Tag Archives: photography

Things you may not know about me.

Posted on by
Reply

15 Things you may not know about me.

1. I was born a cheesehead – and that can be never taken away once given.

2. I have identical twin younger brothers.

3. Hate wine but LOVE champaign… gotta have the bubbly to make me like it.Image

4. I hate mushrooms 99% of the time

5. I started working at Godfather’s Pizza when I was 16 (almost 17)…  yes, I was too young… yes they still hired me – and I got heckled for not being able to use half the machines and mixers because of it.

6. My first medium format camera was an RB67 (first 35mm was some Nikon,lol can’t remember which one), 2nd was a RZ67, 3rd Bronicas (a hand full of them), and then Mamiya 645s… until I made the leap to digital… Canon every since.

7. I use to be a painter – all oils.

8. In addition to visual arts/photography degrees.  I also have a BS in Child Psychology and an MBA in Marketing

9. It has to be a good one, but my favorite pie is blueberry – and I’ll pass up about any other pastry or cake for a good pie anytime.

10. I am totally split personality…. 50% of me wants to sit by myself watch a movie, the other 50% of me wants to constantly travel and explore.

11. Favorite food: seafood… scallops, crab legs, lobster. 

12. I would take a warm cozy fire in a cabin over being out in the snow… but if I have to be in the snow – I will be the one stomping in water puddles and making snow angels.

13. I can cook… but unless someone will clean it up – I would rather go out for dinner.

14. I hate putting puzzles together.

15.  I LOVE people that know how to play, get dirty, and try to make everything fun.  I refuse to be an adult.

 

 

Bridal Bootcamp by Sysbro Fitness

Posted on by
3

 

Image

 

I wanted to take a minute to introduce Andrea Cordova and Bridal Bootcamp.  I talk to a lot of brides who all seem to chatter about dieting for their big day, and I think this is such a good alternative – and it produces great results.  Please visit her website at SLIM DOWN FOR THE GOWN!

The Ultimate Bridal Package by Sysbro Fitness offers an exciting 12 week exercise, health, and nutrition program for future brides and anyone wanting to lose weight and feel great!  We are on a mission to help brides and grooms jump start their new lives together feeling strong, sexy and confident!  It is our goal to create an effective health and weight loss program for the individuals committed to Sysbro Fitness in Northglenn.  It is important to us that each person receives special attention which is why we limit the class sizes to 12 people per class.  At Sysbro Fitness, we understand that achieving quick and effective results is of great importance to our members, so we focus on muscle confusion when designing our exercise programs, reassuring members that they will not plateau, but improve with each week!  The Ultimate Bridal Package is more affordable than personal training and members receive more personal attention than they would working out at the local gym.  We offer our brides and grooms more than health and nutrition; each month after breaking a major sweat during workouts, our members enjoy a salon visit where our partners pamper them helping them look as good as they feel!  Although this program is only 12 weeks long, it is a part of our mission to coach the current members well enough so they can easily continue on the correct path to health and wellness and live happily ever after.

Give them a call for more details today at (720)934-7157 and follow them on twitter at @slimdwn4thegown

 

More importantly, it gives you a boost of confidence on your wedding day so you feel as beautiful as you look!

 

Awhhhhh… Crepes!

Posted on by
1

Image

I go on kicks of craving things now and then.  Crepes have been on my mind for awhile and when Karen Windness answered my shout out on Facebook yesterday I had to make them.  Why was I so afraid to make them before… good question.  Super easy.  As a bonus it allowed me to use leftover ham one more day by making them savory instead of sweet.

 

Crepes:

Crepes (good sweet or savory)
Recipe makes about 7 large crepes.
Ingredients:
2 eggs
½ cup milk
½ cup water
1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted 
¼ tsp salt
2 TBS butter, melted (+additional butter for pan)
Directions:
1. Whisk together eggs, milk and water. Gradually add sifted flour and salt to wet mix. Stir in melted butter.
2. Heat griddle to medium (we use a large, round, non-stick pan). Melt a small amount of butter in pan. Pour or scoop batter onto the griddle. (About 1/4 cup for each crepe.) Tilt the pan in a circular motion so batter is even and thin. 
3. Cook crepe for approx. 2 minutes. (Bottom should be light brown.) Flip and cook other side. Serve hot.

