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Jackie took some pictures of me for my LOLA (Ladies of Liberty Alliance) calendar page last year and I told her then, if she ever wanted me to take some shots of her, I was all hers. So this week she finally took me up on my offer and we headed out to downtown Austin’s Four Seasons hotel. The day was absolutely beautiful, as was Jackie. It was so much fun working with her because one of her true strengths is her creativity and spirit of play. She kicks butt at posing people and so when it’s her turn in front of the camera, she knows exactly how to pose herself.

What was really funny (and endearing) was to see her share all the same anxieties and insecurities every client has about how they look on camera. Even when we were planning her shoot, it was almost like she was “warning” me that she just doesn’t take good pictures! I told her to just chillax, try to have fun, and let me be the one to worry about making her look good.

As I was doing her shoot, and hearing her tell me how her lips didn’t look right, or her face was weird, or whatever, I was honestly sort of heartbroken. But not because she was being critical of me… but because she was being critical of herself! I see Jackie as downright gorgeous. Beautiful eyes, great face, fantastic hair, and a supermodel body. I was heartbroken because I wished so badly she saw herself the way I saw her.

When I delivered the pictures to her, she laughed and said how she actually did like them. I could hear the slight surprise in her voice when she told me “Wow! You did a really good job!” I identified something right then and there that makes me love photography: I want to make everyone, and I mean everyone, SEE their true beauty. I take great pride and pleasure in having my camera capture a person’s true essence. Sure, we’re not all “models” but to me, we are all beautiful. And that’s my job. To show you that.

Love you tons, miss JJ Photography!!

Rita Quinn

For more information about Jackie Jackson’s photography work, you can visit www.jjphotographyaustin.com

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We did the bulk of her shoot around the Austin University of Texas area and the nature trail by Barton Springs Pool. I love wandering those grungy back alleyways and playing in the grassy fields! We wanted to do three different looks so she brought the outfits and I brought some props. I explained to her that the last thing I wanted was for her senior portraits to be the same ol’ stale ones other photographers deliver. I wanted hers to be fresh, non-traditional, and most importantly an expression of herself at this time in her life. No cap, no gown, and no cheesy smiles.

After discussing ideas, we were off and running, and I was thrilled to see Giovanna having fun trying out different poses, playing around with the props, and contributing cool ideas. We laughed, we ooh’d and aah’d, and basically had a blast! With a big hug goodbye, we ended our time together, leaving me so thankful to now have this amazing friend in my life, and my typical desire to rush home and look at the pictures. And I have to say, I’m really happy with the way her final shots came out.

Giovanna shared with me that she is studying broadcast journalism and has dreams of being both a model and a TV host one day. To that I say, any camera would be graced by her smile and wish her much luck and success.

Love ya cutie!
Rita

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Since the first time I met Erin about a year ago, I had always secretly thought how cool it would be to photograph her. She has the most beautiful blue eyes and an incredibly unique look that is just stunning. Then out of the blue a few weeks ago, I get this text message from her saying how she was thinking about getting into modeling and wanted, you guessed it, little ol’ me to help her get some shots for her portfolio! I instantly said “of course” and, after waiting for the cold weather to take a break here in Austin, we finally were able to get together today to play!

Yes, you read that right, we did the shoot today and I’m already bloggin’ about it. That should tell you just how excited I was to review the images. And reviewing turned to editing which turned to “OMG! I have to share some of these with the world RIGHT NOW.”

Can I just say how fantastic Erin was to work with? Being the “aspiring” fashion photographer I am, I keep a nerdy notebook filled with my collection of ripped out pages from magazines to inspire me. Well, Erin and I reviewed them and the next thing you know, she was bustin’ out the poses like nobody’s business. I was so impressed! We pretty much just trekked around the UT (University of Texas) area, roaming the gritty back alleyways and hallways of the campus itself allowing ourselves to just get inspired by all the different backgrounds.

Anyway, below are some of the photographs from the shoot that I love. I want to wish Erin all the best of luck in her new modeling career. You’re beautiful, Erin, especially inside where it really counts. :)

xoxo
Rita

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I met Tracey Harmon in the summer of 2009 at the annual FreedomFest convention held in Las Vegas. I was asked to go there to photograph some of the female activists who were selected to be in the Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA) calendar. For years, Tracey has been very active with the Iraq Veterans Against the War organization and officially left the army as a conscientious objector. So it made perfect sense that her calendar page had an anti-war theme.

The day of her photo session, we got up at 5am to drive to the Vegas red rocks to catch the morning light. Anyone who knows me knows that without question, I am not a morning person. Tracey was a blast to work with and I was especially thankful for my friends Bekah and Brad who generously volunteered to be my assistants. Despite the early morning, everyone was pretty enthusiastic and I was really excited (and nervous) to be able to stretch my creative muscles with the shoot. Her original goal was to communicate a sense of surrender, and my goal was to do that while also capturing her inner strength, self-determination, and innate femininity.

When I got back to my hotel room to review the shots later that morning, I was seriously blown away. Not only was Tracey gorgeous, but the location and light were absolutely perfect and worth every ounce of effort it took to pull myself out of bed.

Below are some of the previously unreleased shots taken from our session. As you’ll see, Tracey’s eyes truly are the window to her soul. I am now, just as I was then, filled with a deep sense of honor to have been invited to peer into such a sensitive place. Tracey is beautiful, both inside and out. I genuinely admire her carefree spirit, strong sense of self, and heart filled with deep love and compassion. And I’m very proud to call her a friend. :)

Love you Tracey! <3
Rita

PS: Please help send Tracey to Iraq on a peace-keeping mission! Tracey will be documenting human rights violations against civilian populations and meeting with various relief groups and Iraqi civilians. She will also be conducting local radio interviews and blogging with live footage and reports from the ground.

