Blog Posts & Other News

Well folks if you have been a regular visitor here you would ask yourself did Jason die? No I am still kickin' to the dismay of some... LOL! I had a hard drive failure that was catastrophic. It had absolutely destroyed turn around times. Luckily, most of what I lost was work that I had done, but it represented just over 100 hours of work.

I can tell you I am pretty good about backing up too, but I did loose a lot of data in the process. I really appreciate everyone who has been so patientence and understanding in the matter. Some folks weren't as understanding. I don't blame you. I am really sorry, but I am working as hard as I can to get you taken care of.

Since August 11th I have had weddings every weekend. With the hard drive failure it had slowed everything down to a crawl. If I have missed you in all of this let me know. I would for you to let me know. I want to get you taken care of.

I have neglected my blog and website in order to save time to get caught up. I am getting really close. For those of you who are still waiting for images to go up you should start to see those images go up this week. Loads of blog post to make as well! I am excited! There has been some wonderful images to share with all of you.

I hope you all are enjoying the Holiday season!

Jason

Texas ROCKS!

I have been in Texas for a while. The one thing I miss about home is Mrs. Baird's. They make all sorts of yummy things. They make things I can't think about too, because it causes instant weight gain... LOL! However, something as simple bread brings back a lot of childhood memories.

Enjoy!
Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

A Littl' Somethin'

I thought I would share a recent shot. It has been a few days since I have posted. There is a lot of work in progress. There will be more photographs soon!

Hard at Work!

Well I could not keep the shot out of the tabloids, so I decided to beat them to the punch! LOL! I wish I had got that haircut before this wedding though. Does my butt look fat? Wait... Don't answer... :D.

Hey, tons of stuff going on. So, much to share with everyone. There are going to be a long strings of extensive pontificating on here, so stay tuned. As a friendly reminder, if it take more than a couple of days to email you back, fire it off again. I have had a ton of destination weddings, and I have been home just a handful of days. I know things may have got lost in the hustle and bustle. I apologize for the inconvenience.

This shot was taken at Heather and Johnathan's wedding by the bride's brother. It looks like I was into the shot... LOL! I know exactly which shot I was taking at the time, and it is really cool. Stay tuned! Images will be up soon!

Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

The last three years have been such a struggle. I have mad and met wonderful people during that time. Keeping hope and love alive for what I do. I could have never accomplished what I have done without you all. Sometimes you were there for me when my family was not.

I love the song. It speaks to me on a personal level I have never shared with anyone. It means so much to me.

Here I set three years almost to the date I lost my full-time job shooting for TJ Maxx and Homegoods. When the new CEO arrived the team I belonged too was cut loose. E-commerse was dead.

I made a decision to go out in the world on my own. Many people thought I was nuts. Here I am. Passing that three year mark. I have learned a great deal. It is has been a hard road, but we have been very fortunate and blessed.

Here are a few lessons I have learned.
1.) Everyone who is nice to you is not your friend. They may be taking advantage of you.
2.) Never turn your back on friends. No matter what the pressure may be to do so.
3.) Love life.
4.) Take risks.
5.) Never give up.
6.) Learn.
7.) Anger is one's downfall.
8.) Listen
9.) Keep an open heart no matter how much it may hurt.
10.) Never say never.

Recent events have so reinforced these things for me. Thank you to all of you!

Enjoy!
Jason

Oooops! I am so Sorry...

I was in the process of creating an out of office reply when I made two horrible clicks that sent out a few extra emails.... Well okay... it was like 8 million emails... I am sorry for the really full email accounts, but you can get a good chuckle at all the misspelled words!

Sorry about the mix up.

Jason

All Wet - Tim and Ginger - Coolidge Park, Chattanooga, TN

Tim and Ginger came to me asking for a portrait session after seeing Heather and Johnathan's engagement photos. Ginger is Heather's BFF (I love that ... BFF... I dunno why... Must be the geek in me).

Anyhow, we got together a few weeks ago down at Coolidge Park, and I think I came away with some shots that have a little different perspective. Anyhow, I hope you enjoy the photos! We had a blast!

