One of the challenges for me with this move from Spokane, Washington, to Elko, Nevada, has been finding new places to do my portrait work. I had several "regular" locations in Spokane that I knew how to work in. Once I was able to chat with a client about what type of feel they wanted for their images, selecting one of those was fairly easy and we’d design the session from there.

I’m still pretty new to Elko, though, and it’s so fun for me to feel my way around town. I took my oldest daughter, Bailey, out last evening to capture the beauty of the sagebrush fields in this area. There is so much potential here! I’d love to do family portraits out in the dunes among the sage–what a perfect setting.

Of course, I couldn’t resist a few close-ups!

The sunset in particular was spectacular. 

 

 

 

These portraits were all taken within a five minute walk of my home–how lucky am I? 

I’m realistic, though, in knowing that as much as I search, I’ll never find all the good portrait places without enlisting the help of the locals. So you who have lived here in Elko or Spring Creek for a while, where do you think would be a great location for family portraits?  Add a comment to this post with your idea for a great location here in Elko. One week from today (September 10) I’ll select a winner from the comments who will receive a complimentary mini-session with Photography by Janiece. Let’s hear those ideas!

I grew up in small towns in Idaho and Wyoming, but I had totally forgotten what fun a local county fair could be! We took the girls to the parade yesterday before the start of the Elko County Fair and they had a blast. Compared to a few parades we’ve been to recently, they got quite a candy haul from all the floats!

My younger daughter thought chasing down candy was the greatest thing ever. She even stopped the parade at one point (sorry, folks!) because she ran in front of an oncoming float to scavenge.

 

I’m now taking clients in the Elko and Spring Creek areas for family portraits, senior pictures, and maternity and newborn photographs. Please give me a call at 738-8527 to schedule your Christmas Card session today!

 

Whew, that was a fun move! After a week of packing, cleaning, and saying goodbyes, a week of traveling, putting our things in our new home, then going to a family wedding, and yet another week of opening all the boxes and putting our belongings away, we’re finally almost finished.

So far, I love our new home. It’s wonderful to be together as a family getting settled in to a new place. I’m still on the hunt for a good preschool here in Elko for my four-year-old, but otherwise we are fairly well organized–so much so that I’ve gotten to exlore and play a bit!

Our new apartment complex has some lovely areas for children’s portraits:

 

 

My daughters and I also discovered a local park today located just behind the Elko Municipal Pool. The play structure offered several wonderful locations for pictures and I certainly had fun playing!

 

 

Soon I’ll be introducing my Holiday Card Session Specials for October and November–if you’re in the market for a Christmas Card portrait in Elko, give me a call! I’ll be offering both card and digital file packages with my holiday mini-sessions, which will be offered on a very limited basis. You can reach Photography by Janiece at 775-735-8527.

To my Spokane clients, I will be available for family holiday sessions for one weekend in either October or November. Please email me with interest or call me at my Spokane number, 509-209-3435.

 

 

Whew, my three-week-long business vacation is over, so watch out for a flurry of posts and sneak peeks in the next few days.

The beach with my husband’s family was wonderful–lots of room for the kids to run and play, the best clam chowder in the world, and actual adult chit-chat time! This vacation really couldn’t have been any better.

To crown it all off, the whole fam (minus one) trooped down to the beach on the morning of July 5 to take a family photo. Would you believe that all 12 children were little angels while I ran back and forth between my tripod (with camera set to timer mode) and the family? They really were, as you can see below.

Of course, my girls’ favorite thing to do on the trip was get good and wet (and dirty), get cleaned up, and then do it all over again.

 

 

 

My favorite part of the trip? Having my family together again. My husband was away for the entire month of June, so we really enjoyed our family time!

 

I will be away from my computer for the next week during my family’s vacation. All emails will be returned after Monday, July 7. Thank you for your patience!

 

 

This is just a quick little post to share a whole bunch of portraits I’ve taken of my girls over the past few weeks. They’ve been so good to me in between all the craziness that has been our life this spring!

