This week I lost a dear friend. Bill Currie passed on Monday, October 26 alone in his home. Currie was my high school journalism professor, but for me and so many of his previous staff members he was so much more. I spent yesterday evening among many of his family members, fellow faculty members and past students and staff members as we gathered to celebrate the magnificent life of this man and to say goodbye to our friend.

It would take me a million pages to sum up the man so anything I write will fall quite short. Currie was a man of legend… rarely did my sixteen-year-old self believe the outlandish stories he would tell on a weekly basis in that journalism workroom, however six years later I would never have second guessed a word he uttered. This is a man who marched with Martin Luther King, Jr. and yet found some of his greatest moments in a small classroom at a Mid-western high school. At sixteen, when I knew it all, he was a man in the way… he was a speed bump in every day, an obstacle. Being stubborn myself, he was a force to be reckoned with. He was always right, even when his ideas were off the wall. He loved us though, although most of us did not come to realize that until long after graduation.

And I feel the need to stop right now to say he would HATE every other word that I have written. I will never end a sentence with a preposition, misspell a word, use an ellipse, or a conjunction without thinking of this man.

Older and wiser (in the sense that I am now aware of my own ignorance) I have come to know how special Currie was to each student who was lucky enough to know him. He was a man who could have been anyone and could have done anything, yet he was, and lived to be, our teacher, mentor and friend. His purpose was to bring the best out in all of us, and in my case I can say that he was able to do that… and that he still is helping me be the person I am suppose to be.

I will miss him dearly, though knowing him he will never quite be gone. His mark is clearly stamped on my life and each time I set down to write even a thank you note I will think of him.

Now I must pick up my life where I left it 3 days ago and move forward. Though it is often difficult to face the fact that the world is speeding by despite the fact that something so earth shattering has happened, we must… we must pick everything back up as it was before and move forward. So with that I bid farewell to my friend, mentor and greatest teacher Currie. Every ounce of success I hope to find I dedicate to you!

I had a blast photographing my first senior from Linn high school. Quinton was awesome to photograph and we had a great time. I love being able to use locations with meaning to my clients and we  definitely accomplished that on Quinton’s session shooting at both his high school and his church. Here are two of my favorite images!

Last weekend was a full weekend for SJP! One of my favorite shoots of the weekend was with Stacia (a friend of mine from elementary school!). We took Stacia out to one of my favorite locations to try out some new areas and got a lot of great shots!

These are just a few of my favorites.

Here are just a couple images from my most recent wedding in downtown Kansas City. I love photographing in KC, the hotels, churches and reception halls are all so beautiful. I am moving toward making my photographs more than just camera generated images. You will notice overlays like the one in this image in more of my recent work. To me it makes them art not just images. As always I appreciate feedback so let me know what you think of the latest look.

I am but a few months from graduating with my degree in photography and though the company is growing quickly, I wanted to evaluate my identity as a photographer before stepping into the field full time in December. It did not take me long to find who I was as a photographer once I decided to listen to myself and not the others around me. I am excited to announce that SJP will be blossoming into a contemporary wedding and boutique boudoir studio. Though studio location and space are not set in stone as of now, the company (and myself) has found its identity.

It was never my goal to be a jack of all trades. It is my style to be great at something and let others handle the things I cannot do perfectly. So ladies… as of now the focus of SJP is you! Every woman is spectacular, though most do not see themselves as so. My passion is uncovering that hidden beauty and sexuality and my goal is to redefine boudoir photography. For me, boudoir is not about sex – it is about a woman’s beauty.. her strength, her confidence and yes also her sexuality. Watching a woman who is a wife, mother, daughter, career woman and more on a daily basis step in front of my camera and come alive is an amazing sight. I never get over hearing “You made me feel so beautiful and sexy, and it was so much fun!” with a surprised tone. Yes ladies, its fun!

Below are a few images from my most recent boudoir session. Look for more to come as I have multiple booked over the next few months.

***If you are interested in booking your own boudoir session please call, email or TEXT me at 573.690.7427 or mail@sjanephotography.com. (If texting: be sure to include your name and email address).

It is time for our 2010 senior model search! SJP is looking for a senior from each high school in the Jefferson City, Columbia and Warrensburg areas! Email me today to see if the model position for your school is still available (mail@sjanephotography.com). 

Models will receive 50% off the session of your choice and 24 wallets (pose for the free wallets is photographer’s choice). Plus, get 24 rep cards featuring 10 poses from your session. Each rep card is yours to give away to your friends and each card is worth 30% off your friend’s session and 4 free wallets for you (free wallets must be from already purchased pose). 

This year we have added a new line of photographic jewelry to our product line. I am excited about these contemporary designs and for the opportunity to get creative with my imagery by giving clients a great way to have their images with them anywhere.

NOTE: Images shown on the jewelry are not images take by Sarah or SJP.

Last week SJP celebrated 1 year in business on September 3rd. Though work continued as usual it was an exciting milestone and I honestly cannot believe it has been an entire year. Thank you to all my first year clients, we had a great year and I love each of the clients we added to the SJP family. This next year I look forward to some major expansion including the addition of new equipment (beginning with a new computer which should arrive next week) and as always I hope to grow my client base to serve more Kansas City/Columbia/Mid-Missouri brides, seniors and families.

As I wrap up wedding season and things start to slow down, I am looking to schedule a couple FUN shoots just for me. So what does this mean for YOU? — FREE SESSION!

To start my new line “Pretty in PJs” I am giving away 2 boudoir sessions. My inspiration is a new type of boudoir that captures the confidence and sweet sexiness of modern women. Call me to book one of these two FREE sessions!

Keep in mind these are not your traditional “pin up” images these will focus on your subtle sexiness in your PJs!

Every wedding photographer MUST HAVE a Cheetahstand! The Red Wing Quick stand WAS the amazing quick stand of the past and has now been off the market for far too long. I have been searching for over a year now for one on ebay, and just about every where else possible.

I found a new solution in the Cheetahstand! They have only been on the market for a few weeks, but I got mine delivered today (ordered just two days ago) and after initial inspection I am thrilled!

This is definitely a must have!

VISIT WWW.CHEETAHSTAND.COM!