Jessica Tjok Photography

So it's been over a year...

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 14:35:50 -0700

...and a lot has happened. Sorry! Let's do a quick update.

1. Last year, I participated in the pilot year of New York City's Urban Teacher Residency program. I taught a high school chemistry class at a small school in the Bronx, under the guidance of the world's best mentor, and took grad classes at the famous Hunter College for my master's degree. I met some wonderful people, made some incredible memories, and discovered that what I really want to do with the rest of my life (other than photography, of course!) is teach.

2. In March, I got engaged! My long-time boyfriend popped the question on our fifth anniversary on the streets of Manhattan (it's a long story - I'll tell you some other time). Yep, it's finally time for this wedding photographer to find her own wedding photographer and get comfortable in front of the lens. NOT an easy task! I really don't know how all you beautiful people do it so easily at our shoots. ;)

3. Josh and I got tired of New York life and decided the time was ripe for our final move down to Maryland (for which we've been planning a loooong time). So on my birthday, just three weeks after my Urban Teacher Residency ended, I packed up the cats and said goodbye to our little Manhattan shoebo- I mean, apartment. We've spent the last three months living with Josh's dad in Rockville (talk about an awesome city name!) and getting reacquainted with suburban life. (I'm driving again!)

4. I turned 23!

5. Upon deciding to move to Maryland, Josh and I set about applying for new jobs, and I was lucky enough to have my pick of some of the top school districts in the country. I sent in a few applications and quickly (literally, within one day) found a position teaching chemistry in Howard County with a truly amazing team of science educators. My new school is enormous, and I am responsible for shaping the futures of almost 150 students!

6. As if I didn't have enough to do, Josh and I needed to find our own place to live, so we [very excitedly] went house hunting. After three months of searching, we finally found it last week - a split-level single-family home on a quiet suburb street in Columbia. It's in one of the best school service areas in the country and we're taking full advantage of the housing market slump with a 4.25% mortgage interest rate. Talk about awesome! Closing is on December 9th, and hopefully we'll be all moved in by the end of Winter Break.

Did I forget something? With this much news, who really knows! :) But here's a sneak peek of the hair comb I'm using in my wedding; I was going to go with a simple veil but this was just too beautiful to pass up!

Hope you're all well, and that your lives are similarly awesome.

Working on Vacation...

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:56:26 -0700

...is totally worth it when you get to shoot someone with as bright and infectious a smile as this! The day before I left Seattle, I met up with Danielle at the University of Washington (my beloved alma mater) and we had a blast trying to hit all my favorite spots before the sun went down. I had so much fun! At the end of the day, I had a super full CF card and I felt like I had rediscovered an old friend. Thanks for such a great session, Danielle! Here's your teaser. =D

Jillian + Ryan = Married!

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:10:35 -0700

Oops, it's been a few months already since the last post! Sorry about that. I think from now on, I'm going to try to make this a weekly thing and it won't be all business. We'll see how long I can keep that up, eh? ;)

Anyway, on to the photos! On August 2nd, Jillian and Ryan became Mr. and Mrs. Hicks, and I flew to Seattle to photograph their wedding. These two are so in love, you can almost see the little cartoon hearts floating above their heads! The ceremony was beautiful and, despite Seattle's reputation, the day was absolutely perfect for a wedding on the beach. Oh, and the coolest part? The groom and groomsmen all wore kilts! So yeah, it was a really cool ceremony. Thank you guys, for letting me be a part of your wedding - you definitely made my job easy.

Also, a heads up to all you readers: I am going to be out of town until the 27th, doing another shoot in Seattle and visiting family. If you need to reach me, please email me at jess@lifeinlilt.com and I will get back to you within 24 hours. Thanks!

A day in Arlington

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:21:37 -0700

Sorry about the lack of progress on the site - I've been busy! A few weeks ago, I was contacted for a sort of portrait/fashion session in Arlington, Virginia. I had been to Arlington once before, in August 2003, for part of a summer medical forum, and it was HOT. I'm talking 90 degrees with at least 70% humidity hot. I was so afraid it was going to be like that again, I almost chickened out! (Okay, not really.) I am so glad I didn't. Brittany and I had a fabulous time shooting and chatting, and Brittany was more than happy to hop into the fountains at Water Tower Park for some of the shots. Gotta love playful clients!

Brittany is modeling clothes that she made herself - she is in the process of starting up her own line under the brand "Pink Bunnie", and is hoping to have enough clothes to model for another shoot in a few months. Keep an eye out! I will surely be making another trip to Arlington soon.

We even ran into TWO wedding parties while we were at the park - talk about a popular spot for photos! We got some funny looks while hopping around in the fountain, but I think we got the better end of the deal anyway. The water was simply lovely.

Site nearly done

Tue, 19 May 2009 11:51:45 -0700

I've been hard at work on the new site, and it's nearly finished. I just have to make up a Splash page, get all of my galleries up, and it'll be 100% ready for viewing! I am so excited, you have no idea. The new site is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, and I am so glad I decided to dish out for the design from ITDR. If you're contemplating a facelift for your website, check them out! You will not be disappointed.

Once the site is finished, I'll start concentrating on the blog more. I know, I really need to get my own images up in that header. And put in a proper Welcome photo and text. So much to do, so little time!

New Blog!

Fri, 15 May 2009 21:28:06 -0700

So to go along with the new site, there is also a brand spankin' new blog (courtesy of intothedarkroom.com)! How gorgeous is all this? I love it, love it, love it. Of course, since I'm trying to set up both a new site AND a new blog at the same time, it's going to take a little while for me to finish. Please excuse my dust as I change things around on here and get my own images and colors in place. I can't wait to have this all up and running, so you guys can all ogle and love and run over to ITDR for your own new blog design. They really do awesome work!