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The Mahaffey's

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:17:00 +0000

We are crazy behind with our blog, and this post should have gone up forever ago, but I hope all our blog stalkers out there still enjoy! We photographed the fabulous Mahaffey family last month with their beautiful 5 month old twins! The Babes were a bit on the sick side, they puked up everything, poor things had their outfits changed several times each, and thank goodness for washable Ikea chair covers!!! My favorite shot is of the munchkins in the chair, they couldn't wait to be done with the ridulousness of having their pictures made! Thanks guys!

2009 Calendar release party

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:23:00 +0000

The 2009 94-rock 66 Casino is coming out Friday the 14th. The release party will be held at Kixx nightclub in the Route 66 Casino from @ 7:00. Desiree and I, with the hugely appreciated assistance of Desiree's mom Rori, photographed the calendar a few months ago and are excited to see the outcome. We will most likely not be able to make it to the release party so if any of you do make it out, let me know how the calendar looks! I read on the 94 rock site that the girls will be out there to sign the calendars and take some pictures! Have fun and remeber don't drink and drive. If you go out there to party, just get a room and stay the night!
Have fun

NILMDTS

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:16:00 +0000

Desiree is out of the office Friday doing presentations for a couple of groups of Doctors on behalf of now i lay me down to sleep. She has done these in the past and in truly honored to be asked to come and help Doctors and nurses understand what NILMDTS provides to families who are experiencing loss. If you would like more information about this organization, please visit them at www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

set your DVR tuesday 11/18/2008 10:00 PM

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:09:00 +0000

Please set your DVR, TiVo, Windows Media Center, or yes even the old school VCR (yes some people still rock the video tape!!)
Anyway, Channel 13 news 10:00 PM Tuesday the 18th. Kim Holland will be doing a report on Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.
It will feature two photographers here in Albuquerque that do a huge amount for this charity. The first is Vickie, with Blue sky images. The other is our very own Desiree. Many of you know about the work that she does for NILMTDS. She sees many of you at the hospital when she is there with a family.
This is such an amazing organization and does such a great service to so many families. It is a very personal, intimate, and emotionally involved thing to be a part of. Desiree has been given a great gift to be able to work with families that are experiencing loss.
Because the need/desire for this service is growing so is the need for willing, capable photographers to help. If you know of anyone, or you yourself would be interested, contact NILMDTS or one of the affiliated photographers here in town.

Kickin' it ol' school

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:26:00 +0000

We had a session set up for one of our secret locations. Just a couple of hours b4 the shoot our couple contacted us and said they really wanted to change the location and do it downtown in some retro styling that they are pretty fond of. I am so glad they did call. Even though it was freeeeekin' cold, we had a great time. The hat, the mink, the TLR, Classic...
We look forward to Kay and Charles' wedding especially the hot chocolate!!!

secret location 'II'

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:19:00 +0000

This is one of our favorite locations. We have been shooting here for a number of years and it changes every year. There used to be a tree with a rope swing that went out into the river. That tree is now just some more fallen logs on the river bank. We like this spot so much so that we have shot out there several times over the past few weeks and will be going out there again this week. It is a great place to show the fall colors.
The first set of images is from a session we had with a great family. We have known the Christiansen family for many years. We enjoy every time we are able to work with them.
Cole is going to be turning 8 and getting baptized, we took some photos of him along the river bank and then the rest of the family joined us. I plan on doing a separate post for his baptism images!

The second group of images is from an engagement session for Angela and David. We are photographing their wedding in a couple of weeks and put off their engagement session as long as we could in order to get some fall colors!

We got out to the river and I had a ton of equipment from ladders to boom arms to light stands and reflectors. We wanted to get some cool images of them in the river setting as well as some images of them having a good time. I think we all had a pretty good time. Desiree was the only one of us that didn't get into the water. In fact, Angela and David spent probably 20 minutes in the water while we took photographed them. They were great sports and it really worked out well!!
Look for their wedding images coming soon...

The Santa Feans

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:02:00 +0000

This past weekend was one of our busiest in a long time. We went from session to session and had a 10 hr wedding Saturday. I am in the process of trying to get a few images from a few of the sessions up on the blog. I wanted to start with a great family from Santa Fe. Harry was able to slip away from work, which was tough for him being in the finance biz, and given the current state of the market... He did turn on CNBC during the shoot, normally it's ESPN, so that was cool. I got to hear part of a piece they did on the new Google G1 phone. It sounded cool, since I am not on the whole I-phone bandwagon, I think I will look into this one! Anyway, we had a great time and enjoyed getting to know them. They are just finishing up a remodel and their house looks great. They mentioned they might be putting it on the market so if anyone is interested in a nice house on a few acres, let me know I'll send to 'em.

secret location IX

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 04:44:00 +0000

The Crnkovich family; We saw them join their lives a few years ago, had the privilege last year of photographing their maternity, then the new born images, and now these. We have had a great time working with them and look forward to the next time. Their son is crazy cute. He has been one of the easiest little kids to work with because he was so cute, smiley, snuggley, curious, etc.,etc.
They are also one of the lucky families this year that we were able to photograph in the aspens at one of our favorite locations, "secret location 9". This is one of the most beautiful times in nm - Beautiful weather, including rain), and beautiful color.
Enjoy these images, I smile every time I watch this.
Again, I love my job!!