Savory option seen here(courtesy of leftover ham in the fridge)

1 egg scrambled, mexican crumble cheese , ham diced, green onions chopped, jalapeños diced, and some green salsa!

Sweet option:

Another option if you want sweet is Karen’s cream cheese sauce (GREAT with berries or lemon and brown sugar or nutella or…) 
2 parts cream cheese, softened (I usually use a half package)
1 part butter, softened
½ part powdered sugar (can adjust to your texture preference, thinner or thicker)
½ part milk
Beat together until smooth. Add a little bit of vanilla and dash of salt.

Image

 

Floral engineer – art, flowers, fun

Posted on by
1

ImageA little creating this weekend for a beautiful floral look-book coming soon.  Featuring the beautiful work of Julia Kaaren of Mulberries and the make-up and hair styles from Samantha Koch of LadyCharm Artistry.  This is just the tip of the iceberg… I’ll be posting the book soon with some beautiful creations!

ImageImageImage

Wealth of knowledge or over loaded?

Posted on by
Reply

In a day when we can go to the internet or scour youtube for much needed information, I would like to pose a question.  Are we blessed with a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips or over loading our brains with too much information?

It’s easy for me to see both sides with what I do for a living.  I can learn faster, and as an artist my style has developed and changed faster because of all the images that pass by my eyes in a given day.  But just about every week, I take a moment an pause and think about how much time I may be spending “gathering” knowledge and try to put the brakes on to see how it may be hindering time that I’m actually learning on my own.

Absorbing knowledge or photo-copied knowledge. 

I have to enter into this from an artists point of view because that is who I am, so I apologize for using my own reference points and hope you can relate it to your own.

I can look at an image from another photographer, or I can see a certain “pose” that I’m fond of done by someone else – and trying to remember a specific thing like a pose makes me cringe.  Every time in the 25 years that I’ve been a photographer that I have tried to mimic an image of another, it is a struggle, it is uncomfortable, it isn’t me.  I see some photographers out there trying to “duplicate” an inspiration shot and part of me says they are learning and the other part of me says they are just photo-copy machines.  They can make their images look good only because they are copying what they have seen.

Trying to find yourself as an artist.

People ask all of the time “who inspires you” and I think the question that prompts me to look at myself is actually “what inspires you.”  What inspires me is how people move, the colors in nature, the personalities of a person, and the study of light and how it bends around a room.

Inspiration boards.

Pinterest – although definitely is an additive endeavor; allowing you to hoard all of this eye-candy of inspiration onto a single page right before your eyes is defeating in personal inspiration at times to me as well.  Clients bring in sheets of what they love, but as an artist it can definitely stunt your creativity – you are trying to make your work look like “the board” and then I have to ask.. how much of YOU is in your work?

LOVE OPEN DISCUSSION.

While I personally find it more important in my own growth to study the basics of light, shadows, colors, smells, and movement/interaction to help me find my best work.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the instant access of “how to’s” available to us as photographers or artists and if you find it more as an inspiration or push to grow or if spending so much time “looking” and quick learning may defeat the purpose of your own art?

For photographers:  When it comes to the actual session and you are creating a portrait – what is in your  mind?  Are you thinking about trying a “pose” or are you studying your subject how they move, how the light is on them and how you are going to get them to respond to you naturally?

ok… now… your turn.

Image

Girls vs. Boys

Posted on by
1

ImageLet’s just say it’s official.  Girls are different than boys.  Now I know what you’re thinking – that is no new concept, but I’m telling you – no matter what the differences I thought there were before… yesterday was proof positive.

Understand that I have two boys, I grew up with two brothers… I KNOW BOYS.  If you’ve been following along at all the past year we have had a lot of tutu sessions through the studio and I’ve had many parents asking for a “boys” day.  So yesterday we had our first official boys day at the studio.  It was the most fun I think I’ve had at the new studio… and today… well, I AM EXHAUSTED!  I can tell you the decibel level is about 100 times more than on a tutu day when you get a bunch of boys pass through your doors.  Lets make it clear… boys ages about 18 months-9 years… about 15 boys within 6 hours.

