Love, Joleen Photography Blog

I have been blogging for nearly SEVEN(!!) years. I can't even believe it's been that long but it has. Over the years I have made many lovely blogging friends. I've come across fabulous artists and unique online shops. I am hoping that through this sponsorship opportunity I can share them with you and you with my readers! If you have a blog or shop that you think is fitting for this blog and are interested in becoming a sponsor, here is all the information you need:

Instructions:

1. E-mail me (joleen.thiessen@gmail.com) with your link & ad image, and the months you wish to reserve an ad space. If you are interested in having me design your ad image there is a one time fee of $25.

2. If you are reserving a Medium or Large ad, please include your 3-5 sentence bio and photo you wish to appear on the group sponsor post. If you are reserving a Feature ad, we will discuss the feature post | giveaway via email.

3. I will send you an invoice via Paypal and payment will need to be completed to place your ad.

Thank you so much! I appreciate your support!! ♥

Dea & Morgan | Engagement Session | Atlanta, Georgia

Dea & Morgan hired me to photograph their commitment ceremony next June. They relocated (last year?) from Kansas so that Dea could attend SCAD for grad school. She works in the admissions office and I actually saw her when I went in for my portfolio review, only I didn't know it was her yet! :)  They had expressed a desire to have their engagement session somewhere in nature and chose to have it at Whitewater Creek. We met up this evening and were lucky to have the entire beach area to ourselves. It was incredibly romantic! These girls were so much fun to work with. Every last detail was meticulously planned, from their wardrobes to the items for their picnic. There were many laughs shared and lots of love!! I can only imagine how amazing their ceremony will be - I cannot wait! Enjoy these peeks, girls!

Introducing : Vintage Ensemble

Hello, lovelies! It's been about a month in the making but I've just opened my new Etsy shop, Vintage Ensemble. I created this shop to help my grandma sell her vintage clothing. My grandma was, and still is, an incredibly stylish woman. I hope you enjoy these garments as much as she has! (more to come)

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.

2011 Services and Product Pricing

Session Fees (Photographer’s time and talent)
Child & Family Portrait Sessions: $200; up to 6 people ($25 each additional).

Senior | Grad Package: $250; 3 looks and locations; includes a $50 print credit.

Maternity & Newborn Package: $350; 2 sessions: Maternity session (30-35 weeks) & Newborn Session (within the first 14 days). Includes a $50 print credit.

First Year of Life: $500; 3 sessions in the first year (newborn, 6 mos, and 12 mos recommended).

Wedding | Special Event Packages: Contact for more information.  

Model Testing | Commercial | Product Photography: Contact for more information.


Prints and Products
Gift Portraits
8 x 10 - $35
5 x 7 - $25
8 wallets - $20

Wall Portraits (Mounted on ¼ inch foam core) - Contact for Custom Sizes.
30 x 30 - $250
24 x 30 - $200
20 x 20; 20 x 24 - $160
10 x 20; 16 x 20 - $120
12 x 12 - $100
11 x 14 - $80

Fine Art Gallery Wrap Canvas
24 x 30 - $400
16 x 24 - $300
11 x 14 - $200

Announcements | Rep Cards (Includes design fee; Select between UV coating (gloss) and Art Linen finishing)
5 x 7 Flat Cards with Envelopes - $150 for first 25. $50 for every 25 thereafter.
5 x 5 Folded Cards with Envelopes - $175 for first 25. $75 for every 25 thereafter.
5 x 7 Folded Cards with Envelopes -  $175 for first 25. $75 for every 25 thereafter.
2 x 3.5 Rep Cards (for Grads) - $150 for 50. $50 for every 50 thereafter.

Digital Images (with permission to print) $100 per image
CD/DVD of Session (includes 25+ images and permission to print) - $800; Incl. 20% Discount on all Products
Magazine Style Session Album - Quotes available upon request.

You Are So Wonderful, I Could Kiss You!

I have received an overwhelming response to my call for writers! Thank you so much for your interest. I can't tell you how humbled I am that you'd be interested in hearing my ideas and I am truly inspired by the amount of talent you posses. Seriously, girls, wonderful! If you have sent me an email in the last few days regarding my project and are waiting for a response, please know that I will be responding shortly.  Promise. xo

I've had such a busy/ fun/ productive couple of days that I keep thinking the weekend is over. It's a great feeling to know that I have one "nothing to do" weekend day left! Most Fridays I am done working at 12:30. Yesterday (wow, was it only yesterday?) my sister, Aimee, and fam came and took me to lunch. We had a nice visit - I wish we did it more often but work and schedules and longish commutes can make it tough sometimes.

The weather yesterday (and today) was gorgeous and I didn't want to spend the afternoon at home so I went to the Spectrum for fresh air and a little bit of trouble. ;) Actually, I went to a few other shops first but that's where I ended up of course. So for the last few weeks I've been "cryin'" about getting this purse, because I really, really, really want it. I went and visited it once and it looked and smelled so yummy. So, don't ask me why and call me fickle or I don't know what, but I did buy stuff yesterday and it wasn't that. Go figure. I did buy that super cute hoodie you see me celebrating in, as well as a denim dress, and a couple unmentionables. ;) I fell in lust with this dress but couldn't justify the cost. Sure is cute though, huh?

