I read an interview with a producer at Pixar. He said at the outset of every movie they make, it feels as if everyone involved is jumping out of an airplane while promising each other they can build a parachute before they hit the ground. That pretty much sums up last year for me.
The year I jumped.
I went from having a steady ‘real’ job and playing at photography part time to being a full time professional photographer.
I am so grateful that last year actually happened to me. I got to be a story teller, photo-documentarian, landscape photographer, still-life photographer, architectural photographer, and portrait photographer all in one day… in one extremely relevant day! The day my clients made their own personal leap.
‘Clients’ sounds funny, because even though we’ve only met just a couple of times, I feel I know you.
I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am for you.
Thank you for trusting in me. Thank you for choosing me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Without you, I could have never started building this parachute.
****
It would be impossible for me to compile a ‘best of’ collection. I don’t think I’m capable of making decisions like that. Below are 150 images that for some reason or another resonated with me this year. A few of them I haven’t posted to the blog until now.
Soundtrack: Your Hand In Mine by Explosions In The Sky (on iTunes)
Thank you 2011!
I’m so excited for 2012! I’ve already got bookings for weddings in California, New York, Montana, Utah, and Washington!! Openings still available. Contact me for booking here. Connect with me on my new Facebook page here.
Also, special thanks to Ariel & Megan at Offbeat Bride and the all the girls of the Offbeat Empire for pimping me out so hard in 2010 you literally booked 99% of my 2011. Thanks to Kat at Rock N’ Roll Bride, Jen at Green Wedding Shoes, Ashley at Hi-Fi Weddings, and Seattle Bride Magazine for featuring my work last year. Also, Kathryn at Snippet & Ink and Meg & Maddie at A Practical Wedding for the upcoming stuff in the works for 2012. Thanks Catherine Abegg, Alyssa Wilcox, and Jeff Marsh for pitching in and lending tons of talent and experience to second shoot with me. Finally, thank you to Mary who took a three months leave of absence from work to travel around assisting and shooting with me last year.
Now, Let’s see what we can do for year two!
Your photos are really inspiring! You capture beautiful moments in life. Your eye for light is amazing! You inspire me. Thank you.
What a beautiful year in review. Gorgeous, Jonas, absolutely gorgeous. We’re so glad you jumped. Love, T+M
WOWWWWWWW! Such an amazing collection. FAB!!!!
Congratulations Jonas! What an amazing year you have had. I cannot wait to see what 2012 brings for you.
FYI… I may just need to arrange to get a print of the colourful bride picture. It really is brilliant.
Jonas Seaman, your work is beautiful and amazing, your story telling is vulnerable and magical. Congratulations!! you should be so proud because not only have you jumped but you’ve landed on a bed of gerber daisies. :)
LOOOVE IT! So beautiful! Can’t wait to see what 2012 brings! <3
you tell such thrilling photo stories! so wonderful to know you :)
Jonas and Mary–the work you both have accomplished is nothing short of magical and amazing! I can look at your pictures all day long and always feel submerged into the lives of total strangers. The work you did for Rob and I was fucking SPECTACULAR!! And there I go with “F” bombs in the midst of a beautiful comment…but it really was. All of our guests were raving about both of you and as Beth noted “you are both so family now!”. It was great to see you at the holidays and I cant wait to spend more time together getting to know you more as dear friends :) Here’s to you and to all the amazing work to come in 2012!!!!!!!!
Such a fucking BAD ASS collection Jonas!!! I love the way you see. And wait look… there’s me! hey now. Here’s to a fantastic new year!
I love your collection… it’s seeing poetry in the ordinary moments and catching joy like a lightening bug in a jar. Thanks for sharing!
Out of control. Fave images= Photo booth with the little girl sitting in there, the bunny costume peeking over the fence, purple flower detail shot, ALL your flash images- actually just make that all your images in this post! So much variety, creativity, spirit and vision in your images. Well done- you killed it your first year- I hope to kill it like you did last year this year! :)
Bravo, Jonas. This is an incredible set and it’s been amazing to watch you grow into the beastographer you are now. I have now doubt 2012 is going to be a good year for you, hope we get the chance to work together.
Jonas,you show so much emotion in your photos that they speak to me.You are such a talent. I am so proud of you. Carolyn
nice year you had, we wish you another amazing one !!!
wow! congrats on year 1. these are gorgeous photos. one and all! i love the diversity of your clients.
Jonas,
You are so god damn good at photography, you make me never want to take a picture again.
Thanks for giving me something to aspire to.
Coco
Stunning…all the way around. Keep jumping.
a great year for you!! well done…great photos…
–B E A U T I F U L…
— I have a feeling you could make ANYTHING absolutely beautiful.
I loved these phots. X
I am the exact opposite of bored right now. Which is rare and oh so special these days! Seriously stellar :) Keep them coming….
So great Jonas…congrats!
Great photos ;-)
dude! just stumbled, this shit is serioulsy way rad!
epic long blog post to sum up what was obviously an epic year!
Wow, good thing you left the day job because you are an incredible photographer!!
…you’re badass ;-) BT
I ventured over here after your website was showcased on fb by Promise Tangeman. I love. love. LOVE. your style. It is truly unique and I love that you found who you are. I feel that some days, I’m still searching. You are an inspiration and congrats on making that leap. Your parachute is in tact, my friend. xo