Here is the sideshow!

Stick around there is more information coming regarding continuing family tragedy.

Death in the Family

Hey folks. Got a bit of bad news this morning. There has been a death in the family. I know you all will be supportive during this time for me. I will keep everyone updated as to what is going on. It is still very early on. There is still a lot of confusion as to what is going on.

If your one of the many folks that have tried reaching me today so far I will be with you shortly. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

Amanda Niel Designs

I want introduce you all to a really revolutionary (well in my opinion) company, Amanda Niel Designs. First, let me come clean I personally know Amanda, but I think that gives me a little creditability on this as well.

First off, when you meet Amanda she is one of the most passionate and professional people you will ever meet. She is crazy creative too. Talent out the roof. I have had the pleasure of working with her in a previous life, but I have also had the absolute joy to work for her and her husband over at Easy Seafood Company. I had the pleasure of photographing the best seafood in Chattanooga.

If you are looking for the most creative unique invitations for any event you may have this is it! Amanda hand makes these works of art. You have to give her a call. I am telling you. If you are looking for something that will absolutely impress your guest or business associates this is it!

Go check out Amanda's website at http://www.amandanieldesigns.com/.

What is to Come

Howdy ya'll! Here is just a quick post of just some of what is to come! This shot is from a very recent wedding. There are several other weddings that will be posed up here shortly! There is also a really awesome portrait session. Busy... Busy...

Stay tuned!
Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

Mistie and Kevin's Engagement Session & Other Items

Recently, I had the chance to photograph Kevin and Mistie, but before I get to those engagement photos I have a few items to discuss.

I have a couple of family illnesses I am working with, and a very busy season. If you are looking to get images for Christmas, and would like me to full-fill the orders I need the images by October 10th. That said, Pictage's turn around on prints are about two weeks right now and will continue through the holidays at that pace. If you have not used Pictage for a print order check them out. It is a wonderful service and they are a wonderful lab, and it takes like 1/4 the time to get the prints to you. Everything has a satisfaction guarantee. If you don't like something mail it back and they will hook you up.

Pictage is also going to be having a big sale coming up for the holiday season. Expect to be seeing those emails in your mailbox soon.

Okay now some engagement photos. I am just sharing a few shots from this wonderful couple. Their wedding is coming up soon. They have been just wonderful to work with a sweet couple indeed. They have been together, if memory serves me right for seven years! WOW! They will be tying the not a little later this year.

Enjoy!
Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

Two Love Birds - Robyn and Jay

Recently I had the pleasure to get to photograph Robyn and Jay at Gordon-Lee Mansion in Chickamuaga, GA. Gordon-Lee has to be one of my favorite places to photograph a wedding. Jennifer, Richard and the rest of the crew just always do an amazing job!

The photo above was taken the night of the rehearsal. This has to be one of my favorite rehearsal images. The look in her eyes say it all. That one image sums up the whole day. The emotion and the fun times everyone brought with them to the wedding was just amazing.

There is so much to shoot at the mansion it is always a challenge to pick one or two asspects of the day. There are a lot of images below. I hope you enjoy them!

Here is the slideshow!

Enjoy!
Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

This image was taken just prior to sunset during the wedding.

Here comes the flower girl during the rehearsal. Too cute!

Simple shot with the tele during the ceremony.

I know exactly what dad was thinking at this moment. I will be thinking the same thing when it is time to walk my girls down the isle.

Hidden spot at the Mansion.

The band fires up the crown during the reception. Someone please email their name so I can put a link on here. They were awesome!

The flower girl, and her daddy take the stage.

First dance.

The last dance.

Our 1st Admendment Rights

This is scary folks. It does not matter what your political party of choice may be, but the fact is our right to free speech is being infringed by those in power on what almost seems like a daily basis.

Folks take this serious. Here is a video Senator John Kerry trying to answer a question by a college student in Florida, and was tasered for it. I will say the Senator seemed more than willing to answer the question. I do not believe he was the cause of this, but as you can see the police moved in immediately after the student asked the question.



