Bye Bye Blogger

I am OUTTA HERE!!! Moving on to BIGGER & BETTER BLOGGING! (is that too much alliteration at 11 PM?)

Come on over the new blog at www.jessicacolephotoblog.com! YEAH! Bookmark it and stay in touch!

Yuba City Photographer | {New blog coming this week!}

Or at least in the next 7 days! HA HA! If you have been looking for your family's sneak peek, stay tuned because I am saving it for the NEW blog coming very soon!

Its killing me not to post and show off your images as much as I usually do, but it'll be here before you know it!

On a side note: start thinking about Christmas photos (ALREADY?! YES!) because I am officially booking into October and November. What a holiday season this will be! :)

Yuba City Children's Photographer | {Macie}

Macie is the kindest, most polite and fun little girl! We had a great time traveling around town doing some fun new photos.

Last year I got to capture Macie and her little sister with their lovely mom, Chari. I feel so blessed to have returning clients again this year and will be seeing them again this fall for Christmas photos (yes, its that time of year again ALREADY!).

Yuba City Senior Photographer | {Welcome to the HOT SQUAD!}

After many months of planning, meeting, thinking and working...I am so happy to announce the launch of something NEVER BEFORE DONE in our area for senior graduate photography. Its the HOT SQUAD.

Many of you know me as *THE* newborn photographer and newborns are my first love...nothing will ever compare to my newborn clients. My other love is senior photography. Its ironic really that I love catpturing your baby's first little wrinkles, toes and smiles and then also catpturing their fun and fresh personality as they graduate highschool, prepare for their future and spread their wings...Its really coming full circle.

There will be more updates to the site as well as a new logo and blog coming up ASAP...I just couldn't wait to launch it any longer!!! Welcome to the HOT SQUAD!

{The Hot Squad}

Q: What is the "Hot Squad"?
A: The Hot Squad is a program offered only by Jessica Cole Photography. A handful of seniors are selected from each high school as the "Top Hot Squad" and these select seniors are given a FREE senior session. Each of these Top Hot Squad members are given their Hot Squad Rep Cards to give to their friends or people they think are hot members of their school. Those members get a discounted session as well and some Hot Squad cards to give to their friends and so on...

Q: How are the Top Hot Squad Members chosen?
A: The Top Hot Squad members are chosen by their teachers, principals, community members, etc. They are chosen and nominated for good attitude, community service, academic success, participants of student government or athletics...it can be a variety of choices that the student has made that shows they are a person of good character in our community. From there, its totally open to student selections by their friends and whomever they want to give their Hot Squad card to...besties, boyfriends, girlfriends...you name it! The choice is yours from there!

Q: How much is the discount for Hot Squad members?
A: The Top Hot Squad members get a FREE session! The cards they give out are good for 75% off. Those Hot Squad cards are good for 50% off and so on...ALL senior members of the Hot Squad are given FREE rep cards and 32 FREE wallets to give to their friends.

Q: Why should I want to join the Hot Squad?
A: Why wouldn't you?! Its a fun way to see what all your friend's photos look like, swap photos, stories and rep cards. Its a good excuse to tell someone you think they are hot and that they deserve to show it off in an awesome and modern senior photo shoot. And a total bonus is that we have an end of the year HOT SQUAD PARTY featuring dancing and entertainment from TSP DJ Steve Allard, free prize swag, t-shirts, raffle prizes & more! This party is for members of the Hot Squad only and you will NOT want to be left out!

Yuba City Children's Photographer | {Claire Marie}

I am sure that most of you remember this little angel, baby Claire Marie.




Her mommy & daddy bought the baby stages package and we recently did her 'tummy time' session. She is ADORABLE but I was sort of sad that she didn't look a ton like her newborn days...her hair is lighter and her face is thinner...she is growing up right in front of my eyes...and lens! I love getting to see my newborn babies grow up & I feel so lucky to have a front row seat!





There is no denying where she gets her good looks-- momma!


And we had to throw in this fun shot because we have to do it again when she's 1 and 2 and 3...and see how she grows!

Yuba City Family Photographer | {What a fun family!}

This awesome family has not had a real family photo done all together in nearly 30 years!!! When the daughter scheduled our session, I had no idea that it was her mom's birthday too! YEAH! What an awesome gift to give to her.

