There’s a little unfinished house in Baja that I’ve walked past and admired for years. It’s a beautiful structure, it has no roof, no windows, no doors and blissfully bare walls. To me it’s an ideal location to make portraits and so I did just that. This little bungalow was my winter studio. 
Baja studio
so simple yet so perfect.
Boston studio
lived-in but perfect too.
Jamaica is back in my life and what’s been showing up in front of my camera lens has been a delightful surprise. The portfolio that I thought was complete long ago has taken on new life. What a transformative and welcome shift in thinking this has been. It’s really just the beginning. This project is totally alive for me again.
This month I had the good fortune of re-photographing people from my past. Some of the reconnections took a year to arrange and others happened effortlessly. One day I was unexpectedly in Commador and Lateef (the boy in the school uniform who is now a grown man) was out in the road as if waiting for me. Another day I heard my name being called and it was Cliffy, he was on the roof of a building in Hope Bay. Eighteen years had passed since either of these guys had been in front of my camera and here they were directly in my path. Many powerful reunions aligned for me on this trip and I can’t help but recognize how precious it all is. Jamaica has always been a magical and emotional place for me but never more so than on this visit.
December 2015
My business as a family photographer exists because people still hold a value for the time-honored tradition of family portraiture. People who realize it’s about more than just the images. It’s an event. Time has to be set aside, schedules arranged and often rearranged. Wardrobe has to be planned and prepared. Haircuts and tans topped off. It’s not always easy but it’s always worthwhile. It’s time spent together as a family, making memories, giggling, sometimes crying but most importantly being together.
Fortunately, my clients Chip & Ben honor this tradition.
What a difference a year makes.
To see more of this stunning family:
https://judywestphotography.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/beach-photo-session-warm-holiday-season/
https://judywestphotography.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/the-power-of-a-picture/
60 mornings waking up here
4 days of rain
18 desert hikes and bike rides
5 Thursday nights at La Esquina with King Corduroy and Joe Firstman
15 live music outings
A couple days Casa Tota poolside
with Walter and Shelly
Hours of fun with Zandra
Daily beach and sky appreciation
3 sessions filming We Show You Show 4
Many precious moments with super special people
12 years making this dream come true
Goodnight Baja
WGBH was a great venue for this November Bar Mitzvah.
The Yawkey Theater provided a perfect atmosphere for the ceremony. 
Guests enjoyed a luncheon provided by Max Ultimate Foods immediately following the service. 
Books and pencils sat on the tables waiting to go home with guests.
The party continued at the impressive Brookline Teen Center that evening. This isn’t any old teen center, it opened in 2013 and has a pool table, ping pong tables, a basket ball court and a candlepin bowling alley! This fabulous affair was also catered by Max Ultimate Foods.
My return to Jamaica was long overdue. In the years since I’d been there babies have grown into teenagers and teenagers into adults, locks have grown long, Willy’s house collapsed, Sista P created a fabulous vegetarian restaurant in Hope Bay and hosts a weekly radio program from Port Antonio. Many things have changed during my 13 year absence but one thing that’s remained the same is my deep affection for Jamaica and it’s people.
Willy, my walking buddy since 1995
Swinging Bridge, Chelsea resurfaced
Marlon
Jack’s house had just been built when I was there last
Willy on the steps of his home. He lost his house in Hurricane Sandy.
Soo Soom Ba vegetarian restaurant Hope Bay, Portland
Sista P’s radio program on Stylz fm Thursday 9am-1pm
Blake and Julian’s ceremony took place on a Friday afternoon in late June. The setting was the magnificent San Francisco City Hall. The building is so large that there may be 3 to 5 other ceremonies happening at the same time. Yet some how, in this little nook under the rotunda the ceremony I was privy to felt like the only one.
Congratulations Blake & Julian!
After tying the knot under the rotunda with an intimate gathering of loved ones, it was time for photos with the newlyweds. Every corner we turned provided another stunning backdrop with more amazing light.
From City Hall the gathering moved over to Jardiniere at the corner of Grove & Franklin. Guests enjoyed local wines, a fabulous dinner and wedding cake number one!
The celebration continued on Sunday at Vine Hill House in Sebastopol. Another party means another outfit, another amazing meal, more delicious local wine and another cake!
And one fantastic pair of Jimmy Choo shoes!
 | Paul on My Winter Studio |
| Paul on My Winter Studio |
 | Darlene DeVita on Jamaica Now & Then |
 | Mark Hunt on Jamaica Now & Then |
 | Marymorphosis on Jamaica Now & Then |
