Jessica | JJ Horton Photography

December 7, 2010

Family | The Thompson Family

On a chilly Sunday afternoon we met up with the Thompson family on Fayetteville Street, in downtown Raleigh to get some great shots for their Christmas cards. These guys were such great sports hiking all over Fayetteville Street, Union Square, Moores Square & City Market. Here’s the peek I posted a few days ago- it’s on of my favorites 🙂 I love this equally in color & black & white. Handsome older brother, Cooper. The boys lucked out and got to go for a little ride in one of the pedal carts. We found the boys ages in one of the parking lots we passed. Thank you Thompson family for braving the cold, and choosing us to photograph your holiday pictures!

December 6, 2010

December Goals & Sneak Peeks!

Alrighty…. I’m a few days late, but that’s ok…. let’s revisit those November goals…. 1. Finish info & pricing guide to mail/email to prospective clients (almost done!) Redoing it. 2. Get a chalkboard to make a visible to-do list in the office. Couldn’t find a chalkboard, so I got a whiteboard.3. Order a sample Finao album. Done! Can’t wait for it to arrive!4. Edit our vacation pictures & blog them. Negative 🙁5. Edit the Carolina Balloon Fest pictures & blog them. Done!6. Edit photos from Dad & Gloria’s party. Done!7. Work on Christmas gifts. Worked on them & almost done!8. Edit Casey & Andrew’s wedding & blog Done!9. Be in bed by 11 each night. I did REALLY well!10. Complete client orders. Done!11. Order our own Christmas cards to send. Took the photo & designed them, but have decided to re-take the photo.12. Order new business cards. Done! Yay letterpress!13. Photograph Kristi’s new paper goods. Don’t have yet.14. Photograph Anna & Chris’s wedding 🙂 (#7 for the year!) Done & currently editing!15. Photograph Molly’s Family. Done & edited… blogging soon!16. Deliver the Barber NC State Fair photos. Done!17. Photograph Emma Rae’s 1st birthday! Took a few, but no formal shoot yet.18. Host Thanksgiving dinner for our friends. Done!…. not too shabby!On to December goals!1. Edit & deliver Anna & Chris’s wedding.2. Edit & deliver Jacquelyn & Jon’s holiday/winter shoot.3. Finish our Christmas cards & send them out.4. Finish decorating for Christmas.5. Photograph Jennifer’s holiday cards & deliver.6. Photograph Kernersville Living cover & deliver. 7. Clean out my car.8. Clean up my desk. 9. Book at least 2 more weddings 🙂10. Spend more time with friends. 11. Enjoy the holidays with my hunny! Finally got around to doing some craft projects today for Christmas…. here are the the trees I made 🙂 Sneak Peeks!The Thompson Family, Anna & Chris’s Wedding & Jacquelyn & Jon’s winter/holiday shoot

December 3, 2010

Children | Addison

Lauren contacted us about doing some photos of her little girl for Christmas several weeks ago at The Point in Mooresville, I was thrilled! I’d heard so many wonderful things about the scenery there, I just couldn’t wait to see it. Side note: I once got offered a job to run their swimming complex, and I turned it down- but it was really cool to see it in person & just how nice that place is! We met up at the “monument” and got a few shots there first. (This is one of my absolute favorites… and I couldn’t decide if I liked it in color or black & white better…. so I’ll post both!) Lauren brought all kinds of awesome props!! The beach down at The Point on Lake Norman is just beautiful! I’d LOVE to do more shoots down there 🙂 Happy Holidays, Lauren, Addison & CoCo!

December 2, 2010

Wedding | Kasey & Andrew

Back in October I had the opportunity to 2nd shoot a wedding in Kinston, North Carolina. I had no idea how beautifully, quaint the town of Kinston is- so charming & quintessentially Southern. The couple, Kasey & Andrew were just as sweet & charming as the town itself. She’s a gorgeous, blonde bombshell and he’s just a sweet puppy dog who loves her every move- he just adores her! We arrived in Kinston a little early to check out the church & surrounding area…. whoa…. St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is just STUNNING! It’s like a mini Duke Chapel with that amazing stone and gorgeous arches. These delicious cake pops came from Yummy Goodness Bake Shoppe in Greensboro. Probably one of my favorite photos to date: Andrew’s parents live almost across the street from the church- making it super easy for me to sneak over and grab a few of him getting ready to go meet Kasey. She sent me over with a note for him. Andrew’s dad was just the cutest! He wanted to make sure Andrew looked perfect! They wanted to get to their party shortly after the ceremony ended, so they chose to do a first look…. OMG… this is the first time I’ve been involved with a bride & groom doing one…. SUCH a fantastic idea!! It gives you plenty of time to get some great shots together without feeling so rushed… and I really don’t think it takes away from the groom seeing the bride walk down the aisle. Then it was ceremony time! …. and on to the reception at the Chef & The Farmer…. this food was SO GOOD! ….. Thanks to Renee Sprink for having me shoot with her again 🙂

@JJHORTON