Makayla's First Day of Kindergarten

Here's some pictures of our big 5 year old on her first day of school.  I love how her backpack is just as big as she is.  Doesn't she look so grown up writing her name.  Next thing we know she will be taking SAT's.

The 2008 Olympics and Michael Phelps

I don't know how many of you have been watching this guy, but he is truly amazing.  Now I am going to be honest with you and tell you that I am not a sports fan.  For the most part, watching sports is of no interest to me, but when Michael Phelps is swimming I am glued to the TV.  I  can't fathom having the kind of drive and determination, let alone skill this guy has.  At the age of 23, he has already won more Olympic Gold medals and more Golds in one set of Olympic games than anyone ever in the entire history of the Olympics.  That means that this young man is the top Olympian of all time.  That is pretty impressive.  What is even more impressive is the fact that he can swim at an even pace for a lap or two and then take off for an extreme lead over his competitors almost like a car using some sort of NOS system.  I can't wait to see if he comes back again in four years to solidify his status at the top.  After a conversation today with my brother-in-law, we realized that if Phelps continues to compete and win at the Olympics in the years to come, he could feasibly set a record that could never be broken.  That would mean that he would essentially be competing with himself from this point on.  I just have to say, here's a big hats off to Michael Phelps from everyone at J. Andrew Photography.  Thank you for representing the rest of us at the Olympics and truly giving it your all!

BBQ Smackdown for NILMDTS

Joslynn and I recently drove down to Balboa Park which is about five minutes from the border of Mexico in San Diego.  The reason for our trip was to attend a charity BBQ fundraiser for NILMDTS.  The BBQ Smackdown was a competition between Skip Cohen of WPPI and Rangefinder Publishing and Carey Schumacher to see who could grill the best steak.  Carey won the competition for the best steak.  However, Skip can make a mean grilled onion.  It was a beautiful day in San Diego and this was my first time at Balboa Park.  Joslynn even competed in a rubber ducky race and won a prize.  The object of the game was to place a rubber ducky on your head and race accross the park lawn and through the finish line without dropping the ducky.  Both Skip and Carey have dogs named Molly who attended the BBQ as well.  One of the images I have posted shows Skip's dog Molly.  Balboa Park itself is amazing.  Honestly the park itself could be given it's own zip code, which would explain why Joslynn and I drove around for about an hour searching for the event before finding it.  I feel bad for the ladies at NILDMTS because I pestered them a few times,  but they were all very friendly and a great help to us in finding our way.  The proceeds from the BBQ go to NILMDTS, which I have previously blogged about.  If you haven't checked out their site, please go to the following NILMDTS link and check it out.  Anyway, we got to hang out with a really nice group of our fellow photographers and I have included a few images from the event with this post.  Coming up on August 21st Joslynn and I will be heading up to Madera, CA for a NILDMTS seminar at the Children's Hospital of Central California.  When we get back from the trip I will be sure to blog about it.  That's it for now... Best Wishes to all of you. - Andrew

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

We recently joined an amazing organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep or NILMDTS for short.  This organization provides a medium for families who have lost a baby during or immediately after child birth to have a professional photographer come and provide images of the baby and family.  This service is completely free of charge to the family.  The photographers volunteer their time, talent, and services.  All families are given a cd of high quality images that they may print at their discretion.  Joslynn and I would love it if you would contact us for more information.  I cannot possibly explain in this post to everyone what a truly precious gift this organization provides for families who have lost so much.  Also, please check out the Official NILMDTS website for a listing of photographers in your area.  NILMDTS is a non-profit organization which runs completely on donations and volunteers.  There is a link on the website for donations.

Bakersfield College Deaf Community 2008 ASL BBQ

Joslynn and I have been taking American Sign Language  for the past semester, and now we really enjoy spending time with the friends we have made in the Deaf Community here in Bakersfield.  Recently Bakersfield College held its annual Deaf Community BBQ.  Here are a few images from the event...

Step It Up Seminar

Check out some of the bridal images we have taken recently.  If you want to see more visit the website and look at the wedding gallery...

Our Very First Blog!

Hello everyone:

My name is Andrew and I co-own a photography business with my wife Joslynn. We just set up our Blogspot account, and I am really excited to get started. I guess I should start by telling a little about Joslynn and I. We have been friends for a long time. About two years ago I had an oppurtunity to work on a project for a few weeks in her hometown of Bakersfield. I invited her to the opening of the business I had been working on as my date, and by November of that year (2006) we were engaged. We got married last July in the little white chapel at Camp San Luis and have been working on our family and our photography business ever since. Lately we have been coming and going from the Central Coast a lot since my parents and most of my family live in or around Arroyo Grande and San Luis Obispo. Joslynn and I both hope to start blogging at least once a week to keep everyone up to date on whats going on with the photography business and life in general. So to everyone who reads this, we hope to see you on here soon!

Have a great day,
Andrew