365: 11-20.

Whoa, it's almost the 30th!  Time sure flies.  Guess we should catch up on the 365 posts where we take a photo a day for 365 days (first set here).  Again, if you are here for wedding/portrait work, please navigate using the links to the right.  Esther: left, Jacob: right.

11: Monday night bowling.



12: a) I love free Swiss Miss!  b) Bristow.



13: a) Guess who's picture showed up in Atlanta Weddings?  Mine.  b) Save ussssss!



14: a) Ben's headshots.  b) Maintenance needed.



15: a) Glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away. b) Hotel for the weekend.



16: a) Will you? b) Oh, nuts!



17: a) Carol's new bling.  b) Which of these things is not like the other?



18: a) New studio sample guestbook.  b) Home sweet home.



19: a) Mmm, charcoal.. tasty.  b) Hulk smash!



20: a) Spring Hall. b) Visitor at pre-marital counseling.

What happens after Germany?

One year ago around this same time, I decided to go to a discipleship training school in a very small town in Germany to get a taste of what missions was about.  I had never even been on a short-term mission trip abroad before, but I knew it was something I wanted to experience.  In my mind, I was "open" to the idea of doing missions full-time, but I was pretty much convinced I would just go there and get a taste of what it was like and get confirmation that it simply wasn't my calling.  Little did I know, I was in for a crazy ride where it would flip my world upside down. 

It's really hard to describe everything that happened within the span of the six months I spent out of the country.  It was nice meeting new people, learning to love beyond cultures, and getting a different perspective of life.  People on the other side of the world think and live completely different from Americans.  But more importantly, I got a taste of who God was and experienced Him in ways unimaginable to me.  It shook me to the core and I knew that once I got back, I didn't want to go back to the same comfortable lifestyle I had always lived. 

I wish it was so easy as making one simple decision, and it would be smooth sailing from then on, but I guess like most things that you value, you really have to work hard for it.  The school may have given me the tools for change in my life, but honestly, the change happens when you wake up every morning and DAILY make a conscious effort not to slip into that comfortable lifestyle.  And it sure hasn't been an easy task.

This past week, four of us from the DTS had a reunion in Orlando.  It was really refreshing, and suddenly I don't feel so alone in this confusing mess YWAM has left me in.  ha  These girls first taught me what love and community was about.  Of course living together sometimes made things messy and ugly, but through the ugliness and messiness, we were actually able to grow in love for one another.  How crazy is that? :)

The week was packed with lots of catching up as well as interesting, new experiences.   We went to the shark attack capital of the world, New Smyrna Beach, and only had the guts to go knee deep in the water.  We got the rest of our tan on from swimming in the pool almost every day.  There was also lots of endless walking around.  We did the tourist thing and decided to do four disney parks in one day and wet n' wild water park another day.  That was insane.  I'm not sure I would recommend that to just anyone.  I certainly am disneyed out from putting myself through 17.5 hours of it in one day.  We ate a mountain of ice cream and saw whip it, which really made me want to bring out the skates!  And, I'm sure I can list of twenty other things we did, but really I enjoyed just being able to be in good company.  (For me, it's not so much what you do, but who you do it with).

I am incredibly blessed to have such amazing people in my life. :)  Want to thank Nancy, Michelle, and Sarah Kate for a great time this past week.  Wished the rest of the gang could be there.  We miss you dearly.  There's always next year, though. ;)  Where shall the next reunion be? HAWAII??

Just a few photos from the week.  Let me know if you want some wallpapers.





And the mountain of ice cream mentioned earlier is the kitchen sink at Beaches and Cream.  Eight scoops of ice cream and every topping imaginable topped with an entire can of whipped cream.  It was like a surprise in every bite.  Wanna see the video on how they make it?  I don't think I want to eat ice cream again for a while.



Little sad that it melted before we could finish it.  We'll have to train for next time. Harder, better, faster, stronger.



