Jill Ward Photography Blog

The Curtain is Closing at Jill Ward Photography

2012-02-01T13:35:00.000-08:00

After months of careful considerations, heartfelt conversations, and soul-searching, I have decided to close my photography business. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to capture so many amazing milestones and memories for my clients, friends, and family over the past 18 months and I've loved every moment of it. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support, encouragement and faith in my work!

The little family my husband and I adore is ... growing up! Our youngest will enter Kindergarten this fall and I have a huge "bucket-list" of activities to do with her before our time at home comes to an end. Our oldest will soon be driving and will begin his second year of high school in the fall! And then there is me... My awesome husband has worked hard and crunched numbers for the past five years allowing me to be at home with our kids. In September, it will be time for me to return to work - hopefully as a teacher. I am currently working to ensure my paperwork is up to date and am even considering adding an EC - 6 certification to my 4 - 8 cert.

While I am a bit sad to close JWP, I am confident it is the right decision for my family. We have so much to do - and so little time.

If you have already made arrangements to have a session with JWP, either through purchasing a certificate at an auction or by purchasing a gift card during my Black Friday Sale, rest assured, your sessions will be honored.

I have connections with some amazingly talented photographers in the Houston area - so if you are in need of a referral, let me know and I will point you in their direction! Again, thank you for your support and love and I look forward to keeping up with many of you through email and FB!
Cheers!

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Energy!!!

2012-01-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

Recently, my husband and I went on a fifteen day juice fast. The first ten days we juiced twice a day and ate once. I know, not really fasting, but getting there! The following five days, we survived on juice! It was amazing! We ate (er...drank) veggies and fruits that we have probably never purchased in our lives...kale, beets, radishes, to name a few.

When we decided to start eating again, we wanted to be sure we were making healthier choices than we had in the past. A friend shared a recipe from The Marathon Mom Blog for Granola Energy Balls. I altered the recipe a bit for my family as we have one who doesn't like coconut. You can see the Marathon Mom's original recipe here. I posted my altered version below.

We absolutely love these little nuggets of delicious-ness! They are so tasty and super easy to make! Give it a shot and let me know what you think. Just be warned....they are addictive! They are also full of fiber....so watch out!

Ingredients:
2 cups oats
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup ground flax seed (simply grind them up in a magic bullet, food processor, or coffee bean grinder)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup honey
2 tbsp wheat germ
1 tbsp vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions
1.Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
2.Roll into balls.
3.Store in fridge in an air-tight container.
You can choose the size of your balls. I made mine a bit larger so I wouldn't feel guilty opening the fridge over and over and over again to sneak one out!! My recipe made 22 balls.

Houston Baby Photographer - {Parker + Peyton}

2011-12-22T22:32:00.000-08:00

Over the past couple of months, I have had the joy of meeting with some of my youngest clients for the second time in their young lives. I love seeing how much they have grown and spening time with them at a very different stage in their life! I was thrilled when Parker and Peyton's mom called and asked me to take some holiday photos! I first worked with them when they were only three weeks old! Now, at eight months, these boys kept my assistant, their mom and dad, and myself laughing hysterically! What a joy this family was to work with!! Thanks so much, Candy & Derek! I hope your first Christmas with these sweet boys is a wonderful one!

Houston Couples Photographer - Maggie + Sam

2011-11-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

I recently had the pleasure of working with Maggie and Sam to capture some fun images of them in celebration of Maggie's birthday! This couple was so much fun to work with! They were completely at ease in front of the camera, adorable, and full of laughs! I loved the balloons Maggie brought!!! I hope you guys enjoy your sneak peeks!.

Houston Natural Light Photographer - Post Processing

2011-11-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

Levels, contrast, white balance, brightening, noise reduction..... All of these are terms pertaining to post-processing. This is the procedure by which photographers take their SOOC (straight out of camera)images and turn them into works of art.

Each photographer has their own style of post-processing. Some like high contrast while others opt for breezy and etherial looking images. Some photographers add textures to their images and some go for somber and moody results by adding heavy vignettes and bringing down the lights. Other photographers do the bare minimum necessary to liven up their images in order to keep everything looking as real as possible. No method is better or worse than another.... Photography is art and art is subjective.

When you are considering your own family photos, be sure to look at the websites of several photographers in your area to get a feel for what type of images they produce. If you have questions, ask! I've heard horror stories from fellow photographers of clients who hired them based on referrals alone - and who were surprised when the images were not what they were expecting. Research, research, research!!! It's best to openly discuss your options with your photographer before you both invest valuable time and money into a session! You want to be sure you will walk away with images you are proud to display in your home for years to come - and every photographer wants you to be in love with your end result!

On average, I typically spend 8 - 10 hours with clients from initial contact to delivery of their orders! It is truly a "work of heart!" Here are a few examples of my SOCC images and my final results after post-processing. This is where a big part of my time is spent....after the session.

Houston Senior Photographer - Giselle

2011-11-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

Meet Giselle! She is a JWP Senior Model Rep for the class of 2012 and I absolutely loved meeting her and working with her! Giselle is such a bright and intelligent young woman - I know she will go far in life! If you are a friend of Giselle's and would like to have your own senior portraits made with Jill Ward Photography - ask her for a referral card and receive 15% off your order! Thanks, Giselle, for doing such a great job and best wishes for a wonderful and unforgettable senior year!

Playing Catch Up!

2011-11-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

The holidays are fast approaching and I, like many, am feeling a bit overwhelmed! I've been neglecting my blog - which is not good considering potential clients come here to check out my portfolio. I've become a bit lazy and have been posting ALL my session sneak peeks on Facebook!!!! It's so easy....but I'm getting a little tired of Facebook if truth be told. It's so....in your face!

I've decided to return to my roots and blog my session peeks for clients. I will post, at a maximum, three peeks on Facebook. Beginning tomorrow, I will be uploading my most recent sessions right here! I'm excited! I think it is so much nicer to see mulitple images from a session in one location and in a nice format. It certainly beats hitting "next" on FB and flipping through the images.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a photo of a really fun dessert my four year old and I made today! She is having a Thanksgiving Feast tomorrow at her little pre-school. If you are so inspired, they are quite easy! Simply melt a bag of chocolate chips in the microwave. Using two toothpicks to hold a marshmallow, dip it into the melted chocolate and then place it on top of a cookie (Keebler cookies turned upside down). After they dry completely, use a tube of yellow icing and paint a buckle onto each hat! Enjoy!

