J. Meade Photography

I call this series: Baby Banks in a Basket 🥹

…Pressing the ⏸ button…

As some of you know, the Meade family is about to embark on a fun journey. We are expecting a new little one! 🤱

{Sutton said we needed another girl in the family (so I’m “not the only one” 💗), and his wish is coming true.}

For this reason, I am pushing pause and won’t be accepting new bookings for the foreseeable future. I’m having trouble navigating morning sickness this time around (petition to replace the word "morning" with "24/7" 🙃), and spending a lot of time at the computer editing after my sessions doesn't seem to mix well with nausea. More importantly, though, I want to be fully present with my little boys before their sister arrives.

I still have lots on the books, and of course I’ll be fulfilling all my commitments as well as honoring redemption of previously purchased gift cards; this is just a (hopefully temporary) break from growing my business and from accepting any new bookings. I hope to return sometime next year after maternity leave.

Capturing your memories has brought me immense joy and fulfillment, and I hope to get back behind the lens once our family has settled into this new chapter of our lives. Until then, I'll be focusing on my own growing family, preparing for the arrival of our little one, and cherishing these precious moments as a family of four before our little girl arrives.

I’ve received many inquiries lately – some from seasoned clients who have become dear friends over the years – and some from new clients that I know would be a good fit. And it truly kills me to turn them away (I’m a YES person), but the responses I’ve received after explaining my current situation have been nothing but kind and understanding. “Take all the time you need” … “We’ll be here when you get back”… “Enjoy this time with your little ones.” These comments mean so much to me. I am really thankful for your support and understanding.

There are SO many talented photographers in our area, and I will gladly send names your way to help you find someone who will be a great fit and who will photograph your family beautifully. Thank you for your love, encouragement, and patience. I can't wait to introduce you to our newest family member when the time comes.

Not “goodbye.” See you later. 👋

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mommas out there - the soon-to-be ones, the new ones, the old ones, the grieving ones, and those who wish to be one. 💜 You are so loved, today and always.

A few years ago, I photographed a large extended family on their farm in Cynthiana. It was a typical extended family session; we had fun, laughed a lot, and did lots of photo groupings among the grandchildren, children, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.

What I remember most, though, is the great-grandfather and patriarch of the family, Kennie, requesting a photo of his bride of 55 years. That was his only request: just a single portrait of his wife. I remember him complimenting Helen while she posed for me. She smiled sweetly for her portrait, and he told her that. Kennie sadly passed away just a couple months later.

His daughter, Michele, reached out to me recently about some film negatives that were found in Cynthiana from the archives of a late photographer (Harry Brinkmeyer, Brinkmeyer Photography) who captured lots of weddings, parties, and families in the 60s. The photographer's granddaughter, Breanna Moss, had been sorting through the archives in an effort to return the negatives to the families of his subjects.

Michele asked me to help develop them, and here is the result - Kennie and Helen's wedding day in black and white, almost 60 years ago.

It was so neat to develop these images and see the beginnings of the large extended family I photographed a couple of years ago. Michele was able to create a wedding album for her mom for Christmas last year.

I LOVE stuff like this and hope you enjoy too. ☺️ I'm sharing these with Michele and Helen's permission. I want to be sure and credit the photographer again, Harry Brinkmeyer (Brinkmeyer Photography), as well as his granddaughter, Brenna, who helped make sure the negatives ended up in the correct hands. These could have been lost forever, but I love that they were brought back to life.

(P.S. If you're still reading - check the comments. I'll attach a few photos from our extended family session, including Kennie and the portrait he requested of Helen. 💜)

📸: Harry Brinkmeyer (Brinkmeyer Photography, Cynthiana)