Blaire and Jake

Yesterday was a very interesting, fun, slash tiring day. Chance and I shot three couples. We started the day with a casual couple shoot, then to an engagement shoot, and ended it with just some fine folks hanging out at home!

Our first couple was my brother Jacob and his girlfriend, Blaire. We started off the day a little late so we weren't able to go too many places, but we definitely got some good shots in. We had them stand in the middle of a Fresno street with beautiful towering trees, hang out on a friend's porch and lastly stand in a creepy tunnel, but it was all worth it. Thank you to my dear brother-"The Snake" and to Miss Blaire who should REALLY try out for America's Next Top Model. We love you both so much and hope you enjoy the outcome!

Mathieu Chantry James AKA Sexiness

So, I know that sometimes I might come off completely annoying because I am always talking about my husband and how wonderful he is, but I just have to give credit where credit is due. I've been enjoying my 5 months of marriage so much and since Chance is starting to photograph weddings it makes me think about the meaning of 'I do.'

My hubbs, Chance, is truly my hero. He never judges me, never thinks I'm stupid, (when he clearly should), and always makes me feel secure in our marriage and his love for me. He is my spiritual leader, not always out loud, but more humbly, more genuinely. Through his actions, service and dedication to our God I trust that Chance will protect me, us and our faith. He never makes me feel less than, or ungodly, or ugly. He rises me up and makes me feel so important. It's bizarre knowing I have his heart. I am so lucky. We laugh together, act silly together and basically make sure we say "I freaking love you" at least four times a day.

I don't know if I'm coming off like the typical newlywed bride, but if i am i apologize. I know I'm not an expert, and many people would disagree with what I'm about the say, and that's ok, because I don't want to act like I know all. But let me go ahead and say that marriage is a holy thing. It wasn't invented by our country or the world for that matter. Marriage was God's idea. It was and still is meant to be an act of service to each other. If you and your 'lover' don't look to something bigger than yourself to serve each other, love each other etc. then you might not experience marriage to it's fullest potential. Most people long to be wanted, loved and pursued. That's how we were made. So how can we keep pursuing each other when the romantic dating stops? This is when we don't look to ourselves, but something better, bigger than us. I could go on about this forever, but I won't because I know some people are just so turned off by marriage and it's purpose. Some people even get upset when they realize they NEED to turn to Christ. And honestly it makes me sad, because ultimately it means us Christ followers haven't done a great job living like Jesus.

This idea of marriage was put on my heart this last week because a young girl came up to me and complimented my marriage. It was encouraging, and very surprising, but I understood it wasn't any of my doing, but God's work in me. I still have many things i need to accept, many lessons to learn, and many years of marriage to keep this mindset, but yet I am excited for the challenges ahead, because Chance and I are not alone. Hur-ray for marriage! Hur-ray for Chance!

Date Night

Chance and I have had "date nights" for the last couple months and it's been incredible. I know you're probably rolling your eyes thinking, 'you don't have kids, every night is a date for you.' Well you're wrong folks. Every married couple knows it's hard to connect all the time when your plate is packed. Anyway, my husband and I have committed to having a date night at least once a week, or three times a month. And for funzies we decided that one date night out of the month has to be a themed night such as pirate night, or hobo night-something where we get to act goofy, or dress up. We thought it was a pretty cool idea. We're excited.

We feel like we need to get in the habit of doing this because it helps us hear each other and be there for each other. We want to be committed to talk about what we could be doing better individually or as a couple. We also want to make this such a habit so if children do come along, we realize that our marriage comes first.

I'm not writing this because I want to brag about how wonderful my husband is because he takes me out on dates,(even though he is pretty amazing), I want to encourage all married couples to do the same. I think whatever way you go about your "date night" it is a great way to connect and it will help you pursue each other.

When we got home from camp on Friday, Chance and I had date night. We went to dinner, and came home and made a full-on fort. We watched a movie and went to bed in our fort like we were 10. It was very nostalgic and we loved being big dorks together.

Joni and Friends

We're back! Chance and I were gone for about six days at a camp called Joni and Friends. This camp specializes in serving kids and adults that are affected by disabilities. It's our second year serving at the camp and we are always very blessed by the people there. I could write forever about the wonder of this camp and how this year God did a great work on my selfish heart, but I won't. I just want to thank God for his grace and the love of these people. I am so glad we were apart of it again this year.

Another day, another shoot

So Chance and I are super-duper happy about this photography thing. We have been able to work with some amazing people, and just hang out doing what we love to do...take pictures. It's been pure awesomeness and we are pumped to the max. We only are able to do this because the Lord has been faithful to provide and answer prayers consistently, and we knew He would. Well, enough of us and on to Laurel and her brothers.

