Jenny ~a story from life

I love creative people. I love their energy. I love their uniqueness. I love the way really, really smart and curious people can the find the beauty and humor in even the most mundane of situations.

Check out the clip above. It's Brett and Jemaine, also known as Flight of the Conchords. They have a quirky show on HBO, which admittedly I do not watch often, but I do find myself stopping for a moment whenever I pass it while channel surfing. The show is primarily fun, silly little songs about everyday life, all joined together by a humorous, deadpan storyline. The brilliance is how they help us realize just how ridiculous or worries can be.

So take about seven minutes. Have a chuckle. I'm betting you may not have had this exact conversation, but you probably have had one very similar. And then worried about it for days.




wishing lots of laughs and smile for you today

~wj

Mandy & Matt ~wedding

Mandy and Matt were married a few weeks ago in Greneda. They rented cabins at the state park for the weekend and held their ceremony on the edge of the lake. It was quite windy leading up to and during the ceremony, but as the day slowly ended the weather became incredible. We made our way back down to the wedding site as the sun was setting and created some really great images. The light was perfect!

There were so many things I loved about this wedding. I loved the way Mandy and Matt tied in his south Louisiana heritage with her Mississippi Delta upbringing. The food was such a great reflection of this -- jambalaya, gumbo, catfish and hush puppies. And of course, much more. But it was how they made sure to include things that were important to each of them -- and their families-- that I found very touching.

Another thing that I found really unique and special was Mandy's version of the father-daughter dance. She told me a few weeks prior to her wedding that her father had an aversion to dancing. But she had a great solution and wanted to be sure I got photos of it.

Mandy was a college softball player. Her father coached her for years until she reached college, and he got so much pleasure watching his daughter playing ball. So when it came time for the father-daughter dance, Mandy took the DJ's microphone and told her father how much she loved him. She told him how much she appreciated his coaching and support throughout the years. She told him she knew he really didn't want to dance, so she had another idea. Then she led him outside where her best friend and teammate for so many years had gloves waiting for Mandy and her dad. So Mr. Russell and his little girl proceeded to have one last "catch" together. A fitting way to "dance" with your father, mentor, and friend if I've ever seen one.

It was all I could do to keep from getting watery-eyed as it reminded me a lot of my younger days as well. Such a special and touching idea. There are a few photos included here of the "father-daughter" dance.

I hope you enjoy looking at all of these images as much as I did creating them.

blessings,

~wj

Laurel - Jones County ~commission

Back in January I was asked to travel to south Mississippi to create a few images of the Laurel - Jones County area. The images are going to be used to help decorate the newly renovated offices of a law firm, so I tried to keep that in mind when creating them. The area also has a long history involving the railroad system. I did my best to tie that in as well.

I've selected a handful of images to show above, but if you'd like to see the entire set click HERE. I'll keep you updated as to which of my galleries carry these images as those details are sorted out. You can contact me directly as well for more purchase information.

I hope you enjoy them. Let me know what you think.

Take care,

~wj

baby Joe ~round 3

I've been so busy with weddings this spring that I really haven't had time to schedule many portrait sessions. Katie is one of my favorite clients (and a wonderful artist), so I always do my best to find a time to work with her. Her youngest son Joe turned nine months old around the first of May, so we headed out to create photos to remember this time in his life.

I love the fact that Katie always wants to try something a little different -- at the end of the summer we'll be doing 1 year portraits in a cotton field and outside of a juke joint -- so we headed down to Merigold, Mississippi to work around some of the old brick buildings there. If you're ever heading through the Delta on Highway 61 be sure to stop by Merigold and visit McCarty's Pottery, their restaurant The Gallery, and if you're coming by after dark be sure to stop and eat at Crawdad's.

NOLA JazzFest -- brilliance defined

I first heard the John Butler Trio late one Saturday night while watching an Austin City Limits rerun. This was about a year ago. I was blown away by John's talent and the unique sound of his band. It's a funky, bluesy, caribbean style infused with heavy beats, driving guitars, brilliant musicianship and infectious spirit. And the lyrics are poignant and moving.

I've had their music front and center on my ipod for the last few months and when I heard they would be performing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival I knew I really wanted to find a way to attend. Luckily I was able to do so. And even better was that Jamie was able to head down to her hometown and attend JazzFest with me.

When I say that this man is one of the most brilliant artists I've ever encountered I do not say that lightly. He abilities are tremendous and he displays them in so many ways during his performance. Guitar. Banjo. Xylophone. Stand up bass. Kettle drums. Harmonica. Electric piano. So many incredible sounds blended together to form one of the most moving hours I've ever experienced.

Here is a performance by John that displays just how good he is. When listening to this, keep in mind that this is one man; one guitar. It sounds like at least three of each of not four or five. Give it about sixty seconds. He starts softly and builds into a performance that will leave you with little more to say than . . . "Wow"



Now, if you enjoyed that here's a link to pick a few of his songs on iTunes. While the studio stuff is great, I highly recommend the Live at St. Gallen album. Studio recordings do not do this man justice. The energy he displays in front of a live audience is amazing, and it's just not something you can capture in a studio -- no matter how brilliant the technicians are.

CLICK HERE TO GO THE JOHN BUTLER TRIO iTUNES PAGE

Right at the end of his set, the rains came. Not a hard, heavy rain, but a soft, cleansing one. Rather poetic and fitting I thought, considering the audience. When the first raindrops struck the crowd a celebratory cheer echoed around the stage just as one of the band's songs was reaching its pinnacle. Here's a picture of Jamie I took with my phone just after she covered up to protect herself from the rain. John, of course, is on the screen in the background.



Music is a powerful thing, my friends. I often wonder if it isn't the most powerful artform that we have. Just as any art, it's often done just for the sake of doing it--there's very little purpose behind it. But when the artist has a point, and has mastered his or her craft, music can change the world. One person at a time. John Butler is one of those artists. He has a point. Listen to his, then find yours.

Good luck on your journey. It's a wonderful ride if you'll let it be.

~wj

Remember when you were like this?

It doesn't matter the language. It doesn't matter the economic situation. It doesn't matter where you live or how you live. At some point laughter was in you.

Many still live a life of laughter and joy. But many more may have drifted away from it for one reason or another. It's still there. We just have to remember it, then focus on getting it back. Even if just for a short moment each day.

Recent studies at the University of Maryland and the University of North Carolina show that laughing can help us live longer. They even suggest that laughing be part of your daily exercise routine.

So slow down. Just for a moment. Call a friend and chuckle a bit. You'll be glad you did.

Danielle & Josh ~wedding

Danielle and Josh were married a few weeks ago at Lake Caroline just outside Madison, Mississippi. The ceremony was very intimate and very beautiful. Even though the weather was quite treacherous the night before, Saturday turned out perfect and the sunset wedding was really, really nice.

Thank you Danielle and Josh for letting me be a part of your day. Best wishes to you both.


~wj