What to Wear Wednesday | I Wear Pink

As many of you already know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so in it's honor I'm doing a special pink What to Wear Wednesday.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and 1 in 1,000 men. For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer. However, with early screening, awareness, and advanced treatments the death rate is slowly being lowered. So if you know someone with a history of cancer in the family or you do, please remind them to get their mammogram. I know it's not the most fun thing to do, but it could be the difference between being able to treat it and living or death sentence.

So back to a more positive note, if you or someone you know is a survivor or still fighting against cancer (of any kind), let them know that I am a Shoots for a Cure photographer here in Jackson, MI. What does that mean for them? It means that they get a Celebrate Life portrait session and 10 Gift Prints free of charge. Take time for yourself and Celebrate Life's little gifts, treat yourself to beautiful portraits of how gorgeous you are, or just update that family portrait that hasn't been done in 10 years. This is your time and you're a fighter, celebrate!

Pink to Raise Awareness by arabicacup featuring pink heels

To book your Celebrate Life portrait session please call Natty J Photography at 517.499.9380

Jacksonopolis | Jackson, MI Photographer

Back in the spring, I learned about an exciting new media outlet in town called Jacksonopolis. It was started by a few very talented people that had one thing in mind, showcasing positive community news. Volunteer writers, videographers, and photographers help produce all the content for their site and social networks. Each of them donate their time and talent to produce a unique and creative view of each event. I'm not a Jackson native, so there's a lot of these events that I've never heard of or been to, so it's really cool to explore the city I live in. Plus, it's fun to practice a different side of photography besides just portraiture.

The first event I covered was the mural unveiling at the Armory Arts. Three of the resident artists spent countless house painting (as historically accurate as possible) a mural of the old prison that is now an artist community/housing. The mural is incredible and if you ever get time, I definitely suggest going to the Armory Arts and checking out the residents work.

The next one was the Fairy Festival, which I had heard about, but had never attended. I had no idea what to expect, but when I arrived I could tell that it was every little girls dream event. Little ones were dressed in their fairy costumes were making their rounds of various activities that were set up. Some had their face painted, there was a castle they could play in, or have story time from one of Jackson's fairies. It was a very magical event and just awesome to see their faces light up with joy when they met a "real fairy."

Bark for Life is an event related to Relay for Life, but it helps raise money to find a cure for canine cancer. They do a small walk around Cascades Park and have lots of dog friendly games/activities for your fur kid to participate in. Between bobbing for hot dogs and the musical hula hoops, it was enough to make any dog tired. It was awesome to see so many people out socialize their four legged friends and fighting for a great cause!

Folkgalore was an event that I hadn't heard of and on my own probably would not have attended, but I was pleasantly surprised. One of the bands that I signed up to photograph was Those Willows. They're originally from Detroit, but they made the trek out to Portland this fall to pursue their music career. The stories their songs told were very down to earth and relaxing. I can definitely see myself putting their CD on to hang out with or get some work done. 

After their performance, I was on to Jackson Coffee Co. to photograph Ronnie Ferguson. When they were done, that was the end of my assignment, but I ended up staying for the band after them, Chad Cecil & the Family Dentistry, because they showed up with a cello and I was interested in listening to it. To my delight they were SO amazing!! I walked away with their CD and I would have never even known about them if it hadn't been for Jacksonopolis.

If you get some time, check out Jacksonopolis' website and Facebook, who knows, you might find something unexpectedly that you really enjoy as well.

Website - Facebok

2012 Relay for Life | Jackson, MI Photographer

Relay for Life came and went so quickly this year. It's hard to believe it blew by so fast, but it did. Yesterday we had our follow-up meeting/celebration and received our totals. Our tiny team of two managed to raise $498 and all together the Jackson Relay raised $338,000!! Teams have until the end of the month to turn money in, so the final count could eventually be higher. I'm proud to say that here in Jackson, we have the largest Relay event in the entire state of Michigan. We had over 600 survivors at our event which is phenomenal. 

We had an amazing moon that night, I couldn't resist stopping to take a photo of it!

What to Wear Wednesday | Teal and Baby Pink

I love this look it's very Spring-y, but I think it would still be amazing this time of year. This look was put together by DeannaSchroeter on Polyvore.com, I love that she's added some basic makeup to the look, this would be amazing with a simple cat-eye and nude eyeshadow. When I imagine the session that this outfit would be in, I see a Shoots for a Cure session. A strong woman that just finished her final round of chemo, rocking her bald head with that fabulous hat; empowered knowing that you've gotten a second chance at life. If you're interested in learning more about a Shoots for a Cure portrait session, check out my blog post or give me a call, 517.499.9380

Now I don't expect anyone to rush out and buy these items, but they're great for giving you ideas of how to put together a portrait wardrobe.