Houston Maternity and Family Photographer - Lidia + Alberto

2011-11-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

This family of three is about to welcome another little girl! I loved spending the evening with Lidia, Alberto, and their beautiful little girl, Sabina! Sabina's smile could light up all of Houston and the love her mom and dad share was so evident and sweet! Enjoy your sneak peeks!!!!!

Houston Portrait Photographer - {Shaida}

2011-10-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

I met with Shaida and her family for a mini session last week and had a great time getting to know this beautiful young woman. She was recently accepted into the nursing program of a prestigious college and is looking ahead to a very bright future! Here are some of my favorite shots from our session! I will be posting more from her family session later this week! I hope you enjoy your sneak peeks, Shaida! My best wishes to you in all your endeavors!

I loved Shaida's style! Check out her adorable shoes! The soles perfectly coordinated with her top! Oh to be 20 again!

Houston Family Photographer - {Tiffany + Ryan}

2011-10-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of working with Tiffany, Ryan, and their adorable children last weekend. I loved watching this sweet family interact with one another - the love they have for each other is evident in their photos! Mom and Dad were completely content with letting their kids be kids - exploring their surroundings - and allowing me to capture their lives as they live them....on the go! Here are some of my favorite shots from the session!

Houston Children's Photographer - {Emily + Sofia}

2011-09-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to spend the day with Emily, Sofia, and their sweet mom, Larissa! Sofia was one of the first newborns I worked with when I started JWP and I also had the pleasure of shooting Emily's awesome 4th birthday images last year! Larissa's husband surprised her with a photo session from JWP for her birthday this year and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this great familiy once again! Time certainly goes by fast - I can't believe how much these little ones have changed over the past year! I hope you enjoy your sneak peeks, Mom & Dad! Your girls are beautiful!!

Houston Family Photographer - {Alex + Cameron}

2011-09-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

As an on-location photographer, I am forever trying to locate great new places for photo sessions. I often see great spots on the side of the road, but am without a camera or a subject. Later those areas are forgotten. Last weekend, my husband and I took the kids to Galveston to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. While there, I spotted the perfect location for a shoot. This time, I was armed not only with my camera, but with both my kids! I wish I could stop the hands of time and freeze these guys where they are at this moment in time. They are both so sweet, funny, and adventurous. They are not worried by the wrongs in the world, they are just living life one sweet, simple day at a time. They are SO loved by me!

Houston Baby Photographer - {Taylor's First Birthday Session}

2011-09-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

I posted some of my favorite cake smash photos from Taylor's first birthday session last week. I'm back to show more sweet images from her outdoor session. This little sweetie pie had just learned to walk three weeks prior to our session. I loved capturing some of her first steps and her pure excitement over this huge accomplishment!

Taylor happens to be the first member of her family born in Texas. Mom & Dad wanted to incorporate a Texan theme into her session and the end result was adorable!!!!

Houston Product Photography - {Comfort Me Books}

2011-09-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I had the pleasure of meeting with Cristine Hoskin, author and creator of Comfort Me Books and the Comfort Me Bear Mission. Comfort Me Books is a collection of Recordable Storybooks. Each book features a comforting colorful storybook and a 3-minute re-recordable module allowing the child or loved one to record the story. The recording module is fun and interactive with a special function that allows a sun and heart on the module to light up during playback of the story.
In addition to the books and modules, Cristine developed the Comfort Me Bear Mission. Comfort Me Bear is a Humanitarian Mascot Bear which bring comfort to children in hospitals. This bear is seriously cool and has brightened the day of many children in hospitals and clinics around Houston!

Cristine just won the Creative Child Magazine 2011 Book of the Year Award! She asked me to photograph her products - and my little girl reading the book for an advertisement in the Creative Child Magazine. I was thrilled to work with this intelligent and talented artist and mother of two and wish her much continued success! If you are in the Houston area, you can find her book & module sets in Berings on Westheimer, Berings on Weslayan, Pickles & Ice Cream, Kid to Kid in the galleria, and the River Oaks Book Store. If you are not in Houston, you can still grab a set on her website!

Houston Newborn Photographer - {Delila - 6 Days Old}

2011-09-09T09:04:00.000-07:00

Delila. Such a pretty name. Such a beautiful baby.
Baby Delila was six days old when her mom brought her to my home for her first photo shoot! I have an enormous window in my den which allowed sunlight to pour onto our setup. I also pulled out the trusty space heater to keep Delila nice and warm. Mom fed her right before the shoot in the warm sunlight - and the end result was a little one who slept like a baby! From the moment her mother handed her to me until the moment the session ended, Delila remained peacefully and soundly asleep! Amazing!
Mom & Dad, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with you in Delila's first week of life! I hope you love her sneak peeks! I will be posting Mom's maternity peeks later on next week! I'm going about it backwards!!!

Houston Baby Photographer - {Taylor's First Birthday Cake Smash Session}

2011-09-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

I had the best time photographing Taylor's 1'st birthday cake smash session! She was such a cutie and her mom and dad were completely into the session and could have cared less about the icing flying around the room! Taylor's mom coordinated her outfit with the adorable cake {from The Cake Fairy} and requested a white background to make the colors pop. The final result was just SWEET! Mom ordered this 20 x 20 display for the actual party so family and friends could see what fun we had! Thanks for letting me spend the day with your family, Allyson! I had a blast! More images from Taylor's outdoor session will be posted later this week!!

Katy Newborn Photographer - {Braxton + Reece - Sneak Peeks}

2011-07-22T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today I had the pleasure of meeting a nine day old baby boy and one of his big brothers. These boys were such a joy to work with and I absolutely loved bonding with their momma during the session! Mom & Dad, I hope you enjoy these sneak peeks and thank you so much for allowing me to work with you and capture these sweet moments in your lives!

Houston Senior Photography - {Molly}

2011-07-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

I've known Molly since she was six years old. She celebrated her sixteenth birthday this summer and I was thrilled to be able to capture this milestone for her! Thanks to Mom & Dad for letting me work with your "sweet sixteen!"

Tyler Child Photographer - {Kayla - 9 Years Old}

2011-07-16T15:33:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are some photos of Kayla, Owen's big sister! This little girl loved being in front of the camera and it shows! She is absolutely adorable - and the spitting image of her momma when she was a kid! I loved working with you, Kayla!!! You are an awesome big sister!

