Hey there.  

I grew up in little ole' Callaway, Virginia and I loved every minute of it.  As an adult I still live there and still do love it.  

But living way out in the country could sometimes be quite boring when you're a kid.  I don't know about you but we didn't have a lot of neighbors close by that had kids my age.  But thankfully my sister, Lori, and I did share a driveway with my cousins Eric, Nicole and Donald.  They were always up for a game of whiffle ball or football.  And trust me when I say those whiffle ball games were epic!

We took turns using our backyards for a battlefield of flying whiffle balls and touchdown passes.  The teams were always divided the same.  Eric and Lori were on a team and Nicole, Donald and I were the other team.  Somehow the 3 of us always managed to lose just about every game even though we seemingly had the advantage of more players. 

We didn't have cell phones back then to text or call each other.  We used our voices and hollered at each other from one yard to another (our house was probably 200 yards from theirs). 

Some days I wish I could go back and relive those moments.  They are some of my best memories growing up.

We're all in separate places now, Eric lives in Texas, Nicole at SML and Lori in Rocky Mount.  Donald has moved back to Callaway recently.  When I look back at these fun times we had, I realize that those afternoons were more than just games; they were stories taking place in real-time.  Sometimes life’s journey lies in the candid, unscripted moments and not just in the end result. 

That observation has become the cornerstone of my approach to photography. Each session is an attempt to capture the genuine, unfiltered reality that is your life. It’s not about perfect poses; it’s about celebrating the unpredictable beauty of the present.

Your photoshoot is an opportunity to embrace your unique story. It’s not about staged smiles (aka, "Say Cheese!") but about freezing the laughter, quirks, and natural connections that define you. Let’s ditch the stiffness and create images that reflect your real life.

Imagine your next photography session as a lively reunion where every click of the camera captures a moment you’ll want to relive. Together, let’s set out on a journey that feels more like rediscovering a cherished memory than posing for a photograph.

When you are ready to get started just let me know.

What is a childhood memory of yours you wish you could go back and relive just for a day?

Jonathan

Mess E Photos

Text or Call Me! (540-793-0798)

Email Me! (jonathan@mess-e-photos.com)