CCJames Photography » the blog

…for me to write a blog post (LOL)!   It’s been exactly one month since my last post – a personal record I think!  My apologies to my loyal followers (and anyone who periodically checks in), but I have been on a “break” from all things photography related for a while.  This past holiday season was very busy (which I am so thankful for), but I feel like my family paid the price for me working nonstop for most of the fall.   I am finding that it’s quite difficult to manage what has turned into a full time business on part time hours.  Add to that, managing a household and being active in my children’s lives (and my marriage), and there’s not much time left for anything or anyone – including myself.

I have much to think about.  There will be some changes to CCJames Photography this year.  I am excited to say that I will be “slimming” down my schedule to allow me to be a better mommy to my two beautiful kids and a better wife to my amazing husband.  My photography business has given me so much joy and I have big plans for the future – but I am going to take things at a bit slower pace starting this year until my kids are in elementary school.  I will be working on some other exciting changes this year as well (not telling yet…) and I plan to continue improving my craft and learning more about how I can be a better photographer for YOU – my awesome clients!

I will close with two sweet pictures of my daughter and her cousin.  One is from Christmas 2007 and the other from Christmas 2009.  They are separated by many miles, but you would never know it when they are together.  It warms my heart to see their relationship and to watch my daughter experience all of the joys that a family can bring – especially a BIG family!  ;)

This holiday season has been a whirlwind – and it’s not even completely over!   I have yet to blog about the AWESOME visit with Santa at the Shoppe of Vinings and a very special event that I volunteered for at the Atlanta Children’s Shelter.  And, there are a couple people that have yet to receive their galleries (THANK YOU for your patience).  I have been working 24/7 it seems – and so has the fabulous miss Allyson (thank you, thank you, thank you).  I miss my husband and my kids – and my brain!  So, I’m off tomorrow for a very special trip to CANCUN with three wonderful ladies who have been friends of mine since the EARLY days (I’m talking 80’s fashion, first loves, pre-baby, etc. etc.).  We planned this trip in August and it’s so hard to believe it’s already here, but I’m BEYOND excited!  I hope to enjoy lots of laughs, have some fun in the sun, and get some much needed rest.  I’ll be back Monday to finish out the season and can’t wait to spend time with my family and friends again.

Thank you so much to all of my fantastic clients, my beautiful family, and my awesome friends for an amazing year.

Hoping tomorrow will look something like this……CHEERS!

I am very excited to announce a wonderful fall event that I will be hosting with the Shoppe of Vinings and C&S Oyster Bar.

For those of you that attended my “Shop, Sip & Savor” event last May which benefited the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, you already know this is going to be LOADS of fun.  But, if you haven’t attended one of our previous events – now is your chance!  Grab some friends and come on out for a relaxing night of shopping and dining.  The ladies at the Shoppe will help you pick out some wonderful gifts for family and friends – or maybe a Troll Bead bracelet for yourself??? Gift wrapping is complimentary (and oh-so-cute) so bring your list and get the holiday shopping done early!

Breast Cancer has touched the lives of so many people, including friends of mine.  Almost everyone knows someone with a story.  That is why we have chosen to make a donation to Breast Cancer Research equal to 10% of sales from the evening. Every little bit helps – and brings us that much closer to a cure.

I hope to see all of your familiar faces at the Shoppe!  You can link directly to our EVITE and let us know you are coming.

Hello Litchfield Beach!  We’re off to our annual family vacation.  See you next week!

Jeff took this pic last year.  I can’t believe how much my Kylie Bear has grown up – AND we’ve added the little man, Jake, to the family…….

I thought I would share a fun picture I took this morning.  I showed up at the park for a morning session – and then realized I scheduled the session for Sunday morning – not Saturday!  Sometimes my Mommy-Brain gets the best of me!  I’ve been trying not to schedule many weekend sessions so I think I’m out of practice!

Anyway – I got to play around a bit with some new techniques and I thought this one turned out kind of cool!

Stay tuned for a post about the Fall, Holiday Sessions, deadlines, etc.  Happy Saturday!

I have been so busy lately with sessions and editing galleries, I haven’t done much sharing on the personal side.  Although I have been under the weather all week, I decided to take a few pictures of Jake yesterday morning.  He is already the victim of the “second child syndrome” and I have about 75% less pictures of him than I did of Kylie when she was this age.    Our “session” lasted about 10 minutes – and then Kylie wanted to join in.  I was cracking up as I was going through this series of pictures, and I decided it was worth sharing.  There isn’t really one “perfect” picture, but together they tell the story of a beautiful sibling relationship that is just beginning.

I often have a string of pictures like these from client sessions as well.  On an individual basis, not really portrait worthy, but together, a great story.  So, the best thing to do is make a collage……. right?

Just look at the faces on Jake. He is already so animated and boisterous – I can only imagine what it will be like around here when he starts moving!

As most of you know (and any photographer will tell you) – it’s almost impossible to take pictures of your own kids.  BUT, today I had both kids all day (and it was a loooooooooong day) and my Kylie Bear let me dress her up in a beautiful tu-tu skirt and some cowboy boots while Jake was sleeping.  AND, she let me take a few pictures.  Yes, I bribed her with a popsicle.  What else can I do?

Here’s my sweetheart.  

A note about the picture above.  Kylie has started biting her nails REALLY BAD (any advice here is welcome).  I often tell my clients that you want to remember your children “as they are” rather than the perfect posed shots.  This picture just speaks to me because it portrays the girl she is right now, for this moment — and we know how short these moments can be. 

Just wanted to share my sweet baby boy at 12 weeks old.  I know everyone thinks I must be taking a MILLION pictures of him – but I’m not.  AND, most of the pictures that I have taken are with my nifty point & shoot camera anyway!    Believe it or not, any spare time (when Jake is sleeping and Kylie isn’t asking me “will you play with me mommy, PUUULLLLEEEEZZZZZZ???) is spent working on photography stuff.  Getting ready to get back into the swing of things after 3 months of not “working” is a big task!  

So here are a couple pictures from our 15 minute session today…

And yes, I think he really does weigh around 15 pounds by now – he’s HUGE!!!  :)

Explanation: Big sister’s idea… enough said.

And, the two little people that have made the biggest impact on my life (besides my wonderful husband) —– life is pretty good!

Every year my family participates in the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s “Take Steps” Walk to raise money towards a possible cure to this horrible disease.  The cause is very close to my heart because my husband has the disease and we live with it everyday.  If you are one of my blog followers and you live here locally, I hope you will join us for a VERY fun event at the Shoppe of Vinings on May 4th to benefit this organization (details below) — I would love to see you!  If you want to find out more about our fundraising efforts click HERE for our personal web page.  We hope to exceed our goal of $5,000 again this year!  THANK YOU SO MUCH to the Shoppe of Vinings and C&S Oyster Bar for sponsoring such a special event.

It’s hard to believe how fast the time has gone.  Kylie being born marks the beginning of my journey as a stay-at-home-mom and as a professional photographer.  She has brought more joy to my life than I could have imagined possible.  What a precious gift.