Tristen and Kelly are two of the sweetest people I’ve met in a long time: Tristen is always ready with a huge smile and Kelly has way of making you feel instantly comfortable around him. It’s no wonder they fell in love. Their wedding day was spent laughing, with lots of dance breaks (imagine my surprise when an impromptu dance party started as the women were getting ready AND when Kelly and his mom started doing The Twist in the middle of the mother/son dance!) and lots of love. It was a joy to spend the evening with Tristen, Kelly and their families.
A huge thank you to Jamie Lawler for shooting with me that day and for being, per usual, awesome.
I’ve been wanting to shoot at the NTC promenade for quite awhile now so I was psyched when Meaghan and Josh chose that area for their engagement session. And since Meaghan is a friend of mine, I was doubly excited to finally get to meet Josh and hang out with both of them for a bit. We had a blast and I can’t wait until the wedding! Enjoy the sneak peak and slideshow, you two!
Oh. M. Gee. …. Genevieve and Dempsey are having a baby! I couldn’t be MORE excited for these two–you might remember them from my “most romantic wedding ever” blog post back in January. Genevieve and Dempsey are my favorite type of clients: laid back, down to earth, totally in love and super fun (they laugh at my jokes, anyway). They’re also my favorite type of clients because they’ve gone from being “just” clients to also being my friends (awwwwwww). And now they’re adding a little one to the mix: Phoebe! I can’t wait to meet her! Enjoy the sneak peek and slideshow from your maternity session, you two!
I’m realizing that when it comes to taking portraits of kids, what I love to do most (and what I think I’m best at) is not creating pretty pictures of kids smiling into the camera but, rather, real images of kids: capturing their goofy faces, their confused faces, their over-the-top-happy faces as they play and engage with the world. More than that, I want to create memories of what life was really like for families, even after the kids have grown up, moved out of the house, started their own families.
A Day in the Life
As a part of that quest, I’ve started offering “A day in the life” photography sessions: I come to your home for a couple hours, a half a day or a full day, and document life as it happens–the kids eating breakfast in the morning, having their bath, playing games. In other words, I document life as it is so you can remember life as it was. I know this probably sounds like a strange concept at first–why would you want pictures of your kids eating breakfast?–but I really think that when you see the slideshow below, you’ll understand.
A day in the life with Audrey
My first foray into “A day in the life” was with the mind-blowingly (is that a word?) cute Audrey and her dads, Don and Kevin. Don and Kevin graciously invited me into their home for a full morning to document their life with Audrey; afterward, we headed to Balboa Park for a more “traditional” (emphasis on the quotations, mind you) portrait session. Audrey is so full of love for her Daddy and her Papa and they are so full of love for her – it was a privilege to spend the morning with them. (And p.s. Kevin is one heck of a hair stylist: after recently getting a haircut from him at the Bamboo Salon, I shall never trust my mane to anyone else. Ask for Kevin Neal, let him do his thing…he’s a magician with those scissors.)
I’ve known Kevin Neal and Don long before before Audrey. They are fantastic men, but most of all they are extraordinary dads. What you’ve done is also extraordinary – of course, you had marvelous material! Thank you for posting this – it was a real treat. And yes, Kevin is a marvelous hairdresser – he is an absolute darling! I’d love to see how great you could make my husband and I look behind the lense. We’ve never had really nice photos taken and it might be time – our eleventh wedding anniversary is coming up – it might be a nice treat for both of us. Feel free to contact me – thanks – Vicki Barber – and yes, Audrey is truly an angel!
Jena, these are amazing. Thank you for capturing an “ordinary” day in such a way that reminds us how special even the ordinary days can be. You’ve forced a happy tear (or two) from the eyes of a happy dad (or two!)…
Pernille and John were married at Lowes Coronado Bay Resort on a beautiful Saturday afternoon amongst friends and family. It was a joy to watch the two of them interact with each other: they clearly had a lot of love and affection for each other and John’s eyes just sparkled when he looked at Pernille.
The wedding was gorgeous, thanks to the wonderful ladies of Luxe Events. You might remember Jenny and Cara from the portrait session I did with them last summer….these two women are FABulous people and extremely talented. Those of you who follow this blog know that I don’t usually post a lot of detail shots from my weddings, but I couldn’t resist on this one…Jenny and Cara did such an awesome job.
A gigantic, bigger than the universe, bajillion times over THANK YOU to my awesome second shooter, Dexter Lo, for hanging out with me for the day. Dexter, you rock.
Pernille and John, enjoy your sneak peek and slideshow–there’s more to come!
Jena: WOW! Your love for what you do shows in every photo. You are as amazing to work with as your photos. Congrats to the newlyweds- so happy the love between you was captured so brilliantly!
Being the born and raised cheesehead (aka Wisconsinite) that I am, I don't charge for travel for weddings booked in southern Wisconsin. I may be a San Diegan now, but the midwest will always have a special place in my heart.
Ellen Brice 
Vicki Barber 
Jean Deliz 
Don 
Denise Marsland 
paige simpson 
Melissa Ayers 
Darlene Trujillo 
These photos are amazing! You two look great and very happy. I wish you both all the happiness in the world! Congrats!
Love,
Amber
Absolutely beautiful !!! Jena, Josh and I could not be happier !!!!