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HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY, JILLIANN SKYLER

Posted on by Roxie Jean Photographer

Dear Jilliann,

I can’t believe how fast the last thirteen years have flown by.  Thirteen years ago you blessed me and made me a mom.

You are officially a teenager.  Someone pinch because it just doesn’t feel real.  Welcome to your challenging teenage years.  You will have many obstacles coming your way and although life is hard and being a teenager will throw challenges your way, I hope your strength and courage navigate you to always be true to yourself.

I want you to know that every second, every minute and every hour of every day I whole-heartedly cherish all that you are.   At times, I see glimpses of the young lady you will become and my heart beats wildly with pride.

You have such compassion for the marginalized.  You love everyone for who they are without judgement.  That is such an amazing trait — don’t ever lose that.

Be proud of yourself, boo!  Never stop learning and always enjoy your accomplishments whether they are big or small. If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. Show the world what you’ve got to offer because it’s a heck of a lot!  I hope you never stop smiling!  A smile is a woman’s best asset.  I promise you this.

Happy 13th Birthday, My Sweet Jilliann!  I hope you never forget that I’m your biggest fan and will always be here to cheer you on.

I love you to the universe and back!
Mom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 8th Birthday, Arianna!

Posted on by Roxie Jean Photographer

My Sweet Arianna,

You were born with magic in those big brown eyes of yours.   You are sunshine, rainbows and sparkles all wrapped up in that tiny petite frame of yours. You’re a believer. You believe that all things are possible.

At times I ponder on how I created something so beautiful. How can it be that 8 years ago you came into our lives? Where has the time gone?   In the last 8 years, you have become such a unique soul.   You have the ability to light up a room and make every situation brighter.   You’re curious and inquisitive.   You are so sweet and so determined.

I love that your heart compels you to get involved when you see someone sad, or a homeless person or when someone is sick. I love you for being exactly who you are.

As the days are flashing before our very eyes, I hope that when I am grey haired and wrinkly that I will be able to accurately recall our loved-filled moments with each other. I want to remember your tiny hand in mine, your obsession with having a baby duck as a house pet, your infectious giggles, and that sweet feeling of my nose nestled in your neck during our morning snuggles.

You are so incredibly adored and I hope you always remember that.   You are one of the greatest gifts that have been bestowed upon me.   I am beyond proud of the little young lady you have become. Thank you for all that you are and will become. Thank you for your laughter, those amazing hugs + kisses and , for being wild-hearted and compassionate.

I am your biggest cheerleader and I’ll never stop cheering you on!

Happy 8th Birthday, baby!

Love you always and forever,

Mom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY FRIDAY :: Jacksonville, Florida Boudoir Photographer

Posted on by Roxie Jean Photographer

As I’m sure most of you are making fun weekend plans, I’ll be photographing some fabulous ladies all weekend. And when I’m not shooting, I’ll be in bed, watching Netflix while doing a whole lotta of editing, drinking a whole lotta coffee and most likely scrolling through facebook when I should be editing. So have a glass of wine for me and make some amazing memories! Happy Friday, friends!

 

BALANCE + BEACH LIFE :: Jacksonville, Florida Boudoir + Portrait Photographer

Posted on by Roxie Jean Photographer

Let’s be honest, life is not always a day at the beach. Although I wish it was, life just comes with challenges. As I take on this Monday and find a way to balance the remaining week, I have to remind myself that everything can’t be perfect like that one person’s beautiful Instagram feed. My house will become a mess, laundry will pile up, I’ll order Thai takeout instead of cooking a beautiful dinner for my kids and I’ll probably use a lot of dry shampoo. I firmly believe that if I worry less about having everything perfect, I can start enjoying the little things that matter. Here’s to finding balance and hoping that one day, everyday will feel like a day at the beach.
Cheers, friends!

Do what you love and what you’ve been created to do :: Jacksonville, Florida Photographer

Posted on by Roxie Jean Photographer
When I was in my mid 20’s I joined a local photography group in hopes of really honing my camera skills. And what better way to hone your skills than to join a photography group that had hobbyists who’ve been shooting for 10+ years. Every month our group would meet. We would shoot subjects on-location or sit in class and learn the in’s and out’s of photoshop. Every month I walked away a better photographer because I learned something.
 
After only four months in, our next group meet-up was to shoot a female senior portrait session. I was super excited because portrait photography is what I truly enjoyed and wanted as many opportunities as I could to better my skills.
 
I arrived on location the day of the shoot. Photographer’s brought in their fancy lighting systems, big cameras and lenses while I walked in with my tiny Nikon D40 and a 50mm lens. They placed the model along a red wall. I remember only taking a few shots of her along because I just didn’t like the color is was placing on her skin. And red just wasn’t flattering to be honest. So I patiently waited and watched while everyone took their turn photographing our model.  When everyone seemed to have had their turn, I took the opportunity to ask our model if would mind stepping outside while I took a few shots with her.  I posed her a few different ways and really focused on using the beautiful natural light.

When the shoot ended I was so excited to go home and view the images I took on my computer.  Instructions were given to all the group members that we were to submit 10 of our very best images from the session and then the senior was to choose her favorite 10 images and it was to be announced which images she chose at our next group meeting.  I submitted my images to the group just days after the session and I was super proud of the photos I had taken.

I was so humbled and over the top happy because the model chose one of my images. I have never been given credit for anything photography related in the past. So, I was ECSTATIC!
Fast forward a couple weeks later, I received an email from the group’s president. His email implied that he was disappointed in me because I wasn’t a team player. You see, that senior session our group photographed — well, they were shooting her inside a winery along a red wall. I took three shots with my camera and that’s it. I did not like that red wall — AT ALL! When everyone was done, I asked the model if she would mind stepping outside so I could take some photos of her in the beautiful natural light. I was accused of not being a team player because I took my artistic vision to create something different from what everyone else was doing. His accusation crushed me.
I later learned that our model picked all ten of my images but the president of the club said she couldn’t do that and she needed to recognize the other photographer’s portraits. After that, I felt all alone in the world of photography. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever have any fans that were photographers themselves to cheer me on.
Today I’m reminding myself to never be afraid to try something new. Don’t worry about the naysayers. And HIGH-FIVE your friends for their success. Be happy for others.
Do what you love and what you’ve been created to do!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TO ME :: Jacksonville, FL Portrait Photographer

Posted on by Roxie Jean Photographer

Dear Self,

Wow!  Another year around the sun.  Where does the time go?

You did it.  You made it through another year with some pretty awesome changes and growth.  You often have to remind yourself that life is an adventure and with adventure comes changes and taking leaps of faith.

So today, I’m reminding your beautiful self that everyday is a journey.  You’re going to screw things up and that’s okay.  With failure comes success — remember that!  Don’t be so hard on yourself.  I mean really — eat the chocolate frosted donut with sprinkles.   You’ll thank me.

I hope you spend the next 365 days smiling more, laughing often, enjoy your morning cups of coffee and just be grateful for all beautiful moments life has to offer.

You only get one shot at this amazing thing we call life — so live it well, be generous, practice gratitude and love yourself just a little more than the day before.

So CHEERS!  Cheers to another year and to making it memorable.

Love,
Self

 

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