Jillian Mitchell Photography | Destination Wedding Photographer | Puerto Vallarta | Mexico | New England | Worldwide

Love.

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:32:29 +0000

I love my job. I love where I live. I really, truly love my life. Sometimes I forget that, but then I have an amazing wedding like I did on Saturday in Yelapa and it helps me remember. Thank you to Mila, Shawn and their friends and family for making me realize it once again.

Festival Sinergiarte (Desfile)

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:09:59 +0000

Every year the amazing group of artists who live in and around San Pancho and form the Colectivo put on a festival, Sinergiarte. Every year we have a theme and this years was Mestizaje or mixed cultures (it’s actually much deeper than that, but for the purposes of this blog I’m going with it). This year was a bit different in that we had a week of events leading up to the two day festival. I’m finally getting around to post these and I’m going to have to break it up into two posts. Today is devoted to the parade and then Monday will be some highlights from the rest of the festival.

The amount of work that goes into an event like this is insane. Especially to a group of artists and musicians who live in Mexico and love that one of the perks is not necessarily having to work every day. On top of that pretty much everyone in Mexico starts to celebrate the holidays as soon as school lets out and doesn’t stop until the 6th of January. It’s basically two full weeks of festivities all day long. Even with those obstacles in our way we still managed to pull it off.

Looking through these photos it’s so easy to see why I live here. I seriously love my life.

Lots of film in this one. Kodak Portra 400 and some crossed processed Holgas going on.

Zihua on Film.

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:27:26 +0000

When I went down to Zihuatanejo to shoot for the New York Times (yes I still love the way that sounds) I brought along some film. Zihua is lucky enough to still be fairly undeveloped since Ixtapa is right next door and has all the large, imposing hotels one bay can use. Here’s to hoping that’s the way Sayulita and San Pancho stay. Fingers crossed.

The first shot is of the beaches in Michoacán as seen on the drive South. I will never get tired of that view.

Gracias a Bola por manejar conmigo de San Pancho a Zihua y ser modelo.

Carolyn+Peter | Sayulita, Mexico

admin — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:47:44 +0000

I’m super excited to share this wedding. Carolyn and Peter are absolutely amazing and so much fun to be around. I knew as soon as I received their Save the Date that I was in for an awesome day. That combined with the fact that Sharkpig (most incredible wedding cinematographer ever) was filming their wedding and I was good to go. Caroline didn’t disappoint with a Monique Luilhuir gown and sick cuffs from BHLDN that she changed into for the reception. Carolyn’s brother Leroy of Leroy Powell and the Messengers sang during the ceremony and mariachis serenaded us down to the beach for toasts. Add to that an insane heart decal on the dance floor and kung fu piñata moves and this was probably one of the best weddings of the season hands down.

Almost all of this wedding was shot on film. Lots of black and white to go with their theme. I’m in love with with the dancing shots and of course the insane portraits of Carolyn.

Their wedding is also being featured on 100 Layer Cake. Check it out and leave some comment love.

Another big shout out to my fave chick Catherine Abegg for coming down with me. Don’t think that it’s all work and no play though. She definitely found time to get down!

Family+Maternity Session | Westport, MA

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:35:14 +0000

When I was in Massachusetts I was lucky enough to be asked by an old friend to document her third pregnancy and her two lovelies. We went to the Poor Farm in Westport, MA which will always have a soft spot in my heart since the Back Eddy days when we used to party it up there. It’s changed a lot in the fifteen some odd years since then and is now a State park and historically designated building.

This was an all film session shot on Kodak Porta 800 and Kodak Tri-X.

Kate+Matt | Sayulita, Mexico

admin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:21:43 +0000

Pretty much every wedding Andrea and Gabi from Sayulita Dream Weddings handle has a touch of rock and roll. It’s what they bring to the equation. This time though there was rock and roll on both sides. Matt is in a band in Toronto and between he, Kate, and their guests I don’t know who rocked out harder. I do know that I’ve never seen a more touching first dance as when Matt sang a song he wrote for Kate and then her brother and his sister (who are also married I know it’s confusing for me too) took over so he and Kate could dance. He then played for Kate and her father. Love.

Seriously this was one of the most fun weddings to shoot I’ve had all year. Bring on the rockers.

Mix of digital and film with some cross processed Holgas in there as well to appeal to the rocking nature of this awesome couple.

Location: Casa Ilusion, Sayulita

Planner: Sayulita Dream Weddings

Holgas.

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:21:03 +0000

I’be been loving my Holga lately. Here are some favorites of life at the beach over the past few months.

I love my clients.

admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 21:20:18 +0000

I wasn’t sure whether to post these or not, but I keep coming back to them and wanting to share them with the world. They make me smile. These are Tannen and Peter’s reaction to their wedding photos and slideshow. Yes, they took photos of themselves looking at photos and yes, I love them for it. I laughed out loud and then I made an animated gif to put on my blog cause that’s how I roll.

"We took three photos. These were our reactions. Perfect? We think so. Much love and thanks from the happiest couple in the world. We are so grateful for your talents and for being such an amazing human being. We are honored to call you our friend."

You might remember Tannen and Peter from their game changing wedding. These two people changed my vision of my wedding photography from a somewhat personal and entirely business relationship to an entirely personal and somewhat business relationship. It’s all about the connection. To get a taste of their rocking photos check out the polaroids from their wedding day here

If you want to have reactions like this when you see your wedding photos give me shout. I want to document your day.

Sara+Jeremiah | Sayulita, Mexico

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:44:43 +0000

Sara and Jeremiah are the definition of having a good time. When we met up last year to go over the details of their wedding in Sayulita I knew they were going to throw a party, but didn’t know just how good it was going to be until it went down. From the moment I got there it was clear that this was an even more lighthearted group than I knew. When they met up to read their vows to each other before the ceremony that was apparent as Sara threw a shout out to Tim Tebow in hers. (Sorry guys, too soon? It’s okay Manning will rock it. Says the girl who lives in Mexico and only follows football during the playoffs.) They also flew down Wes Yoakam a musician in one of their faborite haunts in Vail and it was on. Sara switched to her Tom’s wedding shoes and broke down the house. Oh and possibly the best first dance ever to ‘Stuck Like Glue’ by Sugarland. Who doesn’t like a little swing in their first dance? It was a pretty kick-ass day all around.

This wedding is also being featured by Project Wedding as their wedding of the week. Check it out here. And another big shout out to Catherine Abegg for coming down and shooting a wedding marathon with me last November.

Design: Sea of Dreams. Location: Villa del Oso, Sayulita.

La Cruz.

admin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:37:47 +0000

I’m loving my new toy camera. Straight scan from a local place in Vallarta. Dirty scan+toy camera=love.