MOVING DAY!!!

I am so excited to say that my new blogsite is up, so I will no longer be posting on here. Please update your bookmarks. I will be posting on: www.jessicawatsonphotography.com.

Thank you, and I hope to see you there! :)

~Jessica

4 More Days!

Only 4 days left to purchase a Finao Elements mini-album for yourself or a family member in time for the holidays. I recently discovered this album company, and everyone who has seen my sample albums have loooved them. In fact, I currently have six 4x6 and 5x7 Finao Elements albums sitting on my desk waiting to get put together. If you think you'd like to purchase an album of your engagement, wedding, bridal, portrait, or day after session images as a gift, let me know, and I'll send you the pricing information. I do have all of the swatches for the cover materials, as well as sample albums, if you'd like to see them first. If you order them by December 6th, you are guaranteed your order will show up before the holidays.

~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

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

Yes We Did.

Congratulations President Elect, Barack Obama!



Taken from Jesh de Rox's blog.

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

Behind the Scenes

Spencer has been shooting with me since last year, and eventually he'll be added to most of my packages. I LOVE shooting with him. For the first couple years I thought I was fine shooting by myself, and I am, but it is SOOO much better with him there. It's more fun, I have someone to confide in, he makes it possible to get even more creative shots since he's so willing to be my human light stand and personal slave (hehe), and the couple's really enjoy getting to know us both. What drives me nuts, though, is that at every single wedding he ends up getting my favorite shot of the day. He has a unique eye, and although I'm still training him, I learn a lot from him every shoot.

Here's a shot of him photographing a cute little girl at Lanisha & Tyler's beautiful wedding in Madras on Saturday, and then the shot he got of her...




Here's me, and the beautiful Lanisha, having fun doing some bridal portraits...



I will definitely post more pics soon!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Out of the Office!

We're getting ready to go to Sunriver this weekend because Spencer and I are shooting a wedding in Madras tomorrow. Also, I'm leaving for a wedding in Pennsylvania Wednesday night, and will return the following Monday. I will have my laptop to answer e-mails on both trips, but it may take a little longer to get back to people, and I won't be able to submit orders while I'm gone.

I'll leave you with one image from Randi & Travis' awesome wedding on the 6th!



Hope everyone has a great weekend!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Gadget Pr0n - what we've been waiting for!

My primary camera is the Canon 5D, which I LOVE. So, when we (Spencer and I) found out Canon was going to be announcing the Canon 5D Mark II, we could hardly wait to hear all the geeky specs for it. Well, after waiting impatiently for what seemed like forever, they've FINALLY announced it, and although there are a few extra things I was hoping for, we will definitely be getting one as soon as it's for sale...and then we'll fight over who gets to play with it (until we buy a second one, lol).

Image was taken from Gizmodo (a great site for tech geeks, btw).

EDIT: We just pre-ordered it!!

Isn't she purty...



~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

PWCL - Safety in Numbers

As many of you know, I was on the Board of Director's at PWCL until my term was up in June. I still support them, though, financially as well as photographically, and I volunteered to shoot their annual gala and auction on Friday at the Crystal Ballroom. I was very happy to see so many people supporting PWCL, and their cause, and am very proud to have been part of such a great organization. Besides, they have the most awesome items up for auction! Sadly, I didn't win anything this year, though.

Here's just a few photos from the evening...

I don't remember the band's name, but they were great...



The Executive Director, Rebecca Peatow-Nickels, speaking with Nick Fish...




Before Nick Fish became city commissioner, he was on retainer as PWCL's lawyer (for free!). I actually sat next to him during Betty Roberts' speech, and spoke with him for a few minutes (not while she was talking, of course), and he is a very nice guy.



They raised about $17,000 just during the 5 minutes or so of the live auction. It was awesome to watch people be so generous...


Betty Roberts was a great speaker. You should definitely check out her book...




Thanks for looking!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Avery's 1st b-day

I went to my former couple/now friends, Kara & Jared's house to celebrate their daughter, Avery's, 1st birthday. Avery is such a sweet little girl, and she made Calvin seem so huge to me. I realized he's not my baby anymore, he's my big boy. That's ok, though, it's nice to get to enjoy other people's babies without actually having a baby 24/7! Here's a few from the party...

The birthday girl...








This was taken BEFORE Calvin stuck his finger in the cake...sigh



Yum!