Untitled #395 by deannaschroeter featuring a box clutch

Relay For Life | Jackson, MI Photographer

For the past three years I've been participating in Jackson's Relay for Life to help raise money for cancer research and patients. Over the last two Relay's our team has managed to raise a total of $2,444.71! This year our goal was $400 and I'm proud to say that we have hit our goal bringing our final total raised to $2844.71 (and Relay hasn't happened yet so that's not the final number). I love walking in Relay for Life because it brings together members of the community from all walks of life to celebrate the life of those loved ones we know who are fighting or have fought cancer. It's amazing to see what we can accomplish when we join together! 

If you've never been or participated in a Relay for Life, I highly recommend it. It will change your life. There hasn't been a year that I haven't cried and laughed all within five minutes. From the survivors lap to the Ducky Derby; the entire event is a blast! I am so pumped for this year, it's exactly two weeks from today!! Check out some of the images from Relay's past...

2011 Relay for Life

 Part of our team from last year including my dad, cancer survivor.

My co-captain and I drenched from the downpour that happened as we were cleaning up our site.

(No, we're not related, we just happen to be great friends that look alike hahaha)

Our autograph book from the 2011 Relay for Life

The luminaria ceremony with lighted bags honoring/remembering those fighting cancer.

 2010 Relay for Life

Our team at the 2010 Relay for Life

Our autograph book for the 2010 Relay.

For this year we did a bake sale and one of the things we sold was homemade vanilla extract. Here's a couple pics of the bottles and labels. I might just think they're the cutest things ever, so I HAD to share a picture. We've still got 8 bottles left if you'd like to purchase one! They're selling for $10.

I RELAY FOR:

My Dad

My Mom

My Grandpa Bob

My Grandpa Saner

Shoots for a Cure | Jackson, MI Photographer

Natty J Photography is excited to announce a partnership with Shoots for a Cure (formerly known as Think Pink Photography). Think Pink Photography was founded in October 2007 to support individuals and their families who have been touched by breast cancer. We are a charitable organization that serves two main purposes – celebrating life and supporting the cause. Recently, we changed our name and our support. We now want to support ALL cancer patients, not just breast cancer.

Through our professional photographer network, we are helping cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during treatment, or prefer to capture their victory by scheduling a session within 12 months after treatment is completed. Photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the cancer patient. Clients participating in a Shoots for a Cure session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a set of prints from the session 3 - 8x10's, 3 - 5x7's, & 16 wallets (a $550 value). They will also receive a 20% discount on any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time. Non-cancer patients can participate too!! If you mention the Shoots for a Cure charity when booking your session 20% of your session fee will be donated.

To support the cause, we donate and fundraise for The American Cancer Society and the Susan G Komen Foundation. All funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The American Cancer Society, the Susan G Komen Foundation, in our name, or used 100% for marketing and awareness of our program.

Please subscribe to our blog (on the Shoots for a Cure website) and tell your friends and family about Shoots for a Cure. Awareness is everything and we can’t be successful without you.

I encourage you to view our website, make a donation, or hire a photographer that supports Shoots for a Cure! If you hire me, mention Shoots for a Cure and I will make a personal donation to the organization. If you, or someone you know, would like to schedule a Shoots for a Cure session, please contact me for details.

I am very proud to be a network photographer with Shoots for a Cure, and am anxious to get the word out about this amazing program. For more information, you can contact me, or you can visit the Shoots for a Cure website at http://shootsforacure.com

Fall is for Family

I did this last year, but I've decided to switch things up a bit for this year. I was at a Sandy Puc seminar and she talked about how she managed to raise $10,000 for a cancer charity in Colorado. As amazing as it would be to raise that much money, I'm just not at her level of clientele, so I've set my bar a little lower...$1,500. Relay for Life was literally just last weekend, but I really want to get a jump start on the fundraising for 2012. So this is what I'm doing for this year's Fall is for Family: A mini, 15-minute session and one 11x14 print of your favorite image for only $80 (Typically $125). Additional prints will be available for purchase. Session will take place at Ella Sharp Park in Jackson, MI on October 8, 2011. Please bring printout to the session. All of the proceeds will benefit the Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. Only 20 spots available, so buy yours early because these will go fast!!

Please call Natty J Photography to set up your appointment time. Appointments will run every 15 minutes between 2p-7p.

P: 517.499.9380

E: nattyjphotography@yahoo.com

W: www.nattyjphotography.com

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR PORTRAIT VOUCHER

*No refunds will be issued if you do not show up at your scheduled appointment. Event will be reschedule for inclement weather.