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Vantage Babies | Krystal + Rulon Maternity Session | Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego, California

They’re expecting! Krystal and Rulon contacted me a couple months ago to schedule a maternity session for their soon-to-arrive little bundle of joy and even though neither of them had done a portrait session with a professional photographer before, you wouldn’t have known it–they were naturals in front of the camera, very relaxed and comfortable. I really enjoyed hanging out with them at Torrey Pines and I can’t wait to meet their little one! :) Enjoy the sneak peek and slideshow, Krystal and Rulon!

KrystalAndRulon Maternity 014 Vantage Babies | Krystal + Rulon Maternity Session | Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego, California

KrystalAndRulon Maternity 034 Vantage Babies | Krystal + Rulon Maternity Session | Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego, California

Untitled 110 Vantage Babies | Krystal + Rulon Maternity Session | Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego, California

KrystalAndRulon Maternity 021 Vantage Babies | Krystal + Rulon Maternity Session | Torrey Pines State Beach, San Diego, California

To order a DVD or iPod version of the slideshow go to www.portraitsbyvantage.com/krystal-and-rulon and click on the CD icon on the bottom right. Our portrait portfolio can be viewed at www.portraitsbyvantage.com.

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Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

It’s not often that I get to shoot a wedding in which I had an indirect hand in making happen but such was the case on June 17th when I shot the classy, sophisticated wedding of Melissa and Bora in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. See, Melissa and Bora met twice. The first time, after talking for a while and feeling a spark, Bora asked for Melissa’s number which she gladly gave him. But the number was one digit off (who’s fault that was, I don’t know…but Melissa swears that she didn’t give the wrong number on purpose). Sadly, Bora thought Melissa gave him the wrong number and Melissa thought Bora just didn’t call. Here’s where my part comes in: Melissa is a good friend of my best friend Kira and about three years ago (a little bit after that ill-fated phone number exchange), Melissa came out on the town with me and my girls for my bachelorette party. Late in the night, we decided to go to the King Club for some dancing (and some live on-stage karaoke for me…don’t ask) and, lo and behold, the stars aligned: Bora and Melissa met for the second time. This time, the correct phone numbers were exchanged…and the rest is history.

I was honored to watch these two join their lives together and to spend the evening with their loving families. I know they’ve got years of good love ahead of them–as Kira sang in their wedding, “their love is here to stay.” Enjoy the sneak peek and slideshow, you two–more to come soon!

And a big gigantic thanks to my good friend Jamie Lawler for flying out from San Diego to Wisco to be my second shooter at this wedding, and for letting me be a part of many of her “Midwestern Firsts”: first cheese curd, first fish fry, first firefly, first taste of custard….the list goes on. :)

ceremony Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

JCO1172 Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

couple Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

JCO1676 Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

JCO1737 Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

JCO1655 Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

JCO1849 Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

JCO1965 Married! | Melissa and Bora | Oconomowoc Lake Club, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

To purchase a DVD or iPod copy of Melissa and Bora’s slideshow, go to www.weddingsbyvantage.com/melissa-and-bora and click on the CD icon at the bottom right of the screen. See more Vantage Photography work at our website.

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Vantage Babies | Phoebe | Five Days Old

She’s here! Phoebe has arrived! If you’ve been following the blog, you remember Phoebe’s parents from their wedding and maternity session. And if you want to see some major cuteness, check out these pics. Warning: the “awwwwwww!” factor is high. :)

PhoebeNewborn Vantage Babies | Phoebe | Five Days Old

PhoebeHolder FiveDaysOld 034 Vantage Babies | Phoebe | Five Days Old

PhoebeHolder FiveDaysOld 023 Vantage Babies | Phoebe | Five Days Old

PhoebeHolder FiveDaysOld 035 Vantage Babies | Phoebe | Five Days Old

PhoebeHolder FiveDaysOld 001 Vantage Babies | Phoebe | Five Days Old

4 Comments

  1. NANCY OLSON says:

    IF I EVER HAVE A BABY, YOU’D BE MY PHOTOGRAPHER.

    1. vantagep says:

      Hehe, that’s pretty funny Aunt Nancy. ;)

  2. Dawn says:

    Fantastic work! Beautiful. Hopeful. Pure. These photos capture all of it.

  3. UJohn says:

    Nice job! Baby’s and toddlers offer so many cool pics, I miss taking them. Take care.

