Images for a Cure Workshop {My Life}

Only a few weeks away from the Images for a Cure workshop in Orlando!

I am in love with Images for a Cure.  I have been one of about 250 photographers worldwide to work with this amazing group for the past two years.  During October and November of each year, the IFAC photographers agree to run a campaign of their choosing and donate 100% of the proceeds of the session fees from that campaign to Images for a Cure.  Soon after everyone's campaign ends, IFAC donates all funds raised to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation!  You really can't beat that!  It was my honor to be a part of this amazing group of photographers for such a great cause.  I am looking forward to participating again next year, again as a Platinum (top level) photographer!

Each year in the following spring, Images for a Cure has a wonderful photography workshop.  I was unable to attend last year's workshop but my assistant and I are looking forward to attending this year.  (I think I may have been the first one registered.  Yeah...I'm a wee bit excited.)  I have proudly raised hundreds of dollars for this group and am finally going to get to meet photographers from all over the country who have been campaigning alongside me, including Kristen Weaver, the genius photographer who started this awesomeness!

I'll be sure to post my favorite images from the workshop here on the blog.  I will also be featured on the IFAC blog soon, so stay tuned for that, too! 

Other Images for a Cure photographers...let's connect!  I'd love to hear how your 2011 campaigns went!  Looking forward to hearing all about it!

A Wedding in Paradise {St. Lucia Wedding Photographer}

The weather has been gloomy and rainy for the past week here in Georgia, and I'm not a fan.  I have been down on energy lately and am needing some sun!  Since that's not likely to happen soon, I did the next best thing and booked my flight to St. Lucia, where I will be photographing Melissa & Dave's amazing, intimate wedding, happening mid-April!

Most likely, you're having some miserable weather right now, too, so why don't we all visualize ourselves on this beautiful island in the West Indies?

The wedding will be taking place on the terrace at Ladera, a gorgeous hotel along the coast, nestled in the Piton Mountains.  Each of its 9 villas and 23 suites has its own private plunge pool.  This exclusive, private hotel was named one of the Top 10 Caribbean hotels by Travel + Leizure Magazine readers in 2011.  Breathtaking views, spectacular rooms, gourmet cuisine and impeccable service...is there any wonder why this hotel is given such high reviews?  Not convinced, then let the images, provided by Ladera, do the talking.

Melissa & Dave picked a beautiful location at which to get married, no?  I cannot wait to photograph their big day and show you the beauty of this location through my lens!  (Thanks for choosing Jennifer Leigh Photography over the St. Lucia photographer for your wedding day photography, you two!  I'm ecstatic!)

On another day before the wedding, Melissa, Dave and I will be traveling to some amazing locations around St. Lucia to take more photos of the two lovebirds.  I'll share some of those possible locations with you in the weeks ahead...or if this gloomy weather keeps up...tomorrow.

I hope you enjoyed your little visual getaway on this dreary Monday afternoon.  Check back soon for more drool-worthy images!

A Personal Update {My Life}

If you just began reading the Jennifer Leigh Photography blog, you may not know the roller coaster ride I have been on for the last 6 months.

Short synopsis:

• I suddenly suffered 4 seizures in 24 hours back in August 2011 and was thought to have a brain tumor.
• A week later, I had a scary brain biopsy in Savannah, which went very well.
• I changed doctors because I wasn't happy with the little info my first doctor gave me, and I just didn't feel like he was the person that I wanted to continue to treat me.  (Thank you, Andrea, for getting me an appointment at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, you lifesaver, you!)
• On September 24, 2011, I got married!!
• An fMRI (functional MRI) at Mayo in September showed the "tumor" had shrunk to 20% of the original size, indicating that it was not a tumor.  (Whew!)  But no diagnosis was decided upon at that time.
• A follow-up MRI was scheduled for Feb 29, 2012, to see what changes had happened in my brain, if any. 

You can also read the related blog posts that go into more detail about my medical adventure:

http://jenniferleighphotos.blogspot.com/2011/08/creative-photo-assignment-cpa.html

http://jenniferleighphotos.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

http://jenniferleighphotos.blogspot.com/2012_01_01_archive.html

Since my husband was going to be out of town for 2 weeks on Feb 29th, we secretly decided to move my appointment up to Feb 23rd so he could be with me.  I also moved it up because I started to doubt the amazing health I had been experiencing.  Don't get me wrong - I felt completely fine.  More than fine, actually.  I think back in September when we made my end-of-February appointment, it took a lot for me to push the unknown and the feelings that went along with "not knowing" out of my head. (no pun intended)  I went through all the holidays with the faintly looming February date hanging in my sub-conscious and the wonder of what we would learn.  Then BAM!  February was here all of the sudden and the feeling of dread about the follow-up appointment and my fear of "the unknown" resurfaced.

