My first youtube appearance!

I've been finally testing out my video functions on my Mark II, and you'll get to see some of it.  It's been a lot of fun - and adds a completely new dynamic to how I see the world.  I remember one of my best friends in high school writing on her (film major) college app essay, 'if a picture is worth 1000 words, imagine how many a motion picture is worth.'  Although, it's been fun exploring videography and it's something I will dabble in here and there, my passion will remain with photography.  Plus, I'm not ready to spend a thousand dollars on video editing software.

Jacob (my studio manager and good friend) and his brother Josh are in a band called The Fu.  I had the opportunity to be a guest in one their youtube videos... my debut on youtube!  Check out the video and don't be mean.  I'm used to being on the other side of the camera, so I was camera shy and felt super awkward and nervous.



Here are some other videos I took on their rooftop.  You can check them out as well.

• Use Somebody - Kings of Leon (cover)
• Lovesong - The Cure (cover)

Below are some photos of them playing live at different events/venues.  They play shows throughout the year (find their schedule at thefumusic.com), and I might even make a special guest appearance at some of the shows.  Come by and hang out... to see a wedding photographer turned youtube sensation!  haha jk

Tara and Jamie E-session Slideshow.

Tara and Jamie's engagement slideshow:

Playgrounds and Engagements.

I spent all morning trying to figure out what was wrong with the album software and photoshop.  What a way to start the morning getting zero progress.  After I hire another photographer and interns, I'm going to start working on my IT department.  lol :P

At least I found myself a photo I can smile about and the day has not gone to complete waste yet.  I don't know what it is about a playground that brings out the playfulness of people or just makes you want to be a kid again.  ;)

I haven't seen one of these before, but how can you not get on it!  I missed this photo while filtering through the session so I didn't get to post it earlier, but this definitely makes it as my favorite photo of the session.

Tara and Jamie E-session.

When I asked Tara and Jamie what they liked to do.  They told me they were homebodies.  They loved cooking and hanging out at home, which is what we did for part of the session.  I always love how people really become themselves in their most familiar settings.



After I took the photo above, I wanted to do some with feet and cute socks.  Immediately, they were just as excited telling me that's what they do!  (explained below)



Even their screensaver had a photo of their feet from their Cancun trip.  This was the trip that Tara planned out for Jamie where she even packed his bags for him so it'd be a surprise.  Jamie had other plans and managed to sneak THE ring into his bags so he could propose.  She was telling me how she thought she'd have it all together when he proposed, but when he got down on one knee, it was game over.  I wonder how I'd react.  hehe



We also went and took some photos at Christ the King, the church they attend.  Beautiful church. :)















Okay.  Now, that was an acceptable teaser post versus just that one photo.  I'm finishing up packing my bags for Charleston.  I'll be there for three days working from up there. :)  Hopefully, I'll be able to capture some beautiful photos.  I've never been there, but I hear it's nice!

<3 Esther

Melissa and Paul Headshots.

Just so it doesn't come as a total surprise, every now and then Jacob will be blog posting and sharing photos as well... so you can look forward to those. :)

Now, more from the session with Melissa and Paul.  Here's the headshot Melissa ended up picking out, and wanted to repost to balance out the next photo of Paul.  I've been playing around with new layouts.





After the headshots, we had some fun with family photos for the Christmas cards.  After running around with Roxie, we tired her out enough to sit still.  :)  I loved the next set.  Too cute!











Always love some golden light. :)





Always a pleasure doing photos with these two... ooh and Roxie! :)

<3 Esther

Halloween 2009.

After all that running around to different targets, craft stores, and costume stores, I finally figured out what I wanted to be.



I was able to find a poofy enough top at the maternity section, and the leggings...  that color was tough to track down, but after checking various targets and walmarts, I found it!  Finding all the necessary tools was the hard part, but putting together the costume was fairly easy.  I am now a proud owner of a sewing machine.  Maybe, in the future I will be getting more crafty.

We ended up at two different halloween parties.  One of which, I did a little event photography for.  Minna hosted one of the best halloween parties where we met some great people, had some good food, and drank out of a skeleton shaped funnel.  What more can you ask for from a party?  haha  Here's Brad Pitt and Catwoman.  Catwoman, hands down, had the best costume.  (Tip:  if you ever want to have saggy boobs, birdseed in a stocking has the perfect consistency.)



The second place was q100's Big Wicked at compound.  It was completely packed.  We ended up heading there at 9:30, since parking goes up to $40 to $60 later on in the night.  Clubbing can be fun with good company, but it does lose it's novelty fast.  Even though we're all retired, we all had a blast since we hadn't been out in a while.  Although, now, I probably prefer house parties over going out to a club, but even for old(er) folks, I think going once a year can be doable.

Look what makes an awesome studio-esque backdrop.  The wall outside the bathrooms.



Bam-bam was already crafty enough to put together his own costume no problem... of course, with the help of my sewing machine.

Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday, Riddick!

Happy Halloween (since I seldom update my blog on Saturdays), and Happy First Birthday Riddick!  Goodness, I'm still up after a long night of editing.  I figure it would be appropriate to update my blog with halloween themed photos before the weekend.  Hope you enjoy them! :)

The birthday was a halloween-themed birthday and was decked out in killer decor.  The cake was incredible!  The knife handle has the shape of a One.  Too cool!  Will have to find out the place Kathy picked it up.  You can't really see them as well, but the cupcakes had brain-shaped frosting.



Genius!  They made the fingers with string cheese and bell peppers and the monster teeth with apples and almonds.  Then the name labels for the drinks!



A brain carved out of a watermelon.  They don't mess around.



This was the real cake that he got to dig his hands into.  Babies + messy food = priceless!



Kisses with mom.  He's making a kissy face. :)  He practically imitated a lot of the mouth shapes we made throughout the day to entertain and keep his attention.



Cute moment with grandpa.  Taken by Jacob.



The entire gang.  Love all the different costumes.



The next photo is of Riddick's auntie and uncle, who helped make it all possible.  :)  I met Michelle and Adam as models on a photography workshop with Scott Robert.  We even had to do the Scott Robert signature pose for the memories.  They still got it!  ;)  Also, the photo in the back is Riddick's dad's.  He's a photographer himself and had tons of awesome photography around his house.



It was so good seeing old friends and making new ones.  Definitely a pleasure getting to shoot this birthday with them!  Hope this gave you some creative halloween party ideas.  If you need photography coverage for an event, let us know (jacob@estherjulee.com). :)

As for the update on the costume.  Now I am even more confused.  I'm an owner of a brand new sewing machine, and I have no idea how to operate it, starting with threading the thing.  I have tons of fabric and all sorts of crazy miscellaneous items I've never owned, but not a clue what to do with any of it. :)  The ideas are there... I assure you.  I just can't quite execute them... well... yet.  I have a backup, too, so we'll see how it all goes.  I'll update with photos next week.  Saturday, I'm hoping to go out and photograph the foliage before all the colors disappear.  It's about time for another photo adventure!

Sidenote:  Halloween-themed weddings don't look as cheesy as they sound.  But I probably wouldn't do it for my own wedding.  Cool to see though