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Engaged! | Harmony + John | NTC, Point Loma

Freaking cute, that’s what I have to say about this engagement session. Harmony has one of the bubbliest personalities (and she’s a hugging type-a gal, like me) and John is so in love with her that it makes me feel gooey. Being new-ish to the area, and wanting something a little more industrial in feel, I suggested we shoot at the “abandoned” part of NTC in Point Loma. They were all about it…which was especially exciting to me because they were all about my “go for a spin in the random grocery cart” idea, too. More and more, I’m trying to do at least one part of the e-session that involves movement and playfulness, whether it’s doing cartwheels, jumping over each other or, in this case, grocery cart derby-ing. Make sure to watch the slideshow for a little stop-motion action, too. Enjoy your sneak peek, Harmony and John. I can’t WAIT for your wedding!

HarmonyJohnEsession 023 Engaged! | Harmony + John | NTC, Point Loma

HarmonyJohnEsession 037 Engaged! | Harmony + John | NTC, Point Loma

Untitled 19 Engaged! | Harmony + John | NTC, Point Loma

HarmonyJohnEsession 052 Engaged! | Harmony + John | NTC, Point Loma

5 Comments

  1. Dexter Lo says:

    Ditto on the stair shot! Very cute session.

    1. vantagep says:

      Thanks Dexter! :)

  2. DANIELLE PRIMUS says:

    THIS IS BEAUTIFUL VERY DIFFERENT LOVABLE, CUTE, PRICELESS GREAT JOB YOU DID VANTAGEP. MY COUSIN LOOKS VERY HAPPY :-)

  3. ed atrero says:

    sweet stair shot, jena! w00t!

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Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

This was, without a doubt, one of the funnest weddings I’ve ever been to. Ahem….one of the funnest Love Rallies (the ONLY Love Rally!). Sara and I worked together many moons ago for Adventure Learning Programs when we were both in college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and she was always one of my favorite people there. She has a way about her that just oozes love and fun and goodness and I was so happy she found Rob, who oozes just as much love and fun and goodness. Unsurprisingly, they have a community of family and friends that are just as wonderful, with whom I was lucky enough to spend Wednesday evening through Saturday evening.

As Sara told me ahead of time, this wasn’t like a typical wedding: it was a Love Rally. Friends and family came from all over the country (many from Sara and Rob’s now-home of North Carolina) a couple days before the wedding to kick back and relax at Camp Furgustahls: they were treated to opportunities to play tons of games, take a dip in the Mississippi River (until they got caught by the Ranger, that is), go hiking on the nearby trails through the forest and even participate in a Camp Furgustahls Talent Show. And on the day of the big event, Sara and Rob didn’t spend their morning primping and prepping–they spent it with their guests playing in a basketball tournament at a local gymnasium. As you can probably already figure out, there isn’t an ounce of pretentiousness to Sara or Rob: they live for the moment, focusing their energies on enjoying their time with family and friends. Freaking awesome. I spent a good portion of my time behind the camera…but I also got to play and laugh (and play some kick-arse games of Koob!!). Thank you, Rob and Sara, for including me in your Love Rally–it was such a pleasure. Enjoy your sneak peek and slideshow!

JCO75571 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

JCO7527 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

JCO7897 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

JCO8242 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

Untitled 18 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

DSC 5879 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

JCO8354 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

sararob Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

JCO8420 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

Rob’s parents were celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary the same day that Rob and Sara were married. Hence, the “4″ and the “5″. :)

parents Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

JCO8899 Married! | Sara + Rob | Villa Louis, Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin

9 Comments

  1. jrj says:

    egeszegedre to that!

  2. (Aunt) Robbie says:

    I love it!

  3. Elliot says:

    Yeeeeee Hawwww!!!! Thanks to Miss J for the fotos, thanks to Rob and Sara for gettin hitched! What an event.

  4. Amanda & Melvin says:

    Awwww…what fantastic photos! ‘Can’t wait to see more!
    Love y’all!

  5. Steve and Beth says:

    Wow! We got a taste of some great pictures! Great job! Can’t wait to see more!

  6. Christa Lund says:

    Phenomenal! Wish we were still there.

  7. Anna K-L says:

    Ahhh!! So great, Jena! Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures. You totally captured the spirit of the Love Rally.

  8. Matt Way says:

    Great Video……just glad to see Sara and Rob so happy.

  9. Sara and Rob says:

    That is absolutely AMAZING!
    We just watched it together and are laughing, crying, hugging – - fabulous job, my friend. Love you and your fabulous way of capturing our love rally. Can’t wait to see more!

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