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Spring sunshine + energy = SUCCESS | Missoula MT Portrait Photography

Monday, March 26th, 2012

Yesterday afternoon it was over 60 degrees. I can’t tell you how happy this makes me! I don’t believe in having spring or fall. If it were possible I’d love for us to go from winter, snow and below freezing temperatures right to 70 degrees and sunshine. Winter right to summer and summer right to winter. Then in my mind both seasons would be longer which gives me even more happiness. Too bad it isn’t really like that! Saturday we hit the slopes with some friends. Such a fun time. SO sad next weekend is my last weekend of running to the mountain Yesterday we had to stay home for my mother-in-laws birthday dinner. It was so nice out and I had a child with more energy than even she knew what to do with it. Like seriously, I don’t know anyone who can keep up with her. So I just threw out ‘HEY! Wanna go take some photos?!” Oddly enough she said yes!

If you don’t know my child… not only is she extremely energetic, slightly ADD, but she also is EXTREMELY hard to photograph. I swear the girl purposely gives you nothing to work with, only for you to decide well I’ll take what I can get and as soon as she hears the click she gives the most authentic grin and Cattie face for 2 milliseconds. Oh and nor does she listen with a camera around. Whatever you tell her to do she either does it the hardest way possible or the exact opposite. So yesterday after attempting to make somethings work and failing I decided to psych her out a little bit. Keep giving direction, roll around with her and not stop shooting haha. And let me tell ya out of the MANY photos I took. There are a handful of images that perfectly represent her. SUCCESS!

I’m super stoked cause I recently started offering Plywerk products. For sure one of these images is going to find a new home on my walls mounted by Plywerk. And then I get to share it with you!!!!!! So after all of that jabber. I’m gonna brag and share Cattie. And, yes, it’s possible I might dress her in clothes I would wear if they came in my size.

I think this might be the one going up in our house!

HAPPY MONDAY!

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What are you thankful for?

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

I love Halloween only because it’s fun for my daughter, haha. I’m not big on Halloween and never have been. I get so excited for it to be over so the real holidays can begin! And now the countdown to Christmas decor is on! This time of the year is my ultimate favorite. Family gatherings. Counting my blessings. Leggings and slippers. Snow. Which means family trips to the mountain to ski and snowboard. Large sweaters. Baking. Shopping. Giving. Egg nog. Crafts. Fall & winter scents. Lots of hockey. This list can go on and on.

Right now we have some family in town. Last week all of my husbands siblings were in town. I have been in this family for almost 4.5 years and this was the first time ever that all of his siblings were in one place. So we had an early, early Thanksgiving. We also had to do some family photos. It was so nice to actually pick up my camera and take some more fam photos again. I spend so much time photographing others that I don’t stop for a minute and photograph my own family. I capture moments for others to cherish but fail to capture my own moments to cherish. My daughter Cattie and her cousin are the same age and have always grown up together. It was so nice to photograph them being them. Photos we can share decades from now. I know I’m slightly biased…. but really, they are the cutest kids on the planet.

And each year we do a quick photo of my my brother and sister in law and their son for their Christmas card. In past years it’s been everything we can do to get Kaden to look AT the camera, AND make sure mom and dad looked too! This year was hilarious. Instead, this year, Kaden put on a show while mom and dad just tried to smile. I love him dearly. I think they have quite the selection to choose from this year rather than maybe 1 in the past haha.

As November starts I encourage all of you to share each day what you are thankful for Today I am thankful for family. They are more than I could have ever asked for Love them all dearly.

Happy Wednesday!

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Hyde Family | Missoula MT Family Portrait Photography

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

A year and a half ago this family’s name was known in probably every home in our city. Their names and their story quickly spread across the country and the world. Kalli and Mike are some of the best parents I have ever had the pleasure meeting. Their oldest son, Colten, is a gem and I’m certain he is the best big brother any little boy could ask for. Their youngest son, Cashy, is 3 years old and is battling cancer.

When Cashy was just 20 months old they found a Stage 4 brain tumor and he was life flighted to Salt Lake for surgery. Unfortunately the tumor had grown around his optic nerve so they were unable to remove it entirely. He was diagnosed with a PNET brain tumor which is a very aggressive type of cancer with a very high fatality rate. They started him on chemo. Because of the pressure the tumor was putting on the optic nerve he lost eyesight for a while. He is truly a miracle child. He regained vision and survived through seizures, blood infections, septic shock, 4 code blues, a stroke, pulmonary hemorrhaging, 45 days on life support in a sedated coma, and beat cancer. At the age of 2 folks.

Over the last few months I have had the pleasure of watching Cashy be a normal cancer free child. I have watched him grow this beautiful little friendship with my nephew. I have seen one of the strongest families show me how to love my family more. How to be thankful for simple things in life. How to cherish friends and family. And what the power of prayer really can do.

A few weeks ago they went in for a check up and the tumor has reoccurred. Chemo is not an option this time around. They came home for a few days and I had the opportunity to photograph them quickly before they left town again to prep for radiation. Cashy really wasn’t feeling the camera on Saturday, and that’s ok! We worked what he gave us and I am SO blessed! Thank you Mike & Kalli for giving me the time to spend with you even if it wasn’t long. You are AMAZING!

