Welcome!!!

Hello and welcome to my blog! my name is Jessie Smith and I'm a wedding and relaxed portrait photographer based in the DC and Hampton Roads area in Virginia. I'm glad you found your way here! 

My blog is just as important as the actual website, if not more! My hope for this blog is to not only show off my amazing clients, but to give you a sense of who I am without the camera in front of my face. It's so important to really connect with your photographer on a personal level, so here you will find information about not only what is going on with my business, but also in my life and heart. My goal is to show you something real in the way that I photograph you and your family, so that you can feel the emotion of that moment as if it were happening all over again.

Whether you're looking for a photographer for your family, looking for ideas for your own wedding, or just love looking at pictures, grab a cup of coffee and stay a while! Make sure you drop me a note and say hello! 

 Blessings,

Jessie

 ****If you are a client you are welcome to pull images from your session off of my blog for things like facebook or myspace, but please keep the logo on the image! A link back would be much appreciated :0) ****

 

FAQ: Tips for your newborn session

I couldn’t be more excited that the Babies First Year packages have been such a big hit! There are already six new babies that you will be able to get to know over this next year that will be making their big appearance in the next two months! I can’t wait! Brace yourself for the cuteness that is about to hit the blog.. you’ve been forewarned! :0)

Because there are so many newborn sessions coming up I wanted to do a quick post with some helpful tips to keep in mind for the session!

#1) Include all family members! We want to get tons of pictures of your new addition, but we also want lots with mom AND dad, and any older siblings as well! Schedule your session for a time when  both mom and dad can be there, and also a time that works well for your other children (ie not during school or right before their nap) We want to make the siblings feel special and just as important as the new addition. And I think every mom and dad should have great pictures of them with their kids, and pictures of the whole family together since most of the time its either mom or dad behind the camera :0) Besides isn’t it so fun to watch how kids interact with their new baby? :0) Thanks to Lexi and Ava for modeling this:

lexi2As well as Evan and Jacob! One of my favorite family pictures ever! jacob#2) I strongly, STRONGLY encourage newborn session to take place when the baby is about one  week old, but definitely within the first two weeks. I want to really capture how teeny tiny they are, and then tend to do a lot better with the session within that first week. We will be moving them around for different pictures, scrunching them up for some, and putting them in all kinds of places, and they tend to sleep through it moreso if we do the session within that first week.

#3) CRANK THE HEAT! Most newborns are used to being all bundled up, and then when we take off all their clothes for those gotta-have nakey baby pictures, no wonder they don’t like that very much! Cranking the heat to  keep your newborn nice and warm is guaranteed to make the session flow smoother and keep them asleep better! If you have a space heater that we can move around the house with us that is perfect, or you can just really crank the heat in your home about 30 minutes before I get there so its nice and warm when we start the session! Also sometimes it helps if the baby is going to be laying on a blanket to throw the blanket in the dryer for a few minutes just to get it fluffy and warm. With Natalie’s session we did this a couple times or we held the blanket in front of the space heater before we set her down on it.. c’mon who doesn’t like curling up in a warm blanket right out of the dryer?!? :0)

#4) Going along with that, be prepared for any nakey baby shots, to have to clean up afterwards. It never fails, that as soon as all the clothes come off your little one that is the ideal time for them to use t he bathroom.. it has happened every time! So keep an extra sheet or two close by that you don’t mind throwing in the washing machine afterwards. What I suggest is that we take some pictures in just the diaper (and if its a girl maybe a little pink bow or headband), but if you want shots in a diaper it helps to find a solid color diaper cover, little bloomers or something, that you can put over the diaper. It gives it a clean look and covers up the characters that are usually on the diaper. Solid white, pink, or blue work fine, or if you want to find one with the babies monogram or some other little decoration on it that works too! lexi1#5) Just like the picture above, one of my favorite spots to take newborn pictures is your bedroom. It helps if the blanket you have on your bed isn’t super busy, but just be forewarned that I might ask to take pictures in your bedroom.. I know probably the last thing on your mind after you just had a baby is making the bed, but maybe just this one day, okay? :0)

