Lunch Date with D /  by Jessica Peterson

Yesterday I roadtripped by my lonesome to San Francisco,  I am shooting a wedding tomorrow and wanted to come out early to spend some time with D and her new baby Opal.  I LOVE San Francisco, basically I love everywhere I go but I love California in the wintertime because it is nothing like Utah.

Today D and I (along with Opal but I didn't even realize she was there the entire time) went for lunch at the funniest little diner called Arts Cafe.
Before
and After (it was called a hash brown sandwich)
 and there is the baby, just hanging out. 

Crab Pot = a good time /  by Jessica Peterson

It was really strange to eat a bunch of seafood before going to the Aquarium... I felt really bad but I can't say it wasn't worth it.  We went to the Crab Pot to fill up on crab, it was really fun because the waiter brings a huge pot of crab, corn on the cob and potatoes and dumps them onto the table and throws a wooden mallet into your hands and you go to town on the poor little guys until all of their insides are inside you. 
just a fish on the wall 
 Jim and Natalie with their super stylish bibs.  To be honest I thought the bibs were just for kicks but they were a necessity if there ever was one.
And me and my sister Jessica 
(yep, we are both named Jessica...)

oh and PS, still using the Instax Mini and still loving it.

Seattle Day 1 /  by Jessica Peterson

Friday morning I flew to Seattle with two of my close friends so we do take their engagement photos (congrats Nat and Jim!!!).  We figured we would kill two birds with one stone, a great trip to Washington and a beautiful place to take photos.  
After arriving we stopped at Archie McPhees I promise that store was made for me, I was like a child in a candy store, I was laughing and smiling the whole time, I don't know what it is about novelty gifts that make me so happy... While at Archie's I purchased the greatest purchase I could have ever purchased (you will see what it is very soon and most likely quite often from now on). 
Here is me, in my element... haha, I like orange I guess
Jim and Nat 
haha
Visiting some cool place. 
The asphalt is so pretty in Seattle, moss grows everywhere, it's natures carpet.

Dear Film, I like you. /  by Jessica Peterson

I have been reacquainting myself with film again.  I don't think I was aware of how beautiful film really was.  For the past month I have been carrying my old Nikon FM 10 (my first camera) around with me with an old roll of Kodak Portra 400 VC (my favorite).  I wanted to have it for when the time was right.  I found myself shooting when the light was hitting someone just right and I wanted to make sure I had it for myself.  I am really happy I have given film a second chance, there really is something special about it, the tiny imperfections from the dust spots and negative scratches to the grain from pushing too far.
Film feels more precious, I was only shooting one shot of each frame so I wanted to make sure it was a nice one.
Breakfast with Bobbie
Max took a bite of my dinner and thought he had gotten away with it...
Ben
showing off my new instax
the chalkboard after the bday party 

Yep, I like film. 

Photo Tip Friday: Shoot What You Love /  by Jessica Peterson

I am going to start posting little "Jessica's photo tips on Friday's".  I think it will be fun for me to think about photography a little more, why I do it, what I have learned and what I want to learn.  I hope it will be fun for you too.  Today is just about shooting for fun, shooting what you love.  I feel like sometimes I get caught up in the "what" to shoot and when I can't think of anything different or exciting I end up not photographing anything at all.  Sometimes it is nice to just relax, have fun and shoot for yourself.  For me, I am big on cataloging my life, I love photographing the people in my life, the small things that make me tick, and things that I find beautiful and would like to share. I like keeping my moments for longer than a moment.
 Below are a few images I shot this morning:

Pearl
The newest hand for my collection of hands, you can never have enough hands. 
and of course... my sweet pup Max, I adore his loving nature

Anyway, that is my little piece of advice, shoot what you love, the more honest you are about your subject matter the more honest your images will be and other people will pick up on that. 
Let me know what you think, if you have advice for me I would love to hear it as well.

642 Things to Draw /  by Jessica Peterson

I received the book 642 Things to Draw as a gift last week, I thought it was so neat, it is a perfect downtime book to have around.  It is so simple yet so brilliant, each page is sectioned off and gives a suggestion to draw.  I am so excited to carry this thing around and fill it up, it's the perfect church/DMV/toilet/sunny day at the park/airplane/road trip book.  
Thanks Brittany for the amazing gift, you know me so well! 
PS Brittany has a fantastic blog, check it out!

Par-Tay! /  by Jessica Peterson

Last week was my birthday and it was a damn good one. 
I felt extremely loved by my friends and family, I am thankful for their love and support.  
Anyway, here are a few images from the party.
I have been laughing for hours looking through and editing them, it was hard to just pick a few to share but I didn't want to bore you.