Monday, June 3, 2013

"Oh, I'm so full of it!"

Here I am, posting on my beloved blog once again. I just can't seem to stop myself (in spite of the fact that a few posts ago, I exclaimed that it would be my final post.) I'm a girl. Girls tend to change their minds, and so you have it. (I'm totally grinning at you right now - yep, through the screen! But in a non-stalker way, of course.)

Well, I just had the honor of photographing a very beautiful little girl who happens to be rolling in the dough - tooth fairy dough - that is.
She has a toothless grin that's quite captivating!

Take a peek!






As you can see, little Miss enjoys chalk art, wading in ponds, sun-bathing, smiling, and so much more. We had ourselves quite an adventure in Butler Park in Austin. (You know - it's the one over by the Long Center and Auditorium Shores.) I highly recommend this wonderful park for kids - it's even got a super cool Splash Pad! 
Come see me at www.Portraitique.com and take a look around! 

My best,
Jess

Monday, May 6, 2013

Today's Post



Have you noticed it too? Women (the group as a whole) have the absolute WORST self-esteem. It’s ridiculous. And I’m starting to wonder if we’ve done it to each other.
I’ve been a photographer for long enough to have the client who doesn’t like it when she smiles “like this” or whose ankles ‘need to be hidden’ because they’re so huge. (They weren’t ‘huge’ and the other woman’s smile was authentic, lovely and drew others into it.)
What made them think they weren’t enough? What happened?
I’ve thought about this LONG & HARD.
There are the OBVIOUS media issues (which by the way… are outside of my influence.) I can’t control what goes on the cover of the latest fashion rag and I certainly cannot direct the attention of every woman, teen, tween & tot away from the periodicals that plaster the supermarket check-out line. Must start smaller.
What about us – the girls whose self-esteem suffers because of our fashion/beauty inundated lives? Yeah. I think this is where I should start. How do we treat ourselves? How do we treat one another?
I've been fortunate to have had some VERY good friends in my life. I learned very early that it is not about the quantity of friends - but the quality of friends. Often, this realization results in fewer friends and more meaningful friendships. What I'm talking about are the friends who know you're hurting. They drop what they're doing and walk right through your front door (without formality) and into your room to dry your tears and talk you out of your own head.
These are the friends who are comfortable - they know they belong. You know they belong. They've probably seen you in your pajamas a number of times. They know what your house REALLY looks like. They know which cupboard you keep the Advil and they know they don't have to ask for some. When you're happy and excited, so are they. When you're down and troubled, they're worried and prayerful.
But not all women are like this.
So what's up with the snarky behavior out there?
They hide behind the guise of constructive criticism. They smile to your face and scoff once your back is turned. The gossip, the jealousy, the venom – and some of the women are encouraging this behavior by listening to the gossip, rationalizing the jealousy and smearing the venom around.
Women don’t need this. We don’t need this. It’s hard enough as it is. And that brings me to this thought. What the !$%*& is with these "types" of women!????

I guess no one ever told them.

I guess no one ever told them that being a woman is a very special thing. Women are strong, powerful, intuitive, soft, gentle, knowing. If ladies would drop the jealousy and stop being snarky, they could bind together and actually MOVE some freakin' mountains.
 Women have the ability to nurture to the point of healing. (I see it ALL the time. I overhear some of the conversations my daughter has with friends who have called in tears, only to hear them laughing in a mere three minutes. I've been in a group of women who rallied around a shy woman who was new to town, didn't know a soul. We sat in a restaurant and visited for hours about kids, husbands, life, clothes, etc. When we left, this newbie had three new friends of whom she's kept in contact with and this was over a year ago!)

This is the stuff we are CAPABLE of. This is what we could BE.
This is the stuff that feeds us.                                                                            It feeds us to provide it.                                                                                       It feeds us to receive it.
It's as simple as giving a knowing smile to the mom in the grocery store with the toddler having a tantrum instead of shooting hate rays at her through your eyes. It’s complimenting the woman who stands in front of the mirror in the department store bathroom – reflecting her disgust back at the mirror. It's leaving some flowers on the doorstep of a woman battling depression because you know that she's not up for answering the door and feigning hospitality. It’s greeting your daughter excitedly when she arrives home from school because EVERYONE should have someone who is THRILLED to see their face.
I am a photographer. But I don’t want to photograph fashion models & movie stars. It accomplishes nothing. I want to photograph the women I just described. The exhausted mom is my ideal client. I want to photograph how I see the woman who hates her reflection – she NEEDS to see herself through my eyes. I want to capture the smile that lives within the sad. I want to show your daughters how to look at themselves so that our future grand-daughters grow up loving themselves instead of picking apart what they assume are flaws. This is my mission. We need a new mirror. We need to reflect something beautiful and real. And when we enhance ourselves, let it be because we already love ourselves.
Yes – I know. This is a mountain of issues. But we are women. We CAN move mountains. It's time for us to come to our calling. Love your tribe and lift your sister.

Love,
Jess





As you may know, this blog has relocated to http://www.portraitique.com/blog Please check the Portraitique blog if you would like to stay on top of all blog posts, promotional deals and other exciting tips like (the soon to publish post on) 'How to look 15 pounds lighter in your next snapshot.'

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Saying Goodbye!

Hello Friends!
This will be my last post on this blog (which also means that this blog will eventually cease to exist!) And Jessica Reynolds Photography will be no more.

....


WHAT!?

...

That's right! I said it!
But I'm not leaving photography. No. Love it WAY TOO MUCH!

Wanna know what's up?
Just come on over and take a little look-see at www.Portraitique.com (we're still under construction, so it's more like a sneak peek for loyal folk such as yourself!)




Wednesday, March 6, 2013

One FABULOUS sign!

I don't quite remember how I stumbled upon the Susie Harris blog, but I DO remember exactly what caught my eye...


the yellow sign.

I loved the font, the color, Bob Marley's message - heck, just the general essence of the sign itself. And this family NEEDED this sign. So I ordered the BIGGEST one the ridiculously talented Mrs. Harris offered and it arrived on my front porch quite fast (if I do say so myself!)

Little Sidebar: I LOVE  bypassing the crowded chain stores and malls to shop the independent small businesses anyhow (especially when those items are literally made in the U.S.A.)

Our wonderful sign typically lives in the center of our family room (where we see it constantly - maybe the comforting message will seep into our subconscious?.. I hope.) This weekend I invited it to serve as a prop for a conceptual shoot.

I couldn't resist keeping the glory of that special yellow sign all to myself, either. Check out the Susie Harris blog to see some of my adventures over the weekend (I recommend scouring through her gorgeous decor and perusing her offerings - you'll drool over her creativity and attention to detail! I suspect she'd also be a ton of fun to hang out with!)
Be sure to tell her I sent you!

http://www.susieharrisblog.com/2013/03/its-no-secret-that-painting-is-huge.html


Monday, March 4, 2013

Sunday Funday

Sometimes it's a good idea to do something JUST FOR YOU - no orders, no requests - just HEART. It's good for the soul!
So yesterday was one of those days that I used my camera just for ME. My creativity knew no bounds and my VERY precious, kind, handy and soul-mate of a husband helped me set everything up (and he didn't even complain!) My daughter and her friend were kind enough to be my models for the day and Julianne created the flower garlands for their hair. 










Monday, July 16, 2012

I ~LOVE~ Seniors!


Can you tell all the fun we had? 









Is there anything better than a vintage bike, an old quilt and a pair of boots?...... NAH!!!

And this girl had a bit of nautical flair too! Must. Shoot. Dockside.