I haven’t had the opportunity to blog in a while, something I’ve been inwardly slapping myself around about. Life, it seems, has decided – once again – to stumble upon one of those wonderful little “clusters”. You know the kind, where everything seems to descend on you all at once without reprieve? One of those “when it rains, it pours” type of interludes.

I recently made a trip home to New Mexico, which I wish I could say was due to entirely positive circumstances. Unfortunately, it was not. My grandmother – whom I grew up incredibly close to, and virtually lived with on a part-time basis – is deteriorating. I had to be sure that I would see her at least once more, but pray that it won’t be the last time. It’s yet another of the difficult reminders that life is transient, and beautiful, and frail; It is a most wonderful and terrible mixture of moments and emotions that transpire in the brevity between birth and death.

But back to the topic hand, I did have the opportunity to make something [beautiful] out of my time spent in the old stomping grounds. My sister, who is an avid tattoo enthusiast (and a budding artist herself), has long desired some good shots of her ever-expanding “back mural” (as I like to call it). Despite her incredibly unwarranted self-consciousness, she opened up to doing some really amazing shots. The results of which, I think are a perfect reflection of her personality, and something to show her how beautiful she really is.

So without further ado … I’ve picked out a very small handful of favorites from what’s already been processed. I have several more that I LOVE and will likely post later on. For now, though, these will serve as a sort of preview for the rest.

Remember to keep your loved ones close, no matter the distance. Learn to let things go, especially in the realization that life is fleeting. Never be afraid to hug and kiss them like there’s no tomorrow. Be corny, dance around the house like a lunatic, laugh until your belly hurts and forget about who’s watching. These are things that stay with you in the good times and the bad!

Incredible. Beautiful. Sunlight.

I like this in color and black and white, so I couldn’t decide to post one and not the other. ** grin **

Above all, keep smiling,

Once again, I find myself falling off the blogging wagon. But this time it’s at least with some justification. Between school, work and everything in between, sleep is even a precious commodity these days. I mean to jump on and post something every day, really I do. But then, by the time I turn and look at the clock, it’s already 4:00 in the afternoon and my entire day has blasted right by me. By then it’s time to start thinking about dinner, a bath for j-monster and then bed. Once I get her to sleep, my “other” work-day begins, usually lasting til about 4:00 A.M.

Somewhere in the midst of it all, though, I know that I want to become a better blogger. It’s like the New Year’s resolution that eats at you, just because you swore to yourself that you would.

Anyway, I thought I’d share a few snaps from our recent weekend in Miami. We got to hang with the family (my husband’s side), and chill a bit. Though I did spend a good portion of the time reading about rocks and the history of Earth and life.

Jiana swam and ran around with her cousins. She completely wore herself out, as the pictures clearly show. All in all, it was a nice weekend. The kind that makes you wish you had more free time to spend just relaxing with friends and family by the pool.

[Jiana completely konked out with Abuelita on the swing-chair.]

[Just as the sun was going down, I caught these of the kids on the trampoline. Kung-fu madness!]

Keep smiling everybody,

So I’ve finally jumped into the worlds of Facebook and Twitter head first, which is great, but unfortunately I’ve let the ball drop on updating my blog these last couple of weeks. I have had legitimate excuses, including the unexpected and unfortunate loss of someone very dear in my husband’s family. We were gone to Miami for almost a week – one that was very emotionally difficult all around.

Now I’m trying to catch up with myself, including updating the blog AND launching the new design of the website. HOO-fricken-RAY! Though it’s still a work in progress, and I am still working on getting the galleries up in their entirety, I’m happy that the new version is finally live! [www.jmonetstudios.com]

Going to try and make it out to the launch meeting of the new Tampa SmugMug Pro user group tomorrow evening. I’m excited to meet some other incredible photographers and learn something new in the process. In the mean time, I’m going to leave you with some images from my recent beach session with the lovely and beautiful Barr Family. You know? I really need to get my butt in gear and get my own family portraits done soon. Like yesterday.

Keep smiling everybody,

There’s no doubt that we’re in the dog days of summer here. But despite the draining heat and humidity, there are a few small pleasures to be had now and then. Gardens and sunflowers, swimsuits and sandals, sno-cones and ice-cream …

Recently my two (almost three) year old has been begging me for a pair of “JELLY” shoes. The reason this makes me laugh is that I, myself, was completely obsessed with these very same clear, fantastically cheapy, yet uber-princessy, plastic pairs of flat-footed goodness.

I cannot BELIEVE the 80’s trends that are already beginning to recirculate into today’s market! It seems like just yesterday that we were hanging by the public pool, sporting these bright-hued, glittery semi-sandals. I mean, they may as well have been Jimmy Choos according to our 8 year old fashionista standards. And let’s face it … they TOTALLY matched the arm full of stretchy plastic bracelets!

So, as bitter-sweet as it is that my little girl is already big enough to beg me for a pair of jelly shoes (and equally so that I wore them such a long time ago), I caved and bought her some of her very own. Here she is, first thing in the morning, fully equipped with her new purple Jelly Choos and Mr. Bear. What more could a girl ask for?

This is one of the sunflowers in our summer garden … we’re quite proud.

