Christmas Cards Limited

Yes, we are extending our Christmas card availability through November 20th.
So often we have on our list of things to do - family photos for Christmas cards!
So often we put it off until next year and the next year...you know how it goes.
Even if you do go to have a friend or someone you know take a picture, you still have to get to the photo lab and have a card (just like everyone else's) printed.
Let us help you cross this off your list!

Though, we normally do our Christmas cards in Sept.-Oct., because of a few (several) requests, we are extending our Christmas card program through November 20th. If we photograph your session before then, we will have your cards before Dec. 14th. Just in time to write them out and drop 'em in the mail!

So here it is, your chance to check something off your Holiday list and save your self from kicking your back side every time you open up someone else's custom card and think, if only...

Details
--a fun and easy 20 minute session with either Seth or Desiree (or both if your lucky)
--1 beautifully printed 8"x10" image ready to be framed
--25 Custom Christmas Cards (envelopes included)
These cards are beautifully designed (by me or Desiree) fold over cards (not a generic photo lab print that you can get at W-Mart).
Just because we are nice, caring, generous, and want to help you get this done... We are going to do this for you for only $150.00 (normally $240.00) For those of us that have a hard time with math - that's a sweet deal.

Our availability is pretty limited so please call now to schedule your session. If we have enough requests we might even open up a Saturday to help get everyone in...we're just that nice!!
505.890.7707 or send me an email seth@jonesphotoart.com


Why put this off again another year? This is a perfect way to not only have a photo of your family, but show all your friends and family how big the kids are getting and how old...I mean mature you have become.

Sunrise, Sunset

I have had two very different and incredibly powerful experiences this week. It started on Sunday night when at 10:41 pm I received a call from Brad asking if I wanted to come and have a birthday party. I had been waiting for this call for a few weeks now and it was finally here. Janet was in heavy labor when I arrived and was just getting into the pool. As the contractions became stronger her 7 other children were awakened to watch their sibling arrive. I watched as Janet worked in unison with her body to bring her baby into the world. I listened to the soothing words offered by Barb, Janet's midwife, about letting her body do what it knows how to do. I saw a gentle hand offered by Brad, Janet's husband, holding her steady giving her comfort. I watched in amazement myself as this life, fresh from our Father, took his first breath, I had to keep reminding myself to pick up the camera and shoot.
I watched as each child met this baby for the first time, they were so excited to have a brother because there wouldn't be any arguments over what his name would be, they had already chosen Aaron. I saw his family come together and welcome baby Aaron and in each persons eyes was a different hope of what was and is to come, his life is just beginning! To watch as this unfolded before my eyes, was a scene I will never forget.As a mother, I have had similar experiences but to see and document this step by step from an outside perspective was surreal.

Yesterday was different. I was invited to another celebration of life, but this had a different outcome. Eric and Tania are doctors at UNM hospital. On Saturday they welcomed their 1st baby to the world. Kobus Vincent was born a few weeks early in hopes that he would be able to better grow outside his mother's womb. Sometimes, however, we come to an understanding that things are not always in our hands.
Kobus wasn't doing well and had to be intubated. As each day in the NICU passed, Eric and Tania came nearer to the horrible realization that Kobus would never get to come home with them. So, instead of having a mournful "why us" party, they celebrated. A celebration to honor the short, innocent life that Kobus was able to share with them. Family from all over the world came to meet and express their love for their beautiful baby. They met at Pete's Playground on the sixth floor of UNMH,with the Sandia's as their backdrop . Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, doctors and nurses shared in this celebration. Each offered a beautiful white rose, some with carefully prepared thoughts , others spoke straight from their heart. One uncle sang a lullaby he had written to comfort his own children when they couldn't sleep. Everyone then stood and sang the great words of the hymn Amazing Grace. An incredible spirit of love and hope and peace was present during this time. When everyone tearfully said their goodbyes, Eric and Tania took their son, held him, loved on him, craddled him and prepared themselves to say goodbye. The way they chose to do so is beautiful, they laid down as mother, father, and son, and went to sleep.
I was there to help this family have something to remember their sweet child, in turn, my life and heart has been touched by the love and care these family members had for each other.

Each of these experiences were different and yet so very much the same - the celebration of a sunrise of a new life and the celebration of a sunset of another.
The joy of life regardless of it's length is, more than anything else, worth celebrating. Thank you, to each of you who let me see into and be a part of the most intimate and moving moments of your lives and for your willingness to let me share that time with others. 'Desiree

There are somethings in life that should not be missed, a smile shared between a mom and baby, a kiss between lovers, a laugh shared with the family. Again we, as photographers, are given a great ability and responsibility. We can make anything out of the opportunities given us. When Monica, Joey and Reese met up with us the Bio-park's new Japanese Garden, we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to photograph just a glimpse into the life of this beautiful family. I hope we are able to give them a way to look back at this time and remember the first time that they walked through the garden together and the first time Reese stood on her own!
Thanks for trusting us with this time in your life!

El Mariachi

Los Primos is one of the great groups of Mexican Mariachi and Trio Romantico here in New Mexico. We have had the pleasure of working with them on a number of occasions. Juan read the (j) hit list post and volunteered for a shoot. I have many great images from the shoot. This one, though not my favorite, seemed to lend a different attitude to the final image. Look for a few more coming soon!!
Thanks Juan, I will probably call you again for some more work!!

