gourmet.

i love a good ol' home-cooked gourmet meal. you know the ones. you get all sorts of inspired to make everything yourself and you bust out all those fun kitchen gadgets that tend to collect dust. you create some that is simply delicious and you have moments throughout the process where you find yourself proclaiming out loud: "your got nothin' on me martha! take that rachel ray!" and then you partake in the meal and it tastes even more delightful because you cooked it all by hand. well that happened to me and my auntie this weekend.

i love to cook and so does she especially in her gorgeous new kitchen. and she has all the fun gourmet kitchen toys. it is a cook's heaven to be sure. we worked that kitchen, oh yes. we made chicken picatta served atop handmade pasta with a lemon, capers sauce, a caprese salad with fresh heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella and basil drizzled with evoo and lemon and a dusting of salt and pepper, and a chocolate cherry tort that was simply heavenly. we even made custom malibu rum cocktails with cherry, cranberry-pomegranate, and pineapple juice. yup. jealous? you should be. it was amazing. if you're just so lucky, perhaps i will invite you over to dinner sometime. haha. 'course i can't guarantee that it will be as good without my auntie's special touch. and i will have to get me a few more toys before then. :).

larissa. & bowling.

friday was my bestie's day of birth. larissa has been one my dearest friends for more than five years now, and i am so grateful to have her in my life. we go way back to the first days of orientation at westmont. i love her. and to celebrate her twenty-third birthday, we started the evening out at rusty's pizza and then headed over to zodo's for some bowling. what fun. there were quite a few of us so we had to get several lanes, and i must say our team dominated the alley for sure. there was a three point spread between the top three but danny took the gold. larissa was for sure the funniest and most animated bowler of the night, which was appropriate given that it was her birthday. well that and she is larissa. haha. i am so glad i got to spend the night celebrating with her, the crew and her friends from her hometown.

now, this weekend i vowed to document MY life. often i get so caught up in documenting other peoples' lives, that i neglect to document my own. or at least i don't bring my camera along for the day in the life of j-ship. so alas, i brought my camera to the alley and got some sweet shots. and of course, i documented nearly every adventure in the oc and la this weekend. so, there is much more to come :). but for starters, i give you: the bowlers...

chocolate.

chocolate is one of heaven's delights on earth. oh how i love the decadent sweetness. and when it is gourmet chocolate it is even better, even more delicious, even more difficult to resist. such is the case with my auntie's christmas fudge. and my new friend jessica foster's truffles. yummy. i met jessica last week through a mutual friend of ours. i stopped in to her little kitchen just up the street from my house and we chatted of all things chocolate. she sent me on my merry way with a box of truffles in hand. i got home and immediately busted out my camera to get a few shots of the perfection before i devoured them all. i for sure got chocolate all over my keyboard. whoops. so if you're ever in need of a chocolate-y treat, jessica foster confections is the place to satisfy your cravings.

beth + matt: their story.

beth was one of my first friends at westmont. and for that i am grateful. she is a brilliant actress and loyal friend. she is wonderful i tell you. and through her, i meet her now fiance matt, who is simply awesome. and now, i get to photograph their wedding and tell their story. how cool is that?

Matt’s Version: When I lived in Clark (a res hall at Westmont), I had a table that I always studied at in the A Lounge. One afternoon I went in there to study. Sitting at one of the couches by my study table was Beth. So I took my seat at my table, got out my books, and began to immerse myself in them. Suddenly, a soft voice asked me “what are you reading” and everything from that moment on is history. The day was Feb 9, 2005 at about 4:00 in the afternoon. See below for the wrong version.

Beth’s Version: One sunny afternoon during my freshman year, I decided to get out of my dorm and study in a new environment. I passed by the Clark A Lounge and thought that it might be a nice place to study, especially since it was empty and I really wanted to sit on a couch. So I read for about 15-20 minutes when suddenly a boy came in the lounge, and instead of sitting at any of the empty table or couches across the room (like a normal person would do) he sat down at the table right next to me. I thought it was so bizarre that a person would sit so close and not say anything, so I felt compelled to say hello. Then a great conversation turned into a great friendship.

when i read both versions of the story of their meeting side by side, i chuckled. it was perfect and fitting that they would have different versions. so typical of these two. two sides to a quite simple yet remarkable love story, each one steeped with genuine love and adoration. each one showing a bit of who they are as individuals and as a couple. i love it.

