J. Passon Artistic Portraiture

[ how sweet it is ]

To be loved by a child. Some days are hard.  Some days are harder.  Still, some days are torture.  Don't get me wrong, some days are bliss.  There are days I want to curl up with my girls and never leave the house.  Other days I would love to stay out all day and evening photographing wonderful families.  Every now and then I try to do both of those things on the same day.  Usually disaster strikes.  I have found that there is no balance to running a business and being a wife and mother.  Different moments through the day and night one will prevail over the other. 

One evening after a session and a long weekend of shooting, I came home to this from my three year old...sippie cup and all...

Apparently while helping daddy trim the dead hydrangeas out front she picked one up, went inside, got a sippie cup out, filled it up with water from the fridge and put in on my desk.  He had no idea. When I got home, she said "Have a good session mommy? There's a flower for you on your desk, like it?".  My smile grew wider and wider...I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.  I suddenly forgot the aches in my body from shooting all weekend, the long list of client sessions to edit and orders piling up...never mind the blog that needed updating!  At that moment, I was a mom pure and simple...and a very proud mom.

While I am here I will introduce you to Shirley Temple and Baby Ballerina.  Yes, Baby Ballerina does look a bit disheveled and tired.  That would be because she refused to nap earlier and was ready for bed.

What happens when it is a gorgeous day, your mommy is a photographer and you refuse to nap?  Your punishment isn't having to scream in your crib...it is a mini photo shoot!

And now...back to regular business!  More sneak peeks of recent sessions coming soon.  Thanks for letting me take a little personal mommy break on the blog.

[ clear as glass ]

Really, this must be the year of the return client.  Here is another family that I haven't seen for a bit over 2 years. The eyes on these girls are just amazing. They are so blue and clear that you feel like you can see right into their soul. The girls have grown so much and it was so much fun to photograph them again.  We even got mom and dad in on the session this time and there are some amazing family moments.  They were quite troopers as it was freezing during the session with a wind that was biting cold.  More peeks coming...I'm still not caught up on posting sessions and there are a couple of newborns that will be gracing the blog soon!

[ trim the tree, wine bottle, ornamental hook...]

With orders pouring in I thought it was a good time to show off the gorgeous portrait ornaments that are available for purchase.  These were introduced last year and were a big hit with clients. 

They are gorgeous!  The simple design with elegant ribbon allow your image to demand attention.  They come included with a gift box which make it easy to give as a gift.  Not only for the tree, these are great around a bottle of wine (gift idea!) or hanging on a ornamental hook on your wall.  After the holidays are over, you don't have to feel the need to pack it away with other ornaments, hang it somewhere you can enjoy all year long. The first two images below are the ones I ordered of each of my girls.  This year I can't decide to get one of each girl or one of them together...I just might have to order three ornaments! 

To place your order, just contact the studio!

[ one short year ]

That was then, exactly one year ago...all 8 lbs. 9 oz. of her

This is now, all 27+ pounds of her and a wild attitude to go along with it!

Happy Birthday Sweet Babe!  We love you!

[ 1,775 miles ]

That is approximately how far this family came for a session!  Really, all the way from Texas.  A bit humbling I must admit.  When they moved to Texas last year it was sad to think I wouldn't photograph them again.  Here they are though!  It has been over a year since I photographed big brother and at that time little brother was just a seed beginning to grow.  We planned this session several months ago and I will tell you that every detail just fell into place perfectly.  The leaves were gorgeous and the weather was perfect, no one was sick and the session was fun and laid back...just the way I like it!  Coming all that way, we couldn't ask for more.  Over the last few years mom and I have become great friends. In fact, we were due just days apart with our babes last year and their birthdays are just 4 days apart.  Happy Birthday little bro!  Enjoy this peek...and yes, there are still more sessions coming to the blog.

[ a few firsts ]

There is a first time for everything, right?  Well, this was my first time meeting this family, it was their first session, and it was my first session that included 3 dogs and a toddler!  They were the most well-behaved dogs and did great for the portion of the session that we included them.  Good thing too because little Mr. was an adorable busy guy...I just love busy toddlers who give me lots of action.  I captured some wonderful family moments as well...enjoy these images and there are more peeks to come on the blog soon...

[ custom dvd ]

I just packaged up this custom DVD case and custom DVD which has a one-of-a-kind slideshow video.  Before it was wrapped up nice and pretty and shipped off to the client I took a few pictures to share.  These are truly a custom item that are designed with the client in mind.  Each slideshow video is designed and set to music that is chosen just for that client.  Offered as an ordering incentive, the custom DVD is also available for purchase after your session.  Take a peek below at a fast-paced snippet of this video:

 

[ 5 sessions left ]

If you are looking for a child or family session this year, there are just a few sessions left before the bitter cold and holidays arrive. Please check the studio calendar for available dates.  If you are available on a weekday but do not see any session openings, please contact the studio as we may be able to accommodate a weekday afternoon session.  We will continue to book newborn sessions for the rest of 2010 and beginning of 2011.

While I am here I just have to show some recent pics of our little huge October baby. Upon returning home from a late afternoon session I saw my little chunker outside in the jumper.  With my camera right there and handy I stripped her down, put a quick headband from Addison Saige Designs on her head and stuck her in a bucket and called in the troops (daddy and big sister) for entertainment.  Our "session" lasted all of 15 minutes before she was happily crawling naked through the dirt and brush.  Enjoy...

[ love affair with light ]

I must confess, my recent obsession with light continues.  It seems I just can't get enough of the soft light as the sun slowly starts to set.  At this session we used several places in their yard, but there was this little pocket of light around the corner on the side of the house that I was drawn to.  In addition to the beautiful light, I could not get enough of baby E's big brown eyes!  The funniest thing happened when she smiled though--they disappeared.  Her entire face smiles and it is so cute!  At our last session sweet little E was just a few days old, she grew so quickly. Not only is she just too adorable, but her family is incredibly warm and wonderful!  I happen to know several members of her family as she is the niece of Tracy, owner of Tracy & Co. Salon.  The green chair you see pictured below was used at her newborn session so we decided to include it in each of her three sessions for A Year of Art.  Enjoy...

[ sweetness squared ]

Remember these little ones?

Well, they have gone and grown up... just a little though!  Here they are showing off their great sitting, smiling and laughing skills.  They were so content and happy which makes my job that much more fun and easy!  Enjoy...