j. shipley blog

Jenny & Dan // A Fullerton Wedding Editorial.

jeffrey — Tue, 07 May 2013 06:45:22 +0000

Last year, my friend Daryl invited me to join his bakery and other wedding industry professionals at a Crate & Barrel registry party at South Coast Plaza. It sounded like fun, so I situated a space for us at one of the spring events, and we set up shop in a fabulous living room vignette and chatted with engaged couples throughout the day. Low and behold Jenny & Dan stopped by, and we found ourselves gabbing away for what seemed like not nearly long enough.We hit if off instantly. And, well, needless to say, I was thrilled when they wrote months later to invite me to photograph their wedding day. And, well, I’m so glad they did. They are a wonderful duo and their curiosity for life and living it well is simply magnetic. Their love and utter right-ness for each other is inspiring, and I couldn’t be happier for them and their new life ahead.

The couple celebrated their nuptials at The Muckenthaler Mansion in Fullterton, California and was nothing sort of delightful. The weather was perfect, the setting breathtaking, the florals soft and delicate, the bride stunning, and the groom all sorts of dapper. It made for a photographer’s playground and with the help of Isaac James, we had ourselves a blast-y-blast. Here’s a handful of my favorite selections from the day. Be sure to check out their wedding website HERE for even more images from their wedding editorial.

Special thanks to the amazing creative team that helped make the day all that it was. Photography: J. Shipley Photography // Venue: The Muckenthaler Cultural Center // Coordinator: Chelsea Ogden // Gown: Claire Pettibone // Grooms Suit: Friar Tux // Florist: Urban Gardener // Cake: Colette’s Cakes // Hair: Becky Seaver // Make-up: Lindsi LeSueur // Catering: Colette’s Catering // Music: Pete Goslow // Stationary: A-La-Carte Paperie & The Little Engine

Jenny, you are stunning. And those florals?! Swoon-worthy!

Stop it right now!This bunch of bridesmaids were a hoot. We had ourselves a grand ol’ time! And werk!
Could they be any cuter?And of course, the boys being all sorts of bad-ass! Dan looking all sorts of dapper! I always love this moment…le sigh.
Awww. I love this moment between Jenny and her new mother-in-law!Wedded bliss…After the ceremony and family photos, we snuck away from the hustle and bustle and explored the property. It was perfect. I may or may not have fallen over a hedge getting one of these shots. It was QUITE hilarious. You can see the image Isaac got of that ish here. This may be my favorite pairing from the day….yup, it is. Ugh, that dress…GORGEOUS!
Just a few details of the romantic garden setting….
And naturally Jenny & Dan threw an awesome dance-filled party afterwards. So fun!

The end. xoxo, – j.

Alex + Travis // A Santa Barbara Wedding Editorial.

jeffrey — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:27:16 +0000

When Alex & Travis jumped up from my sofa abruptly and said “shoot, we got to get to work”, I realized they were the perfect fit for me. We all lost track of time as we told stories (dramatically I might add), ate blueberrry scones, and sipped on orange infused water and before we knew it three hours had passed. And we’d hardly talked wedding photography at all. And that’s been the story of us since…lots of laughing, dramatic storytelling, good food and talk about scoring great finds at various flea markets and estate sales.

This duo has impeccable taste, vibrant personality and a contagiously positive approach to life. So naturally with all those powers combined, they created one of the most stylish, beautiful, and wildly fun wedding I’ve been to. The couple has a keen eye for decor and ambiance and sought out to create a wedding that was beautiful, memorable and all their own. And that they did. It was one I looked forward since that day at my apartment more than a year out and when that day finally rolled around, I was giddy about it and it did not disappoint in the slightest. See for yourself and be sure to leave some comment love. I’m sure they will appreciate it…

Without further ado, I give you Alex & Travis’s Santa Barbara wedding at the beautiful Fess Parker Double Tree Resort. As always, you can view more photo selections from their wedding day at their website HERE. #getready #ohmy #prittee #photogoodness

Special thanks to the amazing creative team that made the day run flawlessly. Coordination : Donna Romani Events // Paper goods : Steven Ryan // Florals : Blue Magnolia // Lighting : PSAV // Venue & Catering // Fess Parker Double Tree Resort // Desserts : Enjoy Cupcakes // Linens : La Tavola // Music : Awesome Entertainment

Alex is stunning!!!! Don’t you just love her Melissa Sweet dress and BHLDN veil?

Gah, I love a good first look! Le sigh!My favorite photo from the day! #boom. Alex, you are ADORABLE. End of story. We just had to have the bridal party go for a carousal ride. And man, oh man…was that hilarious! And a bit nauseating for poor Isaac who climbed aboard with them. Haha. Good times though for sure!

Isaac got this shot of Alex that I’m in LOVE with. So stinkin’ cute!Such a stud that Travis Dunn!Seriously, could they be any more fun? I don’t think so…but just you wait till the reception…Oh, please go ON Alex. Gorgeous!

The decor was impeccable and Donna did a fabulous job making the day got off with out a hitch. Best candy bar of my life!Enjoy Cupcakes are divine. Trust me.

Snow day.

jeffrey — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 22:00:47 +0000

It was a week or so before Christmas when I got a call from my dear friend Emily. We were chatting it up, updating each other the the latest happenings, telling tales of the days of old when she asked me what I was doing that coming weekend. I could sense the schemes she was plotting. And I liked it. She asked if she could pop of for a wintry visit and for some Shipley time. Of course, my family and I happy obliged, and we welcomed her fireside just a few days later. She timed it just right. The christmas goodies were aplenty, my mom’s tree was trimmed and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care. And better yet, a storm was abrewin’.

