I have found a gem located in the heart of Denver; The Botanic Gardens. I moved to the Cheeseman Park area about 9 months ago and the Gardens just happen to be in my front yard.  With the close proximity I decided to get a membership, expecting to go every now and then.  Hmmm every now and then turned out to be, every other day; I’m utterly in love with the place!  I have suppers there as often as I can with friends, clients, and definitely by myself.  It feels to me like a large sanctuary; fresh aromas everywhere, thousands of varieties of plants to be utterly “wowed” by, and not to mention the Henry Moore exhibit that is housed in the Gardens this year.  Having a membership has definitely made my summer and has possibly changed my life… (memberships start at $45 for unlimited entry for 1 person) plus it’s where I saw a LIVE fairy flying around.  I am seriously not kidding– I saw it in the rose garden in August of 2007.

Yes, it is indeed a magical place…

Last Tuesday I got together with a few of my girlfriends at the Gardens to celebrate our Dear friend Rachael Brink’s engagement.  It was such a lovely setting as we sat under trees filled with twinkling white lights and ate yummy treats.  Take a peek at how cool the Gardens are– a piece of paradise in Downtonwn.  I hope you’ll get out and visit it at least one; you’ll be very glad you did!

Above photo by the Awesome Stacey Banks.

Congratulations Again Rachael!

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Pomegranate Place is a non-profit housed in a 3-story Victorian located in Capitol Hill.  Pom Place was created to provide a space for women to come as they are + to connect and create with other women who are doing the same.  In late Spring I met with Vaun Swanson, the Founder and Executive Director of Pomegranate Place, to brain storm about ways to create awareness about the Org and how to raise funds.  A bit after we were talking it hit me– a fashion show/brunch!  With my connections in photography and modeling, I offered to recruit designers and models for the first fundraiser for Pom Place.  My tea with Vaun was lovely as I was overflowing with ideas about how our fashion show could be about expanding our perceptions about beauty and creating a space where women can talk openly about their definitions of beauty.  Since a label can never adequately define a woman, we voted to name the event, “Beyond Labels”.

I invited professional model and friend Veronica Stapleton to co-coordinate the fashion show with me while graphic designers Astrid Koch of Astrid Designs and Janae Aasen of White Couch, came up with the branding and design of the brunch and show.  Professional chef, Leah Thompson, stepped up to oversee all the food preparation and service, and Meredith Bishop, an Accenture Executive, coordinated all the volunteers.  There were 4 Designers featured at the Beyond Labels Fashion Show:  Designer Lauri Moore featuring her hand made skirts and vests shown on models Michanda, Colby, & Tina, Designer Jessica Deugan featuring Pom Chic clothing and accessories from area Thrift stores on models Meredith, ZZ, & Melissa,  Designer Carol Mier featuring her unique line of clothing on models Melissa, Aja, & Linda, and Designer, Artist & Writer Jennifer Levine featured her poetry through body paint paired with exotic hairstyles by Linda on models Lori, Veronica, & Rachael.  In all, over 50 women contributed to the event, raising over $4000.

It was such a delightful Saturday morning.  Amazing food, lovely music + a live auction in the warm ambiance and open environment of Pom Place made this event a smash hit.  Check out a few of the images from the show provided by photographers Lynn Townsend of Illumine Photography and Amy Wright of Amy K. Wright Photography + an image or two provided by Designer, Artist and Writer Jennifer Levine.

Model and Artist Colby Creed doing her hair and make-up before the show.

Pomegranate Place is located at 750 Clarkson St. in Denver.

Professional Models Lori Auguste Sullivan (above) and Rachael Brink (below) got up early on that Saturday morning to have their faces and bodies covered in paint by Artist and Designer Jennifer Levine!

The Little Girl below opened the Show by throwing out pieces of paper from her flower basket as she walked through each floor of the 3 Story Victorian. Each piece of paper contained inspiring & beautiful adjectives that created a path that was our runway for the show.

Left to Right: Graphic Designers and Co-Coordinators for the Beyond Labels Brunch Janae Aasen and Astrid Koch.