Here's a video link of us riding a kiddie roller coaster.  I can't stop laughing watching this because of how much we were screaming.

Next up: Angeline and Paul's wedding slideshow.

Introducing... dun dun DUNNN...!

The company has been going through quite a few changes this past month.  I'm very excited about what's to come.

Esther Lee Photography, LLC has undergone a name change and is now Esther Julee Photography, LLC.  Finally received the paperwork this week!  If you've noticed, the logo has changed, too.  The reason for this is that I wanted to keep the consistency between the website name, blog names, etc.  If only I knew how to change the name on the facebook fan page...

Also, I wanted to introduce to you my new studio manager and assistant photographer, Jacob, who will be handling a lot of the business aspects of the company.  I've realized over the years of running my business, I'm not quite business savvy enough to go at it on my own.  I want to be able to focus more on the photography and creative side, while I let him focus more on the business side.



And of course a new camera totally deserves it's own post!  He still needs a name.  Something better and more original than Mark the Second.  But welcome to the family!





Took him out bowling the first night after it arrived.  Check out how he photographs at 3200 ISO.  It's beautiful, I tell you.  I have yet to use it at 6400!!

Melinda and Ben E-session (Teasers).

This is Melinda and Ben.  They met at UGA right before Ben graduated, so it was only appropriate to do the engagement session in Athens



This was a very special tree for them, because it was under this tree that Ben asked her to be his girlfriend.



Melinda was also a cheerleader at UGA.  She was telling us how after every game that Georgia won, they would have to run up to the bell and ring it.



On the set of Honey, I shrunk the kids.



The stadium was where Ben carried her blindfolded to propose to her.



Taking a break from studying. ;)

Vanessa and Mark E-session Slideshow.

I'm very excited to present to you this slideshow of my very first vintage golf themed engagement session!  It was definitely one of my most memorable engagement sessions.  I learned a thing or two about golf, listened to Mark's guitar playing, and I got to go off-roading on a golf-cart.  Couldn't possibly call it work, because it was too much fun!  The song set to the slideshow is Dream a Little Dream of Me by Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstrong.  Vanessa's pick and very fitting.  Hope you enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Just wanted to give a special shout-out to a special dad who's birthday is today!

All the years of such sacrificial love... The way you live your life everyday inspires me to love God and love others.  Could not have asked for a better dad. :)





These photos were taken last week from celebrating his birthday.  Yes, he's a very happy dad as you can see from photo one.  It wasn't that anyone was saying anything funny, but being the father of a photographer, he can pretty much make any expression on cue.  I love it... And love you, dad! :)

Cake and card were courtesy of another special person.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  Hopefully, we won't get rained in all weekend long.  I have two engagement shoots scheduled for this weekend, and I'm really hoping the weather will be kind so I won't have to reschedule.  Looks like the votes are in, and number 1 wins for the Great Gatsby photo.  Stay tuned for Vanessa and Mark's engagement slideshow Monday.

Befores and Afters.

I received a client inquiry earlier this week asking what the difference is between source files and artistically retouched images.  After responding to her email, I wanted to share a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes when I'm not shooting.  I would say 98% of the images that are posted on my website or blog have all been retouched to some extent.

I never consider source files straight out of the camera finished work.  After the shoot, I spend in-studio time on each individual image to tweak and enhance the colors and character in them.  When I'm in one of my pickier moods, sometimes it can even take up to a few hours on one photo to get the exact result I had envisioned.  Isn't that insane?!  Good Lawd, I need some helpers.

Some photographers are beginning to go in the route of outsourcing the post-processing part of their job.  Maybe one day that will be an option for me, because I absolutely love shooting way more than editing.  Right now I like having a lot more control over the entire process, beginning with shooting all the way to the end product.

Take a look!



