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Oh! I just got in an email on a canvas sale. Starting tonight till MIDNIGHT on FRIDAY get MAJOR savings!!!

Faith & begorrah! It seems that this little leprechaun (isn’t that redundant?) left us a wee pot o’ gold today, and we’d like to share it with you – but you HAVE TO ACT QUICKLY – as rainbows tend to fade fast!

From NOW until FRIDAY MIDNIGHT PST, please enjoy HUGE savings on the following LUXE canvas sizes!

11×14 = $70 + $5 shipping
12×18 = $75 + $5 shipping

Canvases below add $10/each for shipping:

16×20 = $85
16×24 = $95
20×24 = $100
20×30 = $120
24×36 = $140

YES – as always – you can upload a placeholder image and send your image later. Just right click on Toby the Leprechaun above, and upload him.

AS ALWAYS – SALE ITEMS ARE ON THE SPECIAL PRODUCTS PAGE – PLEASE LOG IN, GO TO ORDER NOW THEN THE SPECIAL PRODUCTS TAB.

When you’re ready, email us your image(s) number  and a glittering unicorn will be winging your order in no time! Well, the unicorn might take the guise of the FedEx delivery guy, but you get the idea.

Back awhile ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a special mom that was TWICE blessed. She was blessed with twin boys and was due soon! We completed her maternity session and I waited and waited and waited for that phone call/ text to say that they have arrived safely and healthy. I was so happy that they did arrive both safely and healthy. Now I couldn’t WAIT to see those sweet babies. I was skipping for days when our session was booked!!

The day finally came when I was invited into their home to capture this sweet bundle of boys. My heart and uterus went all to mush when I saw the babies… So small, so sweet and so precious. I was also amazed on how similar yet so different they are.

We started our session and I quickly learned that baby C did NOT liked to be messed with. Now he was happy as a baby on a boob if he was cuddled with, but try to do anything with him or MOVE him and he let you know that he did NOT like it!!! It actually was kind of funny – just to see a personality so tiny and new but strong! Now, baby J, was cool as can be! He slept the whole time and seemed happy as can be! He did not mind a bit being kicked, prodded, layed on, or anything. He was just….perfect!

I enjoyed myself so much being with those babies. In fact,  I left their house wanting my OWN set of twins. I mean how wonderful it would be to have these fuzzy, tiny, loving babies.. one for each arm to snuggle with. ……….But as soon as I got home and listened to all the kids screaming, crying and running a muck through the house, I quickly changed my mind!!

**R & C, thank you so much for inviting me into your home to do your photos. I really had a great time meeting your boys. I hope that not only are you able to get some much needed rest, but I hope you both enjoy your photos! I look forward in seeing them again soon! ***

I know I have said this many many times before… but I need to say it again Besides newborns, my FAVE age is the 6-9 months. they just have so much personality and spunk! This is even better of course if they are not fast crawlers LOL

Meet baby B. You have seen him and his wonderful and sweet parents a while ago. A friend of hers and a photog friend of mine was super sweet to purchase them a gift certificate so that baby B could come get some photo fun. He is such a sweet sweet baby who has gone thru a lot to not only get here but to have a healthy start, but I am SO happy that things are MUCH better!

Here is a little sneak peek into our session!

It seems lately that I have been on the computer a lot but some how neglected my blog. If you are a Jax Creations facebook Fan, there are always updates and contests there- so make sure you become my FAN!!!

This past Saturday, my little girl, celebrated her TENTH birthday. A few days before it really weighed heavily on my mind.. HOW CAN THIS BE??? I swore just last week she was in her terrible twos… Although the terrible twos aren’t much different than this pre-teen stage- UGH. Can we say drama…we always joke that she is our Academy Award winner… no joke!

As her birthday approached I asked what she wanted to do for the BIG day. All she wanted to do was to spend time with ME I figured she was SICK of me. I mean, after school she sees me and hears this echoing loud voice always telling her to do something – so I was shocked when she shared that she wanted to spend time with me. This meant- A GIRL DAY!!! Yes, it probably was more for me than her, but it was still something fun and special to do.  I had invited her amazing aunt and her nana and we headed into Spokane for a beautiful fun filled girls day!

