Moved!

Well it has finally happened. I've moved!!!

.....my blog that is.

If you subscribe then it's time to change. I mean the seasons have been changing, the clocks have been changing, what is one more thing, right?

So come on over. Look forward to sharing with you!

www.jharderphotography.com/blog

Vince&Amanda

So I haven't been the greatest blogger lately. Sorry about that friends. Here is a wedding that I shot back in June. Yes, that's right. June. Hope you enjoy!

Amanda's sister!

Since usually by the time the girls have finished getting ready the guys have been fully dressed for quite some time. Here is a photo of the gents. Oddly enough I didn't pose this at all. I turned around and this is exactly how they were standing!

Ok. Quick interjection. Vince and Amanda get my vote for the couple with the most amazing eyes! Lookin good you two!

To be honest with you, I can't remember who this was that said the blessing. I thought he was awesome enough to get a spot in the post though. Can I be as cool as him someday?

Congratulations you two. I love your story and how much the two of you love each other. I wish you all the best!

Singer/Songwriter Aaron Mansfield

I recently took some photos for St Louis singer/songwriter Aaron Mansfield for some promotional material. He is really great. I have his ep myself and love it! You can check out some of his music here.

"Pretty" please!

So I am having some trouble sleeping tonight. This is not the most convenient thing considering I have to be up in about 5 hours. It could have something to do with the fact that I slept about 11 hours last night and am not all that sleepy. It could also have something to do with a thought that has been weighing heavy on me lately.

The statement comes in several different forms, but it usually goes something like this. "I don't look good in pictures.", "I'm not photogenic.", or "I'm not pretty."

I hear it all the time. It makes me so sad! Somewhere along the line we have painted this picture to ourselves of what "pretty" or photogenic is and we tell ourselves that we don't fit that profile. Either someone has said something to us that has damaged us or at some point we deemed ourselves unworthy to be photographed. Now, while this disturbs me as a photographer, it disturbs me even more as a human. The fact is that we are not here by happenstance. We are not here by mistake.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

What an amazing acknowledgement that we see here in the psalms! This story that we call life is an intricate one that has so many dimensions and we have been woven into it's very being.

I remember in my youth I hated having my picture taken. Honestly I can't really remember why now. There are many photos I look back on though and there is no evidence of me being a part of those memories. I SO wish that wasn't the case. I won't ever be able to go back and recreate them though. I also have photos that I do have of myself with people that are no longer with us and while I may not have been thrilled with the way I looked, I know that there will never be another opportunity to be photographed with these people again. I am SO thankful that I have those!

I understand the reality that some people will never let this concept sink into their hearts. Honestly it sucks, cause it means that there has been so much damage to their spirit that they will probably live the rest of their lives thinking that they are unworthy. There comes a point when you can't plead with people anymore because the more you do the more they will figuratively plug their ears as they drill into their minds that they are unacceptable to be seen. I have seen it enough that I suppose this is just one last plea for people to see my heart on this and for them to hopefully be honest with themselves.

Take away every concept of what attractive is for a moment. A photograph isn't meant to capture what people have etched in their minds to be beautiful. A photograph is simply meant to capture life.....and life without any expectation in and of itself is beautiful.

Please, allow yourself to be a part of it!

~J

Evan & Erica

So I'm a little behind on the blog front. I know I know! Lay off me, I'm busy! Just kidding. I'm excited to finally get some of these on the blog. Evan and Erica were referred to me by some mutual friends and, I must say, I could not be more thrilled. These two are some of the kindest and laid back people I've met.

If you're not familiar, The Lesters is a music group that is made up of members of Evan's family. In fact, Evan still plays drums for them. This sign that used to reside in front of their old music store has been there so long that it has become a permanant fixation on this wall. So naturally we needed to capture a few shots underneath the sign.

Just down the street was this amazing church. As some of you may know, I'm kind of a fan of big cool doors such as this one. I couldn't resist!

Erica kept asking me when they would get to kiss! True sign of a love bird. ;)

So I can't remember the whole story, but if I remember correctly, Evan always comes equipt with a toothpick. I love people who want their photos to be personal to their unique quirks.

One last moment stolen amognst the trees......

....a quick outfit change and then off too.....

On the way there we saw these awesome little carts lined up on the side of the rode. I love them! Not gonna lie.....I kind of want one.

This just makes me smile every time I see it. :)

So I asked the two of them if they would be willing to climb to the top of these stairs and they were more than willing. They were so excited when they got to the top. This makes me laugh.

The crazy artist coming out in me. Wasn't sure what I was going to end up with, but I kind of love it. It makes me feel like I stole a shared moment of a couple passing by me.

Congratulations to the two of you! Can't wait for the big day!!!