Jonna Michelle Photography
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Celebrate | Contest Winners Announced

3/31/2014

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jhPhotography received dozens of entries from area residents who shared what they love about Silver Spring. A random drawing was held Saturday and the results are in!

  • Bethany Meissner of Maryland is the first-place winner. She will receive a free photo session of her choice.

  • Colleen Moriarty, also of Maryland, is the second place winner. Colleen will receive 50% off of a photo session of her choice.

I want to congratulate the winners and thank everyone who entered the contest. The dozens of responses received are a true testament to just how charmingly beautiful this community really is. Below is a small sampling of what neighbors and friends have to say about Silver Spring. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

"I've lived here since 1985, and I love how so many different worlds come together in Silver Spring. You can find just about anything you're looking for and a lot of stuff you never knew you needed, just by walking by the restaurants, shops, barbers, auto body places, cafes, etc., that make up our retail universe, and meet all the diverse people who run and patronize those stores. There are still surprises in Silver Spring for me, 29 years later."
-- Andrew

"I love the diversity, the community and the energy! I love the small businesses and tiny coffee shops, and (I may be biased) but I LOVE the Fenton Street Market! My weekly routine includes hitting up Kefa Cafe, Silver Spring Used Books, Plaza Art and Zed's Cafe! Then, vending at Fenton Street Market on Saturdays."
-- Amina

"Silver Spring has all the hipness without the ego. In fact, my partners and I love Silver Spring so much that we decided to open Third Space Wellness in the very heart of this great city. We even blogged about why we are choosing to live and work here! Here is an excerpt from it: "We have a symbiotic relationship with Silver Spring: this is where we do most of our working, living, shopping [yay local!], eating and playing. And it’s where we see our core values – community, education, accessibility and diversity – thriving." Silver Spring reflects who we are as people and we run into the very same people when we are out and about. Does it get better than that? We are grateful to be part of the Silver Spring community and we look forward to helping bring more and more incredible people together!"
-- Samantha

"I love Silver Spring because when I get hungry, I can walk with my daughter, Miriam, and my wife, Adrienne, to all the great restaurants along Georgia Avenue and the side streets. It only takes 10 minutes from our condo on Eastern Avenue and then we can be on our way to filling out tummies. I also like the fact that there are 15 Ethiopian restaurants within a mile of our home. Miriam loves Ethiopian food and I do too!"
-- Joel

"The people. The people who work in our local businesses are some of the most friendly, welcoming and caring folks I've met. I moved here from FL and left everything and everyone behind and the people here have been instrumental in making me feel at home."
-- Lindsey

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Jonna's Tips for Photographer's | Part 2

3/25/2014

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Late last year I wrote about tips I shared with photography students. The post was pretty popular, so I thought I'd share a few more pointers I've learned along the way.

5. Use diagonal lines

Look for ways to incorporate diagonal lines into your work. Using diagonal, or leading lines, draws the viewer in and creates points of visual interest. Diagonal lines can also be used to create depth, movement, strength, and balance.

6. Practice makes perfect
Mastering any art is a process. It takes time and practice to learn the right skill and find your specific style. Photography is no different. It’s important to get in as much practice as you can.

A trick I’ve found tremendously helpful is to simply go on a walk--and bring your camera along. Take photos of anything that interests you and try using multiple settings on one subject. If you can find a partner or buddy who’s also interested in photography, even better. Use each walk as a learning tool; discuss which angles, settings, light sources you used and why.
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These are all examples of photos taken on photo walks. I haven't shared them publicly until now.
7. Be inspired by others
It’s easy to compare your photos, style, and technique to more experienced photographers and come away feeling intimidated or sub-par.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, draw inspiration from photographers you admire. Study their photos for composition, lighting, color, and style. Read their blogs. Ask yourself why you like their photos and try to apply those same techniques to your own work.

