Your Story: How To Take a Great "Selfie" (A Lesson from a Tween Pro)

While at a recent portrait shoot for the talented and beautiful tween actress, Gracen Barnhart (see her Fan Page Here), I listened to her lovingly tease her mom about how unskilled mom is at taking self-portraits with her phone ("selfies").  I laughed as Gracen grabbed the phone from mom and said "Here. Let me do it."  Then caught a sweet mother-daughter moment between them.

It occurred to me that, like Gracen's mom, Tammy, most of us moms could use a few tips on how to take "the selfie".  Even me!  I mean, I'm great with my DSLR and when I'm photographing others, but selfies with my phone?  Uh oh.

I asked Gracen to share with us her "dos and don'ts" for taking a good selfie.

Here's what she shared:

First, the Do NOTS:

1) Don't shoot the picture from below you or it will go up your nose and give you a double chin. 

2) Do not take the picture using anything but natural light.

3) Do not take the picture with both hands.  It is better when you only have ONE hand in the air.

4) Don't leave a lot of space above your photo  This makes your face look wider.  If anything, crop your photo just a tiny bit to not get your entire forehead.

5) Do not have any items in the back round of your photo, which can pull attention away from you.

Now, the DOS:

1) Do take the picture from above eye level or directly across from your eyes. 

2) Do take the picture with the hand opposite of your part of hair.

3) Do use a plain wall/background to take your selfie in front of.

4) Do take the picture not just of your face, but include your shoulders and neck in the photo.

5) Do look directly at the camera not the screen with your picture on it. 

Thanks Gracen!

I'll give it a try, and I'd love for you to as well!

Share your selfie here in the comment section, or on my FB page at Jen Lebo Photography!

I'll share a selfie there today too!

Keep smiling!

Jen

Their Story/ The Novotny's

It was as if my evening got a little sunnier.

The yellows, pinks, and bright oranges that Karlene, Steve and Ava were wearing cast a warm and sunny glow on the garden that evening.  Or maybe it was they themselves.

Anyone who knows them would probably go with the latter.

It was a simple session, but a wonderful one. 

Lots of smiles, lots of laughing, and lots of hugs.

I could tell as I photographed them that each of them saw themselves as the luckiest person on earth because of the other two.

It was wonderful to experience and capture such love.

This week we celebrate the loves of our lives, though I'm pretty certain these three celebrate each other daily.

Who do you love most in this world?

How might you show them this week?  Today?

Everyday?

Keep smiling,

Jen

My Story/ Small Changes

"Just make it small."  She laughs every time I say it, but every time, that's all I can give her.

My hairstylist and friend, Rebecca, can not fully grasp the trauma I suffered, being a child of the 80's and 90's, on Long Island, in the days of big hair and big accents.  So she just chuckles and works her magic.

Wait a second.

Hair?

Jen, you're sending us a blog post about your hair?

Well, yeah.  This is Friday right?  I gotta get personal right?

So yes, I'm sharing about the big hair chop I got this week, because it pretty much sums me up these days.

1. I bet you know how insane mornings can be as a mom.  Kids, workouts, drop offs, work.  Time is precious and if I could cut 20 minutes out of my morning (literally!), you bet I will.

2. I have a love/hate with change.  I bet we all do.  It scares me but not as much as regret does.  So something small like my hair (pun intended, Rebecca!) can give me confidence to make bigger changes.

3. Frumpy mom.  The term sits on my brain and lingers.  What better way to spruce up my frumpiness than with a fun new haircut?

4. It's just hair and it grows back.  I'm learning not to be afraid to take risks.

So that's my story this week.

What about you?

What fun changes are you thinking about?

What are you afraid of?

Share with me!

Oh and for the best hair stylist in town, call Rebecca!

She's THE BEST!

Keep smiling,

Jen

Off Topic: Confessions of a Commercial Junkie

I have been a commercial junkie since I was a kid.  I think it's genetic since I can remember my mom crying time and again at that old McDonald's commercial with the brother and younger sister ("would you settle for a french fry?").  Yes, it's always been in me, this love of the 30 second story.  In fact, my husband often teases me that I will pay more attention to the commercials than to the actual show we are watching.

Can't help it.

Commercials can be so fun!

There's something to them- the marketing, the message, the magic.  I love to cry with them, but even more so, I love to laugh at them.

