• studio3z photography {the blog}

    If you have landed here...bless your soul.  Welcome to our little tiny corner of the cyber world, based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Below you will see favorites from our sessions we do professionally, and also loads of personal nonsense that we hope at least will entertain you.  If nothing less, you can keep up on our adorable children.  Really, they are worth the trip back here time and time again in and of itself.

    My name is Jess.  My hubby is Brett.  We are crazy about each other, our 4 babies, and our art.  Welcome to our world.

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Monthly Archives: November 2008

happy day of thanks.

Across our country today most people are gathering around with friends and family, trying to remember the things for which we give thanks.  As my sister Ashley said in a comment on the post below, I have always made it a point to share what I am so thankful for and in return I force others to as well. :)  Like the year I showed up at my parents with a large tree branch and tons of little cut out leaves with pins on them…I had everyone fill out things that they were thankful for, and then pin it to the tree which we lovingly called “our thankful tree.”  (Or at least I did.) :)

We just got back this evening from my parents house where we had a ridiculously large and fattening dinner, and then we all sat around and talked for a while. Tomorrow Brett’s Mom, brother and his family are coming over for brunch and then I have my big “Friend’s Thanksgiving” at our house this Sunday, so today was just the beginning!! But I LOVE it.

Before we left today, I snagged a few shots of my babies.  In my life I feel so incredibly blessed.  These 4 little pint sized mini-Bretts and Jesses are reminders to me of God’s abundant grace, mercy, and love in my life.

Priya worked hard on her Indian headbands…she even made them for her and Adin’s Bitty Babies. :)

Ok, ok.  Looking at this photo made me realize something else that I am SOOOO THANKFUL FOR!!!!  DO you realize how horrible my kids are at sitting still and looking at the camera??!  I mean, literally I took photos for about 3 minutes, and as evidenced below, they were so done, they were DONE.  I remember sweating bullets with Priya as a baby at “Picture People.”  Heck NO!!  NO MORE.  My biggest inspiration for starting this business was realizing that photographing my little girl in her own natural environment and not making her stare into the camera produced the right results-her true personality.  This set up was a big reminder that I love doing what I do, and it is an absolute privilege to be invited to get to know someone through my lens.

This is what you get when you “SAY CHEEESSSE!!” :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!  I am going to go cuddle with my wonderful hubby and watch a movie. It has been a couple months since we have done that. :)

November 27, 2008 - 10:57 pm

rebecky - riah is so cute in the 3rd picture. Love the 3rd. Want a copy for my fridge.

November 28, 2008 - 12:33 am

holly rouse - i’m setting one of these as the background on my computer!!!!
the bitty baby twins!!!!

November 28, 2008 - 12:44 am

lucy - i love how gabey’s feather is virtually non-existent! LOVE IT! i am thankful for your uterus. those babies are precious to me. happy thanksgiving studio3z!

November 28, 2008 - 1:14 am

betsy - AWESOME! Your kids are so beautiful! I wish so much that we were neighbors. : )

November 28, 2008 - 1:50 pm

Ashie - I love my babies….they keep me forever thankful.

November 29, 2008 - 11:46 pm

“Silent Stalker” #1 - Jess, the look on your kids’ faces is priceless!!!

I wonder what I wrote and hung on that “our thankful tree” three years ago…. Good times…

Oh, before I forget, I am thankful for God’s daily blessings upon my family AND http://www.google.com.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving, guys!

November 30, 2008 - 9:39 am

Lauren Relojo - Hi Jess! It’s Lauren, Lucy cousin ;) Happy belated Thanksgiving! I LOVE your guys style of photography!!! Outta the photos above, the first one has to be my fave. What a great crafty theme. LOVE IT.

Oh, I used to work at Picture People and HATED IT! I always felt so bad for the lil kiddies coming in there…

December 1, 2008 - 4:05 pm

jason - these photos make me smile and miss all of you.

December 1, 2008 - 4:07 pm

Vickey - sooooooooo adorable.

December 1, 2008 - 11:54 pm

Adrienne - oh my goodness!! they are so precious! haha… what funny, cute, sweet, well-dressed children. :)

December 2, 2008 - 8:22 am

Ginelle Payne - These photo’s are BEAUTIFUL! Jason shared them with us… Old friends from college!!

bring on the tryptophan and other goodies…

Ok, if you are on Facebook then the tryptophan comment is old to you…but seriously, I am ready to chow on some turkey and fixins.  How about you?