I will tell you as a photographer that has photographed many of these events college students are always the ones asking the hardest hitting questions. They will ask these sort of things to Republicans and Democrats. Watching these types of events are a great place to get to see what a politician really feel on a issue.

That said. This is completely unacceptable. This type of police action is tyranny plain and simple. As Americans we owe it to all of those who sacrificed everything, while protecting our basic right to speak out, to stand up against this type of blatant disregard for the law.

As you can see the police committed a federal crime by infringing on this student's 1st Amendment right granted to him by the United States Constitution. Don't let this stand. Write your Congressmen and Senators, and demand a federal investigation into this matter.

Email & Wedding in Savannah This Weekend

Hello everyone! I just wanted to give everyone an update. I am in Savannah this weekend for a wedding. I know several of you have sent me emails this weekend, and I will get back with you on those as soon as I get back.

Some of the emails require more attention than I can possibly give on the road. If you are one of those folks. Expect to hear from me on Monday.

The shot above was taken last night after Monica and Kenneth's rehearsal. It was a little outside Savannah. On the way back to the hotel I noticed everything was just right for this shot.

I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

Thanks!
Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

Lindsey and Chad's Engagement Session

I have said it before, and I will say it again. I am such a lucky photographer. I wish some of that luck would rub off into other aspects of my life. For instance red lights. Most of you call these "red lights" traffic signals. Not me. If you have ever been in a car with me you know what I am talking about. These days I get stopped so often I now naturally slow down.

Anyhow, that is a topic of another post someday. I would like to introduce you guys to Lindsey and Chad. They are so cool! They are huge race fans, and the pretty much let me do anything during their recent engagement session! Their photos are just awesome!

They where so patient with me. It was so so hot when we shot these a few weeks ago. Just blistering. We had a lot of fun! I am looking forward to the wedding! I know it is going to be great!

Here is the slideshow!

Enjoy!
Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

Allie and Ric - Stantam, GA

Allison and Ric got married at the most wonderful amazing place in no where Georgia. The wedding was amazing. They kept everything so simple. It was very nice. It was sooooo hot too!

They had a band playing at the ceremony. I am not talkin' a big band, or jazz, something you would see at a wedding. This was a rock band, and they are awesome! If someone will send me a link to their website I will put it up here.

Another first was the weather. I mean wow. I have never had this close of a call with an outdoor wedding. In the middle of the ceremony the wind was blowing and lightening was everywhere. All I could think of was I was here in the middle of the ceremony and my rain gear was in the car. However, the rain never came.

Oh! I should mention, Ric, the groom, the talented musician he is sang to his bride as she came down the isle! I mean WOW! Loads of fun for sure!

I met Allie and Ric from my good friend Julian Smith. Julian is one of the most talented film makers I know. I swear he is another Spielberg in the making. I am sure there is a different director he would rather be compared too, but I don't know much about the different directors. Julian if you readying this... I am sorry for that... LOL! You can see a shot of him below. Be sure to check out his website. I am serious. He is a film maker. It was a rare treat to actually get to shoot with him. Also, he is the one responsible for the music on my website.

Here is the slideshow!

Enjoy!
Jason
www.jasonconnel.com

Ashley and Kyle - Grand Oaks, Cartersville, GA

Well, here are past all the website changes, and all the technical set backs of late, so it is time for a new post! YAY! I would like to introduce to you Ashly and Kyle.

Ashley and Kyle were married back on August 11th at Grand Oaks in Cartersville, GA. All I can say is wow! They chose the most perfect place to be married! Grand Oaks is a word of mouth kind of place, and it is amazing! The details all over the house are amazing.

It also helped to have a wonderful couple like Ashley and Kyle. The two have been together for... well it has been forever... and a day or two! Mary, Ashley's mom, found my website a few months ago, and we started chatting about her daughters wedding. It is a real honor to be part of their day.

Click here to see the slideshow...

Enjoy!
Jason
www.jasonconnel.com