Pirates & Babies....

Well folks....here it is!!!

My first session officially back doing what I love! 

 

This process may be a bit slow at first but hopefully they stories will evolve as I get the hang of it.  I need to balance allowing the subjects to 'just be' and coordinating it as to get the shot I'm looking for!

 

First up is the wonderfully spunky and oh so handsome Huffman boys! 

I will share their story board so you can get a sense of the inspiration.

I create these for each family so they can have an idea what I'm thinking in my head and what color schemes I'm after!  It has been working brilliantly I might add!

 We opted for inside the studio as the weather was playing tricks on us that day but I have to say I love the result!

 

Enjoy what you see and be on the LOOK out for up and coming sessions!

 

 

 

 

Are you IN or are you OUT??

Alight just wanted to chit chat with you guys for minute on 'what the heck is going on'!!  Many of you are probably wondering what I'm doing these days.  You've seen me book sessions out into 2014 and then post a few sessions on the blog...."what Jennie I thought you were done??"

 

Well let me explain....

 

I took what was about 3 months off and spent time with my family and focused on myself for a change!  I was battling a bit of depression and needed to shake it...could have been post-pardom but not really sure.  I love both my kids and would NEVER hurt them so it wasn't the crazy kinda depression it was more like a black cloud that would burst into tears every once in awhile kinda thing.  I began by working on my physical self to see if that would help make me 'feel' better.  Well it got Enzo some socialization at the gym and I learned he LOVED interaction with others.  He would run into the play room....which was opposite my daughter, she would cry whenever I dropped her off.  Anyway...I would feel great DURING the workout but right back under the cloud when it was over.  I knew in the long run it was good for me so I kept going.  I then discovered weight lifting! I don't know what it is about free weights but I LOVE IT!!  Don't worry I'm not going after the body builder type ....but my depression has lifted and I feel GREAT!  While lifting weights I also signed up for a half-marathon...training has been tricky due to a foot issue but it's been a great addition to my weight training!  Losing weight and getting healthy is NOT an easy road...especially if you are doing it the right way.  Mentally I am there...I'm all in...I'm doing this thing...one day at a time!  I don't have those amazing before and after pictures to show you as my journey is ganna be a bit longer to get to the physical state I'm desiring after! 

I'm just happy that I found my release and that it's working for me!

 

"Enough about fixing yourself Jennie what about your Photography Business?  

What's up with that??"

 

OK OK....I knew this time off would either lead to weaning myself from the industry or finding a way back in that would be different and not the cookie cutter portrait sessions everyone is doing. 

I began searching through blogs and websites of photographers that I've always grabbed inspiration from ...some new, some for many years.  I swear it hit me like a TON OF BRICKS.....'jennie just do what you want to do and don't worry about the rest of the industry!!'  So simple, but not in the least.  I am chalking up these last 8 years as learning experience. I have built my name and reputation.  I learned the industry and knew what I was capable of and wear my weaknesses were. These last 8 years have been amazing, but now it's time to do what I want to do!!!
 
I enjoy many things and most of them are DIY or Crafty Projects....I want to incorporate these things into my sessions.  I want to focus on the FAMILY at hand and not worry about booking sessions on top of each other. 

To make a long story longer....a few months back I attended a Crafting Party! 
(Had the best time and totally recommend these fabulous parties to anyone crafty or wanna be crafty.)

BE CRAFTY 

Anyway....there was a studio open next to mine and low and behold guess who moved in?? 
Yep BE CRAFTY!!!  I was soooo ecstatic but needed time to pray it out and get some things going first!!  I have asked Amanda Rydell from Be Crafty to join me on this journey of "Story Telling Sessions"!  She too has been looking to explore this avenue of crafting/sets more....what a perfect fit and what perfect timing. 

I'm explaining all this to let you know that my portfolio will be changing and most likely my prices in the future.  These sessions aren't cheap and I hope to pay a team of people to make my dreams and visions come to life!  I have learned I can't do it all on my own!  I've driven myself nuts trying to juggle crafting, parenting, photography, sets, editing, packaging, studio, wife hood, household chores, etc.  The list could go on and I KNOW you Moms out there can understand!

So look for more blogs that will get more intimate with the clients and more personal.  I hope you enjoy the stories behind these sessions and know that I intend to put my heart into each one!

So now you know what the heck is going on over at JG Photography!! 

Wonderful 13.....

What an adventure this session was!!

We put this together in less then a week and can I say I had the most amazing time!

We used two different locations and carting these two 13 year olds around was a HOOT!

One of these girls in my neighbor and the other is a neighbor up at our cabin....what are the chances that they would become best friends and have birthdays with in weeks of each other?! 

Pretty amazing if you ask me.

 

Seeing these girls giggle all day and chit chat about fun girl stuff made me think of my best friend.

 

Beth and I met when I was 13 and she was turning 14 (I believe).

We have been best friends since!!

We've been thru high school boyfriends, college graduations, our weddings (of course), and everything in between!

We did everything from music concerts, walks on a Saturday afternoon, camping out in backyards, movies, long phone calls, visits at each others work, saying good bye when I moved out of state, to picking right back up whenever we see each other.

We of course didn't' miss each other turning 30!! 

 

     I LOVE YOU Beth and I'm SO glad we met WAY back WHEN!!

 

 

 

 

when I was young....

I never knew I was cute...
I never knew I was pretty...
I never knew I could be anything I wanted to be...
I never knew the price of milk, gas or bread...
I never knew I was from a broken home...
I never knew I was smart...
I never knew allot of things at this carefree age... 

I remember having fun outside...
I remember playing with friends...
I remember teaching myself to ride a bike...
I remember never leaving my brothers side...
I remember the old man that passed out candy.... (Mr. Wingheart)
I remember mud pies and dandelion swirls...
I  remember many wonderful things about my childhood...

 

I also remember striving for perfection...
I also remember failing....
I also remember utter shyness....

I also remember complete HEART BREAK...

I'm not sure what lead me to think of these things...but I do know that as much as people say...

 

'Oh to be young again'

 

....I can only partially agree with them. 

You see ignorance was bliss as a child but wisdom as an adult has opened my eyes to what life really was like back then. 

I would rather be right here right now....then to be young again! 

 

However I do wish I could go back and talk with that little girl and tell her it's OK.

I wish I could tell her...

She IS loved.

She IS pretty. 

She IS smart.

She IS worth something. 

And that life will turn out wonderful if she just gives it time.

She will become a mother of two amazing children and marry the most talented, hard working man.  There will be bumps along the way but she will make it.  

 

But most of all I wish I could just hold her tight! 

 

 

Baby Girl makes 4....

OH MY DEAR Nelson Family!! 

How do I love thee...let me count the ways! 

LOL 

OK enough being sappy and cheesy. 

But in all honesty I love that they get me and I get them...time after time they call me up and say JENNIE we NEED you!!

Such a great boost to my ego...tee hee hee.

Thank you Nelson family for allowing me into your lives and capturing those moments in life that you want to remain still.

 

In home sessions are GREAT as they allow the families personalities to come out and I'm able to capture life as it REALLY is! 

 

I have to share a tid bit from an email Mrs. Nelson sent me....

"So you captured one of the most unexpected things... Bonham's blankie's.  The little boy knows exactly how many he has out at the moment and gathers them all up, so glad this is documented!!

Beautiful as always!! Now I'll stand outside and wait for the disc.:)"

 

I want to introduce to you all you Blog Followers little Baby Dempsey!!!

(She looks JUST like her big brother did when he was a newborn.)