A week so insignificant it’s significant
When I was old enough to read books without pictures I pretty much lost interest in reading…it’s true and now that I’m an adult I’m not afraid to admit that I don’t really like to ‘read’ – I mean I read, I write, but I’ve never been one of those people that dream of vacations on the beach with a good book, I’m more likely to dream of a vacation on the beach with a Margarita and hours of plentiful people watching all while indulging in US Weekly or the like. It’s who I am; so bare with me on this entry that actually forces one to READ.
Last Wednesday I had LASIK eye surgery, which was fabulous, painless and now I can see perfectly. I do have large bloody bruises on my eyeballs from the surgery that have concerned most on-lookers but I’m feeling great and can see like a champ. Wearing glasses is SO 2009 
So my instructions post-op were to avoid straining my eyes on the computer or TV and to NOT work out for seven days. Coincidentally, the day after surgery OKC got a huge snow/ice storm and school was canceled on Thurs and Friday. My husband also left for a long working weekend away. So it was my boys, two dogs, one cat and I and a huge ice storm inside a house that doesn’t hold heat.
On day ONE of captivity I realized something about myself. I’m good at taking pictures of kids b/c I seriously have the attention span of a 4 year old. I kind of started to freak out, I was so bored, nothing to do, no where to go, I couldn’t work out, couldn’t edit pictures, couldn’t watch a long movie, we couldn’t even get in my car to go somewhere b/c it was frozen solid and I couldn’t get the doors open. Ultimately, late that afternoon my dear friend Sara picked me up and we got out of the house for some good company, good wine, and some heated religious debating. Post religious yelling I even brushed out my hair to provide comic relief, it was a site to see with my make-up less bloodied eyes and my TRUE TO LIFE afro – not sure I even put on a bra that day (maybe I chose the wrong elective surgery this year, but I don’t really need a bra anyway).
So days TWO-FOUR I decided to take the bull by the horns and DO something. Pitcher by hot pitcher I walked out to my car and poured steaming water all over my doors so I could thaw them open. And after about an hour or so of heat and scraping I won and got the damn car started. SO my adventures could commence…. First brilliant idea; I made the boys shower and put on cute clothes for pictures in the snow! B/C TRULY, what is more fun then getting dressed up, standing in the 20 degree blizzard and mustering up energetic GLEE, hence their genuine expressions of delight. My fingertips suffered frostbite. We then went to Michaels and bought art supplies, I tried to PAINT, really, tried to paint (inspired by my friend Cami who considers painting a creative outlet…a bit of therapy, difference is she’s actually really good at it), my creativity lasted all of about 8 minutes when I got really bored and realized I’m not AT ALL talented at painting – wish I would have realized that earlier b/c I dropped $100 on paint supplies. I retired Patti Picasso and started baking. At one point I made some bizarre brownie concauction. I finally gave myself an intervention on the 30th go of dipping my pointer finger in the peanut butter (with added butter) bowl into the brownie mix bowl and licking the finger clean over and over until I could feel my pants getting tighter. By day four I felt like one big IRONY, I let the dogs in all weekend, Leah the cat was even allowed to sleep inside, the boys and I all cuddled in one bed all weekend, I talked to my sister a lot on the phone, did a lot of facebooking, made the most AMAZING sugar cookies EVER (recipe per my sis who is an amazing cook), reaffirmed I have some amazing friends in this city and concluded the weekend by making a MEATLOAF. Which to me is just pure comedy. I don’t like meat in general really, so mushing up all that raw meat with my bare hands made me feel like a true prairie woman. At the end of the day, Jeremiah got home and we all ate meatloaf and frosted sugar cookies and the world felt a little warmer. Who knew a little snowstorm would allow me to see 20/20
SAN FRAN UPDATE :) Oklahoma City Children’s Photographer
I will be arriving in San Fran APRIL 10th, my two day class on the 11-12th is FULL but I may open up another one OR two day session on the 13th & 14th b/c I’ve had quite a few additional inquiries. If you’d like a spot or want to talk details please email me at bethcjansen@gmail.com!
Now just a few of this little man… his mommy had me in hat heaven (all about ETSY.com) and I can NEVER resist a baby @ tub time!
PS – Remember the TIE shirts? Leave a comment and we will get you the info to get your hands on one or email Keli direct at KeliThelen@gmail.com 
611 Creative – Oklahoma City Photographer
I’ve always ranted about how I never wanted a studio b/c I’d get so bored shooting in the same space with the same stuff all the time…I love my job b/c it’s always fresh and I never know what I’m walking in to, spontaneity is my middle name…. So maybe my slight change of heart comes with age and/or experience and/or the ability to pay for a space, but having a contingency plan is always a good idea. So when I was able to sub-let this space for shoots I jumped all over it. A very hip downtown OKC spot, it has great light and great bones and skies the limit for what we can bring in to it – it’s also perfect for some urban outdoor shots as well, weather permitting! So if you’re digging this shoot then request this as an option for your next shoot (you can also lease it for dinner parties/ wedding receptions / art shows). I wish it were all mine all the time but until my studio is done (which will be a while considering it hasn’t begun), I will use 611 Creative as a spot to shoot. 611 is also the spot for the workshop in May with Kelley and Tracy! Cannot wait, a stone’s throw from the best coffee and martini’s in town – who wouldn’t want to be there?!
