engagements.
families.
music.
personal.
seniors.
Posted on December 31, 2009
I have sat here for 10 minutes trying to think of the right words to describe what this year was like for me, and I’m having a really difficult time. So here’s some randomness.
I feel like I truly figured out who I am this year.
I learned how big our world is, and that our God is so much bigger.
I’ve found my true friends, the ones who will be there through it all.
I’ve learned some tough life lessons, and watched others I love go through the same.
I’m the complete opposite I was 5 years ago. I don’t want to settle. I don’t want to be comfortable. I want to continue to push myself.
I finally have faith in myself that I can do great things. But I’ve learned I can only do them with my God.
I’m at my best when I’m traveling. Nothing soothes me like the window seat on an airplane and some Jon Foreman on my ipod.
Anyway…that’s just the tip of the iceberg. 2009 taught me so much.
Moving right along.. :) Last year I did a Top 5 Favorite Photos of 2008 list. I tried to narrow it down to 5 this year, but I totally couldn’t. So I went with 12.. haha. Some of them I merely love the photo, and some of them have a story behind it.
Here are my Top 10 Favorite Photos of 2009, in no particular order. :)
Sometimes everything falls together perfectly in a photo…the light, the colors, the angle, the facial expression.
And that’s when you know you’ve found your calling.
If this doesn’t make you want to fall in love, I don’t know what will.
This will be one of those stories I’ll tell my grandkids…getting in the most intense, painful mud fight ever with a bunch of street boys on a rainy afternoon in Ambo, Ethiopia. I’ll never forget Michelle, Eric, and I walking with the boys to go wash off for lunch, and the boys surrounded us and started clapping and singing. I’m convinced I will never be that happy again in my life, and I’m okay with that.
I know.. Not that impressive right? Those of you who have been on missions know that sometimes you just have “moments”…this was one of my moments.
I don’t remember this boy’s name, but he was one of the tougher street boys. Our translator told us many of the boys were terrified of him.
Seeing the genuine happiness on his face when I pointed out that he had just won Bingo and was about to get a hackeysack…that made every long day in a classroom, every fight we broke up, and all the stress we endured in Ethiopia worth every single second. I go to Ethiopia for these “moments” and to hopefully provide the people of Africa I meet with “moments” of their own.
Anytime I need to be reminded of how great my God is, I go back to this photo. He’s my favorite artist. Thanks Denver.
Laney, you stress me out a ton, but you’re my best friend and this photo always reminds me why. Sometimes you just need to eat paint and be happy. :) I love you and I’ve got your back as long as you need me.
Love the girl, love the photo. Enough said. :)
Honestly, there were other photos that, visually, I liked more than this one. But this shoot was one of my favorites. I had been having a terrible week…if something could have gone wrong, it did. My laptop (a.k.a. MY LIFE) had just crashed, my dog was very sick, and I was just all-around NOT prepared for this shoot.
But these two boys were a ton of fun, and watching them throw paint on their dad in my living room completely made me realize why I love my job so much. It made me feel very blessed.
Just one of those “love it all” photos. Plus, she has a feather in her hair. And that makes me happy. :)
This photo is when I realized how much I love sunflare. The colors made my heart flutter.
My nickname is Tink. My best friend looks like Peter Pan. How could I not love this?
This was taken at the Jeremy Cowart workshop this month. It was incredible getting to meet the man I’ve been looking up to since I started photography, and learning that we have the same mindset when it comes to photos…it’s all about creating, making the viewer feel something, regardless if it’s “technically” correct. It’s about art, and that’s why I do this.
Going through all my photos from the year made me realize how hilarious my friends are. So, I present to you… Top 5 Most Random Photos of 2009.
Stephanie, Emily, Lola the cross-eyed cat, and Junior the homosexual Chihuahua. I love my cousins. And their furbabies.
Girls night. No clue.
My favorite homeless Princess…Kyle. He talked me into a Homeless in Europe shoot. Whenever he’d get stressed, he’d tell me he was going to move to Europe and be homeless, just to get away. I still think that sometimes when I get stressed out and it puts me in a better mood. :)
He moved away to Texas but he’s forever in my heart. Possibly one of my favorite people ever, just don’t tell him that.
The Smiley brothers and Mr. Peslis…my favorite zombie slayers.
My 22nd birthday.
I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
That ended up being way longer than I intended. If you made it all the way through…thanks. :)
I’m off to watch Sherlock Holmes with these crazy kids…minus a Lane and a George.. :)
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! :)
peace.
-ak
Posted on December 25, 2009
it is snowing in oklahoma.
i’m 22 and i’ve never had a white christmas.
i am in ala-freakin-bama.
yep. merry christmas, kids.
peace.
-ak
Posted on December 17, 2009
New IJP policies!
*snore*
But really, I need to go ahead and announce all this and get it out of the way.
The last few months have really been an eye opener for me. I realized my number of clients has doubled in the last year, and I’m finding myself working 70+ hour weeks sometimes. It was getting to the point where I was neglecting my family and friends, my house was a mess because I never had time to clean, and I had a constant achy right hand from all the editing. No bueno!
So…things are gonna be changed up a bit this year.
I will be taking shoots on Mondays, Tuesdays, every other Wednesday, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Wednesdays are reserved for catching up on editing and also as extra days in case a shoot has to be cancelled due to weather or sickness. Sundays are my days. I will answer emails, that’s about as much work as I’ll do. I love love love my job, but I still need a break every once in awhile too. :)
Also, session fee prices are going to be changed as of January 1st, 2010. They are as follows:
1-2 people: $100
3-5 people: $125
6-10 people: $150
11 or more people: $175
*If you have booked a session with me before this point, you’ll still only have to pay the previous session fee. I’ve starred your name on my calendar. :D*
Still includes the same things it always has! (You can read all that on my website under “investment.”)
If you have absolutely any questions, just shoot me an email at indiejanephotography@gmail.com!
…back to hibernating.
peace.
-ak
P.S. We made the fort double wide.
I pretty much never leave it.
Posted on December 13, 2009
almost two straight days of sleeping = epic bedhead.
peace.
-ak
