F. Family | Family Session in Denver CO

In October had the amazing opportunity to photograph a fellow photographer.  I used to be so nervous to photograph other artists but recently I started LOVING IT!  Other artists know what they want, they put a lot of time and effort into their session and they are usually the easiest to photograph [for me anyway].  Sandy is the amazing artist behind Wild Prairie Photography .  I couldn't have been more thrilled when she contacted me.  I am already dreaming of summer when I can open up my summer lake sessions! 

Baker Family | Motherhood Session in Denver Colorado

As we all know I love everything about motherhood and I am one to believe that every stage of motherhood should be documented.  I love when mothers reach out to me to photograph this time in their journey.  It is so hard being a mother and finding time to step in front of the camera, especially with your children.  Even for me and I am definitely trying to be better about being present in the images with my children.

 The more I photograph motherhood and I understand that these photos are not for me or you or your husband or sister or mom, they are for your children. I only have a handful of photos with my mother from when I was a child, and even fewer of us just goofing off being silly together.  In the warmer months I plan on offering motherhood sessions outside once a quarter. In the winter, I plan on offering these sessions once a month at an indoor location.

Orley Family | Family Session in Denver CO

Although I generally only offer family photo sessions in the fall, these water sessions are ones I am planning on offering all summer long new year! To say I love taking families to the lake would be an understatement. There is something so beautiful about documenting a people along these shores. When we first moved to Aurora Colorado earlier this year and made our first trip to Cherry Creek State Park I knew I would be spending a lot of time here.  When I found this little, usually completely vacant shore line along the lake I knew I wanted to bring families here to photograph them.   I am so excited that next year I will be opening up these sessions as soon as the water is warm enough. 

The Orley Family is the second family that I brought to my little stretch of shore line and I am thrilled to share their gallery with you!

May | 366 days with the Mielkes

May was so much fun around here!  We were finally able to really enjoy being outside!  We started exploring even more.  We found some really fun places to go!  My mom came to visit and we had our first outings to the lake where the girls could actually go swimming!  

May:

March | 366 days with the Mielkes

March was a really fun month.  I think we really started to find our groove here in Colorado.  We really started to make some friends and the weather was nice on some days so we could even leave the house and begin exploring!  Towards the end of the month the girls and I went to Tucson so Lu could spend spring break with her father.  

March: 

Melanie and Alina | Mommy and Me Session in Tucson Arizona

Can you believe this session happened on a WHIM?!?!  I am so glad I was able to talk her into going out into the desert with me for an hour.  It was extremely windy but it was so beautiful out. I am so glad we were able to sneak in this session because she and her family just relocated from the desert to the east coast.  After I delivered her gallery she sent me message after message thanking me for these photos- she didn't have any of just her and sweet Alina.  I can't stress enough how important it is to present in images with your children.  That is something I am personally trying to do better with.   I still have a handful of mommy and me sessions available in the Denver Metro Area in May.  

Jamie L. | Maternity Session in Denver Colorado

A few weeks ago I was so excited to join several other photographers for a 'Maternity Shoot Out' We had several gorgeous pregnant mamas, and some families there for us to photograph. Each photographer styled their own maternity sessions and we all had about 30 minutes with each beautiful mama/family.  I have never participated in maternity session like this before and to say it was a BLAST would have been an understatement.  I had the opportunity to do a lot of experimenting with these fabulous ladies and I am thrilled with the results.  Here is one of my sessions from that day.. the BEAUTIFUL Jamie who is a fabulous Denver photographer and you can check out her stunning work right HERE

Rowan Elizabeth | Birth Story in Tucson Arizona

I realized last week that I NEVER shared the full birth story of sweet little Rowan. I really love it when mom's write their own birth stories.  I will never forget Rowan's delivery.  Jonea was so strong and even though her birth plan went into the toilet she handled the changes so amazingly.  Sweet Rowan was born with a True Knot in her cord which is extremely rare.  Head over and read Jonea's birth story in her own words.. There is swears and complete honesty :) There is nothing more amazing than being allowed into a woman's birth space.  

I am now booking a select number of births in the Denver Metro Area.  My first two births booked, contract signed and deposit paid, are discounted by 400.00. All birth stories include a full maternity session and full birth coverage. I would be honored to tell your birth story and I am so excited to be offering birth stories in Denver Colorado.  

Beth, Mark and Skylar | Maternity Session in Tucson

My Cousin Bethany and I have always had this special unspoken bond.  No matter how far apart we are or how long we go without talking, when we finally get together (which unfortunately isn't often enough), she is like my best friend.  I was really honored to be able to photograph her and her husband Mark in anticipation of the arrival of my sweet new cousin Skylar.  This was probably the most nerve wracking session I have ever had, not only did these images need to be perfect for her because she is family, but we were very limited on time and when we fist started out it was so cloudy out.  I was so excited when the sun started to set and started peeking out from under the clouds.  I am so excited for Skylar to make her arrival any day/week now and I can't wait for baby snuggles when I make a trip to Arizona in March. 

I am currently booking Maternity sessions in the Denver Metro area.  I would be honored to photograph this amazing time for you and your family. 

Transition

The past month and a half has been a time of transition for my family as we move from Tucson AZ to Denver CO.  I have been documenting my family through this transition to remember this crazy time in our life. 

September Part One | Personal Images

September was busy!  We started the month off without Luke, and were counting down the days until he was home again.  You can tell in this blog that we had a reoccurring theme in our summer this year.  WATER!! Seriously, water was involved whenever it was possible.  Pools, Splash pads, Sprinklers.. you name it we used it and it was such a blast!  Sorry for the huge share this month.  We also snuck in another trip to Disneyland but that will be a blog on it's own.  

