Home from surgery.

I'm home from surgery, and everything went great. I'm actually able to walk pretty well, but am taking meds for the pain, and have to rest for a few days. I will be able to fulfill orders starting tomorrow or Thursday. Thank you, everyone, for your e-mails, texts, and well wishes, I really appreciate it. I have to especially thank Diane for watching my boys today, and finishing up my housework. I really don't know what I would have done without you and Angela, you both have been so amazing to us, thank you. :)

Hope everyone is staying safe and warm!

~Jessica

Surgery it is.

Well, after many weeks of physical therapy, the Dr. has decided to do surgery on my knee. The physical therapy definitely helped with my patella tendinitis, but not with my meniscus tear. They would have done surgery before, but the Dr. said my pain was coming from something else (the tendinitis), but once that went away, I could feel the meniscus tear and my physical therapist sent me back to the Dr.

So, the surgery is Tuesday morning, and I really don't know yet how long it will take to recover. They say I'll be able to walk on it that day, but that people don't go back to a desk job for a week or so, or an active job for several weeks. I've been working with knee pain since July, so I'm sure the surgery won't slow me down for long (hopefully).

In the meantime, I'm doing whatever I can to get albums ready, orders sent, and editing finished (oh, and a little house cleaning and xmas shopping done) before then. I will be checking my e-mail, and Spencer will fulfill orders if I cannot. I just won't be doing any shoots for a couple weeks.

Thank you for your patience an support!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Studio Update/Out of the Office

The studio is coming along...slowly, but since the flooring was put in, I think it'll go faster now. Here are a few pics I took after my friend, Lisa's, maternity session.

I'm going to be enjoying this Thanksgiving weekend with my family, and will be back in the office, returning calls and e-mails, on Monday.

The client meeting area with a kids corner...



The entrance...


The entrance hallway will be turned into a small art gallery...


With my back to the door...


My back up against the storage closet...


The view from the other end...



Have a safe and happy holiday!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

A fresh start?

I was ready to do something drastic, but my hair stylist and I decided not to freak Spencer and Noah out. So, I compromised, and am going to ease into a new style. Spencer did a mini-session in our front yard...





~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

A fresh start.

Although surgery still isn't off the table, my knee is doing a lot better since starting physical therapy in October. We're about half way done setting up the studio, and my new website complete with a new logo, should be unveiled soon. I feel like with all of this new and exciting stuff happening, I should also do something drastic to myself. So, I made a hair appointment for Saturday, and I'm considering a whole new look. Ok, maybe a new hairdo isn't something "drastic", but it kind of is to a girl! I've had long hair for several years now, and have never dyed my hair, but I feel like I've grown so much in the last couple years, and I think a new hairdo would be the next step. I've gained a few pounds since my knee injury, and I'd like to feel good about myself again. Maybe a cute new haircut would motivate me to lose those 10-15 pounds I want to get rid of. I don't know how Spencer would feel. What do you think??

~Jessica

Moving Day!

We finally got the keys to the studio last night! I'm so anxious and excited to start setting it up, but mostly to start doing some portraits in there. I'll try to blog some pictures as we're setting it up so you can see the transformation.

Anyway, I'm off to shoot a family session, then going out to look at some flooring for the studio, and this evening we're having Noah's 9th birthday party at our house. Tomorrow will be just as busy with a bridal session, then a portrait session, and even more shopping for the studio.

Have a great weekend!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Happy Halloween!

We're just getting the boys ready to go trick-or-treating. I hope the rain stays away! I'm also looking forward to former clients now friends, Eowyn & Greg's Halloween party tomorrow night. Then Sunday Spencer's band is playing a show at Ash St. Saloon!

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Have you voted yet??

I got this video in an e-mail today from MoveOn.org...I'm sooo glad I voted already! Have you? If not, maybe they'll substitute my name for yours.



I wasn't going to blog anything partisan, but this video was just too good not to post. So, vote by next Tuesday. Even if you disagree with me, your voice should be heard.

~Jessica

No pictures this time!

For the first time in over 4 years I attended a wedding. Just attended it, and I didn't even bring a camera...EEK! It felt very strange, and I was pretty anxious but also excited, and it was nice to be able to sit and enjoy a ceremony for once. I did know the DJ, so I talked with him some, and he kept teasing me for asking him when things were going to happen at the reception. If someone sends me any pictures of my friend, Laura, and me dancing, I'll post them for some laughs.

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Exciting News!

