2011 Seniors

Congratulations to all of the seniors graduating this year! I hope to someday soon be putting up my own son's announcement picture here, however right now he's resting in his bed after having surgery on his ankle he broke this wrestling season. As soon as it's warm enough and he's up and about I hope to at least get a good head shot for his announcements!

Jensportraits.com For Sale

I've decided to put JensPortraits.com and the current Blu Domain template with it, up for sale, if you know anyone who is interested, send them my way, especially if her name is Jen!

Mark

Saturday I meet up with Mark and his mom at their home for his Senior session. It was fun shooting for a guy that has so many interests, it makes it more fun when we can add in some of those interests into the session. I couldn't wait to play with a couple for a sneak peek.
We finished the session off at Long Lake Regional Park, my most favorite park to shoot at.
Congratulations Mark on your upcoming graduation, I know we are going to see great things from you! Hope you enjoy your sneak peek.

Lindsey!

This one is just for you! :)
I met Lindsey when she was maybe 7? She and my oldest son were the only two kids in their primary class. She was always so nice to him and I always appreciated that, since he was the new kid at church, and a yucky boy.
Today she's adorably grown up and finishing up her last year in High School. I was so thrilled when her mom contacted me to do her portrait session, and even more thrilled when they said they could work around my crazy new schedule. Thanks for being willing to wait!
I know it's hard to wait, especially for something so important, so Lindsey I'm not making you wait much longer for a fun sneak peek, more to come in your gallery! I hope you enjoy your last year of High School!

I'd rather be photographing...

I have had to turn down several customers the last couple of weeks. That's been painful for me to do. I won't be taking any new customers until late September, other than those I already have on the books. I really wish I could keep doing photography as much as before, but as my schedule changes, so does the time I have to do the more fun things in my life, like photographing you!

I do have several friends who are in the business, so if I can't accommodate you, I can whole heartedly recommend several people that could possibly work for your needs.


But before I go I thought I would share one more favorite from the last wedding...

Rain is good luck!

Last Saturday I was privileged to be Hailey and Eric's Photographer for their wedding day. I met up with Hailey in the morning where she had her hair and make-up done at La Grande Salon and Spa on Forest Lake. Her hair was done beautifully in a 1930's sexy wave on one side and pulled back with a flower on the other side.
As I made my way from La Grande to where the ceremony was going to be held, a beautiful 10 acre farm Hailey's parents have, it began to rain and continued to rain all the way up until the bride met her groom at the end of the isle. Miraculously it stopped and the rest of the evening was wonderful!
Here's a sneak peek for the bride and groom, enjoy!

Eric and his brothers- this shot was their idea, love it!

Hailey has the cutest nephew who was a great sport through the day's activities-

One of Hailey's childhood dreams was to arrive at her wedding in a horse drawn carriage. Her uncle was able to help fulfill that dream with his beautiful carriage and Fjord horse.

Oh, and I have to mention, her hair held out beautifully through all that rain!

I hope you love your sneak peek Hailey and Eric!

Enjoy this summer!

A few more to share...

from Ellie's session... She's such a pretty girl!







I thought I'd give this one a 70's summery twist, it's also available in color, but sometimes it's fun to mix stuff up!

I heart this little girl!

I am so happy to know this kid. Ellie is an amazing little girl who also is a heart surgery surviver! She is strong and fun and has the most beautiful blue eyes that are the same shade as her mommy's. Recently she began walking while holding her parents hands, that's a BIG milestone! YAY!
I met up with her and her parents Erin and Matt for a session at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton. Thanks guys for the fun session! I can't wait to show you the rest of your gallery!

You might remember this from Ellie's newborn session. It's one of my all time favorites.

After the park we went back to her house for an updated version, she loves to play the keys and look at her reflection in the piano. And oh my gosh, is that ponytail ever so cute?!

Reflections

I've always been an artistic person, at different times in my life expressing myself through drawing, oil painting, writing or photography. And now I'm even contemplating a beginning guitar class while I'm at school!

As the time for me to begin school comes close I find myself often getting lost in my thoughts. I've felt a heavy heart because I realize that with my new journey into the scholarly environment, as exciting as it is, comes the journey where I will no longer be walking hand in hand daily with my camera, but rather hoping for brief moments with it. (I've even thought about seeing if I could be a photographer for the school's newspaper.)

I've loved the challenges during my photography career, where I've had to stretch and grow and step out of my comfort zone. Who would have thought that photographing creatively the interior of an elevator, or finding dry spots on a wet wedding day, or trying to get 4 teen/pre-teen unhappy kids to smile, or getting 40 people together and shot in less than 10 minutes before dark could be so exhilarating?

My photography has been a very personal experience for me. Each wedding I shot, as I edited the images I captured of the couple's day, I've treasured their lives, their families and friends and the relationship they've shared with me. Each baby, I've loved. Each face, I've treasured. As I work on people's images, I gaze into their faces and they become someone I know, in some way. I see the lines in their faces, the curl of their smiles, the dimples in their chins or cheeks, the scars from years ago and I've gazed into their eyes. "The eyes are the window to the soul", and as I worked on images of people and gazed into their eyes, I've become acquainted with their souls.

I will miss the frequency of this type of connection with people that I've had, and will anticipate excitedly any sessions I can find time to do during my school year.

I've always had a love affair with words and learning. I admire those who write so eloquently and can draw me into their world, much like the way a photograph can make you feel like you've stepped into someone else's place in time. I love learning and growing and exploring new (to me) ideas and concepts.

I love being reinvented.

Although I am changing the direction my life is going, I know my love for photography will always remain with me and I will forever be taking my camera with me wherever I go. And when I am old and my mind is feeble and I can't do anything else, I will be happy if I am still able to lift a camera and move my finger .25 of an inch.

"When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence." ~Ansel Adams