We had a 12-hour day at the Mayo Clinic.  We left the house at 5:30am to arrive for check in at 6:45.  Blood work at 7:15.  (I didn't pass out this time.  Yay!)  MRI at 9:15 with an IV. (Didn't pass out that time either when they put in the IV! I was on a roll!)  Then we waited until 3:30pm to meet with my neurologist who headed my medical team for an update.  It was a long few hours.  We grabbed lunch...went shopping...  When we returned, we sat in the cancer wing's waiting room for an hour and a half.  I realized my neurologist has 13 specialties, many of which are cancer-related, and that was why he was working in that wing that day.  But it was so hard to sit there and see some of his other patients going in and out of the doors.  And, yes, I wondered if this was a hint as to what my update would entail. 

Luckily, my deepest fears were just that: pointless fears.  My doctor said my "abnormality/scar tissue" in my brain had remained the same size (20% of what it used to be) and was never going to have an impact on my health.  He wants to check my brain waves in August, wean me off the anti-seizure medication, and do one final MRI in February 2013.  The best part was when he said I was given a clean bill of health.  It was a shock.  I was one of the few people who left his office with a giant smile on my face that day and relief in my heart.  We will probably never know the cause of this fluke brain extravaganza, but I am confident in my doctor - if he says I'm good to go, I'm good to go!  I am one of his few lucky patients.

Everything happens for a reason.  These past few months have reshaped the person I am today.  I re-evaluated everything and everyone in my life.  In January, I didn't make New Year's resolutions because I have found that when you label something a "NYR," it goes nowhere fast.  But instead, I made some goals for myself that would be lifelong vs. short term.  The first thing I did was rid myself of all negativity.  I let go of people who were toxic in my life, and a weight was instantly lifted off my shoulders.  Mind you, I have no ill feelings toward those people...I wish them well and hope they will one day be able to make some positive changes in their lives...they just no longer have a place in mine.  I let go of toxic memories, feelings that had been floating around inside my head for, well, as old as decades.  I forgave myself for mistakes I had made in my life.  Then I vowed to bring into my life only positivity from here on out.  I began working out, which was a huge deal for me, and I began eating way healthier than I had in a long time.  Any friends I made were only ones who were positive people, not just on the surface, but in their hearts.  These changes have greatly impacted my personal life and my photography business.  I feel physically and mentally healthy.  My spirit is alive.  I have an extra spring in my step.  Change in good, people!

So what is next?  Receiving that clean bill of health was so freeing.  I feel limitless.  I've got some great new business goals in motion for this year.  I'm so blessed to be traveling around the country this year photographing weddings in Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina and gorgeous St. Lucia!  Jason and I are also getting some personal goals in order, now that we know I'm completely healthy...and began talking about starting a family.  Anything is possible.

I don't know that I would have come to this current amazing place in my life if it weren't for all that had happened during the last 6 months.  I always tell people to look for the good in every situation, no matter how dark and desolate it may be.  Good is always present - you just have to be open and often fearless to search for and find it.  I will never forget the last 6 months.  As difficult as they were, they were the wake-up call, the permission I needed to go ahead and change my life to what I dreamed it would be.  Everything happens for a reason...and I will embrace everything - the bad and the good - that will come my way in the future.

The Bates Family {Me Ra Koh Workshop}

I adore this family.  Adore.  They are filled with personality, beauty inside and out, and were so easy and fun to work with!  We built sand castles, jumped and swung around, splashed in the water, and relaxed on the beach.  Is there any other way to spend a photo session?  I enjoyed every moment...and from the looks of the images, I think they did, too.

Are you interested in having a heck of a good time during your family portrait session?  (Come on, admit it - your photo frames in your home need some new images!)  Stay tuned for a portrait session special next month.  Will be announcing at the end of this week!

The Gladden Family {Me Ra Koh Workshop}

"Oh...my goodness.  Twins and a set of gorgeous parents?  Are you for real?!"

That would be the quote I may have said a little too loud when I walked into the nook of the restaurant where Me Ra Koh said a challenging photo opportunity awaited me.  Okay, so getting two babies to sit upright and stay happy was a little bit of a challenge at first...and potentially, very many things could have happened during this shoot that definitely would have made it very challenging...but I'll be darned if it wasn't PURE JOY!  These babies were happy little boys who were all too happy to entertain us with their many facial expressions and their many nibbles on hands and toes...their own and each other's!  Mom and Dad (named Jason and Jennifer, just like my husband and me!) were so easy going and a dream to work with.  And can you say gorgeous?  How much luckier could we get?

 

Evelyn & Mom {Me Ra Koh Workshop}

I have never met a young girl such as this little sweetheart.  Evelyn was so free-spirited, joyful, open and silly...all things I love about kids, all wrapped up into one little bubbly girl.  Kids bring such imagination with them and love to try different things during photo sessions.  And you had better believe I took her up on her willingness to play.  What a little entertainer she was!

Hugs & Kisses {I Heart Faces}

It was hard to pick my favorite recent "hugs & kisses" themed image because there are so many contenders right now!  I'm pretty darn blessed to capture loving connections for a living with my artistic eye and camera.  A photographer's job isn't easy by any means, but photographing these genuine moments makes all the hard work worthwhile.

