25 posts categorized "Personal"

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A Little Late - Jones Family Christmas Card

I was having a discussion earlier with Rosie about tonight's blog entry, when I realized that (as usual) in the craziness that is the Christmas season for photographers - we had failed to send out our Christmas card. This has sort of become a tradition in the Jones house since usually the time around the holiday is filled with rush photo orders and card designs for friends and clients.

Not wanting it to go to waste, I thought I'd post it here. I had just finished up a session in the studio for some friends when one of my daughters wandered into the studio and wanted her picture taken. One by one, they all decided they wanted a turn in front of the camera. (This is an exceptionally rare occurrence so I had to seize the chance)

For those of you that don't know, the virtues listed next to each child also happen to be their middle names. :-)

We hope that you had a very blessed Christmas, and very happy New Year. (Good tidings are good tidings even if they're a little late in delivery...)

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For The Photographers:

Camera: Nikon D3, Nikon 24-70mm (52mm), 1/200s @ f/11.0, ISO 100, Lights: AB800s

Post: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Adobe Lightroom 3.6

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Where We've Been, Where We Are, Where We're Going

After a long absence from the virtual world, I figured it was time that I should fill everybody in on what's going on. First off, I want to start this letter with the message that - THINGS ARE GREAT! Usually, when one comes across a blog and finds an open letter to readers that starts sounding retrospective and emotional, the immediate assumption is that things aren't good. Avoid that mindset. Things ARE good, just very busy.

Where We've Been

On January 12, 2007, Towner Jones Photography opened its doors. Rosemary and I weren't looking to start a photography business, but God decided we needed to - so he dropped a wedding shoot in our lap (literally, we had 45 minutes notice) and the business began. (FYI - in hindsight, after almost five years and 50+ weddings behind us, don't do a wedding shoot with only 45 minutes notice) We've enjoyed a tremendous amount of growth that has taken us all over the country, and the best part of all, into the lives of dozens of clients and friends.

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This past summer, we began exploring the option to partner with another company. The plan was to combine the businesses to reduce overhead, share our resources, and broaden our common vision. For all intents and purposes, we went on sabbatical to start planning that new business around June. 

After a great deal of prayer and other consideration, around September we realized that wasn't the path God had in store for us, and more importantly - we needed to change direction.

Where We Are

One of the most important realizations that came out of this past summer's activities was that Towner Jones Photography never had formulated the structured plan with which most successful businesses start. It is certainly a testament to the blessings that we've been given, but in fact, we had really just been along for the ride. We had enjoyed success but didn't have a detailed vision for where we wanted to take TJP over the next five or ten years and beyond.That needed to change.

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Now for the explanation of the current hiatus.

After we decided not to partner up, we got fired up about reinvigorating Towner Jones Photography with the creative sparks that had started to surface over the summer. To do so, we decided to continue to serve our customers but maintain a low profile while directing our energies into completely overhauling EVERYTHING. Much of what is being done has been happening behind the scenes but we've been developing an exciting 5-year plan, streamlining our processes, upgrading our client offerings, developing new marketing avenues, and taking Towner Jones Photography to places it hasn't been before - we're talking exciting stuff.

Where We're Going

We are so excited about what the future has in store for our little company. Rose and I absolutely love working together and serving our clients. It brings about a true passion in both of us, and from what our clients tell us - it shows. We're also excited about sharing with you all that we've got up our sleeves, but that will have to wait... just a little bit longer.

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Towner Jones is coming up on a huge milestone of small businesses - our FIVE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! On January 12, 2012, we'll celebrate with you our grand reopening. (no we're not actually closed right now, but 'grand reopening' sounds exciting doesn't it!) Whether it's in cyberspace or face to face, we look forward to sharing this milestone and many more years with all of you.

Thank you and God Bless,

Rob and Rose Jones

 

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Missouri: Whiteman Air Force Base

Rose and I have, at long last, kicked off our week long anniversary trip across the mid-west. For our first stop we spent the weekend with some good friends and 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base east of Kansas City.

One of the special privileges I got to enjoy while getting to hang out with America's finest, was to go behind the scenes to photograph a supermodel - the stunning B-2 Spirit, Stealth Bomber.

Developed as a cornerstone of our nuclear arsenal during the cold war, the Spirit can slip past enemy radar to deliver its lethal payload with pinpoint accuracy. If you talk to the folks in the squadron they will tell you that their first mission is deterrence. But when the bad guys don't cooperate then the B-2's deliver "Warheads on Foreheads, at the time and place of our choosing."

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Here's a teaser shot of the "Spirit of Pennsylvania as she (these planes aren't just machines, they are family members to the crews of the 509th) taxis down the runway for a sortie.

More to come.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Portraits - McKinley's Second Birthday - Northern Virginia

One of the things I've found to be true since we started the business back in 2007 is that, often, my personal photos are the very last to get processed. They sit in limbo on my hard drive, sometimes not seeing the outside world for months until I finally have time to pay attention to them. This was the case with the photos from little McKinley's birthday last summer. This one was, by far, my favorite of the bunch. Her little eyes always get to me... 

(click on the photo to enlarge)

Nikon D324-70mm (at 55mm) f/4.8, 1/40s, ISO 100

 

 

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Video From A Past Life

In the days before I was a photographer, I was a band geek.

To be honest, I'm glad I was - because it was through marching band that I met Rose, the love of my life. All through high school, playing saxophone, I participated in pretty much every band the James River High School offered. The band which performed with the school's show choirs was affectionately named, MUJR, short for "The Musician's Union of James River." Without further ado, here, in a video dug out of a closet from my parents house, MUJR performing at Senior Night in 1997. I'm on alto sax on the far left of the group when we first come on stage.

Let the VHS roll...