WE GOT A NEW PUPPY!

We went to the Animal Shelter in Apple Valley and found a little guy we just couldn't resist. He's between 4 and 5 months old, and looks to be pure German Shepherd. At least his markings and body shape do. :)
Once we got him home, he followed us everywhere. So his name became Shadow. So without further ado, let me introduce SHADOW

Now I ask you... who could resist this face???

So our home has grown by 4 feet! :)

Letter On My Doorstep

I saw this recently and it really made me stop and think. How fragile are our lives, and how they can be suddenly shortened or ended when we least expect it.

This is an inspiring message for anyone thinking about getting family portraits, or portraits of any kind for that matter. None of us has any guarantees of tomorrow.

Please take the time to read this letter. It may just save something you value greatly and get a great deal of comfort from... your memories!

 

A letter on my door step. portraits are more than paper.

Posted by jeaninethurston on January 2, 2012

There will be no portrait photos in this post. This letter wasn’t mailed – it was at my doorstep when I got home a couple months ago. I read it, I cried, and read it again – probably a hundred times by now. It wasn’t easy to read – and honestly, as much as it validates what I do for a living – I wasn’t sure I was going to share it either – Until today, when a past client said that my print prices were too expensive. If you choose to read through the letter, you will know why I’ve finally chosen to share it.
July 2nd, 2011
Jeanine -
Today I am writing for a couple of reasons. I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind. I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.
You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby. I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family. After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you.. Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.
That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.
On Sunday I called and cancelled our session. Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip. This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things. My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor. It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly. I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice. It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.
I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat.
Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me. The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them. Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it. If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth. I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.
My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos. I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.
Karen L.

I'm finally adding some recent dogs...

In continuing with my CareMore health plan Pet Portraits for the senior citizens, I have some new ones to share. Actually I'm way behind in sharing. I won't put them ALL up just now and overwhelm you. That would take up a few pages. So here are just a few of the most recent ones...

Again, if you enjoy seeing my work please leave a comment to let me know.
Thanks for looking. 8^))
Judy

Wow! Where has the time gone?

I just realized I haven't posted on here since last August. So sorry! But I'm back and I'll try to do better. I love to share portraits with you, and I hope you enjoy seeing them as well. Leave a message after the posts if you do enjoy them. That's the only way I'll know. :)
Shortly I'll post a whole bunch of new work I've done. There is quite a lot to show you since I last posted.
Its coming soon...

An interesting but fun session today

I had the pleasure of photographing some unusual animals today. At least they were unusual to what I normally do. It was fun. There was a Green Cheeked Conure, two colorful frogs, and two Bearded Dragon babies. The conure kept flying off my posing area, and the green frog kept jumping off and onto the floor. the frogs look like rubber toys, but they were real. But I got it done. Here's a few of the shots from today...

A New Session at the CareMore Facility

Hi folks, I'm a bit slow at getting these posts posted. I just finished a new session at CareMore Health Care Facility today and these are some of the images. I'll be doing another session there next month also, so there will be more new photos then.


That isn't all of them, but it is most of them and I don't want to wear you out looking at them. LOL I so love photographing dogs and cats, and just animals in general. I may be photographing a Bearded Dragon on Friday. If I get that one done, I'll be sure to  post some of the photos here for you to see.

Until then, have a great day... or evening depending on what time you're looking at this. :)

Maternity Video

Hi again, I just completed my video from my maternity session with Reneisha. She is such a beautiful young woman and an excellent model. Here is the video. Please leave a comment after watching.

Thanks,
Judy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE26IaSiVxI