Keep smiling everybody,

I just have to say that Gerrilynn has some of the the most amazing skin ever! Absolutely, fabulously gorgeous …

Love this one from behind. This, and all of the following images of Miss G were taken by window light (NO flash necessary).

We were fortunate to get an AWESOME sky and NO rain! I love sunlight that’s filtered through deep, dark blue clouds.

I’m totally hoping they decide to come back a do a Trash the Dress session with me in Ybor City. I know we could totally rock out some amazing images!

In the meantime, CONGRATS to you both K & G! You’re amazing people and I know you’ve found something spectacular in each other. Does this mean I get first dibs on shooting portraits of any little ones that may come along in the future?

Don’t you hate that that’s the FIRST question EVERYONE asks you as soon as you get married? (About when you’re going to have kids I mean, not whose going to shoot them.) ** grin **

Keep smiling everybody,

Her dress was absolutely TO DIE FOR! Fitted, vintagey, cap-sleeved, open backed and covered in gorgeous lace from top to bottom. She was a vision of classic beauty, reminiscent of the silver screen.

A quiet, meditative moment during the make-up session …

So pretty.

Trying to hold back tears while getting dressed …

I snapped this one from behind while Archie was doing a final overview in the mirror.

The sunlight coming in was amazing, and flowed straight through her cathedral length veil.

Amazing light during the sunset ceremony on the lawn …

Probably my favorite candid shot the entire day.

It’s always amazing when you have a couple who just look perfectly comfortable in front of the camera …

A couple from down in the basement …

I totally could have posted a ton more. I really enjoyed working with these two and their families, and would do it all over again in an instant!

More to come later, but in the mean time …

Keep smiling.

I remember frequent trips to the emergency room, lots of stitches and never quite enough sense knocked into me in the process. I loved climbing trees and jumping off of rooftops with my brother. We were terrible, dare-devilish children and I imagine we drove my mother absolutely crazy.

She tells me that I have a lot of karma coming my way with Jiana. So far, I’m beginning to see the truth in that statement.

We went to Phillipe Park in Safety Harbor this afternoon for an amazing cook-out hosted by one of Jorge’s co-workers. (Thank you Ms. Pat!) Jiana was STOKED to go and play on the slides and in the dirt. She became especially enamored with the “CAD-A-PIDDER” (yes, that’s catepillar in two-year-old speak), though I’m not exactly sure if that’s what this thing was supposed to be.

She also ate her FIRST mouthful of dirt while trying to play soccer with some of the boys. Completely and utterly UN-PHASED, mind you, she got right back up again and wanted to keep going. She landed face-first, and was covered from head toe. So funny!

Here are a few snaps from her high-climbing adventure. Too bad I didn’t snap the mouthful of sand picture. I was busy trying to be the good mom, and get it all washed out somewhat expeditiously. Dangit!

If only we could all take such enormous pleasure in the little things, the way that children do.

Keep smiling…

What most people probably don’t know about me is that I am going back to school in pursuit of a degree in geology. I’m one of those folks who can’t settle on just one career in life. I’ll always be an artist. I’ll always be a photographer. Those things about me will never change. I love them too much to give them up. But I’ve suddenly come alive with this new passion to satiate my hunger for the sciences. I feel like I can combine all aspects of my work and creativity in some capacity, but if I can’t, I’ll just continue to do them separately.

I’ve had this improbable dream since I was kid (when I used to pore through every issue) that I might, one day, become a photographer for National Geographic magazine. I suppose that in some way, that desire derived from my inability to settle on just one aspect of what I love. I want to explore and discover, to challenge the scientific side of my brain. But I also have an intrinsic desire to imagine and create things that are beautiful and inspiring.

Who knows? I could finished this degree and then decide that I want to pursue under-water basket weaving. No, totally not my thing. But you get the picture.

Right now, I absolutely adore my career in photography … shooting portraits, weddings and all. I don’t think that will ever change, and I’m sure that it never will. There’s always something new and unique every single time, with every single couple, family or person. No two sessions are ever exactly alike, nor are the images that come from them. That’s what makes it so fascinating and fun.

I may become a scientist at the end of this didactic journey, but will always be a shutterbug, no matter what!

I don’t think that any of us should have to settle on one single thing in life. Human beings – I believe – have the capacity to commit themselves intellectually, passionately, and whole-heartedly to multiple things – if the love truly exists.

So here’s a shot out to all of you out there, who – like me – want to do it all (even if we don’t quite manage to get there.) **grin**

OH! And a BIG HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY to my niece Morghan!! You’re beautiful and I LOVE YOU!

Keep smiling …

Funnily enough, I used to be in web development some years ago. But MAN did I have a fun time getting everything  exactly the way I wanted it!

I’m sure there are still a few things here and there, but for the most part, I’m happy that the framework is settled.

Maybe after all the toiling and adjusting, I’ll be even more motivated to stay on top of my blogging!

I’ve sworn to myself time and again that I would be better about blogging. Up to this point, I’ve got to admit that I’ve dropped the ball. But it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, and I figure if I’m going to keep my plate chock-full, I may as well come on here and write about now and then. Who knows? It might just be the kind of release I’m looking for!

More to come soon. I mean it this time!