A creative and inspirational blog dedicated to busy and burnt out creative entrepreneurs.
The Element Blog
The digital age has by far changed the way we view, connect, and interact with the world. It allows so many amazing things to happen. You can reconnect with long distance friends and family. Stay up-to-date on social media outlets and do anything and everything without ever actually having to leave your home (or you can take it with you).
Its really interesting how you can stay up on the latest news on someones life, without them ever telling you personally. However, one thing that we can all agree on is we love the ability to see each others photos. We immediately can view our friends vacation photos, our cousins new baby, and your college roommates wedding photos all online.
With technology moving so fast at rates we can’t afford to keep up with, it is really hard to know where the digital world is going. So is Facebook the one and only outlet you want your friends and family to have access to YOU? I came across something last week on the world wide web and it was a photo of a floppy disk. I am imaging most of you reading this blog, remembers using floppy disks? Did you ever think back then that there could ever be another way to move and transfer your files? Probably not. Then came the CD/DVD. You could move your files the same way, but smaller and more capabilities such as the ability to hold music and more data. Then came the flash/jump drive, where we could even hold more data than before!! In case you haven’t noticed. We don’t use floppy disk or CD’s to transfer date anymore and even USB drives are being outdated by the new USB 3. It will only be a matter of time before we don’t use flash drives anymore, we are already heading in that direction with Dropbox and PASS (which we are currently using to deliver most of your fabulous photos).
So here is a challenging thought? What if this was the only way to view your grandparents wedding Photos?
It would be really hard to look at the their photos. You could only hope they printed a couple photos, otherwise you would never know what they looked like on their wedding day because none of us have a computer that still works from 20 years ago. So my questions to you is, how do you want your children and grandchildren to be able to view your photos? Remember, technology is quickly advancing. Facebook + DVD’s are great to view pictures, but they might not always be around. So the thing we encourage our bride and grooms to best show their fabulous selves and wedding photos is in one of our awesome KISS Wedding books!
Barista: “Would you like a tall, grande, or venti?” Cory: “Make that a grande, americano with cream and 3 raw sugars.” That is the way Cory likes his coffee. Of course he likes coffee almost anyway, yet at the same time he’s very particular; as he ought to be. Coffee plays a very important part in our lives. Because of it, I met Cory.
You see, Cory used to own a coffee shop in Terre Haute, IN just across from Indiana State University, The Coffee Break. He also owned a music venue called Sharky’s that held concerts in the shop. Little did I know that when I ordered coffee from here, I was meeting my future husband. He also allowed the college ministry we were involved in meet for church Sunday nights there. So it was fitting that through his coffee shop and mutual friends that we met, and that our first “unofficial” date took place at Starbucks. (you can ask about the “official” part later) Clearly, coffee was meant to be a staple in our home.
Now, here we are in Las Vegas for Showit United/WPPI (a convention for portrait/wedding photographers). Cory, along with Zach Gray from Zach & Jody are going to be teaching different brewing methods for making coffee, and Zach is going to be showing off his amazing latte art on his sweet espresso machine. So if you are here in Vegas, join the other showiteers for some amazing coffee and lattes and learn from the coffee snobs pros!
Above: That is a picture of Cory’s coffee roaster. He would roast his own coffee beans on Saturdays.
Cory with his friend Aaron. (They both look so different now)
Here is a concert in the back of the coffee shop. I’m pretty sure Sharky’s broke fire code more than a few times!
Here are the times that Cory and Zach are going to teaching their amazing coffee skills and a chance to try some amazing coffee!!! Plus, we are giving away a sweet gift! (hint: It may make the best coffee you’ve ever tasted)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Hi, My name is Jackie and I am a Pinterest Addict. Whew, ok I have said it and confessed it. So, I absolutely LOVE Pinterest. I have played house invariably 20 different ways. I have a wardrobe that is absolutely amazing. You can go ahead and vote me as the “best dressed.” Thankyouverymuch! Oh, did I mention I have bucket listed and visited in my head all the wonderful places I hope to see before I go?
