I'm Jodi, and I try to celebrate life each and every day as a military wife, mom to three, and full time photographer.
Jodi Hattery Photography
November 15 +
November 1 - 15th
October 16 +
October 1-15th
September 15th +
September 1-15th
August 15th +
August 1st-15th
July 15th +
July 1st-15th
June 15th +
June 1st - 15th
May 15 +
May 1st -15
From what I'm told, in it's glory days this was one fabulous building. It's so sad now to look through it... but not so sad I didn't want to go for a fun photo day. No please be warned - my comfort zone is photographing people. This was a new experience for me. A lot easier than expected thanks to a tripod and slow shutter speeds. Nothing moved on me, blinked, yawned, etc. The lighting was delicious, though tomorrow without the overcast I could even drop my ISO even further. Anyway... here are some shots I got from today.
Perhaps my favorite pic of the day. An old bench with a red quilted cover.
This looks like a scene set at a torture chamber of some horror flick to me... but there use to be centers where employees would be sewing.
Another favorite for me from the day. A lone lamp, broken long ago, peeks into the darkness.
Family Session November 29th
If you're still contemplating getting family shots this year, there's plenty of time left! Just so long as you get your pictures taken before December 10th I can have them to you by Christmas if you're looking for holiday gifts. For custom made cards though you may want to get with me sooner. :)
Yesterday I had one of the easiest sessions to date. When most photographers hear ten people and two dogs they may cringe, or perhaps run for the hills. Thankfully though these were adult people, or at least those over 4 feet who can listen and take direction well. The dogs are also the best behaved I've met, though Sophie desperately wanted to get her profile shot. I suppose she knows which her best side is.
Hope you enjoy your sneak peek Hurless family! I'll have the rest of your photos up on your page soon!
NEEDED: Caffiene November 27th
I'm tired. Today was my chance to sleep in after waking up early for vacation days. I think I'm more tired having slept in then waking up early with the kids the last few days. Overall I know one thing for sure. I need caffiene!
I only brought my camera down to the water once, when it was dark. It was a good chance to play with my new, super duper, fabulous flash. Unfortunately the next morning there was a stunning light and I would have loved to photograph with it... but not so much to go get the camera again from the room.
My Thankful Post November 26th
Tis' the season... This is my thankful post for Thanksgiving. And I am very thankful for all the love I have in my life. I'm thankful for my family. I'm so fortunate to have generally healthy children. I sure knew how to complain at the start of the school year when every week someone was sick. But for the most part, they are healthy, happy children. Thank God!
I'm thankful for my job. It's been worlds more work opening an official studio then I thought it would be, but so fullfilling and exciting. I love my customers. Cheesy, yes, but true. I get excited when they adore their pictures. I fall in love with my wedding couples. I am enchanted watching the kids grow.
I'm very thankful to have a group of photography friends to talk shop with, or even vent.
Growing Up November 25th
Next year I turn 30. I don't feel it... whatever its suppose to feel like! Then I get a picture like this of my oldest child and think, wow... how could he be getting so old? And if he's getting that old... what must I be!? lol
He was so comfortable in front of the camera. There are many poses he did that, while I thought they were hilareous, I couldn't dream to show the general public (or even facebook) cause his 'vogue' looks were a little too... well we won't go there. This picture above though I thought really captured him. And I must say, captuing the real Christopher in a photo isn't the easiest thing in the world. He's gone through a long phase of instantly smiling his fake smile as soon as he gets in front of the camera. I appreciate the thought, but I prefer photos that speak through the eyes of my subject, not neccessarily the super happy photo one might expect to get.
and then a picture like this... which also fully captures the true essance of who Chris is... in a much less subdude way.
Calender Photos November 24th
I had four girls today for a family calendar photo shoot (hence the swimwear and non winter props) They did sooooooo good getting pictures and were great listeners. The girls also got to use my children's craft area in the studio waiting while their sisters were getting pictures and made me lovely little items. THANK YOU GIRLS!!!
