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Keep your kids’ artwork. It will create loads and loads of fun and laughter later on, even to their kids.
As you know, my husband is still recovering from surgery. In his pain medication stupor, he has decided to go through an old box of history… when he pulled out his self portrait, circa 1974, it caused us all to be rolling on the floor laughing… We shall hereby title it, “My Name is Dean”.
Attention all registered workshop attendees - please check your email - you should have received a Questionaire and an Information email. Please fill out the questions and send back to me. If you have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to ask :) If you do not receive these emails (and they are not in your spam folder), please contact me immediately at info@jottephotography.com
And to anyone else interested - we have two, yes TWO slots left for the May Workshop - For more information, go to www.jottephotography.com/index2.php
The studio is closed; however, I have found that I had a couple action sales go to my spam folder. I am sending actions along right now - if you have not received your actions, please email me immediately.
I’m getting ready to send out your info, be on the lookout!! Some have received theirs, others will receive by January 30th - I apologize for the delay, we have had a few setbacks.
With the new year approaching, everyone is deciding what their New Year’s Resolutions will be. One of mine is to do a 365 - at least one image will be posted here every day for one year. It may be of a client, or it may be of nature or any of my surroundings here in Maryland. I personally live in Northern Harford County on the border of PA, but my studio is in Baltimore County, so between Southern PA and those two counties, there are plenty of photos to be taken. What I would like to be disciplined about is stopping for a moment and shooting - like in these two cases… the first, I was driving to the stables to take one of my horses out to ride, and wanted to appreciate our surroundings…
or just stopping on the side of the road on the way to the studio when I see something a little bizarre like these buzzards that were taking a break along a fence…
As you know, the studio is closed until January 4th. I do want to update and let you know, emails are being answered periodically through the next few days, and a few galleries are going up despite the studio being closed.
My husband unfortunately has had a bit of a setback since surgery, so I am tending to him. To be honest, with as well as he had been doing, I’m quite surprised with this setback, but I will be taking him back to the surgeon and I am sure we will get this resolved. He’s resting right now… with some company….
With the new year comes some surprise changes. A small change will be our new blog address - please make note 
I was notified yesterday by a fellow photographer who had a customer in common, that one of the newborns on my site lost her mom in an accident. My heart goes out to the family of this young mom, I am so sorry… words cannot express… we will keep you all in our prayers.
I want to thank you all for the well wishes and prayers for my husband, Dean, as he went into surgery yesterday. He did well - the doctor said once he started the operation, he realized that Dean should have had this taken care of a long time ago, as it was quite extensive.
So great news, Dean is on the mend. He is in good spirits, and we are both relieved that this is overwith, and that is another thing behind us. Thanks again!
[and I promise to be posting more pictures here soon… the last of the Christmas orders that are to be shipped are shipping out this morning, with an estimated arrival time of no later than Friday. There are four orders that still need to be picked up at the studio - I will be contacting the four of you to schedule a time :)]
5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - only for those who have been notified. See you there! Everyone else, we are setting up another time slot!
A reminder. The studio will be closed from December 18th through January 4th (with the exception of two sessions and one more pickup date).
I have had a multitude of questions concerning delivery times or pickup times. I just wanted to reassure those who have asked, many already have their prints coming to them in the mail at this very moment others, I will be able to package probably this Saturday as they have not arrived, but I have been receiving notices from my lab that they are on their way to me.
For those waiting to pick up their prints - I will notify you as soon as they are ready for your pickup. I’m also scheduling pickup times with you. I originally was planning a pickup for some this Saturday; however, it appears we are in for some snow again, so we will play it by ear. Another pickup date will be this Monday, and the following Saturday. Please be on the lookout for some emails from me concerning your pickup.
Thanks
Remember this adorable guy?
