Thank you so much for your interest in me and my services. I regret to inform you that Jamie Neilsen Photography is closed for business. Fret not, friends, this is a decision I made with my whole heart.

I just spent the last year of my life unraveling to my core and falling deeply in love. My priorities changed. My goals changed. Happiness itself took on a whole new meaning. Slowly, I shed away projects that no longer brought me joy and running a business is one of those things that no longer fits into my life.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to hear stories about other peoples lives and enjoy open minded thinking with a sense of humor, then you might enjoy my new blog, which is just as much about my life as it is the entire universe. I really hope you’ll join me. If that’s not your thing, thanks for stopping by and I wish you all the best in your future searches.

Cheerfully,

Mrs. Jamie Bright

http://jamiegobrightly.com/

What I know about weddings is that despite all your planning and best intentions someone important will be running late, the flower girl will suddenly go shy, the groomsmen will look for any opportunity to get out of their suits, and someone will inevitably have too much to drink. Flowers will wilt, cakes will melt, and there will be a wardrobe malfunction. If you have cable television you’ve probably heard the term “Bridezilla”. I’m sure all you reality TV junkies out there are picking up what I’m putting down, yaknowwhatI’msayin?

What I’m trying to say is, weddings aren’t all roses. BUT inside every one of those hectic wedding day moments is joy, wonder and beauty. One of the most important things you can do as a bride is hire a photographer with a trained heart and eye who knows how to look for it. A really good photographer can turn any mishap into a beautiful pin on Pintrest and design an album as gorgeous as a fashion magazine spread.

You should know, I take joy very seriously. Years of experience photographing weddings and families has trained me to find the beauty inside whatever story I am documenting – including your wedding day.

Every year I shoot a handful of weddings for brides and grooms that get it. They don’t stress out about schedules and timelines. They take comfort in knowing that the ceremony starts when they’re ready and not a moment before. And most importantly, they know that at the end of the night, no matter what else happens during their wedding day, they’ll be husband and wife. And that’s all that matters.

Last summer I had the pleasure of photographing Jae & Zar’s wedding at the Columbia Winery. It was a beautifully hot August day. I can’t say the wedding went off without a hitch, but I can say it was a heartfelt ceremony followed by a vivacious reception. Surrounded by friends and family, Jae and Zar professed and promised love. They were married.

Check out the video for even more photos of Jae and Zar’s wedding day…

Paul “Fred” Varjak: “The mean reds. You mean like the blues?”

Holly: “No, the blues are because you’re getting fat and maybe it’s been raining too long. You’re just sad that’s all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you’re afraid and you don’t know what you’re afraid of. Do you ever get that feeling?”

Fred: “Sure.”

Holly: “When I get it, the only thing that does any good is to jump into a cab and go to Tiffany’s. Calms me down right away.”

Just like last year, I visited sweet little Maya for some birthday pictures. This year she turned two. Terrible two’s jokes aside, Maya was not in the mood to be smiley and playful for her birthday shoot. We tried everything. Her bright pink jacket and perky pigtails didn’t do the trick. Bouncing and kicking a cheerful pink ball didn’t crack a smile. We even brought out the big guns with a shiny pink bicycle but she was barely amused. I don’t think she was sad at all. Just a case of the mean reds. Perhaps what Maya needed instead of pink was a little blue box! I kid. I kid.

In the end, what seemed to suit her best was relaxing in her living room and playing with the record player. Maya and I are the same like that. A needle on the record and a snuggle on the couch on a chilly autumn morning is exactly what I’d want too.

I just got the news this morning via Facebook that Brooke and Josh welcomed their baby boy into the world last night. I am so excited for them! Brooke and I go waaaay back to our pre-teen days and seeing her now, in the life after our twenties as a mommy, sheesh, it gives me goosebumps. The power of the Social Network never ceases to amaze me. A baby gets announced on Facebook and a whole village rallies through the internet to give blessings, well wishes and cheer. An entire community at your finger tips. Isn’t that incredible? And through this tool Brooke and I have been able to remain in touch after all these years. We watch each others lives from a distance and then when we finally get together, we hardly skip a beat.

