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Hello!

Welcome to my blog and thanks so much for stopping by and having a look. My name is Jessica Pressley and I am a Southern California based wedding photographer which makes me super happy. I hope that through this blog I can share my latest photographs and words, and also connect with all of you. So, check back often and be sure to leave me a comment letting me know you were here! Please use the contact form so we can get to chatting about your Southern California or destination wedding!

Running and What’s Important

Monday, January 18, 2010

My thoughts today:
It’s currently raining outside, as it has been all day. I woke up slowly, feeling a bit sluggish and like I wanted to just curl up on the couch with a good book. And I did do that eventually, but not until after I ran 5k in the rain and wind with my little brother, Jonathan! I was laying on the living room floor in a state of extreme relaxation when I saw him in his workout gear getting ready to go out for a run. I thought to myself, “I’d like to go for a run, but its so cold!” Then I thought, “What the heck!” So I asked my brother if he would wait for me to get my work outs clothes on so that I could go running with him. He loves to work out being a former skater turned amateur boxer work out fiend so he agreed to wait. My mom even agreed to come along on her bicycle! What I thought would be a light walk/jog of about a mile turned into a full on, 3 mile, no stopping, run. I use the word “run” loosely ;) I thought I would die the whole time and nearly stopped after each quarter-mile, but the point is I DIDN’T. Die or stop. I guess what I am getting at is this: we can do so much more than we think we can! Some things by our will power and other things by the grace of God alone. Running that three miles was a mental challenge that I overcame. Returning kindness for insult is only achieved by the power of God in my life. Those are just a couple of examples that came to mind but there are countless others. So, in the words of Nike: “Just Do It!”

Other things I’m thinking about have to do with priorities. This year started with a lot of energy and then paused for a couple of weeks as tragedy struck one of my close friends and several other heavy things happened in the circle of people I know. It has been a time of reevaluating and readjusting. And that is wonderful. Its also been a time of just loving on the people close to me. Of listening. And of not letting things slip by. When confronted with the preciousness of life its vital to learn and take away what you can. I hope to live this year knowing what is important and acting accordingly. That’s all for now.

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Vasquez Family: Portrait!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

I got to start off 2010 with a wonderful family photo shoot of the Vasquez family. I haven’t done very many family portraits because, well, after this particular shoot I don’t even know why! It was a blast and the Vasquez family is just so darn photogenic that I couldn’t really go wrong. To describe them I would say that they are just so cool. Christine (mommy Vasquez) has a way of dealing with her little boys that lets them know when she is being serious but also that she understands them and their need to dance like crazy in the back of the car. And Nick (the daddy) knows how to make those boys laugh. I love Nick and Christine’s easy and relaxed way of being together. To me, its strikes me as a trait of those who know whats important in life. I noticed how some little things that couples might argue about weren’t given a second thought or a chance to turn into anything. Like, when, as we were leaving Nick realized that Christine hadn’t grabbed his wallet. There was no frustration at having to go back, just a simple u-turn and that was that. Maybe this seems silly to those of you reading this, but to me, that’s romantic. So, Christine and Nick, thanks for letting me spend the day with you and for being such an example of a godly marriage. Maybe you think my observations are a little kooky, but, you never can tell what might impact someone. And you guys impact me =)

Here are my favorite photos of our day in Wrightwood traipsing about and getting hot chocolate in town:

Oh yes. I love this. Its so exciting when you imagine a shot in your head and it works out as this one did!
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Cuties.
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It was so hard to narrow this next series of images down to these five. These boys are way too cute and hilarious.
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Favorite.
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Aww, brother hugs!
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I love the vibe of these next two.
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Christine, can you BE any more beautiful?? Nope.
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And this series just makes my heart smile =)
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Love you guys!

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s h e r r y - I love the boys' matching sweaters! :) What a CUTE family!

katealtmix - that first image is my absolute favorite, the light is stunning!

Cathy Inabinette - Great work Jessica!!! Great family also!!! Cat

Julie - Wonderful work as always! The last run of pictures with all of the random family shots made me smile~

A day in LA 12/18/09

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

The holidays are such a fun time because you generally get to see your family all in one place. My mom, Tim, and I drove down to LA to spend a pre-Christmas fun day with my sister, her boyfriend Max, and his mom. I got to see my sister’s new apartment for the first time. We also went to the Getty and walked around 3rd Street Promenade. When my mom, my sister, and I get together we have a little too much fun. Its always too many cheesy jokes, lots of teasing, laughing and hilarity in general. All that is fabulous and when paired with the beautiful LA weather it made our day that much better. I am so blessed! I might just have to say that in every post, or maybe it can just be implied. Oh, and I forgot to mention the best part: Diddy Riese Cookies! You complete me…

Here are a few pictures of us at the Getty :

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God Bless you all and have a Merry Christmas!

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Jessica Pressley - aww miss you maureen, wish I could be there with you!!!

Maureen - Aweeee. Miss u Jess!!! Merry Christmas! (I'll take a picture in front of the "hand" in Bethlehem, just in memory of you :)

Cathy Inabinette - Love all the pics Jessica! You are all beautiful as always! Merry Christmas!