All together there were 9 family members there and we managed to catch every possible photo opportunity in time for their BBQ and evening of karaoke! :) FUN!

Enjoy your sneak peek & HAPPY BIRTHDAY THERESA!

Birthday girl and her daughter, Melinda:


Melinda's 3 brothers:


Melinda's GORGEOUS neices (and can you believe how tall she is? She is only 11!):

Yuba City Senior Photographer | {Jennifer from Rocklin High! Class of 2010!}

Jennifer and her mom drove up this evening to do some senior photos and we had SO much fun! This girl is like most women and doesn't give herself much credit. She kept telling me that she didn't know how to pose. When I explained that we don't 'pose' we do what comes to us with some minor direction....look at what she turned out! AMAZING!

Jennifer, you are gorgeous and I know you have an amazing future ahead of you!!!





And, another sunflare...will the madness ever end? LOL!

Yuba City Photographer | {A couple of shots of a couple of lovebirds!}

My AMAZING helper Kristin has been very busy that few months...her husband is in the Army and has been gone leaving her with both kids, work and a litter of new puppies to handle all on her own.

When he came home for the 4th of July, she requested some 'couples' shots...we've done family photos a few times now and some of her kids but this time it was all about her and the love of her life. We wanted them to be fun, flirty and a little bit sexy...just like my Kristin herself!

Yuba City Family Photographer | {The love affair}

While I can capture the 'textbook' sun-flare with the best of them, I love the taste of something new. Something artistic and not usually seen as beautiful. I am in LOVE with the hazy look of sun covering my lens this year...I am not sure why. Maybe its because its 'vintage' looking and reminds me of the dog days of summer. Maybe its because the regular 'old' sun flares have been done so many times. I am not sure. But when I was up editing tonight and I pulled this photo up, I just had to share. My love of the sun continues. I am sure its a phase. It can't last forever, right? ;)

Huge thank you to Rebecca Cook for inspiring this shot!

Yuba City Photographer | {Save the date!}

Don't forget to save the date for Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22 for the Modern Mothers Art Exhibit and Event!

Together with Tranquil Moments Wellness Spa and Blessings by Design, I am hosting a Friday night launch event in which my art will be on display at the spa (located in Hillcrest Plaza). We will be doing live belly casting, live henna application, have jewelry sales, spa staff on hand, and Blessings by Design owners will be available for meet & greet...and of course, I will be there. I will have lots of photos to show you, my newborn book will be available- come see if your baby is featured!

SPECIAL PROMOS will be going on all evening. We will have appetizers & refreshments on Friday night and lots of networking with other local Modern Mothers.

Saturday's event is a Milk and Cookies Matinee showing of my art, meet & greets and more!

This is a free community event & we all hope to see you there! Stay tuned to my blog for more details!

Yuba City Photographer | {Updates to the website!}

Make sure to check out the main flash site if you haven't already! I updated my splash page, all of my galleries, the details section...pretty much everything has had a mini make-over!

If you no longer see your family featured on my galleries, I do apologize. My work is evolving and growing and I want to keep my page as up to date as possible with my newer style and art.

On that note, if you would like to have a new & updated session done, please contact me soon! This summer is filling up fast! And, for returning clients ONLY, I am featuring a discount on an updated family session! This special will only be available from July 20-August 1 and will be heavily discounted to past clients who wish to update a family photo. Contact me for details!

I leave you with this photo of the "C Family" from Wednesday evening! So cute!

Yuba City Family Photographer | {Happy 4th of July}

from my family to yours...





and yes, each photo is a different baby. I have to be fair! :)

Yuba City Newborn Photographer | {Tiny Miracle}

Meet Claire. She is a miracle. Enough said. :)

Yuba City Family Photographer | {Evan wtih his Mommy & Daddy}

I think its a tie between Evan from the "Mc" family and Mila from the "B" family as to who is photographed by me more often...I love seeing my clients grow up and its especially special when its your friend's baby. Evan is 6 months and now almost 7 months and we had a great time doing a little traveling family session tonight.

Enjoy this handsome boy! He is sooo sweet!







And, yes, my obsession with sun flares continues...to me, summer is sun flares, bare feet, tan lines and family!

