Big Sky Photo Summit 2013

Sunday I carpooled with a couple friends up to Big Sky, Montana Ski Resort for a photographer's workshop.  I laughed, I cried, I made new friends, got motivated, and learned MUCH.

Mike Colon, destination wedding photographer, spoke the first two days.  I have heard Mike speak a couple of times and he is always motivating and brilliant.  I liked that Mike made the other attendees and myself comfortable so that we could ask questions without feeling like we were being judged.  After lunch on the first day we all went out to photograph a gorgeous model, Kaylee Bradford.

The 15?....maybe 17? of us followed Kaylee around with all our cameras: watching Mike, shooting, and taking turns individually with the model.  The top two images are images I shot while watching Mike and lucked out getting Kaylee to look at me for a couple shots.  We shot in a few locations at the ski resort and got a ton of questioning looks.  We looked like paparazzi, haha!  It was really fun and such a beautiful day.  It was pretty warm but I am still amazed at Kaylee's endurance in the cold without a coat.

The black and white image is a shot from my individual time with her.  I had an idea of blowing out the sky (making it white instead of blue) and capturing a soft black and white close-up...just something different.

The rest of the workshop was just as great and more.  I think my favorite part was listening to Jeff Jochum who is a business coach for photographers.  I cried, I laughed, I stayed up until 5am only to get up in an hour, and learned about a small portion of all the many ways I am making my business harder for myself.  Jeff inspired me and motivated me to make some changes in my business so that I can "Work. Happily. Ever-After" as Jeff says.

I'm excited to see where these changes will take me!  I'm ready to get started.

Here are a couple behind the scene photos: I thought I 'd share as well.  Enjoy!!

I know I have said it probably 15 times by now, but Thanks Tracy Moore for organizing this workshop!

Namaste

Pay It Forward: Marc & Lisa's Wedding

It's a new year with new goals and a fresh start!  As I was thinking about the list of things I would like to improve on over this next year, blogging was near the top of the list.  I was thinking of ways to try and excite myself into blogging and I came up with what I think is a great idea.  I was facebooking away the other day and came across a friend's status that read:

 "Creative Pay-It-Forward: The first five people to comment on this status will receive from me, sometime in the next calendar year, a gift - perhaps a book, baked goods, a candle or music... a surprise! There will likely be no warning and it will happen when the mood strikes me. The catch? You five people must make the same offer in your Facebook status. Happy 2013!!"

Those who know me know of my love for creating!  I thought it sounded like something that was totally up my alley, so I hopped on the "Creative Pay-It-Forward" Bandwagon.  I switched up the wordage a bit and quickly reposted.

One might wonder what in the world this has to do with blogging so I shall explain.  Shortly after re-posting the status, I began thinking of all the things I could do for my friends who decided to participate.  I thought of my silk-screening talent, knitting, baking, book-making, and so many things I used to LOVE to do but haven't had time.  A light bulb turned on, the rusty wheels in my head began to spin, and I exclaimed  "By George, I've got it!!"  I will be incorporating my Creative Pay-It-Forward into my blog and sharing my creations here.  I haven't decided if it will be a weekly or bi-weekly ordeal, but it is in the works.  I have even decided to "Pay-It-Forward" to more than those 5 friends who signed up.  I'm excited to get started!!

For the first "Pay-It-Forward" Blog Entry, I am sharing a few of my favorites from an emotional wedding renewal I had the opportunity to photograph recently.  Marc has recently been told by his doctor that he doesn't have much time left on this earth with his love, Lisa.  His wish before passing on was to give her the wedding they never had.  Friends, loved ones, and gracious strangers all pitched in and created a wedding in 5 days!!  Like I said, it was an emotional day and I'm so glad I was able to be a part of such a wonderful gift.  

Congratulations, Marc & Lisa!

Thanks for peeking!