Before I share a few images please take the time to show them some love and hit up the Cash Hyde Foundation facepage. They have built a great foundation to help families battling pediatric cancer. With the trials in their own lives they still find the time and have the desire to help others. Simply amazing.

Update – Cashy beat cancer again!! And once more it came back. On the evening of November 14th, 2012 Cashy beat cancer for good and went Home to the good Lord! Please keep his parent, brother and baby sister in your thoughts and prayers as they desperately need all of the love, support and comfort we can offer them. Thank you Cashy for showing us what it means to really fight for something, and for showing us that miracles really do happen!

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Grensten Family | Missoula MT Family Portrait Photography

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Saturday I did a few family mini-sessions and honestly they were way more fun than I was even hoping. I credit it to starting with such an amazing and fun family! We met at this fun little place near downtown. And we were so lucky! It was supposed to rain but it didn’t and at times we were even blessed with a little sunlight. Bobi & Jason have 3 of the cutest kids EVER! And they were SO much fun. I could photograph them all day! It’s amazing how many photos we can take in 30 minutes with 3 children wandering through this little nature park. I’m so excited to share these. I just love them so much!

I mean SERIOUSLY!!!! Look at these cute little faces!

Kids and fallen Fall leaves go together like peanut butter and jelly.

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Family Photos – Before & After

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Since family photo mini-sessions are happening this weekend and in December I thought it might be fun to show a family before and after. This is one of my favorites from last year. Just a classic, cute, simple family photo When I looked up the stats for this photo I was shaking my head at my stats, haha. We had just been inside so that is probably why my ISO is so high. No need for it outside and with a shutter speed that high. But I had only been in business for just over 3 months and although I would do it a little bit different now, it turned out fine and I still love it!

There are still some openings for family sessions this Saturday and on December 3rd. Contact me if you are interested. $40 from your session will go to the Cash Hyde Foundation!

Happy Wednesday!

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Giving Back through Holiday Photos!

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Last year our lives were changed, those of us in this city, and thousands around the world. A young boy needed our support as he was battling cancer. He is a miracle child and beat cancer once! It was just over a month ago that watched him run and play like a normal little boy at my nephew’s birthday party. You’d never guess the journey he’s already had at the age of 3. This last week he went in for a check up and sadly the brain tumor has reoccurred. His treatment options are very limited at this moment. His family is taking a couple of weeks to try a holistic approach. If the tumor continues to grow then they will be looking at radiation treatment. This family has been through so much. And they are in need of our help again!

I have 2 days this year that I am having mini-sessions for family portraits, this next Saturday, October 22nd and December 3rd. The sessions are 30 minutes, and include 20 images, for $85. There are 13 sessions still available, 8 on the 22nd and 5 on Decemeber 3rd.

Starting now, any session booked I will donate $40 to the Cash Hyde Foundation to support Cashy, his family, and their pediatric cancer foundation!

This is your opportunity to get your family photos before the holidays and give back to those in need! If you are interested in getting family photos and helping out this little boy and his family email me jacilyn@jacilynm.com or click on the contact button at the end of the page! I would love to spend time with you and your family, photographing moments for you to cherish and giving back to those in need! If all 13 sessions are booked that would be over $500 to the foundation! So please, share with your friends!

(photo credit: Cashy Prayer Group Page)

Also make sure you head over to the foundations Facebook Page and like them!

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Wait, whaaaaat is happening with family portraits?

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

Recently I made an announcement regarding family and children portraits. I’ve come to realize through conversations with others that people were very confused by this and I want to clear it up! I have heard a few different versions of how people interpreted what was happening. Not just from clients, but also from friends, and even family. Some read it as I don’t do, nor will I ever, do family portraits again. Some even understood it as I’m not doing portraits at all anymore JUST weddings. Neither of these is true and I realize I definitely need to clarify!

I started my business just over a year ago and through this first year I photographed anything that anyone would let me photograph. Over that time I’ve come to realize where my strengths lie. Photography is much different than the corporate world in that large businesses look at where they are weak and how they can make that better, focusing on that. As a photographer I look at my strengths and build on how I can make them even better. So I sat down and looked at what I’m good at, how I can continue doing it and where I ultimately want to take my business this year. In that time I found that my strengths lie with weddings, couples, seniors, fashion, and helping other photographers. Because of this I have started some larger projects that I’m very excited about. But because I’m taking on larger projects, I have less time for other things. I don’t hate family photos, or children, or newborn. I’m just stronger somewhere else in my field. I have MANY clients that I have done family photos for and they have mentioned how much they want me to continue doing them. I LOVE that. And, I’m open to that. So my final decision has been made that I will not take on family or any children photos throughout the year at any time. INSTEAD twice a year I will offer mini-sessions. Mini sessions are just as session that is shorter than a regular session, therefore a few less images, and most definitely a great bang for your buck. This way I can still spend some time with families, yet devote most of time to these larger projects I dream of.

