Je-Ree Solomon - Make-Up Artist | Vendor Feature | 1.20.15 | Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

~*~*~Wedding Vendor Feature ~*~*~

This week's vendor feature is the fabulously talented Make-Up Artist, Je-Ree Solomon! I had the pleasure of working with Je-Ree back in October at a wedding in St. Augustine {Palencia Club}. Not only is her own style gorgeous and unique, but her artistic talent is as well! It takes true patience and precision when doing a bride's make-up {and all the rest of the wedding party!}, and she conquered that day will grace and a smile! Check out her interview below, and go show her some love on her social media! 

JSolo Skin + Makeup Studio | Je-Ree Solomon

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Travel? Yes!

Phone: 904-438-8766

Email: Jeree@jsolomakeup.com

Website

Facebook

Instagram: @jsolomua

Twitter: @jsolomakeup

Q: When did you first launch your business and why?

A: I launched Jsolo Skin + Makeup Studio In August 2014. My main reason was to merge skin health and makeup artistry together and educate women on how to care for their skin underneath makeup. Working for others did not allow me full creative control to work at that capacity. One day I just decided to take a chance on myself.

Q: What made you want to work in the wedding industry?

A: Working in the wedding industry is quite rewarding, being present while women celebrate one of the most sacred days of there lives is what attracted me to wedding makeup.

Q: Have you had any celebs come through the door?

A: No celebs have come through the door but I've worked with recording artists, news anchors, top models etc..

Q: What styles/trends were big in 2015?

A: I'd say having the perfect winged liner and vibrant colored hair in all shades was the most sought after trend.

Q:What Styles/trends do you predict will be big in 2016?

A: Very bold and vibrant colored lips being the focus of the face

Q: Where do you find new inspiration?

A:  I find new inspiration from music, everyday people and art. This all helps me when I'm creating new looks for different projects as well as clients that want to reinvent their look.

Q: What makes YOUR business and talent unique?

A: I have the ability to customize each makeup application or treatment for any individual that I encounter. Everyone is different and so I take pride in understanding the goals of each client, then collectively providing them with quality service.

Q: How do you envision your business growing and/or changing in the next 5 years?

A:  I would like to see my business become more mobile with a team of beauty experts.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?

A: Being able to create an immediate change in the way someone looks and feels about themselves is a pretty awesome job to have.

Q: What advice do you have for brides-to-be?

A: "Remember to breathe and savor each moment because the best is yet to come."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thank you to Je-Ree for taking the time for this interview! Be sure to check her out! 

Sugar Rush Confections | Vendor Feature | 1.15.16 | Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Wedding Vendor Series

In the following weeks I will be featuring some awesome local wedding vendors that help make a bride's planning process just a little simpler {and her overall experience that much better!}. If you are a wedding vendor in North Florida or surrounding areas and you would like to be considered for a feature, please email me at trueeraphoto@yahoo.com! 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This week I am featuring an interview with Adam and Julia Strong of Sugar Rush Confections, a local cake design team that makes the most beautiful wedding cakes {and delicious too!}. If you totally dig their talent, make sure to show them some love on Facebook! 

SUGAR RUSH CONFECTIONS

Catering to: Jacksonville + surrounding areas

Phone: 904-629-4039

Email: cakemastersrc@gmail.com

Facebook

Q: When did you first launch your business and why? 
A: We launched our business in 2009. We had done cakes as a hobby for a while and always had great feedback. It's something we really enjoyed and became a passion!

Q: What made you want to work in the wedding industry?
A: We loved working with brides and grooms and helping to make part of their dream day come true, it's always exciting to see their vision come to life! 

Q: Have you had any celebs come through the door? 
A: Not yet! 

Q: What styles/trends were big in 2015? 
A: A lot of textured buttercream, florals, and minimalist looks. A lot of brides wanted all white cakes with a focus point in the middle of the cake, like a large flower. Also a lot of mixed tier heights, with some extra tall and some short.

Q: What styles/trends do you predict will be big in 2016? 
A: I think floral will still be big. Also more of the hand-painted look and soft, romantic features. I think the dessert table will continue to be very popular, brides like the idea of several different desserts for their guests to choose from rather than one big cake. 

Q: Where do you find new inspiration? 
A: Mostly from looking online, Pinterest of course, and magazines! Also if I see a beautiful pattern or group of colors, sometimes I start to design a cake in my head based on what I see. I love the design aspect, it's my favorite part!

Q: What makes YOUR business and talent unique? 
A: Probably our ability to work so well as a team. Adam has his strengths and certain techniques that he does really well, and I have mine. We can pretty much execute any design because our strengths and weaknesses complement each other so well.

Q: How do you envision your business growing and/or changing in the next 5 years?
A: I imagine we will probably start to do more cakes again over the next 5 years. Since we closed our retail shop we have cut back a lot on the amount of cakes we do, and we kind of needed a break from it. But I'm starting to feel the itch again, I don't think I will ever be able to get away from it! 

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job? 
A: My favorite thing by far is the design. I love taking notes from ideas that someone has for their cake, getting a general idea of what they want and then coming up with a unique, personal design just for them!