First things first….We have had a couple people ask us about giving gift certificates to people for a photography session, and want to let you know that YES we do gift certificates!!  I have been working on some ideas and I wanted to share one with you.

Know someone who could use a photo session?  Here are some ideas: maternity session for your wife/friend/yourself, newborn session for a someone who will soon be a Mama, family session from the kids to their parents, “anytime” session for a couple, an anniversary session for your special someone, and the list goes on and on. Maybe you see this and YOU want a session!!  Then just send a “hint” on to someone in the form of a link to our blog!  :)

Plus…we are offering 10% OFF our session prices when you buy a gift certificate before midnight this Friday!  Just a little way we can say THANKS to all of you for your kind support.  So, technically  you could buy a session for yourself if you wanted to get ready for your spring session!  Feel free to pass our blog on to others who may be interested in our type of photography.

So back to T-day….what are you thankful for??  I really, really, REALLY, want to hear.  Give me at least one fun/frivolous thing you are thankful for, and one deep and heartfelt. :)I know I am a dork, but play along!!

Also, get ready for some cute Indians and Pilgrims coming your way!!!!

November 26, 2008 - 12:43 pm

holly rouse - oh my gosh, that is SO PERFECT.
sign me UP. newborn session GC, pleeeeease.

November 26, 2008 - 12:45 pm

holly rouse - PS: i am thankful for good books to cozy up with and for my mama’s good health.

November 26, 2008 - 2:06 pm

Heather - What a great idea Jess!

I am thankful for my internet connection :) And even more thankful for my happy and healthy family!

November 26, 2008 - 2:41 pm

esther - Purely Decadent Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice cream, seriously I’m their unpaid spokesman the stuff is awesome. Okay and now I’m truly thankful the Lord’s mercy and my beautiful family. Happy Thanksgivings to all the Z’s!

November 26, 2008 - 3:56 pm

Kelly (Daphne Photo Studio) - I am thankful for my space heater and on a more serious note, I’m thankful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

November 26, 2008 - 4:07 pm

jess@studio3z - I love hearing what people are thankful for. :) THANKS TO YOU GUYS for sharing. MORE PLEASE!!!

November 26, 2008 - 5:02 pm

Ramona - I am thankful for faith, health, strength, the miracle of a newborn and the blessings that each family member brings to our home. Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!

November 26, 2008 - 7:02 pm

Ashie - I am thankful that ever since I can remember you have always made me stop and think about what I am thankful for. I am also thankful for my facebook chats with you (is that frivolous or meaningful??)…haha. Love you.

November 26, 2008 - 7:34 pm

lucy - i am thankful for a reliable job, my family who is my compass…they are so hilarious and fun, it hurts that they don’t live closer, and my friends who keep life real, bearable and balanced…oh and for you and those babies who are my joy and (in)sanity when i feel overwhelmed and disheartened with this world. i love you guys.

November 26, 2008 - 10:16 pm

rebecky - Ooh my, I am thankful for my crazy family and that we are healthy and happy most of the time, they are the biggest blessing in my life. I am thankful for my 7 sisters, I love them as if blood. Last but not least- Coffee, pie and great photography. I Wish everyone a wonderful thanksgiving. Brett and Jess, you are wonderful friends to our family and I am always thankful for all your love and support. You are a great team and your kids are amazing.

November 27, 2008 - 12:48 am

gina - hmmm…have to say i’m thankful for being able to wake up each day to be here for my family and anyone else who might need me.
happy thanksgiving to all! ;) g

November 27, 2008 - 5:28 am

Alex - Smokin gift certificates!!!

I´ll send my parents a link to your site and hope they will get one for Sanne and me ;-)
Than we can have an >>anytime<<-shooting with you… maybe in March when we are im the US.

I´m thankful for having my lovely Sanne by my side! She lights up my life every time :-)
And also for the one who gave me the opportunity to be a photographer.

And we´re both thankful for the Caramel Frappucino at Starbucks ;)

Love from Germany
Alex

December 1, 2008 - 5:47 pm

Ellee - I’m thankful for crafty people (*like you) – those gorgeous gift certificates are fabulous!

