but I want to thank you.

Thank you for sharing with hundreds and thousands of photographers around the world these past 5 days during your creativelive course. I could go on to thank you about the countless ideas your chats conjured up in my head or about the way you handle a wedding with style and grace.

But what I really want to thank you for is being authentically you. You let the “real you” hang out for 5 days straight. Your laughter, tears, surprises and fears just out there for the world to see live as they happen. No time to edit out the mishaps.

To me, this week and specifically tonight, as the audio went silent and you shed a few tears as your course came to an end, you became real. Like REALLY real. And while I know you KIR (keep it real in Jasmine talk) on your blog everyday, I often thought to myself, “This woman must be the most confident woman I have ever come across. I want to be that confident in myself.” It wasn’t until this week that it became clear to me that you really are only human.

You have flaws and faults just like the rest of us. You get nervous and anxious when under pressure and elated and overwhelmed with emotion when you find success. And while you share these emotions every day on your blog, seeing them live helped them come to life for me. You reminded me that no matter how successful you become, fear still peers its ugly head in once in a while. You reminded me that even the most talented people make mistakes. And its how we learn from those mistakes, those flaws that make us human, that help us find success in the future rather than failure.

Thank you Jasmine for keepin’ it real. For that’s the biggest lesson I learned this week. People may or may not like me for who I REALLY am but if I stay true to myself I will always feel whole inside, flaws and all. And now that I know this to be true from someone who I believe has found an unbelievable amount of professional success, the sky’s the limit for me. Thank you Jasmine, thank you.

These FEO groups have spawned off the largely successful book and workshop entitled “Fast Track Photographer”. In the book, Dane discusses the many hats a photography business owner wears and the two approaches to the industry: collaborating with local photographers or working against them. My hope is that our FEO group will continue to grow into a network of photographers that are collectively growing together in both business and life!

Dane is bringing his roadshow workshop to Princeton Oct 26-27 with a free chat on the 26th to get things started! To see what FEO is really all about join us at the workshop! To buy Dane’s book or view the details of the workshop, visit www.fasttrackphotographer.com.

Here’s a few images from our first meeting

And a special thanks to Feuza Reis for helping me facilitate the first meeting!

Things weren’t getting better as fast as I wanted them to. I thought I’d take a magic pill and *BOOM* all would be fixed. However, after my first month checkup, the doctor said it takes time to manage and I should look into things like dietary and lifestyle changes to help speed up the process.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. While visiting my parents at their new beach house, I suddenly noticed I felt drastically better (like 60-70% better) within a matter of a few days. I finally thought the medicine was starting to work. But within 12 hours of returning home I felt as sick as I did just before I left.

AND THEN IT HIT ME. All of these symptoms started right after we moved into our new apartment. Something IN MY OWN HOME was making me sick and ladies and gentlemen, this is what is in my air:

DIRTY ROTTEN MOLD. IN THE AIR IN MY HOME. THE AIR THAT I’VE BEEN BREATHING FOR 6 MONTHS.

And more than likely, culprit #2.

Needless to say, after doctors appointments, meeting with the complex manager, and inspections from the town’s health and housing departments, we been told that its unsafe to live in our own home. Since its in the air, everything is contaminated. EVERYTHING. We’re blessed at the fact that most of it can be decontaminated and moved into a new unit that is livable, safe and healthy. The bad part is that we’re living out of bags with family, friends, or hotels for the next several weeks until this all gets sorted out.

I’m sharing this tonight with all of you for 1 main reason. Trust your gut. I’d been saying for months how the apartment felt damp. The carpet, the couches, the sheets. But I kept brushing it off to the tradeoffs of living in a first floor apartment. I should have trusted my gut from the get go.

ALWAYS TRUST YOUR GUT. ALWAYS.

SIDE NOTE: To all of my photography and graphic design clients, most of you already know this situation is going on but if you have yet to hear from me this week please know that I’ll be in contact as soon as we get settled into my parents home (for at least next week).

Our Christmas in July specials have arrived! We only offer these holiday specials once a year and this year we’ve got 2 fabulous ones!

Our FIRST holiday special is a 30-40 minute Expressions Session in Cranbury, NJ, an 11×14 print of your choice and 10% off all other prints and products! Our Expressions sessions are a great way to capture a few shots for your holiday cards and to capture the season. This package is running on special for $150 and we are only offering 5 of them! Last year these went quick so get yours before they’re gone!

