KISSES AND DISSES : SUMMER TIME HEAT + POKEMON GO

This past weekend was mine and Omar's 6 month anniversary (yes, we are those people) and he surprised me by coming out for a weekend visit.  Even though his presence was a gift in itself, he also brought along a bottle of wine - my kind of man - and gifted me a real rose that has been preserved in real gold.  I felt bad I had nothing to give him in return (his card was sitting in the mailbox back at home) but he assured me it was fine and and told me as long as we were together, that's all he'd need.

Being the couple we are, we spent the following day walking around town catching Pokemon - we had downloaded it earlier that morning after breakfast just to try it out and now we are totally  addicted!  It brought back childhood memories of trading Pokemon cards on the playground and relishing in your new found stash.  I never thought I'd be the person to go out and play this game on my own, but I am surprised at how much it has gotten me out of the house...I have to beat Omar before he comes back tonight ;)

This leads me to another instalment of Kisses + Disses...

This week's disses go to:

*This heat.  Y'all, I'm all for summer sunshine, but I think I've grown too accustomed to living on the west coast where the summers are much more mild.  It's like living in a desert!

*Chipped nail polish.  Need I say more?

*1 ply toilet paper...it's 2016 people!

This weeks kisses go to:

*Omar.  Even though, really, he deserves this everyday of the year.

*My new iPhone.  I've recently upgraded my phone from the dinosaur iPhone 4s.  AND even better, it's rose gold!

*Pokemon Go.  I know there is a very two-sided debate over this game, but any 90's kid should know the excitement of finally being able to catch your own Sandshrew...like, seriously.

CUCKOOS RESTAURANT WEDDING : CAITLIN + GREG

Back in April I had the privilege of second shooting with a friend and wonderful photographer, Adina from Wren and Rook Photography.  It's always such a fun opportunity to be able to learn something new and to do it with such a great friend as Adina.  This was both my first time visiting Coombs (Crazy, I know, seeing as I lived on Vancouver Island for five years) and shooting a wedding in such an original place like a restaurant.  Can I shoot more weddings like this, please?  This was my first wedding of the 2016 season and the day was long and full, but between working with Adina, and such a joyful bride and groom, I was happy for the opportunity.

Below are some of my images from Caitlin and Greg's wedding day at Cuckoos Restaurant in Coombs.

A NEW PLACE TO CALL HOME

Now that the craziness of moving is settling to an end, I've finally had a chance to take a breath and embrace this fresh and new adventure of mine.  In the short time since I moved back to the Shuswap/Okanagan so much has happened.  I finally got to meet two of my closest friends' babies (which I had yet to meet face to face), our styled shoot got featured on an online wedding blog, I've unpacked - which is just about as bad as my cat waking me up this morning by going all kung-fu on my big toe - I've been lucky enough to see my favourite person every weekend so far as opposed to every second (and sometimes third!) weekend, I gave my Mom's walls a fresh coat of paint, and I'm helping my friend re-vamp her Etsy store and am getting ready to take all new photos of her products.

I am so excited for all that's coming up and to meet some new upcoming brides in someplace that's fresh and new!

Happy Tuesday!

FEATURED : WEDDINGBELLS + BESPOKE BRIDE

I have some SUPER EXCITING news to share with you all...I have had the honour of being featured on a couple of the loveliest wedding blogs around!  As some of you may already know, our styled shoot was featured on Bespoke Bride a couple weeks ago!  It was originally supposed to go live later on this month, but due to a cancellation, it got published almost a month early!

During the weekend I had received and email from Adam and Marieke, the two master-bakers from Coastal Cake Company, that the cake from our styled shoot had been featured on Weddingbells as Canada's Prettiest Wedding Cakes For 2016!  Not only that, my image was one of 5 selected for the cover image!  When I ran up to tell Omar, he jumped in joy with me as we clapped hands and cheered.

I'm am so incredibly happy and honoured to have my images featured on such sites as Bespoke Bride and Weddingbells!  Not only that, this checks of no. 26 on my 101 list: get an image of mine published online!

Happy Thursday everyone!