Here are a few of my favorites!

Especially loved this as my own son was in his Star Wars phase!

Love these AT&T commercials.  There's something about this grown man sitting with these kids, being so serious with them, that just cracks me up!

And this might be my all time favorite commercial.  This mom cracks me up!  And the message is great- oh, what we would not do for our kids!

What about you?

Are you a commercial junkie too?

Share your favorites!  I always love a good laugh!

Jen

Spring Sessions... Better Late Than Never!

How can it be that spring has come and gone? And how can it be that it's been over a month since I've blogged about any of the sessions I've been enjoying? Sorry for slacking over here! I've been having so much fun shooting, I forgot to tell you all about it! So rather than bore you now with the details, I thought you'd rather just see for yourselves. Here's a recap of what I enjoyed this past May.

I was smitten with Cullen and his three younger brothers early in the month.

I met Courtney and her husband, Junior, and had the best time photographing them for a maternity session! (Baby Haiden arrived just a few days ago and I am beyond excited to be photographing him this weekend!)

Made two awesome new friends this month- Shana and her little man, Logan. This little guy ROCKED, and his mom was pretty wonderful too!

Spent an afternoon photographing two beautiful sisters, Nancy and Mary. We shot right in the center of Pottstown and discovered some really cool new locations!

And of course, no spring is complete without a photo shoot with my "best girls", my Brady girl and her two best buddies. Spending the afternoon with these three, all dolled up for a funky photo shoot- it doesn't get any better than this!

June is in full swing (in fact, gee wiz, it's almost over isn't it?) and I've had some fun and exciting sessions already! Cannot wait to share them with you and I promise, it won't be a month before I post again!

Can't wait to share! We're talking huge high school reunions, wonderfully fabulous little ones, birthday girls, and beautiful brides! It's been too fun!

Jen

Rockin' Out With Mallory!

Last weekend I headed out to do a special photography session. Cathy contacted me to photograph her daughter in a sailor's outfit that had been through four previous generations of women in her family. Her daughter Mallory would be the fifth. I was so excited to shoot this beautiful little girl in this precious outfit, and we had a great time replicating the setting and the shot, and then heading outside for some extras.

However, the real fun started when Mallory changed out of the outfit and into something that seemed to suit her personality a little better. Sporting a fabulous pink jacket and her awesome little guitar, we headed outside for some fun. I had no idea just how much fun we would have! Mallory truly rocked!

Eventually, we were forced to come back down from center stage to get mom and dad in some shots. Still though, Mallory rocked throughout the entire session. She was a bundle of wonderful energy and her bubbly personality was infectious to both her parents and to me.

Mallory, you were such a blast to hang out with! Thanks for hangin' out with me and for showing me an awesome time! You rock, girl!

Mother's Day Contest!!

God has blessed me threefold in my life. First, I grew up with a mother who made me feel loved and cherished every single day of my life. She was (and is) the most caring and wonderful mom I could have ever asked for. Then I married my husband and gained a mother-in-law who treats me like her very own. She is kind and generous and offers her love, support, and encouragement to me on a daily basis. I am very lucky to have her (and her son!). And then finally, God blessed me with the three most amazing kids EVER! There is absolutely nothing on earth as challenging and rewarding as being their mom. And there is nothing as beautiful as their little faces.

And so, of course, Mother's Day is very special to me. And probably to you too. Maybe you're a mom yourself, or maybe your mom has been a special blessing in your life. Maybe you're married to a special mom, or maybe you just know one. No matter what though, we've all been touched by special moms.

And so, this Mother's Day, Jen Lebo Photography is giving away a mini-session to one lucky mom!

The winner will receive:

- A complimentary mini-session (30 minutes) at the location of your choice for up to 5 people!

- 10 edited images from which to choose!

- 1 8x10 custom framed portrait of your favorite image!

- 10% off any other purchases from your session!

Enter to win:

Enter to win by leaving the answer to the following question in the comment section of this blog post:

What's the best thing your child has ever said to you?

