Down to days

I’m down to counting days rather than weeks til my Germany trip. I’m nervous. I don’t know why. I mean, that was… is… my “home.” What if I forget how to speak German? What if I drive slowly in the left lane on the autobahn because America totally ruined me? What if I don’t see all of the friends I want to see? What if… I don’t know. Darn you, Gray’s Anatomy and your plane crash finale.

I got some film back yesterday from our recent trip to Neah Bay, Washington, and the famous Shi Shi beach. I’ll blog all of the photos soon but for now, a starfish.

See you soon, Deutschland!

xo
j

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Jake: A furboy that needs our help

I always say that animals are my therapy. You can’t say there isn’t healing in a furbaby looking at you and the one thing they’re counting on in life is for you to help them have a great day.

Since I’ve gotten my own little puff of never ending canine affection, I’ve practically had a shock to the heart. Now, don’t get me wrong… the 20 pounds of feline love in our home is in abundance but let’s face it, cats aren’t always on the same page with humans about when and where affection should happen, so it was only fitting that we add a 24 hour attention-seeking machine.

Every night, when the little terrier crawls onto my pillow to get squeezed before she heads off to the foot of the bed, I rub her face and ask her, “did you have a good day today?” If her eyes tell me anything less than absolute content, I feel like I’ve failed. A living being that has no malice never deserves less than the best of days.

Unfortunately, there are people who do not agree.

Such as Jake’s former “caregiver.”

My friend, Kelly, who is the main artery of my personal support system, recently took in a tall, dark, and handsome golden retriever, who was being fostered by a less than stellar human. For the majority of Jake’s mere 5-6 years of life, he knew little more than suffering and neglect.

Jake walks with a limp and has a significant amount of daily pain, as his ACL is torn and is in desperate need of a long overdue surgery. Rather than passing him along to the next unsuspecting golden lover, as was done to him in the past, Kelly has committed to caring for Jake and helping him see his own best of days.

Jake and Kelly need our help for this expensive surgery. A ChipIn has been established in Jake’s honor. Donations are more than appreciated. A donation from you isn’t just monetary. It’s a symbol to Jake and the rest of the innocent, that there are humans who do love, feel, and fight for them.

HERE is Jake’s ChipIn site, where you can also read a little more about him.

xo
-Jake, Bella, Kelly, Mabel, Archie, and Jessica

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Rainy day film

This is where I’d like to be today. Mit kaffee, bitte.

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Film Photography: More medium format

Today went entirely too fast. It’s days like today that remind me how cool my life is and how lucky I am to have the experiences that I do.

I visited one of my faaaaavorite friends in Seattle. We tooled around the city, had a vegan lunch, nerded out at a camera shop, had coffees and a hot chocolate with whip and sprinkles for our 5 year old partner in crime, all while two rolls of my medium format film was being processed at MoonPhoto. What a great little photo lab.

The first set is from my beloved Mamiya RZ67. The second set from the new to me, vintage twin lens Mamiyaflex I scored a couple weeks ago.

I was just reading a film photographer’s post last night about the “imperfect” out of focus images that turn out amazing. I’m very seriously considering a pirate eye patch for the moments my face is exhausted from closing one eye so hopefully those out of focus moments soon become few. However, it just so happens that the missed focus photos were some of my dreamy faves this time.

Lots of flowers lately but who can resist spring?

xo
j

And the Mamiyaflex…

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Film Photography: Medium Format

Medium format film. Perfect in every way.

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Your pre-announcement, announcement!

Trip to Wiesbaden = BOOKED.

Let the photo sessions commence.

While I would absolutely love to book everyone that inquires, I simply cannot highly personalize sessions if I have a full calendar so this time around, the number of bookings I take will be limited. Still crossing fingers for the day I call Wiesbaden “home” again so don’t you worry, I’m looking for a solution for my booking dilemma!

I’ll be sending out the “official” announcement email this week. Bookings will be available from May 22nd – 30th.

If you haven’t already communicated with me through email and gotten on the email list, please take the time to send me a little note (Jessica@JJCeason.com) before Friday so that you too, can receive the official announcement.

FAQs:

“Jessica, How do I book a photo session with you this May?”

Until I’m feet on the ground “permanently” I’m making trips to Wiesbaden on a bi-annual basis to conduct photo sessions.

Prior to my trip, I make an announcement on my blog and facebook page that I am “now accepting bookings.”

I will also be sending a mass email to everyone that has communicated with me via email that they would like to book a session during my upcoming trip.

The email is important. The email is sent BEFORE the facebook and blog announcement so you have an advantage if you are on the list.

Reply to the email ASAP! I will book sessions on a first come, first serve basis. Emails will be answered and sessions booked in the order they are received.

Please note that I do not book sessions via facebook message- all bookings are made through email only.

I book rather quickly so if you are even tapping your fingers, considering a session, I highly recommend getting on that coveted email list. :)

“Are you conducting a photography workshop this year?”

Yes! I will be holding a Photography Basics: How to use your “fancy camera” workshop. There will be 10 seats available. The date is yet to be determined. Reserving a spot for this will work in the same way as booking a photo session. I will also post a blog announcement with workshop details and cost.

“What are your prices for photo sessions?”

Please email me for a detailed list of session options (Jessica@JJCeason.com).

Check your inboxes THIS WEEK, early birds!

If you have any questions well… you know the deal- hit up my inbox!

I can’t wait to see you all!!

xo
j

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Film Photography: Blumen

Sometimes you wake up and you know even before your feet hit the floor that it’s going to be a weird day.

The first half of today was odd, beginning with a fantastic morning headache. However, things turned around when I paid a visit to my PNW BFF and her family. I shot off the remainder of a roll of film during our visit then dropped it off for immediate processing.

Really, there’s nothing like film. I haven’t been this excited about photography for a while. Even better was seeing how incredibly happy film made my friend today, after she picked up her first processed roll in nearly a decade. I’ve watched her shoot a number of times but the confidence she has when holding a film camera is noticeably more than when the digital hangs from her neck. I think we both feel a little renewed.

My entire roll was devoted to flowers. Here’s to the next four months of photographing blooms, on film.

xo
j

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Sunday and a puppy

xo
-m

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Film Photography – Seattle Street Photography: The 99%?

This guy asked me to take his photo. I happily obliged.

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Film Photography: Chairs

Continuing on with my chairs theme this year. Last year, I was obsessed with doors. This year, seating arrangements. It just so happens that Seattle is full of places to rest your bum.

I was looking at a map this morning, at a bike trail in my area. Seconds later, I found myself zooming way out then back in closely on my favorite trails across the world, in Germany. I felt my heart sink when the amazing sattelite detail showed me rock and tree formations that I remember passing on foot. Then came a sense of excitement and relief that I’ll have the opportunity to run and breathe on these trails NEXT MONTH.

As the inquiries for photo sessions come in, I’m getting more and more excited about my upcoming trip, seeing people I know, hugging friends, dinner downtown in Wiesbaden, meeting new clients, and creating new photos of beautiful people.

I’m thinking of adding film sessions to my package options this year. It’ll be in a “beta testing mode” of sorts this time so if there are any volunteers, give me a shout.

xo
j

Posted in Lifestyle Photography, Personal | 2 Comments