Above is a set of images in various lighting situations (1. indoor, 2. sunset, 3. outdoor on cloudy day, 4. indoor reception lighting). :)  The photos on the left are still technically sound, but even though it's necessary to understand lighting to optimize each photo in-camera, post-production/digital retouching is necessary to give the photos the estherjulee signature look and feel.  ;)

We may start considering offering "shoot and burn" packages that consists of just photo coverage throughout the day with DVD of set number of source file images for folks who are not looking for artistic photos but just want the day documented.  It may be a good alternative for brides on a budget, but will it bring the overall quality of our photography go down?  Something to think about.

Are the prices of some wedding photographers too good to be true?  Here's an interesting article that talks about shoot and burn weddings.  Thoughts?

Which one is more "Great Gatsby"?

I am double posting today!  I'll make this first one short.

I need an opinion for a very vintage-themed slideshow.  Which font do you think gives more of a Great Gatsby feel to the image?  I was actually looking at the book I owned, but I'm not a fan of the cover.  I can't decide.  The first one makes it look more like a book cover, and the second one I just like for no particular reason!

One.



Two.

My gmail inbox is clean!

This may quite possibly be the cleanest I have ever seen my inbox, and it only took 8 hours..... started out with 400 something and then I had to go back and reply to everyone that had ever messaged me on facebook/xanga/friendster/myspace/younameit just so i could delete the email.  Feels good to be less cluttered.  Let's hope it stays that way!

Just a brief update on my life:
* My dad's celebrating his 59th birthday tomorrow.
* My all-time high score in bowling is 139 as of 09.14.09!
* Listening to Cry in my heart (Starfield) has been my stress therapy during long hours of editing.
* I've been slowly but surely uploading photos onto flickr and facebook.
* I can finally strum my DOWN up down UP down UP DOWN UP.  Soon I will be a youtube sensation.  haha just kidding. I'm not even gonna go there.

I had a conversation with a colleague that had shot my very first wedding with me, which made me realize how far I've come since then.  I want to thank all my wonderful friends and family who have continually supported me over the years and have been part of this incredible journey. XOXO.

A weekend getaway to... the boonies?!

It was just four of us having a weekend getaway to the boonies of Georgia.  Who knew this place existed in Dahlonega?!  It was a little piece of heaven for me, since I missed Cali so much.







Here's Sadee who joined us for brunch at the winery.



Now a glimpse of our cabin that we stayed at.  Wow.  It looks like a fancy dinner.  It's the wine that really makes the photo.  haha We bought marinated beef and chicken from H-mart.  They were life savers and oh-so-yummy.



And notice something in the back?  It's a hot tub.  Yes, a hot tub... smack dab in the middle of the living room!!!  This meant we ditched the afternoon hike and spent nearly 6 hours straight in the tub, chatting, playing games, and watching tv.  Can life get any better?  hahah

I'm sad that I didn't get to travel much this month.  I usually like to take at least one week and go somewhere outside of the A.  Even though it was only maybe half an hour from home and practically our backyard, it was definitely a nice getaway.  If you're itching to travel like me, but can't take extended vacations because you work, I would recommend a day trip out to Dahlonega. :)

The Kwons Lifestyle Session.

Meet the Kwons! Last Friday, I had the great pleasure of shooting a lifestyle session with the Kwons to mark little Teddy's 100th day (Baek-il). In Korean culture, it's quite a big deal to celebrate the 100th day (even 100th day in dating). Here are just a few photos from the session.



So adorable! He's the same size as his dolls.. or even smaller! ;)



Already a brave's fan at such a young age.



New sheriff in town. We went through several wardrobe changes, but he was a good sport about it.





Time for a little stroll in the park.

Gloria and Frank Wedding (Teasers).

Just a few teasers from this past Saturday's wedding with Gloria and Frank. One of my faves from the day.



Lookin' hot, ladies!





Remember Eunice and Wes? Wes was one of the groomsmen for this wedding. Seems like I'm getting a lot of the UF people! ;) Look! They open up like a flower.



Zoolander!



We got good use out of the sign. :)



Right outside of Millenium Gate.