The day before Chance and I left town, we were able to take some shoots of Laurel and her brothers, Matthew and Daniel. Laurel lives in Chicago, but is originally from Fresno. She was home visiting her family and decided she wanted some pictures taken of her and her two brothers for a Father's Day gift for her dad. We were very excited and hit the random parts of Fresno. A huge thanks to Laurel and her brothers for being so kick-back, cracker jack. We enjoyed you all. Here's a peak of what we came up with.

I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to hang around Mr. Ryan Jones on location at Woodward Park for a recent engagement shoot. It was a blast being behind the scenes as Ryan shot, i really had a great time and i want to thank Ryan and especially Meghan and Rob for allowing me to tag along and make them feel even more uncomfortable as i doubled the amout of cameras pointed at them.

here are a few of the pics from the shoot. check out http://rcjonesphotography.blogspot.com/ for some nice comparison shots.

Katie and Ruben

Yesterday Chance and I hung out with two of our favorite people-Katie and Ruben. They're our dear friends and we love them very much. I know Katie from Highschool, and Chance meet Ruben through the church we attend. They recently got married this past July and wanted Chance to take some shots of them playing football. Ruben is really into sports so it was a brillant idea to really capture his love for the game in some photos with his wife. It was so awesome. They threw the ball around, did a pose here and there, and just had fun in front of the camera.
After we left the field they changed and we wandered around Fresno looking to take some more pictures. The day was great, we took some pictures in front of this cool glass window and finally in front of this sweet building off of herndon. Although, we were kicked out of the parking lot by some guy driving a Bently. I think he was just jealous because even in his Bently there's no way him and his lady friend could look as hot as Katie and Ruben. Thanks again guys! We love you and had a blast.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

So how come every season of American Idol just gets worse? I really don't get it. What is up with the rocker chick, Amanda Overmyer? She looks like D.J. Tanner. Why is she still on the show? I think this season of American Idol really needs some talent and not just 'same breed singers.' BUUTTT I guess that's what America is all about, making someone famous for nothing. Before I get too into this and make myself look more pathetic for blogging about a television show, I am going to stop myself, and tell you about my cat. That's better right? Ha.

Well this is my cat Brighton and I am obsessed with her. She is a very unusual cat. She waits for me to get out of the shower so she can go in after me and lick the floor. She is totally cool with being walked on a leash, and she also sits and watches T.V. by herself. We got lucky. She's our child. Hopefully the only child we'll have for a couple years.

Art Hop-o-nonymous

Ok, my husband just left for work and I am doing my morning routine, which includes...checking my myspace, yelling at my cat, checking my email and updating our blog. I know, you're thinking..."what does she do all day?!" Well boys and girls...I don't really do much except support my husband and his many talents. And he does have many.

Art hop is coming up and we really would like a place to show Chance's paintings. They are taking over our apartment! Not only are they taking over our extra bedroom, but they are just too wonderful to be sitting here. So, if you know of anyone with a place to display Chance's art, please let us know. We would love it if anyone knew of an office, a salon, or even a store that might be willing to let us hang some paintings for a couple months. Thanks for your support.

Dawn and Justin

Today we had the opportunity to do an engagement session with Dawn and Justin. We had a great time. We know Dawn and Justin from The Well, which is the church that Chance and I have been a part of for about five years. We really enjoyed getting to know both of them.
We started out the session at Woodward park where we got to take some awesome shots of Dawn, Justin and their mo-ped. They even let us take it for a ride! We loooooved it. I want one.

After Woodward, we took a drive over to the backside of Children's Hospital where Dawn works as an RN. We stopped along side a road nearby some blooming flowers and got some pretty sweet pictures. Towards the end of the shoot we headed over to a grass field where we took some fun pictures of the couple goofing off.

Thanks guys for spending the day with us, we really enjoyed it and we are so excited for the blessings of a Godly marriage you will soon experience.

If anyone has questions about booking a shoot, a pricelist of sessions, or just want to chat please send Chance an email at chance.james.yahoo.com or myself at mrschancejames@yahoo.com. Thanks for checking out our blog!

Fresno State Interior Design

Chance and I recently got the opportunity to shoot for Fresno State's Interior Design program. There were about 40 students, and we want to thank all of them for being so awesome and meeting us on a Sunday! We started with headshots, then moved on to some group shots. Thanks again to all the students for allowing us to photograph you!

I Promised Paintings

I promised that I would post some of Chance's art, so here it is, and by the way...how cute is my hubbs writing that about me?! I have the biggest crush on him.
The first painting is 6feet by 3 1/2feet on wood. The two paintings that follow are 4ft. by 4ft. on wood. The last painting is 4ft. by 2ft. on wood with metal. We have many more, and they are all for sale. Contact us if you would like to see more samples of Chance's work or if you would like a pricelist of the following.