Jen and Josh: Wedding! 11/6/09

Saturday, November 28, 2009

When I arrived at the beautiful Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle, Washington I had no idea what to expect of the two people who’s wedding I would be documenting that day. My good friend Bethany Murphy had booked this wedding and I was her second shooter which I knew would be so much fun. The only things I knew about the couple, having never met them, were that their names were Jen and Josh and that they were both in the air force. As Bethany knocked on sweet number 742, I was feeling the excitement of getting to do what I love- photograph weddings! I still cant believe how lucky I am to get flown all the way to Seattle to take pictures =)
Jen answered the door with a big smile on her face and I instantly knew this was going to be a good day. Every person involved in this wedding was so wonderful to be around. I got the sense of a super tight knit family who loved each other and supported each other no matter what. I never heard one complaint or frustration or felt any stress from anyone. It was just calm, peaceful, and filled with joy.
Thanks so much Josh and Jen for inviting me to share in your day and another thanks goes out to fisheyestudio’s Josh and Rafael who rocked the videography. And a super huge thank you goes to Bethany for asking me to shoot this wedding with her. She is an amazing photographer and friend and I look forward to shooting with her more!

We started with the family hanging out in Jen’s suite laughing and eating breakfast as Jen started getting ready.

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This dress shot is so cool! The idea came from Josh and Rafael =)
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Here is Jen looking at the wedding present Josh made her. Its a photo book of their engagement!
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This was a really sweet gift from Jen’s Dad. He signed this ball in reference to their family expression “Be The Ball.”
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Jen’s sisters watching her get ready.
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There is just something about this photo that I love. I cant quite put my finger on it…
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Josh getting a helping hand from his brother.
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Jen also got Josh a wedding present- a journal filled with all of their best memories! These two are so sweet to each other. I’m sure they are going to have a very romantic life together.
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Jen is stunning! She is an effortless beauty and that dress was so dramatic.
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I love this moment between Jen and her dad as she gets ready to see Josh for the first time that day.
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The first look! First looks are so special. I’m so glad that they seem to becoming more and more popular with couples because its such a nice moment for them and it makes so much time for pictures before the ceremony.
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This has to be one of my favorite shots from the day. Talk about drama with that dress on those stairs.

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Jen’s mom and twin sister bustling her dress.
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Josh’s dad looking very debonair. This photo has such a cool vibe to me.
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bethany had the fabulous idea of renting umbrellas from a custom shop called Bella Umbrella in Seattle. The pictures were great as a result!
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This shot makes my heart happy. It looks timeless. We had so much fun shooting outside the hotel.
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A very happy Josh as his bride walks down the aisle to meet him.
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The moment in this photo between Jen and her dad has to be one of my favorite wedding photos to date.
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There were some very funny and heartfelt toasts.
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The happy couple!
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Sitting on the sofa after a long day filled to the brim with happiness and laughter. I love this photo!
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Matthew - These look great, Jessica!

Julie - Your hard work and dedication are paying off. Wonderful photos that tell a wonderful story.

Bethany Murphy - p.s. we make a good team :)

Bethany Murphy - These turned out so great, I am so blessed to have you as a friend and to have such awesome photos to add to their wedding day :) I can't wait to shoot with you again, we need to do it more often! Thank you for taking the time and flying out with me, it would not have been the same without you!

Invisible Children

Saturday, October 24, 2009

The Invisible Children movement is an amazing organization striving to create global awareness of the war in Northern Uganda and to help the children and people of Uganda affected by it. The founders are a group of young artists and filmmakers who are inspiring change with their films and efforts to bring piece to Uganda. Here in Apple valley at Granite Hills High School a group of students has decided to take part in this effort by starting a club in support. They are doing many different things to raise money for the Invisible Children movement including a bracelet campaign and t-shirts to spread the word. My good friend Morgan Taylor who is a very talented photographer has been volunteering his time helping out and decided to do a photo shoot with the kids in the club and asked if I would like to join. Of course I did! The shoot will be made into posters and photos for the club’s blog. The theme was a journey and was set in the jungles of the High Desert ;) I hope you like it!

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Some of the bracelets the kids have made to raise money.
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This is one of my favorites from the day, isn’t she adorable??
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I love these next two images for some reason.
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I also did individual portraits of the kids.
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Then we followed Morgan to a special spot down by the river. The kids had no idea he was being serious when he told them they’d be getting in the water. They were such good sports though and the pictures turned out really cool. The water was so cold it felt like a thousands knives piercing your body, or something… hehe.

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Morgan’s friend Kimberly Albright also shot that day which was super cool.
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And here is the man behind the shoot, Morgan Taylor. Morgan, you’re so awesome! Love ya!

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Thetis Pressley - Wonderful pictures! It really fills my heart to see these young people beginning the journey of making their mark in the world. They will make a difference :)

Maria Eichler - Jessica, these pictures are amazing ! You're such a talented, young woman ... Gorgeous pics !

Jalyssa - This is such a great organization and these shots are really great =-)

Cindy Pressley - You are the best photographer ever! I am so very very very proud of you Jessica! Love, Aunt Cindy

Jenna - great pictures! loved looking at them

Maureen - very cool, Jess!

Cathy Inabinette - I love all of your pictures Jessica, I just looked through. You are very talented!

Julie Pressley - I absolutely love these photos! They evoke a sense of wonder. Lovely~