The weirdness that surrounds me...

Baseball helmet, Transformers pajamas (in the middle of the afternoon), piano keyboard. For Griffin, these three things naturally go together. Well, at least his piano teacher can see that he's practicing.

Big News!

Wow, I haven't posted anything for a while. The reason? Well, there are two actually. The first is that I have been insanely busy proofing for my recent wedding and portrait clients. And the second is that I've been designing my new website! And it's a completely new site, not just a cosmetic change. This site has password-protected client proofing galleries built in, so you will not have to go to my Zenfolio site to see your proofs anymore. I love the new site, and I hope you do too. And although I had many people test it out before it went live and everything should work properly, if you find anything that's not working please let me know.

And now I think a celebration is in order. A month-long celebration. A "Jen's Got a New Website WOO-HOO!" celebration! So, from now through 9/30/08, anyone who calls or emails me to schedule a portrait session will get 20% off everything! That's 20% off your session fee, 20% off prints and portrait packages, 20% off preview albums and gallery wraps. Everything! But there's one little catch: somewhere in your email or phone call you have to mention my new website. You can say "Congrats on your new website!" or "I love your new website!" or "Hey, why did you change your website? I liked the old one better!" Anything, as long as you mention the website somehow. :)

More fine print: This offer is valid 8/30/08-9/30/08 and is for portrait services only. Portrait sessions must take place during this time period to qualify for this offer. Prior portrait sessions are excluded. BUT if you are already a JMP client, keep an eye on this space. As soon as I finish migrating all of the older proof galleries from the Zenfolio site to the new website, I will be opening them all up again for you and there will be a sale on reorders. Be looking for this sale in the next week or so!

One last thing - while you are checking out the new website, be sure to click on the little envelope in the upper right-hand corner. This will open up the "Join the Mailing List" form where you can enter your name and email address. Once you are on this list you will be eligible to receive email announcements of special offers that may not be posted here. And I promise that I won't use this information for any other purpose!

I hope you like the new site and that you take advantage of the upcoming portrait sale. Have a great holiday weekend!

Magen - Class of '09

I love senior sessions! Magen and I headed out to Oswego this morning for her senior portraits. It was a gloomy start to the day, and more than a little bit chilly. But Magen was a good sport even though I know she must have been freezing in the wind coming off the lake. She didn't even complain when I told her to hop on the swings and pretend she was a little kid! :)

Once again I have too many favorites, but here's a little preview...

Introducing Matthew

Here is my newest Bundle of Joy baby! This is Matthew, son of Shannon and Robert. You may remember them from the beautiful wedding that they had last year at Fort Ontario. Matthew is just two and a half weeks old, and is the sweetest, best little guy. I loved holding him and getting to feel that soft baby skin. :)

I have waaaaaay too many favorites from this session, but I'll just post a few for now...

I actually remembered how to swaddle! Amazing!

Hanging out in his crib...

This is my favorite picture of the day. There's nothing like the love between a mama and her little boy. I should know. :)

The Wedding of Katrina and Chris

This past weekend I had the honor of photographing the wedding of Katrina and Chris. It was a lovely outdoor affair held at the home of Chris' parents (which is gorgeous!). Considering how gloomy the weather has been recently, it was wonderful to see such a glorious day on Saturday.

There were so many things I loved about this wedding. Let me start with the flowers. OMG I couldn't believe how beautiful they all were! Tons of wildflowers, and more sunflowers than I think I have ever seen.


I mean, could this be any more gorgeous?!? Oh, how I love sunflowers. :)


Here's another favorite moment. See that handkerchief that is being given to Katrina? It has been carried by every bride in her family since 1889!! It was a very touching moment when she was given a list which contains the names of all of the brides who have carried the handkerchief, with her name and Chris' as the most recent entry.


Katrina and Chris chose to do their formal portraits before the ceremony, which is something I highly recommend. I love this little peck on the forehead.


The flower girl and ring bearer checking each other out...


It's time! Katrina looks so happy to be on her way to see her almost-husband.


A beautiful couple surrounded by the love of their family and friends...


Ring shot! A few of these little cubes were scattered around the tables. They are so cute - I think I might need to get some for myself.


Congratulations Katrina and Chris. I hope your lives are full of joy and happiness and laughter and love. And lots of kids. :o)

Meet Dixie

We have a new member of our family. For the next nine days, anyway. Her name is Dixie and she's an adorable little beagle puppy that we are puppy-sitting for some friends while they are on vacation.

Grant was instantly in love with her. Even Griffin, who has proclaimed "I hate dogs!" for as long as I can remember, is completely smitten. I see a dog of our own in our future.

Baby Sister

This is my little sister. She and my mother are visiting from Pennsylvania, here for my grandfather's funeral tomorrow. Today I brought the boys out to Red Creek to visit with them, and my grandmother, and aunts and uncles and cousins. We had a nice, relaxing day. And much to my amazement (and my mother's), my sister agreed to have her picture taken.

As you can see, she got the looks as well as the brains (she's a lawyer)...




I can't decide which way I like this one better. The color one is nice...

...but you all know how much I love black & white.

Can I tell you how much I hate the fact that she's taller than me now???


After a while, things began to get a bit silly...


I swear, she really is a lawyer...


Thanks for being such a great model, little sis. And for being such a great sister. :)

Ginger

Remember yesterday when I said I had something a little different planned for today? Well, here she is!

Meet Ginger, an Italian Greyhound and my first portrait session for a non-human. :) I was told that she would be difficult to work with, but she did great!

This is a little preview for her Mom and Dad...