I mentioned earlier we had some cool stuff coming up, and I'm sooo excited to finally say that today we signed a lease for a studio! The building is in SE Portland, on the corner of SE Water and Taylor. In the same building as Olio United, and across the street from Clarklewis. I will still mostly be shooting on location, or around the studio (because there are so many cool spots around there!), but it'll allow me to shoot anytime if needed, shoot things like boudoir and maternity sessions indoors, as well as give me a place to meet with clients. It will be kid friendly, too, but more on that later. Spencer will also be doing more portraits and bands there. We don't get to move in until November 1st, but stay tuned for specials, and an open house invitation once it's all set up! I can't wait!!


Thank you to all my wonderful clients who have made this possible. I'm so excited to show you all the amazing things we have planned for you! Also, the studio isn't the only cool new thing, but I'll let the awesomeness of this sink in before I throw another curve-ball at you. ;)

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

A random post before I go

I found my old picture album awhile back when I was organizing my closet, but never got around to posting a few images I had scanned in. I stumbled across them on my computer and figured, why not? lol Here are a few of me when I was little!

Btw, I am just about to leave for the airport to go to Pennsylvania until Monday. I will have e-mail and phone access after tomorrow morning, but will not be able to submit any orders until I get back.

The beautiful women in my family...

Left top: my dad's mom (still alive), my mom is holding me, and to her left is her mom, my Nani (still alive). My Dad's grandma is sitting front right, and my mom's front left. One was in her 90's when she died, and the other was 101 and a half (she wouldn't let you forget that half!).



My room, and my doggy, Logan...


Ah, good times...

Me being shy about people singing to me...



My fave...


Me, with my "chocolate ice cream grandma" because she would always give us ice cream when we went to her house (she died at 101 1/2, and had a great sense of humor till the end)


Being sick with my Strawberry Shortcake doll...



I still like to eat dry oatmeal!


First day of Kindergarten (that's my brother, Joey)



With my best friends growing up...


Thanks for traveling down memory lane with me! Have a great rest of your week!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Lisa & Jason's Wedding ~ the personal post

One of my very best friends got married on Sunday at my in-laws house in Oregon City. Like I mentioned before, I was the MOH, coordinator, AND photographer! Wow, that was definitely difficult to juggle all three jobs, especially with my kids there, but it turned out great, and I was more than happy to do anything I could for my amazing friend. So, here are a few personal pics from the wedding. I'll have to blog a normal wedding post another time.

Lisa & Jason in my in-laws front yard. My mother-in-law worked so hard to get the fountain area ready in time for the wedding, and it looked beautiful.


Such a beautiful and photogenic bride!



Some strange red-head wanted pics of herself...


I have a pic like this of us at MY wedding :)


Jason took the first decent family photo of us, using our lighting set-up - thanks, Jason!


Me giving my toast. I think that was when I was saying that I told my makeup artist that I wouldn't cry! lol I love Calvin's little eye at the bottom of the frame. He was probably wondering why mommy was crying.




Thanks for looking!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Thank you for your patience!

My knee is healing (slowly), and I'm not as gimpy as I was even a week ago. I appreciate everyone's patience as I heal and take care of my family and business. Turn around times right now for gallery notifications and orders is about 2-3 weeks, and albums are about 3 months. This month is my busiest month of the year, and my knee injury certainly hasn't helped me stay ahead of the game! Thank you also for being so sweet to me. I'm thankful for your e-mails, phone calls, and kindness during each shoot. Everyone has been wonderful to me.

I have some exciting news I can't wait to share soon (no, I'm not pregnant!).

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

My surprise b-day party!

My official birthday is tomorrow (Wednesday, the 20th), but Spencer threw me a surprise party Friday night, which was awesome because I've always wanted a surprise party! I couldn't party too hard, though, because I had to shoot Jason & Aimee's wedding the next day, but I still had a lot of fun with my friends and family.

P.S. pics were taken by multiple people at the party, but I took the last ones of my boys...
P.P.S. I didn't have any makeup on, so no close-ups of me on here! lol

We're STILL eating this cake...it was SO good!



I was totally surprised to see what was in this present...


This lens. :) I knew I wanted it, but I didn't know it would become one of my favorites!




My best friends...



Very busy boys after everyone went home...





Lono is getting so big...


Tomorrow I'm going to Todai's for lunch, then maybe some shopping, and dinner with the fam!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Laura & Mike ~ Just Because

I got the very buttery Canon 24mm 1.4L (photographers know what I'm talking about!) as an early b-day present last week, and decided to try it out with my very best friend, Laura, and her boyfriend, Mike (whom I met only 5 mins before the shoot). It was very short, spur of the moment shoot out in their courtyard, but I had fun with them and the new lens!