Until then – look at this little dude being creative at 611 – don’t you want to eat him?
I’m baaaaack… Oklahoma City Newborn Photography
Feels good to be back in the saddle – is that how that expression goes? i always screw them up. anyway, had my first newborn of 2010 this week and he was an ALERT little man, didn’t want to go to sleep at first, I didn’t mind so much, he was CUTE and it’s always fun to get some awake shots b/f we get him in his food coma. But we got him where we wanted him and he managed to make my first 2010 newborn shoot work out A-ok A few of my faves from this handsome little man…
To be sexy…. Oklahoma City Boudoir Photography
Valentines day is JUST around the corner…. so why not do this for your man? There is no chance that you’ll be able to top this gift… YOU, with a twist. I wish I could post a gazillion of these images but 1. They are pretty private to most of these ladies that take the plunge, & 2. I think my blog is rated something like PG-13, so viewing discretion is advised. Funny though, although most of these gorgeous ladies won’t allow me to advertise all over my blog how sexy they look in these shoots, once they get their images they show them to just about anyone – b/c, sister, if you looked this good, why wouldn’t ya?? No embarrassment, every woman needs to feel sexy… and that is a philosophy I believe in! If you’re interested email me
San Fran :)
I love this blog, Looks like San Fran is the next destination for me – here are some dates – have had a LOT of inquiries coming from the bay area!
APRIL 12-14th
April 12th & 13th – TWO day mentor session, $1,200.00
April 14th – ONE day mentor session, $850.00
If you are interested in a spot email me at bethcjansen@gmail.com ASAP – I have LIMITED availability, will only do groups UP TO 6!
Had to add a San Fran image – but this is NOT mine!!! Found it on google images….
Here’s the Deal…
So, there has been a big EMPTY space on my blog from photos, every year around Christmas I gladly take a sabbatical. April-December work me like CRAZY so I rather look forward to the time that I can slow down and catch up. I like to leave my camera in it’s bag and have a little separation and true to the cliche, absence does make the heart grow fonder, b/c i’m really missing it At this very moment I was supposed to be in Ghana Africa, so I had blocked off about 2 weeks on my calendar from shooting (it’s true, I only like to play material girl once in a while, when i’m not babbling about designer shoes I actually have a brain). WELL, that trip got post-poned so I have some extra time on my hands! Kind of nice, but I realized that I’m not the best at doing nothing, so I’m looking forward to all the little newborns coming my way in the next week +! In the meantime, I have a few new years resolutions (photography resolutions)…. to share, if you know anyone to help make these happen give me a shout
1. Want to shoot and or mentor in Miami, FL – never been, want to give it a whirl!
2. Want to mentor a group of women in Cali, San Fran, or San Diego
3. Want to shoot a wedding somewhere amazing, NY Times Square, Paris, Fiji, you get the point…
4. Want to do more non-profit work, focusing on the kiddos, homelessness, poverty, orphanages – getting me back to my goal of going to Africa!?
5. FINISH my studio on my property, been a long time on the brain, need to make it happen!
Ok, that’s it for the day! Will be BLOGGING like a mad woman soon!
It’s a sad day..
So, i finally had piled all of my pennies and gift certificates together. Had purchased a necklace and oversized pin (yes, a pin) to match my shoes when I went to my beloved bookmark of my Christian Louboutin’s and they were GONE…gone, gone, gone. I called Saks and gave them the name, description, told him I could send a picture if he wanted. He finally identified the shoe, “Bianca Slingback Platform, neutral with yellow and blue accent?”….’YES, that is them’…. “what size are you, mam?” ‘37.5′ Long long pause…”Aaaaah, I’m sorry, Miss….those are SOLD OUT… i mean completely sold out, like no size is available”. ‘Will you get more in?’ “NO, I’m sorry, you can call Christian Louboutin (store) and ask if they have more.” ‘Well, do you have Christian Louboutin’s cell #?’ “Laughter….. Sorry, mam, when we sell out we don’t get any more in”. ‘Ok, Ronald, thanks for delivering the bad news with dignity.’
LESSON FOR ME: NEXT TIME I WANT TO BUY A PAIR OF SHOES THAT AREN’T QUITE AVAILABLE, DON’T ADVERTISE THEIR FABULOUSNESS ON THE BLOG SO THAT EVERY OTHER WOMAN WITH GOOD TASTE CAN BUY THEM UP.
OFFER: IF YOU SEE A WOMAN (OR MORE LIKELY, SOME FLAMBOYANT MAN FROM ATLANTA (LOVE YOU FLAMBOYANT MEN FROM ATL)) WEARING A PAIR OF THESE, KNOCK THEM DOWN (TONYA HARDING STYLE) AND GRAB THEM AND RUN. THERE WILL BE A LARGE REWARD, FROM ME… AND MY FEET…
MORAL: IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING, ACT, OTHERWISE YOU MAY LET THEM GET AWAY
Dear shoes, You don’t know how good I would have made you look. We were meant to be together. The perfect “pair”… i had dreams about long walks (maybe not REAL long) in NYC, martinis in Vegas…what could have been…
by bethcjansen
7 comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend