall officially begins tomorrow! Pumpkins, colorful leaves, festivals, sweaters and scarves will soon be part of every day, and I am super pumped! I cannot wait to go shopping for our seasonal mums and pumpkins, attend a few fall festivals, throw a scarf around my neck, and take pictures in the beautiful fall scenery. Just thinking about all the fall goodness puts me in a good mood!

My fall calendar is already super busy. Besides wrapping up wedding season (23 total this year!) and preparing for Baby Fike (due December 17th...I am 27.5 weeks along!), I've also got a TON of portrait sessions to shoot. My calendar is full for fall portrait sessions, but because it's such a beautiful time for pictures, I want to make room for more of you! Introducing...FALL MINI SESSIONS!

A mini session is for 5 or less people and is about half the time of a regular session. It does include a CD of images so you can print where and when you want, which is especially convenient with the holidays right around the corner. All mini sessions will take place on the same day at the same location. Here's the 411:

Saturday, October 23 at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro, PA
- 25 minutes of session time
- Online gallery of edited images
- CD of high-res images with reprint rights release
Session times: 3-3:25pm, 3:30-3:55pm, 4:00-4:25pm, 4:30-4:55pm, 5:00-5:25pm

The only cost to you is the CD of images, which is $150 plus tax. If you're interested in booking one of the five session times, please contact me ASAP at jessica@jessicafikephotography.com. If there is enough interest, I may add a second day and possibly a second location. Bridgewater or Connellsville anyone??

And just to give you an idea of the beautiful fall setting that Renfrew Park has to offer, here are some pictures of took of the Brunner-Hartt family last year:

These pictures weren't taken at Renfrew Park, but they were taken last fall, and they're just fun!

Happy Fall, y'all!

What Have I Been Up To? {MD, PA, VA, WV, DC and Beyond Photographer}

I hate to say it, but it's been since March that I've been posted to the blog. Blogging was a hard task for me to conquer from the beginning and then when wedding season hit, it didn't make things much easier. My wedding season officially began on April 17th and I am currently in the thick of it. I am approaching the fifth wedding of my 9-weddings-in-6-weeks streak and things are going quite well! I haven't had much time to do anything else in my business except edit wedding pictures, but it's all good. I am photographing beautiful weddings, meeting super sweet couples and making plans for the future of my business. Oh, and a few other things have been happening, too...

Brian and I found out in April that we're expecting! Our baby is due December 17th (only six days after our birthdays - Brian and I share December 11th) and I am almost 16 weeks along. The baby will conveniently be born in a non-wedding season month, but it's the few months that follow that have me a bit worried. Will I be able to answer emails often? Will I have enough energy to do a few portrait sessions? When will I want to officially return to work in the JFP office? I believe these are all questions that will be answered once the baby arrives, but until then I'll wonder. Our lives and my business are definitely going to change...for the better!

I've also released my new JFP logo! A few months ago, a friend of mine, Steve Hartt, designed and created a new logo for my business. I needed something new, fresh and unique and Steve gave me just that! You can check out my website now: http://www.jessicafikephotography.com/ for a little peek at the new logo and new look of my business. I am currently playing around with color choices and can't seem to put a finger on the perfect combination. I love all colors so it's hard for me to choose. I think yellow is going to stay in the mix, along with a light gray, but I need another splash of color. Something that says "fun" and "fresh", but still professional. Light blue and some other bright colors have been on the brain, and I'd also like to use polka dots in my marketing pieces. Here's some of my recent inspiration...

Wouldn't this yellow "splash" page make a nice splash page for my website??

LOVE the dots and bright, fun colors! Too much color, though??

Polka dots! Fun, yet professional.

Anyways, as I edit through thousands of wedding images, I'll eventually have time to finally decide on colors and start redoing some marketing materials, including this blog! I plan on getting a new blog (Blogger is a little rough sometimes and it's pretty limiting) so be on the lookout! Maybe I'll make it a goal to have the new blog up and running by the end of summer? I have a break or two within wedding season so it may be possible. Cross fingers!!!

Proposal Caught on Camera! {Carroll Valley, PA Photographer}

It finally happened. I was finally able to capture a proposal on camera, and I didn't even have to hide in the trees!

It all began when Azim contacted Liberty Mountain asking for a special chairlift ride to the top of Liberty Mountain so he could propose to his girlfriend Amrin. Azim was pointed in my direction and I was the lucky one chosen to help him make plans for the special day. Of course I offered to take pictures of the proposal and was thrilled that I'd finally get the opportunity to photograph such a secretly-planned, once-in-a-lifetime, special occasion.

It was the perfect day for a proposal. Beautiful blue skies, lots of sunshine, warm temps, and a not-so-crowded mountain top with a great view. As I rode the chairlift up the mountain with Azim and Amrin, I was nervous. What if I missed the proposal? What if I wasn't in the right spot for great pictures? What if I somehow gave away the secret?? But once we got to the top, I was ready for action and couldn't wait to see it all take place. Besides, the only proposal I've ever been to was mine own. Thanks Honey. :)

Congratulations Azim and Amrin! Thanks for letting me be part of something so special!

Guys out there getting ready to propose to your girlfriends - if you're stumped on how to make your proposal extra special, consider hiring a photographer (ME!) to capture it all on camera! Proposing and being proposed to is a once-in-a-lifetime thing for most people, so having pictures of the special occasion would be like icing on the cake! Guaranteed your girl will be surprised, thrilled and totally IN LOVE with you! I'm ready and willing for more secret proposal shoots. :)