Arizona Heather

I was excited when I heard Heather was coming to Billings and I got the chance to photograph her.  Right after I took her photos is when we were going through a lot of rough stuff with Baer vomiting so much so I failed to post these (as well as some other sessions I will try and get caught up on).  Heather is a freshman teacher in Arizona, likes to knit (like me!!), likes Avatar: The Last Airbender (James and I love Avatar), she also likes reading, sci-fi, movies, and music.  Girl after my own heart, I tell ya.  Anyway...check out some of my favorites from her session.

This one below is with one of her good girlfriend's daughters.  They are obviously super tight.  She was a cutie and I couldn't resist snapping this sweet moment.

Doesn't she have a great smile?

This one is for fun.  When I uploaded this one I thought Heather looked so high society and thought it would look good with a little faux film grain.  Doesn't she look like a movie star from back in the day??  The sun flare on her ear almost looks like a flower. :)

Anyway, thanks for peeking!

Meet Doug

Meet Doug

Doug is a handsome (see for yourself), charming man with a love for adventure and outdoors.

He's dependable, distinguished (see grey hair for proof), fit, usually on time (if not early), has a fair fashion sense but not over the top, and is generally pretty clean!  He likes camping, fishing, white water rafting, rattlesnake hunting with his son, sapphire mining, and I hear he really likes to go skinny dipping.  He's a nice guy with a bit of a wild side.  Oh, and yes ladies...he's single :)

Thanks for peeking!

All images are copyright Jacque Jones Photography.  Please do not copy, print or save.

-Jacque Jones, photographer

Billings, Montana and surrounding areas

Meet Kylee

Meet Kylee!  Kylee is going to be a high school senior this year and I was so lucky to be chosen to take her senior portraits.  We actually had another date planned to take her pictures but when we showed up to our location it started sprinkling on us.  We took a few anyway and started getting eaten alive by mosquitos (which Kylee is allergic to and started swelling up right away) so we ditched that location and took a few elsewhere and rescheduled for the outdoor ones.

Kylee did such a great job.  She was up for anything I tried to get her to do and did it with a smile.  She earned a scoop of ice cream and beverage from Z's Pizza.  Okay, I really wanted some and thought it would be rude not to share. ;)

We had fun, see for yourself...

I'll take "wild" as a compliment, Kylee. ;)  Check her out!!

Thanks for peeking!!

Body Peace Treaty

14 year old, Julia Bluhm, started a petition on change.org encouraging Seventeen magazine to post one "real" (unedited) photo spread per month.  The petition has gained almost 85,000 signatures.

What are your thoughts on where to draw the line on edited images?

Here is my take on editing:
I will take off non-permanent blemishes such as pimples, scrapes, and bruises.  I do not take off beauty marks/birth marks or scars unless specifically requested by the client.  I will not alter face shape or body type.  Occasionally I will do minor modifications in certain situations.  For example, I will remove part of a bulge created in the upper thigh by sitting on the edge of a chair or a bulge created by an arm pressing against a prop.  This does not make the leg or arm thinner by much but removes a bulge that is not naturally there when resting.  I will remove lint or other similar objects from a scene to make the overall image more appealing.  Much of the slimming that happens in a photo session with me occurs by posing the body in flattering positions.  I love photographing "real" men and women of all ages, shapes, color, height, etc and believe there is beauty in everyone.

There you have it.  To read about Seventeen's response and what Bluhm plans to do now, visit one of my favorite fashion blogs by clicking the link HERE.

Rodan + Fields Lexus Event

Last night I had the opportunity to be the photographer at a Rodan + Fields event at the McCall Home here in Billings.  The lovely Marcy (center front wearing the coral pink dress) earned a brand new Lexus for being a Rodan + Fields rockstar!!  Last night she put on quite the party to celebrate.  Marcy also used her love of fashion and shoes to gather donations for Dress for Success.  The party was a hit and everyone was having a good time.  I even asked a teenage boy who was enjoying a plate of food if he was bored yet and he replied with an enthusiastic "no" followed by "I'm getting to eat what I don't usually get to eat at home!"

We got to hear stories about Miss Marcy and how she became such a success as well as other rising stars in Rodan + Fields that won't be far behind her in getting their Lexus's.

Congratulations, Marcy!!

Thanks for peeking!