Sand + Sun + Love in the Dominican Republic

I've been in the Dominican Republic the last couple days with my friend Rebecca of Studio Noveau Photography. I'm second shooting a destination wedding with her!

While we are here for work, it's also been nice to have a little down time to relax (i.e., nap, order room service, and have no schedule). We spent quite a bit of time on the beach yesterday ... it was so so so LOVELY to soak up some sun! Plus it was fun for me to see the ocean for the first time! Here are a few photos from my time here ... so far. :) There will be more to come!

Happy Thursday!
js

Thank you, Molly. :)

I need to give a special shout out today to someone who helped me and my injured wrist this past Saturday.

Meet Molly.

She is an apparel design college student. She has an interest in photography and fashion. Her heart is happy. Molly's eye for details is impeccable. She was a trooper even while fighting a nasty cold. I so so so appreciated her presence on Saturday - toting my bag, loading fresh batteries into my flash, grabbing lenses, and making sure everyone's attire was just right before I snapped photos. She was invaluable.

Thanks so much, Molly, for being my other right wrist. I ADORE your happy heart and your attention to detail! Can't wait for you to join me again!!

xxoo

Jessica

Meet Molly  

Happy Birthday, JSP!

Do you know what today - April 7 - marks? It's hard for me to believe, but it's the one-year birthday of Jessica Sands Photography! It is so cliche, yet so true that time flies when you're having fun, and let me tell you, this year has been fun!

For years I wanted to own my own business, and when things started falling into place, creating this little venture felt like the right fit. Rest assured, there have been some bumps along the way. Here's what I've learned:

• Being a work-at-home-mom is the hardest job I've ever had. My working hours revolve around everyone else's schedules and is done when everyone is sleeping or on weekends when my husband is home to hang out with our son. We recently hired a nanny who hangs out with us a couple times a week - she's a Godsend! 
• I didn't get rich. Going into this, I knew it would be a considerable amount of time before  I would make a profit. What I didn't know is that while earning money is rewarding, it isn't everything. Not everyone can go to work and say they are in love with their job. I can. :)
• I have the most amazing clients. It's true. I know every photographer says this, blah blah blah, but I honestly believe that my clients were heaven sent! They value my artistic vision, and so many times, become my friends. Being surrounded by so many people who appreciate art is quite humbling! I love my clients and wouldn't be sitting here without them, which brings me to the next discovery ... 
• It takes more than just my own blood, sweat, and tears to run my business. I wouldn't be able to do this without the support of a few people - my husband and my parents. When I told them about my little dream, they encouraged me from the get-go. This includes my mother happily volunteering to leave her house at 5 a.m. to be here by 8 so I could drive a total of 6 hours for a shoot; my dad giving me business advice; and my husband spending weekends alone and giving up lots of sleep to contend with a very fussy, teething baby. I owe a lot -  pretty much everything - to the three of them, and God. :)
• My colleagues are like family. This is a shock to some people. Why would I be friends with my competition? Because they are AWESOME! I have a very tight circle of photographer friends from all over the state. The knowledge they've shared with me, the way they've cheered me on (in photography and life, in general), and shooting with/for them has been an absolute pleasure! 
• Lastly, I run this business a little bit for me, but mostly for my son. The reason this all started was because of him. He is my inspiration ... especially as he enters the Terrible Two stage. When he dumps oatmeal all over the floor, this mama doesn't necessarily start cleaning up, she grabs her camera! 

There are some big changes coming for JSP this year and I can't wait to share them with you! Make sure to stop back often and leave some comment love. 

Because no post is complete without a photo ... take a look at my loves.

Thank you to all who have supported me. You have no idea how much I appreciate your interest in my adventure of the soul!

All My Love,
Jessica

p.s. Today also is my birthday! I will be accepting cake pops all day long. :) 

Photo by the beautiful soul of Krystal Muellenberg. xxoo

Happy Birthday to someone I LOVE!

Happy Thursday, everyone! 

I'm not a huge poster of personal milestones, really, but today is an exception. It's my husband's (Derrick) birthday and if you know me at all, you know I LOVE to celebrate anything and everything, especially his (and our son's) birthday.

I used to think that I got lucky when I met Derrick eight years ago, but luck really had nothing to do with it. You see, the longer I've known him, the more I've realized that he truly was a gift from God. He has changed my life and helped me become the person I was meant to be - a God-loving/fearing wife, mother, and entrepreneur. He has brought me more joy and laughter than anyone I've known. I love him for how he loves me and our son, JJ, and for his compassion and thoughtfulness towards others. I love him for his dedication to coaching and teaching, and for how he plays and interacts with our child. I love the way his presence can light up a room (even a delivery room during birth) with laughter and how his gentleness and compassion can take away problems and heartache. He is an AMAZING man and I thank God everyday for bringing him into my life. I've been blessed, truly 100% blessed! 