now, finally i got a chance to post their engagement shoot photos. i have been itching to do so for weeks. check it: beth & matt: their story. for a complete slideshow, click here.
(this is the first of many slideshows to feature the soulful sounds of my new friend tiffany thompson. the uber-talented singer-songwriter from chicago, has allowed me to use her songs for my site and slideshows. check out her site here).

springtime.

today i have been thinking. my mind has been wandering around, through, and over the notion of springtime. i suppose this is because it IS springtime and also because i have found my own life's season taking on the characteristics of spring. you know the new-ness. the re-birth. the new growth. the spring cleaning. the longer warmer days. it feels just wonderful. splendid really. i like this season.

i found myself all sorts of nourished, well rested, and ready to get out in the sun-shine after a long winter in hibernation so to speak. now hibernation is not just sleeping. it still takes work to, you know, say alive. the big scary berrs do it. and dem trees. it is no easy gig to make it through the winter. and so, like them, we too have winters in our lives. as i wrote here nearly seven months ago, i needed to go into port and get refueled and rejuvenated. to rest and simply be. this winter season was hard cold and difficult. i felt stagnant and frozen, brittle and lifeless. but it was necessary. and now, all of that hard work, those winter months in hibernation have done me well. i am now seeing the growth and fruits that come only because of the rest and pause of the winter. how cool is that? have y'all ever noticed how metaphors in nature can help you get your mind around an idea? or notion? i love it. us rhetors call this topoi. we go here to be inspired and to be instructed.

spring is fun. yup. i did some serious spring-cleaning and am seeing some fruit from the work during the winter months in the sierras. i got me a new website. a new and improved blog. new facebook & blog friends. a new pair of jeans. i got my herr did. i have new sb friends. and i am a happy-jeff and am full of life. i like the sun-shine.

and i am feeling incredibly blessed and loved. my friend david jay featured my new site in his newsletter and my other friend jasmine star gave me some serious love on her blog. i was blown away. first by the gesture and then by the response. for two of my favorite photographers and entrepreneurs to recognize me in that way was a huge, huge deal for me. i was speechless and simply giddy when my friend emily texted me and told me what jasmine did. and when dj asked if he could feature my site. i was like small child at christmas time, all sorts of wiggly and giddy. both of them have been a huge source of encouragement, inspiration, support and love in my life, and i am incredibly honored and blessed to call them friends. thanks you two!

the launch.

um, wow. i am still on a high from the party and show last night. i am so grateful to all of you who came out to support me and see what the new j. shipley photography brand is all about. what a blast. i so enjoyed our conversations though they were brief, and it was a pleasure getting to meet some new friends. and i must say, y'all were lookin' fly. i was so blown away by how many fun and cool people were there. what a crew i tell you.

now, as promised the new jshipleyphotography.com went live last night. so be sure to head over there and check it out. i am amped out it. and i am so excited to continue to share in this life with you. thanks for celebrating with me and thank you for being the types of people who teach me how to live well. i look forward to building new friendships and strengthening old ones and of course creating art together. let's shoot. please.

now, i am off to recover from the madness. and eat some grapes and drink some "j" water. if you want some, come over and we will sit on the porch and partake in the delicious-ness.

but before i do so, i wanted to take a minute to give some love to all my peoples who were involved in the video production and art show.

the promo video crew:
video production - nathanael matanick. heschle video production.
floral design - vivi teston. studio fleur de v.
bridal gowns - jessica iverson. jessica iverson bridal & eco-couture.
make-up - hayley fulton.
art direction - lauren salaun.
production assistance - kelsey quinlan & sara truppo.
wardrobe consultation - liane koh.
models - lesley vaughn, stephanie & doug mack, shannon moffett, christi davis, marc & jenelle, liane koh, larissa staie, lauren salaun, elisa martinez & robyn kwartz.

launch party and art show.
host - danny copus & the montecito inn.
website hosting & development - david jay & showit sites.
video production - nathanael matanick. heschle video production.
floral design - vivi teston. studio fleur de v.
bridal gowns - jessica iverson. jessica iverson bridal & eco-couture.
photography - chris johnson.
display & frame construction - steve shipley. s. h. shipley construction.
the crew. kelsey quinlan, liane koh, lauren saluan, steve limkeman, josh luekehans, josslynn garcia, mama, & larissa staie.
ushers. drew tillman & ethan warner.

seriously, thank you all for you help. i could not have pulled this off without you. you are the BEST! check out these photos that chris johnson took for me. woo!





thanks annemarie for the fun pics with some of my peoples. and for the cool details shots too.

tenaya.