I understand this might be slightly confusing as yesterday I posted a family session. This one had been planned out prior to my changes. But also the husband/father is in the military and currently deployed to Afghanistan. His leave schedule didn’t correspond with my mini-session dates. I have a big heart for military and would NEVER say sorry only on a mini-session days if in this situation. So while he was home I gladly photographed their family. SO if you are someone who wants family photos with a situation similar to theirs but mini-session dates do not work please do not hesitate to ask!

Right now I have 2 days before the end of the year for family photos. It’s the perfect chance to get in photos for those holiday cards! You have the choice of no snow (hopefully no rain) October 22nd, or hopefully snow on December 3rd. There are limited sessions and they have already started to book so if interested contact me right away to block your space! These sessions are 30 minutes. Just enough time to get some photos of the whole family, some photos of the kids together, individual and even sneak in a few of just mom & dad at the end! Then you will receive 20 digital images that you can download to your own computer, cell phone, share with family and friends, etc. You can even have them printed yourself, or order your prints through me and receive a 20% discount on print prices!

I hope that is of some clarification. Family and children will have 2 designated days per year, and a limited availability. Through out the year I will still be accepting weddings, couple sessions, senior portraits, and fashion shoots!

Cheers!

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Waggoner Family | Missoula Montana Family Photography

Wednesday, October 5th, 2011

At the beginning of this week my friend Hannah and her family came to town. I have known Hannah for quite some time now. We went to high school together. Which happened to be at a boarding school type of place so we even lived together, and graduated together. After high school we remained very close to one another. Then we got married, had children, and through all of this we’ve still remained close friends. Her husband, Marcus, is in the Army and a few years back they moved to Alaska. Which is actually pretty far away from one another! A couple years ago, Hannah came to visit for a week by herself with the kids, then just Audrey and Gunnar. And finally this week we got to see each other again. This time Marcus was on leave from Afghanistan so he was able to come along as well!! This meant family photos were in order before Marcus leaves for Afghanistan again in a few days. And all 3 kids were present, so it was a MUST. Yesterday morning we met up to take photos just before they left town and it was raining. We ended up dodging rain and running in and out of trees, only to still get entirely wet, but that is OKAY! I had so much fun with them. I hope we see each other again soon, and not 2 years from now!

Gunnar was ALL about photos of himself. Family photos, not so much. So we tried this and snapped really fast before he realized this was a family photo, haha.

I had to include this next photo on the left. I am that mom that really enjoys funny photos of my children. And this one makes me laugh every time I look at it. Remember now, Gunnar is not for family photos. I was just about to lose him (we were only a few seconds into this and he realized what was happening). I just started yelling, AHHHHHHH. He thought this was awesome and started yelling himself. Luckily, Gunnar looks like he has a huge smile while yelling and the next photo turned out perfect

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New Directions!

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

I’m sooooo excited where my business is going. And it’s definitely taking a new direction. I am a dreamer. The type of person that lays awake at night dreaming of all kinds of places I could be, things I could do, just only if…. The dreams you don’t ever imagine coming true. Things you “can only dream of.” That’s who I am.

Recently I told some of my dear friends one of my dreams. Something I’d love to do (that involved my business) and how amazing it would be if only I could do it. Their response to me was…. “Well, do it!” I realized I often spend too much time dreaming and not enough time putting effort into these dreams and taking steps toward them to make them goals rather than dreams. So I took a risk made some contacts and I’m excited to say that it’s happening. You’ll have to wait to find out what exactly I’m up to, but I’m excited to make this turn in a new direction and live out a dream.

With that I have to make some changes. Starting now I am only booking weddings and senior portrait sessions. I am no longer accepting family or children sessions throughout the year. AH! ALTHOUGH!!!! I will be doing 2 family mini-sessions each year in the fall and winter for the holidays. I know the holidays are a time when everyone needs a new family photo for those great Christmas cards so I’ll be offering the mini-sessions which may be more bang for your buck!

This years 2 mini-sessions will be held October 22nd and December 3rd. I wanted to give everyone the option of snow or no snow images The mini-session will last 30 minutes and includes 20 images available for you to download to your computer, smartphone, share with family and friends, share on Facebook, etc. And along with that you get a discount of 20% of prints if you are in need of that photo printed and in your hand, cards, or even framed on the wall! The openings for each day are VERY limited. December will have even less openings than October as we move a bit slower when it’s colder out! So if you are interested in booking a mini-session I encourage you do so right away as there aren’t many available! Even better, the session only costs $85!!!!! Interested? Contact me!

Can you believe we’re already talking about the holidays?! Can’t believe September snuck up on us! Keep checking back as I will continue to share more about my new direction If you’re like me and a dreamer, I challenge you to stop dreaming and make it a reality Just try it!

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Boulter Family | Missoula Family Photographer

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Photography is AMAZING! Back in July photography reunited me with an old friend. Mike and I used to work together. I hadn’t seen him in years. One day I received an awesome message from his wife that they were coming to town and wanted photos! Yes please! I had so much fun seeing Mike again and meeting all of the lovely ladies in his life. Here are a few images from their morning session

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