Brooke, I wish you all the tender, love filled, bittersweet moments that occur when a persons heart expands. I can’t wait to read your status updates about how everyday is a new discovery of deeper joy. May you have entire days spent just watching your tiny baby, soaking it all up and letting yourself be present for every precious moment of this new journey you’re on. Congratulations, Mama!

Today I feel like a ladybug: bright and colorful with a voracious appetite.

Today I feel nostalgic. I want to feel holiday cheer the way a child does. Could Santa be real? Will it snow and shut down the city? Can we walk and sled in the streets?

Today I feel like stargazing. With a hot cup of spiced cider in my hands I’ll make up names for made up constellations and reflect on how tiny we are in this big old universe.

Today I feel like a leaf. I’m clinging to my base for dear life but nearly ready to succumb to being blown around wherever fate will take me.

Today I feel surreal. It’s as though all the bustling of holiday shoppers, downtown commuters, and noisy traffic jams are being whisked around, not of their own accord, but by the crispy cold wind that cuts sharply through our layers.

Today I want to feel passion and time stand still.

Today I feel blessed. It has been a very successful year and I’m ready to wrap a nice little bow around 2011 and send it on its way.

Today, I imagine the Wales family is feeling some of the very same things but for very different reasons. With a little one due to arrive this spring and news of the sex of their baby just days away, they’re surely feeling all this and more.

Julia, whatever you’re feeling today, I hope these images are received with joy and excitement. May your holidays as a family of three be filled with much celebration and jubilation as you transform into a family of four. I look forward to seeing you all again in a few months once the little one arrives!

My first one is on my inner, right ankle. I got it while in the Ozarks of Missouri with my little sister for her graduation from basic training. It’s a kanji symbol that stands for femininity…in the way that the sun is masculine and the moon is feminine…or so that’s what we’re told. An ironic choice considering that, my little sister, after having her inner ankle freshly inked with a sharp needle, rolled her tall socks up over her wound, laced up her tall, shiny, black boots and marched back to base in an anything but feminine cadence. I took a print of the tattoo back home with me so our youngest sister could have the same one done here in Seattle. I love that wherever we go, we each have that reminder of each other.

The second tattoo was a birthday gift to myself…my sign. The Archer or Sagittarius. A bent arrow on my back. It’s on my spine between the shoulder blades. I remember just before the artist got started he asked, “straight arrow or bent?” And without hesitation, I confirmed, bent. I guess you could say, I’m the kind of person who likes detours.

The third tattoo is on my right side from my hip to…a little lower than my armpit. It hurt. A lot. Every.Single.Rib. I could feel the vibration of the needle in the pit of my stomach for all three hours I sat on that work bench. But, the pain is temporary, tattoos are forever, and the end result are some fairly impressive gray branches and pink blossoms on a blooming cherry tree inked into my side. I absolutely love that time of year here, when all of a sudden there are pink trees blooming everywhere. And just as Spring gets really rolling, it begins snowing pink and white blossoms. You have to take it all in quickly because before you know it, they’re gone.

And…drum roll please…that’s how we get to these gorgeous red, yellow and orange trees of Autumn. My left side is begging for them. I want to take the canvas of the Bellevue Botanical Gardens on a Fall morning, like this one with the Mitchell Family, and condense them into one fiery tree inked into my skin. Wow, right? I know. I had an appointment set at my favorite shop in October…but October turned into a really busy month for me. What with running off to Portland on a train with a few friends to marry my soul mate…for starters. It too, was a beautiful Fall day with the leaves changing and a fantastic blue sky. The next weekend we flew to California to meet my in-laws for the very first time. That adventure was a pretty big deal too. Somehow, life got so full  I didn’t have room for that tattoo appointment. So full of love, adventures, and a general wave of life changing experiences. This has pretty much been a remarkably wild year. And I couldn’t be happier.

Speaking of wild and happy, I had a wildly good time with the Mitchell Family last month. I loved having the opportunity to photograph them again this year and see how much the boys have grown. Liting, after last years rain out, I’m so glad you finally got the outdoor shoot you always wanted…blue skies and all.