December 3, 2008 - 6:54 pm

Maggie - I WANT ONE! Will they be ready to buy for Christmas this year?
The day is over but for what it’s worth, I’m thankful polka dots and for my sister Mandee.
YAY for being thankful!

sheldra + chris {in love}

I have known this gal since she was 5 years old.  She has been my little sister’s longest friend, and I have so many memories of the two of them sneaking in my room and going through my things.  I was about 12-16 when Sheldra was at our house a lot, and they have the funnest stories about them sneaking in and reading all my notes from boys, and looking through everything in my bedroom.  When I was younger I taught them how to “spy” and they in turn spied on me quite a bit the older I got.  Sheldra was always such a sweetie though, and has been the most loyal friend to my sister over the years.

Times have changed and now she is a young woman engaged to a wonderful man named Chris. They have dated for years, and will marry each other next August.  Unfortunately, we will not be doing their wedding photography:(  but I was thrilled that she wanted us to do their engagement session.  They said that their wedding will have a vintage, romantic feel, so they wanted to incorporate that theme into their engagement session.  We had a cooold, but pretty day to work with.

These two were incredibly laid back and with only one request….they wanted shots in front of 20th Century, which is an old Theater that is still used today.

Me likey.

Then we walked over to an area where the Ginkgo trees were the perfect color.

These trees were unbelievable!

Chris you are such a sweetheart.

Brett “gently” threw leaves on them…HA!  Some of you are quite familiar with Brett technique.

Goofing around by the firehouse.

Sheldra, you are so beautiful!!  And you look like your Mama. :)

I love the way you guys laugh together.:)

Oh, sweet LOVE.

Another FAV of mine.

This one caught my eye.

We had so much fun with this shoot and it was more like just hanging out with good friends.  Brett and I got a few shots of each other in action, and I figured I would share a few since I haven’t in awhile.  I know when I was a beginner photographer I loved seeing shots like this.  Hopefully someone out there enjoys these.

Brett HAS TO CLIMB at every session.  But I was so glad he did for this shot (see above).

Sheldra was talking the whole time about wanting to take our picture, so at the end of the night she turned the camera on us.:)  I made some really annoying silly faces, but I decided to spare you from those.

Sheldra and Chris, we had such a fun night with you two!  Thanks for having us do your photos, and we wish you all the best in the years to come.

Love~Jess and Brett

November 24, 2008 - 9:49 pm

Sheldra - AHHHHHHH I LOVE THEM!! ALL OF THEM!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH JESS AND BRETT!! YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!

November 24, 2008 - 10:18 pm

holly rouse - baba brett did NOT climb at my session with my mama ;)
GORGEOUSNESS.
ps: i think the pic of you and your hubby is super cute.

November 24, 2008 - 10:27 pm

brett@studio3z - hollllllly. i couldn’t climb b/c it was too wet and rainy that day, but you KNOW i wanted to. i did however get some funny looks climbing the steps and hanging over the rail in the tea room :-)

November 24, 2008 - 11:17 pm

lucy - what an adorable couple! love the colors, the urban setting, the big smiles…wonderful pics!

November 25, 2008 - 12:20 am

Ash - I LOVE THEM….AND I LOVE SHELDRA!!!! CAN I MARRY HER PLEASE?????

November 25, 2008 - 5:51 am

Alex - Wow… I like the theater location!!!
and also the shots of you in action…

Seems you have had a lot of fun.

best
alex

November 25, 2008 - 9:52 am

candice - i just love the work that comes from you two! my hubby and i shoot together as well…we’re uber competitive. i love my job…and it appears you guys do too!

happy thanksgiving!

November 25, 2008 - 9:53 am

candice - ….one more thing…when i say ‘uber competitive’…i mean b/w hubby & wife :)

November 25, 2008 - 11:43 am

julia - these two are adorable, and your work speaks for itself as usual. i hope our ‘brett “gently” tossing leaves’ photo looks that cool!! loves it!

November 25, 2008 - 8:01 pm

gina - very cool to see them up and so beautiful given that i saw you guys shooting them!!!! (still can’t believe that!)
my favorite is the one under the 20th century theater…you caught the best of both of them.
and, yes, we newbies love to see the ‘action!’ ;) g

November 26, 2008 - 1:03 am

sheldra’s mom - Wow!! Congratulations Sheldra and Chris for taking such beautiful pictures. Jessie, I never woulda thought from knowing as a little girl that you would groow up and take my daughter’s engagement pictures. You did a fantastic job!! By the way, your husband is a cutie.