I love this picture of Bailey. It was taken at my new FAVORITE location in Spokane, behind the Corbin Arts Center. If you ask me, this place is just idea for portraits of just about any kind! 

And since I was trying for a matched set of my girls, here is the one of Nat from that day . . . Just after I took it she spied an ant on her dress and freaked out, but I got the shot first!

I think my favorite thing about this location is this little path. I love the way it winds through a photo, leading your eye directly to my adorable subjects. (and no, I’m not biased AT ALL!)

And just for fun, I have to share this one of B, jumping for all she could.

And Natalie with her dandylion wishes . . .

And this one just makes my heart happy! We went with a friend to her grandparents’ farm up north of Spokane in Deer Park yesterday and enjoyed the fields and fresh air. Beautiful!

But the main reason for the visit to the farm was the kitties! Nat was completely in love. 

And to sign off, I have to share some sad and exciting news. I am no longer booking any sessions in the Spokane area, as I’m booked solid through August. My husband has accepted a job in Elko, Nevada, so we will be moving there around August 15 and starting fresh.

Of course, I plan on taking Photography by Janiece with me, doing portraits and wedding photography in Elko. Spokane has been very good to our family, though, over the last three years and we will miss it when we’re gone. And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of how we’ll miss the people of Spokane, the friends we’ve made here that we will cherish. Thank you all!

 

 

So there’s this one part of running a photography business that I secretly just LOVE. Of course, I am grateful every day that I have a job I love, that people actually pay me money (!!!) to take their portraits, that I get to work from home and still be a stay-at-home-mom to my two sweet girls. Really, being a photographer rocks!

And as icing on the cake, there’s this one little small thing I get to do every time someone places an order with me. Naturally I do final touch-ups to all the ordered images and make sure that everything is absolutely perfect before I hit the little "send" button which transfers my photos to my awesome print lab. I carefully go through the invoice and make sure that I’ve ordered the correct sizes of everything. Then when I get the prints from my amazing UPS lady, I rip open the box like it’s Christmas morning and carefully inspect each print for flaws. And if (as was the case with my most recent order) there’s a mistake on any of the prints, I instantly contact my lab and ask for a replacement.

But almost my favorite part of the whole process? Packaging those prints to hand-deliver to my clients! Those who’ve worked with me in the past have seen several incarnations of my packaging as I changed my logo, my colors (slightly), and my business "look." I’ve been working hard to "brand" Photography by Janiece over the past year and have finally discovered exactly how I want to present orders to clients.

Isn’t it pretty? I love dressing my orders up with fancy touches–this is a custom portrait business, and I want to make sure my clients feel that from start to finish. The very best part, though, is delivering a package like this to a client and watching them tear all that hard work apart so they can gaze at the portraits of their loved ones, preserved for a lifetime. Yup, I really have the best job around.

***Please be aware that due to some technical difficulties with my primary computer, my internet access is sporadic at best. I appreciate your patience as my computer is at the *spa* getting all shined up! Please don’t hesitate to contact me at (509) 209-3435 with inquiries and to schedule your free mini-session! 

 

Can you handle two blog posts in one day? I just have to share this image with you today.

 Spring is almost here, I just know it! I saw little baby flowers blooming in the grass, trees are buddings, and I know you all want to get outside and play in the sun. Maybe if we all "think spring" we can make it happen!

Oh, and don’t you love my new chair? I got it for a steal (free) and a friend of mine just finished recovering it for me. It’s my new favorite photography prop! I can’t wait until I get to drag it out into a field for portraits. Or take it to the lake–can’t you just see this gold with the gorgeous blue water?

I’m booking for April through August now, so please visit http://www.photographybyjaniece.com to view the options! Don’t miss out on the wildflowers this spring–book your session today. 

 

Mmmmmm, burgers and fries, fresh huckleberry shakes, deep fried oreos, mmmmmm.

Sorry, my brain stopped working there for a moment. Back to the task at hand–Spokane!

