Week 2: Project52

This week Estill County saw their first snowfall :) There is something so magical about being out in a snowstorm at night, no sounds, and the air is so still.  It always makes me smile.  So, here is my Week 2 Project52 submission.  Enjoy!

Week 1: Project52

For the people in Estill County the year started off with a big BANG.  On January 2 people literally thought the world was ending.  Facebook went NUTS with stories and theories over what the fireball in the sky could be.  Ideas ran from the high school had been bombed to the methane gas at the landfill had caught and exploded.  No one could pinpoint exactly where the fire was originating from or what could be the cause.  The night sky had lit up like daytime and flames and smoke could be seen as far away as Lexington.  Within minutes the Estill County 911 had received more than 150 phone calls.  In the end it was determined that a Columbia Gas line had exploded on Spout Springs road and several families had to be evacuated.  There were dozens of dozens of photos posted on Facebook and on the LEX18 news site that night, and this is my contribution.  This was about 1 hour after the initial explosion, and taken from my front porch.  For full details on this news story, please visit http://www.lex18.com/news/estill-co-gas-explosion-lights-up-sky/.  Here is a link to a video of the fire: http://www.lex18.com/videoplayer/?video_id=21795&categories=170.

Intro to Project52

I am so amazed by all the wonderful, dedicated, organized people out there that can take on the challenge of a 365 photo project.  That is the commitment to take and share 1 photo a day for an entire year.  I love to see all the creative things that people can do and the wonderful stories behind the photos.  I am crazy over the fact that it reminds me, as a photographer, that it is OK to not always have portrait quality perfect shots every time, and that sometimes the snapshots and outtakes mean more in the end.  

I would LOVE to take on that project! But I know myself, and I am way too easily distracted for something of that scale.  So in the spirit of things I am doing Project52.  I will post a new photo on the blog every Friday, and a bit of a story behind it.  It won't always be a technically great photo, and at times may be a cell phone pic.  And that is ok! The point is to slow down and focus on the memories, not just the lighting, aperture settings, shutter speeds and things like that.  

I would like to invite you along with me in 2012, to share this journey.  If you would like to join in and share your photos too, that would be fantastic! I will post them here, and in an album on my Blissful Planet Facebook page.  Make sure if you send me a picture you state that you allow Blissful Planet to publish your photos on the blog and Facebook.  Send them to me in jpeg format to blissfulplanetphoto@gmail.com before 3 on Friday of the week it was taken, along with the statement of release and a short story of the photo (where it was taken, who the people are, why is this special to you, etc).    You can jump in anytime! And you don't have to submit a photo every week if you don't want, 52 is just a personal challenge to myself.

Yepp time to let the cat out of the bag

My mission is no secret for Blissful Planet Photography.  It is to provide top quality art pieces and provide the highest level of customer service possible to my clients.  I take my responsibility to you all very seriously, it is the driving force behind everything I do here.  I am dedicated to serving you as my client.  This is YOUR session, not mine.  These are YOUR pictures that will be hanging on your wall or displayed in an album or book.  So I promise to always listen to your needs and wants, to take into consideration your taste and personality and tailor each session to your individual needs.  Not every session will be the same, but it will be fun.  I promise to bring fun to each and every job.  I want to have a good time, and I want you to have a good time as well!  If you are relaxed and enjoying yourself it will show through in the images that are captured.  I will always give each session my all from beginning to end.  Those are my promises to you, as a portrait photographer to a client.  I am looking forward to meeting and working with each and every one of you! 

Blissful Planet Photography is dedicated to giving back to the community.  The studio is not named Blissful Planet for nothing! I am interested in and promote several different key issues.  From animal welfare, spay and neuter programs, and pet adoption issues, environmental causes, supporting local business and farmers, all the way to diet and exercise tips and advice.  I want Blissful Planet to be more than just a photography studio, I want Blissful Planet to be able to make a difference for people.  In the end, we are all neighbors here and we need to help one another out.  

So in the spirit of all things Blissful, I am very honored to announce (yeah I know! finally right? lol) Blissful Planet Photography is now an official photographer for The Maple Leaf Mission.  