November 28, 2008 - 1:16 pm

adam - first image is rad.
love the light…….love the shadow.

night out for music. {greg laswell}

Brett and I love the voice and lyrics of the amazing Greg Laswell.  If you don’t know who he is, chances are you will.  He is just that amazing.  We traveled to Indy along with my baby sister Ashley last night to see him live for the first time. Brett’s brother Jason who lives in LA is great friends with Greg and his guitarist Brandon, so we we were so happy to get to know friends who are meaningful to Jay.

Our absolute favorite song by Greg is “Embrace Me,” and I have mentioned it on here before, but here is a video to another fav of mine.  You need to hear his voice before looking though the photos to really understand them. :)



The room was odd and narrow, but the people were so happy to see him.

I love this shot.

It was so narrow that it was nearly impossible to get a good full stage shot, so I put these two photos side by side.

Brett and Ashie. :)

After the set Greg went around mingling with fans, and then we all hung out for a little bit.  We warned him we like to take pictures.  He didn’t mind.

Trying to get us all.

Greg said he wanted “cute” shots.  Here is Ash doing her, “Greg Laswell -is-nuzzling-me-but-I-could-care -less-face.”  :)  Did I mention my sister is an actress?

He wasn’t hip on all this cold weather….we agree.

This was supposed to be a goofy shot, apparently I am the only one that got that memo.

I said something funny right before this shot.

Um yes.  There is a reason I stay BEHIND the camera.

good times, good times.  Great to meet you Greg and Brandon! Give a big hug to Jay from us.

November 21, 2008 - 6:04 pm

wrecklessgirl - yes. score. i am the first to comment on my favorite post on your blog :)

you rock and roll, sister. thanks for the email-heads-up.
so does greg, like in an amazing way.

i enjoyed your hilarious pictures.

and, ahem, your sister looks like amy seeley. another amazing musical gem. craziness.

loves <3k.

November 21, 2008 - 6:04 pm

wrecklessgirl - oh, last thing.

men+beards= <3<3<3

November 21, 2008 - 6:09 pm

jason - these photos have me in tears of joy.

November 21, 2008 - 6:39 pm

Raymond Texel - I’m in tears ’cause Jason is in tears. Why isn’t Greg in tears???

November 21, 2008 - 7:27 pm

Myriam Santos - WOW! Amazing images, truly.

November 22, 2008 - 12:12 am

armand - really great images, you guys!
i like turtles.

November 22, 2008 - 2:05 am

gina - first of all, luv his music!
what a great time you all obviously had…
7 and 13 are out of this world!

November 22, 2008 - 2:11 am

holly rouse - ahhhhhhhhh how awesome
you are awesome, he is awesome, everything is awesome

November 22, 2008 - 4:57 pm

holly rouse - my mama and i want to gift our friends with a studio3z newborn session. they’re are having their first baby in Feb–a girl. Could we give them some sort of gift certificate type thing for christmas?

November 23, 2008 - 2:23 am

GregLaswell - i don’t remember having any fun that night…… brandon and i hated it. good pics though.
xoxoxo

November 23, 2008 - 2:27 am

GregLaswell - ps can i get them ALL?

November 25, 2008 - 5:48 am

Alex - Nice sound – and the video is cool!

Hey Jess, you and your sister look like twins!!!

best
alex

November 25, 2008 - 1:48 pm

shannon selim - i love ashmo… her and greg look a little cozy… hehe. sweet shots.

from your biggest fan! ;)

May 15, 2009 - 11:53 am

miscellaneous monday {i meant friday} » studio3z photography - [...] watch the show (withhold stone throwing please), but I hear that one of my favorite singer’s {Greg Laswell} wrote a new single for the show, and it debuted last night!  Did you hear [...]

July 31, 2009 - 9:09 pm

greg laswell {music} » studio3z photography - [...] friend Greg Laswell has been featured here on the blog.  You may remember our photos of his show last fall, or us mentioning that his song was on our new Senior website.  We were happy that his latest tour [...]