J. Passon Artistic Portraiture

[ picture of the year! ]

Announcing the *new* annual Picture of the Year Contest!  Many other photographers take part in something like this for their clients and I thought it was time to jump on the bandwagon.  I am so thankful for my wonderful clients who give me the opportunity to create art...and it is time to thank you!  It was a difficult, make that a VERY difficult job to narrow the finalists down to 10, I think I started with at least 25 images!  These are some of my favorite images and as an artist, they embody what I am trying to capture at each session.

The Rules

1. To vote: click on the "comments" link underneath the last picture, at the bottom of this post--NOT the bottom of the page--and enter the number of the one (1) image that you are voting for.  Please be sure you are on the correct post--if you accidentally vote on the comments section of another blog post, it will NOT be counted.

2. When you place your vote, you must enter a valid email address.  All email addresses will be discarded after the voting is completed--don't worry, you won't be added to an email list, nor will your email be shown to the general public.  The email entry is for the purpose of regulating the votes--so that no one cheats and votes more than they are allowed.  =0)

3.  You may vote for more than one image throughout the 5 days, BUT you may only vote a total of 5 times total--once per day.  Multiple votes from the same email address in the same day will result in only the first vote being counted.  If you have more than one email address (home, work, etc.) please be considerate and use only one.  Try to be fair!

4.  ANYONE may vote--grandma, dad, uncle, cousins, friends, co-workers, etc.  If you want to win you are encouraged to contact everyone you know!

5.  Voting will end at 11:59pm EST on Saturday, January 31st, and the winners will be announced on the blog on Monday, February 2nd.

The Prizes

1.  Grand prize will be awarded to the picture with the most votes.  And that grand prize is...a 16x20 gallery wrap canvas of the winning image, valued at $340.00!

2.  Two runner up prizes will be given to the two pictures with the second most votes.  The runner up prize is a mounted 11x14 print of their winning image, valued at $95.00!

Get voting!

**Please note the corresponding number for each image is ABOVE the image**

#1

 

#2

#3

#4

#5

 

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

STOP!  Click on "comments" right underneath these words to place your vote!  Your vote must be in the comments section of THIS post.  Feel free to continue looking around on the blog...

[ it's party time! ]

Something new from J.Passon...the Referral Party! 

Word of mouth is the best advertising I can hope for.  As my client you are the ideal person to talk about your experience with J.Passon, as well as show off all of your wonderful prints and products.  Sometimes though, no matter how many times you tell you friends about it, seeing the products and meeting the photographic artist (that would be me!) are needed to seal the deal.  This is especially the case for a new client who chooses a location session and has never been to my studio office space to see all of the "goodies" that they can purchase.

The Referral Party works something like this:  You invite a group of friends over for an informal evening of socializing.  I will bring all of my products and display them in your home for all of your friends to look at, touch, etc.  This way they can see everything in person and see the selection of high-end quality products first hand.  That is all there is to it!  No presentation, no pressure to book sessions, no formal anything--just food and conversation.  Oh yes, I can't forget the goody bags!  Each attendee will receive a bag with some wonderful items--you'll have to wait and see!

How it benefits YOU: First of all, for hosting a referral party you will receive a special gift (it is a secret!).  Secondly you will receive print credit for anyone who books a session as a result of attending your party--even if they book a session 10 months after you party. 

How it benefits your FRIENDS: They get to eat, talk, have fun and see a variety of images, prints and products that I have to offer.  They don't have to buy anything or make any commitment--there is nothing formal about the Referral Party!  Oh yeah, they get to take home some sweet treats too!

How it works: You pick a date and time, invite all of your friends, set out some food and drink and we party!

Important Details:

- There is a limited number of Referral Parties each calendar year.  If you would like to have one (even a few months down the road) please contact me.

- A minimum of 8 people (not counting yourself or me) need to be in attendance, with at least 4 of them being new potential clients.  Since word of mouth is how many of my clients find me, many of you run in the same circles and I welcome you to invite people that are already my clients.  Please invite as many non-clients as possible.

- I suggest that you invite your friends at least 3 weeks prior to the party.

- The location can be somewhere other than your home if you wish.

For more on how this event was started, read this post.  As a thank you I will be giving a very special gift to that client, but that will have to wait until after her newborn session!

[ few announcements ]

Hello Everyone!  Just a few quick announcements...

- Look for a blog post later today about the new Referral Party, the first two people to host a Referral Party will receive a fantastic gift!!!

- Mini-Sessions will be taking place in late March or early April.  This is ideal for the client who wants portraits but doesn't have the time or need for a full session.  Details to be announced later.

- Picture of the Year...this is very important so an email announcement will be sent to all clients when the blog post is made.  I will be choosing my 10 favorite images from 2008 and then YOU get to choose the Picture of the Year!  There will be a grand prize and two runner ups.  All 10 images will be posted on the blog and you (and all of your friends and family) will be able to vote.  Details will be given when the blog post is made on Tuesday, January 27th.  Be sure to check back!

- I've received some adorable pictures for the Winter Wonderland contest, keep sending them in!  Please email your pictures to jpcontest@comcast.net.  The deadline is midnight on February 14th, 2009.

That is all for now!

[ let it snow ]

First *official* snow experience...maybe we'll try again next year!  Apparently adorable snow attire doesn't equal a happy toddler!  If only we could all look that cute in puffy pink and brown clothing.

REMINDER: Winter Wonderland Picture Contest.  Submit your adorable, funny, silly, or crying children to jpcontest@comcast.net by midnight on February 14, 2009. Winner receives complimentary 5x7 from their next session.  Yeah the deadline is still a few weeks away, but there is fresh snow on the ground so I wanted to post a reminder!