#6) Think outside the box!!! We will take lots of pictures of you holding your precious baby, but lets get creative for shots of the baby by his/herself! Anything from a basket, shelf, serving bowl, gift box… if you wanted just the baby against a solid black backdrop you could go to picturepeople at your mall and get that.. we want to be creative with these pictures! Find some fun little props, bring blocks that spell out their name, a hat/booties/bloomers/fun outfit is always good! Pick places to put them that show off just how teeny tiny they are! This first one of Natalie is one of my favorites, because it shows you t hat she’s just as big as the tray and jewelry box! She will look at those things years from now and not believe she was ever the same size.. or those christmas stockings! I looks like we could fit 3 of her in each one! So think outside the box and get creative with places for pictures around your house :0) Thanks to miss Natalie for being such a good sport as we moved her all around the house :0) natalie1natalie3#7) Okay here’s the big one for all you moms out there.. WHAT THE HECK DO I WEAR?! I know, I know you just had a baby a week ago, so first things first. Really try and pamper yourself before the session! Go get your nails done, have someone do your hair and make up! One less thing for you to worry about. We want you in lots of pictures and we want to capture the joy and excitement that you’re feeling (and not so much the exhaustion that you’re feeling as well ;0) ) so tell your husband that I told you to go get your hair and make up done before the session! As far as what to wear, keep it simple. Please (puhleeeeeeease!) don’t feel the need for everyone to wear white shirts and jeans, but add some fun color to it! Scarves, necklaces, earrings… don’t be afraid of a little color! Something that I usually suggest (but never push) is the fact that skin on skin with newborn pictures is a great combination and never fails whether its pictures of the baby with mom or dad (or both!) With Natalie’s session we had the heat cranked and a space heater and I know Elizabeth was so hot, so I asked her if she had a solid color tank she could put on for a few up close pictures with Natalie and I loooove how these turned out: natalie2So simple, timeless, and just beautiful! So when you’re thinking about what to wear find something first and foremost that you feel comfortable and beautiful in, don’t shy away from color, try and avoid busy patterns, and always try and “coordinate” instead of MATCH.

Hope these were helpful! Keep an eye out for LOTS of Baby Love happening this spring on the blog!! :0)

just 48 hours ago…

img_1630it was 72 degrees and sunny. I had flip flops on and my feet were happy. Sunglasses were the only accessory I needed. I wanted to spend every second outside soaking it all up. It was perfect, and I miss it already!

And now? Its snowing. And I’m back in Virginia in my boots, scarf, and gloves. Ahh how quickly things can change :0) Thankfully I get to pack up again in just a few short days and head to WPPI with 15,000 other fabulous photographers including Katelyn and Michael and the newest photographer in Hampton Roads, Jill! I can’t wait! While its not going to quite be 72 degrees and sunny, at least I’ll be able to leave the boots at home! :0)

birthday wishes

For my birthday my mom and I escaped for the weekend. Somewhere warm was my only request. I’m tired of cold. I’m sick of snow. I NEED SPRING! Anybody else with me on that one? ;0)

Florida was the perfect option for a quick get away. I’m not a big beach girl, I like to have places to go and things to see when I travel.. SO back to orlando it was! We had such a blast in October when we took Lauren, so we went back to a couple favorite spots, but tried so many new ones this time around! We spent all day today exploring Downtown Disney, and we’ve had so many yummy meals (Emerils was the best!) I could definitely stick around here for another couple days, or until it decides to warm up in Virginia.. ya know, either one :0)

I debated whether or not to even bring my camera, since I really wanted to just enjoy my weekend and not worry about carrying my camera everywhere, buuuut i did happen to bring it with me one night.. thank goodness! :0) birthday1oh. my. goodness. i’m pretty sure my mom could get a job at disney noooo problem :0) birthday2My Aunt Lisa was able to come up from Tampa and hang out with us too! We were trying to get a picture of the two sisters with both of the step-sisters.. but we’ll take what we can get! birthday3As part of my birthday present Lisa gave me a new piece of jewelry with the note “that which must be worn!” Only for you, Ant Lis.. only for you :0) birthday4We’re heading back to Virginia tomorrow so I’ll be back at my computer to start working on all your reprint orders and returning emails on Tuesday! Hope you all had a great weekend!

