So I was writing my post last night about the Jane Austen challenge, and let my rottie pup Phoebe outside to go to the bathroom. I let her back in about 20 minutes later, and sat back down to read a few of the reviews that others in the challenge have written. She was wandering about the house, as she is prone to do, and about an hour later when I got up to put my PJs on, she trotted into the bedroom. I noticed she was panting a little hard, but it’s pretty warm, so I didn’t think anything of it. When I went to the bathroom, she followed me in and laid down on the floor. Still panting, and slobbering pretty bad, I noticed her trembling a little, and reached my hand down to pet her, and my hand came back up with blood on it. I lifted her head up and the whole side of her face was swollen, and blood trickling down her snout. Well, shit. She’d either been bitten by a snake, or eaten something and it’s lodged in her mouth or throat somehow (which would not be farfetched, this is the same dog that ate a tiki torch in the backyard last year). I rushed her into the emergency vet and they said snakebite immediately. Sooooooo, $1500 and 24 hours later, she’s back at home, resting comfortably, but still pretty swollen and pained.

Her doctors were optimistic about her pulling through, and so we’re just waiting to see what kind of tissue damage she’ll have on her face.  On a more revengeful note, the neighbor knocked on the door tonight and said he found the snake in his backyard. Goodbye snake.

Serves you right, bitch.  Too bad I can’t sell your skin for 1500 bucks.

So I’ve decided that I don’t have enough to do already (wow, can you see the sarcasm dripping from your computer screen?) and so I’m going to participate in Everything Austin II! The basic idea is that from July 1 through December 31, I will read, watch, or craft 6 items relating to Jane Austen and her works.

I’ve been on a total Jane Austen tear lately anyway, so I said to myself, “Self, you’re going to read or watch at least 6 books or movies relating to Jane Austen in the next six months anyway, so why don’t you sign up for this challenge?  That way, when you complete it, you’ll have an enhanced sense of accomplishment! (even though you won’t have actually done anything that you weren’t going to do anyway…)” It’s never good when you slip in a quiet under-the-breath jab when you’re talking to yourself.

The items I think I’ll tackle during this challenge (really, I feel silly calling it a challenge. This isn’t going to be hard at all) are:

• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
• Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith
• Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler
• Austenland by Shannon Hale
• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
• Mansfield Park starring Frances O’Connor

I have so many others that I want to add, but I will hold it to that for now. When those are complete and my reviews are posted, I’ll just continue on with new ones! I begin tomorrow, so…  Onward!

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Posting photos and instructions for devil’s food cake here

I’ve had a few people inquire about doing a portrait session for their Christmas cards this year, so I decided to get in the holiday spirit early and have a SALE!!  For a limited time, get a portrait session, an 8×10 gift print, and a high resolution digital download of the photo of your choice for only $150 (regular session fee is $250).  All portrait sessions include standard retouching and online proofing.  I’m also giving a 20% discount on all print orders of $200 or more (applies to print and product purchases only and must be ordered within 30 days of receiving online proofs).

For those of you wanting to use your photo for Christmas cards, please plan to allow one week after the session for delivery of the digital file (so plan your session accordingly, depending on how long it will take you to get your cards printed and mailed). If you are interested in ordering some press-printed cards from me (greeting card style, folded), please let me know what type of design you are interested in, and I’ll work up a quote for you.

Visit my website at http://www.jessicafiumaraphotography.com/#/contact/ to request more information and reserve your date!

Last month I attended a workshop called Austin After Dark.  It was unlike any workshop I’ve been to before, I think the tag line was ‘Organized Chaos’, and that describes it well.  Over 40 mentors, some of the industry’s most well-respected teachers. Fully stocked shooting bays. The most interesting mix of models, including expectant moms, musicians, actors, bikers, newborns, and more.  It was incredible.

Here a just a few of the shots I got over the 2 days, with more to come:

I can only hope to photograph a wedding this awesome someday. This video was brought to my attention by David of Ohana Photographers, and I can’t stop watching it.  This couple looks fun, and they certainly brought that vibe to their wedding.  I know they will continue the trend in their marriage.

Enjoy!

Life here has been pretty busy lately, but i’ve still managed to find the time to get some shots of my favorite model. Even if she’s not the most cooperative of subjects, she’s still darn cute.

Back in May I attended Dane Sanders’ Fast Track Photographer workshop in Houston. What an awesome experience!  I met some amazing people, and had my brain stuffed so full of ideas and inspiration, I’m still processing it all.  Part of the workshop included a shootout, and Christine Tremoulet, our fabulous hostess, invited some past clients of hers to model for us. Tish and Brian were super cool, and most of all, very amenable to having 18 photographers sticking their cameras in their faces for 2 hours in the blazing sun.

For all the images from this workshop, visit my SmugMug gallery.

Makeup Artist:  Jennifer Aronson

Had the pleasure to photography Baby Cole before we went out of town earlier this month.  He was a doll!  Stayed awake for my whole visit, and only peed on his mama twice.  ;)