Welcome

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog! Here you will find sneak peeks from recent sessions, specials that I may be running, news about me or my company, or just my ramblings! I hope you bookmark the site and check back often!

A little about me:

Who am I? I am a very casual, laid-back artist, wife, and mom. I am a creative person who needs her creative outlet, whether that be in photography, scrapbooking, decorating, or jewelry design. I love people. Meeting new people, being around old friends, and just around with family. I love to relax and be pampered, but I am also very focused when it comes to work. My favorite things are: my family, my camera, the color green, pedicures, fall, Florida State Seminoles, "Dancing with the Stars" and "Grey's Anatomy". That is about me in a nutshell!

My style? I love capturing people just the way they are. I prefer a more photojournalistic approach. So all of your photos won't be sitting perfectly, looking at the camera and saying "cheese". That being the case, a studio setting won’t do for me! I meet you where ever you are most comfortable. That could be your house, a park, or your favorite hang out. That part is up to you.

I look forward to meeting and working with you in the future!

Model search dates

January 1, 2009 – 10:34 pm

I have decided that the little mini model search sessions will be taking place on Friday, Jan 16th and Saturday, Jan 17th.  At this time, these are the ONLY dates for the mini sessions.  (Of course, if you wanted a full session, there are several dates available.  And I would be happy to enter one of the shots from the full session into the model search.)  Saturday is filling up quickly, and only has a couple of slots left.  Friday has more sessions available, but they are going too!  

I am so excited that so many are excited about this!  It should be fun!

To clarify a point or two (from questions that I have been asked):

-The mini sessions are only $25 (for a 10-15 minute mini session); if you want to enter siblings, it is a separate $25 per child; the sessions will be held at a location to be determined (but will be in the Orlando area, probably Winter Park)

-The parent will get to choose which one they want to submit to the model search

-EVERY child entered in from me, will be entered into the national voting site

-The voting, is where the major fundraiser for NILMDTS is.  You (or whoever is voting for your little model) can vote as many times as you would like to, and it will cost $1 per vote.  All of this money goes directly to NILMDTS.

-The winner from each state (from the national fundraiser voting) will be then voted on for the national winner.  This voting is NOT done by public votes, it is done by a panel in the biz.  

If there are any other questions that you are still have, please don’t hesitate to ask!

It is a great opportunity on many levels.  One, if you have aspirations for modeling for your child, of course.  Two, it gives you an opportunity to get a few new photos of your child without needing to book an entire session!  And three, and most importantly, it helps to raise money for an amazing cause.  If you have not yet heard of NILMDTS, please check out their website at: http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/

Don’t wait!  Book your slot today!  You don’t want to miss out on this!

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Do you have the cutest kid in America?!

December 30, 2008 – 12:03 pm

 

While I was away on vacation, I got an e-mail about a national “cute kid” model search.  Now, I don’t really do these (I DID have the model search for the commercial job last year, but that was done by the clothing designer), because I think ALL kids are pretty darned cute!  And I could NEVER be the one to pick the winner!

However, this one stood out for me.  The reason?  It is a charity model search.  And I don’t have to pick the winner! LOL!  The money raised for this search goes to the very special organization called NILMDTS (Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep - www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org).  

So, here is the “official info” for the America’s Cutest Kid in the Nation contest!

Is your child America’s Cutest Kid?

JPSearcy Photography is participating in the National Charity Model Search to select “America’s Cutest Kid” and to raise funds for charity. 

We’re looking for cute children ages 18 months to 14 years old who want to prove they could be a model! Grand prizes include a $5000 US Savings Bond, a Canon G10 digital camera, and the opportunity to model for the upcoming Tots2Teens tour.  (I will also be throwing some prizes in the mix too, at the local studio level!  I will let you know those prizes soon!).

Models Search Special:

$25 entrance fee, which includes a 15 minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery. (No separate sitting fee).  If you wish to purchase prints from the “model shoot”, you will be able to (I will have special packages for this event).  The special “model shoot sessions” will only be available on a few select days in January.  No sibling shots for this special, only individuals (each child has the $25 entrance fee) in the age range of 18 months to 14 years old.  *If you want a full session in January, and want to include your child/children in the model search, no separate entrance fee is necessary.  You will just pay the standard family sitting fee, and I will cover the entrance fee for you!*  THIS IS ONLY OPEN TO PHOTOS SHOT IN JANUARY, unfortunately, no previous sessions are applicable.  