Alex met me for dinner at Javier's which was mmm, mmm, mmm delicious. I don't just mean the margarita - the food was good too! ;) Then we went to the IMAX theatre and saw Monsters vs. Aliens 3D - so, so funny! Have you ever seen Chicken Little? Funniest cartoon movie. Ever. And Monsters vs. Aliens totally rivaled it.

Are you still with me? :) Went to a scrap crop today which was super fun and productive. I made three new layouts which I'll share in the next day or two (I have to take photos). I came home for a bit before I went to babysit tonight and I'm glad I did because I got to see our new carpet. For those of you who don't know, we have been living with quite a mess downstairs for over a month now. So today we got the carpet (yay!) and this week we should be (*crossing fingers*) getting the new baseboards. I couldn't be more thrilled. I have a lot of ideas for downstairs and I am anxious to get started. It's always something with me. Ten somethings actually. Happy weekend! xo

A Change In Luck

Good evening! After five days off I was not looking forward to gettin' back to business today but I've had a great day. It appears I've had a change in luck these last few days and nobody is more thrilled than me! :)

Friday I went to the doctor for a followup appointment and my test results. It turns out I do more than likely have PCOS. At this point it feels good to have some validation and a fertility plan set in motion. I feel very hopeful. I was also very pleased that I do not have diabetes and most of my levels (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) are good.

My doctor praised my weight loss efforts and encouraged me to keep it up. As of yesterday I have FINALLY crossed the mark that's been plaguing me and I'm at my lowest weight in 2 1/2 years!! Woohoo!!!I still have quite a ways to go but I'm feeling very motivated. It's less than a month until my half marathon so I'm definitely going to be stepping up the training.

Here are a couple new Wardrobe Remix pics.. I don't know what is up with my face in the bottom photo (ha!). I think I was thrown off by the flyby peanut in our first go. ;) In case you're wondering, that fabulous purple sweater is from Ruche. So great, right?

Ok, so talk about lucky! I rarely ever win anything and tonight I won two tickets to see the Broadway Musical, Annie. I'm soooo excited! I saw this on a smaller scale when I was little and remember really loving it. :)  xo

PS- Other typepad users.. is there a way to post your photos on the right and text on the left? I've done it this way in the HTML coding and it looks right in the preview but isn't publishing correctly. Hmm..

{click to view larger}

So, I should be sleeping because I've had one of those crazy days where it's one thing after another. I'm not complaining- it was actually a great day, just an incredibly busy one and I'm exhausted. But!! I'm awake. My sister is getting married! At the end of the month! Eeee! Just another reason why the internet is so great- I can help my sister shop by sending her all kinds of links to dresses I think she should wear (and my controlling nature is fostered even here). Ha!

In my search I came across many (many!) outfits I just adore for me as a wedding guest. Above are three I'm just completely smitten with. I mean seriously. Swoon. I'm going outside to plant my money tree now. ;) Who knows what I'll actually wear but a girl could dream, right? xo

linky links for everything shown here:

♥ Robert Rodriguez Pleated Dress with Belt from Nordstrom
♥ no.71 from ban.do
♥ Abas Croc Embossed Accordion Clutch Wallet from Nordstrom
♥ Bronx Women's Galaxy Peep Toe Pump from Endless
♥ Robert Rodriguez Belted Lace Dress from Nordstrom
♥ no.58 from ban.do
♥ Steve Madden Women's Beauti Open Toe Platform Pump from Endless
♥ Nordstrom Horizontal Crystal Satin Clutch from Nordstrom
♥ Hawks by Green Form Buttonfront Vest Dress from Urban Outfitters
♥ Intertwined Headpiece from House of Telsa
♥ Bally 'Guniga' Pump from Nordstrom
♥ Abas 'Hannah' Crocodile Embossed Frame Clutch from Nordstrom

lovely randomness

hello, friends! i hope you've had a lovely weekend! i certainly did. yesterday i spent the entire day snuggled in my pajamas, slippers, and robe. the windows are open and the air is so cool and crisp. love it!! we had a marathon of stargate (our current tv series to watch til completion). we're on episode 7 of the first season. there were 10 seasons so i'm guessing we'll be watching for a while. ;) 

today we woke up early to drive the 75ish miles to the rose bowl flea market. i took lots of photos and have so much to say about it but you'll have to look for it in an upcoming issue of portals. ;)  i will say that it was super fun and i came home with this fabulousness!

i've been meaning to design more collage sheets for a while now and finally sat down and did it while tv watching yesterday. the top one i created today and included some of the beautiful photos i found at the flea market. collage sheets are great to use in your mixed media artwork, art journals, and even your scrapbook pages. ok, and so i know it's eons away from valentine's day but it's been on the to-do/idea list for ages and i was on a roll. ;) they're in the shop.

lastly, here is a scrapbook page i made on friday. it's different for me for a scrapbook page.. more the style i would do an art journal page.. but i really love it. :) just click the image to see the full page. xo

yipee

i heard that it might feel like fall this weekend.. really looking forward to it!!

i am super excited though because i bought this dress 1 or 2 years ago because i looooved the colors and pattern.. but when i got home it wasn't my size. i kept it in my closet because i really want to wear it! this morning i tried it on and it fit (whohoo!) so i'm pretty dang stoked about that. oh! and the other day i fit in my next jeans down.. i've lost 10 lbs. so far and am just 4 lbs. away from my first mini goal. :)

i found some evidence of fall that i thought i'd share. :D eeeee.. so pretty!