New blog!

This time last year I had decided to give up Facebook for the month of February. What does that have to do with photography? I'll get to that, promise. At the time I was working as a mentor to freshman at my university and as a part of the program we did this thing called a 32 day commitment. My students all had to choose a negative habit in their life that they wanted to change and for 32 days remove (or add) something in their routine. I decided to do it with them and gave up going on Facebook. The first day was hard. Really, REALLY hard. Especially because just a couple of weeks earlier I had entered the wonderful world of Smart Phones and was totally and completely addicted. But I pushed through and by the fourth or fifth day I was actually enjoying it.

During that month I had a lot of time to think about what I was doing. I was in my sophomore year of college and it was "time" to start making some major decisions. I had already decided what my major would be, but I felt like there was something I was missing. Then it hit me! Photography had always been something I loved. Whether it was going on morning photo shoots or taking pictures of every moment on my cell phone, I was always "the photographer." 

On March 1st I was back on Facebook and I started a page for my business, if thats even what you could call it. And so many people showed their support for me by liking that page and allowing me to take pictures of them. It was amazing, and I am so thankful for having so many great friends during that time. After a few weeks I was building a website and setting goals for myself. Now almost a year later I am falling more and more in love with this photography business. Things are growing slowly as I finish school, and I cannot wait to see where the next few years take me. 

This blog has served me well and has been such an amazing place to share my adventures. But it is time for me to move forward- I have a new blog!! It is located at www.jessicamwood.com and I would LOVE if you would follow me there. I hope to shoot many more beautiful weddings and sessions this year and they will all be on there so don't miss it!

Coming next on my new blog, a snowy weekend with one of my best friends and her sweet boyfriend:)

Denise, Eric and Esai • Family Session

This is one of the most unique and fun sessions I have had the opportunity of shooting! It was a combination of a family session, a one-year session, a maternity session AND an engagement session. Denise and Eric has been so blessed with a family that grew quickly. They adopted Esai this past July and since then have fallen completely in love with him. And I'm sure just by looking at his adorable smile you can see why! They are also expecting a new little baby boy or girl to join their family next month AND next fall Denise and Eric will be tying the knot!

With so much happening right now, they were still able to have a sweet little morning at the park. Esai played and enjoyed being the center of attention, while Denise and Eric flirted and joked with one another like a couple on their first date. Their is so much love in this family and I cannot wait to see where their newest addition will take them!
(also shot out to Heidi at Randt Salon for both connecting Denise and I, and doing an amazing job with her hair!)

This family is SO FUN!

Denise changed into a gorgeous form-fitting dress to show off her cute belly!

LOVE this next one.

By the way, today is Esai's actual 1st birthday... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESAI!

Annette and Adriana • Sister Session

I have to say I love sister sessions, and when a soon-to-be graduating senior is thrown in it becomes a special event. Adriana and Annette are two incredible sisters that wanted to do something special for their parents this Christmas. Annette is a philosophy major at Carleton College while her sister Adriana is a few months away from graduating from Bishop Montgomery High School (my alma mater!:) ) They are both so sweet and insanely intelligent, so I really enjoyed hanging out with the two of them. We spent a surprisingly warm afternoon at Del Cerro Park just before Christmas. I hope to be able to do more senior sessions like this- I just love hearing about a senior's plans and excitement for the future!

Annette was quite the trooper using my fun, old chair!

I'm totally obsessed with these next few of Adriana!