You may never have heard of The Maple Leaf Mission before, and that is okay.  I hadn't either until a few weeks ago when I happened to stumble across the link on another photographer's Facebook page.  At The Maple Leaf Mission, we offer ‘“The Gift of Life in Pictures”.  "MLM" is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, but serves families globally.  The mission of the Mission is to provide free professional photography sessions to people who have received a terminal diagnosis, a life changing diagnosis, or individuals with a genetic condition. Most of the time photography is the last thing on a families mind. These sessions provide families memories of the good times during their struggles.  Even you feel like portraits are the last thing in the world you want to do, these pictures are something that will be treasured in the future.  The portraits can be the first step toward healing a grieving heart. The Maple Leaf Mission also offers service to individuals deploying overseas or at a homecoming reunion after overseas service.  Which is right in line with Blissful Planet's effort to support our military families.  If you would like more information on The Maple Leaf Mission, check out the Facebook page called The Maple Leaf Mission (HERE),  or a Blogsite located at http://www.themapleleafmission.com/ for you to browse through to the our recent chatter, current sessions and some completed sessions. 

Please feel free to contact us if you or someone you know would like to have a moment session.  There are so many families out there that qualify and don't even know it, so PLEASE look into filling out an application or spreading the word to other families you may know.  I am more than willing to travel for these sessions! Not only is the session free, you also receive a disk of all the final images with printing rights for wherever you prefer to have them printed along with 10 free 5x7 photos in an album.  You never know what will happen tomorrow, I STRONGLY urge you all to take advantage of this service!  Thank you all for your time, I will have links up to all The Maple Leaf Mission sites here on the blog and also on the Blissful Planet Facebook page (HERE)  You all have a great night, and please pass this along!

Jenn

And thank you from Blissful Planet Photography and The Maple Leaf Mission

LINKS

The Maple Leaf Mission on Facebook

The Maple Leaf Mission Website and Blog

Welcome Brittany!!!

This is Brittany! She is going to be helping me out in the studio this summer.  So I thought it would be nice to post a "get to know me" from her. Enjoy guys, and be sure to show love to Blissful Planet's newest addition!

Name: Brittany Leighann J

Born in August so I am a Leo (Just like Jenn!)

I will be 14 this summer and I live at home with my mom, stepdad, and twin brother.

One of the other important people in my life is Jenn Banks! She totally rocks for going back to school and starting her own business. 

I really like to be around people…I am EXTROVERT!

I swim, sing and act, I have a band…We are Crashin' Daisies J

I am Twilight obsessed and completely Team Jacob.

What OTHER movies do I like? Ummm besides Twilight? There is something besides Twilight????!!! Okay then…Harry Potter, August Rush, and the The Last Song.

On TV I watch Secret Life, The Voice, Glee, Switched at Birth, Shake it Up and Spongebob Squarepants. (You are never too old for Spongebob. Ever.)

My sports are Bowling and Swimming

I  <3 Italian food, Pizza and Spaghetti

Fave Colors: Pink, Blue and Purple.

Fave Outfit?  I love skinny jeans and tees. J

I will be a freshman this year! Go Indians!

Fave classes: Choir, Social Studies, Science, English and Reading. 

After college I will be a nurse or on Broadway J

I really want to go to Julliard! But if not, Morehead is a great school too.

BIGGEST FEARS!!! Bees and Tornadoes. Not necessarily in that order.

I don’t normally have a temper! I get along great with a lot of people.  But if you do make me mad who knows lol. 

The one thing I want people to remember most about me is that I will be there for them no matter what!

Anyone want a laugh???

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been blogging lately, I have been super busy with home and school and all that.  But it's worth every minute cause I LOVE my life! God has truly blessed me that's for sure.  Anyways! Just a quick post to put a smile on your face this lovely Monday morning :)  And proof positive that not every treasured photo has to be portrait perfect :)

I took these pictures of my son July 2010.  (He LOVED his Chef)

And these photos, I took today :)

The more things change, the more they stay the same :) 

Have a WONDERFUL and HAPPY Memorial Day.  And most importantly don't forget the ones who gave their lives so that we may spend this day in freedom!

-Jenn

One more give-away to tell ya about :)

I love to share these with people! I love to enter contests even if I don't win. LOL, I know there are others out there that feel this way too, so here is one more for you today :)

LINK IS HERE!