From Tracey: “I will be taking letters from veterans in Iraq Veterans Against the War – letters of remorse, grief, and apology for losses. I will accept personal responsibility for the damage due to my participation, as a former soldier, and work towards alleviating human suffering in any capacity I can.”

To donate to her trip, visit iamlola.org or contact 559-IAMLOLA

And this was her final calendar image… Just stunning!

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Chelsea and Jason found about about me from another client I have who also used me for their engagement photos. Like always, I was so excited to have people to play with. And like always, I found myself struggling with the dreaded question: “Okay, how do you want us?”

Here’s a secret: I always go blank when asked this question. I guess it stems from the fact that my true love in photography is as a photojournalist. Which is why the “lifestyle” photography trend is right up my ally. Go play and laugh and kiss and just let me be a fly on the wall.

Chelsea and Jason were only my 2nd engagement session ever. So, trying to shove my nervousness aside, we set out to find some great backgrounds to put them in, which was pretty much anywhere you looked. Jason had already picked out some locations he wanted too. Then I fired away, prompting them as we went. Smile. Kiss. Walk. They laughed, I hit the shutter button.

They were both so patient with me, despite the over 100+ degree heat in the late afternoon. I walked away feeling a bit insecure as a “professional” and was really worried that I had not given them what they wanted. To my pleasant surprise, I happened to see Chelsea at a party I was shooting and she came up to me to share how they really loved the final images and enjoyed working with me. My heart leapt! “You like me. You really like me.”

Chelsea is such a sweetheart and I am truly honored I could be part of capturing her and Jason’s love for each other. I sincerely thanks them for allowing me to be their photographer. Wishing them both a lifetime of love and happiness together.

xoxo
Rita

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As scheduled, we met at the capitol building in downtown Austin. As they approached, I could see a big sign in their hands. I laughed to myself as they approached and saw that the their sign said LOVE. They laughed as they tell me “Well, we couldn’t come to the capitol and not have some kind of sign!” Inside my heart melts a little as I’m filled with admiration for their relationship with each other. Love. Yep, that’s a perfect statement for them.

I told them that what I really wanted to capture was the romance and passion they share and explained how I would prefer to be a fly on the wall as they flirted and played together. As always, my goal was for us all to have fun and let their personality shine while me and my camera just follow the energy of the moment. In the two hours we were there, I felt so lucky to have been given the trust of this amazing couple as they openly shared their love with each other as I snapped away.

Thank you so much Shannon and Justin! I love you both! :)

xoxo
Rita

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I met Seth and Megan at the Austin Wildflower Center while shooting a mommy play date group. As I ran around trying to catch all the cute things the kiddos did while hanging out, I was able to capture the shots below of Seth, which I have to say, I LOVE. They just make me smile. But I’ll admit it, all the kids made me smile and I’ll be putting shots from the rest of the little cuties up soon. But until then, I hope Seth’s little two front teeth give you a warm-hearted giggle like they do for me. Every time.

Thanks Megan and Seth!

xoxo
Rita

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Ron knew I was a photographer and needed some new headshots so we met in downtown Austin and wondered the back alleyways to find the right light and the urban feel he wanted. He gave me all his “looks” like the tough bad guy and the cool mystery guy. My favorites, of course, are the ones I was able to snap when he wasn’t posing that captured his kind energy and silliness. You see it? That little hint of his playful spirit that his eyes give away? I do and I love it!

Ron is a genuinely nice guy who is a pleasure to work with on our project and I’m so happy he asked me to be his photographer. I wish him all the best in his career!

xoxo
Rita

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He and I have many mutual friends on Facebook which is how we originally connected. After attending a conference in Vegas last year and hearing rave reviews from a bunch of girls who all just adore him and were sporting his very cool jewelry, I decided to respond back to a chat he initiated to say hi. To my very happy surprise, I discovered he was very deserving of all the love he receives. Highly intelligent, actively working to save the world through his LCL Report website, and one heck of an amazing jewelry designer!

But here’s exact the moment I really fell in love with Tarrin: Around the holidays I received a special package from him and when I opened it up, I discovered he had made me this custom necklace with a “Don’t Tread on Me” silver pendant AND a one of a kind “Texans for Accountable Government” pendant bracelet. I was completely blown away by his generosity. And everyone who sees those pieces on me fall in love with them, just like I did. I’m always asked “Where did you get that awesome jewelry. I want one too!” Which brings me to this post. I wanted to tell the whole world where they could get their own custom jewelry from Tarrin Lupo and share some of the pics I’ve taken of other pieces I’ve seen on friends of mine.

So, I say this from the bottom of my heart, if you’re thinking of purchasing something special for your valentine this year, or if you deserve something special for yourself, I really recommend you check out his jewelry. Each piece is completely unique and custom fitted and his prices are so incredibly reasonable. And, now I don’t know this for sure, but I think he may be secretly putting some special “happy energy” in his stuff because I know when I wear mine, I just feel better or something. So instead of taking those yucky anti-depressants, buy some Tarrin Lupo jewelry. Yeah. Better than Prozac. {grin}

Love you, Tarrin!

Rita

My friend Katie with an original Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA) necklace.

This is Catherine Bleish with her “Free Speech” pendant

Bonita wearing this beautiful silver ring! 

Catherine loves this bracelet so much she said the first time she’s taken it off was for me to shoot this picture.

And here’s my awesome “Don’t Tread on Me” necklace. Each side has the one word on it.

And last but not least, here’s my cool Texans for Accountable Government (TAG) bracelet. Love it! 

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