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 ([email protected]) 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!

In Which I am Completely Random: Documentary | SCAD | More Wedding Photos

I am writing you [again] from my hotel room in Athens, Georgia. My bride and groom from today also hired me to do a family photo session tomorrow morning at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia so I'm doing that before heading back toward Atlanta. I had a much needed nap this afternoon but now I'm back to my problem of not being able to go to bed at a decent hour! Haha. I ended up on PBS watching a really cool documentary called Art & Copy.  It's all about advertising and it's very intriguing. I think I need to check it out from the beginning!

I was telling Heather (we were chatting on Facebook at the time) that I love listening to artists speak. Artists are a different breed! Watching this makes me feel connected to something bigger because I get IT. Years ago - I'm talking at least 10 but closer to 12 - my mom told me she thought I should go into advertising. On principle I completely dismissed the idea. You know how teenage daughters are with their mothers. I find it funny how, now, that is exactly where I want to take my photography. When I think about my dreams and goals, I see ad campaigns with major brands and spreads in magazines.

A little update on my progress with SCAD: I finally got everything submitted that was requested (application, college transcripts, my resume, various statements, and letters of recommendation) last week. For whatever reason I was assigned a new admissions counselor who called me yesterday and told me that because one of the colleges was on a quarterly schedule and the other was semesters, they were having difficulty figuring out my GPA and now require my high school transcript (yes, 10 years later!). We also discussed my financial aid needs as well as what would be required to be considered for scholarships offered. We agreed that it would be better, at this point, to apply for the Winter term and begin in January. Once I get my transcript in it should only take a couple of weeks to get a response and from there I'll have plenty of time to get everything in order before next term. I am very anxious to get started but believe in my heart that this is best for me. Everything has happened exactly how it is meant to and there is still no doubt in my mind that this was the time for me to be here. There is still so much I want to do and get settled in before starting a full course load; I'm excited about it all!

In keeping with this completely random post, I have more wedding photos for you of Tim & Frankie. I had most of the day to edit and am actually just about done. Just click the photo to view larger. ♥

Tim & Frankie | Wedding | Comer, Georgia

I am sitting in my hotel room in Athens, Georgia, feeling so blessed to be me. I know how cheesy that sounds but I'm serious. I left my grandparent's house this morning when it was still pitch black out and watched the sun rise in the two hours it took me to drive to Comer, Georgia. The drive was incredible! I thought to myself, I want to move here (meaning Georgia) for a while and then pinched myself when I realize that I DO! The wedding I photographed this morning was at Watson Mill Bridge State Park - a completely gorgeous venue! They used the group shelter building to get ready and for their reception lunch; the ceremony was down by the water. Everything about their celebration was created by them. Frankie even made her dress!! Can you believe it? :) Her brother, Adrian, officiated the ceremony, which I thought was a really special touch, and I loved seeing how their family all pitched in to do what needed to be done. Photographing a couple in love brings back similar feelings to working as a nanny; you feel privy to something intimate. The love and respect between this couple was palpable!

Congratulations Tim & Frankie!! I hope you enjoy these peeks! ♥

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.

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

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.

90210 Bride

I really want to thank everyone who commented, emailed, or called regarding the previous post. I cannot tell you how much your support has meant to me. It's been a tough week and I'm really trying not to get into a funk. We took Spencer to the dog park today to meet with a potential family for him.. so we'll see. *sniff* Anyway! I have been keeping incredibly busy.. I went to a fun Christmas party on Tuesday night after Peyton left so that was a nice distraction. I've also been busy preparing for 4 photo shoots coming up in the next couple of weeks! Below are photos from a bridal + bridal boudoir session I had last Sunday in Beverly Hills.

Such a fun couple- and she was such a trooper!! We did some of her boudoir shots on a patio balcony and it was about 40 degrees outside. Eeep! I just loved this idea of photographing her engagement ring on his artwork. :) Now if that doesn't speak to me, I don't know what does. ;) I got to work with a fabulous Los Angeles based makeup artist, Susie Chhuor. She is so professional and does amazing work! Here is Lacie's before and after. Susie and I will be working together for weddings in the new year so be looking for more information about that soon! Hope your week has been going well. xo

Favorites

Thank you so much for all of your kind comments in the previous post. This is the second wedding Alex and I have shot together. I can't tell you how blessed I am to have him. Besides being so encouraging, he inspires me constantly. Some of his images from the day are among my very favorite! He has a great eye for detail and is able to catch the beautiful candids I am unable to. What can I say? I think we make a great team. ;) Without further ado, here are our favorites:

We're going to be doing a part two bride and groom session one day soon but for now you can view them all here (At the top right of the slideshow there is an "options" sections. Please be sure to uncheck "embiggen small things to fill screen" so it doesn't stretch the images).

PS- How much do you love that last photo, Aimee? :)

Aimee + Eric's Wedding

Here are some peeks from my sister and new brother in law's wedding yesterday. Alex said I can't leak the fave faves yet. ;) The wedding was so beautiful and intimate! Such a special time. :) I hope you love the photos! xo