I CAN’T WAIT TO DO THIS AGAIN!!!  So as much as I’m enjoying a quieter day with my ONE boy at home today, it was an absolute blast and I would highly recommend it if you have a boy or boys.  SO MUCH FUN and so much energy – and from what I’ve heard so far, the boys are talking about it still today and telling everyone about their studio “camp” day.Image

A message to new photographers.

Posted on by
Reply

JS_JTP_005

To any new photographers out there. Please do not WORRY about the competition. It is way more important to create what you love, not what someone else loves. You will rise to the top much faster by being true to yourself and only comparing yourself to what you were yesterday – with your eyes continuing to look at how you can improve yourself tomorrow.

~Jeanine Thurston

 

A fun day of play at the studio.

Posted on by
Reply

JS_JTP_005Sometimes you need one of those creative days when you can just shoot what you want how you want to.  It helps when you have some amazing people to work with too.  Viqui Westenhaver from Skye Salon and Spa whipped up an amazing hair day for Jill Scott – who got to be model and MUA for the day.  Image

Thanks for the fun ladies and getting us all out of a “cleaning” day! lol

A letter on my door step: waves formation.

Posted on by
1

I’ve decided to continue on with 3 more posts on “A letter on my door step.”  This will be post 3 of 5 total before the end of this blog heading. I feel like after the mass distribution and hundreds of thousands that have graced the pages, e-mailed me, and all of the amazing stories that I’ve had the chance to read, that I need to follow through for all that have started following my blog because of the post.  In case you’ve missed any up until now, here is the order or far and what to expect coming up.

1. A letter on my door step: Portraits are more than paper

2. A letter on my door step: The follow-up

3. A letter on my door step: Waves formation (the post you are on right now)

4. A letter on my door step: Picture the results (coming soon)

5. A letter on my door step: Family (coming soon)

So obviously I’m sure to most that have been reading my recent posts and seeing the mass response – my personal view of what has happened is best described as a wave formation.  Lovely description of such a thing in nature can be found at Action Sports Maui.  I have personally had such extreme highs and lows the past 3 days – but I stand strong in the fact that I believe I did the right thing by posting the letter.  The stories/experiences/feelings that came pouring in to me are overwhelming, while giving me such renewed faith in human nature and the the value of family, love and the healing power a photograph can give to them.

Emotions that have been expressed mostly by communications to me from viewers: Belonging – Love – Sorrow – Pride – Calm – Gratitude/Thanks – Empathy – Will… and that is just to start.

Call to action was what amazed me the most.  I’ve had so many people telling me they picked up their cameras to photograph their loved ones immediately.

I guess from here, I would love to share a few images from my readers out there.  If you happen to have picked up your camera and have taken a shot of a family member because of reading this post – or if you had some images taken at a portrait session, please share.  Feel free to e-mail them to me at my gmail account: fototails@gmail.com.  I of course can’t post everything everyone sends, so don’t feel slighted if I don’t post yours – but would love to post a few on my next post.  I’ll just take the first 6 or 7 images I receive.  Please – if you send something that a professional photographer took, also send a release with it and if you are the photographer, please include a logo on your image so you get credit.  Only rated “G” photos please!  If you have a little paragraph to go with an image about you or how this impacted you – I would love to add a little about it too.

Jeanine Thurston Photography

waves

A letter on my door step: The follow-up

Posted on by
112

Ok – honestly, I had absolutely no idea what would happen over the last 24 hours.  Although I’ve been in professional photography for around 24 years – I did not set out to post something that would be passed along to so many people.  Today, my e-mail, blog & twitter were turned upside down with mass communication beyond comprehension.  95% of the voices I heard through Facebook, Twitter, E-mail as well as blog posts were a grouping of similar stories, people who could really relate, and thankful people that loved the reminder to give a little more love an attention to those that you love around you.  About 3% were questions about me, about the family, and about photography.  That left a very small 2% that found the blog post offensive and questioned my integrity in doing so.  Looking at the percentages – I will say that there will always be a few nay sayers and negative people, but the astonishing positive and thankful feedback actually has left me in tears over half the past day.  So I went to the studio with no make-up, hair in a mess and nice big puffy eyes – and am grateful for all of the stories shared from all corners of the globe.

Just because everyone isn’t rosy and positive doesn’t mean they don’t have a valid perspective, so I feel like I should address some questions in today’s post.  These are answers to only questions I’ve received up until now – and I apologize if I’ve missed something from any of you, and will try to go through and e-mail some people directly as well.

** Were you blocking a lot of negative comments so far?

Actually no. I have currently only “unapproved” 5 posts so far… all of which contained either foul language or I felt were bashing the feelings of sincere people that posted comments on my blog.  I e-mailed a response to each person that I “unapproved” explaining exactly why I had done so, as well as addressing their concerns or harsh words.

** Is Karen still alive? Can you post photos of her and her family?

Sorry to say that she has passed.  I do have images from past sessions and wedding; however I and the family do not feel it is the right place to put faces to her words – as her words speak for themselves.  They prefer not to be recognized, or contacted – especially with young children involved.  Morning and dealing with a sever loss is really a personal matter – and it is a very fragile situation.

** Was the post a marketing ploy or hoax?

No.  The only benefit I feel from this is that others can bond and feel some greater picture.  I have my own family, a full-time business and want to pass along how important loving relationships are or can be to my children.  Cancer has hit close to home in my family as well – and it was a very awakening experience for me.  A reminder of how quickly life passes, and how even I put off photos with my children.  As photographers, we are behind the camera – and the nudge that this letter provided me was to do more portraits with my husband and children…. and ME in the photograph.  It’s about setting aside the thought of a few extra wrinkles, or couple extra pound because you don’t feel like you look perfect and getting in front of the camera for sentiment sake.  Unfortunately I don’t think I could possibly convince some people of this – but I felt like I still needed to try to explain my actual intent.  I by no means believe this was her last “wish” as one so un-kindly put either.  I know her and I also know that she probably sat down and wrote a number of letters to people because that is the kind of person she was.  Loving.

** Do I expect people to spend thousands on photography?

That is quite a personal decision and really – with my own family and trying to support them on a photographer’s budget I have to tighten my belt too.   I am all to familiar with paycheck to paycheck.  So in short… NO… that isn’t something I would demand or expect – or force anyone into.  Many seem to be un-aware that photographers are small business owners – we are no different than anyone else with a job (except we rarely get a steady paycheck).  We have lots of bills, many of us have families, we pay our own insurance –  if we are pros and we also have increasingly large over head expenses with continually upgrading equipment & computers.  We work all hours day and night too.  It is as far from a 9-5 job as most will ever understand.  Many photographers (myself included) have actually lowered our rates or offer payment options or packages to make it easier if a client chooses to hire us for their memories.

I want to make it abundantly clear that at least 90% off all my photographs of my family and children are “candid” on the fly and “in the moment.”  And yes – these are prized by me just as much as the professional looking images.

** Guilt trip?

Well – I guess you can call it what you would like.  Some people have called it a real awakening, some have said thank you for the reminder, and some have said I was a awful person too.

Here is my opinion.. or view I guess you can say:

“Call it whatever you want!  I LOVE MY FAMILY.  I know now more than ever that there are hundreds of thousands of people that feel love for their families and friends.  If yesterday’s post made just ONE of you pick up your camera and take a family photo or a few extra shots of your children or parents/grandparents then that 2% that are disgusted with me, don’t matter – my love and concern is with those that the post touched in a positive way.  I would love to photograph as many people as possible in my lifetime, but it makes me happy just to know that others out there do see value in what a photograph IS.  It is beautiful memories of past lives, the building blocks of who you are today and who you will be tomorrow, and it is stories for  children and generations to come.”

I am very proud to be a professional photographer

I am proud to be in a profession that touches so many people in an amazing – astounding way for generations behind and ahead of me.

I am proud that I can see beauty in everyone…. EVERYONE.

For all photographers out there – professional or not – be proud that you record our history, love and our lives.  For clients or potential clients… we photograph people because we love the spirit and uniqueness of every person.

I wish everyone a beautiful and heart-felt 2012!!!!  My many thanks to everyone that has and will post about their experiences.  I enjoy reading and hearing about all of the amazing connections out there and have had many e-mails and posts stating how much they appreciate everyone posting and seeing all of the love and kindness!

Here is the link to the post that this follow-up refers to as well:

http://fototails.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/a-letter-on-my-doorstep-portraits-are-more-than-paper/