The Wonderland Wedding.....

I know I know!! You are waiting for some details on this !!!!

I was called in ONE WEEK before this wedding to come on out and capture it.
A long time creative friend I knew from way back....and her brother was getting married.
I was never more excited to be a "surprise" gift than this wedding.

This wedding, I was the surprise. :)  It was super super super cool to see the details in MOTION for this wedding....from cupcakes, to a checkerboard cake, drink me bottles, tidbits of gooey chocolateness to eat....and of course...the Alice Bride and the Mad Hatter groom.

This place was very unique....and so were the settings.........

more pictures to come, but for now....here are some of your teasers!!!!!

Jen

The Ceremony! The lights were shifting consistently in and out of color.  I chose to shoot both with and without flash! It turned out really cool.  And even cooler, I knew the Pastor performing the ceremony. Now, that was a great surprise!

I really loved the guestbook table at the entrance of this space.  So I grabbed the bouquet and shot down kinda low perspective with my flash.  There was very little ambient lighting near this table that would work! :) I love it.

With the urging of my friend at the wedding, we started to create long exposure fun images! Oh my GOODNESS we had so much fun! I can't wait to post all of them.  I just chose this one really fast because it was like a splash of light exploding all around them.  I love that about light, you can capture it in many ways. Thank you, Angela!

These tea cups were PRECIOUS, and also the settings of the tables were really neat with the mis-matched saucers and cups.  It was perfect for this wonderland.  So I captured their rings atop the flipped tea cup with the text on it.

Again, another venue shot! They have a screen/sheet that you can create your own shadow dancing & shows.  I shot this just as I was leaving...because everyone was having so much fun just playing.  :)

In addition to the bride/groom vows- the daughter was given this gift and vows of her own in the new adventure and marriage.  I have other pictures, but I chose this one quickly to show how pretty she and the gift was.  I don't think you could have said or done it better! :)  Love indeed.

Herez to a new year.

2012 isn't here yet, but my mind is already there. 

My body is not.  I have been pigging out a little too much over these last 2 weeks...and I'm feeling the effects.  I don't like it and I don't really care for myself right now! Oh my GOODNESS! 

I realized also, that my attitude in not feeling good about me -makes me also not very likeable or energetic anymore.  I don't like that.  I like feeling good about me and where I'm at physically!  I am strong....I am more fit than I've ever been...but yet my body fat percentage is just nutz.  I'm here to tell you, January 1....this will change.

I'm formulating some great plans and thoughts in my mind to get myself educated on the nutrition factors of what it takes to be leaner, and yet stay strong for my body type. :)  I have some serious reading to do...some serious meal planning to do...and more importantly - the DAILY walking it out to reach goals. :)

I'm sure we can all relate at some points in our lives....:)
I'm happy to make some changes, because when I don't feel my best - it shows. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week, I'll be checking in later to update you on my business stuff...and of course, my random personal musings!!!!

LOVE!!!!!

Merry Christmas, HAPPY HAPPY all-holidays.

I can't wait to share the fun things of 2012 already coming my way.  I have some things to get together before anything happens - but I have a few weeks to do so.  So many many many fun things to prep for...and enjoy on this journey. 

My article about the business is going to be featured in spring now, instead of this week.  I can't wait to see it because I think the writers on this are super duper.

A few of my weddings are also going to be featured in an online magazine in the UK.  I can't tell you how exciting THAT feels just to know that the images will be appreciated beyond borders.  I can't wait to see how that one turns out too.  I'm open for whatever surprises are coming my way - as well as staying in tune with opportunities that are for me only.  I've spent a lot of time trying to stay focused on MY purpose here...not anyone else's. 

That is probably the only piece of advice I can give anyone right now. 
Stay true to YOURSELF and what you were created to do, not what your friends and family tell you ...or even the lies you may tell yourself to convince yourself.  I've always thought I'm weird anyways....I like things others don't like.  Though, I still find commonalities with others. :)  I love relating. 

I'm really in a great place of loving life...and living life.  More than ever before.
I can't turn back now.  I'm all in.  and.....

it is my time.

Thanks to everyone who has made this possible. Yes, even the bad experiences took me here...as much as the good.  I"m thankful for every bit of every relationship I had to get me here.  I've learned a lot...about others and about myself.  Thank you. :)

I'm sure I'll have more to write later...for now....

