It is a South Thing...

Wow! What a roller coaster week. Well week-and-a-half. It all started last Thursday as I traveled to Memphis for Apryl and Jason's Wedding. I had a wonderful time with my iPod and open road. It was a exciting trip. I knew that Apryl and Jason's wedding was the first for a new radical workflow. Here it is a week later and all of their images are online.

They are a wonderful couple and the stories they shared with me are just wonderful. It turns out Jason is a IU grad. He was going to school the same time I was working for daily newspapers up there. I know I met him when I lived up there, but I just can't remember exactly how. I can tell you the man makes the best ribs I have ever had.




Friday was a great day. It started with a bridal luncheon at the Majestic Grille. It was a wonderful place. Great food for sure. Then I was off to photograph the guys playing ball on the Memphis Redbirds ball field. I can say that was a first for me.

Every detail was planned. Between the wonderful taste of the bride and the wonderful job Amy Miller Wedding and Events did it was like a wedding right out of a magazine. It was just wonderful. How can you beat a wedding at sunset on the banks of the Mississippi River. Then at the reception they had an artist, Bradford Troxel creating a painting at the event as it was happening.

Thank you two for a wonderful time! Jason I need the info for your amazing ribs dude! Check out the slide show here....

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Again - Not Beating a Dead Horse!

Here is a video about Sleep Apnea describing what Sleep Apnea. Watch it.... It is a big deal. People in the know say most people suffering from this are not diagnosed... If you know people who suffer from these things have them see their doctor...

When is a Kiss Worth a Thousand Words?

A kiss is worth a thousand word when you are Dena or Daniel. Their wedding is coming up shortly, and we had a wonderful engagement session recently. They were so amazing. I am looking forward to the wedding. The weather was amazing and we walked all over downtown. It was so much fun!

I hope you guys enjoy them! Check out the slideshow right here...

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Sleep Awareness Week

I got an email today reminding me that this is Sleep Awareness Week. This is something that is something that hit home for me a over a year ago. I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. Basiclly, it is where I stop breathing at night. This is a big deal. Most people with sleep problems complain about being tired during the day. What you do not not realize folks, is that, regular sleep, is vital so your body can regenerate. Without that sleep it can kill you.

For me I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea back in September 2005. I remember what it was like. I was very short tempered. I could not drive for more than a half-hour without dozing off. I could not make it through a meeting with out falling asleep. How bad was it? I was having heart palpitations and chest pains as I would fall asleep. My snoring was so bad I would keep my wife awake. She would witness me stop breathing at night.

Then one day it happened. I thought I was having a heart attack. It turns out it was a just a panic attack. What was clear was that my health was going down hill. Sleep Apnea can cause a incredible higher risk of stroke and heart problems. It is not so good on the waste line either.

The biggest symptom is snoring. It is one of the most common health problems in the country. Having this means a life of uncertainly. People who have this have other health problems. It is easily controlled. I used a ResMed S8 CPAP machine to control mine. I have a wonderful doctor. The best in Chattanooga. Today I am 40 pounds lighter, and life is a joy again. Seriously folks it is life and death. Without it I stop breathing 71 times an hour.

Talk to your doctor, or talk to me. I will help you out. Tell you about my experience.

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Suzzannah as "Wren"

I got the pleasure of seeing my oldest daughter perform at Barnes and Noble recently. She attends fine art Magnet School here in Chattanooga. It was great show. It was fun to see her personality change as she got into character. Here is the slideshow

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Photography Class - Hunter Museum of American Art

This comic is from the folks at What the Duck. I thought it was very funny. Oh! A little reminder. I am teaching a class on photography at Hunter Museum of American Art. It will be a six week class on Thursday nights from 6pm to 8pm. Come join us! On the second night there will be a special surprise!

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

In 6 Minutes or What?

I received a forward from my uncle, Jeff today. I must say there are only a few people I will regularly open forwards for. My uncle is one of those folks. I will keep it short because I only have 6 minutes or something bad will happen... so the email says. Heck emails are better than fortune cookies... LOL!

This forward has some real good advice in it. Pass it along. Now you only have 6 minutes... HA!

Enjoy!
Jason

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, "I love you," mean it

FIVE. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN. When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN. Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: R espect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE. Spend some time alone.

Now, here's the FUN part!
Send this to at least 5 people and your life will improve. 1-4 people: Your life will improve slightly.
5-9 people: Your life will improve to your liking.

9-14 people: You will have at least 5 surprises in the next 3 weeks

15 and above: Your life will improve drastically and everything you ever dreamed of will begin to take shape.

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart. Do not keep this message

www.jasonconnel.com

Basketball Stars

On a little lighter note here are a couple of images from my two older daughters playing basketball. Which I must say they are a whole lot better at it than I ever was. I was much better at consuming my share of Frito Pie at the games. If you are from Texas you know what I am talkin' about.

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

First-Centenary United Methodist Church Presentation

I had the honor to speak at First-Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Chattanooga this evening. There was a group about 100 present. It was a good time! The first time I spoke to a group this big.

What was I there to speak about? How to make sneakers of course! I was there to speak about photography. It was tough to try to pack in information in about a half-hour. I had decided earlier in the week to try to open up to questions almost immediately. I showed a brief slideshow of my work.

Just a reminder to everyone. I do this fairly regularly. I teach at the Hunter Museum. This time around will be a basic digital photography class every Thursday started at the end of March. Give them a call to register.

