RACHEL & JOIE: OUR DEAR FRIENDS

Rachel & Joie are some of mine and Brandi's very best friends. In just a short couple of weeks they are going to England for about a year. I'm very excited for R&J because this is such an awesome opportunity for them, yet I'm still saddened by their eventual departure. Over the last several months, Brandi & myself have really grown to love these two. They have welcomed us in with open arms and have become some of our closest friends. We wish them nothing but the best in their travles (because really, who wouldn't want to go to England in their lifetime?) but we will also miss their company, their laughs, Rachel's creative crafts and Joie's ridiculous(ly), hilarious, & random songs. I'll sure miss that magic box.

To celebrate this exciting time in their lives, our community of friends, (and may I add, the very best people in the world), put together a little going away party for them. We commemorated their journey with fish & chips (fries), lots of pictures, some insanely retarded dancing (a post to come with those pictures soon), and wonderful conversation. Here is just a glimpse from that night. R & J, you are definitely going to be missed.

We put together a journal for everyone to write notes to R & J in. Something that hopefully will encourage them when they miss their friends.

Rachel, being the wonderfully creative & giving person that she is, gave all the girls stationery to insure that they all write her while they're gone.

The guys did a little jam sesh. If you know Joie, then you know music is a big deal to him. I know I myself am very jealous of his ridiculous musical talent.

Yep... that's my darlin' on the right. She's smokin', right?

Had to sneak this one in here.

Pike Family

The Pike Family attended an auction for a charity early in 2010. I was fortunate enough to be able to auction off a shoot for charity and get to be a part of something that helps others. I always look for ways to help better the world, and if giving a family a free shoot in exchange for a charity getting some help it needs is a way to do that, I'm all for it! 

This is the Pike Family. This was also the first shoot my girlfriend, Brandi, was able to come and observe and participate on, and she was a tremendous help! So a big THANK YOU to her is much needed! 

We tried to stay inside as much as possible. If I recall, it was around 29 degrees that day in Bentonville. Just a wee bit cool. So we decided to have a pillow fight instead of playing outside. 

They mostly wanted photos of the kiddos, but we managed to grab some AWESOME ones of Kim & Jack as well. Kim & Jack, you guys were simply stunning to photograph! 

Thanks again Pike Family! We really enjoyed our time with you and look forward to working with you again soon! 

Christmas 2010 Playlist

Hello again, 

It's been a while since I've posted anything, I know, I'm lame. However, we are in the process of new website/branding/blog developments here at JJP, and I can NOT wait until it all goes live. 

While all that's going on, I did want to share my Christmas playlist for this year. Some of these songs are traditional Christmas classics, sung by some of my favorites, and some of these are new to this year. However, ALL are amazing, and this playlist has literally been looping on my computer for the last two weeks. 

Definitely check out any of the songs on here. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and keep looking for new things from the folks here at Justin James Photography! 2011 will most definitely be a big year for us here. 

Without further delay...