I will admit that I didn’t get Pinterest at first. The concept seemed a little more complicated than I thought and to be honest I neglected going on it. Now that I have figured out how to Pin and create Boards (which are like inspiration cork boards, but digital). I find myself constantly looking for new outfit ideas, recipes to cook, and different ways to decorate my current home and (dream home)!
I, of course, love all things wedding related. Now that I have been in the wedding industry for a little over 3 years. I find myself wanting to get married all over again! (To Cory of course!) I love all the details that go into a wedding and love that moment I walk into the bride’s room and seeing her dress for the first time. Oh, how I wish Pinterest was around to help me sort through all the wedding ideas I had and hadn’t even thought of as a bride. Plus, I never really did find The Knot that helpful.
So I have created a Pinterest Board for Brides ( & Grooms) for inspiration on their wedding. Of course I would love for you to follow me on Pinterest even if you are not a bride.
You can follow me here: http://pinterest.com/jackie316/
So let me start by saying we don’t normally do family photoshoots. We actually only shoot weddings and engagements. However, we felt really compelled to make an exception. Here is a little background. We met Brian and Mindy Stansfield a couple years ago through our church. They were a family of 3 at the time and had a sweet little girl named Charlotte. Earlier this year their family grew from 3 to 5! They welcomed twins, Philip and Reese. We heard the news that one of their twins, Reese had a brain tumor and she had brain cancer. They have been keeping family and friends updated on Reese’s health through Facebook. Brian and Mindy have kept an unwavering faith and hope as they go through this tough time in their family. It has been an encouragement to see them share this difficult trial in Reese’s life and their own. They could choose to be bitter at God and be depressed in their circumstances. But they are not. Every update is about Reese’s health, specific prayers, and even how the Lord is STILL good in this situation. I know I would personally find it hard to not be angry and have a hard heart towards God. But because they are strong in their faith, it is clear to see that they are trusting God with Reese.
I am so encouraged by this family. I am encouraged and reminded that God is still good regardless of life’s uncertainty and trials. God is still God no matter what and all things from God are good. I am encouraged by Reese. When we took her photos, she was so well behaved. She doesn’t feel good from Chemo and is weak. However, she rarely fussed and had this amazing capability to soothe herself and find comfort. I think we can all learn from the Stansfields in this situation.
So to recap why we did this photoshoot, is because we are reminded that we have the gift of photography and we wanted to capture this sweet family during a time when photos are probably the most cherished. To share this story of Reese. To also grow the army of prayer warriors for sweet Reese. So if you could please pray for Reese. Pray that God would heal her and remove the brain cancer. That she would not be in pain or have difficulty from Chemo treatments. Would you pray for the Stansfields and that they would have the strength and hope to get through this. Pray for Charlotte and Philip for I am sure they don’t fully understand the situation.
Philip loves his sweet twin sister!
Charlotte has tons of spunk! She definitely loves to play and have fun!!
I LOVE this picture of Charlotte!
How can you not love this sweet little girl? Reese is probably one of the cutest little girls I know! Look at that smile! love it!
That is one good looking family!! I hope our kids turn out looking that cute! -J
Brian and Mindy, thank you for letting us capture your family during this time in your life. Cory and I are truly encouraged by your family. We are so thankful that you have allowed us to come along side you for Team Reese!!
I love the way Drew looks at Claire. It is truly endearing and sweet. Claire is genuine and sweet and absolutely beautiful. You know the type of girl everyone wants to be friends with. So needless to say Cory & I have loved getting to know these two. Their wedding was beautiful, not just aesthetically. It was beautiful because of who they are. Their wedding ceremony showed their love for Christ and we have no doubt in our mind that because of their relationship with Jesus and each other, their relationship will be just as sweet, genuine, and beautiful as they are. Congratulations you two!
Stunning.
This bible has been passed down through many generations in Drew’s family. Each wedding in Drew’s family has carried it down through the generations. How sweet is that? One day their kids will get to carry it through their wedding. What a sweet picture of the foundation for the family and marriages.
The candy bar was really for Drew. He loves candy and therefore I think we will make great friends!
It is so sweet how he looks at Claire. Makes me melt! ( I know, I am such a sap)
