A New Journey…into "Unfading Beauty"

I admit, I've been really slacking on my blog posts, but for good reason.

This summer has been filled with a lot of prayer, a lot of soul searching, a lot of wonderful lessons, and finally, a lot of exciting new plans.  God has been at work in me, and I am excited to share with you.

As a portrait photographer who specializes in high school seniors (aka TEEN GIRLS!), I am very skilled at bringing out the best in all of my girls.  With the help of great hair and make up (thank you, ladies at Gwendolynn's Salon & Spa!), good light, expert posing and my eye, these girls look like they are ready for the cover of Vogue or Glamour Magazine!

But as a Christian photographer, this skill has also brought me some conflict, because I know that our true beauty does not come from the outside, but from the heart. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, " Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles, and the wearing of gold jewelry  or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

How can I focus my photography on bringing out the outer beauty without also sharing the importance of the inner beauty, the unfading beauty?

And so I came up with the idea of "Unfading Beauty", the journey.

As I began praying over this and working on this project I knew I wanted it to have several facets.  It would be a Bible study focusing on what God has to tell us about true beauty.  It would incorporate portraiture and feature a portrait project of some sort later in the Bible study, and it would have a special  piece for the girls to be part of at the end.  

I had the ideas, and I had the excitement, but I lacked some of the details, some of the crucial skills needed to put this all together.  I knew I needed help.  So I prayed for it.

Then God connected me with Shelley Baumgarten, a friend and former English teacher at Coventry Christian School, and I discovered that Shelley had been praying over how she missed writing lessons and creating curriculum.  She missed teaching and I needed a teacher.  I was lacking lessons, and she missed writing them.  I asked her to join me and she began creating some of the most fun and captivating lesson plans I've ever read.

So together with Shelley's lessons, my camera, and the Lord's guidance, we bring you "Unfading Beauty".

There is so much to this journey.

"Unfading Beauty" is a FREE 8 week Bible study open to any and all teen girls who want to learn true and eternal beauty secrets.

"Unfading Beauty" will meet every other Monday, starting on

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 from 7-9pm.

But it will also include a FB Group for those who cannot make the meetings due to sports, being far away, or whatever else.  Every girl who wants to be part of this should have the chance to be.  So we're making a way.

"Unfading Beauty" will also include lots of photography.  As we learn about true beauty, we will capture it all on camera, both in our Monday meetings, and with a super "Pumpkins & Portraits" photo shoot this November!  

We are praying that these portraits will be the starting point for 

"Unfading Beauty", the digital magazine written FOR teen girls BY teens girls.

This is a huge undertaking, one that can only succeed with God's wisdom and guidance.  We are willing and excited to lead this journey.  We pray for teen girls everywhere to join us.  

And we are asking for your prayers as we embark on what could be a life changing journey.

It already has been for Shelley and for me.

I pray it will be for others.

Thanks for all your support and prayers!

For details or to join us, simply comment here or email me at jalebo@gmail.com.

And check out the video invitation HERE! 

Keep smiling- and praying!

Jen

Marie and Nina: A Girl And Her Horse

This is why I love this job! Every time I try shooting a new type of subject, I fall in love. This session was no different! I was pretty nervous about this session. Marie wanted to shoot with her horse, Nina, and she had some pretty solid ideas about what she wanted. I, on the other hand, had never shot photos with an animal (save for some snapshots of our family pooch), let alone an animal as grand and beautiful as Nina. What if I couldn't get Nina into the frame properly? What if we couldn't find good light? What if I was getting in over my head?

Well, I was worried for nothing, because Marie and Nina were amazing. They were so great together, worked so well side by side, that all I needed to do was to let them be them, and I just followed along! Marie was awesome. She had such poise with Nina, and knew just what to do to get Nina in the best light, in the exact spot, at the exact time. It was like they were extensions of each other.

But it was more than just a horse and her master. These two girls were friends. Best friends. It was so sweet to watch Nina actually tease Marie, to have Marie talk sweetly to Nina, and see Nina respond with such ease and comfort. I commented later on to Marie about this, and she told me that indeed, there was a very strong bond between them, and that Marie had once nursed Nina back from a serious injury which almost ended her career, and her life.

I admit I know nothing about horses, but anyone could have seen the bond these two shared. It was precious.

And so I shot. And I shot. And Marie led. And Nina followed. And they were fabulous. In the end, the hardest part of the job was choosing among all the gorgeous images. Here are just a few of the many:

Spending time with Marie and Nina was wonderful, and not just because of the images it produced. It seemed obvious to me that horses are Marie's passion, that she has a gift and she is living it in an awesome way. We all should be so lucky to find our passion and live it like this. Marie and Nina, thank you so much for the session. You may be getting some special images, but I'm pretty sure I got something special out of this session too!

Sneak Peek: Marie and Nina

Just this afternoon, I spent some time shooting beautiful Marie and her beautiful horse, Nina. It was a wonderful experience and I could not wait to get home and see what we had captured. Here is a super sneak peek at what's to come.

I can hardly wait to get working!

Megan and The Girls: A Practice Session

This week I got a special treat. A friend of mine has two beautiful daughters, both much older than my kids. These sweet girls, Megan and Erin, along with a few of Megan's friends, agreed to a fun spur-of-the-moment photo session. It was a great treat for me to not have to chase my own kids around the house to practice new angles, or try new lighting techniques, and it was fun to go out and shoot with someone else too. (Rebecca is almost as crazy with her camera as I am- love her!)

I had a great time just relaxing with my camera. The girls were really sweet and even my Brady girl tagged along. She was very happy to feel a part of the big girls' group.

We went for pizza first, and then Rebecca took us to St. Peter's Village and we walked down to this great little river. It was a blast... at least until Rebecca stumbled into the river and almost ruined her gear!

A few of my favorites:

The older girls strike a more serious pose. From left to right: Megan, Saige, Aubrie, and Katie.

Katie and Aubrie

Megan and Sage

This is actually from the next morning. I was rockin' what I like to call "Cooper Angles".

This is Erin, Rebecca's younger daughter. She was more quiet and reserved, but I was taken by her simple beauty. Plus she was so sweet to my Brady!

And of course, my Brady girl had to be part of the action. Always love you B, but don't go trying to grow up too fast, ok?

Love this shot. You're beautiful, girls. Thanks for a great time. Let me know when I can bother you again!!!