Fairy Tale: Justin & Misti - Elopement

Ok, I feel like there are a million photos in this blog post... but I just have to show you so many! Joel and I got to tell this elopement story... and it is beautiful.

Misti & Justin drove up to Fergus Falls, with their daughter Lucie, all the way from the Chicago, IL area to elope. This was a planned elopement, as she contacted me now about 2 months ago to see if I could do their wedding photos, and I was SO excited. I was even MORE excited when she said, "Oh, do you bring an assistant with you? We need two witnesses and the pastor doesn't count!" *squeal!* 

Misti & Justin went for a vintage theme. Her wedding dress was purchased on Etsy and is a real 50's wedding dress! She MADE her bouquet and the boutonnieres, each one included at least one rose with a favorite hymnal from some of their family members, as one way they could be included in the day. They also took a couple photos each with a photo of their parents... how sweet is that?

We did their first look at the old Regional Treatment Center, it was GORGEOUS, and so perfect! After a few photos there we drove up to Inspiration Peak Park and made the hike up to the second highest point in MN. (Misti did a lot of the hike in HEELS!!) The ceremony was so simple and beautiful. Justin and Misti are just perfect for each other... and their daughter is SO stinking adorable!!! Oh, and I forgot to mention that Justin and Misti's pastor drove all the way from Illinois to do their ceremony! So sweet.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do, I can't stop obsessing!!!

Confessions of a Photographer: Life Altering Question

I've decided to make these confessions a weekly thing. It is mainly a peek into my life beyond the pretty images and everything that you see... this is a behind the scenes look into my brain, my life, my job. So welcome to the brain of Jenny.

For a long time I've seen what I do as something I love. And I feel so honored and extremely blessed that I have this. I know that not many get to do a job they love and have a true passion for, I encourage you guys to find what you love and MAKE IT SOMETHING.

Doing some film shots in the streets of Paris. Taken by Joel.

I've been doing photography for years, and we are now coming up on Jennifer Christi Photography's THIRD birthday! It seems like we've been around so much longer but at the same time... it doesn't feel like its been that long at all.

A couple months back Natasha, one of my best friends and lead photographers, asked me if I ever just sit back and look at a photo and say, "Wow... I took that!" And you know what? I answered by saying, "To be honest; no. I just have never thought of it that way. Its something I love and do. Its a part of life. I mean, sure I have photos I'm really proud of... that I feel I got just perfect. But I guess I don't really freak out about them..."

But AFTER she asked that she got me thinking... I guess more like realizing... that what I do is so much more than what I've had in my head!

When we travel we always have our cameras! In Rochester, NY.
Taken by Bethany of Joy Studios.

It may sound funny but it finally clicked in my brain that people are paying me to tell their stories because THEY LIKE WHAT I DO. They are paying me to tell stories that will be on their walls for years. Right now, you may be thinking "DUH!" but seriously... I just had this revelation.

The reason I say all of this is because it made me have a new appreciation for my clients. I hold my job in such an even higher position now. I get even MORE excited about a great photo, because I just know that this is someone else's story. I feel like I've told the story in a way that my clients will cherish.

This isn't just something I love... this is something I have the honor of doing. Telling your stories.

Thank you for that.

So for those of you who don't have a friend like Natasha who asks ridiculously awesome, life altering questions; I challenge you to take a moment and ask yourself this question, "What is it in my life that is so much more important than I give credit to?" It may just change the way you do EVERYTHING.