Unfortunately, the blog here will go dormant, but even so, I couldn’t imagine shutting it down. It would be like setting fire to a diary or box full of photos. This blog is a reminder of how far I’ve come in my business and I’m humbled when I look back through it. So, for that reason, it will stay up.

Words cannot express my immense gratitude for my clients and fans. I hope you’ll all follow me over to the new blog to keep up with the adventures I get to take with this job.

xoxo, Jennifer

Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. I am an overachiever and tend to overestimate the amount of work I can get done in a period of time (seriously, there should be more hours in a day!). I was absolutely determined to have the launch of my new brand this Christmas and made announcements about exciting giveaways, but unfortunately it just wasn’t meant to be…YET (launch celebration and giveaways WILL STILL HAPPEN!!). This was my busiest season ever, which I am very grateful for because being busy is a GOOD thing, but between shooting sessions and weddings, editing on overtime, completing client orders, AND finalizing all the details of my new brand… it was almost too much for one person to handle.

Then, I found out that my designer, Jane, lost her best friend to cancer over Thanksgiving. She took time off for bereavement, but when she returned, she got right back in to helping me get things completed as quickly as possible. I am amazed with her strength in such a heartbreaking time and the dedication she has to her clients.

I have always been a believer that God gives us challenges that He knows we can conquer in order to make us stronger. This year has definitely been challenging, but it’s also one that I’ve learned so much about myself, my business, my commitment, and where I want to take my future. We are so close to completing this challenge/project and I will feel a huge sense of accomplishment and pride when it’s done.

For now, I am taking time off until January 2 to rest and enjoy the holidays with friends and family (all those crazy people in the photos below!). That means my office is closed and my computer is shut down. Then when the new year comes, I’ll be ready to kick things off with the new look…for real this time!

In case you’re wondering, here’s a sneak peek of the giveaways I have planned so far!

- One hour photo session with me including professional hair and makeup done by Katie Cotton of Cotton Rouge

- Kelly Moore Posey bag

- Canon point-and-shoot camera

- Spa gift card

- One dozen cupcakes from Couture Cakes

- Paper Source stationary gift set

Make sure you come back to enter! Thank you all for the love and support you guys always offer, and I hope everyone has a VERY merry Christmas!      xoxo, Jennifer

Love, love, love them.

- Albums

- Engagement Guestbooks

- Gallery Wrap Canvases

- Fine Art Canvas Portraits

- and ALL sizes of prints!

So, those of you who didn’t purchase an album with your package, what have you done with your DVD of images since the wedding? Did you make a few prints for small frames and store the DVD away? If so, now is a GREAT time to invest in a quality piece to display your memories well. Contact me at jenniferstuartphoto@gmail.com for pricing and placing orders. You can also order prints through your online gallery; just use the coupon code “happyday” to get the discount (coupon valid through midnight on December 31). Merry Christmas everyone!

When I started budget planning for 2013, I decided to increase my booking goal for next year by almost doubling the number of weddings I had this year. At the time, I thought the number was unattainable. I expected I could come close to it and figured it was a good thing to aim high. However, at this moment, I am over half way to that goal and we haven’t even hit the thick of “engagement season” yet (according to the Knot, 39% of couples get engaged November-January!). I am SO proud of where JSP is headed and cannot wait to see what else is in store for 2013.

December Goals (there’s a lot!)

- drum roll…..LAUNCH THE NEW LOOK!!

- LAUNCH GIVEAWAYS! I have a great line up of awesome giveaways which include some of my favorite things. Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect: Couture Cake cupcakes, a spa day in Greenville, a Kelly Moore bag, a FREE session with me, and MORE! Check back throughout the month for giveaway postings and guidelines on entering, or you can follow me on Facebook for updates. www.facebook.com/JenniferStuartPhotography

- Prepare and ship client Christmas gifts.

- Catch up on client blog posts and finish all 2012 editing. This time of year is CRAZY busy and I have put blogging on the back burner in order to get all client orders shipped. Don’t worry though, all sessions will get posted eventually and I’m hoping to be caught up soon.

- Post on office design.

- Post on my “closet” room. I promised this awhile ago. It’s actually clean right now for the Christmas party this weekend, so I’ll try to remember to take pictures while that lasts.

- Meet with CPA.

- Christmas cookie swap party! I have wanted to have a cookie swap for years, so I finally planned to do it. Little did I know that I was creating the perfect storm of stress (branding launch, busy time of year for editing/sessions, Christmas party planning). But, I’ve become the master of multi-tasking and everything is getting done. Someone is watching over me and taking care of me for sure!

-Take time to enjoy the holidays. Being a small business owner, it’s so hard to hang up the working hat and just enjoy personal time. There’s ALWAYS something that can be done for work (editing, emails, marketing research, etc.). This is my favorite time of year though, and it’s especially one that should be spent with family and friends. So, I have decided to take a leave of absence from December 21-January 2 to really enjoy what matters most to me. Emails will still be checked for inquiries and upcoming weddings, but blogging will return in the new year.

November Goals

- Finalize rebranding!

- Prep for launch contests!

- Prep for Christmas cookies and cocktails party.

- Start Christmas shopping and get packages ordered.

- Celebrate my favorite holiday of the year: Thanksgiving!! Can’t wait to get in the kitchen with my Momma again.

Here’s a super sneak peek of my Christmas card design with the new logo debut. Don’t get too excited though…I had to blur it out until the big reveal!