Hier Kommt Alex

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:43:00 +0000

Die Toten Hosen had a song title 'Hier Kommt Alex.' It was really the only smart title I could come up with. Anyway, we had a great time working with Alex and his family again.

gittin' durrty

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:22:00 +0000

Desiree made a comment to one of our couples a week or so ago about how I am always laying down on the job. I thought about it and realized, I do lay down a lot, almost at every session or wedding. I've laid in ally ways, in the middle of the street (scary), in the snow, grass, in sticky weeds, in the water, sand, in hotel lobbies, all over. I was actually doing a shoot in a hotel and I was lying on the floor waiting for models to switch places when a guest walked by, stopped, and asked how could he get my job, then asked if he could get me a pillow.

Anyway, I thought about it and I have been in a lot of odd places to get the shot I need. I have been on toilets, in trees, on ladders, on the top of our van, in a ditch, on desks, chairs, beds, in the tub, in the shower, under water. What a cool job!

Desiree had a couple come over tonight and talk about a few sessions that they want to do. We often ask our couples what vision they have for their shoot. They tossed around a few ideas and then said that they would leave it up to us to do whatever we wanted with them. Again, what a cool job. Here are two good lookin' people wanting us to do a session with them and do whatever we want... the unlimited possibilities... the power.... the, oh sorry, I need to tone back a bit eh?

So on a recent wedding, the one from the post below, Desiree took a picture of me doin' my thang. I need to go on a diet, it's hard gettin up and down.. anybody know a good one?

Around the world

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:56:00 +0000

For those whose are keepin’ up, you will recognize this couple from a previous post. If you are not keepin' up (how dare you) if you would like to find out how they have met look at their first post, 'a few clicks down the street'!
Anyway, we photographed their wedding and had a super cool time. It is so amazing to see how people from to completely different cultures, backgrounds, and locations can meet in the most unassuming places and build a connection that lasts a lifetime!
Adam and Alex had the reception at the Hyatt Downtown, the staff there did a fantastic job as always.
So instead of posting a bunch of pictures I thought I would try a new slideshow program that I came across recently. It seems to work well, let me know what y’all think! And if you don’t think these images are cool, you should really get out more!!! (that got 3 exclamation marks so you know I mean it)
Anyway, if you are looking at this slide show thinking, ‘seth and desiree are awesome,’ spread the love. Send it to your friends and family. Send it to your neighbors. If they have a dog send it to him! He may not watch it but if he does and he likes it he may want to come in!
…Man I need to start letting Desiree write these posts, I just ramble on about nothing. I need a nap.
On a personal note. F#.
And now ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the show….

A little wind, a little rain. bring it on!

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 06:28:00 +0000

Though we are behind on posting, I wanted to take a minute to write a little about tonights wedding. yes it is almost 1:00am and I am sitting in bed with the laptop and can't wait to fall asleep but I had to take a minute and post this.

It is balloon fiesta time and so we all know exactly what the weather is doing because the Fiesta's activities are completely weather dependent. So we knew that there would be weather tonight. It was a beautifully cloudy day with not much of a breeze and no rain. So, Desiree and I got out to Prairie Star about an hour early so that we could set up the projector for a slide show that we put together for the reception. The weather was actually pretty nice.

Everything looked like it was going to be beautiful. Then, I realized that when I was getting all the equipment ready for the wedding last night I left the cord for the projector back at the house, a 20ish minute drive away.

I sped like a crazy old lady on speed back to the house, sprinted in, and cussed a bit as I saw the cord laying on the floor laughing at me in it's wicked little cord way. I sprinted back out to the car and slid half way though the front room as I stepped on a couple of legos the kids left of the wood floor. I made it out of the house alive and with no sprained ankle. I nearly caused an accident,though, as I sped through an intersection a bit to close to the slow moving van in front of me. He just freaked a bit and slowed down in stead of speeding up... I didn't actually hit him so we're good.

Anyway, I made it back to Prairie Star plugged in the Projector and went to meet the guys to do a few pictures. About the time I was done, Desiree radioed down and said the girls were ready to go in about ten minutes. Just as she said that, a huge gust of wind picked up and didn't stop. Through the entire wedding the wind blew and the clouds thickened. Of course, anyone would be upset with the wind and possibility of rain but Jonathan and Vanessa didn't let that get them down.

