J-Rob Studios Photography

As a portrait artist I hear a lot of people say they hate getting pictures taken or listen to them describe a laundry list of details they think are"wrong" with them. I get it, because most of us aren't perfect. Believe it or not, there's actually a mathematical formula to beauty, and even the biggest stars don't make the cut. But, here's the truth. People will forget what you look like or what you were wearing, and many times they will forget the words you said. But they wi...ll never forget the way you made them FEEL. That's what people truly SEE in you. I'm adding a short, but very powerful video that explains how most of us are not perfect, and that we tend to concentrate on our flaws more then our beauty. Take three minutes and watch it, and you might realize you may be tougher on yourself than you think you are, and that's not what people see. https://youtu.be/XpaOjMXyJGk

I'm excited to be working on Fashion Show Gala hosted by Redding Fashion Alliance. September 12th, 2020

Here in Northern California we're surrounded by beauty. There are rivers, creeks, lakes and mountains. But, when it comes to having family portraits done I think it is important to have them done in a place that is special to you and your family, almost like the location is another person in your portrait. This could be a family member's property you've grown up on, a favorite destination to visit, or even your own back yard where you've spent so many summer evenings. If you could create your family portraits anywhere in the world, where would you have them created?

Today I want to give a shout out to this little guy. I don't know all the details but Lyon had a little accident and has been dealing with a dislocated leg. Our little fur babies can be like children and are parts of our families. He has surgery today, so if you read this take five seconds and say a quick prayer for the little guy. :)

And here we go again... Several years ago I was on the other side of the country and needed a cargo trailer. Do I bought a 6x10 trailer to haul my stuff. Just for fun (as this was my 6th time driving across the country) I decided I was going to try to do it without staying in a hotel room. Besides, it’s hard finding a hotel that’ll take dogs when you don’t know where you’ll end up ahead of time. The 1st time I used it I loaded everything into the trailer & made a bed in the ...back of my Jeep. It wasn’t until later I figured out I had it backwards and that the trailer was perfect for a Costco air bed. That was the beginning of my super white-trashy trailer set up. It’s grown over the years, and some day I might actually buy a real travel trailer. But for now this is how I roll. The next challenge was driving through different states, sometimes for days at a time without staying at a campground. I prefer dirt roads, but if I absolutely have to (and I have) I can park on the side of the road incognito. Next week the fam and I are off to Oregon for a camping/craving trip. Maybe I’ll take a picture of the updated set up... What’s your fancy camping set up?

Another image for my Chasing Rembrandt Artist project. It's very interesting when you look closely and deconstruct Rembrandt's work. His studio had north facing windows which kept the light even throughout most of the day. The fact that he spent his life in the Netherlands where it is cloudy much of the time created the "soft light" that came through the windows & that his paintings are known for. "Soft light" means there is a gradual transition from light to shadow. Althou...gh he would sometimes use a reflector, the shadows in his paintings were usually very deep, and due to the way he set up his studio, the light was always coming in from the left. The left to right aspect doesn't seem very important, but could contribute to why his art name and artwork are still relevant today. In the 1600's most people weren't literate, but in today's world we read from left to right which trains our eyes and brains to move that way. It's one of the reasons our subconscious finds these images to be pleasing... I'm really enjoying trying to recreate his look through the lens of a camera. See more

The old saying is that the camera adds ten lbs. There’s a reason for that. Put simply, whatever is closer to the lens appears bigger, and that is compounded by how long (or short) the lens is. Noses, arms, hips, the camera doesn’t pick and choose. If it’s closer, it’s bigger! But, if used properly one can take advantage of that and accentuate the features we want while drawing attention away from those we don’t. With the combination of the right light, posing and lens choice one can easily hide 10 lbs (and often much more!)

DOES YOUR FAMILY MEAN MORE TO YOU THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD? Are you watching your children seeming to grow up into adults more each and every day? Do you wish you could stop the clock, and hold on to this time and the relationships you all have forever? With everything that’s been happening over the last few months, we’ve become more aware than ever that we can’t take anything for granted. You’ve probably thought about having wonderful photographs created of your fami...ly together, much like the one I’m sharing here, but things have come up that have kept you from doing it. There has never been a better or more important time to have portraits created of your family that you will all cherish as fine family heirlooms for the rest of your life. And, I’ll create these portraits for you while still maintaining safe distance, and honoring all social-distancing to make sure you and your family are safe. Plus, at no extra charge at all, I’m going to create these beautiful portraits outside, in a location that will be far more meaningful and special than having them created inside. The portraits will be even more powerful, and we’ll be practicing social-distancing. I’ll be able to stay at least 6 to 10 feet away at all times. Pick up the phone and call me at 530-945-3693 right now, just to chat - no cost, no obligation - about this, before time slips away, and your family changes even more. I don’t want you to miss out on this. I look forward to talking with you. Remember, time is passing so fast. Jeremy

It's funny. Every once in a while I log onto my photography page and I realize, for a portrait artist I really don't post many pictures! Haha! It's true, I don't. The biggest reason for that is because facebook posts don't really reflect what I actually do. I don't create "record pictures" that are just of a person at whatever age. I don't take snapshots to wow friends online and then be forgotten. The fact that FB is purely a digital media complicates it even more, because... it will always be viewed on a screen. I work with my clients to create pieces of Art, with them in it. Curiously enough, it's really not the "picture" that even matters! It's how they feel both during the session, and when they see their portrait hanging on the wall. During the Discovery session one of my favorite questions is "How do you want to FEEL when you look at this portrait?" It's really an important question, and actually very hard to answer. If it's your child I want you to feel the pride you have in them when you see their portrait on the wall. I want you to feel the love they evoke. Even if you're angry because they made a mistake or a bad choice (which I'm sure the young woman in this image will never do! haha) I want that portrait to be what makes you remember who they are and who they've been throughout both your lives. What's more, is these portraits are even more important years down the road. They may feel like they're for YOU right now, but 10 years from not that same portrait will have a special meaning to THEM. 15 or 20 years from not there may just be a child staring up at that portrait on the wall admiring who their mother, father, aunt, uncle or grandparent was "back in the old days". Haha That is what I do. It's my way of contributing to the lives of my clients. It's why I feel my job is important. It's why I create Physical Prints for my clients to display proudly on their walls. How proud do you think this young woman's parents will feel when they see this hanging on their walls. What emotions do you think will run through their veins after she's gone away to college...? What will she remember about herself 20 years from now when she looks at this portrait? Even further in the future, what do you think her child will feel when he or she is the same age...?

Can you guess what this man does for a living...?

Mission Statement

It's taking a little time and a lot of studying, but I should be rolling out my Artist Project in early 2021... :)

Is it too early for Santa!?