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Happy Holidays (whichever one you choose to celebrate this year)

Sending love your way,

Jen

When I make art....................

I am finishing up the last stages of my Corsicana Wedding!
WHAT A FANTASTIC time I've had....it has been busy, but I am getting it done.  The rush of Christmas and hub-ub of life...has got me going full-steam-ahead!!!!! 


So today, I sat down for a bit to create some art...
I really wanted to explain something out...that I think is actually quite fun. :)


....during the wedding time...I stole them away to get some couples' portraits....
well, intitally i had found this GREAT spot! omg, it had lighting already there, (i hate my flash, i really do) ....and I had this great layout going...in my brain...............


Here, let me show you.  (this was my personal spazzy smiley moment)

OOOO my insides were giddy on this! can u imagine the fun....hmmm?????  Minus the blue sky...it would have been really really neat lighting.  Later that nite, the sky was not there. :) It was super pitch black night-time.

In between THIS picture above and THIS picture below...there was a long long long time of waiting, parades, searches for music...introductions, reception time....and.......BAM!  (read the caption on the picture) ......heheehehe

What? what is this car? can we move it? Whose is this? Where did it come from, oh no, itz in my way...how am i going to get that picture i wanted...oh my...we're all in a hurry, i better hurry...don't have time, i guess i'll compromise a nice window shot, v. the awesome i saw. :) (these are my thoughts) :):):):)

Ok, so let's try this....let's see how it goes...and if I'll be ok with it! Hmm, so I try this, and several others poses in this spot...still doesn't measure up to what I wanted....

It is ok, but not what i wanted.....however, I do like it - just not my initial vision right? Hang on with me...itz a ride...in Jen-land. 

I proceed to try other things in other spots...and then end the night with the getaway...all the while in my mind...thinking, wow, I may have to just settle OR..........later on I'm thinking to myself...wow...I do still have this great test image....what would happen if...................

In the end, Knowing i would have to come home and maybe try to get a photoshopped version of what I really wanted....I was kinda pleased w/ the outcome.  It is very simple, very ghostly feeling...but very romantic.  I wouldn't take it back! :)  I really really love it. 

What scenarios have you wished you could have CHANGED immediately to get the shot you wanted?  Why didn't you change it? What stopped you?  What will you do the next time you run into this?  These will be the questions I'll ask myself.  I hope to always push past compromise - but sometimes it wins...and sometimes, I get to have exceptional fun making art, post-process. :)


Go have some fun!

Jen

BIG THANKS and the upcoming fun of 2012.

So, I know itz not 2012 yet...but I feel like it is right around the corner. U know, cause my mind and heart are already there!  I"m too excited for what is on my plate soon.  Got some GREAT weddings lining up for 2012...already...and each all so unique. :)  I will take them all on with my whole heart and embrace ALL challenges!!!!  I cannot wait.

I really am going to take some time this year and compose a huge THANK YOU to all my clients....from the past 4 years....I wish i could personally thank you all, and I'm going to do my best to let you know how I've appreciated the support!!!

There is an article currently being written about me...that I'm quite nervous about...I asked for it...and I helped contribute points...but still, I'm very nervous about the outcomes.  This is such a big deal to me...I'm super nervous...yet super confident about what is coming. :)  It has been a blast so far, I only imagine that there are many great things ahead. :) 

I hope that in 2012, I see you.....say hi, take your picture, capture your life...and give a hug or smile!


Stay tuned ....cause itz gonna get fun yall. :)

Love Jen

One of my favorite Groom pictures this year....

I don't know if I shared this....but I'm sharing again...if I already did. LOL :)

This picture makes me laugh, a LOT!
When shootings weddings we do try to get as much done "before" as possible...you know...getting ready...tying ties...all that fun detail stuff that the bride & groom want....

We kinda went all out this time....Mark was SO funny, he actually crawled back in bed with his covers up to his face....then pulled out his laptop....and THEN pretended to throw a pillow at us...and THEN...this was kinda this moment just after the pillow...where I feel like it is a "surprise" that we are there....lol!

I just love this picture, but you had to be there. :) lol!!!!!

Again, congrats  Mark & Kabinda.

the best THANK YOU!!!!!

Rec'd from the Wednesday's Child office!!!! :)  In which I did the photo sessions with Santa!!!!

