Love, Joleen Photography Blog

Retail Me Not

Like most of you, I enjoy a good deal! I love thrift stores and discount stores like Homegoods, TJMaxx, Nordstrom Rack, and the like.  Recently, I came across an amazing website called Retail Me Not when googling for a discount code for something I was about to purchase online. I've heard of similar coupon yielding websites before, but in the ones I tried the coupons were invalid or already expired. This website couldn't be easier to use! You can browse existing discounts or use the search bar at the top for the specific store you're shopping. You may not be aware of this but my blog is not free; I incur a monthly fee to run it. Retail Me Not even had a coupon for Typepad listed and now I save 10% every month for the next year! The really cool thing is it doesn't cost a dime and you don't even have to sign up or join a club. They also list each discount's expiration date so you don't waste your time trying to enter codes that don't work. Anyway, check it out and happy shopping!*

 

*I was not asked or paid to write this review. I just really like this and wanted to share!

Whatever Will I Wear?

In preparing for the upcoming weddings I'm shooting, I've been thinking a lot about what I'm going to wear myself. Did you know that most of my clothes are still in boxes in California? I've been wearing the same two suitcases (they're unpacked now) of clothes since July 3rd. If I could get an entire new wardrobe tomorrow I would burn everything I have. LOL Seriously. I'm over it all. Needless to say, I hadn't really considered wedding attire would be required so soon but that's okay with me! I've been looking around online for ideas. Let's remember that I'm balling on a budget here. ;) I also need to consider the fact that I'm working at these weddings.

1. Going Places Dress - I first walked into Francesca's while living in California. There is a store at Irvine Spectrum and just before I moved they were building one at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. I was super excited when I saw one at the mall here a couple of weeks ago. Until now, I had no idea their website was so cute too! The prices are reasonable and it has that boutique feel I love. I'm looking for a cute and flowy dress that I can move around in. I really like the color of this one going into Fall. I also like the sleeves. I often wear cardigans over dresses and it's going to be too hot for that outside but this might work. I think it's fun but still professional. I'm going to check out the store to see what they have on my "day off" Wednesday.

2. Jeffrey Campbell Woven Slingback Wedges - I know I would never actually be able to wear these shoes while photographing an entire wedding and I can't afford them anyway, but seriously, a girl could dream! Everything about these shoes make my heart go pitter patter. I will most likely wear these cute light brown braided flat sandals that I already own. ;)

3. Bee's Knees Jewelry - While it's in my possession it's in the forefront of my mind. This jewelry would rock any outfit.

4. Jo Totes - This is a camera bag with flare! I love the color, the size (and everything it fits), the lining fabric (Houndstooth! Are you serious?!) Everything about it screams JOleen (It's even named for me. Hehe!) I need this.

Ready, Set, Shoot | Tips for Product Photography

As I was setting up to shoot more of the jewelry line, Bee's Knees, I thought I would share my process and give you a few tips on how you can shoot your own "stuff". #1 product - products to sell on Etsy or Ebay, your art work or journals, flowers your kids picked for you, etc. Tied for #1 in being equally important is #2 lighting - Lighting, lighting, lighting. For a natural light photographer this is, hands down, the most important tool I utilize. If possible, I will shoot the couple of hours before sunset. I am in major lust with that beautiful golden light the sun gives at this time. You want to make sure the light is diffused. In this instance, the sun was setting on the opposite side of the house. #3 background - be mindful of whats behind your shot. This could be nature or a solid wall like this. For product shots I prefer a solid wall, [wrinkle free] fabric, or posterboard. Be far enough from it that it doesn't become the focus in your shot. It's the background. #4 props - you won't always need props but sometimes they're nice to have, if they make sense. Choose items that compliment your product, without stealing the show. #5 get comfortable - don't kill yourself trying to get THE. PERFECT. SHOT. If you need a pillow for your knees (I prefer being low/eye level) or a chair to sit down on, use it. If you have a lot of items to shoot, don't forget to take breaks. I also have a water bottle with me at all times.

When it comes to shooting your product, make sure your camera settings are right! Play around/experiment until you find what you're happy with. When I want to shoot closeups I always shoot on aperture priority and adjust my ISO. Below are the photos I took with the above setup. My ISO was all the way up to 1000 and  my f-stop was 5.6. Make sure to shoot your product from multiple directions (straight on, above it, from both sides, etc). You'll want a wide shot and several closeups.