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

If you’re interested in entering your child(ren), please call the studio at 407-977-6296, or e-mail at jps@jpsearcyphotography.com  For more information about the contest, go online to http://www.sandypucmodels.com/models_home.html. 

Now, doesn’t that sound like a fun way to ring in the new year?!  E-mail or call soon, I expect these slots to fill up quickly (because we know that we have the cutest kids in the country, right?!).

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All the way from Texas!

December 22, 2008 – 1:28 pm

I love it when families work me into their travel plans.  I am always so touched that they would want to give up a day at the theme parks, just for photos.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I think it is a FABULOUS idea to do family photos while on vacation.  I just always am a little surprised that people think of it in advance!

Now, this family actually booked me a long time ago.  This session has been in the works for about a year!  They were all so excited to have them done.  It was so much fun!  This was actually a session and a half.  They wanted lots of family shots, but also lots of the daughter, because this is part of her 13th birthday present!  Isn’t that sweet?!  So, I have lots of sneaks for them.  

And then one “funky grunged up one” for the ultra cool 13 year old birthday girl!

Thanks for including me in your vacation, guys!  I will do my absolute best to get these ready for you before Christmas.

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“Tough” little guy downtown

December 9, 2008 – 6:58 pm

This little cutie that I photographed this past weekend was just too much fun.  He was dressed in the tough guy role, with his skull T, and his hat, and his shades, and shooting downtown.  But no one would mistake him for a tough guy in person!  He was so precious, he was literally laughing and jumping the ENTIRE session!  Even when he tried to do a mean face, it lasted only a millisecond, and then he was back to cracking up laughing!  It is pretty common for a 3 year old to be so “over” the session after 15 or 20 minutes.  But this sweetie, probably could have gone on all day!  How could I not just LOVE that?!

So, we played mostly around Church Street Station downtown.  We played around the train, the train tracks, and just anywhere that looked interesting.  I have so many great shots of him, it is going to be SO hard to narrow them down!

But here are a few sneak peeks that I just loved:

And while this little rockstar was the star of the session for the day, we did get a few family shots in too.  I just loved that mom and dad came dressed the part too! LOL!  And I can’t decide which of these I like better.  Sometimes I “play” with the photo more in editing, giving it a more unique look.  Here is one of their family shots with my “normal” processing, and then one with a little “rougher” processing (without going over the top grunge because it IS a family session, afterall!).  *Now that I am looking at them side by side, I think I could probably go a little MORE grungy.  What do you think?

Thanks guys for a very fun session.  I will get the rest ready for you within about a week!

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Fun senior!

December 8, 2008 – 6:09 pm

 

Yes, I am convinced that all of the seniors in high school are just gorgeous.  I swear, every single one of them that I have had the pleasure to photograph, have been beautiful.  Inside and out!  My latest senior was no different!

We had a fun time at Leu Gardens this past weekend.  What I just loved about her, is that she was there to have fun.  Yes, we had “normal” poses, but she could also bust out her America’s Next Top Model poses, just like I asked.  She wasn’t afraid to be silly.  She just let loose and had a good time.  THAT is what I loved most!  And her photos will show that.  They will show her wonderful personality!

And this last one, just because I LOVE jumping shots!  They are just so much fun.  LOL!  And I just love it when my CLIENTS are the ones that suggest it (like she did at the end!).  

I’ll have the rest to you within a week!  Thanks for a great session!

 

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My little sister

December 2, 2008 – 12:44 pm

We spent Thanksgiving up in Atlanta, due to my little sister being not-so-little right now!  She still has a little over 5 weeks to go, so driving in a car for 8 hours wasn’t going to work.  So we all went up and had turkey up there!  Turkey aside, it was a perfect time to do her maternity session!

Now, my sister isn’t a fan of the camera, but this was something that she wanted.  She also wanted to include her dogs in the photos.  Well, dogs can be so much harder than kids to photograph!  Especially one of her dogs!  So, we split up the session and did some with the dogs, and the rest with just her.  I am partial to the ones without the dogs, but I know she will be opposite of me, so I will put one peek with the dogs in, just for her!  The rest of the peeks are ones that I liked!