We had a great opportunity to photograph a great girl recently. Brianne had a few ideas of what she wanted for her session but, for the most part left the session up to us. Her personality led us to do most of the session down town. For the afternoon she was the girl about town. As is usual for a pretty girl in the city, honking and whistling were everywhere! We finished the session in and around the studio and had a great time. Brianne was a great girl to work with. She is also a writer and we are looking forward to using some of her writing in the album!

A Different Kind of Wedding (ya' know, it's a girl thing)

Life is as varied as the stars in the sky. Everyone, like the stars, has their own story to tell. There are times when stars come together and two stories join into one. This day was one. Under the beautiful Sandia mountains in the light of the setting Sun Lisa and Michelle made a commitment to one another that brought friends and family together to witness. Though there is no license to send into the state, the promises that Michelle and Lisa made to each other are as valid as any other.
There was, as usual, a pretty good amount of stress during the days leading up to the wedding. The day of the wedding, however, Michelle seemed to be the epitome of calm. ( I think it was the whiskey or the spa) There really was nothing that could sway her (missing staples, curling irons, nothing).
The family and friends gathered outside behind the Hyatt Tamaya, with the mountains as the backdrop, to watch Michelle and Lisa walk down the aisle together. The ceremony started under the clouds and ended in a beautiful sunset. And, as soon as possible after the ceremony, Lisa was up in the room gettin' changed.
The reception was a great time with more continuous dancing then we have ever seen at a wedding. That was probably due to the fact that the i tunes play list was quickly abandoned and the music was at the mercy of the guests!!
Desiree and I left after 11:00 and the party was still going on. This was truly a great time for everyone that had the opportunity to come.

There are people, even some of you that read this that may not agree with it. And that is a beautiful thing, we don't all have to agree. Life is diverse, people are different we all have our own stories. It is not up to us to negate or condemn, it is up to us to love and appreciate.
We had an amazing time with Michelle and Lisa and were honored to be a part of their day and to share in their joy and happiness

On the road with Jones

It's time once again for our 'On the Road Sessions'. This fall we will be in San Antonio, TX from November 9th-13th. I know this is shorter than most of our trips but we are still excited for the time we will be able to spend there with you!
This year we are focusing these Sessions on relationships. We want to see the family together, not smiling at the camera, but having a good time with each other. We want to see the loving touch a Dad has for his baby girl. We want to the connection that siblings have for one another. We are also doing intimate sessions as gifts for ladies to the man in their relationship, or just to make them feel good about themselves.
With our focus being on relationships, these sessions are going to be pretty laid back sessions. We will really let the emotion of the session dictate how we shoot. We are really looking forward to these sessions and hope to see as many out at this one as we have had previously.
All Sessions are $125 and includes a collection of you images on DVD set to music. You also receive a CD-Rom of all of your images for ordering.
Our on the road sessions have been very popular and are usually pretty booked. Please call or email today to reserve your time with us. 505-890-7707 505-720-8271 info@jonesphotoart.com

Neema and Ahmed were married during September in a backyard ceremony at their house in the north valley. The ceremony was a beautiful experience for everyone that attended. They began the ceremony with African drumming and a ceremony where Ahmed received the blessing of Neema's father. After that there was an amazing dance and then a song from Neema's mother. Neema entered and the ceremony began in earnest. Neema and Ahmed were surrounded by friends and family from across the country.
We had a great time being apart of this wedding. And are very grateful that Neema walked through our doors one afternoon on a whim.

Mom and Me

Kelsyn, our youngest son, went to the Botanical Gardens the other say with Desiree. Since we are just around the corner from there, they go often. It was just after the opening of the new Sosebo gardens(really pretty). Anyway, She and Kelsyn both took pictures: Kelsyn of whatever moved; Desiree of Kelsyn. Here are a couple some images from there adventure!

Every wedding had some sort of glitch, some hang up that causes any varying degree of stress. How about having to change your wedding venue just a week before the wedding date and during the one of the busiest weekends of the year in ABQ? Well, for Felicia and Anthony, that is exactly what happened.
Even with the last minute changes the wedding was great. The ceremony was attended by about a thousand people from all over the world. It was one of the most photographed weddings I have ever seen. there were dozens of photographers. the mounted police held traffic for the entrance of the bridal party. OK, so the ceremony was in the gazebo on the plaza in Old Town. And, those who watched the wedding were all tourists in town for balloon fiesta.
After the ceremony a parade of classic cars escorted the couple to the Inn at Paradise where the reception was held.
Felicia looked amazing in her purple and black custom designed dress. and even with the hang ups the wedding was a great time that everyone enjoyed.

Our New Art Blog

I set up a new blog today as an outlet for our fine art work. We often get caught up in the day to day business and don't always get a chance to take time to breath, to look at life and capture those fleeting moments that are filled with the profound. Those moments pass in the blink of an eye, and fall into the abyss of forgotten memories. Between work, school, soccer, scouts, church, homework, house cleaning, more work visiting family, grocery shopping, school projects, there are only a few moments of the day that we are able to stop and "smell the roses".
I am going to try to stop and smell those roses everywhere I find them. I am going to try to have my camera on me at all times so that I can stop and freeze those time to keep forever.
and who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and sell some prints as well. Roses always did smell better wrapped up in some crisp green!
Click here for our new blog