Instead of a traditional fashion show, we decided to have an Informal Fashion show where models followed the intention path through the many rooms of the 3 story Victorian.   Each room was hosted by a group.  At the end of the show, the women in the rooms were able to talk openly with the models and designers about their perceptions of beauty.  Conversations were inspiring and emotional.

Professional Model and Co-Coordinator of the first Beyond Labels Fashion Show, Ms. Veronica Stapleton.  Veronica plans to save the world through modeling.

Left to Right:  Model Michanda Lindsay, Professional Model Tina Ryan, Designer Laurie Moore, and Model and Artist Colby Creed.

From Left to Right:  Actress ZZ Moor, Designer Jessica Deugan, Professional Model Meredith Karre, and Actress Melissa Scher.

From Left to Right:  Designer Carol Mier, Model Melissa Fox, Model and Stylist Linda, Model for Carol Mier, and Professional Model Aja Duniven.

And the Finale!  From Left to Right:  Stylist Linda, Professional Model and Co-Coordinator of the show Veronica Stapleton, Professional Model Lori Auguste Sullivan, Founder and Executive Driector of Pomegranate Place Vaun Swanson, Professional Model Rachael Brink and Designer, Artist, and Writer Jennifer Levine.

Pomegranate Place is a wonderful place to relax, get connected and to create.  You can sign up for their newsletter featuring inspiring messages and women by clicking here.

Many thanks to all the woman who contributed their time and talent to the Event.  It was a great success!

We hope to see you next year!

oxo

j~

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Last Fall I had the great privilege of flying to Northern Uganda to spend 9 days with the Women and Children of Women’s Global Empowerment Fund’s microfinance program. It was literally the most inspiring and empowering trip of my life (to date.)  On the day of my arrival in Gulu in late September, I went to the main school yard in the village and photographed over 300 women in the program performing songs, dances, and monologues about the importance of education, community and more.  The days following this event I spent conducting one on one interviews with 3 women in the program and visiting the local markets and community centers to experience life in post-conflict Gulu.  I was and still am so thoroughly in awe of the passion and beauty of these people.  Though they’ve experienced great sadness and loss due to the horrific atrocities performed by the Lord’s Resistance Army in the region, I left my travels inspired and empowered.

In April of this year, I shared my experience in Gulu through my Exhibit at the University of Denver’s Women’s College titled, “ExtraOrdinary Beauty”.  I partnered with Artist Jessica Deugan to create mixed medium pieces to display the photographs from my trip.  The Exhibit was to give visitors a unique sensory experience that allowed them to experience the beauty, power and humility of the Northern Ugandan.   My photos were fixed to worn teal colored wood that shared a bit of my journaling from my travels.  Jessica and I also created a path of light,  lit by candles in glass votives, to light the way as guests learned the stories of the women and children of the region.   The Event had wonderful press in the Denver Post as well as a live interview on the local talk show, “Colorado & Company“, + there was a wonderful turn out at the opening of the Exhibit with over a 100 people in attendance.   Check out my interview on “Colorado and Company” below, + I’ve included a few of the stories and photos that appeared in the Exhibit.  Also check out photos by Nathan Jenkins of the creation of the Exhibit; thank you again Nathan!

Enjoy!

Click on the image below to view my Interview on Colorado & Co.

Click here to view the embedded video.

A taste of the imagery and message of the Exhibit.

The Creation of the Exhibit. Photos by Nathan Jenkins.

In closing,

here are a few words about my work from Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Global Empowerment Fund, Karen Sugar.

Many thanks to Artist Jessica Deugan,  Donna Crafton of PrimaDonna PR, The Chambers Center at the University of Denver, Women’s Global Empowerment Fund, Nathan Jenkins, and for all the loyal fans and supporters of my work and vision.  I am so very blessed by you each!

Much love and Many thanks, j~

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In late May I spent the afternoon with the Banks Women to do a family portrait session.  Once at their house, Stacey showed me their last family portrait session; she was about 8.  Needless to say a lot has changed since that family sesh, though it still remains that Stacey, Ginny, and Diane are beautiful as ever.  I was able to photograph the women in their backyard in Littleton (yes, this is really their backyard) at sunset to capture some really beautiful and intimate moments together.  Afterwards we went inside to photograph the men and pets and to eat hamburgers– ’twas a lovely day indeed.  Check out a few of my favorite shots from our sesh.