Below are some photographer's blogs I read regularly.
Katie Nesbitt
Katie photographed a coworker's wedding and since seeing the photos, I've been hooked. What sets Katie's blog apart from the rest is the fact that she blogs about more than just her work. She lets readers into her life by telling stories, posting about her favorite things, and her relationship with her husband. Of course, I'm partial to the stories about her cat, Lucy.

KandE Productions
Eric and Karen are a husband and wife team that Cliff and I have known for years. They live in Aimes, Iowa and their work is heartfelt and beautiful. In addition to family and senior portraits, this duo also specializes in wedding videography.

Natalie Norton
I came across Natalie's blog after doing some research about maternity photos. She has written a number of articles offering her own tips and tricks, and she does so with a friendly flair and down-to-earth sense of humor. She keeps things simple. Her blog focuses on her photos and the interactions she has with the people she photographs. She also recently delved into philosophy by starting a series on happiness. She asks what is happiness, what is joy, and reflects upon ways to bring these feelings into one's life.
8. Have fun
Regardless of whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, it's important to have fun when you're behind the camera. Take pictures and make art for yourself, not anyone else. When you focus on what you love, the rest -- including success -- will follow.
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Puppy Love | Kris + Blizzy

3/6/2014

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They say friends get scattered by the wind, tossed upon the waves and lost for years on end.

Those words may ring true for some relationships, but not the bond I share with a close friend, Kristy. Our friendship has withstood the tests of time and distance. As we grow older, I think it's safe to say we both take joy in each others' successes and life achievements.

Kris and I met in high school and have a special bond formed through a unique experience. We worked together at a mom and pop diner in our hometown called Howard's Pantry. Though Howard's no longer exists in its original form, the relationship Kristy and I have built is stronger than ever.

Kristy herself is a photographer who manages a small, local business in Nebraska
much like jhPhotography. Through Whisker Photography, she caters to Nebraska families looking for inexpensive, quality portraits.

We often share tips and tricks with each other, so when she asked me to take portraits of herself with her beloved dog, Blizzy, I jumped at the opportunity to share in a learning experience with a friend.

Kristy is blessed to have space for a studio, a luxury that I don't often get the chance to experience. As we laughed and chatted, remembered old times and new, she let me experiment with backdrops, reflectors and a tripod. I'm pleased with the results, but even more excited about the time we were able to share together.

Of course, after our photo shoot, we indulged in peppery, hand-patted burgers, hand-battered onion rings and green rivers at our old stomping ground.
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Favorite Places | Silver Spring

3/2/2014

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What do YOU love about Silver Spring?
Share your thoughts and you could win one of two great prizes from jhPhotography!

First Place: A free photo session of your choice (a value of up to $300).
Second Place:
50% off of a photo session of your choice (a value of up to $150).

Enter to win!

So often I promote Nebraska on this blog, simply because it is where I'm from. It's home. I find immense beauty and solitude there, and am awed by the landscape, the people and the culture.

As much as I enjoy journeying home, recent revelations in my life have caused me to take pause and  realize that Nebraska isn't the only place that has stolen my heart. I have two homes, and one of them is right here in Silver Spring.

It's been five years since I moved to this area, and I'm not sure I'd want to live anywhere else. Silver Spring is a vibrant, eclectic community full of artists, artisans, activists, families and so much more. We've got old staples like Tastee Diner--a favorite since 1932--and new traditions, including a year-round Farmer's Market.

This is a place where rural meets urban and urban meets suburban. Business ventures collide with recreational opportunities, bringing together
the best cultures from every walk of life.

I feel blessed to live here and am
so proud to call Silver Spring home.
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    Author.

    Hey there! I'm Jonna! I'm a family photographer serving Silver Spring, Maryland and beyond. During the Covid-19 crisis, I'm using my free time to document the lives of friends and neighbors as we live through a pandemic. Learn more.

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Jonna Huseman | The Sligo Creek Photographer | jonna.michelle@gmail.com
Family photographer | Silver Spring, MD

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