Box Set: The H. Family

I just need to start by saying how much I love this family. I have had the honor and privilege of knowing them for about 5 years and I am just so grateful to have them as a part of my life! I got to travel with them down to Playa Del Carmen in Mexico to do Bobbi & Bruce's destination wedding photos last March! {click here} We had so much fun (warm weather sounds so good right now... we in Minnesota are being teased by Spring...) and I loved the time I got with them.

One of my favorite things about this family is how much they love not only each other, but also everyone they are around. They are so genuine and just love to laugh and have a great time. Which we, of course, had plenty of during this session!

But enough yacking... here's the story of the H. Family!

New Release: Bentley {3 Months}

Bentley is 3 months old! Yay! He is so adorable. I've been so privileged to tell the story of this family... From Davey & Dell's engagement 3 years ago until now, and I look forward to continue telling their ongoing story!

Anyways, back to Bentley... he is just so cute and getting big so fast! So, here is a few from our quick little shoot! Prepare to do lots of smiling...

Nursery Rhymes: The S. Family

When this family walked in my door I knew we were going to have so much fun. Oldest sister had a shy smile, middle man LOVED to talk and kept telling me things that he loves... kept me laughing, and baby girl was just so so so adorable.

Oldest sister is turning 4 in the next days, so she was getting her birthday photos done. Baby girl hadn't had any photos done of her yet so I was thrilled to tell the beginning of her story. Middle man was there to entertain us all, and wanted to be in a couple of the snapshots. I just love all of these. And hope I get to see this family again!

So here you are!

Confessions of a Photographer: The Small Things Add Up

Much of my life revolves around this:

No it is not just a terribly lit, bad quality photo from my phone... it is an ongoing list.

I carry a small notebook with me. 

My current notebook's cover has multiple moustaches on it and says 'Moustachtic', if you ask me it makes NO sense at all, but it makes me smile. That is besides the point. 

This notebook has a constant list being written in it. I will write literally ANYTHING that enters my mind that needs to be done. From emailing a client to finishing a craft project. When I write it down it is no longer in my brain. Then I cross things off as I go. I 'X' off pages that have nothing left on them. I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I mark something off, and an even bigger sense of accomplishment when I 'X' the entire page off.

For many people this system my not work, you may become overwhelmed with the amount that is written in your notebook. It may also be overwhelming to have the idea that your list is literally never-ending. For me though, it is encouraging; to look back on the pages that have been marked as completed. It feels good.

I have found that if I don't keep up with my list... or I let things fall behind... the list becomes overwhelming when I have multiple pages that have things on them yet. But that just encourages me to go back to that page and finish that ONE item so that I can cross it off and never have to look at it again.

All of this is being said mostly so you can see how my brain works... maybe give you an idea of a way to stay on top of things. Maybe this is just a small little rant because I was thinking about it this evening. Since getting back from my vacation my list has seemed to grooooooow more than usual the past few days no matter how much I cross off. 

But I will get all those little things finished. I will not have to try to remember what needed to be done. I will not let those small things add up to an overwhelming loss, because it is all in that notebook... and its just waiting to be crossed off.

That's all for now, Loves. 

Goodnight!

New Release: The A. Family

I had the privilege of photographing Derek & Wynter's wedding last fall, and I was MORE than excited when I was asked to photograph their sweet baby girl who was born SEVEN days ago! Oh it was so much fun... and this little lady is just so cute!!!

But don't just take my word for it... look for yourself!

What do you think?! I just love them...

Well that's all for now!

Love, Jenny

Confessions of a Photographer: The NEED to Breathe

I am writing this post on Monday, because I won't be able to post Thursday... why? Because I'll be on VACATION!!! We are heading to the Bahamas. *squealing in excitement, jumping up and down, & clapping hands*

At Dunn River Falls in Jamaica in 2011.
Taken by our guide.

So many (including me when I first started) do not realize how much work goes into being a business owner and photographer. Shooting sessions is actually only a small part of what I do. Emails, editing, phone calls, editing, graphic design, more emailing, more phone calls, meetings, more editing, posting, and emailing. Please do not read this wrong, I love every bit of my work, but sometimes I have a hard time separating from it.

When you are a self-employed business owner you are literally able to work 24/7. With the access to email and social media on my phone it makes it even easier to do so. I am appreciative of this, because I am hardly ever at my physical office, and this is a way I don't have to be... but it can be difficult because of the EASE of access. I get an email and its rare I say to myself "I'll read it later." More often than not, I will check it immediately. I'm working on my boundaries, and believe me... I have gotten SO much better than I was at first. I'm still still a work in progress.

All this has been said to say this: Every year Joel and I go on a beginning of the year vacation so that we can completely separate ourselves from the regular day to day. We put our phones away, we set aside time for ourselves, and we just enjoy relaxing. Two years ago we went on a cruise, last year we went to California with family, this year it is a cruise again.

One of my favorites from when we were in California in 2012.
Photographed by Dillon

This timing is perfect. All of last year's sessions have been edited. All the holidays are over. All the hustle and bustle of finishing out the year is finished. Taxes don't need to be started yet. We have nothing scheduled. We can just breathe, sit back, and focus. 

I am so very excited about this trip. I am so excited to relax and be away from everything and have no responsibilities! I will definitely do a post with photos from the vacation. Until then, have a fantastic week and enjoy life!

Love, Jenny

2013 Bride's Choice Awards - What An Honor!!!

I got an email this morning with this:

What an EXTREMELY exciting surprise!

I seriously feel so honored. Thank you everyone who has helped us achieve this! We love what we do and we are so excited for the upcoming years!

Love, Jenny

Caught on Film: Kristen

What better post to begin this new blog template, and this new year, than with a Film Session?!

Kristen and I went around the little town of Park Rapids and captured these images. Kristen is the perfect model for these, her style is exactly what should be in front of a film camera. Its vintage with a bit of rocker chick (although she doesn't always admit the rocker thing...)

I am so excited to be offering film as a full option this next year, here are my favorites!

That's all for now loves!