The day started with a fancy breakfast.. Fancy meaning no cereal! It was fresh fruit, pancakes, croissants, and a smoothie in nothing else but a wine glass! After our morning feast, we loaded up in the car, said good-bye to the boys and headed out. Our first stop was American Academy of Nail Design – for manicures!! It has been a LONG time since I saw my nails painted- without smudges in them! My mom was basically there for the ride but I talked her into getting a facial. I mean there was no reason NOT too. The prices are AMAZING and why would you NOT want to get something relaxing done!??!!! Since it was Lil’s bday, her nail tech decorated 2 of her nails just special for her. So sweet. After our nails we waited for my mom… when she walked out of the facial room, it was WAY TOO HARD to keep in the giggles. She looked like a puppy that was drugged up!! Totally a funny sight! And of course I was right about her LOVIN it!! After so composed herself back to “normal” we made our way to RIverfront Park. This was our first experience out there and I LOVED it!! I cant wait to go back again! We ate at a yummy place called Rock City where I stuffed my face with a pizza called Black and White.. every since then I have been wanting more of it! Dang taste buds!

and well since I devoured all that yummy bread, we decided to walk some of it off. Well, right across the street from the restaurant are those metal people that look like they were running. What’s a mom to do to her child when she sees an opportunity……. well embarrass them of course!!! Heheheh let the good times ROLL!! I wanted her to get a picture next to this metal running person but she was TOTALLY against it, so I jumped up there and strutted all of my pudgy mommy self. Well when posing wasnt good enough I decided to run in place and act like I was running a race.. When people started walking by, she began to hide. But when a group of boys walked by she shrieked of pure embarrassment and made a point to tell me that I was embarrassing her. I told her that was my job as her mom

The afternoon was enjoyable walking the park. She even was starting to learn her lesson in money. She was only allowed to spend her money on the things she wanted. It was amazing on the things she passed up if SHE was paying. So far I was LOVING this new “rule”. AS we ended up in the mall – which was WAY out of our checkbook range, we landed in the Bath and Body store where it was torturous for her. All this girl wanted to do was shop for shoes and she was being threatened by 3 women in their shopping extravaganza for smelly things! We did eventually end up at another mall that fit our budget. I think I have found a new love… I LOVE CLAIRE’S. I used to think it was just for little girls, but I totally love that place! I think I was more excited than Lil was in being there. She has SO much to learn LOL

Here is a few photos to share on our girl day. It really was great to spend time with the most important girls in my life. My daughter, my sister and my mom.

The next time I blink, I think my daughter will be graduating high school I dont like it when kids grow up.

I never thought this day would come. It is a bitter sweet sorrow feeling. A little bit exciting. A little bit scary. Are you wondering WTH I am talking about??? I have canceled my Land LINE!!! that means no more “local” calls for my wall phone. All my life I had had a wall land line. I even remember having those SUPER long cords that could literally reach into the other room and then when you hung up the phone it would all curl up together in a long bunch of spirals! What’s sad is that my kids will never experience that LOL. Or even the fact of remembering the pulse phones… you remember those right? the big BLOCK of the telephone where you had to stick your finger in the number hole and push that plastic piece ALLLLL around around… good gravy it took a long time to dial. and if you got the number wrong… oh man.. you had to hang up and start ALL OVER AGAIN!

The part that scares me is that if there is an emergency…. there is no phone to be used.. I will have to make sure my phone is charged at all times and that the kids know where its at- just in case there is an emergency. Then for them to have to explain where we are – since we have a 509 area code. Can you tell I am going thru a little momma bear moment?

….So starting tomorrow, Jax Creations Photography, will only be using the phone number 509.438.3331. Please make sure you change your contact info for me and use that number.

oh the good ‘ol days

Weddings are a once in a lifetime kind of event. It’s a day you want to remember for the rest of your life. The wedding day flies by and at the end of the day it’s all a blur of emotions. The wedding photographer you choose can make a big difference when capturing those fleeting moments. But how do you choose the right one for you?

One of the first things you should do after saying yes and announcing your joy to everyone you know is to decide what your overall budget is. In 2009, according to The Knot, the average wedding budget in the US was $28,385 (not including the honeymoon) with $2,444 spent on photography following the traditional 12-15% of the entire budget. After you have determine what your budget is, it’s time to decide what the most important items are and what portion of the budget they deserve.