I should also note that this will be my last Goals post for awhile. Over the past couple years, monthly goal posts have kept me on track to building my business up and accomplishing tasks of personal achievement. Now, the new brand is complete, my work schedule is streamlined, packaging design is done, and the JSP office move is finished. I am content with where I stand. I’ll still have my daily to do lists and I might come back for seasonal goals every now and then when I need a motivating tool, but right now I am at a happy place to just “be”. Don’t worry though, I have other ideas for monthly updates so I’ll still keep things personal for all of you that enjoyed them. Thanks to all of you who continue to read my ramblings!  xoxo, Jennifer

I am thankful for all of the awesome fans and supporters of my work. This job gets very hard and stressful at times, but your kind words and compliments make it easier to keep pushing through.

I am thankful for all of my wonderful clients. Words cannot fully express how grateful I am for you all. Each of you has brought something special to my life and left an impression on my heart forever.

To all of you reading this, I hope you have a Thanksgiving that fills your hearts and your tummies to the brim!

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Now for something fun: in honor of Black Friday, you can get 30% off all print orders through your online gallery! Use the code: “blackfriday” when checking out. Coupon good through Monday, November, 26.

If your gallery was posted before September 25, 2013, it has expired. If you are interested in placing an order, please contact me (jenniferstuartphoto@gmail.com) and I’ll open the gallery back up. Happy shopping, y’all!

And since a post is always better with photos, so here’s some fall cuteness for you: my nephew Campbell and niece Caris. Click number one of the camera…

… and click number two. I think I’ll stick to photographing my wedding clients!

I remember Zach being the most kind, caring, and funny person, even at 12 years old, and he is EXACTLY the same today. Then, after meeting with Leslie, I knew that I would have a blast with this couple. Sure enough, I was right. With their laid back personalities and magazine-worthy smiles, this couple is perfect together and their engagement session is one of my favorites this year.

Reconnecting with old friends and making new ones is one of the most-rewarding parts of this job. Leslie and Zach, I am SO excited to be your photographer and can’t wait for the wedding next April!

This time of year is my FAVORITE for sessions. The colors of the trees and the way the sun makes them pop even brighter just makes my heart sing. The next photo is on my top 10 list now–love it!

Don’t let Hillary’s demure look fool you–this girl loves to laugh and have a good time. She even got on stage and sang to her guests at the wedding reception…but you’ll see all that in their wedding post. Until then, take a look at this beautiful bride!

Mathew proposed to Leandra when they took a mini-vacay to Hunting Island State Park. Leandra was relaxing by the water after playing on the beach and she noticed Mathew was fussing with their bag behind her. When he finally came back to sit next to her, Leandra could tell something was up based on the nervous look on Mathew’s face. He held out his hand to show her a gorgeous ring on his pinky finger and asked the girl he’d loved for so long to marry him. Such a sweet proposal!

I had so much fun with these two for their engagement session in Falls Park, and can’t wait for their wedding in a couple weeks!

I could have eaten this gorgeous light up with a spoon!

As I scrolled through their photos, this one just made me laugh…nice socks photo bomber!!

When we made our way back to the bridge there was an amazing sunset developing. We used some off-camera flash and these were some of my favorites from the entire session.

I’ll keep my words short since this might be my biggest wedding photo post ever. Enjoy! xoxo, Jennifer

Janie’s grandmother made her earrings…

Janie…you. look. amazing.

Ok, get the tissues ready!! Since Janie’s Dad hadn’t seen her as a bride yet (and he didn’t even know what the dress looked like!), we decided to have a First Look with him. His honest reaction is priceless. He literally came into the doorway, stopped dead in his tracks, and his jaw hung wide open as he took in how beautiful his daughter looked. I am in love with this series and know that Janie will cherish these memories/photos she had with her Daddy before they walked down the aisle. (I especially love seeing her reflection in the door in the first one!)

Janie and her brothers–so cute!

First Presbyterian might be one of the prettiest churches I’ve seen.

What a fun wedding party!!

Best. Dance. Party. EVER.

I love her. So much. Work it, Beyonce!!

Oh, hello, gorgeous ring!

Greenville High girls!

Favorite!

Congrats Janie and Nick!! Love you guys!!

November Goals

- Finalize rebranding! (Complete new blogsite, work on potential secret project, design and order new collateral, change all forms to new branding…the list goes on!)

- Prep for launch contests!

- Prep for Christmas cookies and cocktails party–since we were traveling in Australia last year, I didn’t have time to organize a Christmas party, but this year I’m on it!

- Start Christmas shopping and get packages ordered.

- Celebrate my favorite holiday of the year: Thanksgiving!! Can’t wait to get in the kitchen with my Momma again.

- Meet with CPA…this certainly wins the award for my least fun goal of the month.

October Goals

- Organize contests and giveaways for launch and put into calendar. Two months seems like a long time, but I know it’s going to fly by.

- Have new headshots made!

- LOTS of new engagement and bridal sessions this month.

- Start Christmas shopping…can’t believe I’m even saying that.

- Take a day off and really enjoy it.

This is the second year we have gone apple picking, and I have hereby decided that it will be an annual event from now on. Last year we got a a peck of apples and we had a hard time finishing them all. I made turnovers, pies, apple dip, and finally ended up giving a lot of them to my parents as a “gift”. Evidently, I didn’t learn my lesson because this year I thought it was completely necessary to buy a 1/2 bushel (2 pecks!). They got me with the price deal. Anyways, instead having Apple Bake Fest 2012, we decided to can them. It was our first experience canning and ended up taking all day long, but it’s better than having rotten apples in our fridge! Here’s the before and after shots. I’m actually looking forward to make an apple pie for Thanksgiving now!