5 Things Tuesday

Hi folks. I’m so tired right now and I don’t want to do much … but I’m going to be steadfast and faithful here with my 5 Things Tuesday post. That’s how much I love you. 

Anyways. 5 Things. 

1  IT’S BEEN 8 MONTHS - I’ve been in LA for eight months now. I have no idea how or when that happened. But somehow I got here.  At times I randomly think to myself “how did I get here??” 

It’s been a crazy ride, and honestly I’ve been winging it almost the entire time. I somehow ended up with a GREAT community of people, have run into a handful of long-lost friends, reconnected with my cousins, and still have been able to make a living from working from home and doing photography. It’s so crazy, but I’m so thankful.

2  RED RIVER RIVALRY THIS WEEKEND - Since I don’t have cable at home I’ll probably head on over to Barney’s Beanery this Saturday to watch the big OU vs TX game.  I’m going to wear a bit crimson.

BOOMER SOONER.

3   SPEAKING OF OKLAHOMA - I’m planning a visit soon to Tulsa! I’ll be spending the Thanksgiving with my good friends, Vince & Leighanna.  I’m so excited to watch some MTV The Challenge with them (seriously - Fresh Meat is a mess), have some legit Tuesday Time, and connect with some of my college/Mimi’s friends.

I cannot wait. 

4  LAST SEASONS - I’m sad that we’re kicking off the last seasons of HIMYM and Gossip Girl! Say what?! We’re finally going to meet Ted Mosby’s wife. After 8 years … finally see who it is under that yellow umbrella. Although for me, it was only a few months since Netflix helped me fly right through it.  

But I did watch Gossip Girl over the years, and I’m a huge fan of the Dan & Blair story. But who knows what will happen. Cheers to the last seasons of both. It’s almost as sad as when One Tree Hill ended. Let’s hope for great endings for both.

BTW - how crazy was that first episode of GG? Seriously, did that just happen slash Georgina is hilarious.

5  PRINT OUTS, IPADS, AND APPOINTMENTS - Things have been picking up a bit. Moreso because I’ve been doing a ton with promo and marketing. I feel incredibly busy - so hopefully it’ll help bring in more work.

But I officially bought a handful of 8x10’s and framed them (they look hot) and also got an iPad. It’s much easier to show pictures with clients that way. I did a presentation today and it felt good to actually talk to others about my work. Then I went to a printer event where I talked to other photographers and even met one that I just watched on Creative Live.  

It was so crazy to recognize him and then chat about what I remember from his workshop. But anyways. Got a few gigs lined up in the next few weeks. So that’s awesome.

Anyways. That’s the Jo Update. Have a good week, y’all! 



RANDOM THOUGHTS WITH JO


Today is Thursday and usually that meant “Happy Meetings” or “Hug a Hobbit Thursday” … both were great. But now, I’m thinking a new LA Tradition for me and Thursdays. KOGI FOOD TRUCK tonight. Yes.

THIS SCENE from New Girl makes me happy.

I really, really, really want to rewatch just the Mini episodes from Skins. It may happen sometime soon.

I’ve frequented a few blogger events at Urbanic, but I’m excited about going to one in a few weeks for RIFLE PAPER CO. They are one of my favorites! Who wants to go with me?

I love this girl’s STYLE. Seriously. Can I buy the ring and the entire outfit? Woah … just discovered that she has a SEATTLE GUIDE. Ima hafta check out all these places next time I go home.

I want to go to here: SHORTEST RAILWAY IN THE WORLD. What a great photo shoot location! Seriously, who’s up for it?

Ok. Time for me to go back to work. Bye y’all!


5 Things Tuesday

1  CRAZIEST THURSDAY MUSIC NIGHT - So last Thursday was just jam-packed with all sorts of musicness. It was supposed to be simple, go to Luci’s CD Release and then go see Ken (aka DJ Sleeper) spin at Main on Main. Dude, the night was filled with just straight up craziness slash awesomeness:

  • the first band that played that night was Henry Thomas’ band, as in Elliot from ET.  Yeah, his band played. SO WEIRD. Elliot from ET has a band. And he’s 41!  
  • then when Luci was setting up for her set, they played some salsa music and the entire club just broke out in SALSA FEVER. What the what. I tried to cut across the room once to go to the restroom and I feel like I was going through an obstacle course. It was crazy. People were being tossed everywhere.
  • then Luci performed with music videos, dancers, and her own fashion. I’m straight up proud. Way to go girl!
  • then we headed over to Main on Main to see DJ Sleeper. Dancing was had, good times. Then …
  • DANCE BATTLES! Say what?! Yeah. Dance battles seriously happened. I felt like I was in “You Got Served!” So crazy. I still can’t believe that happened. All in one night!

2  MINI GOLF IS BETTER WHEN YOURE DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION - This Saturday my friends and I braved Carmeggedon and drove up to Sherman Oakes for some mini-golf fun. I’m totally rocking out the argyle socks. Meghan’s red tights is just plain awesome. And I love Micheala’s wrap around sweatshirt. Very classy.

3  HELP PORTRAIT APPROVED - So last year I talked about wanting to do Help Portrait but I  totally slacked on actually getting off my butt and doing anything. This year, I asked my friend Allegra about possibly working with her nonprofit and reaching out to the neighborhoods she works in.

And then my church, Reality LA, decided to do missional grants to help us to actually do some outreach in their area. And our grant got approved! So now we’re in the planning stages of getting our entire community group involved!  I’m so excited!

4  RUNNING INTO OLD FRIENDSAGAIN - So randomly on Thursday night on the way to Main on Main, this dude was asking random passerby’s about where to find alcohol.  And my initial reaction would be to ignore the person or just say a quick, “I don’t know.”  But then, I was like “James?”

Yeah, apparently I knew this dude. From like junior high. And I randomly saw him on the streets of downtown Santa Monica on a Thursday night. SO RANDOM. Anyways, we’re going to meet up for lunch this week and catch up on life.  

But that’s not it. I also got to hang out with THIS GIRL (pictured below), Kristin. I have not seen her since we left the Honor Academy over ten years ago. And we just now figured that we live only a few miles apart. So yes. More coffee dates please!

5  MY WORK IN PRINT - So big news, one of my clients is getting a print ad and are going to use my photos in it. I’m going to be published! It’s exciting stuff in my world. I know they were featured on the Today Show about two months ago, so who knows? This might be a national ad. That’s just crazy.  

Yeah! Work!


MONDAY MUSIC SHARE: Anchor & Braille “Goes Without Saying” (Official Music Video)


So this is how tiny our world is - the couple featured in this video are Alyce and Chris. I know Alyce because she was an intern (turned staff) at RELEVANT. They’re now engaged.

The guy who shot their surprise proposal is Parker Young, a guy I knew from the Honor Academy. He’s an incredibly talented and well-known photographer.

And Parker’s brother is part of the band Anberlin, who’s frontman is now part of a new music duo called Anchor & Braille. The other half of A&B is Micah Tawlks, another guy I knew from the HA. He was one of my favorite worship leaders. 

Not only do I love the music and photography direction in this video, I also love the fact that people I know are doing great things and are collaborating. It’s taken the notice of the likes of The Billboard 100. Seriously, how cool is that?

Ok - that’s all I got for now. Happy Monday!

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