Tyler Newborn Photographer - {Owen - 6 Days Old}

2011-07-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

I recently visited Tyler, Texas - my hometown! While there, I had the opportunity to photograph the newborn baby of my long lost friend, Holly! I'd say she and her hubby, Casey, have ALOT to be proud of! This little guy stole my heart the instant I walked through the front door! Thanks, Mom & Dad, for allowing me to capture your beautiful son during those first precious days of life! Stay tuned for more photos of Owen's gorgeous sister, Kayla!

JWP 2012 Senior Model Program - {Houston High School Senior Photography}

2011-06-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

***Thank you for your interest in this program; however, all 2012 Reps have been chosen and have already begun working with JWP. We are no longer accepting applications for 2012 Reps. We will begin accepting applications for 2013 Reps in April 2012. For a discounted rate on your senior portraits, locate a 2012 Rep and request a referral card!***

Who is eligible to participate in the program?
I am looking for a group of well-rounded, social, and friendly seniors to represent Jill Ward Photography! Houston area students graduating from high school in 2012 who are interested in unique senior portraits & the opportunity to earn free prints and products are eligible to apply.
If you would like to be considered, simply fill out the application below today! You will need permission from your parent/guardian to participate in the JWP 2012 Senior Model Program, so be sure to check with them first! They will also be required to sign a model release form, allowing us to use your images for advertising purposes. If you are selected as a model, you must commit to working exclusively with JWP - in other words, you cannot represent more than one photography studio!

What will a JWP 2012 Senior Model receive?
•Senior Portrait Session - This session must be completed by August 20, 2011!!! We will meet in an agreed upon location depending on the look you want for your senior portraits. Downtown urban areas, grassy fields, parks, and nature centers are just some of the options available. Your parent/guardian is welcome to attend the session with you. You will be allowed up to three outfit changes during this session and 1 - 2 locations. You should plan to wear one casual outfit which captures your personality and one dressier outfit! The third outfit is totally up to you!
•10 low resolution, watermarked images from your photo session for use on Facebook, MySpace, etc...
•3 Mini accordian books from your session
•A spiral bound proof book of all your edited images from the photo session - please plan on showing this to your friends & family!
•50 Senior Model Represenative cards for passing out to your friends - these are basically like business cards that tell your friends to call me for their photo sessions!
•A feature blog post all about you on my website.
•The opportunity to earn rewards by referring others to Jill Ward Photography!

What are the rewards?
You will receive $15 cash or $20 product/print credit for every referral who books and pays for a session between Sept 1, 2011 and May 1, 2012. For every 15 seniors you refer, you will receive a $100 Visa Gift Card! Be sure the referred clients present one of your senior rep cards at the time of their session to ensure you get the credit!
There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make! Credits will only be issued when a referred senior’s session is complete and all fees are paid by the referred client.

What do I do after my portrait session?
Your portrait session will need to be completed by August 20, 2011. I will then send you a package with your rep cards, mini accordian albums, and proof book. When you return to school in the fall, simply show all of your friends your images from JWP! Pass out your rep cards and encourage your friends to book their senior session with me. Explain that they will receive a 15% discount on their session just for telling me they were referred by you! All referrals must book and pay for a session between Sept 1, 2011 and May 1, 2012.
I will keep track of all your referrals and will send you a monthly update detailing your rewards! All cash rewards will be paid out on a monthly basis on the 30th of each month. If you choose printing credits, you must redeem all credits no later than May 15, 2012. Your referrals do not have to be high school seniors. You may also refer clients for newborn, maternity, family sessions, etc...
For more referrals, be sure to post your watermarked images on Facebook and you can also post a link to the blog post written about you!

How do I sign up?
Simply complete the online appication AFTER YOU OBTAIN PARENT/GUARDIAN APPROVAL! I will choose 2 - 3 models from several schools no later than July 20, 2012!

Houston Newborn Photographer - {Andres + Pablo - 7 Day Old Twins}

2011-05-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of working with another set of newborn twin boys last week! And just like last time, it was amazing! Andres & Pablo were perfectly content posing for the camera and slept through the majority of the session. We took several breaks for nursing and changing - and their grandmother even made lunch for me! Mom & Dad, I hope you love your photos! I am looking forward to coming back in a few weeks to photograph the boys with their sweet sister, Camila!

Houston Baby Photographer - {First Birthday Cake Smash Session - James}

2011-05-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun working with little James! Here are a few of my favorite shots from his cake smash session! The adorable little lion cake was created by Suzanne Faubert, aka The Cake Fairy! Mom & Dad, I hope you enjoy these images of your sweet little guy!!

That last shot is a pull back from the set up - I just want you guys to see how far that cake was flung around the room!!! James had a great time smashing his cake...almost as much fun as I had photographing him!

Houston Baby Photographer - {James' First Birthday Photo Session Part 1}

2011-05-24T22:58:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to work with James last week to photograph his first birthday session! James recently received a few original Tonka trucks from a family friend and mom brought them along for our shoot! They were an awesome touch and they allowed me to capture James doing what he does best - exploring and learning through play! I am posting our outdoor shots today - check back later this week for a look at his cake smash session!

Houston Newborn Photographer - {Laila: 9 Days Old}

2011-05-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

Laila was a photographer's dream baby! She was super sweet, very relaxed, and slept...like a baby! Here are some sneak peeks for Mom & Dad! I hope you guys love them!!! Thanks so much for allowing me to capture your baby in her first days of life!!!

Houston Family Photographer - {Enrique + Karla}

2011-05-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of photographing a stunningly beautiful family of five. It was my first time to photograph more than four people at once and I was a little nervous about being able to capture quality images of each child. These three kiddos made my job so easy! I loved the fact that Mom & Dad preferred a photojournalistic approach (a.k.a - no poses and saying cheese) as it allowed me to capture each person as themselves and truly interacting with one another.
Karla & Enrique, your children are precious and the two of you are awesome parents! I wish you the best of luck in your new journey! Enjoy your sneak peeks!

Houston Newborn Photographer - {Parker + Peyton: 3 Week Old Twins}

2011-04-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've been busy editing photos from my session with Parker & Peyton. These little guys were so sweet and patient! Every time I open a new photo, I find myself smiling! I really enjoyed working with your boys, Mom & Dad! Here are a few more sneak peeks!

Houston Area Photographer - {Let's Talk Editing}

2011-04-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

What is your favorite part about Jill Ward Photography?
What is the most difficult aspect of your business?

These are questions I am asked time and again.
I love meeting new people, usually at very special times in their lives.
The special looks that are exchanged between a couple expecting a child.
The sparkle in the eye of a little birthday boy or girl.
The drooly laughter of a baby who has just reached a fabulous milestone.
Brand new babies, days after entering the world.