Get extra entries by:

1. Tweeting the following about this contest (must include the website link):

Enter to win a free mini session with Jen Lebo Photography! www.jenlebophotography.com

2. Posting on your Facebook profile about this contest (must include website link):

Enter to win a free mini session with Jen Lebo Photography! www.jenlebophotography.com

3. Joining Jen Lebo Photography on Facebook!

Become a fan by clicking on the "Like" button. If you are already a fan, use the "Suggest to Friends" link on the Facebook page to send it to your friends.

Only 4 entries per person.

(You must leave an additional comment on the blog letting me know you did any of the above to receive the extra entries.)

Contest ends Sunday, April 17th at midnight.

The winner will be announced on Monday April 18th here on the blog and on Facebook.

Session must take place during May 2011.

Winner will be chosen through a random number generator at random.org.

Good Luck!

Party Time! Host Your Own Portrait Party with Jen Lebo Photography

Host a Portrait Party!

NO Session Fee! NO On Site Purchase Obligation!

Just Fun, Fresh, and Fantastic Friends and Photography!

What is a Portrait Party?

Portrait Parties are a wonderful new way for you and your friends to have professional portraits taken in an exciting and affordable way. Portrait Parties take place in your home (if you are hosting) or a location of your choosing. You invite 8 to 12 familes to the party and for your hard work as hostess, you enjoy credits toward your portraits (based on the sales of the other families). It's an easy and fun opportunity to have beautiful portraits made of your family in a relaxed and fun environment.

Hosts also receive special gifts of custom made, one-of-a-kind photo jewelry for each party attendee who then hosts her own party. These necklaces are not available for sale and may be the biggest attraction to hosting a party. Everyone will know if you have hosted a Portrait Party with Jen Lebo when they see your gorgeous necklace! (just wait until you tell them that they can't buy a necklace like this anywhere!)

How do Portrait Parties work?

The Portrait Party is organized by the hostess. She provides the location, snacks and drinks, activities, the guest list, and the session schedule. Sessions will be 15 minutes long (perfect for little ones who do not like sitting for photos, or for older ones who like it even less!). Guests enjoy a fun time together and a free professional portrait session. It's a great time for everyone involved and the children will actually look forward to the next portrait party!

A week or two after the party, each family's proofs will go on line for viewing. Guests will place their order with the host. When all the orders are placed, the host and I will then set up a date where the host can then place her own order based on credits from her guests' purchases. Feel free to visit Jen Lebo Photography for more information on products, packages, and prices, or to get an idea of my style and portfolio.

How do I schedule a Portrait Party?

Simple! Just contact me at jalebo@gmail.com to book your party date and to receive the forms needed to put your party together. I will help you step by step through the planning process to ensure your party runs smoothly and wonderfully! I can even help put together an invitation which we can send out by email or postal mail. Contact me and let's get started!

What are my responsibilities as a Portrait Party host?

The Portrait Party is organized by the host, so you are the key ingredient to a fabulous and successful experience. Hosts invite guests, coordinate the bringing of snacks and drinks, and organize the session schedule. (we can discuss the schedule as you'll want to book your sessions as close together as possible to ensure the most sessions and thus, the most possible credits towards your own order! I will provide scheduling forms.) Successful hosts also follow up with their guests with reminders on how and when to place orders. The more effort you put in, the more credits you'll come out with for your own portrait order.

After the party, guests will view their session proofs on line. Hosts will collect orders from their guests, meet with me to turn over those orders (and place your own order based on guests' orders), then deliver the orders to guests a few weeks later.

Do I receive free portraits if I host a Portrait Party?

Absolutely! The number-one benefit of hosting your own party (aside from the fun factor) is to build enough credits to pay for your family portraits. It's a great way to buy those larger pieces that you wouldn't normally purchase (like large canvas prints). Sure it's a bit of work, but after hosting your first party, you will find yourself looking forward to the next opportunity to host, and planning what great portrait products you'll be purchasing next time! What a great way to collect precious and gorgeous memories of your family at little cost! And don't forget- for each guest who then hosts her own Portrait Party, you will receive a special gift of photo jewelry! What's not to love about this?

What types of Portrait Party themes could I throw?

Choose from one of the following or create your own. The possibilities are endless!

• Newborn
• Families or Couples
• Seniors
• Maternity
• Ballet or Baseball (or any kids' activities)
• Preschool classes, Playgroups, or Neighborhood Packs
• Holidays or Seasons

Contact me for more information or to book your Portrait Party today! I can't wait to hear from you!