we are a labrador family. no other breed compares in our minds. and now nearly every dog in the family is of the lab persuasion (save for my auntie's sweet lil wiener dog. we love her too). for months, my sister & bro-in-law have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of thier new black lab puppy and they finally got to pick-up sweet Tenaya this week. she is adore able and quite precious. we played all day yesterday. i love her and she loves me. we are family after all.





and Lydia (my family dog) was a bit jealous of Tenaya and all the attention she was getting. SO, I played soccer with her yesterday. and my oh my, she is good at it. seriously, i could not get anything past her. she is agile and fast. she wore me out. haha. i took a few pics of her yesterday but since she was all sorts of panting she was not as cute as she normally is. so alas, here is one of my favorite pics of my Lydia.

easter.

i love springtime. it is a season of refreshment and rebirth. of green hillsides and purple flowers. and easter. it epitomizes spring, and for me, is one of the most profound & important holidays of the year. it is a day the reminds me of the power of the gospel and the incredible sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. it is a day when i sing "amazing love how can it be. that you my king would die for me?" and am in awe of who He is. Easter is a day that encourages my faith.

and it affords a good reason to gather together with family to break bread. and that is what i did today. i worshipped. i ate. i played and frolicked with my lydia and my sister's new puppy, tenaya. and i even made a very pun-ny joke. (my friend emily crawford is quite witty and comes up with the best puns every time we hang out. she has me in stitches all the time). what a great day indeed.

and since everyday (and every post) is made better with photos, here are a few shots from the festivities today. yup, we shipley's eat well especially when my auntie cooks. i am so blessed. and grateful for my family. (you'll also notice that i have no pics of my family. fail. i guess i was food kind of photo-mood today. haha!)

exciting announcement.

the time has come to officially announce the biggest event in the life of j. shipley photography yet. yes, the time has come. it is here. drum roll. dramatic music. ready?


i love new beginnings and art. also, who doesn't love a good party? you are cordially invited to the launch party and art show for j. shipley photography.


- dress code. cocktail/party attire...you best be lookin' fly. since we're keeping it cool in the garage, you may want to bring a light sweater, as it may get chilly..
-unveiling of the new j.shipley brand will officially commence at 7:45. get excited for the debut of my spankin' new promotional video!

featured artists (besides me, of course):
- vivi teston of studio fleur de v. (floral designer)
- nathaneal matanick of heschle video productions.
- jessica iverson of jessica iverson eco-couture. (wedding gown designer)

and here is your sneak peak. that is all you get. yup. no mas.

courtney + matt: their story.

courtney wong. we go way back. we met over five years ago when the campus crusades crew from usc came up to our church in crowley lake for their winter retreat. fresh from the dmv, i volunteered to shuttle them around crowley for they were in serious need of showers after a long day playing in the snow. i love that group of people. i remember something so real and sweet about them. i wanted them to be my friends. they were to types of people i wanted to be like. and company i wanted to keep. and courtney, well, she was one of those people on whom i had a friend crush since we met. it has since become a real friendship. whew. just recently, through e-mail, we discovered that we were ironically both living in santa barbara. sad news was that i was moving back home a week after this discovery. but times have changed. i am back, and we are friends again. woo.

and to makes things EVEN better. she is getting married. to one of my new favorite people: matt davis. we are of one mind when it comes to all things visual. we could talk shop for hours. about design, websites, photography, marketing and branding...insta-friend in the making to be sure. and lucky for me, the duo will be living in santa barbara once they get married. i am simply delighted about that. and selfishly want them to get married tomorrow so we can all hang out more. haha. so in other words, i can't wait for their wedding in september and was amped to shoot there engagement session this past weekend. it was a blast and i found myself in awe of their obvious love for each other. it is SO evident in their relationship and of course, in their photos.

so alas, this is their story. their romance. their love. the essence of matt + courtney...

courtney.

you know those people that you simply adore? they bring joy to your soul. and a smile to your face. always. they have one of those personalities that is contagious and you find yourself asking "how is it that i am friends with this person? how could i be so lucky?" such is the case with courtney alvarez. we became friends just recently through our mutual friend liane and through our home group at reality. i am blessed by her and so happy that we are becoming better friends. she is such an encouragement and support to me. and she always tells me that she is my biggest fan. it makes me feel loved and makes me love my job as a photographer even more. i was so honored to do a grad-photo-shoot with her yesterday. oh what fun. we cruised around downtown keeping a weather eye out for cool colors and textures. mission accomplished. done and done. i had so many favorites that i just had to post all of them.

p.s. this post is the first of many to showcase the new j. shipley photography brand. what do you think? i am stoked about it. :)