It was such a good time, and I love that they let me come talk tonight...

Thanks!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

The New Website is LIVE! Well sort of...

Hey folks the new website is live. Soon you will be able to go to www.jasonconnel.com and it will be there. However, for now click right here to see it.

Enjoy!

Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Easy Seafood Company - Chattanooga, TN

WARNING: THIS POST MAY CAUSE HUNGER AND THE DESIRE FOR THE BEST SEAFOOD IN CHATTANOOGA.


I had the pleasure over recent weeks to create the photographs for my freinds', Eric and Amanda, restaurant Easy Seafood Company. There food is amazing! The new website is just awesome. Here are a few of my photos from those shoots.

Eric is one of the most talented chefs I know. He comes into a close second to my wife. Sorry, Eric... Trust me folks it tastes as good as it looks. If you are looking for a place for a rehearsal dinner they have my vote.

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Hilton Head, SC

Say Cheese!

My middle daughter had drawn this for me. She left this drawing for me on my desk. It is funny because I do not see them for a while then one will pop up on my desk. This one showed up when I was cleaning the office today.

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

The Nazi Truth

On a serious note. I was forwarded this piece by my uncle Jeff by 60 Minutes. It is a must see. It is about Holocaust. This is a piece of history we can not forget. Thousands of out troops fought and died stopping Hitler and the horrible things he did early on in the 20th Century.

It is important as ever to remember the sacrifice dedication of our men and women of today and of the past of our arm forces. When we have people around the world trying to say that the Holocaust is a myth it is absurd that journalists even report on such ridiculous statements made by these dictators.

It was real folks, and this is the largest archive in the world about it's victims. Oscar Schindler's List and what happened to Anne Frank are all part of this one archive. It is truly a wonderful piece.

Click here to see it....

Houston We Have a Problem!

As a regular listener you know the announcement of many changes recently. However, missing images from the website is not one of them. The hosting of all of the images of the current wedding and events that are up has went down.

I am out of town, but I have contacted Printroom's customer's service to get a possible ETA as to when everyone's photos will be back up. This is not a problem effecting a single person or photographer using Printroom's services. The entire system seems to be down.

All of your images are safe. There is nothing to worry about, however if for some reason I do not get a quick response Pictage is ready and waiting to take on everyone's images. Should I not get a response from them by Monday. I will take the necessary steps to get everyone's images back on-line ASAP.

I am sorry about the inconvenience, and I will make this delay as short as humanly possible.

Thank you,
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Even More Changes - This Time with Pictage

For some of you this will not be much of a change for others it will be a big deal. As a way to help boost my production I will now use Pictage exclusively. With the roll out of their new website they have filled several gaps that I was looking for. All weddings in the up coming weeks will be uploaded to Pictage. Once there they will be up for 90 days.

This move represents a way to decrease production times, and the system can manage the large quantities of orders I receive flawlessly.

If you are a 2006 bride your wedding will be eventually uploaded to Pictage and you will receive an email on how to access your images. For now you can still access your images the same way you always have.

This is great beacuse it will streamline my workflow tremendously. Pictage produces wonderful product and has a wonderful customer service. As a Pictage photographer it represents more of a partnership than a lab simply fulfilling orders.

You can visit their site by going to www.pictage.com. I really think this will make a big difference in production times and other issues. Now, that they are offering more than ever to their photographers it just makes sense. If anyone has any questions feel free to email me or post your question right here.

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

More New Stuff

Here is a little preview of what is too come. This is one of the noticeable changes you will see. The new site is more focused on on my specialty, and a lot of the extra unused portions of my old site will be gone. A new design that fits my style is here.

As for all of my brides out there, instructions will be on the way about how to access your photos and slideshows on the new site. That will not be all to change. I can't wait. Chages to come will be a pleasant surprise for everyone. Those changes are to be made public very soon, and will dramatically increase productions times. Some of the things that took so long will now take a matter of days.

The new logo was created by my good friend Matt Dunmore. Absolutely an amazing job!


Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Hello 2007! Some New Stuff!

2006 Wow! What a year! It has been a crazy ride that is for sure. I have learned a lot from all of you. Some things went well .... some things not so well, however, there are great things to come and I mean that seriously. Thank you to all of my brides and grooms for all the wonderful opportunities you have given me. A special thank you has to go out to all of my friends and family. You all have been so supportive.

Over the next month or so you are going to see a lot of changes. I have employed a little fun in helping me make important decisions.... Like... hmmmm.... lunch! It is called decision paper. I think it will help. So, here is what you do. Your right down the decision you need to make on each side like so....


Then you tear it down the middle and BAM! The decision is made!.... Lets see how it works!



Okay... so... that did not work so well.... I think I may need to rethink this.... Maybe little decisions only... I will let you all know how it goes...

That was fun! Seriously, there was a lot of things that happened this last year, and it was great. Yet there are some other things that were not so great, and can use some improving. Trust me, they will get better. Some real important decisions have been made. Not using the above method that should really make the business stronger.

Stay tuned! It will be big.... and it will be fun!

Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com

Ashlee and Casey, Chattanooga, TN

Here are images from Ashlee and Casey's engagement session. We had such a good time, and the weather was amazing! We had a good time and I can't wait for thier wedding in March!

Here is there slideshow....


Enjoy!
Jason

www.jasonconnel.com