happy birthday jean!

Today my right arm is turning 21! :) As many of you know, Jean is my second shooter / assistant this year and she is kicking some major tail. At the beginning of last year Jean and I sat down and talked about our goals and where we saw ourselves and what we wanted to do, ideally, if we could do anything. Well, I am happy to say not only have we done what we set out to do we have surpassed anything I could have imagined for my business! At first we imagined being in my old studio (the carraige house, some of you have been there) and having the whole space humming with computers and shooting and life. Well, we did that! Then now, I am converting a huge old porch / deck area into my studio and it is looking FABULOUS! In the interim, Jean and I took over my kids playroom, painted it 18% gray ( I LOVE IT!) and are making the space work until the new space is done in January. The whole time, before the big bang of 2007 hit- aka wedding season, Jean was plugging away. Whether it was learning editing software or Show It or putting together furniture she got things done. I told her many times it was like having magic- I would talk out loud to myself, going over my to-do list, always a lengthy beast, and then BAM, I would turn around and things were done! One of my favorite things about working with Jean is her unsurpassed love of sushi. I know that every Tuesday is 'sushi Tuesday' at Carla Ten Eyck Photography!! And no matter how much you eat, you never feel gross! Am I right?
The top image I shot of Jean and her children for my project. This is how she feels most beautiful! She is such a wonderful and patient Mom.
Yes, that super HOT bride with the camera is yours truly. I have never worn a veil, not even on my wedding day- and I kind of wish that I had. I have total veil-regret. So Dawn (my bride) was taking hers out and I told her that and she promptly put in on me and Jean caught one of the most special times in this old girls life...sniff, sniff. ha ha ha!! Very funny stuff.
Now at weddings Jean is stealth. She is quiet, always observing and is always in tune to the kids and pretty details. While shooting Jean is led by her heart and often catches sweet, emotional and fleeting moments that really work well with my images to tell the complete story of the day. She is so hungry to learn more and is always pushing herself to do better. In the process she pushes me to be a better shooter and a better person. All of these images posted here were taken by Jean at various weddings this year, I think her work clearly speaks for itself!
Have a happy, relaxing and special day, sister, you deserve it!