At the beginning of the month we has a BBQ at my step-sisters house.  The girls loved playing and swimming with their cousins.  The next day we went to my aunt and uncles house and swam there.  A few day's later, Lilian's sister Charlotte came over for a visit and we played in the splash pad. So much water!!  It seemed like it rained all the time.. I played with some long exposures and got some "ghost" Arias.  I also found out that I love taking photos of Aria's little tiny feet...   All in all it was a good month.  Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera with me when we picked Luke up from the airport, it was a bit anticlimactic anyway.  But they sure were glad to have him home.  Aria didn't leave his side for days.  So here are my images, enough with my rambling.. :)  

E. Family | Family Storytelling in Tucson Arizona

I was graciously inviting in the Emery home.  Kelli is an amazing photographer here in Tucson and she reached out for an in home documentary session because their pup Lulu was going to undergo surgery the following day.  So much of their session was focused on her. This was the very first time a family invited me into their home for a documentary session that didn't involve a newborn- I was really nervous.. not to mention she is an awesome photographer her self and it's always new wracking to photograph another photographer.  

Towards the end of our session Kelli asked for a few 'posed' (and I use that term really lightly) photos on their bed with their family surrounding their pup with love.  E. Family, I know you are surround your sweet pup with love while she recovers from her surgery!  Thank you so much for inviting me into your home!

Ireland Jean | In Home Newborn Session

Like I have said before, I LOVE everything related to birth photography, including maternity and in home newborn sessions.  I truly love lifestyle newborn sessions.  There is just something magical about those first few days at home with a new little one.  The Randall family invited me into their home two weeks after little Ireland was born, brother and sister are still getting into the swing of having a new sibling and little Ireland was seriously as sweet as could be.  Thank you so much Randall Family for letting me be part of this wonderful time in your lives!

Kiersten | Nursing Session in Tucson Arizona

I love nursing sessions.. Heck I love feeding sessions in general.  Watching a family member nourish their baby is such an amazing thing.  Kiersten is an amazing mama who is currently nursing her 1 and 3 year old.  We only had about 20 minutes of shooting time in the orchard this evening, the mosquitoes were unbearable, I left the orchard with over 30 bites all over the place.  I am so honored that Kiersten asked me to take these shots for her to commemorate her nursing. She is one client/friend I am going to miss terribly once I move to Colorado.  She has been with me since the very beginning and when I look back on her first set of images I took I can definitely see how much growth there has been within myself and my photography.  I am so proud to have those images to look back on.  We all start somewhere and I am so glad that she has stuck by me through the years.  

To book your feeding session with me please email Hello@photoartbyjessica.com.  I would really enjoy adding a few more sessions to my portfolio.  These sessions are not limited to nursing, I would be honored to photograph you bottle feeding you child or even pumping for your child.  

Norah and Owen | In Home Newborn and Family Session | Tucson Arizona

You might remember my last birth back in May, when little Norah graced us with her presence a few weeks early.  She spent about a week in the NICU before she was allowed to come home and ever since then she has been growing like a weed!  She is so sweet and I definitely got my share of baby snuggles in during our in home Newborn and Family Session.  In home Documentary sessions are my favorite type of family session.  I love documenting and telling your story.  

Stan, Rachel and Layla | Family Photo Session | Brandi Fenton Park Tucson AZ

When we move to Denver this is one family I am truly going to miss.  Tucson has been so good to me and I am really excited that I will be able to shoot here several times a year even after our move.  

Happy Birthday Sweet Layla!  I can't wait to get you in front of my camera again!!

Taking a dip in the Pacific | Personal Images

After we went to Disneyland we decided to head down to San Diego for a day of sandy wet fun before we headed back to Tucson.  All 3 girls really love being at the beach and playing in the sand and water.. I however have learned that the adult version of Jessica doesn't enjoy sand AT ALL.  But I did only spend about 15 minutes with my camera and spent the rest of our few hours with my kids and husband.  I am trying to find that special balance of documenting/storytelling and actually being in the moment with my family. It's definitely not as easy as I thought it would be.  

Amber | Mommy and Me

Amber, Danni and Ava, were just a dream.  I know I say that a lot but seriously, these three were awesome.  These three are also waiting to welcome home the man in their lives.  Amber is such a great mom to these two crazy girls, and Danni is seriously one of the most respectful (yet hungry) little 7 year olds I have ever met.  I am lucky to have this crazy group just down the street and I have become fast friends with them.  Mommy and me sessions are on going through Mothers day, please to all the mama's out there.. do your kids a favor and get in the frame with them.  If you're interested in one of these limited sessions, please do not hesitate to email me. 

Jessie and Jon | In Love in Tucson

Jessie and Jon are two of the sweetest people I have ever met in my entire life.  I documented their engagement and wedding last year.  This year I suckered them into an early morning session at Sunrise.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for these two!

Valentines Day

So around our house Valentines day has never been a big deal.  Luke and I try our best to show each other very often how much we love and appreciate each other so we feel we don't really need a day to tell us to do so..  This year however- with having Jule in our home and Lilian "getting it" we decided to go all out.  In the morning I made pink and purple heart shaped pancakes and we went on a simple picnic where we made flower crowns and played in a field of dead tall grass for a couple of hours.  It was simply splendid and I think we have a wonderful new tradition to look forward to.  Our crowns were far from perfect but I thought they were wonderful.  We even had extra flowers that we gave to some hikers to brighten their day a little bit.