Johnson City Family and Child Photographer | Just Jill Photography

what’s in a name

admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:11:21 +0000

I get asked a lot how I got the name of my business. It’s really a pretty simple story, but one that holds a lot of meaning.

Clark and I met on match.com. During one of our very first chats online, he asked me if Jill was short for anything. My reply was “No, it’s just Jill.” From then on, he started almost all of his conversations online with “Hey Just Jill.” When I started my business, I started thinking about names and nothing grabbed me. I wanted something clean and simple, but really didn’t want to go with “Jill Lewis Photography.” I wanted something a little bit more catchy. And then I remembered those first conversations and the minute “Just Jill Photography” rolled off my lips, I knew it was the right name.

It’s funny how integral Clark has been in my business….before he even knew my love of the camera and encouraged me to pursue my passion, he named my business. I am grateful to share life with him and have him by my side supporting me every step of the way.

kaleigh and jason {engaged}

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:05:30 +0000

I met up with Kaleigh and Jason for their engagement session on a sunny, but chilly morning – but they were pros and you can’t even tell how chilly it was from their pictures. They rocked it out for the camera. They needed little to no direction and were total naturals! I so enjoyed meeting you both and spending some time with you. Thank you for allowing me to capture this special time in your lives!

maddox {newborn lifestyle}

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:35:48 +0000

Meet Maddox. I had so much fun with this family. Mom and I went to college together, so it was a blast to catch up with her and meet her beautiful family! Maddox was just as sweet as he could be. Big brother Eli was so much fun and was my big helper…and also told me all there is to know about Thomas the train! Biggest brother Justen was a trooper and didn’t act at all put out that his Saturday morning had to be spent taking pictures. You can tell he loves his brothers! Thank you so much for letting me spend the morning with you all! I hope to see you again soon!

ollie {nine months}

admin — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:02:29 +0000

I was so looking forward to seeing Ollie again for his 9 month session. Last time I visited with him, he was just a newborn! Time goes so quickly. We had a great time wandering around Jonesborough and he was quite the charmer. I adore 9 month olds! This one is no exception…and his big brother? Well, he is pretty fantastic too!

winter urban mini sessions

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:06:28 +0000

Downtown Johnson City
Saturday, March 3rd
$150 plus tax (includes CD with reprint release)

Limited sessions available:

9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:30
3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00

Contact me today to schedule your session! (423) 232-6290 or jill@justjillphotography.com

the sutterlin family

admin — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:00:13 +0000

2 men and 2 cameras

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 04:01:29 +0000

So I mentioned last week that I was going to start doing a few things differently around here…one of them being sharing some of my life with all of you. Since this IS my photography blog, I thought maybe a good place to start would be my beginnings in photography.

I can’t really put a finger on the true beginnings of my photography journey. I’ve always LOVED pictures. I remember carrying around my pink Le Click camera (come on children of the 80′s…you know what I’m talking about…) and taking pictures of EVERYTHING. Seriously, everything. Just this past year I went through boxes and boxes of 3.5×5 pictures of some of the most random things EVER. I was that girl that came home from every trip with about 8 rolls of film to get developed. And yes, I was that annoying person that always wanted a group shot in any place that looked anything like a “photo opp.” But going through all of those pictures was such a fun trip down memory lane. I did throw a bunch away, but made sure I had something from everything and they will be in a box in my basement until my poor kid(s) has to go through them one day and think “What in the world was mom thinking taking all of these pictures?” (and probably “who thought that hairdo was a good idea?” and “what IS she wearing?”).

Then I grew up, got a more “sophisticated” camera, and just continued snapping away. I always wanted a “Real Camera.” Meaning one that had interchangeable lenses. I was about 23 or 24. I had just gotten dumped by a guy I thought hung the moon. I needed some retail therapy. I went to Best Buy, did some research, and dropped a good amount of money on a Nikon SLR camera. I was so excited. I named it my “Break Up Camera” and we had a lot of fun over the years. I continued taking it everywhere and snapping pictures left and right. I wonder how much money I spent on film and developing…I don’t think I would want to know.

