attacks of the dustiest kind

let me tell you what I miss.

color.

I've printed almost 225 black and white prints at school and man alive am I itching for some color.


Dad's got some new toys on the farm these days. and they're GREEEEEEEN!

(and don't you LOOOOVE how you can see that they're green?)


two of my most favorite men on the planet right here.


Lucy getting her pout on :)


I realize it's hard to tell but this is exactly what it looks like. A ten year old girl operating heavy machinery! She likes to scoop the dirt and dump it in a pile 3 feet away. Kind of like that little shovel scooper toy at the park only it's not at the park and it's most definitely not a toy.



and then sometimes black and white just works. Don't fight it. embraaaace.


See all that dust?

I was standing in that giant dust cloud.


I do unfortunate things sometimes. Like for instance how I just stood there wearing not one but TWO (yes two!) cameras amidst the bajillions of dust particles that LOVE to attack cameras and their attached lenses... instead of running for the hills.



oh I'm no dummy, I covered the lenses with my hands. oh wait, still dummy huh? yeah. I think I killed one lens for sure. which means I have exactly one lens left. ho hum.

Dear Santa Clause,

I would LOVE some new lenses for Christmas! I promise to always run for the hills hence forth :) !! Also the #1 key on my keyboard is acting wonky. I could use a new #1 key. thx!

your ever so cool bff, Jill

:)

Pilgrims vs. Indians

So serious question for you all...

When is the last time you sported a bonnet?

because for me it was like three days ago.

My mom is so cute. She LOVES Thanksgiving. This year she got it in her head we should all dress up for our Thanksgiving feast.

HAHA!!!


here we all are with our best 'back in the day' faces on. Apparently we weren't ALL participating... *ahem Lucy and Logan!


Of course we did a smiley one as well. Which apparently we weren't all participating in that one either! haha!!!! *ahem... Savannah, Brent, Kathy, Chad and Mia aaaaand well, me. I'm at least half participating :)

Lucky for the indians we're a peaceful people! Clearly the pilgrims have the upper hand here. Thanks to Lori for volunteering Jeremy and meems to be indians. and thanks to Logan for wearing meems feathers when she refused.



Lucy was in a very silly mood.


She was telling jokes to the kids while they ate. They were having the best time.


truth: she wants that pie.



It was a really beautiful day here in AZ. My dad fell asleep out by the pool. I snuck out with the film camera to snap one of him sleeping... Chad got me!


Now isn't that just the perfect end to a perfect day?

Lucy, you crack me up.

How was your turkey? not too dry I hope.

Did you dress like pilgrims and indians? if no, then do you think you might consider it for next year?

Is it because this post was sooooo inspiring?????

... thought so!

thanks mom! For making us all bonnets and what nots. and also for cooking some of the stuffing not in the bird so I could eat it this year. It was a little bit crunchy but I found that I quite like it crunchy.

Stacey, next time come eat with us ok? Now we may never know what you would look like in a bonnet.

Winner's circle

Ok so first of all

A HUGE THANK YOU to all who participated in this photoshoot giveaway.

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect having never done one before. You guys were amazing and totally came through for me!

So...

Me and Chad and Lucy went out this morning and had some fun making a little video. This is my way of trying to creatively announce the winner of the photoshoot contest.

I try. I really do :)



Just so there's no confusion...

The first name chosen is the name of the person who nominated the family that will win the photoshoot. Congratulations to Karen Spahar. I will email you and get some details from you!!

The second name chosen is the winner of the apron! Congratulations to Amy Greer!!!

And once again thank you to ALL who participated!

I think I may do these photoshoot giveaways periodically, what do you think??

Jill has good ideas?

<3

the old switcharoo. but in a good way.

It's funny because every time I looked over at my blog archive in October I was feeling a little vexed.

Like ZING you lose. But truth is, October's got nothin on November!!!

YAY first post of the month!! Is November really half over?!?

