Diving into College {High School Senior Photography : Downers Grove}

I am chuckling at myself as I try my best to think of clever titles for my blog posts... not always a natural thing for me, but this one is oh-so-perfect! I had the joy of photographing a handsome young man who is also a future diver at the University of Michigan! I felt like I was shooting a future Olympian! He was a breeze: very comfortable in front of the camera & quite photogenic, not always something you can say about a high school senior. There are many more, but here's just a sampling of some of my favorites!

Grace & Peace,
Julie

Adorable One Year Old {Downers Grove Photography}

This week I had the joy of photographing my friend's one year old. {You may remember their adorable family from their red couch photos & beautiful adoption art}. The above photo cracked me up, I decided to write some captions for it... what would you have him saying?!

 I always love seeing the one year olds standing & it's also fun to see how they interact with a balloon.

 Daddy came solo as mama was out of town & he did good. I love the shot of Daddy & his boys. Then Baby K had just had it, so I did some new photos of his big brothers.

 The above is seriously one of my favorite photos I have ever taken. This little man is honestly one of my favorite people to photograph. He comes alive in front of the camera & is a beautiful child. I love the above not only for his adorable smile, but for capturing the moment when his Daddy was telling him a story to make him laugh. It was so sweet.

And, here is the "middle child"... oh, those eyes! He is more reserved than big bro, but can still pull off the cheese smile no sweat.

Love you guys! Happy Birthday Little K!

Grace & Peace,
Julie

Helping those with a Heart for Adoption

I have had a heart for adoption since watching 20/20 or Dateline news shows as a teenager. I remember one in particular where a photographer did black & white portraits of orphans & I thought, if I see one more photo of a beautiful child, I may scoop them all up.

We are still trying to figure out what my heart for adoption means for our own family, but in the meantime, it has been my joy to help support those adopting through my gift of art.

The above art is traveling to Africa on Monday. My friend & her hubby are off to bring their son home and she asked me to create a piece for the orphanage director. She went on to explain how so many children die while waiting to be placed into a home & how truly they are the forgotten ones. But those dear & selfless orphanage directors who selflessly love & care for those children do not forget.

So, this memorial is to write the names of those children who have passed away in their arms so they will not be forgotten. The other heart breaking thing is that she requested the piece be large and yet has to fit in a suitcase. Friends, there are that many children.

{art available here}

Here is some of the adoption art I have created inspired by my friends who have adopted.

And, I also wanted to announce that this entire month, I am partnering with the Sparrow Fund, an organization who helps support families who are in the process of adoption. 10% of all proceeds will be donated to their incredible ministry. So, start shopping!

If you are adopting or fundraising for another ministry cause, feel free to contact me about a fun new fundraising idea I have that you can partner with Life Verse Design!

Grace & Peace,

Julie

Sweet Senior Session {Downers Grove Photography}

Spring has finally arrived here near Chicago & you know what that means... me bustin' out my camera for some beautiful & fun portrait photography! Oh, you don't even know how excited I was to photograph Miss M. We had a great time. Once again, one of my weaknesses as photographer came through: taking TOO MANY shots!!! I had a hard time editing down {there are many more than what you see here} but am soooo happy with how they turned out. And, I still can never decide: color or classic black & white?!

Miss M, you are beautiful inside & out. Remember your inner beauty is what matters most. You have a sweet spirit to help others. I believe you will go far & may you always know how loved you are.

If anyone wants information on my portrait photography, please contact me at lifeverse@gmail.com with the subject "Portrait Photography" in the head.

Grace & Peace,
Julie

I'm sick of it!

{art available here}

Yesterday during Bible study, as a sweet friend was sharing her struggles & how she perceives herself {all mamas, you will relate to this: I'm not good enough, I never do enough, I wish I were better, I don't know why I yell, why can't I just change?} something inside of me just snapped. Week after week we beat ourselves up & I'm sick of it! I'm sick of the lies Satan feeds us that we are not good enough, that we cannot change.

That is NOT truth!

Jesus has paid the price. He has redeemed us. He is FAITHFUL to complete the work He began in us! {I could go on & on}

And, once again, I think of that awesome Dove commercial about how we women perceive ourselves & our own {lack of} beauty. For you see, I do NOT perceive my friend the way she does. Granted, I do not live with her so I have no idea what a crazy person she might be, but what I see is commitment, a tender heart, teachable spirit, and deep love for her family.

I created the above art for several reasons: 

1. to commit it to my memory that as the lies come into my own head I would fight the fight with TRUTH, knowing the negative thoughts are not from the Lord.

2. That I would curb the negative thoughts I have about others {if it is not profitable, admirable, excellent or pure why waste my time thinking about it?}

3. For all you men out there {or women} who struggle with lust, that this would encourage you to keep your thoughts pure.

Thanks for listening. May we have victory in our thought life & truly walk in grace.

OH & I am doing a giveaway over on the Big Mama's blog today! And, if you mamas want to read an uplifting light-hearted memoir, pick up her book Sparkly Green Earrings published by Tyndale! Go enter to win my art & spread the word... it ends soon... but more FREE shipping is available for a limited time!

Grace & Peace,
Julie

Custom Art: for author Sarah Dessen

It's been so fun to create art for authors, seeing I am also a book designer! This piece was given to Sarah Dessen tonight in Naperville, Illinois on behalf of a local middle school. The school has also had me create art for :

 Allie Condie

 Matthew Cody

John Flanagan {one of my son's favorite authors!}

Behind the Scenes: How my book design with Tyndale has influenced my art

I have been wanting to write a post about the evolution of my work, especially as it relates to how my vintage style sepia work has transitioned into my new Words to Move You line. On the surface they are very different. But, key elements of my work remain: depth of textures, scratches to make it look weathered & timeless and the embellishments I just cannot live without.

In thinking through the transitions, it brought me back to my work as a book designer for Tyndale House Publishers. Over many years have I been "dressing up" or embellishing text. The first book I did this on was Max Lucado's "Shaped by God" in which I created small bits of elegance in the "A's". (I think I designed this book around 2001.)

On the NLT Holy Bible (this was a new edition showcasing the new NLT logo) I add movement to the "H" & "E" allowing for your eye to flow through the title.

 On the cover of The One Year Devotions for Moms, you will notice *many* of my art elements!

 On the cover of Red, White, and Blue (a political fiction cover I designed) I introduce the bold san serif typography combined with scratches & embellishments.

 On the cover of Butterfly in Brazil (love this cover btw), I combine the swirlies with the script font used in my vintage style art.

 Both Hurricanes in Paradise & Craving Grace combine the swirls with the san serif!

Next post, I will show more evolution of my art process.

OH & btw: FREE shipping in both shops ends tomorrow! Enter coupon code SPRING2013 at checkout. Enjoy!

Grace & Peace,
Julie