Our SECOND special includes our press printed holiday cards. Book a Reflections Session during the month of July and receive 25 custom designed holiday cards with your session! This is a $75 value!

CONTACT US TODAY AT FOCUS@HEATHERJAMESPHOTOGRAPHY.COM or (609)-759-0311 to schedule your session and get in on the Christmas in July celebration!

Please note: Both specials are ONLY for sessions booked during July and held anywhere between Sept. 1 and Nov. 15. Many not be combined with other specials or offers. Session dates and times are subject to availability.

Angie Warren of the blog The Creative Mama (which I highly recommend) posted an awesome, and thorough, article on RSS feeds. I’ll be sharing a bit of her insight on simplifying your blog reading but you can also read her full post here.

So, what is an RSS reader anyway?

Angie writes “RSS stands for really simple syndication and is often times called a “feed”. You the reader subscribes to a feed by entering the URL into your reader (see below to find out how to get a reader), or by simply clicking the site’s RSS icon.”

Why should I subscribe?

“1. It’s free! No cost to you at all.

2. Using an rss reader helps you to save time and energy. Simply put – it does all the hard work for you. Your reader keeps track of all of your favorite  sites and blogs, and in turn feeds you what new content it finds in one easy location.

3. The goodies. Oftentimes a blogger will offer special incentives to subscribers only – such as freebies, secret codes, e-books, and much more.”

So how do you sign up?

First you”ll need to sign up for an RSS reader. I use Google reader, as does Angie, and the best part is that it’s also free! The other two Angie mentions that are popular are bloglines & newsgator.

Angie writes “(When using google reader) Be sure to know that signing up for a Google account (to use googlereader) does not mean you are signing up for another email. You may use any current email address. Of course if you already use gmail, it is all the simpler for you.

Be sure to add The Creative Mama to your reader” (and of course add Heather James Photography), ” then continue to add all of your favorite blogs! Before you know it you too will have a reader bursting at the seems with exciting content.”

The Creative Mama also links to a great video tutorial from Google at the bottom of their article on how to use their RSS reader. Be sure to check it out!

Hope to see you as a subscriber to our blog!

Jessie & Pat!

Here was Jessie’s entry to us:

“Pat & I have been crazy for each other for almost two years. We met through a mutual friend from college right when I moved home after being laid off. Our friend went to Monmouth University with me, however, was best friends with Pat throughout high school. It’s been quite a whirlwind romance as we both were not looking for any type of relationship. Pat is a laid back, handyman who specializes in woodworking, loves modern furniture and nights in while I am an outgoing, chapstick addict, creative planner who can’t sit still! Our relationship is simply amazing. There’s always laughter, smiles and lots of love.

Pat is leaving for the Air National Guard in November, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to have pictures to get us both through the long lonely nights. Attached are two recent pictures. I had to send two because I wanted to have a picture that captures our silliness together.”

And here’s a few pictures of our couple:

I cannot wait to style this shoot! Congrats again Jessie & Pat!

WHO: I’m looking for a couple in their 20′s or early 30′s who loves to read. This session location will be in an amazing antique bookstore and surrounding areas so you’ve gotta love books and gotta have style! You don’t have to be engaged, just in love.

WHERE: Couple must be willing to travel to Cranbury, NJ 08512 for this session

WHAT’S INCLUDED: In exchange for participating and signing a model release, participants receive:
-a waived session fee ($175 value)
- one 8×10 print of their choice ($35 value)
- 10% off any collection or a la carte menu item purchased during their two week proofing period*

OTHER DETAILS:
-This is a lifestyle photography session. This means there will be little to no traditional or formal poses and is focused on the relationship of the couple.
-Participants must have weekday or weeknight availability for this session.
- Creative control, including outfit choices, locations and posing, is left to the discretion of the photographer and will be discussed with participants prior to the session.

Are you perfect for this casting or know someone who is?

Email me at focus@heatherjamesphotography.com and include the following in your message:
1. Participants Names
2. Email (one you can access from home and can receive attachments on)
3. Phone Number (for day/evening contact)
4. A brief description of yourselves
5. A recent photo of participants

*2-3 weeks after the session, a gallery of proofs will be posted online for 2 weeks for participants to view and share with family and friends. Any purchases made must be done during the 14 day proofing period to receive the 10% discount.