Happy Birthday, D! You are loved and adored beyond words!

And, because no post would be the same without a photo ... here's my husband and the little man we adore. :)

Breaking the Rules Workshop | Kristine

Happy Monday, lovely blog readers!

This is the last installment (*tear*) of photos I took during Dave Jackson's Breaking the Rules Workshop. See previous posts here and here.

I highly recommend this workshop to photographers who are interested in off-camera lighting, connecting with other photographers from Wisconsin and around the country, as well as, finding their artistic voice. It's an intimate group setting that truly revolves around what attendees want to learn. Did I persuade you to check it out?? DO IT! :)

On to some photos. That's why we're here, right?

Meet Kristine ...

Breaking the Rules Workshop | Will

More from David E. Jackson's Breaking the Rules Workshop.

Meet Will ...

Want to see more from the workshop? Check out images of  Rae.

Interested in learning more about Dave Jackson and Breaking the Rules? Click here.

Breaking the Rules Workshop | Rae

I'm more than a little embarrassed that it's taken me this long to blog photos from a workshop I participated in last summer. I know, I know. I have no excuse.

If you have any interest in photography and finding your voice as an artist, consider taking David E. Jackson's Breaking the Rules Workshop in Appleton, Wis. This was an awesome workshop that touched on the personal side of business as well as the technical and artistic side of our industry. The workshop is super laid back and Dave is more than willing to work with attendees and answer questions. ENROLL NOW!! You won't regret it!

Here's my first set of photos. This is Rae. More to come ...

I couldn't decide if I liked the following photo in color or black & white, so I posted both. Which do you prefer?

Wanna feel inspired? Check out Dave Jackson's web site here.

Giving back ...

I am super pleased to announce my participation in Images for a Cure! Those who know me personally, know that cancer research (of any kind) is very important to me. We've all been touched by this horrible illness, and so anything I can do to promote research is my pleasure. I'm teaming up with Dani Stephenson Photography and Kate Bentley Photography to bring you a day of portrait-making that will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Dani, Kate, and I are setting up shop Saturday, Nov. 13 in Tomah, each taking 5, 30-minute, mini-sessions for $75. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the above cause. You will receive 5 edited, high-res photos with a print release for you to print at a lab of your choice. Your payment will be made directly to Images for a Cure via their web site.

Email me for more information or to set up a session.

PLEASE JOIN ME IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

Shooting for me ...

There are days when I get the itch to shoot something just for myself. Today I set out to just "look" at my surroundings. It seems like each day breezes by with so much beauty going unnoticed. I'm guilty of letting those little things slip by without a second glance. Here are a few photos I took while on a walk this morning - I really looked at all there was to see. :) 

A note to my readers ...

Happy Friday, everyone!

I wanted to share a couple things with all of you. I know, I know, it's a little crazy that I'm going to type the word "holiday", but it must be done! If you are looking to have photos taken for holiday cards and gifts, please know that I have limited availability. Contact me ASAP at jessicasandsphoto(at)gmail(dot)com if you are interested in booking a session.

Also, high school seniors - I'm still taking senior sessions and would L.O.V.E. to photograph you in all of your awesomeness. I'd really enjoy the opportunity to use fall colors in your portraits. Contact me for more info and pricing.

On the same note, THANK YOU to all who have used my services or have booked a future session with me. Your support of my business means more to me than you'll ever know!

And, since no post would be the same without a photo, I thought I'd attach this image taken at my son's birthday party. Not only can I take photos, but I can also decorate cakes!

Shooting for me ...

When I need to feel energized or need a kick of creativity, I set out with my camera and just start shooting. I met up with Kate Bentley a few weeks ago and we did just that - shot for ourselves. We wandered around Phoenix Park in Eau Claire, Wis. and I fell in LOVE with my surroundings! The flowers, colors, and ambiance of park goers was energizing and exactly what I needed! 

Watch for another "Shooting for me ..." post in the near future. I had a little time over the weekend to enjoy my camera without any time limits. :)

LOVVVVVVVVVE this building! 

This & that ...

The last four days have been somewhat of a whirlwind. I've driven more miles since Thursday than I've probably driven since D and I have been married, but it was all worth it. First off, I spent a few hours at my parent's house in northern Wisco. Mom's gardens are AMAZING and I have photos to prove it! Then I was on to Cable to relax with some friends before heading back to La Crosse to shoot a wedding. I finished the weekend in Gilman to celebrate a couple birthdays. It was really great to be out and about, but it also feels really really good to be home!

Here are a few pix from my road tour of Wisco! Enjoy and I hope you're all having a FANTASTIC Monday!

Here's a fun little sequence of pix from my time at the cabin. This is Ryan making a splash. 

And, now, a little birthday party fun! 

Photos of Saturday's wedding to come ...