This is the fence that Stacey and Ginny’s Father built before he passed.

Thank you Diane, Stacey, and Ginny for such a wonderful sesh– you three are gorgeous on the inside and out and I really enjoyed spending time with y’all. xoxo j~

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On April 24th, Chris and Christy got hitched in Centennial Colorado where wonderful family and friend surrounded this couple who delight in each other so very much.  It is quite a sight to see two people so very much in love!   The love they share is so warm and apparent, and not to mention Christy’s wonderful smile can light up any room, especially the room where they held their ceremony… Christy began cracking up with laughter because she was so excited to marry Chris!

They are absolutely made for each other.

Chris and Christy, thank you so much for inviting me to share in your wedding day.  You two are so genuine and loving and I hope that you love your photos for many years to come!

All the best,

j~

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Early last month I flew back into Denver to photograph the Schulze sisters who had just won a photo sesh with me to be a Model for a Day.  We met up in late afternoon on an extremely vivid summer’s day in South Denver.  With the vivid green grass, slow moving streams, and cotton blowing through the air, it was the perfect setting to create a “secret garden” session.  The girls did such a great job and were so comfortable in front of the camera, and of course with each other!  Take a look at a few of my favorite shots from our day.

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Last month I headed up to Longmont to spend about an hour or so capturing some very candid moments of Erika and Scott with their 3.5 (one on the way) children.  It was such a beautiful day– sunny, cool, and vivid green all around as the boys played Fort and attacked their Dad, and Olive, the youngest and only girl (at this point), walked around being the extremely cute little girl that she is.  We only did a few posed shots of the Fam mainly because it’s just not the family’s style to be put in a box; they’re all pretty strong willed and free spirited…:),  a good combo if you ask me.

Many thanks to y’all for a great Saturday afternoon sesh;  it was such a pleasure.

Enjoy!

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I love photography because it is the only artistic medium that allows us to capture a moment as it is occurring.  Though there is great beauty in other art forms, none are as transcendent and reflective of the spirit of a person, place or thing.  In the Fall of 2008 I had the great privilege of photographing Mr. and Mrs. Goetsch at the Reservoir in Parker, CO.  The Goetsch’s were happily married for many years and built a beautiful life together in South Dakota where they raised their 3 children, one of which is my friend Shad Goetsch.  Mr. Goetsch was diagnosed with cancer of the liver earlier that year and so our photo sesh was to capture a few of his last moments on earth with his wife.  Though they knew their time together was short, they spent their time rejoicing in the many beautiful moments they had left together and had already shared over the years.

Mr. Goetsch passed away last year, but his beautiful legacy still remains.  It is my honor to share with you a few moments with Mr. and Mrs. Geotsch in early Fall of 2008.

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Last month I visited Utah with Scott, my main squeeze, and on our way out of town we were able to stop by his Grandparents house to visit and to have supper with them.  Scott and his Grandpa decided to go out to pick up supper, but before they left they stopped in the piano room and played music together for a brief time.  Lots of diffused natural light filled the room in a way that made the space look like it was already a memory as they simply enjoyed their shared love of music and each other.  It was a sacred moment that I was lucky to be a part of,  so I quickly (and somewhat discreetly) ran to the car to grab my camera to capture as much of their time as I could, without disturbing it.

I am amazed by what the camera does.  Life passes by so very quickly and outside of our memories, photography is the only medium that captures the sanctity of a moment in a way that the reflects the true beauty of what is actually occurring.  I am amazed by what my profession does and I am so very honored to share my experience with you through the lens of my camera.

Here are a few of their moments together.

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At the end of April I experienced a joyful treat; I was able to watch the 1st year graduate students at the National Theatre Conservatory perform a movement project that featured the low flying trapeze.  Utterly A-mazing…

!

The NTC teaches the Skinner Releasing technique, a technique that teaches students how to release energy and feel space in movement.  A great medium to translate this technique is through trapeze.  For two hours I was emotionally moved by the beautiful movements set in various vignettes.  From laughter to tears, I sat in amazement as I experienced the universal language of movement.  Here are a few of my favorite moments.

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