I love it.

The most difficult part of my job is editing the photos.
What you see in your online gallery, your proofs, my blog - these images are generally not exactly what I capture on the camera. Depending on the type of session I am shooting, I take approximately 300 - 500 photos! I have to whittle than number down to 20 - 30 for editing and presenting to clients. Once I've picked the best of the best, I start editing.

What does that mean?

Sometimes it is simply brightening a photo - bringing out the midtones, darkening blown out areas, lightening shadows. The basics. Other times, more work is needed.
I usually spend about 15 - 20 minutes on each picture - playing with different editing tools until I get the look I want to achieve.

Here is an example of an SOOC (straight out of camera - no editing) and a final product! As you can see, a lot of the background "noise" was deleted, tones were adjusted, and a few more tweaks to make the image come alive. All in all, I spend anywhere from 5 - 7 hours just editing a single session!
I hope that helps answer a few questions about what goes on behind the scenes at JWP! Have a great Easter weekend!

Houston Family Photographer - {Yogi's Sneak Peek}

2011-04-21T21:46:00.000-07:00

This sneak peek goes out to my new friend, Yogi!
He is the furry little guy in the back with the sweet smile and bright eyes! Yogi recently had two new members join his family and he couldn't be more proud! Congrats, Yogi!!! Let Mom & Dad know more sneak peeks of those precious boys will follow soon!!

Houston Maternity Photographer - {Michelle + Lamar}

2011-04-13T00:11:00.000-07:00

I had a great time photographing this awesome couple tonight! They are obviously in love and anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little girl!! Enjoy your sneak peeks, your online gallery will be available soon with more images!

Houston Area Product Photography - {Pinkie Twink}

2011-04-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

I was honored to photograph this gorgeous dress made by Sharon Hollingsworth, owner of PinkieTwink on Etsy. Sharon has been making dresses, skirts, and ruffle pants for my little Cammie for a couple of years now. I tell you from experience, all of her items are made with the utmost care and precise attention to detail. We love our PinkieTwink items!!! I believe this dress is a must have for hot Houston summers!!! Thanks for sharing your newest creaion with us, Sharon! I hope you love your photos!

Houston Family & Maternity Photographer - {Gaby + Jesus}

2011-04-12T07:19:00.003-07:00

I met with a beautiful family last week to document a very special time in their lives! This family of three will soon be welcoming twin boys into their hearts and home! I think Jesus & Gaby make an adorable couple - and Gaby has to be one of the most stunning pregnant women I've ever seen! She is seriously glowing! Their sweet little girl, soon to be a big sister, is just too cute for words!!! Her smiles and laughter are contageous and her little dimple is just too cute! Congrats Gaby & Jesus! Enjoy your sneak peeks and thanks so much for allowing me to be a part of this joyous occasion!

Houston Headshot Photographer - {Jackie}

2011-04-06T10:02:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to work with an adorable young woman this week who is preparing to audition for the Houston Texans Cheerleaders! She is such a sweetie and a pure natural in front of the camera! I wish you the best of luck, Jackie! I hope you enjoy your sneak peeks!

Houston Child Photographer - {Cameron's 4th Birthday}

2011-03-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

My little one turned four in January and it baffles me to think of how the years have flown by so quickly. I decided to do a quick photo shoot on her actual birthday. We took these photos in her room - the lighting was not the best, but it was spontaneous! Happy Birthday {again} sweet Cammie!

Think Pink - A Pink Panther Birthday Party Adventure

2011-01-31T21:58:00.000-08:00

My daughter is like her mom - she loves all things retro. Well, maybe not really. But she does love Pink Panther - which is about as retro as it gets! When she declared, several months ago, that she wanted a Pink Panther themed birthday party, I decided to get busy making her dream come true! As you may imagine, there are no Pink Panther party goods available. Nothing. So what's a mom to do? Look no further than Etsy & Ebay - and beg, barter, and plead with crafters around the world to Think Pink! I am forever indebted to all of these wonderful folks and wanted to share some of their amazing work and talent!!! Be sure to stop by the shops of these talented people! If they don't have exactly what you need, send them a message and I am sure they will be happy to work with you! That is exactly what I did with each and every one of them and I just could not be happier with the results!

First up...the outfit - and the birthday shoot! I found this super cute pink panther fabric on Ebay and ordered a couple of yards. My friend, Sharon created these adorable ruffle pants! She makes all kinds of adorable outfits for little ones! The matching birthday hat was made by my friend, Jen! She loves custom orders - so if you've got something in mind, send her a note! I made the appliqued birthday shirt. Although I am not selling many items these days, I still take a few custom orders!

I made these custom birthday invitations and had so much fun doing so! I borrowed the pink panther image from a google search and then made the paw prints and the 4 in Photoshop. The purple envelopes were from Target for less than a dollar! I LOVE the stickers on the envelopes! These were created by my favorite Etsy Party Shop - DesignerFavors. I sent her a few images I found on a Google search and she did the rest! She creates cupcake toppers, hang tags, stickers and more. Her designs are just adorable and she is so sweet and easy to work with!

Oh my goodness, look at those Hershey Kisses! My daughter LOVES kisses and I found the best seller on Ebay, Marla, who makes candy and water bottle labels! I sent her the images and she did the rest! The results were fabulous! My kids actually put the stickers on all the candy and water bottles! I spread them around the party area as decorations with a purpose! The gift bags are full of party favors. They are simple brown bags from Michaels with festive pink tissue paper. I used the stickers from DesignerFavors again to spruce up the bags!

We had a very small party and all of the attendees have been lifelong (or practically) friends of Cam's. I love these kiddos and decided they should all join in on bringing back Pink Panther!! Cam helped me create custom initial shirts for each of them using the fabric from her outfit. I also made these little pink kitty hair clips. I could not find anything remotely similar to the panther - so the cats had to stand in! The hang tags on the bags are by DesignerFavors.

Cam is a huge fan of Mexican food - just like the rest of her family! Our sweet neighbors taught me how to make 100% fresh and delicious salsa awhile back. It is a family fave at our house and we could seriously just drink it with a straw! Our other neighbors brought over a pot of barracho beans, a pot of black beans, pico de gallo, and more salsa! Cam's daddy worked hard grilling steak and chicken for our fajitas and Cam's grammy made cheese quesadillas for all the little ones! The food was so good, I almost cried. Thanks to everyone who helped!!!

Let's talk cake. OH MY GOODNESS.... I've written about The Cake Fairy here before. This woman, aka Suzanne, needs a medal. I told her several months ago that Cam wanted a pink panther party and asked her to start brainstorming on a cake idea. Once I made the invitations, I sent her one via email just to show her because I was so excited about how they turned out. She told me the cake would be a surprise...and man ... was it ever! She used the image from the invitation and created the most perfect cake any four year old could imagine!!! I LOVED it!! Cam was so excited when she saw it, she could hardly contain the giggles and squeals! The cake tasted absolutely delicious!! The little cupcakes were the perfect added touch and Suzanne created the little paw print discs to match the theme! LOVE! If you need a cake and you are near Houston - CALL SUZANNE!!!!

These are some fun shots from the bounce house! Our son, bottom right photo, was one of the best entertainers! A huge thanks to sweet Alex for getting out there and playing with these adoring fans! These girls chased that boy all over the yard and through the house and he really had them giggling like crazy!

Cam's Papaw was another great entertainer! Somehow, the story of the Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf came up among the kids while playing in the bounce house. My father-in-law remembered a gift set he had given Cam for Christmas and asked where it was. When he emerged from the house wearing a big bad wolf mask, the kids went crazy!!! Laughing and running and laughing some more! Way too funny - and I love all of these running shots!

No party is complete at our house without a pinata! We, of course, could not find anything resembling a pink panther - so we settled for this princess pinata! It was the most difficult pinata to break I have ever seen! After the kids all had turns, we called in the Big Bro to help release the candy!!!

....And that just about wraps up the fourth birthday celebration! Our poor puppy stayed right in this position throughout most of the party...pouting because she wanted to be a bigger part of the fun!!! Sweet pup! So...thanks for sharing Cam's party fun with us and be sure to check out the shops I've shared with you! I love supporting regular folks who are putting their talent out there for others to enjoy!! I will keep sharing names with you as I come across them!!! Also, I would like to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to my friends Dan & Lindsey! Without them, most of these photos would not exist! They were such a huge help photographing the party! Love those guys!!!!

IMAX Experience

2010-12-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

Are you an Mission Impossible fan? How about an IMAX fan?
I am a little embarrassed to admit that until last week, I had never seen a movie on an IMAX screen! I love MI films and was thrilled to have the opportunity to see Ghost Protocol on the HUGE screen! It was a pretty amazing experience!

Starting December 16th, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol began playing in over 300 IMAX theaters in North America, a full five days earlier than its traditional release. There were 30-minutes of scenes shot with IMAX cameras, ensuring enjoyment for fans who were able to view certain sequences of the movie in larger than life, full-screen proportions. As an added bonus, IMAX offered the first previews of the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, prior to Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.

Now that I've seen an IMAX movie, I will definitely be returning for more! Especially the intense, action-packed flicks! If you have not yet seen MI4, I suggest checking it out when you get a chance. If you have access to an IMAX theater, even better! You can find more information here! A special thanks to IMAX who provided me with tickets to see MI4, as well as information through MyBlogSpark.

Houston Family Photographyer - {Andy + Shelly}

2010-12-22T17:42:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful day...another beautiful family!
Thanks to Mom & Dad for letting me spend the day with you and your sweet girls!
Enjoy your sneak peeks!

Houston Family Photographer - {Terry + Marin}

2010-12-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

I worked with the sweetest family this weekend. We planned to meet at a great park with a fountain and a man made river - surprisingly, it was drained on the day of our shoot! We decided to meet at a nature center instead. It was a beautiful location; HOWEVER, it was hot (yes, in December), there were tons of mosquitos literally swarming us, and the tree pollen got to all of the adults within minutes! You would never know anyone was uncomfortable by looking at these photos - they remained poised and beautiful! A huge thanks to each of you for allowing me to spend the day with you - capturing a fleeting moment in time! I hope you enjoy your sneak peeks!

Houston Family Photographer - {Meli + Laila}

2010-12-07T10:33:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard a photographer say, "My camera just loved her!" and wonder what they meant? Well, take a look! I had an amazing time working with a beautiful momma and her sweet daughter tonight! My camera L O V E D both of them!!! Enjoy your sneak peek, Melissa! More will follow in the coming days!

Houston Children Photographer - {Kyle}

2010-10-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most photogenic kids ever - and his adorable mom! Kyle is almost nine years old and his personality is just as sweet as his photos! Thanks to Cheryl for letting me spend the afernoon with you and your son! I hope you love your sneak peek!

Houston Baby Photographer - {James: 6 Months Old}

2010-09-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

It's been a few months since I've seen this sweet little boy! He has grown so much since my last session when he was ten weeks old! Baby James is just getting cuter with age (if that is even possible) and he is FULL of personality! Thanks to Elizabeth & Jim for the chance to share in your joy for the day!!! Here is a sneak peek at his photos!

Houston Child Photographer {Micayla's Third Birthday}

2010-09-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

Sweet little Micayla was so much fun to work with! She completely relished the role of "model for the day!" She had so many fun expressions and her laughter was completely contageous! A huge thanks to Jennifer for allowing me to share the day with you and your precious daughter! I hope you love her photos!

Houston Child Photographer - {Cameron's Third Birthday}

2010-09-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

My daughter turned three... eight months ago.
I am so far behind on doing her third birthday photos!
I take tons of snapshots all the time - but I am not so great at organizing a "real" photo shoot for her. On top of that, she is not the most willing participant when it comes to modeling for MOM!
It was such a beautiful day today - so my husband and I took Cam out to a nature center and snapped some shots. We are going to another park this evening to finish the shoot! Here are a few of our faves from this morning!
We love you, Cameron!!!!!

A special thanks to all of the creative talent behind Cam's outfits!
Jackie made the crocheted hat and they are available at TotzHatz.
Jennifer made the 3rd birthday party hat and they are available at Sweet 'n Sassy Baby.
Sharon made the twirly zebra skirt and they are available at Pinkie Twink.
Dina made the tutu and they are available at Little Fortune Cookie.
Jill (thats me) made the 3'rd birthday shirts and they are available at Zingo Tots.

Houston Newborn Photographer - {Sofie: Two Weeks Old}

2010-08-31T23:06:00.000-07:00

I had the most amazing time photographing this little two week old wonder!
Sofie is such a sweet little girl!
Thanks to Larissa for letting me share the day with you and your sweetie!