I’d been dreaming of doing a photoshoot in the snow for years and my visits home never availed themselves to a such wintery wonderlands sadly. So as you can imagine, it was delighted to wake up to a blanket of white one morning Emily was in town…and this is what we made of it. Oh the joys of having talented and beautiful friends. Emily is both/and, so I got to photograph her AND be on the other side of the camera for a frame or two. It was glorious.

This woman brings so much joy, laughter and positive energy to all that she does. It’s magnetic and you can’t help but feel all sorts of merry and bright when you’re with her.

This is us. Yup.

Emily snapped this photo of my mom and me that I just love. It warms my heart every time I look at it, and I will cherish it forever.

Lesley Vaughn // Custom Website + Lifestyle Shoot.

jeffrey — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 04:22:09 +0000

This past summer, I worked on a website project for a good friend of mine and well, I’ve been meaning to share it for quite a while and finally I’m getting around to it. Yay. Her name is Lesley and she’s one of the most talented, genuine, grounded and encouraging people I know. Lesley has this way of being that is so real and honest. She loves people well and pushes herself to be the best version of herself in everything she does.I’m a huge fan of both who she is and her work as a dancer, model, and aerialist. And she even teaches aerial classes and workshops and makes and sells jewelry and such at her Etsy shop. Yup, she’s crazy and dedicated and awesome. I adore her, and I’m so proud of all that she’s doing, which is a lot. It blows my mind. She’s performed with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Jay-Z. She’s been in numerous fitness dvds, national commercials as a stunt double for Heidi Klum and just recently closed the Manaheim Steamroller show in Vegas. Uh, yea…she’s the real deal!

So needless to say, she was in need of a website to house all her photos and videos and to showcase her work as a performing artist. She came to me to help create establish a cohesive web presence and we worked together to create a custom website that not only pulls all her content together, but also created a space where her clients and fans could get to know her a bit and what she’s all about. To meet Lesley and see some of her work, check out her custom J. Shipley Creative website HERE, oh and don’t miss my favorite video of her doing aerial.

One of the things that Lesley was adamant about was doing a photo shoot specially for the website so that her site had unique, artistic imagery of her that was custom-tailored for the site and that was consistent throughout. Since we needed to showcase various dimensions of who she is and what she does, we needed to capture a wide variety of imagery that was well suited for each section. So Isaac James and I teamed up for a two day shoot at several locations in Pasadena. And of course, the three of us had a ball together. One of my favorite shoots ever. Seriously. I love this girl. So without further ado, here are a few frames from Lesley’s lifestyle photo shoot and of course more can be viewed on her website.

This is one of my all time favorite shots in life. Seriously, Les, you are stunning! Wanna learn how to do aerial? well lucky for you she teaches classes…so do it.

And she models for fitness ads and videos and such. And it’s clear as to why. #workitgurl

Isaac worked his headshot magic for some updated images for submissions and auditions. So good. If you’re in need of new headshots, book your session with Isaac stat. I love this photo because this is my friend Lesley and her laugh and smile are contagious. #sigh

If you’re a creative and are in need of a custom website or promo images, you can learn more HERE.

Pacific Northwest Adventure #1 // Lord Hill Park

jeffrey — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 19:31:13 +0000

My first official weekend in Seattle, my friend John invited me up to his neck of the woods for a outdoor adventure with his family through Lord Hill Regional Park. So we booted up and made our way through puddles, frost bitten fallen leaves and mossy forests…taking pictures all along the way. John is a photographer as well, so he gets the whole just-a-minute-I-MUST-take-a-picture-of-this-and-that-and-this thing. And I tend to wander off or lag behind the group. Sorry about it. Sometimes I can’t tell if my friends like that about me or are totally annoyed. Although, I do give them fair warning. It’s just how it goes when you hang with me, and I’ll likely sucker you into posing for a portrait or doing a cheesy self portrait with me. So if you come visit me in Seattle, prepare yourself, cuz that’s how I roll, people!

So needless to say, we had a grand old time, and it was the perfect way to get reacquainted with my mountain-man self. Here are a few of my favorite images from our hike…

SEE, I’m not the only one! But John is way more badass with, you know, a kid strapped to his back and his medium format camera and his beautiful wife. #outdone

I’m obsessed with the Pacific Northwest. Already. So glad I live here!

I just had to make the whole Vicory gang climb up on the log for a family photo. So glad we did it.

Sam makes me laugh. All. The. Day. Long. He is quite a character. And these next two shots may be some of my favorite image I’ve taken in a long while…

Until my next adventure…go well my friends!

dichotomy.

jeffrey — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 06:39:18 +0000

There’s something about all this newness that has me all sorts of introspective, terribly observant, and really quite emotional. It’s odd. The stark comparisons to what was and now what is have been a bit shocking and often send me spiraling into a sea of feelings of loss, sadness, fear…almost as if I wish all was back as it was a year ago when life was chocked full of beautiful sunshine and rainbows. And yet, those moments pass quite quickly, and I’m reminded of the realities of why I’m here and why what was is no longer. It’s a hard reality to face. And yet on another level, it’s quite exciting because it means there’s a whole host of new-ness that lies ahead. New memories to be made, new eats to be eaten, new friends to befriend, new hikes to hike. It’s quite fun really, and in the newness, there’s a sweetness, a freshness, an allure that has me coming back for more, and more, and more. It’s quite exciting really and I’m loving it for the most part. And yet, I still crave some level of routine, familiarity, safety & security. I’m afraid the reality is that establishing all that takes time, trial and error, and that process–as alluring and exciting it is on one hand–is arduous and painful on the other. It’s a world of dichotomy my friends, of ups and downs and of woo-hoos and wah-wahs. Such is life. And so, onward I go…let’s see how it changes me and who I become in the process…