In regards to the photoshoot giveaway...

at the very last minute I'm changing the rules on you!!

This will be better I am pretty darn sure!

ok so remember how I was going to post the stories of all the families nominated? oh and btw... A fantastically huge thank you to everyone that nominated a family. I loved reading all your heartfelt words. Lots of love going on here :)

That was supposed to be today. And you all were going to vote (something about democracy?) haha!!

Guess what else I'm a big believer in??

RANDOMNESS!!

So we're switching over to the random side of life. Ahhhh that actually feels SO much better!

Mostly because when really thoughtful people write really thoughtful words about people they believe in, well there tends to be lots of those thoughtful words. Which I love, but it's alot to ask of cool people like you to read through.

so new plan...

I am going to set up a random drawing that will be either video'd or photo'd extensively.

One for the photoshoot, and one for the apron!

{ btw... no one asked to see that apron!! you're all sooooo trusting } haha!!

The apron is very Heather Bailey meets Amy Butler!!! Two of my favorite designers!

I'm shooting for a Thursday posting, but don't hate me if it's Friday :)

in the spirit of randomness...



random lovely?!!

<3 Jill

Photoshoot Giveaway

it's amazing what a little perspective can do...


film work | she's so proud


I have to tell you the truth. I am writing this for the second time. I deleted the whole first post. I was working so hard to get it posted by Thursday as per my 3rd attemped goal date :) and it just wasn't thrilling me. When you set a goal and miss three times, lets just say it's painful.

just one day, and a dose of perspective... makes a difference you know!!

It started with a simple idea.

I want to give away a portrait session to a family in need this holiday season.

overthinking. debating details. inner struggles. possible concerns. all these things had me fretting for weeks. When a friend asked me what my original intention was I responded with ' I just want to be a rad person', to which she responded with 'then go forth and be rad'

well alrighty then!

So I'm just going to put it out there all willy nilly like and see what comes of it :)

and then I'm going to beg like crazy for your help! (and maybe promise you the world or just a silly handmade apron)

Sooooooo. Here's the deal...

I need you {my amazing friends, all of you, even the ones I didn't even know I had} to nominate a family that you feel could use a little help getting family portraits done this year.

How this will go down:

You can email me a little blurb about your amazingly awesome family of choice. isonjill@gmail.com with the subject 'giveaway'

Then on November 15th I will go through and compile all the many entries *thinking positivly* which will then be posted to my blog where all you beautiful people will be encouraged to vote... because we believe in democracy, what ever that is :)

Some things to keep in mind:

PLEASE don't use names.

try to keep it fairly short. just say no to 2 page essays.

all entires must be in by Midnight November 14... arizona time (of course)

and it's kind of important that the family is local to the Phoenix,AZ area.

So what exactly does your family get if they win? excellent question!! They will recieve my $350 fall package which includes...



There's just this one more little thing...

I really really really want this to be awesome. I recognize that I've been blessed with so much. Probably more than I deserve and I just really want to be able to give of my time and talents SO if by some miracle we can get atleast 20 nominations I will give a second photoshoot away randomly.

As in a random drawing :)

because random is good.

So lets just sweeten this deal just a teensy bit more :) For every person that takes the time to nominate someone I will throw your name into the hat to win an apron, handmade with lots of love by me... I know, it's not the world or anything. But it is pretty cute.

and if you just can't think of anyone perhaps you could be of help by linking this post on your facebook page and/or blog.

Now you all know I LOVE comments, so feel free to comment away but PLEASE remember the entries MUST be emailed to me at isonjill@gmail.com by midnight Nov. 14th Arizona time!!

now let us go forth and be rad together!