Katy Child Photographer - {Abby + Wyatt}

2010-08-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

I had the best time photographing two absolutely adorable children tonight! They were so much fun and I loved their energy!
Here is a sneak preview of their session!
A huge thanks to Brandi for allowing me to spend time with your little ones & to Grammy Sharon for helping out!

Houston Headshot Photographer - {Cris}

2010-08-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

I love meeting creative & artistic people. ESPECIALLY when those creative people use their talents to help others in need. I was recently contacted by a children's author, Cris, who needed headshots for her website. I had the pleasure of meeting her, and several members of her family, on Tuesday. Cris is a beautiful person with a bright future ahead of her! I can't wait to read her new book which is set to release soon! I look forward to sharing more with you about her project in the near future!

Houston Child Photographer - {Layla: 3 Years Old}

2010-08-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

Girls just wanna have fun!
And Layla was no exception!
This sweet little munchkin grabbed my heart the second I saw her climb out of her mom's car! Look at how adorable she is!
This was my FOURTH scheduled shoot with Layla.
The three previous shoots were rained out.
Yes.
All three!
Shoot four was, sadly, no different! As soon as Layla's mom pulled up to meet me - rain began pouring all around!
We all decided to be brave and I shot a handful of photos under an awning in about three feet of space!
I know moms love to see their kiddos smiling in pictures - but sometimes, my favorite photos are the pouty shots. Little Layla has the pout perfected... and it is just too cute. (You'd pout too if you were all dressed up for your third birthday shoot and it started pouring!)
Layla soon warmed up - with water splashing all around her - and enjoyed her birthday cake and photo shoot!
Looks like we will be meeting again for a fifth try at this shoot in September! Can't wait to see you guys again!
{Tutu & headband by BuggyBooCreations
Birthday Shirt by Zingo Tots
Delicious Cake from The Cake Fairy}

Houston Baby Photographer - {James: Ten Weeks Old}

2010-08-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently had the most adorable baby boy.
Little James has the sweetest disposition. He was ten weeks old at the time of this session - extremely alert and laid back.
A huge thanks to Mom & Dad for allowing me to share time with your growing family! I am looking forward to working with you all again when James is older!!!

Blue October {Houston Concert at House of Blues}

2010-07-26T07:10:00.001-07:00

Lead singer, Justin Furstenfeld, and drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld, are from Houston! They attended HSPVA (High School for Performing & Visual Arts). This weekend, they were at the House of Blues! My awesome husband surprised my son & I with tickets to see them!
YAY!!!!

My son started listening to Blue October a few years ago and I found myself singing along every time he blasted their cd in the car. The band is great. I'm sure the majority of you are familiar with Blue October - but just in case, this is their most popular & most-played song on the radio. I will admit that many of their songs are quite dark - dealing with broken relationships, depression, etc...

My husband surprised me this weekend by presenting me with tickets to see Blue October at the House of Blues in Houston. We took our son to the show on Saturday and had a great time. I was surprised to hear so many HAPPY & upbeat songs. Usually I dont like going to concerts and hearing all the new stuff that I dont know...but this was a completely different experience!

Over the weekend, I spent some time researching the band and learned that the lead singer, Justin Furstenfeld now has a three year old daughter, Blue, who is greatly influencing his new music. I love this! My favorite song was called Blue Skies however, Jump Rope was a close second. Another thing I learned is that Furstenfeld has suffered from Bi-Polar Disorder most of his life and severe depression. He said he would like to get information out there and put a face to depression, so to speak, so that others will not feel so alone. You can see that interview here.

Bottom line is... Blue October is a great band with meaningful messages.

They put on a great performance.

I am purchasing their new cd this week!

I highly suggest you check them out!

Here are a few snapshots I was able to take with my phone!

Oh how I wish I had my camera with me!

Houston Product Photographer - {PinkieTwink}

2010-06-24T14:07:00.000-07:00

I've written about Sharon before.

Sharon ROCKS.
She is the owner/designer/artist of Pinkie Twink on Etsy.

Sharon has been making dresses and skirts for Cameron over the past year and I just can't get enough of her cute, cute, cute creations!
I recently asked her if she would make a pair of shorts out of lemon fabric - you see, we are planning a lemonade stand and you have to LOOK the part!
Sharon agreed to make the shorts...but then sent me a photo of a new dress she designed.
I fell in love.
"Forget the shorts!" I said.... I want a lemonade DRESS!

And here it is!
Sharon will be listing this dress in her shop soon - as well as others!
Be sure to check out her shop!

Houston Product Photographer - {The Cake Fairy}

2010-06-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

You remember when I wrote about The Cake Fairy a few weeks ago?
She has so many delicious and decadent cakes to chose from!

I am so excited because I will be sampling another one of her cakes on Friday!
It's my birthday gift to myself!
SoOoOoOoO excited!

The Cake Fairy is not only completely talented...she is also super sweet!
When she discovered our daughter was allergic to nuts and soy (which means she was not able to eat any of the cakes we purchased for our son's bday party) she did the most amazing thing!
She made CamCam a cake of her own!
And, boy, did she love it!
Thanks, Suzanne!!!!!

For those of you interested in ordering a smaller cake like this, The Cake Fairy is your gal!
These are called Lover's Cakes! They are great for sharing with the one you love and they come packaged in cute little red boxes!! You can find Suzanne's contact info & cake flavors by clicking the two links above!

{Head on over to Zingo Tots to read Health Tip Wednesday!}

Pure Decadence

2010-05-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

I had several emails from you asking for more information on the Cake Fairy cakes! I asked Suzanne for more details about her flavors just for you guys!
I am fighting the urge to order one of every flavor!!!!!
Check this out....