By the time we were ready to do pictures it started to sprinkle and the wind was still crazy. Some couples have told us they wouldn't go out into weather like this. Unfortunately they miss out on the chance of having us work our magic. Oh, did that sound a little um, proud... well people dig our skills: people skills, camera skills, picture taking skills, bow hunting skills..
Wow it's late...

Anyway, Vanessa and Jonathan didn't say a word about it other than 'where are we going?'
So, if you are in the middle of planning a wedding and freakin' out about the possibility of foul weather for your wedding, life is not perfect and you can't control everything. The best thing to do is hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and have fun regardless of what you are faced with. Life in all of its diversity is beautiful.

That said, if you look at the image for this post and think 'man, what was she thinking going out into the wind and sprinkling rain,' DO NOT HIRE US FOR YOUR WEDDING! We just wouldn't be a good match. Well I shouldn't say that. If you hire us and spend more than $10,000. I will be glad to sit inside and watch the rain fall and the wind blow, whatever you want! Anyway, I know it's getting late now because I'm rambling like a nonsensical idiot..
Enjoy the picture! I do.

Natalie & Israel get connected...

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:25:00 +0000

I just love fall! The cooler days, the colors of changing leaves, the smell of fried food in the air!!! Seth met Natalie & Israel for their connection session at the state fair a few weeks ago. They mentioned in our meeting that going to the fair is something they do every year, so wanting a different way to showcase their relationship we decided to take a trip to the fair. So after munchin' on some roasted corn,a turn on the carousel and a stroll down main street, we had ourselves a pretty rockin session. Hope you enjoy them too!
d

last month of the christmas card special

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:29:00 +0000

The deadline for our christmas card special is quickly approaching the last day of October is the last day of our special for holiday cards. For more info look at the christmas card blog from a few weeks ago!! We have been able to get many of you in already and still have some more spots!!!
Schedule your time ASAP. Before we are completely booked!
Thanks.
seth

Meghan & Jesse

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:41:00 +0000

We met Meghan & Jesse for their connection session just a few days before their wedding. We asked if they had anything particular in mind and Jesse responded, "something that says Albuquerque, because that's where I met Meghan." They were so sweet to each other, I think Jesse carried Meghan 90% of the time because that's just what he does all the time.

This one is one of my favorite's, I love Meghan's laugh!

The wedding was at Prairie Star under the big tree, Meghan wore a BCBG gown and the boys all wore Mexican dress shirts, it was perfect for a low key family affair.

Meghan takes a moment to read the letter Jesse sent to her before the ceremony starts.

These are two from a series of images of Meghan and her dad before he walks her down the aisle. This is a favorite time of mine, just special moments between a dad and his daughter.

Congratulations, Meghan and Jesse, Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Nathan!!

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:12:00 +0000

episode 2.5

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 05:06:00 +0000

I recently saw this competition for photo-shopping star wars images. Ammon, our Star Wars fanatic, was Anakin for Halloween last year. I remembered the picture and found a movie poster and thought I would try one out! Ammon digs it!!

Stephanie & Brady

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:12:00 +0000

Yes we were at the river again. We really do love this spot by the river. It has a beautiful look and can be really diverse. Anyway, I just wanted to get these up before I procrastinate and it be too late.

Fragile

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:17:00 +0000

Around the world babies are being born every second. So often so that,I think, we forget what a huge miracle life truly is. We take for granted its fragility. There are, however, those times that some of us will go through that reminds us of the fragility of life and it's preciousness.
Desiree and I were asked to be a part of and photograph this years UNM Children's Hospital Memorial Service for the families whose babies, young children, and teenagers left this earth to return to our father. There were families of still born angels, and families whose teenagers were taken by cancer, single moms, and large families, people from every station and walk of life.

I saw a grandmother slowly walk past pews full of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities. She had seen much in her life and her slow walk was a witness to her experience. She was there to remember the loss of a precious grandchild. How old her grandchild was and how the child was taken, I do not know. She placed a single white carnation in a vase amongst the carnations of a hundred other families. She then carefully reached into a basket full of glass beads which symbolized the tears that had fallen on behalf of these precious children. She clenched her cane tightly and turned to walk back to her place amongst the congregation. As she did, a tear fell from her reddened eyes down her aged face. She let it fall- fall and disappear.
I continued to watch her return to her seat as the next name was read and family came forward to remember their own child. My mind kept coming back to her.