How to Survive a Family Photo Shoot

• Take a shower and wash your hair. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful. Appreciate your soft, round middle and tired yet smiling eyes. Do not be shy about the fact that you have cleavage and really great shoes.
• Ask for help when you need it and remember patience is a virtue.
• Breathe. You’ll need to be comforted and reassured over and over again–how could you not? You were meant to be loved, so let it in. Inhale. Exhale. Breathe.
• Play whatever game your kids are playing. Stop apologizing. Stop explaining. I’ve seen it all before.
• Don’t hold back. Allow yourself to be ridiculous and feel joy. Put all your energy into the place where your heart is leading.
• Play your favorite song on your iPhone, set it for repeat, and dance to it like no one is watching…or everyone is watching.
• Submit to the chaos. This can be terrifying and uncomfortable but there’s nothing to do but ride it out. It is critical for you to understand that there is no wrong move here and the powerful energy around you is going to happen with or without your blessing.
• Let go of all your assumptions. You don’t know how this adventure will play out and you are not in control. Face the moment with eyes wide open, unafraid, knowing that love is all that matters and everyone is working towards a happy ending.
• Smile. Let your eyes say everything. Shine.

Hopefully, this dream will find me soon. In the meantime, I get to live vicariously through awesome families like this one.

I met the Couch Family for their session at the Olympic Sculpture Park just blocks from Sean’s pre-baby bachelor pad. We rocked the park, the waterfront, and some very artistic alley’s in the Belltown neighborhood. And by rock, I’m in rock-n-roll!! We called ahead to Mother Nature and requested she turn on the wind machine and pump up the setting sun. She did not disappoint.

I think like-minded free spirits are attracted to me. They find me like a magnet and we have the most interesting time getting to know each other by being foolishly in love, letting our hair down and saying “yes, please.” You know, the people who don’t think twice about hopping the fence for an adventure on the other side. Maybe you’re someone who takes the long way home and are totally okay with being lost for awhile? We would be friends. When you meander, magic happens. And by magic, I mean unbridled laughter, unruly curls, and uninhibited love…for starters.

Sara, thank you for choosing me to be your family photographer. Editing your session was an eye candy treat that filled me with such happiness as I replayed our date in Belltown again and again. I hope that when these memories finally make it to your walls you feel the same kind of love…only deeper. Because it’s your love story and you are loved.

There was a time when I hated my sisters borrowing my clothes. I didn’t want them in my room and I didn’t want them touching my stuff. Unless of course, they were cleaning my room, which I paid them to do on more than one occasion. Sadly, my underpaid wages are no longer enticing to them anymore.

Nowadays, we all have a collection of each other’s clothes in our own homes and closets. I love it when someone compliments my outfit and asks where I got it. “Oh these shoes are my sister’s and this shirt…belongs to my other sister”. And I love it when they’re in my room. My living room. My bathroom. My dining room. My kitchen. I love it when they’re in my space and I love that we can share all kinds of stuff. Gone are the days of tossing the youngest down the laundry chute. These are the days when we giggle about laundry rooms gone up in flames and the miracle of magic erasers (Seriously. What is in them!?).

So it was an absolute delight to photograph my friend Jon with his girls. These girls who have so many things in common and yet are all so very different. His girls are confident and sassy; hysterical and oh, so pretty. Poor Jon is clearly outnumbered by this troupe of girls and such a good sport. They all make a pretty good team. After a trip to Uwajimaya for homemade sushi fixin’s, we strolled through Carillon Point just a couple of hours before sunset. Each girl flaunted her own unique personality and I felt like one of The Girls amongst their dimpled smiles and bouncy hair.

After an hour plus of skipping and giggling we returned to their casa for comfy clothes and a smorgasbord of sushi. A truly impressive display of teamwork and artwork went into the assembly of enough rice, fish and veggies to feed a small army. We finally called it quits when the last of the rice was used up. What happened next still gives me heart squeeze.

The Girls setup pillows and blankets across the living room floor and they huddled together around their buffet for family movie night. Delicate fingers stuffed giant balls of delicately wrapped sushi into their hungry mouths. And for the first time in hours, it was silent. With heavy eyes and a full belly I left them before the end of the movie. But not before we hugged it out and made promises to hang out again soon. Those girls.

Thank you for a spectacular sunny afternoon. Thanks for letting me be one of The Girls. I loved it more than you can imagine.