The Heart of a Dreamer

Have you ever met some one that makes time stop or just takes your breath away?



I have... and this woman's name is Chelsea. She's one of my best friends. You've seen her in earlier blog posts but this particular blog is dedicated specifically to her. Why? Because she. is. simply. beautiful.



She is stunning. elegant. radiant. lovely.
It is obvious she is a beauty, but what makes her sparkle and shine the way she does is that of what's on the inside.
She is a woman of integrity. respect. honor.
She loves her husband, her family and her friends. She's willing to give up a lot to help meet their needs. I've read about her before and she's in proverbs 31. "She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." Chelsea is the real deal and I would know because I live with her. She is definitely a woman who does what she says when no one's looking.
Every utterance is a word of encouragement. positivity. and helpful suggestion.



She is disciplined. works hard. has clear goals. and will absolutely by no means settle for less.
She is artistic. vivacious. and so unbelievably funny!
Her and I laugh constantly, we see the humor in just about everything and joke about it. Since moving to Columbus I haven't laughed this hard and long since Hallmark.







She's a treasure. a real gem. a princess. She knows who she is and Whose she is.







This last image is dedicated to Sunny, her Nanna who just recently passed. These were her lace gloves. Chelsea wears them so gracefully.



She has big dreams for her life and I mean BIG dreams!! I'm excited for her!! So stay tuned because they'll be posted up here!!
I love you Chels!! You truly are beautiful! xoxo Jess

Magic. True Love. Hope

Christmas.
What does it mean to you?
Christmas time around the world for a lot of people is a magical time. People seem cheerier and friendlier- they may go out of their way for someone, they may smile at someone randomly. Whatever it may be people seem to have a little bit more of that something. Why is that? Why do we only have it around this time of year? What about the other 365 days? Do those days not warrant such a feeling, such a way of interacting and being with others? Should we crawl back into ourselves and only think of our own wants and needs during the rest of the year? There are movies and songs that remind us of childhood and true love and happily ever after and magic at Christmas. Hope seems to be restored but it is fleeting because we soon get back into the grind of daily life and forget the magic. There is magic. true love. and hope. everyday. but it is a choice to see it. I love Christmas but I love every other day too. Magic and Hope are everywhere! Are you looking? I am.






I was photographing my tree last night and I saw this bell. I was reminded of the book The Polar Express and how the bell still rings for the boy that believes. Does it still ring for you? It rings for me. I hear it every year and as I get older it gets louder. This photo below is dedicated to all of you that truly Believe. May you be blessed this Christmas season.



My challenge for some of you that may have lost hope is to let life romance you. Look for the beauty and forsake what brings you down. Start with Christmas. For me, Christmas represents Hope in things to come. Merry Christmas! Love, Jess

A Christmas Story

These two lovely beautiful women are mother and daughter and two of my very best friends. I've known them for about 10 years now. Jan and I get together about once a week and chat about what's going on in our lives over coffee and as of recent we walk together. (Her idea not mine.) She has been my support and mentor in my life since I've met her. She is wise and always my go-to woman for advice. There isn't anything she doesn't know about me. With her I can be completely and brutally honest about who I am. She is definitely my second mom.
Chelsea is a fabulous young woman who just recently got married to her soulmate (who happens to be a past Abercrombie model.. just sayin...) His name is Blake and they're living the dream in Ohio. Her and I have the kind of friendship where you can go for months without chatting and pick up right where you left off when you see each other again. We don't skip a beat.
Chels came home last weekend briefly and it just so happened that it snowed for the first time this winter. I was inspired and asked Jan and Chels if they were willing to shoot with me. They happily accepted.


Qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity: that is the definition of character and Jan and Chelsea have it. You can't find two more honest people. They are a great example to me and to many others. Both of them are inspiring and I hope that someday I can be like them.



We photographed down town... I really enjoy main street as a backdrop especially at Christmas time!!




Jan and Chels I love you guys sooooooo much!! Thank you for everything you've done... I am eternally grateful and am truly blessed to have two amazing women in my life.