1. Classic German Chocolate Cake - chocolate cake, chocolate icing, with pecan/caramel/coconut topping and filling.
2. Classic Black Forrest Cake - chocolate cake with chocolate icing, crumb coated sides and raspberry filling and topping.
3. Almond/Blackberry -Yellow Cake layers with fresh blackberries in between the layers covered with white almond butter cream frosting and dusted with toasted almonds.
4. Lemon/Coconut -Yellow Cake with tart/sweet lemon zest butter cream topped with coconut or without.
5. Yellow Cake with chocolate frosting and dusted with toasted almonds.
6. Chocolate Cake with chocolate frosting and dusted toasted almonds.
7. Peach/Butter Cream -Yellow Cake with fresh peach slices sweetened with raspberry jam between the layers, covered with fresh peach butter cream and toasted almonds. (This cake is seasonal and will start up again when peaches come back!!)
8. Strawberry/Butter Cream Yellow Cake with fresh strawberries between the layers covered with fresh strawberry butter cream and toasted almonds.
9. Blackberry/Butter Cream - Yellow Cake with fresh blackberries between the layers covered with fresh blackberry butter cream and toasted almonds.
10. Red Velvet Cake - rich red velvet cake with old fashioned cream cheese icing trimmed with crushed pecans and red raspberries.
11. Carrot Cake - a decadent cake full of pineapple, raisins, craisins, walnuts and of course - carrots!!! It is covered with cream cheese icing and dusted on the sides with crushed walnuts and topped with nuts and red raspberries.
12. Chocolate Overload - This cake has chocolate everywhere its possible to put it. It had mini chips in the dark chocolate batter, it is filled with deep chocolate fudge and iced with dark chocolate fudge. The sides are coated with crushed chocolate and it is trimmed on the top with chocolate drops, pecans and red raspberries.

13. Vanilla Coconut - Yellow cake filled with coconut custard cream and covered with vanilla butter cream and covered in coconut. Garnished with berries.

14. Heath Chocolate - for all those toffee/Heath bar lovers. Rich chocolate cake coated with dark chocolate butter cream and coated with heath bar bits and garnished with crushed Heath bars.

If you are ready to place your order with the amazing Cake Fairy, send her an email at cakefairy2009@gmail.com and tell her Jill sent you!

The Cake Fairy

2010-05-24T13:26:00.000-07:00

My husband loves chocolate.
If desserts are served, and they are not chocolate, he will pass.
My palate is a little less particular...as I love sugar regardless the flavor.

Lately, he has been talking about The Cake Fairy.
A woman working in his office kindly makes cakes and leaves them in break rooms with notes saying, "Enjoy this cake - From The Cake Fairy!"
He has been enjoying all kinds of Cake Fairy cakes - even NON-chocolate cakes.

Our son celebrated his 14th birthday on Saturday.
As soon as party planning began, my husband INSISTED the cakes be made by The Cake Fairy.

All I can say is.... "Oh My Goodness!"
Words can not express the awesomeness of these cakes!

My son requested a vanilla coconut cake.
My husband added a German Chocolate to the order...just because.

Let me first say, these cakes are BEAUTIFUL.
I have never seen anything quite like them.
That coconut beauty {oh yeah...my fave flavor ever} is SO heavy that I decided to weigh it!
14.8 lbs
Yes...FOURTEEN pounds and eight ounces!
It is loaded with fresh berries and smells like Heaven.
It was absolutely fantastic!

The German Chocolate weighed in at 5 lbs.
We just cut into it.
I am speechless.
Deeee-licious.

I love The Cake Fairy.
I can not wait until my birthday next month!
My husband says he sampled a fabulous strawberry cake last week.
Strawberry...not chocolate!
I'm requesting that one for my special day!

If you live in Houston and need a cake ... I highly recommend The Cake Fairy!
She even ships if you don't live in Houston!
You can contact Suzanne via email - cakefairy2009@gmail.com - for a current list of flavors and prices.

Yum!

Etsy Artist Features - YourFriendAmy, TotzHatz, and SimplyBasicDesigns

2010-05-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

I love Etsy.
I look to Etsy anytime I need something.
Gifts.
Clothes.
Jewelry.
Candles.
Soap.
Hats.
Stickers.
Business cards.

Now that I've started my photography business, I am happy to report that I am still going to Etsy for my business needs!
First, I needed a watermark / logo for my photos I post online.
I posted an alchemy request and found my girl within a few hours.
YourFriendAmy sent a proof after reading my request. It was obvious she put time and true effort into the proof. It was exactly what I wanted - and she even used my blog colors. I saw it and instantly loved it. No revisions needed. Talk about an artist with the ability to read minds! YourFriendAmy offers Etsy shop sets, banners, collage sheets, invitations & announcements. If you are looking for a way to spruce up your shop, I highly recommend visiting her shop! Thanks Amy!!!

Next up....Jackie with TotzHatz.
I have featured her time and again because I love her work!
She creates ADORABLE hats for babies and children, as well as funky little flower clips.
My current favorite photo of my daughter is the one above.
She is sporting a TotzHatz visor hat AND a flower clip.
I purchased those items separately but at the last minute, clipped the flower on the hat.
I loved the look.
Jackie offers hats with flowers, hats with detachable flower clips, and the clips alone which work great in hair or on hats!
Here are a few of my current favorite items from her shop!

Last, but certainly not least, is SimplyBasicDesigns.
I found this awesome cradled egg prop and had to grab it.
I received it 2 days after I paid! Talk about speedy delivery.

The shop owner also gave me all kinds of advice and tips for props to use with newborns.
So sweet.
She has so many cute items in her shop! Egg props, cocoons, wraps, and more.
The babies I've photographed were too big for the egg ... but I was still able to incorporate it into one photo and love LOVE love the texture it added to the picture. You can see it lining the bowl under Baby Sawyer's head.

So...there you have it!
Three of my new fave Etsy sellers!
Show them some love.
Visit their shops.
Tell them Jill sent you!

New Orleans Recommendations

2010-05-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

I love New Orleans.
The first time I visited the infamous town was three short months before Hurricane Katrina.
I've wanted to return - and finally was able to visit again last weekend.

Here are some of my top recommendations should you visit the city!

1. Honey Island Swamp Tour - Honey Island Swamp is one of the least-altered river swamps in the country. It's pretty much in its original condition, almost a pristine wilderness. Take a personalized narrated nature tour into the 250-square-mile Honey Island Swamp. Nearly 70,000 acres of it is a permanently-protected wildlife area--the Nature Conservancy's First Louisiana Nature Preserve. You will come in contact with alligators, snakes, wild boars, jumping fish, dragonflies and more! The captains/guides are very knowledgable, kind, and entertaining. Although I am sure they are all fabulous, I'd suggest requesting Captain Bishop!

2. Muriel's - The epitome of decadence, opulence, and mystery that surrounds the French Quarter, coupled with the area's finest contemporary Creole cuisine. Experience a feast for the senses and enlightenment for your soul…Muriels Jackson Square. The food is delicious and the atmosphere isengaging. If you like a little spookiness - you will be delighted to know the place is HAUNTED! After enjoying your meal, you can head upstairs and relax in one of the two lounges. Who knows...you may be paid a visit by Mr. Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan {the resident ghost.}

3. French Quarter - Of course nobody goes to NOLA without strolling endlessly through the French Quarter. I love the history, the old buildings, the street performers, the excitement. For a great history lesson, I suggest taking the Haunted NOLA Tour which departs from Flanagan's Pub. The tour is not one that will frighten you...it is more of an educational/historical tour based on scientific evidence. Not wanting to ruin it for you...but my guide debunked all ghost stories and gave us cold hard facts. VERY interesting. Basically I walked away believing there are no ghosts or vampires in NOLA!