He took some of his first steps at the studio this year! :) 
I know, I know, we are done with Thanksgiving! :) But as everyone knows, I have been extremely busy this holiday season, so I haven’t had time to give as much attention to my own family - there are just not enough hours in a day. I’m looking forward to the little break right after Christmas to make up to my children and family for not being there as much due to the holiday photo shoots and orders…
But I told myself, I just HAD to at least post a few pics from Thanksgiving before Christmas… so here are a few snaps…
I host Thanksgiving every year at my house up in the cornfields… it just seems right to have the family here in the fall… this year, my 8-year-old, Erynn, wanted to help out with the cooking. Here she is carefully chopping the potatos so we could boil them….(my husband in the background making the kielbasa…)
Well, back to work ;) I’ll be spending two weeks with my family around Christmas, so I hope to be sharing a lot of our family adventures here…
You will be receiving paperwork in your email box by Friday, December 14th - a questionaire and info on accomodations, travel, etc.
I saw this on the Reston Baby blog… I had tears rolling down my face - seriously, this is like what was taking place last night for me (this is child safe…).
I’m not supposed to be doing this, but while sitting here placing Christmas orders with the lab, I just had to take a peek at this shot. I showed it to mom at the session on the little screen, so I felt it okay to let her peek at it here (it will be available in black and white and color later on…)
I have some maintenance issues going on with the portrait and workshop websites - will be back up as soon as we can.
Thanks!
If you have sent me an email or left a phone message, expect an answer today. We are looking into pickup times for orders now, and you will be notified of some pickup times if you are waiting for an order. There are many albums being assembled this week.
The studio will be closed on December 18th and will not reopen until January 4th. I do realize, there are two customers on the schedule during these times, and that is okay, we will still do those sessions. Also, if you have your baby during this time, we will still do our best to set up a session for your newborn. If you have any questions, during those times, please feel free to contact me by email or leave a message on my voicemail, and I will respond as soon as I can. Please understand on December 18th, my husband will be going in for surgery, so I will be having to help him for two weeks after that, as he will not be able to walk well or drive for a bit.
Two seats remain One seat remains for April 5th. Eight seats remain for May 17th.
Here’s what is going on at my house today. One thing about where I am, it *never* follows Baltimore’s weather… they said 1 to 2 inches - nope, not here!
Here’s my backyard, road, and bushes at noon today.
ETA: Stay safe tonight! My husband just called me from his cell - a woman in front of him flipped her car over up here… Baltimore News is saying "up to two inches"… uh… think coming up on five here…..
……I have had several customers from out of state come to my studio by plane or by vehicle for a photo session for their child or family. I am sooooo excited and happy to let you know, there is a great Bed and Breakfast right down the road from the Otte Studio. My husband and I have watched this renovation from afar, and couldn’t wait to see the finished product, and it exceeding our expectations, it’s just perfection. Please visit the Slades Inn Website for more information.
I bet you didn’t think you would see a post like this here, did you? Well, I am passing on some great information about happenings in the building where my studio is located.
There will be Vegetarian Cooking Classes being held on Friday, December 14th and Sunday, December 16th at the Old Monkton Hotel at 1900 Monkton Road if you are interested… all I can say is mmmmmmmmm… have you smelled the building on the way up to my studio? They get me nearly every time I am there, especially when they are baking something sweet and the smells just creep all the way up to my fourth floor! I practically float down the steps to the coffee shop….
Here’s the menu -
Friday
Butternut Squash Bisque
Marinated Cabbage Salad
Raw Vegetable Lasagna
Stuffed Button Mushrooms
Garlic Whipped Cauliflower
Gingerbread Cake with Cashew Frosting
Sunday
Creamy Corn Chowder
Wilted Spinach Caesar Salad
Pan Seared Tofu Stackhouse
Stuffed Button Mushrooms
Roasted Beet Ravioli
Caramel Apple Crisp
Please contact Steve at stevetheo1111@hotmail.com for details.
Welcome to the J. Otte Photography Blog. If you are looking for the website, instead of the blog, please go to www.jottephotography.com. Otherwise, sit back, relax, and enjoy your stay 