When we first moved here two and a half years ago, one of the first questions we asked our friends was "Where is the best place in town to get a hamburger?" In all cases but one, the answer was, of course, The Onion (the one person who replied differently apparently prefers his burgers by the bagful). Whatever your preference, though, you really can’t go wrong at The Onion if you’re looking for good burgers, bottomless fries, and of course, massive onion rings!

My girls love the fact that they get to color,

have a geography lesson,

and run out with balloons! 

My favorite part? Visiting a local, family friendly restaurant with excellent food and enjoying some family time! No, I’m not being paid to advertise for them, they don’t even know I’m posting this! I just wanted to share one of my faves of Spokane.

I’ll ask you again, what are YOUR favorite things to do in this city? Any must-visit places on your list when friends and family come to stay? Tell me about them! 

With all the winter snow (and now really wet melting snow), I haven’t been able to get outside and torture, ahem, photograph my girls, I’ve been playing with some self-portraits lately. (Seriously, though, for a photographer’s child, getting your picture taken is just about the very WORST thing possible. Just ask my two!)

And so, without further ado, here I am!

My dining room table sits right under a window, so I get these gorgeous pools of light late in the day. Now you all can put a face to my name.  

Since the weather has pretty much put all photography business on hold, I want to share a few special photographs with you tonight.

My three-year-old started ballet in January and this last week was the first time I was able to observe the class. It was so wonderful to see her moving gracefully!

 

 

 

If you’re hesitant to schedule portrait sessions right now because of the weather, don’t be! We can work together to find a perfect indoor location to capture your child’s personality and sweetness. Childhood stages are fleeting. Don’t put off portraits until that particular expression you love is gone. Contact me today at http://www.photographybyjanice.com to schedule your session! 

Man, it has really been a crazy week around here, hasn’t it? We’ve been staying bundled up inside and out. Luckily we never lost power due to the snow, but it’s been a challenge getting around. I’m sure all you locals feel the same way!

I just wanted to share a couple of my favorite snow photos from the week. My girls and I went to play at Manito Park on Wednesday between snow showers. It’s so beautiful there right now!

Natalie just loves to sit and eat snow. She was perched on one of the water fountains in the park and sat there as happy as can be, eating away.

Bailey, on the other hand, would stay out and play all day if we’d let her.

Snow angels 

and exploring

are two of her favorite things!

What do YOU like to do in the snow? The first person to email me a photo of themselves or a family member enjoying time in the snow will receive half off a session with Photography by Janiece! (New clients only, please.) Email me at photographybyjaniece@gmail.com 

Goodness, we’re already a week into December! I’ve almost finished my holiday shopping (just have my hubby left to shop for, and he’s a challenge!), I’ve ordered my own Christmas cards, my house is decorated, and I am close to being done with all client orders until the new year! Whoohooo!

Last week I devoted a huge amount of time to a project that is very dear to my heart. The Spokane Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hosted a Christmas Creche festival and asked me to help photographing families who came through the exhibit.

We had costumes and a wonderful hand-painted stable backdrop to use and each family received a complimentary 4x6 print of their photograph. I just loved seeing all the children deciding what to wear and how to pose. Such a joy to spend my time focusing on the true reason for Christmas!

I also photographed several of the nativities on display there. This was one of my favorites.

 

 

We’re over in Missoula for the Thanksgiving weekend, and B is enjoying the weather immensely!

 

I know that by March or so I will be VERY tired of winter weather, but it’s been so fun to enjoy the snow together. This is really B’s first true snow experience, since last winter Natalie was too young to stay out in it for very long. Should be a fun winter!

Snow can make a beautiful portrait backdrop, especially with classic clothing, coats, hats, and mittens. Consider scheduling a combination indoor/outdoor session at your home! Visit Photography by Janiece for pricing and information.

One of the downsides to being a photographer is being in few of the photos that record your family’s memories. I really do love being behind the camera, but I also wish I was in a few more of the "event" photos that chronicle the milestones in our life.

So lately I’ve been working on recording details of life with my girls. Since there usually isn’t someone around to hand the camera off to when I want a photo of something, I’ve had to get creative with using my timer and sometimes just holding the camera out at arm’s length.