WATERCOLOUR FIESTA : WEDDING INSPIRATION

A few weeks ago I had the absolute honour of photographing this bright and fun styled shoot.  It has been a long time goal of mine to connect with local wedding vendors and to gain more wedding experience.  This shoot has been a loooooong time in the making and the actual day went by way too fast!  This is the result of a day of hard work, being creative and non-stop laughter.  And the best news...Emily from Bespoke Bride shared this shoot earlier this morning!

Many thanks to the amazing team who helped this idea of mine come to life...

Venue: Titas Mexican Restaurant
Coordination: ​Sublime Celebrations
Florist: AllInOne Party Rental Shop

Stationer: Tuktu Paper Co.

Cake: Coastal Cake Company
Rentals: Trend Decor
Wedding Dress: The Bride's Closet

Hair + Makeup: Scorpios Salon and Shelby Lynn Makeup Artistry

Photography: Julie Jagt Photography

I had first come up with this colourful idea for a styled shoot back in January so it has been a looooooong time in the making, but it was SO worth the wait.  This was my first styled shoot which is why I was super excited when Chanel from Sublime Celebrations came on board with her designer touches and eye for fabulousness!  I honestly don't think I could have pulled this off without her help.  If any of you are planning a wedding check her out.  Seriously.

Fun fact: some of you who have been reading my blog for a while now would know that I was obsessed with Target and completely heart-broken when they closed their doors Canada wide.  I bought this pinata when they were clearing out their stores and have been dying to use it ever since.  It's how I came up with the idea for this shoot ;)

A HUGE shout out to my girl Fern from the Brides Closet who lent us this gorgeous gown by Mon Cheri from their Enchanting Collection.  Those sequins and that lace - they really know their way into a girls heart.

Our models Evangeline and Brock met each other about ten minutes before I started shooting...can you say naturals?!  Brock is one of my oldest friends from high school and came out all the way from Vancouver to be here.  You two are the absolute best!

We have Scorpios Salon and Shelby Lynn Makeup Artistry to thank for adding the polished prettiness to our beautiful bride with their outstanding hair and make-up team.

 Christina from All In One Party Shop was the mastermind behind all the gorgeous floral arrangements for the day.  Aren't they just stunning?!

A fun-filled fiesta such as this wouldn't be complete without the most perfect location.  Titas Mexican Restaurant in Courtenay graciously gave us free reign of the place all morning!  Two words: bomb diggity. 

A few of my favourites...I could have shot these two in all this beautifulness all day if they'd let me.  Can I get an amen!

When Chanel had told me she had got Danielle from Trend Decor all the way from Victoria to join in on this fun day, I was absolutely smitten!  Her rentals definitely added that finishing touch we were looking for!

This cake tho!  When I had first emailed Makieke and Adam from Coastal Cake Company, I had sent it off with a prayer.  You could only imagine my excitement when they said yes!  One of my main goals for this shoot was to let everyone let their creativity fly.  I sent them the inspiration board and this was the beauty they came up with.  From the flower and succulents made of sugar to the ombre bottom layer with GOLD CHOCOLATE drizzle! this cake was nothing short of perfection.

Chanel worked so hard putting this table together to get it just right.  She searched forever to find the most perfect table which ended up coming from Shelby the make-up artist!  She stayed up the night before making it look perfect.  I'd say she did a fantastic job, wouldn't you?

Still can't get enough of this cake!

For those who know me well, you would know I am a sucker for paper goods and good design.  I was so thrilled when Laura from Tuktu Paper Co. agreed to make some paper goodies for the day, I literally jumped out of my seat and did a happy dance.  She did such a fantastic job!  The invitation suite, menus, name cards, thank you tags, bride and groom (novia +novio) chair signs and painted party time (hora de fiesta) sign were all designed by Laura!  SQUEEEEL!

I seriously can't thank everyone who was involved enough!  This was a dream of mine, and I'm still pinching myself because I still can't believe it came true!  Even though I'll be moving off the island in less than a month, I genuinely hope we all get the chance to work together again!  Much Love...jj xo