Yuba City Maternity Photographer | {Katrina}

This glowing mom-to-be came referred by one of my Sacramento clients and made the drive up in the scorching heat. I felt so bad for her to be pregnant in over 100 degree weather. What a trooper she was though...and up for all sorts of fun! She and her husband are expecting their first baby almost exactly 1 year after their wedding...its been a busy year for this newlywed couple! ;)

Thanks to Duane and Katrina for a great shoot and for not totally laughing at my fear of spiders! :) HA HA!





A big thanks to Rebecca for inspiring this shot:

Yuba City Photographer | {Megan & her beautiful family}

Last night I had the privilege of photographing this gorgeous woman, Megan and her family. Megan is a girl I went to highschool with and is currently fighting her 3rd battle with cancer. She is so courageous and strong-- what an inspiration to us all!

She has 9 year old twins and a 9 week old new baby. Her and her husband are SO in love...you could just feel the love and support last night as we worked on capturing some family moments.

Enjoy your sneak peek "T" family! I hope to see you soon and capture the WHOLE family!









I have been dying to use this chair on a little baby for awhile now...he was the perfect choice:

Yuba City Photographer | {NEW Collections available NOW!}

After careful review and speaking with some local mom's, I redesigned my Collections. Previously, the 1st year collection was 3 sessions at various ages. NOW, its 4 sessions at various STAGES. Switching like this ensures that no stage of your baby's development goes un-noticed and un-photographed. We do a newborn session, a tummy time session, a sitting up session, a first steps session and a 1st birthday session. AND, a total bonus right now is that when you book and pay in full, you get a 5th SESSION TOTALLY FREE! The Stages Collection includes various prints, books, CD's and discounts on photo jewelry. Who could ask for more?

Well, since you asked, I did change my maternity/newborn package. Instead of just a short maternity package and a newborn session- you can now add on live birth photography (as graphic or modest as you desire) and make sure that those first breaths, first moments of life, first footprints...all of it is captured professionally and you don't have to worry about a thing except bonding with your new baby. I take a 'fly on the wall' approach to birth photography and only capture what is thoroughly discussed in our consultation. Its really a great way to capture all elements of your pregnancy, delivery and new baby.

Be sure to check out the Collections online at www.jessicacolephotography.com today!

Yuba City Senior Photographer | {JJ- Class of 2009}

JJ was the student speaker at his graduation at ACE in Wheatland and even though we didn't get his photos done before the big ceremony, we did manage to meet up last week and capture some amazing senior photos for him and his parents.

Already working and getting ready for college, JJ and his parents had me laughing through our entire session! Can't wait to see you all again for your family shoot soon!

Yuba City Children's Photographer | {McNewborn is now Mc-6 Months}

Little baby McNewborn from Decemeber is now Mr. Mc-6 Months. Where does the time go?

We got up nice and early the other day to capture his 6 month photos in my portable studio set up and he was SO cute for us...he even growls like his dinosaur!!! I love it!

Yuba City Photographer, Marysville Photographer | {Best of Yuba-Sutter 2009}

A couple of weeks ago my friend informed me that her and her family, some of her friends and various other community members had voted for me in the Appeal Democrat's BEST OF Yuba-Sutter 2009 for Best Photographer. I was in SHOCK! I couldn't believe that I had fans whom I had never met, folks that enjoyed my work and were on my site and my blog that often and that people generally would use the term "best" to describe my business and my photos. I kept quiet about it because I didn't want to jinx myself or seem like I was fishing for votes, but I was so proud that I just had to let everyone know! HOW NEAT IS THIS?!

If you enjoyed working with me this year, love my work, are a fan, whatever...you can vote and nominate me as well.

Voting on this category closes tomorrow and you can vote online at this site:
http://specials.appealprojects.com/2009_best.html

It only takes a second. Make sure to read the rules before hand as it takes a certain number of categories to qualify your votes, 30 categories, I believe. "Best Photographer" is listed near the bottom under the "people" category.

Thanks a ton for everyone's support in the community!

Yuba City Newborn Photographer, Marysville Newborn Photographer | {More for the J Family}

No words...just some summer sun flares. My new obsession for this time of year. Well, that and new babies. =)