Not too much longer now!  Then I will have my first little niece!  And yes, she will be just as photographed as my own boys! LOL!

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Last family before the holidays

November 26, 2008 – 10:16 am

That is right, this was my last session to shoot before the holidays!  And what a wonderful note to end on!  You probably won’t recognize the baby, because he is quite the chunk now, but he is the same baby looking over his firefighter daddy’s shoulder, that is on my opening page.  He has porked up quite a bit, and if it is possible, got even cuter!

But this time, we got the entire family in the mix.  We met at the park, and had a wonderful session.  The kids were all so delightful, and they were having so much fun!  Of course, we did do a jumping shot (not with the baby though!).  Those are always fun, and get the kiddos laughing.  But something strange happened when I started editing the jumping shots.  All three of them were caught in a good jump in the same frame!  I told them that most of the time, I have major editing to do to get everyone jumping good at once.  Well, this time I didn’t!  Good job kids!

I will have the rest ready for you as quickly as I can!  

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How is it possible . . .

November 25, 2008 – 4:39 pm

that my BABY is now 12?  Today is his 12th birthday, and he reminded me this morning, “this time next year, you will have a TEENAGER in the house!”.  Help me now!

Today, as I tend to do every year on my kid’s birthdays, I look back at photos of them, and just wonder why in the world time is going so fast.  It seems that he was just born last week!  We were so young (didn’t think we were young, but we were!), and really had no idea what we were in for.  My big boy.  He entered this world at a very large 12 lbs and 23 1/2 inches long.  Everyone commented about how big and gorgeous he was.  He seemed just the right size to me!  We brought him home from the hospital on Thanksgiving that year.  He was bigger than our turkey! LOL!

Before we knew it, he had already turned a year, and bypassed the walking stage.  He liked to RUN!  (And yes, of course he liked the Noles even back then!)  He went to his first game in Tally right before his 1st birthday.

We blinked again, and another year flew by.  For his second birthday, we got him an “art desk”.  We were constantly trying to find things to keep him occupied in the house (because we lived in upstate NY at the time, and it was FREEZING most of the year).  He loved his art desk, and used it every single day.

Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with 12 years worth of snapshots!  But here is one more that I really loved (it looks like she is waving at me!).  He was in first grade, and needed a photo of his pet for school.  I insisted that he be in the shot with her too.  Afterall, she has been a part of the family for as long as he has! LOL!

And I have posted recent shots of my boys on my blog, so you know what he looks like now (plus now, he hates having his photo taken!).  He is a big, strong, sweet, caring boy, and I love him to death!  And he would do anything for his momma.  Even let her take ONE quick snapshot of him on his 12th birthday as he was running out the door to school this morning.  LOL!

Happy birthday baby!

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EVERYONE wants their holiday photos!

November 24, 2008 – 11:54 am

Even MY parents have to book a session to get their holiday photos done!  They said that no one would want a card with just them on it (not true, by the way!), so they do one with the entire family (not possible this year), or my boys.  This year, they wanted their session at Epcot.  But they didn’t want it to really LOOK like Epcot.  No problem!  Not only did it force me to take a day off and have fun with the family at Disney, I got to “play” in a new location!

Now, they did get a peek at them last night, and they chose their favorite for their cards.  I am not allowed to put up the one that they want for their card (since I have family that reads my blog!), but here are a couple that I liked!

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Last, but certainly not least. . .

November 18, 2008 – 7:00 pm

A gorgeous sunrise on the beach to wrap up my south FL sessions!  And for this beach session, it wasn’t only really early, but it was COLD too!  Such troopers they were, getting up and braving the elements like this!  ANYTHING for a great photo, right?!

This family was such a pleasure to shoot.  Yes, they are gorgeous, and they have an adorable little boy, yadda, yadda, yadda!  BUT, what I really just loved about this session, was their obvious love.  Love for each other, love for their little guy (and other little one on the way), and love for their family.  Trust me, it really shows in your photos!  I have so many that I want you to see, but I will just leave it with a teaser of 2!  I know, I can be so cruel! LOL!  But I will get the rest proofed for you as soon as I can!  (And don’t worry mom, there are LOTS of great shots!  Moms always seem to worry about silly things like that!).  

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