I cannot get enough of this image of mother and son.  This little man simply adores his momma and always manages to squeeze in an extra hug or kiss whenever he can.  I love how mom is savoring this genuine moment.  You can clearly see how full her heart is.

*Incentives* for Brides!

Only a few days left

Book your wedding photography services with Jennifer Leigh Photography by the end of the day this Friday, February 17th, and receive a *FREE* 1-hour engagement session and DVD of images...a $400 value! 

Need more information on our all new 2012 wedding packages?  Just ask!

Want to meet up with me again?  I have some wedding consultation availabilities still open for this week - let's meet for coffee and chat!

...OR...

I've been the only photographer invited to Belk's Engagement Party event happening TOMORROW, February 16th from 6-8pm in the Home Department.  Please stop on by with your questions!  

As an incentive to come by for a visit, if you book your wedding photography services during those 2 hours, you will receive the free engagement session...AND a 5% discount off your total package price!  (To book, you will need to sign a super simple contract and put down a $500 deposit via check or money order at that time.)

Looking forward to hearing from and photographing YOU!

Jen @ Jennifer Leigh Photography

www.jenniferleighweddings.com

jenniferleighphotos@yahoo.com

912.222.8369

First City Events {Wedding Vendor Wednesdays}

Every girl dreams of the perfect wedding day.  But when it comes to planning one, weddings can go from exciting to overwhelming faster than you can say, "I Do."  That's why so many brides-to-be have enlisted the help of a wedding planner.  But what exactly does a wedding planner do and how could you benefit from hiring one?

That's where First City Events come into the picture.  First City Events have helped put brides at ease since December 2003.  Fast forward to the present day, and they have built a booming business based in Savannah, which serves clients located in Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida and beyond.

First City Events provides brides with two levels of wedding planning.  Their Peaceful Day package, which is perfect for the plan-it-yourself brides looking to have someone step in during the rehearsal and on the wedding day to make sure everything is running smoothly.  If you'd rather have someone help you to create a wedding budget, find amazing vendors, attend vendor meetings, organizing the payment of vendors, do all the planning with you AND make sure you have a stress-free wedding day, the Serenity package would be perfect for you!

First City Events also offer something many wedding planning businesses do not - they offer DJ and MC entertainment packages for wedding receptions and other events and will work with you to event customize your lighting!

First City Events has become in such high demand that recently, they appointed one of their many coordinators to become the main contact point for the Golden Isles, Southeast Georgia and Northern Florida.

Meet Victoria, lead coordinator for First City Events for the Golden Isles and the surrounding areas.  Victoria hired First City Events for her own wedding three years ago.  After her first-hand experience with being treated like a princess by Bonnie and staff, she realized that coordinating weddings and events was something she was meant to do.

Victoria inquired if First City Events was interested in hiring her onto their growing staff, and the rest is history.  Victoria quickly developed a strong following of her own clientele, and when her husband, Sean, was relocated to Kingsland, Georgia, last June, Bonnie appointed Victoria to be the lead contact for the Golden Isles and surrounding areas.

Victoria is absolutely loving her job.  She loves every aspect of event planning.  "The details, the love, the excitement...  Event planning is absolutely exhilarating for me, and I consider it an honor to be a part of every event."  She loves how each bride and each wedding day is unique, and Victoria loves to find inspiration in every event.

No wedding is too big or too small for this girl.  She has coordinated intimate, seaside weddings to elaborate fairytale weddings you'd read about in storybooks.  (She even worked on a wedding with a couple who hired country music star Luke Brian to perform at their reception!)  No matter the size of the event, Victoria enjoys giving each and every one of her brides the same princess treatment she received on her very own wedding day.  She works hard to ensure her brides are stress-free and concentrate on what is truly important - herself, her marriage and having an amazing time celebrating the new chapter in her life!

When she's off the job, you might find Victoria laying on a blanket in the grass, taking in some sun while reading a good book or flipping through a magazine...and perhaps nibbling on a chocolate chip cookie, a self-professed weakness.  A fun spirit, a lover of life...Victoria is also a woman of faith.  "I am a deeply committed follower of Jesus and pray over every event and client I work with."  Her wedding anniversary is coming up next month, and she will be celebrating 3 years of wedded bliss with her high school sweetheart, Sean.

Whether you are interested in someone helping to run the show during your rehearsal and wedding day or you are looking for a wedding planner to assist you with planning every detail of your big day, Victoria of First City Events is your girl.

For more information on the wedding planning and DJ/MC services First City Events provides, contact Victoria Stewart at 912.210.1625 or via email at victoria@firstcityevents.com.

All photos of events provided by First City Events.

Who's That Girl?

Chances are you've seen this gorgeous face around the wedding scene in Savannah, the Golden Isles and the surrounding areas, but how well do you know her?  Get ready to get familiar with this fabulous female...coming up on tomorrow's {Wedding Vendor Wednesday}!