Chelsea I'll see you tomorrow in Ohio!! xoxo Jess

First Family Portrait

I know, I know... my bad... I've been shutter happy lately and I haven't caught up with my editing... Anyway, I photographed these siblings just before Thanksgiving. This was a special shoot for me because it was my first official family portrait since graduation!! WAHOO!! Kelly, Dale, and Jenny were fun to work with and I appreciate them for taking a chance on me and allowing me to photograph a moment in their lives. I hope their parents enjoy their Christmas gift!! Merry Christmas Kelly, Dale, and Jenny!! Thank you again for letting me photograph you!! xoxo Jess

Bright Lights and Love

"I know a girl, she puts the color inside of my world and she's just like a maze where all of her walls all continually change." -John Mayer


"Falling in love is the easiest thing anyone is ever going to do. It's the most exciting thing. the most powerful thing."



"Falling in love- there's nothing better, it's the best it ever gets." - One Tree Hill



Zach and Nicole are two remarkable people. I grew up with Nicole, we went to middle school together and I have memories of sleep-overs in my bright blue room. She recently moved back from California and now we have plans to have sleep-overs again in my "princess" room where we will make forts, drink wine and create new memories. Zach and I went to high school with each other, I would say we were acquaintances during that time. Now we're friends and I know him quite well. These two are great to see together both vibrant and full of life. Nicole is funny, spirited, and probably one of the most friendliest people I've ever met. She also loves One Tree Hill (one of my favorites). Zach is also funny a bit more sarcastic, very steady, and also kind. He is a fan of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. They both loooooooooooove snowboarding and I think that if they only could do one thing the rest of their lives it would be that. Zach and Nicole are a very dynamic couple and a lot of fun to be around!! Now I know some of you might be thinking that it is a little strange that I should even be writing a blog or taking pictures of them but again my favorite quote from my favorite book (right now) The Shack- " since most of our hurts come through relationships so will our healing. and I know that grace rarely makes sense for those looking in from the outside." I truly believe what the author is saying in that statement and my life and friendships are proof.


Zach and Nicole were a bit uncomfortable in front of the camera

so... we decided to go get a drink at the Brew Pub...

They were much more comfortable afterward :)


"We're going to get run over!!" "By all the cars?" - The Notebook

Zach and Nicole thank you for letting me photograph you guys!! You are both lovely!! xoxo Jess

A Story of Grace and Beauty

This beautiful woman is my sister. Her name is Abby and I love her dearly.

Her story reminds me of the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. A brief overview- Joseph was hated and envied by his brothers so they threw him into a well only to leave him there to die, however he was sold into slavery and became the overseer for one of Pharaoh's officials, Potiphar. Unfortunately Potiphar's wife accused Joseph of trying to commit adultery with her. He was put in jail for yeeeaaaars for a crime he. did. not. commit. Eventually long story short, Joseph ended up being second in command of all of Egypt. A great famine came to the land and Joseph's brothers were starving. Joseph was the head of the food supply in Egypt. Joseph's brothers traveled to Egypt to buy food from Joseph not knowing it was him because they thought he was dead. Joseph reveiled himself to his brothers in a private setting and there was much redemption, grace and forgiveness. Now I tell you this story because Abby's story although may not be the same as Joseph's is similar in that she has had struggle, triumph, grace and redemption. She is a fascinating person with an amazing personality- funny, hardworking, stubborn, and kind to name a few of her many traits. She is now living in her grace and beauty. She graduated high school, has a full time job, lives independently from our parents and has a boyfriend. His name is Mike. I've met Mike a few times now and he is a real genuine guy. He is the calm in Abby's storm and the two of them together are incredible to see. They both light up a room wherever they go...



They care deeply for each other and it is evident in how they interact with one another...




I am reading the book The Shack again for the third time and something the author said really stands out to me and I am reminded of his statement periodically when I see beauty and grace. The line follows "I suppose that since most of our hurts come through relationships so will our healing," and I see healing in Mike and Abby's relationship.



What I enjoy most about Abby and Mike are their fabulous smiles. You can spot both of them a mile away with their flashy expression... In the next few photos I asked them how they first met and this was their reaction to my question. If you know them and their story then you know why they're laughing, if you don't, well, I'll just leave it to your imagination... ;)



This next image is my personal favorite. Mike and Abby you two are beautiful!

And Biz I love you so much thank you for letting me capture a moment in time. xoxo Jessy.

A Hint

I have a sneak peek of my latest shoot!! My sister Abby and her boyfriend Mike.