“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both. ”― James A. Michener
New Vision
It all started with a dream in 2008. Je Revele originally Natalie Licini Photography was once merely an aspiration, birthed in the mind of a focused businesswoman whom envisioned the idea of combining photography with fine art.
As artists, we have found that one of the secrets to success is discovered when taking time to reflect upon progress made and then setting goals for what is to come. And in our studio at Je Revele, we proudly do this with our clients during every photo session. We help clients realize their greatest aspects, traits and strengths so they can be visualized in timeless works of art to be admired by future generations.
We’re not huge fans of typical New Year’s Resolutions, instead, we create action plans based on specific goals allowing us to see our plans through to completion.
To begin the process, I like to think about the different things that have happened in the previous year as well as in the years prior leading up until this point. It’s important to reflect on both the good things that happened and things that weren’t so wonderful. For the latter, rather than dwell on them, we take note of anything we learned or ways we could achieve a better outcome in the future.
Most importantly, we believe we should celebrate our successes. We have learned that such positive vibes set an energy, which attracts more success.
Some favorite highlights from our sessions in 2013 relate to the following areas.
New Genres of Photography
Over the course of 2013, we are so pleased to share that we conducted over 200 photo shoots. 60% of these shoots were boudoir/beauty shoots. We fondly refer to boudoir and beauty shoots as intimate portraits, which has proven to be, year after year, our most popular genre. Our newborn/maternity sessions continue to grow year after year. We had the great privilege of photographing FOUR sets of twins at our Highland Park studio.
We also expanded our genre repertoire. Je Revele launched a whole new category of men’s portraiture in the summer of 2013. Several of the photographs seen on the website won awards at WPPI later in 2013.
We also, upon the requests from some of our clients, launched the pet-ography genre, which animal lovers will find to be delightful focusing on our furry little friends.
With cameras in hand, we excitedly photographed famous singers, a basketball star and a news anchorwoman this year. “Talk about being nervous – ahh” ~Natalie
We are always so grateful to clients for traveling from near and far to be photographed by us. But we felt so honored when clients flew from Dubai/France and California to be photographed at the castle.
New Renovations
Our Highland Park studio has undergone a transformation over the past year. The castle was the former home of the Johnson and Johnson family and as you can imagine, required the skill and expertise of someone meticulous who could transform my space yet maintain the old world charm. Under the direction of our talented interior designer Rose Abby, gorgeous wall paper, custom drapery, chandeliers, crown moldings, wardrobe, a fireplace in our viewing room was installed…and that’s just for starters. Now it really is a fairy tale modern studio set in a historic castle.
New Videography
In 2013, Je Revele has released its second commercial. This newest installment, filmed on location, can be found on the Je Revele website or by clicking here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQaOgQOsobU
New Professional Development
Natalie second-shot a wedding with her mentor Bambi Cantrell. She is still gushing over this honor!
Natalie taught a photography course for gifted students at Middlesex County during the early part of the spring. She also co-presented a workshop with world-renowned photographer Nik Pekridis. Pekridis soon after joined Je Revele to lead our Wedding team in our NYC studio.
Team Je Revele embarked on a weekend getaway to The Lodge at Woodloch for an office retreat. It was a surreal experience for each participant.
We truly celebrate our professional development knowing that training and personal development is paramount for our team’s successes.
New Studio!
An opportunity arose albeit a little earlier than we dreamed. We acquired a second property in the Upper West side of Manhattan to serve as our second studio. Je Revele has expanded to serve clients in NYC!
To help with the launch of the new studio, Natalie was able to utilize the talented resources of Zoe Richards, a British based photographer and entrepreneur.
New Staff
Je Revele proudly welcomed new additions to staff in 2013.
Jessica Crespo, Lead Photographer
Charity Fues, Director of Social Media
Cara Schwab, Director of Client Experience
Nik Pekridis, Lead Wedding Photographer
The uber talented Lara Saggese, Kristin McCandless, Hannah Ho and Tatiana Rodriquez also joined the team with Natalie and her right hand Michelle Ernest.