I love this because neither of my kids would get messy with their 1st b-day cake. In fact, Calvin refused to eat his without a fork! lol


Calvin trying to steal Avery's new birthday present!



~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Fun new toy

Spencer and I attended the OneLight workshop a couple weeks ago (I'll eventually post some pics), and afterward Spencer, being the crafty guy he is, made a 10 degree grid for my Canon 580 EX out of cardboard and cocktail straws. I don't think you would know it wasn't an expensive grid without looking really closely. Here's a couple shots taken in my office that I thought were cute. Photographers, it's just direct, on camera flash, but we plan on using it for off camera flash, which I have some examples of from Dawn & Brian's Day After session, that I'll post later.

Noah was getting ready for bed when our fun distracted him...


If Spencer hadn't done a good job making it, it wouldn't have turned out perfectly round. ;)


If anybody would like to know how you can make your own grid (including other degree grids), feel free to e-mail!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July! We got back from the beach at about 2:30, and while Calvin took a nap I worked on Tiffany & Jason's images (which I'm excited to post very soon!). Later that evening we packed up the camera and tripod, and and headed downtown to watch the fireworks. We didn't quite make it there, though. In fact, we stopped in the middle of the Morrison Bridge and watched from there. It was so much fun standing amongst hundreds of people on the bridge, hoping cars would drive carefully (luckily most cars were stopped). The bridge was pretty wobbly, but we still managed to get some cool shots...



Then we headed home for a show of our own...



Thanks for looking!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Featured on Posy Petals website

I've been featured on Posy Petals website for awhile now, and feel terrible I haven't blogged about it yet. Jodi was great to work with at Kelsey & Josh's wedding last August, and the flowers were just beautiful. Check out her site here (although she didn't pick out my favorite images, but that's alright!).

Here's one of my faves from the wedding...


Thanks for looking!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Out of the Office!

The next few weeks I'll be in and out of my office, so I just wanted to let everyone know that it may take a little longer to get back to you and fulfill orders. I'm getting ready to take the kids to the beach tomorrow to play with Spencer's cousins & their kids that came into town. Then I'll be in on Wednesday, editing images, answering e-mails, fulfilling orders, and preparing to go back to the beach on Thursday for Tiffany & Jason's wedding. Friday obviously is a holiday, so I'll be BBQ'ing with the fam (and will try NOT to sit at the computer, but I'm sure I will at least part of the day). :) Saturday I'm shooting Nick & Renee's wedding at Mt. Tabor. The week of the 6th I'll be editing like crazy because I have the 12th & 13th off to relax, but I'm also taking that entire next week off (13th-18th). I will be answering e-mails, but will not be available for any shoots or meetings.

FYI, I am completely booked until October 25th, but have a couple e-sessions I need to schedule, however, I will not be doing anymore sessions in August or September.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. I will work hard, rest up, and be refreshed to finish off the season. :) I hope your summer is going well, and you are able to find time to spend with your loved ones.

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Pace Mobile DJ

I couldn't find Leslie's business card when I wrote Karli & Nick's post, so now that I've found it, I definitely want to thank him for making the reception an awesome party, as well as helping my job go so much more smoothly. I've worked with Leslie and his wife, Barbara, before, and I definitely would recommend them if you're looking for a kick-ass DJ! Check out the Pace Mobile website!

Here's a pic of Karli & Nick's officiant showing them some love!


Hope you're having a great week!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of

the...who really cares?? I couldn't even make it through the entire movie! The previews made it look so good, but there goes Lucas and Spielberg messing up another classic! So, the movie was crap, but you know what the most adorable and yummy things are in the (my) world right now?

Indiana Jones Legos, and...wait for it...the delicious crispy mint Indiana Jones M&M's! When I saw those in the store, I grabbed a bag without a second thought to my diet, and they were totally worth it. Yummm...

Isn't he adorable? I got Noah two of the smaller sets this weekend, although Calvin loves the movies too. You should hear him sing the Indiana Jones theme song...pretty freakin' cute!


My apologies to anyone who liked the 4th Indiana Jones movie...but have you actually seen the other 3? :)

Hope you're having a great week in the rain. lol Looks like it should clear up soon, though. I'll be posting some images from Saturday's wedding shortly. I have a TON of images to go through!

~Jessica
Jessica Watson Photography