Life, in all it's time, strength, age, and wisdom is no less fragile than the tears we shed for it's loss. Sometimes we want to wipe the tears and try to hold them back. Sometimes we just need to let them fall and disappear. I wiped tears from my eyes yesterday as I felt the sadness some of these families are enduring. I also felt a joy at the understanding some of them had for life and for it's purpose.
It was hard to be there, but an experience that everyone should, in some way, be a part of. Not only for the support of others suffering loss, but as a reminder of the fragility of life and how we need to be thankful for every sunrise with our own children.
If you read this a feel moved at all to do something please contact the UNM childrens hospital to find out how you can offer your services to them or donate to help them help our children. You can also contact Now I lay me down to sleep, a charity that Desiree is part of. They appreciate any and all of the donations they can get.
those link are:
http://hospitals.unm.edu/UNMCH/
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
Thank you for visiting us and taking the time to read this!
please keep looking at this blog and at our work. There is still a lot of life and joy to be experienced though our images.

Luka Bean

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:29:00 +0000

I have posted about Luka's faces before but now she's 6 months old and has many more faces to share. I love how when you let babies be, magic happens. Thanks for sharing baby girl.
d

"What do you want from me?"

This one cracks me up everytime I see it!

NOOOOOOOO!!!!

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:46:00 +0000

Last week Desiree and I were able to meet Clay and Desiree, and the three kids at one of our recent favorite places to do pictures. We had a great time and i really enjoyed talking with the two older kids about snakes and crawdads and whatever else they wanted to talk about. What I also enjoyed was tormenting the smallest of the three. Every time I said something to Maddy, she screamed 'NNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!' Finally at the end of the shoot as it was almost dark and we were getting back into our cars I asked if we could go and I would get her a milkshake, She finally said 'Yes!'
Had I known, I would have just brought a milkshake to the shoot and she and i probably would have got on real well together. Oh well, little girls... what d'ya do?
We did have a great time and are excited to work with them next week!

I found this piece of cut wood with a cool hole in it and thought I could shoot through it!

This is the fam!

Yes, the sky is a different color, I think it's a royal lavenderish, color, you might have to buy the big box of crayons to find out for sure...

'Da Boyz'

Emery Vale

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:52:00 +0000

To celebrate the birth of of Emery the Reitz family had fireworks. Ok it was July 4th but still, what a way to bring a new baby to the world! We were excited to see baby Emery and enjoy working with all three of them now. Also, Desiree after over two years finally went had her hair done, she had Megan do her hair and it looks really cool. Megan works at Skin Bliss in old town give 'em a call, I'll post the number when I can find it! Anyway, congratulations you two, and regardless of how it might feel sometimes, you will both make great parents!!

CHRISTMAS CARDS, and Chanukah , Kwanza , Hijra , Bodhi Day , Eid al Adha, Gantan-sai, Winter Solstice, and whatever other custom cards ya want

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:07:00 +0000

YES! It is time again, for our super spectaculus, ultra stupendable, amazingly amazing, fun family fotos with cool custom cards pre holiday non procrastinative sessions! , Less overthetoply known as our:
'Christmas in September Sessions.'

Now is the best time to get your family in for our special sessions. With the perfect amount of time to have our custom designed cards sent out for the holidays.
We have designed a nice little package that give you what you need to make sure the Aunt Mary, doesn't out do you again this year!
We have the photo session either in studio or on location, a mounted 8x10 print of the family ready for framing, and 25 custom designed greeting cards. We do have a few set templates to choose from or we design the cards specifically for your family. When you are getting all of the cookie cutter Walmart style cards, you will be un-heathily proud knowing that your custom cards are the coolest going out this year.
(although our cards do cause an overwhelming sense of pride we do not encourage a boastful attitude, especially during the holiday, it can cause people to not want to send you presents!)
Anyway, don't be left with your only option being the 1 hour photolab Christmas card special.
Call us now and book your session for only $199.00. Again, it comes with the session the 8x10 and 25 custom designed holiday cards.
here are a few samples of some of our holiday cards, engagement cards, and baby announcements.

Here is a save the date card

save the date back

These next images are from birth announcements

here are a few holiday cards some show the front followed by the back of the card!

Kids Rule Our Lives (go star wars)

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:33:00 +0000

While on 'Star Wars Line' we came accross this little do dad so we followed the links and it posted to our blog! cool!!

Happy 10th Anniversary!

seth@jonesphotoart.com (Seth and Desiree) — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:19:00 +0000

Michael & Carrie were recently referred to us by some other great clients, they wanted to have pictures of the 2 of them sans the 9 kids. No, it's not a typo, they have nine wonderful children!! They wanted some romantic images to celebrate 10 happy years of marriage. So early one morning we met at one of our favorite locations to photograph them. They were so sweet to each other , Michael even presented Carrie with some roses during the shoot (which is so fitting as he is often picking flowers to give Carrie when they go for walks). Thanks guys for reminding us how great it is to be in love, even after all those years! Happy Anniversary.
On another note, thanks to the Vangilst/Ferguson family who referred them to us, it's such a great compliment for people that we work with to trust us with their friends and family!