Would love to hear if these tips prove to be helpful for you!! ♥

Hello, My Name is Joleen and I'm Obsessed with Weddings

I always have been. I *loved* planning my own wedding and I always told my ex husband that I wanted to have 5 more just so they could be different themes. Ha! I love the love, the family, the planning, the colors, the dress...everything! I feel like more and more brides are planning their weddings to be  creative and unique and I love it! For whatever reason (financial, ingenuity, etc.) brides are turning to DIY options and sharing them online. A lot of these ideas can transfer to any event in your life - organizing a birthday celebration, decorating a room, or planning a photography session. So much inspiration!!

I am in total wedding zone over here. I am shooting a wedding later this week at the Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Andrea & Tim are planning an intimate picnic style wedding. It's going to be a happy and relaxed event! I can't wait. Then, next week I have an engagement session with Dea & Morgan on the Chattahoochee River. I have LOVED working with these girls!! Dea is full of ideas and I love that I get to be a part of their celebration. She has her own wedding planning blog and just posted this mood board. Love it!

(photo credit)

♥ oh, weddings!
♥ Ruffled
♥ La Belle Bride
♥ my DIY wedding day

Isn't she lovely, Isn't she wonderful

You may remember the equestrian photoshoot I did with Heather's peanut last month. Well, Heather ordered a canvas of her favorite photo from our session and I've been harassing her for a photo to share with you guys! ;) Haha!

Isn't it beautiful?! I love it on thier living room wall, over the mantel, with all of Heather's shabby chic decorations. Just lovely! Here are a few more photos from that session that I have yet to share:

Wall Art Ideas

I've been meaning to share this photo of my previous charge in her nursery. Isnt' she the sweetest!? I love her room, too. I wanted to share how her mommy displayed the newborn photos I shot. I love seeing how my clients display their sessions in their home, so if you have your's up be sure to send a pic my way so I can share with everyone! I do have "Wall Art Ideas" that I share during ordering sessions to help give you display ideas as well. Here is an example of 6 16x20 Fine Art Gallery Canvases:

Whoa, What a Busy Couple of Days

I finally got everything turned in to SCAD and it's been forwarded to the admissions commitee. *Fingers crossed!!*

Everything is running along smoothly and I couldn't be more pleased! I added a second date to the Back 2 School Mini Session Event so if you're in Atlanta (specifically Johns Creek) be sure to sign your kiddos up! I just placed my first ad in the St. Ives HOA Monthly Newsletter and am hoping this helps generate more local business. I'm looking forward to getting to know the families in this community!!

I was able to recover my business policies from the hard copies I had stored at my sister's (thanks, Aimee!!) so I've updated those with my current pricing and created several Welcome Kits for new clients. I am in the beginning process of having a new logo and website designed (cannot wait!) and just purchased a new domain. It will be www.lovejoleenphotography.com. I'll let you know when it's up and running! 

Keeping very busy but enjoying these productive days while I can. Today I dragged my sister, Sarah, around for all my errands and it was nice to be able to spend the day with her. We took the above photo together earlier today. ;) And because I can't help but be a little silly... she took this one of me:

Behind the Scenes

I thought I would share some behind the scenes photos from Saturday's shoot. I really loved the team I worked with and look forward to working with them again in the future. Richie Roman of R Rated Hair was the hairstylist and Emily Jarrett was the makeup artist. Both were fabulous at their respective crafts and I would really recommend using them! Below is a quick pic my grandma snapped on her cell phone. In this big house I was stationed in a tiny corner in the bathroom, editing photos between shooting. :) Fun times!

Bee's Knees: Vintage Jewelry with a Twist

Shortly before moving to Atlanta I sent a flyer to my contacts here to share in the hopes of securing photography jobs upon my arrival. It was through this that I was hired by Christine Barnes to photograph her fabulous vintage jewerly line, Bee's Knees. I picked up the pieces last week and have shot a little less than half of the line so far. I am seriously smitten with this jewelry!! Here is a peek:

Back 2 School Mini Session Event

Attention Atlanta area families: Looking for something a little more FUN for your child's annual "Back to School" photos!? This is that opportunity! I've added another date so sessions will take place on Saturday, September 10th and 24th. Sessions will be scheduled between 3 and 6 pm and last approximately 20 minutes each. Call or email now to schedule your session!