Houston Engagement Photographer - {Dan + Lindsey}

2010-05-02T19:49:00.001-07:00

I recently had the privilege of photographing an awesome couple - Dan & Lindsey. This pair never had engagement photos made before their destination wedding last year. They wanted to try to create some and I am so glad they did!
We tried an industrial looking location as well as a park where the Houston skyline can be seen in the background. I love how their outfits really stand out in these settings. Dan & Lindsey were so much fun to work with. In addition to being absolutely adorable, they were completely comfortable in front of the camera and so easy-going! Half the time, I dont think they were even aware I was with them!
Thanks for letting me capture a few moments with you, Dan & Lindsey!

Pricing

2009-01-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

The JWP Experience - $325
This fee covers your 1 - 2 hour session + a CD with a minimum of 25 high-resolution, fully edited images with a print release. This release allows you the opportunity to have prints, photo books, announcements, cards, etc... printed at any lab of your choice.

I have preferred vendors for prints and stationery and will share those with you at the time of your session.

**prices updated 01/29/11 and subject to change**

NEWBORN SESSION FAQ'S

2008-08-03T18:56:00.001-07:00

How do I schedule a session?
The best time to photograph newborns is between 5 - 10 days old. At this age, babies sleep more and don't mind curling up for adorable, sleepy poses.
Please book your newborn session as soon as possible. I will reserve a general timeframe for your shoot and you can call me as soon as baby arrives. We will then set an actual session date. If you are having a scheduled c-section, we can book your session in advance!

Where will we meet and how long should I expect the session to last?
While I am open to meeting you in a park, the best place to photograph the newest addition to your family is in the comfort of your own home. Please be open to photographing your newborn in any room in your home as I need to find a location with the best natural light. Don’t worry if things are not in perfect order - you've got a newborn!

Newborn sessions generally last up to three hours. We work at your newborn's pace and allow plenty of time for feeding, cuddling, changing & napping!

How should I prepare for the session?
Newborns prefer a warm environment - which means our work area should be around 75 degrees. Portable heaters are a great option if you are not interested in heating your entire home - especially in HOT, HOT Houston! About an hour before I arrive, please undress baby down to the diaper and keep him or her wrapped in a blanket. This will ensure there are no marks on the skin and your little one will be ready for the shoot. I always start newborn sessions by having mom feed baby as soon as I arrive. When newborns are warm and have full bellies, their sleepy shots are almost sure to be perfect!

What should baby wear?
For newborns sessions, a diaper cover is best! I have a few diaper covers for both boys and girls. Accessories such as beanies, coccoons, and blankets are ideal. I have a collection of newborn props which I will bring to your home.

Who will "pose" my baby?
I am so excited to be photographing your newborn and look forward to creating beautiful images which will help you remember this special time forever. During the session, I will pose your sleeping newborn using a gentle, delicate touch. I will use you as an assistant to make sure baby is safe and secure. Mom or Dad's loving hands are never more than a few inches away!!! Together, we will work to create wonderful portraits you and your family will cherish.

Where can I read more FAQ's?
For more information about scheduling a session with Jill Ward Photography, please click here.

Session FAQ's

2008-07-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

How do I schedule a session?
Contact me via email jill@jillwardphotography.com or call Jill at 281.902.7394.

How much does a session cost and what does the fee include?

The fee for a portrait session is $385. This fee covers your 1-2 hour session + a CD with a minimum of 25 high-resolution, fully edited images with a print release. This release allows you the opportunity to have prints, announcements, cards, canvas wraps, etc... printed at any lab of your choice.

Do I have to pay a deposit?

A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to schedule your session.

Accepted forms of payment are credit or debit through PayPal, cash, & check. A $25 fee will be assessed on any returned checks.

When and where do you photograph clients and how long does it take?

I am an on-location photographer working in Houston and the surrounding area. With the exception of newborn sessions, all of my work is done outdoors using natural light. If you have a favorite location – tell me about it! I am always looking for new places to shoot! Otherwise, we will meet in a park, urban location, or nature center.

I only work with natural light. The best lighting occurs during early morning hours and in the evening about an hour before sunset. Sessions typically last one to two hours. Newborn sessions take place in the comfort of your own home and can be scheduled anytime between 7am - 11:30am on Mondays or Wednesdays and usually take approximately three hours to complete.

What days of the week do you work?
I work Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings as well as Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Do you travel outside of Houston?
I currently schedule sessions in Houston, Stafford, and Sugar Land.

I am comfortable traveling up to thirty miles outside of the 77074 zip code; however there is a $15 travel fee for locations that are more than twenty miles away from my home base.

What should I wear?

Your outfit should be exactly what you want it to be! Let your personality shine through! Layers and textures are great as well as bright colors. Kids look great in hats, headbands, tutus - and anything else you can think of to help express their personality! If your child has a favorite accessory or toy, bring it along!! My hope is to capture the real YOU! I do suggest avoiding clothes with writing or distracting graphics.

When will I see my photos?

I’m all about instant gratification! I provide “sneak peeks” on my blog and on my Facebook Fan Page! Just check in here after your session and within a few days, you will catch a glimpse of your shoot!

Rescheduling

Because I am an on-location photographer, I am at the mercy of the weather! In the event of rain, I will contact you two hours prior to your scheduled shoot so we can discuss rescheduling. Sometimes, it rains all day and is beautiful in the evening – for that reason, I hate to cancel early in the morning due to weather. If the rain just won’t go away, we can work together to pick a new date for your shoot.

If you need to reschedule your session due to personal reasons, please do so at least 48 hours prior to your original session time.

CONTACT JILL WARD PHOTOGRAPHY

2008-07-28T11:22:00.000-07:00

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2008-07-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

Family is everything to me and I treasure every moment I spend with them.

Time is fleeting and it is my hope to capture your moments in time.
As a mom to a teen and a pre-schooler, I can tell you first-hand how quickly kids change.

Hold them close and photograph them often! And, by all means, be sure to be photographed WITH them!

Special thanks to Nichole Cortese Photogrphy {Redondo Beach, CA} for my own treasured family photo!