Once you know what your budget for a photographer is, it’s time to do your research. Start searching for photographers in your area  – both online and recommendations from friends and family. Recently married friends can be some of your best resources but make sure you check their vendors out for yourself to make sure they match your style. Look over potential photographers’ websites and blogs thoroughly, do you like what you see? Do the images speak to your vision of your wedding day? Contact the photographers you like to make sure they are in your budget range and to check their availability for your date.

It’s time to meet a few photographers in person, unless you are having a destination wedding where you should at least speak on the phone. How do you know they are the right one for your day? There’s lots of questions you need to ask but more importantly you need to know what the answers should be. What’s the point in asking the standard list questions if they don’t actually answer what you really need to know?

What is your approach to photographing a wedding?
Have them describe how they photograph a wedding -  before you mention what you would prefer (anyone can say they are what you want when they know what to say). Do you want a photographer who blends in to the background and allows the photos to happen naturally? Or do you prefer a photographer that conducts the day and poses every shot? Maybe you prefer a photographer that helps move the day along and lightly directs portraits but still captures images as they happen? Make sure that their answer matches what you want. Remember the photographer will be at your side throughout the day and you want them to feel more like a friend than one more stress to deal with.

Can we see some of your work?
It’s an obvious question but not for the reason you think. Most wedding photographers hone their skills as the “second shooter” (an additional photographer, not always experienced) or even just taking casual photos at a friend’s wedding. It’s a great way to learn but the pressure is not the same if you are assisting another photographer as it is when you are on your own. The other issue is that the images may not be their “original” work. That is not to say they did not take the picture but snapping a photo of another photographer’s setup does not show their own style.

Can we see a whole wedding?
Every portfolio will display a photographer’s best work and those that they feel best show their style, but they may not show a wedding from start to finish. It’s important to see an entire wedding to ensure that the quality of work is consistent and that you still love their style. Whether you see it on the computer screen, in prints or an album, make sure you see at least one.

Who will be photographing my wedding?
You need to know if the person you are meeting will be the one photographing your wedding. Do they hire other photographers to shoot their weddings or do they photograph the weddings themselves? It’s also important to know if they use a team or if they work solo. Make sure you see the work of whomever will be there on your wedding day and try to find time to meet them all in person if possible.

What else do you do?
It is important to know if they are a full-time or part-time photographer. This isn’t a deal-breaker for most people, but it may be for you. Are they overbooked putting your photos at the bottom of  a long to do list? Are they an occasional photographer that may not be prepared for the event? The important thing to know is what priority your wedding will be and will they be available for you as needed.

Do you use professional equipment/backup equipment?
This is much more important than the “what brand of equipment do you use?” qustion. There are several brands/types of equipment and unless you know a lot about the specifics of them all, it doesn’t really matter which one they use. However,  it does matter that the photographer is using professional grade equipment, not entry level or even the point and shoot camera you use for every day snapshots. It’s also important that they carry backup equipment of similar quality in case the unexpected happens and something fails. The “do you use film/digital?” question is only as important as you want it to be.

What do you do in case of bad weather?
If you plan to have an outdoor wedding and it is forced indoors due to weather, it’s important to know that your photographer will still be able to provide top notch photos no matter the circumstances. Ask  questions specific to your wedding venue/date and make sure you are comfortable with the answers. Look at examples of similar situations when possible.

What can we expect for proofs and when can we see them?
Have the photographer define what their proofs are. Generally photographers will take many more photos than you will ever see. There’s a good reason for this. Usually several photos are taken that are nearly identical to ensure that an important shot is not missed. They are then whittled down to get rid of the shots that are unflattering – eye blinks, people looking the wrong way, someone walking through the shot, etc. It would be overwhelming to go through 10 group photos; besides, who wants to see photos that they don’t look their best in? Ask if their proofs are fully edited, partially edited, or straight out of the camera. Find out how long after the wedding you can expect to see your proofs. It usually ranges from 3 to 12 weeks depending on how many photos a photographer takes and the amount of retouching they do to each photo. Also ask how they will be displayed – do they provide printed proofs or are they online and how long are they available.