2004 – Enter Clark. We dated, and he quickly realized that my “break up camera” and I were pretty tight. Our first picture together was taken with that camera. To this day, it’s one of my favorite pictures of us. In 2005 we got married and one day, Clark started talking to me about my obsession with the camera. No one had ever really suggested that maybe I should look into learning what photography was all about. No one ever really challenged me to get out of Auto mode and really explore what that fabulous piece of equipment could do. No one until him. He saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself and he bought me my second “real camera.” My Nikon Digital SLR. The D50. And then he bought me some books. And then he told me to start reading. I did, and I was hooked. I started grabbing my nephew whenever I could to practice and it didn’t take me long to realize that I LOVED photography. I took some pictures of my nephew, then a few of my friends asked me if I would take some pictures of their kids, and then all of a sudden, I had friends of friends asking if I would photograph their children. From there it just started to really unfold. I kept on practicing, reading, and shooting…and before too terribly long, Just Jill Photography was born.

2 men and 2 cameras led me to something that I feel like I was born to do. I love it. I love every part of it (well, except for writing checks to the state once a quarter). I love meeting new clients, watching clients grow up in front of my lens, capturing laughter, love, joy, and sometimes even tears. That second man that gave me that second camera…He is a keeper. I am so grateful that he saw something in me and encouraged me to go for it. More on him next time…as well as the story behind my business name.

Until then, thanks for reading…

And thank you for letting me do what I love. You all make it possible!

let’s get personal…

admin — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:24:06 +0000

I’ve struggled with this blog/website of mine for quite awhile now. I love, love, love to share images of all the great families I photograph, but I also want this blog to be a fun place for you to visit even when you don’t know the families I am posting. So I have been playing around with some ideas for 2012 to make my blog a bit more personal. Over the past several months, I have been convinced more and more that my “job” isn’t just about capturing memories. It’s about sharing life. I have been so blessed to have so many of you share your lives with me, and so many of my clients have become my friends. I want you, and anyone who may be thinking about using Just Jill Photography, to know a little more about me. I also want to share about YOU as well, and local businesses, events, etc. So if you ever have anything that you would like for me to share about on this blog of mine, let me know. And to my clients that are my friends…don’t be surprised if you get a little email from me sometime saying “HEY, I wanna feature YOU and your sweet fam on my website.” I just hope you’ll say YES when I do!!!

I will be having a “just my life” feature once a week, and will have several other not necessarily photography related posts every month as well. Be sure you add me to your blog readers, or just check back often to see what is going on!

I’m really exited about 2012. I’m normally excited about the new year, but this year I am feeling pretty pumped….I think God might have some good stuff up His sleeve and I can’t wait to find out what it is!

Thanks for sharing my journey friends! Stay tuned for my first “just my life” post coming in the next couple of days!!

twenty-twelve

admin — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:32:48 +0000

I love New Year’s.
I love the thought of having a clean slate.
A chance to make life better, more meaningful.
I love the feeling of new, different, anticipation…
I love dreaming about what the new year holds, all the while giving thanks for the year that has passed.
I love to really reflect on the good and the bad.
I love to challenge myself to be better.
A better Christian.
A better mom, a better wife, a better friend.
A better business owner, a better photographer, a better home manager.
A better steward of my time, my resources, and my temple.

I don’t know what the year ahead holds, but what I do know is who holds my future.
I cannot wait to be better in 2012. I hope you’ll join me on the journey!

portrait parties!

admin — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:07:34 +0000

I am so excited to be offering Portrait Parties! Here is how it works: Tell me you want to host, call up some friends and set up 15 minute appointments, and then I do the rest! I am now booking parties for Valentine’s Day (and beyond…). For a limited time, sign up to be a hostess and get your session and your CD FREE as my “thanks” for helping get these parties up and running. Your guests will pay $25 for their session, and that amount goes towards prints when they order. Following are some super fun images from my very first Portrait Party in November! Let me know if you are interested in booking a Valentine’s Party – I will be offering mini Valentine’s Cards for a great price for these sessions, as well as prints, products, and digital image CD’s!