Friends,
            Thank you for coming out and celebrating the holiday with Friends of Wednesday’s Child and North Texas foster children on Saturday. You guys were amazing! I can hardly believe we had 174 youth here on Saturday in our offices.  The kids loved their hot chocolate, making crafts, seeing Santa and decorating cookies.  Kids were all smiles after they asked Santa for a gift and then went to pick out a gift from our toy collection and found what they had just asked Santa for.

We almost doubled the amount of youth we served this year compared with last year’s holiday party.  This could not have been done without our gracious volunteers or our wonderful donors who donated gifts, money and supplies!  We greatly appreciate all that you have done for the foster youth!  I wanted you to hear thank you from someone other than me so here is a thank you note I received from a foster parent today.

“On behalf of me, my wife and my 4 foster children I wanted to thank you for having that wonderful Christmas party, the children enjoyed the activities, Santa and the gifts they received. Please continue in doing the wonderful job you and your staffs are doing to help these children. I
know the parents appreciate it and I know you don’t always get the recognition you deserve, but believe you me, my wife and I see it, and we had to let you. Once again, thank you and please thank your staff and volunteers for spending part of their lives with these children, god knows they need more days like the ones they had Saturday.
Thank You”

I hope each of you enjoy spending the holidays with your loved ones!
Merry Christmas!

Here is a highlight of what we did, but I can't show any faces. :) The only faces I could show, are the workers of the office. ;) lol!!!!!

Hope you ALL get a chance to show your love this season....It is NOT just one time a year. :) 


Much Love


Jen

Nature.

I was in the mood to create some nature-y types of art for Kellie & Jason.
I did several versions, but decided to post this one.  I just loved the idea of the branches surrounding them.
I also played with a "globe" type feel, with a spherized effect. (in their album)  
Art is a process....and so, it evolves. :)

But, tonite...I leave you with this one!

peace.

Corsicana Teasers!

I have worked on some very brief art....for this lovely young couple!!! Jarod & Hayley!


We did a drive into Corsicana to shoot their wedding last Saturday...
it was raining...most of the way in.........and of course, night-time settles in by 530pm. :)
Here are some fun teasers I scooped up so far!!!!

Supreme night-time flash shot - you can see the rain sprinkles reflecting off my lens! lol :)

I had wanted to shoot them in this hallway.  IT was hilariously TINY to walk through and it was one of the main passages from the ceremony room to the reception room.  Here they are, waiting to be announced.  This was probably the best lit area in the whole building! :) Way fun!

The bride with a VERY joyous smile coming down the aisle. :)  We had a delay from a Christmas parade in the area...as well as a delay to find some music for her to walk to.  She handled it like a pro. and like a woman ready to get married to the love of her life! :)  

Congrats you two!!!! More to come...these are just me playing around! :)

Much Love,

Continuing Teaser-Ville.

Because I've been in a spazzy mood....I've been trying to be super-productive before the wedding TOMORROW....(saturday)...err, today. whatever. ;0

So, I wanted to breeze through some more photos from my Nov. 20th wedding. :)

Simple, elegant-tay....and woodsy. :)
You will see more nature-y inspired art with them, because she is a HUGE lover of it. :)
By art, I don't just mean these lovely eh-hem presets or whatever you see come out here...I tend to go a step further with my couples...there are some GREAT ideas out there waiting to be used...and I plan on exploring EACH wedding to their own artistic potential. ;)  This should be a really fun one.

I aim to please my clients. :)

more to come soon.....................

Kissing the bride....it was so quiet out there...and so peaceful...

I didn't even set her up for this.  We were starting to wonder when the groom was going out there...and sure enough...she was LOOKING for him!!! tee hee hee. :)

Jason & Kellie, hope you start to enjoy the many pictures coming your way!!!!

Jen

The SURPRISE wedding gallery.

So, very soon I hope to gather the entire story for you...the fun tidbits of how all this came about....and the secrets we kept, til the day of. :)
The dad had no idea when he walked out of the house, he would give his daughter away!
The mom had no idea....
and this was the result. :)

Love me,


Nathan & Katherine - SURPRISE Princess Bride Wedding

Hope to see some of you soon, especially my future brides for 2012. :)

Let's get creating!

Here are a couple of nice fun ones. ;) I was feeling the vintage old picture style for them.

Love,
Jen