How do you back-up/store my images and for how long?
This is VERY important. From the moment the photographer takes the photo to the time they are delivered to you, you need to know that the images are secure. Equipment has been known to walk away during weddings taking images with them. A photographer needs to secure the memory cards during your wedding to ensure that they are not lost during down time. Once they upload them to their computer, they need to back photos up in more than one location. Hard drives failures happen often and the last thing you want is your images lost forever. Make sure they tell you that they are backed up in at least two locations, preferably one of them being an off-site location. Another important question is to find out how long they store your images, especially if you do not receive digital images.

Do you provide digital images?
This is not a question that will be important to everyone. If it important to you then you need to know whether they will be low-resolution or high-resolution and what your restrictions will be. Generally, low-res images are watermarked and not suitable for printing. These are provided for your use online and are watermarked for both your protection as well as the photographer’s. No photographer wants their work stolen or claimed by anyone else and you do not want unscrupulous people taking your images for a use you would not approve of. Hi-res images are usually able to be printed to a size of at least an 8×10. Restrictions of how they may be used are placed on them (ie. personal use only with no commercial use) and the copyright remains with the photographer. Ask your photographer if digital images are available and whether or not they are included in your price. You should also ask if they will be retouched.

Can you provide references?
It is important to ask for references to ensure that the photographer you are thinking of hiring is as good as they say. Find out if the previous couples are satisfied with the photos/products they received and how the photographer performed during the wedding. Did anything go wrong and how did they react? Obviously if they were recommended by a friend this isn’t quite as crucial, but it’s still a good idea.

Do you provide emergency coverage?
What happens if they are unable to be present at your wedding due to unforeseen circumstances? If they are in an accident or become ill what is their policy? Most photographers will do their best to be at your wedding no matter what and will try to find a replacement if necessary. Find out if the photographer that would replace them is as qualified as they are.

Can you photograph “this”?
Do you have a special request or something unusual that you want photographed? Make sure to ask your photographer if that is something they can accommodate and if they happen to have examples of a similar request.

What will you be eating?
Yes you need to ask this. Unless you are only scheduling your photographer to be available for a couple hours, you need to provide a meal. This goes for the other vendors as well. The last thing you want is for your photographer to pass out during your reception and miss important shots. Make sure your caterer is prepared to feed your vendors though most will ask you what you want to provide ahead of time.

Make sure the photographer you choose is insured, behaves and appears professional, is committed to and understand the importance of capturing every detail, and that the photographer provides a solid contract. Ask yourself if you like their personality and style, do they make you feel comfortable? Do a search for their name and look at the entries to make sure they don’t contain negative reviews or possibly even news stories about the photographer not delivering the photos. Choose your photographer wisely and not solely on price. Remember, there are no wedding day do-overs.

Article provided by Kayla Renckly Photography

I have found a new product that I am excited to share with you all. I am CRAZY for the albums that are available for photographers and clients these days.  I am SO NOT a sales person, but anytime someone mentions that they want a coffee table book, I tell them they really should just DO IT. They are always so impressive… and how cool is it to have a book of YOU …or your little one!!! SO COOL!!

Well I would like to introduce to you……..LAYFLAT Keepsakes!

These are THICK board pages with BEAUTIFUL images. Can you say “WOW”?  To share in the excitement of it all, and in honor of this being a birthday month for one of my little ones… I would like to give an EARLY BIRD Promo special.

8×8 custom photographic cover with 10 pages……. Special Promo $220 (savings of $135)

At this moment this special is FIRST COME FIRST WON!!

Regular Book Price * 8×8 10 pages…… $355

Regular Book Price *8×8 20 pages……$499

I will still be offering our traditional coffee table and keepsake books, this will just be a new product to add!

Hubbys….. Mothers Day is coming up. This would be a WONDERFUL gift for your special super mom! If you need other gift ideas, get in contact with me. I have TONS!!!

Mothers hold their children hands for a while –

but their hearts forever.

Each and every mom – of any age- is a gift and a blessing! I have met so many wonderful mommies and kiddos within the past years and on that journey I have made many friends- which I am so truly grateful.

To celebrate this years Mothers Day, I am going to offer Mommy & Me Mini Sessions on MONDAYS starting March 1, 2010 till April 26th.

– for an up to date calendar of days available please keep checking the calendar on the website.

Mini Sessions are $25 in studio or $50 on location.

Sessions will be no more than 30 min with 1 outfit and 1 background

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