With this portrait of Bailey and I, it’s soooo hard for me to look without seeing all my flaws. Post-baby weight that I’ve done nothing to try to loose. Blah mommy hair and clothes. And I can’t possibly have a double chin!

I LOVE this photo, though, because it does capture a moment-a sweet little snip of time when my daughter is still small, taking naps, and loves reading stories with me. She’s pushing the edge of napping–pretty soon these will be a thing of the past. And she’s stretching in other ways, as well, edging towards the big girl world. So even with all my personal appearance flaws (that really, I could just airbrush out in Photoshop), I adore this photo.

This one with Natty is the same way. We cuddle every day when she wakes from her nap. Sometimes it’s a quick head-on-shoulder-for-an-instant snuggle before she races off, but other times I get lucky and she settles right in to me.

I’m the ONLY one who gets these snuggles and they are SO precious to me. But I know the time that I’ll get to enjoy them is fleeting.

Just a little glimpse of me and mine. 

I love being a photographer. Every day I get SO excited that people actually pay me real money to meet them someplace, take photos of them, and then sell them those photos. Seriously, it’s the best job EVER. Because, truth be told, I’m a bit obsessed with photos. It all started with scrapbooking and wanting to document absolutely every aspect of my life. But then I started noticing that my photos didn’t look as good as the ones in all (and I mean ALL, just ask my husband!) the scrapbooking magazines I had. So I took more pictures, practiced, learned a thing or two about photo editing, practiced some more, looked for some places to get my work critiqued, and oh, did I mention practiced? There are literally thousands of photos from the last year alone of my family. And I love it!

Often when I’m on a photoshoot, though, I wonder which of the photos I’m taking will most appeal to the parents, the clients who I really do want to please. If I’m sending out a Christmas card, for example, I want all my far-flung friends and family members to be able to see what my daughters actually look like, so I want a photo with both of them looking straight into the camera with pleasant expressions. For things to display in my home, though, I sometimes go for shots that are a little more fun.

Take this photo, for example:

 

I thought these shoes were SO cute that I just had to take a photo of them. I love that they’re a bit worn and well-used, like the little girl they belong to just loves them and has to wear them everywhere. I love the angle of this little one’s feet, toes slightly together. I think this is just adorable!

One more photo I’m in love with from my recent family session in this one:

This is probably more of a snapshot than a true portrait, but I love the natural element of this–sisters playing together, enjoying their backyard. It’s just perfect!

I’ve been working on getting all my many, many projects done this month so I can actually ENJOY December and the Christmas holidays this year, so it’s been a busy few weeks. But I have to take just a moment today, a week before Thanksgiving, to say how grateful I am for my daughters! They love each other so much and bring me so much joy–when they’re not throwing themselves on the floor in a fit (Natalie) or responding to my every request with a sassy remark (Bailey).

Here they are together a few weeks ago while I was practicing with my new backdrop set-up.

And my sweet Natty playing with me–she’s such a good sport, as long as I put her on something so she can’t get away! 

Don’t forget to check out my pretty website PbJ . I now have a traveling studio-type backdrop and floor set I can bring to any location for more formal looking portraits. I’m booked through the end of 2007 but am now accepting appointments for sessions in January and Februart 2008. I only schedule a limited number of sessions each month, so contact me early to secure the date you want!

My girls and I have been taking advantage of the gorgeous fall weather lately to get some portraits in. This camera-obsessed mommy used to take photos of B and N non-stop, but since I’ve gotten busy with clients, they have had a bit of time off. We still have to get out and have some fun, though!

Requisite Halloween photo, of course, B was Tinkerbell (and insisted on being called such while wearing said costume) and Natty was the cutest cuddly tiger ever.

 

And when we got new hats and mittens yesterday, we had to see how they photographed.

Don’t they look so pretty? Hats, scarves, and mittens or gloves are so fun in photos, so if you’re a little wary of scheduling an outdoor session at this time of year, don’t be! We can have just as much fun with seasonal clothing now as in the summertime.

Be sure to check out our new website at http://www.janiecephotos.com!