I can't wait to start looking up quotes and sayings to plug into their pictures for the 2010 calendar. :)
JMK November 23rd
A 'just my kid' shot. He's too cute not to share. :)
Holiday Shots November 22nd
I had three sisters to the studio for some holiday pics. It's amazing how 'big people' can be so easy when you've had a slew of kids come through!
Girls Day Out November 21st
The boys went out to Grammas, so Nataley and I had some much needed mommy/daughter time. It began with Nataley's first trip ever to a salon.
She was a tad nervous at first, but was excited at the idea of getting curls into her hair. She made sure to tell her stylist that it was her first time and to be extra gentle with her.
She loves the results and was ready to head out to her next stop - a Princess Party with Miss Teen Ohio.
We also got to have a special lunch - just the two of us. I would have preferred to take a girls day nap too, but that didn't happen!
Sweet, Sweet Baby November 18th
Today was a long and emotional day. I woke up after a bad dream and hugged all of my kids tight and gave them extra loving thismorning. They'll go to bed the same way. I woke up with certain intentions (visit with a friend, sweep the floor, more organizing boys room) and it got thrown out the window with a call from my area coordinator with NILMDTS.
For those not familiar, NILMDTS is an organization of photographers that offer bereavement photography for babies born and will never survive to leave the hospital, making it impossible for the family to otherwise get portraits of their child. This was my first NILMDTS call, and I'm sure an experience I will never forget.
In this particular instance, I did manage a few photos of the baby, just an hour or so old, before he passed. My prayer is that the images I managed to capture will help in the healing of the family. I had asked for prayer from friends and family and so needed it. I had been very worried I'd loose it in front of the family, making it a more difficult time for them. But luckily I got to leave the hospital and drive a few miles away before my emotions gave way. This in turn made my 45 minute trip much longer as I found myself on a road I never head of in the middle of no where in Indiana closing in on Michigan! Still much better then causing more grief and pain for the family. And I made it home in time to pick my kids up and let them know, again, how I love them so very much.
While I have all the photographs finished and ready to make a slideshow for the family, I will not be showing sneak peeks of NILMDTS publicly here or on facebook. I find the images with the raw emotions of the family members, along with abnormalities of the infant, perhaps a bit too difficult for the mixed audiance that may be viewing.
My Kiddos November 16th
Professional photographers around the world will often agree that taking their own children's pictures is just a horrific experience. It's a combination of many things. The pressure that your children's pictures need to look spectacular. This is not just about showing off your gorgeous children at the holidays, it's also a reflection upon you professionally. Then there's the fact that most pro's kids are sick and tired of getting pictures taken. Anytime there's a new backdrop or prop to play with I tend to ask a kid to 'try it out' for me. Then there's a third little key that makes customer's children easier - stranger danger. Yup, no matter how non scary or fun I am, your kids will act better with me and take better photos for me then they will for you. Granted, depending on age, some kids can call my bluff early. For this scenerio I have a treasure chest for children at my studio where kids can pick out any prize before their pictures - but of course they have to be good listeners and get great photos in order to take that prize home (ok, you probably can read my bluff in that statement too, huh? yup, they always get the prize anyway). I pulled out all the bribery I could muster for my kids, and still had myself worked up enough to have a knot in my stomach before we went to the studio.
But by golly, I got it. I got 'the' shot! In fact, while I think the pic above will be the Christmas card this year, I have a backup as well.
So now, for another year, I am free to go and take pictures of other people's children. And when that time comes around again, I can only hope that with being another year older, perhaps it will be easier, less squirmier, and have kids who can both look at the camera and smile at the same time.
Children's Special! November 13th
A few other things to note - If you wanted to get a shot of the whole family I'd be good with that too, so long as it fits within the 30 minute time frame. Prints at regular prices, but only what you want. You'll receive approximately 10 proofs on a private, password protected webpage for viewing your proofs. Purchase files for $15 each with printing permissions should you want to use them for holiday cards. Call or email me to schedule your session!