Stephany Jones Photography

The Smallest Details...

2011-07-31T12:42:00.003-05:00

always matter.

I don't do manicure on my nails, I'm just careless, I know some women can't stand not having their nails done, it's just their vanity.

I understand, because in photography, though I don't get manicure but always keep a short clean nails always, I always ask my clients to: MAKE SURE YOU DO YOUR NAILS, IF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO.

And of course they are!

Next to the eyes, I swear to you, nails are one of the details that people look on a portrait.

I love this one so much, I smiled during my edit especially when she posed and she made sure her nails shows.

She did pretty well or her sisters did pretty well doing her nails.

How Do They Say it in Text?

2011-07-24T19:24:00.005-05:00

I didn't know that it's a heart and it obviously it means love! hahahaha! I swear I thought it means ice cream, and they would say when they make a comment: "I <3 this" so I really thought I ice cream and ice cream is delicious, so it means like, I love this one like an ice cream.

Oh gosh, this is embarrasing but I really just have to say my thought. I have been assuming this thought for YEARS! yes, I'm that awful!

I found out that this is a heart when we watched a movie and they showed this text, "I <3 u" in big text, I mean its the whole cinema screen, so I yelp: "Look! it's a heart!" and my husband stared at me, "Yeah! what do you think it was?" I said, "Ice cream!" and he shook his head!

So yes, I <3 this image that I took" ! so I'm saying "I love this image that I took".

I love how I got hired. B, the one on the right side, wrote me a letter and told me, for her birthday she wants a pictorial with her friends and her sisters and asked and arranged everything, from how much each girl is going to pay and how it's going to happen, from how many changes they are going to do and what they are going to wear.

She just need to ask her mom of her schedule.

Her mom and I talked and we were both impressed.

And as you notice, it all happened.

She just turned 13. You don't see a lot of teenagers do that at 13.

And Why Not?

2011-06-26T23:51:00.005-05:00

I don't solicit doing budoir, because I always think it's a special choice, even who should take it. I respect every person's choice on who is going to take them in their most intimate moment.

But don't get me wrong, I love doing it. My client on this one was just really shy but decided to do it because she has not idea what to give to her husband. Yeah, sometimes you just have to let go of things and just do it.

I love this session so much...I love doing budoir but if you are going to do it, always make sure that you do it without big expectation, just trust yourself that you did your best to get fit before the session. I was laughing when one of my scheduled client left me a voicemail and asked me for an available date and she said: "Stef, please let me know when I'm going start to stop eating!" hahahaha! of course it was a joke but I advised her to treat it as a reward, that she'll work hard until the scheduled session and she'll be so proud of herself and she will have a proof. Best way to do this is to do a little party with just the girlfriends, I usually book a budoir session, a month and a half away, so that you will have enough time to get fit in the most healthy and most realistic way, doing it with girlfriends will be more fun because it will be a buddy system. It is truly an experience.

I have to be honest, not everyone of us are size 0 but we can always showcase what is beautiful and you have to find a photographer who, first, makes you feel comfortable, may that be me or the person next to me, I really don't care. But if you ask me?

Why not do it?

because you know what, when do you really want to do it?

Sigh!

2011-06-05T17:49:00.001-05:00

So now I can officially say that May truly is a crazy great month next to October, the beginning of Spring and October being the overture of the warm season, I love both months.

For the next few weeks I'll show you all my works. I have lots of budoir shots, I wish I can share it here BUT my clients declined, and you know what, even if I say and photographers do have the right of all the photos, I do respect privacy because I would wish for the same if I would request for one and hopefully they will obliges. I'm proud of all of them and they are too BUT no, no! hahahaha!!! and that's okay.

Now this is one of my session that I love so much. You know why? I love the lighting in her house! AND I love her so much, she's so easy to handle and she hasn't done this I think in a while but it seems like she did a session like this yesterday. It really does pay off when you as a person, and my client admits that she has vanity, and there's nothing wrong with that, to know all your angles and what works and what doesn't. I always remind prospective clients that there is no shame to practicing and knowing what smile works and what doesn't and what pose works and what doesn't. It's the camera, yes, "You work it" means you do something with it and you have control over it.

Usually during my first session, I ask my client if they know their angle, and if they don't, no worry, I usually find it, yes, I do the mugshot style looking, front view, side view, to the right ,the the left please and then analyze, that only takes 3 minutes and a whole lot of fun after.

And as you notice, she didn't go crazy on the make up and I mean, no crazy colors. I always believe that make up should enhance AND NOT CHANGE your face! I always remind people that, she knows herself and that is great. The secret for great portrait is beautiful skin, you don't have to put crazy color eyeshadows because it really doesn't matter, what matters is your skin.

Enjoy the view, I think this is one of my most favorite sessions for this year.

So Should I???

2011-04-20T22:23:00.000-05:00

They always ask me that question, "Should I really do it?" when I tell them they should do a budoir session with me. The question is "why not? when are you going to do it, when your 85?" not that there is anything wrong with that but I grew up remember what my aunt told me, "As long as you are young, Stef, you have to save all your money to have your picture taken, one day you'll be old and you'll look back and you'll say, "I don't look that bad."

So we did it...a budoir...of course these shots I'm showing to you are ones that can be showed for the world to see, what happens after a few minutes is between my client and I.

Women always wonder, "Do I have to work out?" "Are you going to do some touch ups?" and my answer is yes to both, you have to, not for me but for you, you have to feel good that you did your best and then just hire a photographer that you can trust about everything. I'm very careful and fun with my budoir sessions. I love the discretion I do with it because I think it is the client's most vulnerable moment, I have never heard anyone told me that they didn't have fun, yes, there are apprehensions, who doesn't want to be Gisele Bündchen, I would! but there's also that self acceptance that yes, I might not have her body or her looks but I'm still beautiful in my own very way.

Yes, I did ask all my friends that, especially the ones who I know went to the road of getting fit in the most beautiful route that they can ever find, may it be for running, riding their bike or dancing, when I see someone work so hard for it, I offer my service, I don't do it regularly but I will do it with the condition of total submission and just trusting me, because you know what, take it from Marie Antoinette--

She loves immortalizing herself.

L, Thanks so much for being a great sport!

xoxoxox!

Cute Little Pink Princess

2011-04-10T15:12:00.000-05:00

She giggles when you ask her what her age is and she asked us if she can be 5 or 6 or 8 instead...she made my week extra perfect. My Master's weekend with a very fun pictorial just made everything uber wonderful!

I so Love this one

2011-04-06T04:08:00.000-05:00

I love how behave he looks, it was as how I describe my day that I took it...easy Sunday Morning! That's the one thing why I love to take pictures of babies, me and them have the same happy time--Morning. His mom hesitated to answer when I asked her what's baby J's most happiest time and she said , "It's early morning..." and I said, "Don't worry, I wake up at 3am on weekends." and she said, "Oh my Gosh!"

Yes, I love an easy Sunday morning.

Almost There

2011-04-03T05:55:00.000-05:00

One day that it was beautiful and I arranged my life accordingly to capture it! It was funny because the clouds were so nice and fluffy but the light that I wanted to be didn't show it , I still love my day!

Because I Need to Smile

2011-03-27T22:00:00.000-05:00

and you just have to look at something beautiful that you just made for yourself...The world is truly beautiful because you want to look at it that way...

My Door!

2011-03-03T07:11:00.001-06:00

And I didn't even notice that I can create an image from the light at my doorway until she asked me if I can take a picture of her and she handed me a magazine page and said, I need a door with light and here you go...this was at 12noon so it was really surprising for me.

He Said, She said

2011-02-24T19:45:00.000-06:00

She grew right in front of us, when we play pretend that we have a kid, my husband and I would ask her mom if she can have dinner with us and we'll chat with her, now she's all grown up, sigh! I guess the piano is getting old! hahaha!
Last Sunday I took a picture of her with her homecoming dress, it was really cold outside so we just decided to do it inside my house and my husband and I picked each of our favorite. She's so grown up now and my husband would tease me : "You're the shortest among all those girls now!"

This is my favorite:

This is my husband's favorite:

Before I go to Sleep

2011-02-06T22:16:00.001-06:00

I have to post something that truly made my day while I was picking the images I want for my site...Natalie at 15, she was poised the whole time while her 4 siblings look on and teased her while I was taking her picture.

Self Portrait

2011-01-21T03:10:00.000-06:00

I dread this one every year when I'm required to do it for photography. This time I use a different technique because I am so lazy, I wore a dress with a grey color and didn't put the lens in manual mode so that when I press the remote, it will instantly find a focus and I can comfortably move and change pose or adjust pose.

This is my journey this year.

It Never gets Old

2010-06-13T18:43:00.000-05:00

The feeling of accomplishment after the big day. I don't do weddings regularly, once a year and I'll be happy, but I do more than that but only as a second shooter, I love doing both, but if I'm a second shooter, I'm more relax because I know that the most important images is not my responsibility. And when I am the first shooter, all of those I consider my babies. I feel like it's my resposibility to see them beautiful, and they all are, that I am so lucky!

The feeling is still the same. Like I have been proposed to again, the feeling never gets old. You know feeling, that thing that you were the one and you are so happy that they pick you because inside, you want them to pick you but you can't say it because it's really not your choice to pick. Yes, that feeling.

It never gets old.

and I love it.

Each of them special. All Beautiful.

Only a Mommy can Love

2010-06-06T07:47:00.000-05:00

a face like this!

Actually, I think this shot was a so so for me but his mom adores it soooo much. Most of the times, as a photographer, I see things different than my client, the bestseller ones are usually the ones I just think is okay...I guess that's what you call priceless because they know what truly is their child's personality.

Don't get me wrong, I think I did a great job on this one but this is inbetween shots while we were warming him up.

my night job is really fullfilling.

Shine on Me!

2010-06-05T11:59:00.000-05:00

Nothing beat a beautiful light to a pretty young lady! I love golden light and it never cease to amaze me how every session you learn a lot of things...

I Guess!

2010-06-04T02:35:00.000-05:00

Its just about memorizing the feeling, huh? I always get nervous taking pictures of 5 months old babies since this is an age where they have much reaction already and yes, some mind of their own, but I tell you, I think I know how to handle them already!

I Always wanted this Shot

2010-05-31T10:13:00.000-05:00

but I can't get anyone to fix their room for a shot like this until they came. Mom wants a casual shot, not a studio kind of feel and I just got an idea for it ever since I saw that room....What a great light can do to a beautiful family.

Naughty, Naughty!

2010-05-11T04:22:00.000-05:00

But you don't notice that here...it's fun to take baby pictures but really, it's total patience, the only thing I always remind moms is to be patient because if they start getting irritated the baby will feel it and then they start getting upset too.

It's Almost Over

2010-04-12T04:32:00.000-05:00

The flowers are blooming...no snow anymore! I can't wait to do another session with her. She was a trooper, by the way, this was 15' with wind blowing!

I see Sprouts!

2010-04-02T19:32:00.000-05:00

It's almost here...the weather is beautiful for Good Friday, they said that it will rain tomorrow, as long as no snow happens, I'm good to go. I can't wait for the adventure I am in.

Cheers to new Beginnings! this is my first official one to start off spring.

Thanks, Liz! She's truly amazing, 7 outfits in a matter of an hour and 45 minutes, that includes changing.

Spring...it's almost here!

2010-03-24T02:27:00.000-05:00

I am so excited for Spring...and I can't wait for the adventure that's in store..I hope I get a lot of fields of flower.

Playing Retro

2010-03-07T05:54:00.000-06:00

I was playing with my conversion, I'm not a big fan of doing this kind of stuff all the time because it's a fad, in 2 years or less this will become passe already and then the image will go with it but hey, at least I get to do it, right?

I so Love this Pose

2010-03-06T07:05:00.000-06:00

I always wonder why tall girls are the ones they choose to model, and I always realized when I get to do one is because you see a great movement of the body when they posed, the clothes gets more "air time" because you see the symmetry of the outfit with the model's physique. She know what she wants and I love it.

Location?

2010-02-27T16:35:00.000-06:00

How do I pick my location?

I'd rather have great light than the most stunning location because in photography, it's more important to have light than to have a beautiful background, it's not the background that you are looking for anyways, it's the subject. This image was taken at a garage door, the light is behind me.

Ohhhhh!

2010-02-26T02:52:00.000-06:00

Okay, I have to say it now, I love poses that has some pizaaaz, I'm not the typical photographer who just let my subject stand up naturally, if you want to stand as natural as you are, then don't pick me because I think that what makes a portrait beautiful is making an awkward pose look beautiful and I think this is the perfect visual of what I meant.

This Year

2010-02-25T03:52:00.000-06:00

I'll really encourage the girls I regularly take pictures to have signature pose/smile...same as with me. When I capture images, I have images in my mind already, but you know what, I really want it to be a reflex...I'm looking forward to my adventure!

My Own American Gothic

2010-02-24T04:07:00.000-06:00

I love this pose, everytime I have a pair of models, I let them pose like this. You always have a sequence in your mind and I want this one as my signature.

Baby it's Cold Outside

2010-01-31T18:16:00.001-06:00

But I really have to go out and see the sun...my hand was numb after 30 minutes of being out and I'm wearing my gloves, just imagine her!

Thanks, J!

Finally...Only the Braves Do This!

2009-12-13T16:16:00.000-06:00

Yes, this is the time that only the braves do this, my official artistic time to study photography, art and just read about photography...my first one...it was really cold, but we have no regrets...I can't wait for the rest of the season.

Last Warm Day After Thanksgiving

2009-11-29T13:38:00.000-06:00

Last warm day...and I got lucky because she said yes, she will be there to make my day.

I Love Stolen Shots

2009-11-21T20:46:00.000-06:00

This is in between takes while I was adjusting my exposure and she happens to be musing and waiting for my instruction...

Game Face ON!

2009-11-08T11:14:00.000-06:00

Look at that priceless expression AND that curls...

Simply Beautiful

2009-11-07T21:14:00.000-06:00

I don't think I have to say more. Today is beautiful, the weather, the subject. Everything.

Perfect Sunday

2009-11-01T16:36:00.000-06:00

Today, I felt like a Rockstar, a beautiful pregnant woman, in her beautiful home. I don't want to go into details but their house has one of the most glorious lights. Thank you so much, Sabeena, I had so much fun today.

Oh My!

2009-10-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about this session, and my gosh, I want to post them all! but I have to limit myself. Okay, this is among my favorites.

The Stunt

2009-10-17T22:37:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to clean up my hard drive to clear up some space and got a hold of this one...now I remember, she pulled this stunt because she was so tired of mommy telling her to smile. I just took a snap, one and only shot.

Second Look

2009-10-06T19:43:00.000-05:00

Oh, you have no idea how excited I was when I saw this image, this was only one shot, I remember I saw the shadow on in his that I took the shot, not really sure if I get it right, BUT I guess I did!!!

I Love This One

2009-10-04T08:43:00.000-05:00

because of the the huge windows, a model that just didn't say anything because mom is infront of him. You should see their house, my idea of a studio is a charming house with windows everywhere sorrounded with trees just like their home.

Ohhhh, I am so happy I got this shot.

Boys will be Boys

2009-09-20T02:18:00.000-05:00

This is an indoor photo session since my subject does not want to go anywhere but in the house--Boys! I didn't mind because there house has the most beautiful light setting in late afternoon.

Big Sissy...

2009-08-27T03:49:00.000-05:00

When you see two siblings together, you can never imagine one without the other even if you see them bicker, fight or just plain give each other a hard time...when I captured this image, it made me smile... this I think is the epitome of what you call big sister.

My Radio Flyer Shot

2009-08-09T21:06:00.001-05:00

I always love the movie and hope one day I can immortalized it and this is my rendition... ;)

She's 1

2009-08-02T20:52:00.001-05:00

And she advised me that this is how I should play my piano! hahahaha!!! I enjoyed so much taking her pictures.

I'm Seeing Black & White

2009-07-18T19:13:00.000-05:00

You know the thing...your off, trying to practice and you stumbled into an image that just shouts black and white...and I just did that, and then universe is happy because I am!

Big Fan!

2009-07-05T21:08:00.000-05:00

I tell you, men? when you ask them to pose, they are so reluctant, but let them wear their team uniform and you get everything you want.

Another day...

2009-06-27T21:05:00.000-05:00

Enjoying a new setting and enjoying the warm weather...

Summer just Won't Come

2009-06-07T08:59:00.000-05:00

So most of my shots are indoor...I have an idea already about what shot I want when I saw her came in and pictured it in black and white.

At Last....

2009-05-03T04:09:00.001-05:00

I've always wanted to own an image like this...beautiful couple and a beautiful setting. Their marriage is truly God's picture perfect idea, you know why? the wedding was at 11am and that day, it was every photographer's prayer come true, the sun was beautifully peeking, no harsh light, beautiful tame clouds.

I just got to freeze the image that God want them to have.

Cheers to forever and after.

I Just Ran into This one...

2009-04-19T18:54:00.000-05:00

And thought...why did I miss this one!?!?!?!?

Tax Season is Almost Done!!!

2009-04-15T21:21:00.001-05:00

and spring is almost going to happen...I can't wait on what kind of adventure I am going to experience this year!!!

Last Leg of Spring

2009-04-11T21:31:00.001-05:00

I really hope that this will be the last one and May Flower will finally bloom....

I got my piano

2009-03-22T20:22:00.000-05:00

and place it in my little room where I do my photo shoot...and this is what I got!

Hopefully

2009-03-08T20:09:00.000-05:00

My last few indoor photoshoots...I hope Spring will happen soon.

Cutest Little Thing!

2009-03-01T20:49:00.000-06:00

I can't imagine how lucky I am to take her picture....such a happy baby!!!!!

Welcome!!!

2009-02-16T19:52:00.000-06:00

This is my journey...stay in touch!!!!