March 1, 2010 - 3:49 am Sara Abel - AWW Jessie, glad you enjoyed yourself, look like a birthday princess :]

Michael and Katelyn- Smithfield VA Photographer

By now you all know Michael and Katelyn and their story very, very well. I remember asking them years ago if they would let me take some pictures of them just to practice since I was starting my business and had a couple engagement sessions coming up. That was the beginning of a couple different “fake engagement” sessions I did that year to help me build my portfolio when I was just starting out! Anyone remember these?!? mk Well this time around its the real deal! Everyone remembers the beautiful proposal this summer, and the countdown is officially on for 10.10.10!! In the words of their lovely and talented photographer Jasmine Star, its going to be EPIC! :0) Michael and Katelyn are getting ready to take their official engagement pics with her in just under two weeks, so you will have to make sure you check her fabulous blog to keep an eye out for those! Katelyn and I have been talking about taking some head shots for each other for months now, so we talked Michael into coming along so I could snap a couple pictures of them together (last time I took pictures of them Michael had proposed only minutes before!) and thankfully Sunday was one of the most beautiful days we’ve had here all year so we took full advantage of that gorgeous early evening light :0) Michael is hopefully going to start 2nd shooting for Katelyn at some of her upcoming weddings, so we wanted to make sure she had some new shots with him that she could use on her website and blog! Enjoy some of my favorites of the two of them an some fun head shots of Katelyn too!mk11I have many, many favorites of the two of them.. but i reeeeeally love ones like this where they’re laughing together :0) mk22mk31Although they can definitely both rock the more serious look too :0) mk41mk5mk6I will never forget after Katelyn led worship at InterVarsity one night she and I were talking, and she noticed Michael a couple rows back talking to someone else. He was still dressed up after work, and he caught her eye real quick and smiled at her, still in the middle of his conversation. She bursts into this huge smile and says “OH MY GOSH, I get to MARRY him!!” as it if had just hit her for the first time all over again :0) Every time I look at this picture I’m reminded of that moment: mk7mk8mk9mk10mk111mk12mk13mk14goodness gracious i have pretty friends :0)mk15mk16mk17mk18love it, love it, LOVE IT! mk19mk20mk211LOVE this next series :0)mk221mk23favorite :0)mk24mk25mk27mk28mk29mk30mk311mk32mk33Michael Alsop Photography, keep an eye out for it ;0) mk34Also while you’re at it, make sure that you and everyone you know have voted for Michael and Katelyn in Crate and Barrels Ultimate Wedding Contest! They’re in the top 10, so lets help them stay there!!! :0)

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February 23, 2010 - 3:59 am Lauren W - great pictures! Katelyn- could you be any more gorgeous?!

February 23, 2010 - 4:02 am Katelyn James - aw yay!!!!!! yay!yay! thank you for dealing with us! ha! :) We LOVE you! Wanna go hang out in vegas?!!!:)

February 23, 2010 - 4:17 am Chloe - seriously KK, you are GORGEOUS, and I was very impressed with your serious face! :) Excellent job, Jessie!!!!

February 23, 2010 - 4:17 am Jessie - @katelynjames you are so welcome! anytime! whats next, bridal portraits?!? ;0) can't WAIT for vegas!!

February 23, 2010 - 4:35 am Leslie - jessie these pictures are great! kk you look like a model, so gorgeous. my favorite one is the kissing one with the light! even though i hate seeing them kiss..kinda creepy. haha but these are so good!!

February 23, 2010 - 4:46 am Kelsey Cunningham - oh my gosh theyre beautiful!!

February 23, 2010 - 4:46 am Ryan Shaughnessy - HA! I def laughed out loud on that last one. Very nice...favorite couple ever...10.10.10!!!

February 23, 2010 - 5:35 am Emily - Jessie these are BEAUTIFUL!!!!! awesome job! I absolutely love all of them!!!

February 23, 2010 - 11:24 am SARA - oh my !!! so cute, i love the bench it matches her shirt so well, what a cute couple, cant wait to see there wedding pictures!

February 23, 2010 - 12:50 pm Kevin - Beautiful, I know I am biased but these are great.

February 23, 2010 - 5:22 pm Susan Maier - Loved them all but mk20 was my favorite!!

February 23, 2010 - 7:50 pm AshleyP - LOVE these!! You did an amazing job Jessie! Im trying to get over to Katelyn's to see yours, but the dern thing wont open :( Can't wait for 10.10.10!