<3 jill

What is, and what may never be

There is this incredible photographer that I do not know. Not personally anyways. I like him on facebook. I try to follow his work but quite honestly he doesn't post it all that often. What I am left to enjoy is his words. I don't know where he gets his quotes. What I do know is that his words (where ever they are derived from) make me think deeply, and I get this sense of amazing spirit. A truly humble soul, he is. A few days ago he posted this...

the Seeker journeys a thousand miles to say 'I have arrived.' the Finder never stops arriving.
{ Jesh De Rox }

Simple as it is... this one especially stuck out to me as thought provoking. You see I am going through what I can only explain as a photographical identity crisis.

Where is this going for me?

Where do I want it to go?

Why haven't I done 'this or that'?

Why am I delving into film?

Am I going to make film a part of my photographical journey?

How far can I take this? How far do I want to take this?

Why can't I just stop searching for perfection? What even is perfection? Can I make my own version of perfection?

That's it! I want to find my own version of perfection. I don't want to fit into anyones pretty little pre-made box. I haven't yet fully discovered myself as a photographer. I haven't found my 'place'. Where you think I should be is perhaps not where I will choose to go. I am not afraid of the unknown path I am on.

It is this path that keeps me excited intrigued and invigorated to peer around the next bend of MY journey.

I am on a journey of my own choosing. I don't know where it will take me. I take pleasure in not knowing the outcome. I will not limit myself by putting up such a road block as 'a destination'.

My photography class has been incredibly encouraging for me. Amazing people have entered my life. I have been wanting to share some of what I have been working on at school.


Maybe you think I love to post photos of my bed. haha! No, not really. I was telling Carly on gchat about how I hung some of my work above my bed. She asked when she could see it. She saw it last night, and today I share with you!


This is a glimpse of one photo I particularly love.

Bless Kelly for dressing up all vintage and indulging my silly ideas. This comes from my shutter speed assignment. I call this one "extra credit' :) !!

The spectacular view is something taken in Sedona for my first assignment. It fulfilled the earth capture.


I got my first assignment back from Mr. Williams on Wednesday. This is what he wrote to me regarding said assignment. I made clear for you the part I found particularly fabulous.

"so boring it's great"

HAHA!!

You see?! That is exactly what I am talking about! That something so incredibly boring can be made great by one. Not by me, but the person that can find beauty in the boring. ( Thank you Mr. Williams ) Perhaps I will print this one to share with you later so you can decide if boring is beautiful.

P.S. please note... an A+ is not the rule in my life. it is the exception.

I am cooking up something for my next post that I hope will be wonderful for all who choose to be involved. please check back as I will need the help of many to pull this one off :)

<3 !!

I took a moment from my day...

wrapped it up in things you say...

...and mailed it off to you.


I have totally been holding out Newport Beach photos on you!

Oh I know... the nerve of me eh?







A little something someone has tried to convince me of recently...

overwhelmed= lazy.

needless to say... I have been so overwhelmed lately :)

Aaaaaand one more thing! (well technically about 7 more things)

Occasionally some giant hearted people like to flatter my soul by passing on a blog award to me.

*falling to the floor in shame*

and usually I fail at posting/passing along. But not today folks!! My friend Hayley over at Capturing Sunshine passed the 7 Random Things Kreativ Blogger Meme on to me.

What does that mean for you??? Excellent question! You get to read 7 of the most randomest things I can think of about me.

*cue out clicks* haha!

un. Once I bought a pretty chandelier to hang in my closet. Chad did not approve. it instead hangs over my bed, which i LOVE, and so I am left to wonder if Chad really is more brilliant than me... like he proclaims.

deux. I love not camping. and why jill, do you so love not camping?? because because because, not camping is just what it sounds like... not camping. yay!!

trois. I never tell Tommy what to do to my hair. Only to just make it pretty. If he says shall we go a smidgen darker and add some violet... well yes of course we should I would say. As was the case last week.

quatre. I took french in highschool. I went by Claire in my class. My friend went by Bernard. I got an F. I don't know what he got. I wish he were alive to ask him today.

cinq. My kids are watching scary movies right behind me as I type these lovely randoms out. It is 8:28 pm. 28 minutes past Lucy's bedtime. I feel some bad dreams coming our way.

six. Who wants to do the Napoleon Dynamite dance with me?

sept. I still really want a volvo C30. But I want it in that sporty blue color... which it does not come in. Chad says 4 seats is not enough for a family of five. what-EVER! it's fine.

and that's a wrap!