Thanks for looking!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

My night in the ER

I went to my in-law's place on Friday to take some pictures of a new cake they're going to be selling soon. My father-in-law, Nick, and I were talking on their back patio when we heard Calvin start to cry around the corner. We took off running to see what was wrong, and I slipped on some wet rocks. It felt like a hammer hit my right knee, and I screamed (I think, I don't really remember). I could see Nick look to me, then to Calvin and back, trying to figure out who needed him more. He came to me because it turns out Calvin just wanted something he couldn't reach. I grabbed my leg and looked down, and I could see my knee cap! I thought, "There's no way I fell that hard, it didn't hurt that much...omg, that's my bone...omg, omg, omg..."

Nick helped me to the patio chair, and propped up my leg. It didn't hurt that much, but the scariest part was when I started to go into shock. My vision started going black, and my throat was closing up so it felt like I could barely breathe. My boys were terrified. Noah just hung back and observed as I clung to Nick's leg saying, "I can't see, I can't breathe, I can't see..."

As Nick called 911, I was terrified my throat would totally close up. I know now that I probably would have just passed out, then started breathing again, but at the time it literally felt like I was about to die. I could feel myself fading away, but I told myself to stay calm, and take slow, deep breaths, and tried to focus my vision because I was so scared to let everything go totally black. I could hear the 911 operator instructing Nick to cover me up, ask me questions, etc... Then, finally, I heard the distant sound of the fire truck sirens.

Luckily, by then my vision and breathing had started to come back to normal, and they didn't have to rush me to the hospital right away. But, I had a new fear...that I wouldn't be able to shoot Lindsey & Jared's wedding the next day. The firemen asked me my name, and where I was, and they cleaned and bandaged my wound. I was even able to crack a couple of jokes. They asked me if they could get me anything, and I replied, "Yeah, my makeup." These (5) firemen, I swear, looked like they came straight out of a calendar. They were all tall, buff, and tan, and I had just been working out, and had no makeup on. I was glad that I had at least shaved my legs that day. ;)

Nick called Spencer, then drove me to the hospital. My brain was still a little fuzzy. I had to think about the city I was born in to write it on the admittance form. The boys came with my mother-in-law, Judy, and I bought them treats from the vending machine to keep them occupied. I wanted to reward Noah for being so sweet to me after he pushed me in the wheelchair to the restroom.

My in-laws took the boys, and Spencer stayed with me while I got 7 stitches and X-rays. Luckily, there was no fracture, but the Dr. gave me a knee immobilizer which covers almost my entire leg.

I'm grateful to Spencer for helping me Saturday while I shot Lindsey & Jared's wedding, and to my in-laws for keeping the boys overnight, then watching them while we went to the wedding. I was sore at the wedding, but I hobbled along, and since it was at a golf club, we got to ride around in a golf cart, which helped a lot.

I'm laying low for now, hoping I don't get too far behind with my work. I appreciate your patience while I recover, but I will try to get back to everyone as quickly as I can.

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Why don't more people do this?

I think more people should punch dance out their rage. I think if everyone did this, the world would be a healthier (and coordinated!), more relaxed place to live, don't you?

I can't wait for another season of Flight of the Conchords.



~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

"Bat-an kewl"

Calvin calls Batman, "Bat-an," and evidently he thinks he's pretty "kewl" because he says it every time he sees something Batman related. We've seen quite a few movies lately (Iron Man, Hulk, Hellboy II) which were all awesome, but Batman has been my favorite so far this summer. I was so happy there was no neon, or silly sidekick. It was a great super hero movie with interesting characters and set design, among other things. It's definitely a movie worth seeing in the theaters, if you haven't already. Calvin got a new "Bat-an" toy at the store today, and he won't put it down for anything!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Johnny Mnemonic & Charades

"Jess!" Spencer just yelled to me from downstairs. "Guess what movie they have on here!" (Talking about the new Playstation 3 video store) "Maybe I should just act it out in charades!" He added. I laughed, "Really? Johnny Mnemonic??" "Yeah! You knew what I meant?" "Of course!" I responded. I thought it was cute how Spencer then proceeded to tell Noah that when we were first dating (8 years ago), we played a game of charades at a friend's house, and I picked the movie Johnny Mnemonic for him to act out. Yes, I know, very clever. Well, he did think he was such a good actor, and I guess I felt he needed the challenge. I don't remember who won the game, but I can recall a lot of giggling on my part. It's fun to reminisce. :)

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Some pics Tiffany just sent me

Tiffany just sent me these pics, and I thought I'd share them. I told you Noah was a huge hit! I'm thinking about renting him out for receptions as the cute comedy relief!

Me, looking goofy...

So sweet...




~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography