Welcome Baby Rowan!

As you may already know from the JRP Newsletter, we are celebrating Motherhood this week in the office (if you didn't receive the newsletter and want to have future posts and updates delivered to your email inbox then click here to subscribe).

Baby Rowan made is debut back in November (so this post is a little um "overdue"), but alas here it finally is! I was privileged to not only document his birth in pictures, but to see him draw his first breath! Do you know how incredible that is? Like reeeeeealy know? Whoa! Being a mother already, I thought I did and yet I stood in complete and utter amazement; totally mesmerized by how God so divinely created women---how our bodies are able to knit together such a miracle that is a newborn child.

I loved reflecting on this amazing moment (and reminisced with a smile on the birth of my own two babies). I continue to pray for those sisters who are unable to conceive or who aren't able to carry a baby to term, and re-embraced my own feminine "supernatural powers" 💛  My sister made me so incredibly proud this day and we are so blessed to have welcomed Rowan Edward into this crazy but loving little family of ours.

So here goes...in Desiree's own words...the story of Rowan's birth...

On November 17th, a little more than a year after I married the love of my life, I met the second love of my life at 4:54 in the afternoon. I can now affirm that “love at first sight” is a real thing and it's true when they say your life will never be the same. Who would have thought that such a little human being could make a person's heart feel so big?

When I found out I was pregnant, I was all gung ho about doing things as naturally as possible; no pain killers or inductions at delivery, I would have even considered a home birth if my health would have allowed it! But, life has other plans sometimes and due to gestational diabetes I was scheduled to be induced, and ultimately I wouldn't change a thing about that day.

My husband and I arrived at the hospital around 6:30am and I was induced at 7am. Things went by very gradually; I took mini naps and watched cartoons (cause I am a little nerdy at heart) while we waited, and my awesome sis, Jessica, was there to document the day as it unfolded. Contractions...ya they're intense.  My mom and my husband held my hand through them and things started to feel more intense.  Finally at 3pm I had had enough, I was ready for an epidural! So much for going all natural!  At last I had progressed enough and it was time to meet my son!  Whoa!  The moment that was 9 months in the making was finally here.  After a just a few pushes, there he was; seven pounds and eleven ounces of the most beautiful, perfect, little human being I had ever seen. I swear my heart grew a hundred times bigger that day. 

Not a day goes by that I don't count my blessings that this tiny human was chosen for me and me for him.  I'm so glad to be able to share this special moment with all of you, because my sis was there to capture it all. 

Mondays, Mothers & MAGIC!

Photo Credit: My 11 Year Old, Alana Grace 

Photo Credit: My 11 Year Old, Alana Grace 

Ok, so I know that Mondays are pretty much always associated with manic---but why not change our 'tudes and instead refer to today as MAGIC!  This coming weekend, we will celebrate one of the most "magical" relationships life has to offer---motherhood. 

I am of course abundantly grateful for my two (not so little) littles who forever changed my purpose, my role and my title...the ones who made me mom.  I also thank God each and every day for the one woman who gave me life.  She is my compass in the storm, my "Slippery Road Ahead" sign when I plunge forward too fast, my propeller when I am afraid to move forward, and most importantly my best friend.  Mother's Day is also a day I pause to give thanks for the women in my life who I don't call "mom" but who have most assuredly impacted me and loved me as a mom would...my Auntie Joni & and my Grandma Jan.

I say prayers of hope & healing to those mamas who have been forced to whisper a final goodbye to their babies--no matter what age-from conception to adulthood--because as we all know they are always our babies!  I think of the moms desperately awaiting their miracle.  Exhausting every option and never giving up hope on the journey to find a heartbeat.  I admire the mothers who have sacrificed themselves in order to give their babies a better a life, even if that means with another "mother" and the "other mother" who steps into this role so graciously. Both of you mamas are my heroes.

A smile crosses my face face when I think of the teachers who help shape, encourage and maternally guide their students.  And of course my sweet friends whom I "mother hen over".  My heart weeps for those whose mother's have passed and for those whose relationships are in a season of bitterness.  But my spirit rejoices with  hope for the mommies nurturing new life in their tummies and I reflect with awe on my own little sister became a mother herself just a few months ago. Truly incredible!

This week, I challenge you to take some time to pause and reflect. To smile and laugh. To mourn and weep. And most of all to celebrate this "magical" journey that unites so many of us. Each and every one of you inspire me!  

Now, get out there and make this week MAGICAL!

xo, Jessica

 

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Wedding | Elena & Tyler

Location: Forest House Lodge | Foresthill, California

When I think of Elena and Tyler, the words that immediately come to mind are sweet, down to earth, country, and fun loving!  Family is a huge priority for these two and every detail of the wedding revolved around these very special relationships. Thank you Corin family for again inviting me to document the precious of milestones for your family!  We just love you all! Enjoy!

Wedding | Ari & Sameer

 

It is not every day that a bride and groom surprise their guests during the grand entrance with not only a wardrobe change---from their Western wedding attire, into vibrant Indian clothing---but also by performing a traditional Indian Wedding ceremony followed by an amazing choreographed dance by the couple!  But, that is EXACTLY what Ari & Sameer did!  You should have heard the cheers, clapping, oohing & ahhhing when the two of them walked through the doors into the crowd of their loving family and friends.  After the amazing dance by the bride and groom, the reception room came to life with dancing, celebrating, cheering, and so much LOVE---and this was all BEFORE dinner was even served!  Of course, having an epic party master like Joe Kalamares (SJ's Disk Jockey), your guests have NO choice EXCEPT to have an amazing experience!  

Ari & Sameer, your wedding was the perfect blend of cultures, and spending the day laughing alongside you, your family and friends was truly a gift.  Enjoy this glance into your most special of days...and keep checking that email inbox for your full gallery arriving shortly! xo

What's an Unplugged Ceremony...and why it might be right for you!

Ok, let’s be honest, I am always the photographer and never the guest at weddings.  In my career, I have actually had to create a rule that I will no longer photograph the weddings for my dear friends.  This is because I want to celebrate this joyous occasion WITH them and not in a professional capacity---and because I can refer several other photogs in the area whom I adore (community over competition people)!!!  Last year, it finally happened!  I received a real invitation. It was finally my turn to get all gussied up, wear heels and witness two sweet souls dedicate their lives to one another from a seat amongst the guests, and not through a viewfinder.  

Oh my gosh, being the guest is such an honor, a privilege and my heart was just bursting with joy for the bride and groom!  I sat there, no camera in hand, and waited for my gorgeous friend to walk down the aisle.  It was then that my husband whispered in my ear, “Babe…look at all the dang cell phones in the middle of the aisle.  Does this ALWAYS happen?”  And the answer…well yes, yes it does.  I actually hardly noticed because I have become a tad numb to the entire scene.

Each and every wedding guest is so excited---and many times this overwhelming excitement manifests itself through an over abundance of picture taking, status updating, tweeting and snapping!  Trust me, I am all for some social media love---I love my IG feed (@jessicaromanphoto) and SnapChat (@jessicaroman33) might just be my new favorite obsession…but there is a time and a place for both—and when two individuals are exchanging the most sacred of vows is not one of them.

An "unplugged ceremony" is when guests are asked to refrain from using cell phones, tablets, cameras and video equipment during the wedding.  I have had clients in the past opt for this type of ceremony, which of course being slightly ego-centric as I am, I figured it was to allow me the freedom to move around and take interference free photos.  It wasn’t until after I experienced a "plugged in" wedding from the reverse side, as a guest of the bride and groom, did I realize what a bigger opportunity this presented!

Having an "unplugged ceremony" is when individuals invited to share in this special moment to REALLY do just that---share in it!  Many guests often forget, that by being there, they themselves become characters in the story that is unfolding---the story I am capturing.  When they are present, their reactions, their smiles, their tears and laughter are all being documented and will forever become a part of the bride and groom’s legacy.  The aisle is free of video cameras, faces are pointed toward the bride and groom instead of down towards tiny screens, vows are clearly heard without the interference of beeping or buzzing devices, and a deeper connection is experienced between the couple and their most favorite people in the world---the people they chose one by one to celebrate in this once in a lifetime day. 

If you are planning a wedding, I strongly encourage you to consider asking your guests to unplug.  Not only because it makes the honor of photographing a wedding so much smoother for me, but because on YOUR day, you deserve to be surrounded with joy, excitement, presence, and love.  I promise, my photos will be better than “Aunt Helen’s” blurry first kiss picture, I will allow you to share your entire “downloadable” wedding gallery with friends & family, and I will give your guests ample opportunity to "plug in" to capture their own shots during cocktail hour and at the reception---but for the ceremony, trust me.  I’ve totally got this. xo

Engagement | Allison & Matt

Ok, so both of these people work in the "fish" industry.  Ali at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Matt is in natural resource protection and once managed a fish shop---and the really cool part----they met "while fishing" on PlentyOfFish.com.  For their first date, Ali made Matt meet her parents, and leave his fingerprints on a water glass in case he was an internet psycho--I just about died laughing when I heard that. But, hey, safety-first right! Enjoy this peak into the engagement session of two of my favorite "outdoorsmen---err persons".  We had fun exploring Folsom Lake---and thankfully none of us got poison oak, and all the ticks were left behind! xo

Wedding | Rachel & Randy

 

Randy's devotion to Rachel was virtually the first thing that jumped out and captured my heart.  During the planning process, it was Randy who made certain each and every detail was perfect for his princess bride.  This day was so much more the them than a wedding...it was a marriage of two families; Rachel and her daughter Brooklyn adding Randy and his sweet kiddos, Kate, Luke and Alyssa, to form a sweet little tribe of five.

Rachel's father passed away three years ago. Just months before he passed of pancreatic cancer, Rachel arranged a very special "once in a lifetime" father-daughter dance with him. Rachel had not yet met Randy, she was still a "Rachel looking for her Ross" (as she put in her online dating profile-to which Randy responded, "How about a Chandler"? 😍), but she knew this was a moment she didn't want to miss. The video of the dance has gained national media attention and has been viewed thousands of times---but the one time that meant the very most, was a few weeks ago during what would have been the traditional "daddy/daughter dance" in the timeline. It was unforgettable and an honor to witness such a touching tribute to the man who gave her life, a life which she will now share with Randy. xo

VENDOR INFORMAITON

Bride Hair & Makeup: Lea Buehler, BGorgeous

 

Dedicated to Rachel's grandmother, who passed while on their honeymoon.  This is for you Suzanne...xo