[ something new! ]

I am very excited about something new I will be offering this year.  Imagine you, all of your friends, great food and drink, a large sampling if great photography products to view and goody bags for everyone!  Check back soon for details about the *new* Referral Party (and maybe with a better name!) in another post.  This great idea is all thanks to a wonderful client of mine, who happens to be the mom of this adorable boy:

Since this is originally all her idea I asked her to write a little testimonial to let people know why and how she came up it.  Well, she went above and beyond,make that WAAAAY above and beyond with her testimonial and I am very proud to share her email with all of you:

"Jessie was referred to me by a friend, who was a client of Jessie's and thought I would be interested in her photography work, knowing that my husband and I were expecting our first child.  I was seven months pregnant and had always wanted to have pregnancy pictures taken, so I contacted Jessie and little did I know that she had just had her first baby, Ava, 3 weeks prior to me reaching out to her.  She is so amazing that she agreed to make special arrangements for me to come to her home and photograph my first and very special pregnancy.  What can I say....  after my first introduction and photo session with her, I was hooked!  She is a warm and caring person, who takes a very friendly and personal approach to her profession.  After my first photo session, my husband and I had Jessie photograph our son as a newborn and following that session, she photographed many other special occasions over the past year and half.

After several opportunities to have Jessie capture some of the most precious and special memories of our family, I had received many compliments about her various pieces of work through out my home, along with curiosity from friends and family regarding who did this thoughtful, creative photography and how they could reach out to her, as well.

Due to the many compliments and inquiries I had received, I thought it would be a wonderful idea to invite my friends and family to my home to meet Jessie and provide them the opportunity to see all of her wonderful artistic talent, first hand.  I shared this idea with Jessie and invited her to spend an evening at my home with friends and family and asked her to bring her work to display and share with the guests.  Well, the evening was a hit and many of the guests have decided to embark on the wonderful experience with Jessie, as well.  It was an enjoyable evening of wine, appetizers and good company, along with the creative masterpieces Jessie had designed.  I can't say enough about Jessie's work, but I also think of her as a special friend, who has brought a very unique and thoughtful part to our family's life."  A.V January, 2009

[ i am a sucker ]

...for a girl in a pink tutu!

[ take a look! ]

Phew!  It has been quite a task, but I am pleased to announce that the studio website and blog have officially been updated!  You will find a new layout for the website, as well as new colors for both the site and blog. 

My goal was to update the galleries on the website with new images from the fall.  BUT...instead I ended up just adding images.  This past summer and fall were by far the best and I just couldn't replace any of the gallery images that were already there.  So take a walk through each gallery and you will see new images that have been added!  You could say that I'm addicted to all of the images... =0)

All of the general information and pricing has also been updated.  AND...there is a new "Products" gallery where you will be able to see pictures of most products that the studio offers.  Check back soon for that gallery to be updated.

If you love what you see on the blog, or have any feedback on the updated website please add a comment to this post.  To add a comment, scroll to the end of the post and click on the small "comment" word at the bottom.  This goes for all posts, I would love your comments, I love hearing what my clients have to say!

And...some new things for the new year...

- In keeping with the norm for all other enlargements, 11x14 prints will now be mounted and sprayed with a lustre coating to protect and preserve the print.

- In the past I have offered various promotions and specials.  I will no longer offer monthly or seasonal promotions.  This will keep all fees and prices the same for all clients year-round.  Instead there are incentives based on your order totals, a referral gift, and at the end of the year every client receives a little something as well.  And don't be surprised if I throw a little something extra in now and then!

- For some fun I will have a Client Photo Contest three times a year.  The first one is "Winter Wonderland".  Please submit a picture of your child(ren) in the snow to jpcontest@comcast.net.  The deadline is midnight on Saturday, February 14th.  I will put reminders on the blog, so be sure to check back!  The winner will receive a complimentary 5x7 print from their next session.  Be creative and have fun!

- The Cypress Folios were a big hit this fall with many clients purchasing them as gifts.  I will be adding more Cypress products this year.  Check their other products out at www.cypressalbums.com 

Hmmm...I'm pretty sure it is going to snow tonight, get that camera out tomorrow and snap a picture for the contest!

Until next time...

[ more of little man C ]

I finally got around to finishing the images I took of this little guy a couple of weeks ago.  I want to share them all, but I need to save some to add to my updated website (which I *hope* will be done this weekend!).  Here they are in no particular order, wait, who am I kidding!?!?  This first one is a favorite of mine...his expression, deep blue eyes, the depth of field, everything!  Enjoy...

[ fine art...maybe? ]

In an effort to "grasp at my inner photographer" or something ridiculous like that I decided to push myself and venture out during our last snow storm.  I am definitely not known for still life images or basically, any image that doesn't involve a person.  Though I do have to say I love photographing little details here and there which could probably be called fine art.  Anyway, here are a few images I captured around our yard.  If you love them, great!  If you don't...I just *might* be inclined to agree with you.  Many people tell me that they think I would take great scenery images because I am so creative--but this is where my creativity dries up.  If my subject isn't moving, laughing, smiling, making faces, interacting, or getting into trouble then I have a pretty hard time capturing it.  But we all need to venture outside of our comfort zone every now and then!

 

 

[ had to share ]

I had a very particular idea for decorating one of the side tables in my dining room this Christmas.  I received so many compliments from clients and friends that I decided to share it with everyone.  Months ago I knew that I wanted to take some pictures of Ava with a striped lollipop and I also knew that I wanted to display them somehow.  Rather quickly I decided to make a "candy table" using her pictures, some glass display items and yummy candy.  Hopefully I have inspired one of you on how to display your own pictures.  Enjoy!

And no, that is not the face of a sweet and innocent toddler...it is the face of one who was just caught doing something she shouldn't!  Not innocent, but still sweet!