I found this really old absurdly horrible photo I took of my bed forever ago. You can sorta see said chandelier! The kids like to shine the flashlight on it and make rainbows on the walls and ceilings :)



and now for passing the torch...
(this means you have no choice but to share some majorly random fun facts about yourself with the world!)

Randomly picked out of a hat (not) but in no particular order... Kelly. Lori. and Kristi. :)

Sweet dreams my friends.

Truth is, I'm still holding out on you. i can't help it, I'm just so dang overwhelmed :) !!!!!

I {heart} Earth.

last week the sky was amazing. Tell me you saw it!



every week Kassidy is amazing.

... ... ...

I'm feeling very moody at the moment.

and by that I mean... in the mood to make a video with the flip.

serious. as in a seriously awesome minor motion picture.

I've been brainstorming.

occasionally good does come from using my brain.

very occasionally.

<3

and here I sit...

a face full of oatmeal.

You would die laughing if you could see me right now.

oh man, I have a homemade oatmeal paste slathered all around my eyeballs and lips. If I get snackie I just give a little lick. ooh lala yummy. haha! when its gets all crusty and stiff I give it spritz of water so i can crinkle my brow again.

Soooooo I have to tell you about this because as Dr. Phil would say...

This is going to be a changing day in your life!

I actually had to look that up because I am not the Dr. Phil fan I would currently seem to be :)

A couple days ago my sister-in-law Kristi posted how she had given her daughter an oatmeal bath to help her with her eczema.

this was her exact post... Grind 2 cups oats in the blender, dump it in the bath, soak for 20 minutes and it helps relieve the itching from eczema. What the book doesn't tell you is what a mess the bathtub will be after the water drains! (I've been reading "Ezcema-free for Life" to help my little Chloe with her itchy, rashy skin.)

By the way, Kristi has no clue I went on her facebook page and copied her status to share with you all :) I think she's soon to find out though!

Kristi if you're reading this I must tell you that this is like a huge breakthrough for me. THANK YOU!

I feel like the leper that's been cured of leprosy! yes yes it's that good!

So do you know eczema? it's a horrid never ending disease which does not go away. ever. I assume most people know what this is even if you don't have it, BUT just incase its this dry scaly itching peely yuck skin.

My eczema is extra painfully annoying as it is mostly on my eyelids and above my lip.

oh? you thought I wore pretty pink eye shadow because I think it looks all rockstar? Ha! hardly. And I bet you think I drink way to much kool-aid too? n.i.c.e, but no.

that my friends is my lovely eczema. And that is on a good day when I've been very careful not to wear eye make-up. Especially eye shadow. and mascara.

I could show you my collection of ointments that have been prescribed but I think you would find it highly uniteresting especially because they don't work worth smelly old beans. they might tame it but IT IS ALWAYS THERE.

and then I met oatmeal.

I love oatmeal. I used to eat it when I was smarter. I mean for breakfast not just in cookies :) and now I wear it. I grind it up in my vitamix then add a little purified water until its pasty and then its just me and the oats slathering away in perfect harmony! I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it!

I like how i can smell it on my face. Smells all earthy and wholesome. But most of all i like how I have my eyelids back!

I even wore eyeshadow for the first time in forever! WOOT!

Try it.

TRY IT!

you will love Kristi forever too.

<3 you Kristi!!

P.S. - Katie sung this song to me in my car tonight... so this ones for her :)

and what is this you ask?


Dare I say sunrise? I woke up at 5:30 am to photograph the moon. Decided I liked the sun better.

and here is just this one more swirly photo of Kassidy that somehow only made it onto facebook. Well, until now :)



<3 !!!!!!!