Q: Do you travel and/or accommodate out of state brides, or do you only do local weddings? 
A: We pretty much do local only. The nature of custom cakes makes travel difficult.

Q: What is your favorite cake and icing flavor? 
A: My all-time favorite is our fudge brownie cake with chocolate ganache, YUM!

Q: What was your most challenging cake creation? 
A: Each job offers its own unique challenges, but probably our most challenging was our Alf cake, which was one of the first 3D shaped cakes we ever did! It was a bust of the 80's TV character Alf, and it was a challenge to get him to look like the real Alf and to figure out the structure! We loved how he turned out though, so it was worth it!

Q: What advice do you have for brides-to-be? 

A: Have fun! The wedding planning process can be really stressful, but it can be a lot of fun too! Enjoy every minute and don't stress too much about all of the little things.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A BIG thanks to Adam & Julia for taking the time for this interview! If you know a bride-to-be, make sure to spread the word and check them out on Facebook!

New Headshot | Behind The Lens | Jacksonville, Florida Photographer

Ah, FINALLY a new head shot! Thank you to Suzanne C. Photography for this great photo! I am not photogenic at all, and I am so awkward in front of the camera, but she did an awesome job with these! Woo!

Best of 2015 | My favorites! | A Year In Review | Jacksonville Photographer

It's hard to believe ANOTHER year is ending! As I get older, the years only fly by more swiftly, especially now that I am watching my own little one grow {like a weed!}

2015 brought me so much joy and fulfillment.  

I met and worked with crazy awesome, beautiful people {clients and fellow photographers}

I got to photograph the most important moments in people's lives, from births to weddings.

I was able to capture true love in several forms, details of a couple's Big Day, first kisses, priceless smiles/laughter, fleeting moments, sweet children, growing families, and so much more! 

I can't even express how lucky and privileged I feel to have been a part of all of these lives, even if it was only for an hour, or a day. My job is one that doesn't feel like work. It is fun, it is exciting, it is what I love. And I want to thank each and every client for the opportunity to capture their memories, from the bottom of my heart, you are all amazing!

Here's a look back at just a few of my favorites from 2015!

Call For Wedding Vendors! | Want To Be Featured? | Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Are you a wedding vendor who would like to be featured on my blog? 

I am looking for one local business per category to feature every week! Florist, Bakery, Venue, DJ, Live Band, Make Up Artist, Hair Stylist, Coordinator, and Caterer. 

Email me at trueeraphoto@yahoo.com with the following information: 

subject line: Feature Me!

your name 

your business's name

 a few sentences about yourself

 about 1-2 paragraphs about your business and what makes it awesome

 a few sentences about why you've chosen to work with brides and grooms to-be!

Win a Free Engagement Session! | Contest | Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

The crisp air, the twinkling lights, the spirit of love... it's engagement season! 

And what better way to congratulate all of you newly engaged couples out there? Offer a chance to win a free engagement session with yours truly!

Now, once you're done dancing around the room in excitement {by all means, take your time!}, you just need to take a few minutes to follow some super simple rules to make your entry count! Be sure to read the Details {Terms and Conditions} at the bottom to make sure you qualify!

Ready to jump on board? Woo hoo! 

HOW TO ENTER:

{you must follow these rules exactly in order to be considered!}

1.)  Everyone has a love story. And hopefully a totally awesome proposal story as well! Being a total sucker for true love, I want to hear it all! How'd you meet? What made your fiancé stand apart? When did you "know"? How did they propose? I want all the gushy-ness, so tell me why YOUR story is special!

email your love story to trueeraphoto@yahoo.com

in the subject line put "my love story contest submission"

include: you & your fiancé's names, your venue, and your wedding date

2.)  Hop on over to the True Era Photography Facebook Page 

LIKE the page

LIKE and SHARE the "Win a Free Engagement Session" post. 

TAG another engaged friend(s) in the comments who may be interested!

COMMENT on the post stating that you've completed your entry!

FOR BONUS ENTRIES....

FOLLOW True Era Photography on Instagram {if you don't already!}

@trueeraphoto

TAG a friend who may be interested! 

There is no obligation!!! BUT there is an awesome bonus! 

The First Place Winner will also receive $200 OFF the wedding package of their choice IF they decide to book with True Era Photography, AND they will receive one 8x10 print credit! Woo!

**Contest will end on January 2nd, 2016 at 11:59pm EST.**

The lucky winner will be contacted via email on January 3rd, 2016. 

You will have 24 hours to claim your prize!

________________________________________________________________________

DETAILS {terms and conditions}

Contest considerations are for NEW brides ONLY, and do not pertain to anyone already under contract. 

The winner CANNOT already be under contract with another wedding photographer.

The engagement session must take place in Jacksonville, Florida or surrounding areas 

{travel expenses may apply}. 

_________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Mini Faves of 2015 | Jacksonville Photographer

This years Christmas Minis were just adorable, with a lot of holiday spirit floating around! It was difficult to choose just a few, but here are my favorites from the four sessions! Thank you to my awesome clients Amanda + Rob, Annie + Jason, Ivana + Ethan, and Oliver + Levi!

Merry Christmas!