So, we’re a good month and a half into 2012 and I thought I would use today’s Freyday post to look at what my iPhone photos were looking like so far!  Many of you who follow me on Facebook may have seen most of these, but it’s interesting to see what it is that catches my eye that I want to share with my phone (and how bad the iPhone photo quality truly is!).  Turns out, I take a lot A TON of photos of Kayla

Also 2 reminders of things going on right now:

1) I’m giving away a FREE Couples photo session + CD – you can enter until Sunday at 6pm on this blog post from wednesday:  ENTER HERE

2) I’m currently scheduling photo shoots in Austin, TX from March 10-18th (Blog Post with info HERE) – I have a special pricing and information sheet, so if you’re interested email me today to get on the calendar!  Jessica@JessicaFreyPhotography.com

We got this red blanket and a red snuggie and no matter where we place the blanket, Kayla finds a way to sleep on it or wrap herself in it – it’s quite interesting to see her each night get all cute in the blanket!

And yes, my dog sleeps like a human and I think it’s the cutest thing ever.

I build her a fort – I’m sure if she had opposable thumbs, she’d be able to by herself
My first Pad Thai with Amanda!! Chef’s Choice Noodle Bar is delicious!!!
A yummy provoking Butterfinger cupcake from Gimee Some Sugar! At Malibu Wine’s – with our host James Frey!!

And yet another adorable photo of Kayla at my in-law’s house!

Made in Chian?  Did someone Fail at spelling China?!

The road out during our Beauty & The Beast shoot….yikes!

Makenzie and her first snow fall of the  year

I did, I went to see it in 3D – and it was magical. KAYLA!

This, ladies is why you do not place your tiara on the floor – you will step on it.  Thanks Krazy Glue for fixing it for me!

Top Chef Texas – it’s making me sooo happy to see home, and I was thrilled to see them shopping at my store!  In High School, I helped open this Garden Ridge

Well, that’s it – about as random as I could get! I’ll leave you with the cutest photo of Kayla from last night !

Hope you enjoy your Freyday – and weekend!!!

Jessica

www.JessicaFreyPhotography.com

For the past 15 months, I’ve utilized this “Freyday” blog post every Friday as a way for you to get to know the girl behind the camera.  Who is Jessica Frey?  I’ve always enjoyed sharing photos of my travels, experiences and sharing with you the publications/awards/etc that I’ve been fortunate to aquire.  Today however is a day that hits me hard.  I contemplated writing today’s post – and mom, if you’re reading…you may want to stop.  I may not be the most elequent writer, but today’s blog post is for me.  For me to remember, to celebrate, and to thank.

Today is January 13th, 2012.  A day that may seem insignifigant to you (or if you’re Toni and Joe – Happy 1 year anniversary!).  It’s been exactly a year since my grandma left this earth and went to heaven. For me, the photo below will forever be ingrained in my mind as a place that held my tears and those chairs in the photo held my shaking body as I cried incessantly for a good hour.  With sad memories, it also happens to hold a good memory as the place Toni & Joe held their ceremony just hours prior to this image being taken.  It’s Bullhead, Arizona – at the beautiful Laughlin Ranch Golf Club on January 13th, 2011.

Every wedding day is an exciting one for me.  It’s a day full of celebration, family, friends – and some great memories.  I cherish my job and responsibility each bride and groom has put in my hands to capture their day and to freeze in time those moments, those family members, those friends.  My routine in the morning of each wedding is one of getting ready – mentally and with all of my equiment.   A year ago, I was getting ready to go meet my bride to start the day and received a phone call from my mom – who was in Texas in my grandmother’s room calling to let me talk to her possibly for the last time.  We knew she was ready to go and that after having Alzheimer’s for a few years, a stroke and missing my grandfather – it would be okay to rest in knowing she was ready.  Even with the Alzheimer’s, she always knew my voice.   To her, I was always ‘my Jessica’ and she will forever be ‘my grandma’.  I enjoyed and held on tightly to those last few precious seconds with her, said a prayer – then headed out to start taking photos.  The day ran smoothly, the ceremony was sweet…..the location was breathtaking, the food tasted good, and two became one.  The reception dinner ended, everyone went back to the hotel and I checked my phone for the first time that day.  Voicemail from mom.  Oh God.  I had missed a call about an hour ago and honestly did not want to hear that voicemail.

What happened next was a blur, and why I want to thank my wonderful friend Jennifer Williams who was shooting with me that day.  The joyful,smily, giggle Jessica exhausted after a full day on my feet carrying equipment and working was suddenly replaced with a girl experiencing the loss of someone precious.  My pain and sadness was exposed and Jennifer was there to pick me up (or more literally grab my camera as I abruptly fell down when I listened to my voicemail), She led me outside to this private fireplace area, calmed me down, hugged me….and then went to grab me a beer.  We sat around that fireplace for almost two hours while I grieved, told her stories, and oddly enough enjoyed a beautiful evening night with a ton of stars, a warm fire and a good friend who was there to listen.

Memories are captured in photos – they’re what we have left to share, laugh at, cry about, smile about.  It’s why I do what I do.  Thank you for letting me share today the memory of my grandma – and a very personal, emotional wedding day for me.  Hug your family, hug your friends, forgive, enjoy the blessings you’ve been given – and look back on your photos with a smile remembering good times with those who love you.

1984 – one of my all time favorite images with my grandparents!

2003 – My graduation ceremony from Texas A&M

June 13, 2004 – my wedding day!  
And, the last photo I have with her….July 4th, 2008 celebrating Aubree’s wedding!

Thank you for letting me share this day with you.  Enjoy today, enjoy this weekend and hug your family!

www.JessicaFreyPhotography.com