New Baby
At the start of Spring, Natalie gave birth to her 3rd child. This time it was a boy! Welcome to the world Luc Declan!
New Clients
We at Je Revele are so appreciative of all of the clients that we have met over the year and in years prior. We look forward to meeting your future photographic needs. We are committed to you, our communities, and our families. Please keep us in mind if you’d like us to consider sponsoring your organization for special fundraisers in 2014.
New Year
As we embark on a new year, remember to reflect on all you have learned from last year. Count your blessings. Learn from your mistakes. We hope you will join us as we follow the advice of Howard Thurman, when he wrote,
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Here’s to a wonderful and lively 2014!
Charity Fues
FAMILY PORTRAITS | HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH THE LOSS OF A PET | NEW JERSEY PET PHOTOGRAPHER
Parenthood does not come with a user manual. It does, however come with moments of enlightenment that change you forever.
As parents, we do the best we can. I know I do. I don’t always make the right choices, or say the right things, but I learn as I go. Being a photographer teaches me a lot about how to think like a child. I find out what they like, how they experience or relate to their world, what their imagination craves …and then I will know how best to speak to them. This week, being a photographer served me well.
About seven years ago, we adopted a companion dog for my husband’s widowed Mom. Cosmo, a gorgeous tall Weimarana was at least five when we adopted him, or so they told us. It turned out; he was much older than that.
We never expected Cosmo to live long enough to see our young children grow. He became their friend, their protector and a surrogate dog since we could not have one at home. A trip to Nanny’s house was more about “Can I give Cosmo his bone” than the many goodies Nanny spoiled them with.
This past week, after much aging and illness, Cosmo had to be put to rest. I didn’t know what to tell the kids, especially my oldest daughter, age 6. I became the photographer and stepped into her little mind. It was my proudest parenting moment so far. I’d like to share it with you, because I think it was a wonderful way to help my daughter cope with the loss of a pet.
The conversation went like this:
HER: CAN I GO SEE COSMO TOMORROW? I MISS HIM.
ME: Honey, I think we should talk about Cosmo.
HER (Looking concerned): Is he OK?
ME: Well, you know how Cosmo is very old and he had those bumps *(tumors) on him?
HER (Eyes welling up and eyes with sheer panic): Yes!!??…
ME: Well, Cosmo went to sleep and —
HER (Interrupting): Whew! I thought you were going to say he died.
ME: Well, I was not finished honey! He went into a beautiful sleep and had a dream. A dream that he was chasing a ball.
HER: Dogs dream?
ME: Oh yes! It was amazing, and you know what? He chased the ball so far, straight into the gates of heaven.
HER: He ran to heaven? (Smile emerges)
ME: Yes, and when he got there, he saw your Poppa Tony walking five dogs on a leash.
HER: Five dogs!? Why?
ME: He’s a dog walker up there. To all of Daddy’s dogs from when he was a child.
HER: WOW, that’s amazing Mom. But wait – Cosmo hates other dogs.
ME: Oh no! Not in heaven honey! Everyone gets along in heaven. Even dogs. Poppa Tony put him on a golden leash and he joined all the dogs and walked off into heaven.
HER: Wow, that’s so nice Mom. He sounds happy. Can you find me a picture of him so I can remember him forever?
I so wish now that I had a picture of her with Cosmo. I had never taken the time to notice we needed it, until he was gone. Pets are a fleeting but integral part of our children’s lives. If you have a pet, consider a treasured portrait with them. It will help your child heal long after the pet is gone.
My daughter is all about using her imagination in all that she does. Knowing that, my elegant but ridiculous story helped her cope. The imagination is never, ever wrong and it will guide you. Think like a child at least once a day and you might create something beautiful. That’s how art is made.
To contact us at the studio, call 732.964.3773.
