Finally getting around to sharing some new favorites of my very own children.   As most of my photographer friends know, photos of our own offspring are often hard to come by.   A photographer’s child has this strange dislike for the camera … hmmm, I wonder why?  It surely can’t be the fact that they’re always hearing, “Who wants to be my light tester today?” or “Just stand over there for a quick second.  Won’t take long.  Oh wait, just a couple more!”

Anyway, the kids and I had a nice discussion and agreement that as a ‘thank you’ for the trip to Myrtle Beach, they would participate in a mini photo session on the beach.  Success!  So happy with these images.  <3

Let me introduce a wonderful, inspiring woman to you.  Meet Rebecca.  Rebecca has conquered more obstacles and struggles over the past couple years, then I may ever endure in my life.  I stumbled upon her journey on Facebook and couldn’t resist connecting with her.  I quickly realized that her story needed to be shared, appreciated and celebrated.  And so “The Journey” stories here at Jess VanLue Photography were born.

Do you know someone who has gone through a remarkable weight-loss journey?  Someone who never gave up on the journey to a healthy life?  Please let me know.  I hope to share many, many more stories just like Rebecca’s.

So sit back, read, smile and celebrate Rebecca’s new life as she tells it …

She is loved and cherished by so many in her community.  In our brief meeting, she was beaming.  Photographing her was such a pleasure and so much fun.  Congrats, Rebecca!  You’re a star.

One of my most favorite days of summer is the day that I have the privilege of photographing beautiful teens in their prom gowns.  Sometimes we head to the beach or tall grass or even a backyard.  This year we shot on a wonderful piece of property that had a little bit of everything … greenery, old buildings, and grassy paths.  The girls all showed up looking beyond fantastic.  The shoot was a blast, and like every other year, it flew by too fast.

I often get asked, “Why do you do a prom shoot in the summer?” For me it’s a win-win photo shoot.  Win for the girls because they get to wear their $200+ prom dress that was only worn for 6 hours and probably wouldn’t see daylight ever again, plus get photographed in a way that truly portrays their style and beauty.  Win for me because I get the chance to play fashion photographer for a day and fill my gallery with images I normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to create.  It really is a fun day for all involved.

Here are just a few of my favorite images that were created last week.  It was so hard to choose a small sampling.  Didn’t the girls do amazing?

Below are a few other favorites.  Enjoy!

Hola, mis amigos!  We’ve returned from the muy bonita country of Mexico.  It’s hard to formulate a blog post to describe the trip, because it was overwhelmingly incredible.  The weather, the resort, the water, the food, the drinks, the company, the breeze, the colors, the connections, the peace, the people, the view, the sun, the memories … just utterly fantastic.  I could go on and on, but I think the huge smile on my face right now and the following pictures sum it all up quite nicely.  God’s creations are hard to define.

The Resort:  Hacienda Tres Rios

The Mayan Show presented at the resort (AWESOME!).

Florals

Beaches

5th Avenue in Playa Del Carmen

Many, many more images posted on my Facebook.  Find me there.

In my mother’s garden,
You will find a huge array,
Of greens and branches,
Leaves and petals,
Growing day by day.

In my mother’s garden,
there is love grown everywhere.
Care and passion,
Heart and soul
Are always shining there.

In my mother’s garden,
there lies a bit of peace.
I take it in,
And keep it with me
And hope it will increase.