February 23, 2010 - 11:07 pm Brenda James - Oh WOW! That's my "little girl" and my soon to be "son in law". I'm gonna cry!!!!! Great job Jessie!

Happy Birthday Connor Ryan! - Newport News VA Photographer

Remember this handsome baby and beautiful mama from Derek and Sara’s wedding this summer? connor1Well he just turned ONE! I don’t think I will ever be able to grasp just how quickly that first year flies by, it takes me by surprise every time. These days Connor is walkin and talkin (well, its still a work in progress ;0) ) but he still has those big kissable cheeks and is as cute as ever! I was so excited for another chance to get him in front of my camera! Happy Birthday Connor! connor11connor21Connor can be a very serious child.. don’t laugh too loud around him or he’ll stare ya down! Sara and her mom Kris who hung out with us for the morning told me that they were going to have to work REALLY hard to get Connor to smile and they were just praying for a couple good ones.. well boy did Connor prove them wrong! He was all smiles (and a couple screams, but hey he’s just makin conversation!) ALL morning long!! connor3connor4connor5connor6connor7connor8Did I mention that Connor is potentially the best dressed one year old I’ve ever photographed? His Uncle Matt taught him well :0) connor9connor10connor111connor12connor13connor14love the way Connor is looking at his MiMi here :0)connor15connor16clearly, mommy is HILARIOUS ;0) connor17connor18connor19connor20Happy Birthday Connor! Thanks for all the smiles! :0)

February 22, 2010 - 6:07 pm sarah - these is such a great pictures!!!

February 22, 2010 - 7:25 pm Betsy Game - Sara, These pictures are beautiful - enjoy every minute - they grow up fast. Love, Betsy

February 22, 2010 - 9:01 pm Debbie Sizemore - Sara and Kris - absolutely adorable photos of Connor - he is SO precious! And you both look beautiful in the pictures with him!

February 22, 2010 - 10:23 pm lindsay wohlford - how adorable sarah, i feel like you just had him! he is getting big so fast!!! take care hope all is well with you! Linz

February 22, 2010 - 10:25 pm Cheryl Mattox - Sara,Connor's pictures are Adorable.You are Blessed!!!

February 22, 2010 - 10:37 pm Jamie Ferguson - sweetest boy ever!! :)

February 22, 2010 - 10:43 pm sue laughrun - he is toooo cute but still concerned about how much he looks like grandaddy mike!!

February 23, 2010 - 12:19 am Amanda Bowles - Sara- These pics are absolutely adorable. What a cutie he is. You are so lucky to have such a cute bundle of joy.

February 23, 2010 - 12:22 am Paula Reynolds - How precious! Sara and Derek, Connor is absolutely adorable!

February 23, 2010 - 1:44 am Kris Bevins - I love them !! Jessie you did a awesome job !! of course !

February 23, 2010 - 1:50 am Karen Burden - Great photos!! Connor is one lucky boy to have both of you in his life!!

February 23, 2010 - 2:02 am Chris - I love these pictures Sara! Jessica takes awesome pics! He is getting so big and I still haven't seen him!

February 23, 2010 - 2:28 am Brittany Pollock - He is So Cute!! these pics are adorable! How do i find this lady to take pics of Atiana!?

February 23, 2010 - 2:52 am rachel pena - i really like this pictures! so amazing!

February 23, 2010 - 3:32 am Michelle Taylor - "Wow! I absolutely love his birthday suit! He is just SO adorable!! :) Amazing pictures!"

February 23, 2010 - 5:51 am tiffany goldman - oh guys he is getting so big and very hansome. Happy birthday conner we love you! - brad, tiffany, and bailee <3

February 23, 2010 - 6:09 am Trent Ruhland - Love the Pictures! I think the ones in the case would be amazing in black and white.

February 23, 2010 - 2:31 pm Kasey - He is so Cute!!

February 23, 2010 - 3:18 pm Brittany Dawson - OH my goodness girl!!! These pictures are ADORABLE!! Connor looks tooo cute in the suitcase!! :) Love them!! :)

February 23, 2010 - 3:54 pm Emily Daiger - Beautiful pictures! He is soooo cute! Sara, beautiful as always!! love youuuu!

March 1, 2010 - 10:25 pm Brittany Spady - Sara- these pictures of Connor are so great!!!! You look beautiful and Connor looks so handsome!