October Photofest is Coming

October Photofest is NEXT WEEKEND!

I am so excited to spend an afternoon with you!

I've been asked "Should I come? My camera is old and not too fancy?". Yes you should come! It doesn't matter how fancy your camera is, how cooperative your children are at picture time, how comfortable you are with a camera or not, this mini-workshop can help you!

So come join me! It's FREE! It's an afternoon enjoying the fall weather, and you don't even need a babysitter because the kids come too! And best of all, you'll go home ready to tackle that insane project of holiday card photos!

Comment right here if you want to join us!

Seniors: Extra Credit Assignment

As a former teacher I know that students LOVE extra credit assignments! So I've got one for you!

I recently photographed Callie on campus at The Hill School, a place known and loved for its beautiful architecture, lovely gardens, and traditional and familial environment. So what an awesome surprise to come upon this unlikely location to get some edgier shots!

Callie and I both loved the grungy look to these photographs and it was fun to stump everyone too- where was this shot taken on campus? No one could figure it out!

Well, after letting the cat out of the bag (it's the wall by the Center for the Arts building- she's standing right below the stairs) I came up with a fun EXTRA CREDIT assignment!

Find/Friend me on facebook and submit your choice for the coolest location on campus for photos. I'm looking for something way out of the ordinary (trust me- I've shot so many photos at Hill!), something fun, funky, edgy, unique, crazy!

This Saturday night, I'll post the winning location and that senior will receive $50 off their session fee!

And don't forget to read the previous post to catch the great promotion for senior portraits! Refer 5 friends and your session is FREE!!!!

Can't wait to hear from you!

Calling All Seniors!

It's time to book a session for your senior portraits!

And how about some incentive to share Jen Lebo Photography with your friends?

REFER FIVE FRIENDS AND YOUR SESSION FEE IS WAIVED!

(a $125 value)

Plus you'll have no minimum order required!

Plus free referral cards (with your photo) to give to friends!

Book soon for a gorgeous autumn setting!

Email me at jalebo@gmail.com, or at www.jenlebophotography.com or simply comment here to book!

Can't wait to hear from you!

October PhotoFest: Free, Fun, and Fabulous!

Over the past few years, I've had the wonderful opportunity to shoot all different kinds of people in all different kinds of environments. Mornings on the beach, evenings in the park, afternoons at the ball game, and holidays with the family. I've loved every minute!

And during many of these awesome sessions, I've heard moms tell me that they wished they could shoot better photographs of their kids themselves, to have the confidence and the knowledge to get those special shots during all of those special moments.

Well, I've been listening, and I'm excited to offer help!

COME JOIN ME FOR OCTOBER PHOTOFEST!

When: Sunday, October 10th

Time: 4:30-6:00 pm

Place: My own backyard to start, then off on the adventure!

Bring: A camera and a kid (or kids)

Take home great tips and great photos that YOU took!

Cost: FREE!!

Just post a comment here and let me know you're coming. I'll send you all the details. Hope to see you there. It's going to be a great time!

Tatumn and Tanner, Sisters and Friends

Having a sister must be so fun. Don't get me wrong, I loved having a big brother, but part of me always wished for a sister. I imagine most girls do. The idea of having your best friend there all the time, secrets in the middle of the night, giggles all day long, maybe a little bickering here and there just to keep mom on her game. Having a sister must be the best.

The other day I had a session with sisters Tatumn and Tanner, and got to see the dream in action. These two girls were awesome, one a little shy, the other very spunky. A few giggles here and there, some secret looks between them, a little bit of whispering. I was watching the quintessential sister relationship, and I loved every minute.

While I loved shooting these beautiful girls on their own, it was their shots together that turned out to be my favorites. No need for captions, their expressions and body language seem to speak volumes. Sisters and friends. What could be better?

Tatumn and Tanner, you are lucky girls. Thanks for the great time!

Celebrating Labor Day: A Mother's Perspective

Happy Labor Day! OK, I'll admit it... as a mother, when I hear the term "Labor Day", I am reminded of many memories, some painful, some scary, all wonderful, and none having to do with a desk job!

I remember the "labor day" of each of my children. First, Scotty when after 24 hours, the doctor shouted "It's a boy!" and shocked, I said "It is???". I remember Brady, emerging blue and breathless, cord around her neck, struggling to breathe, fighting like only Brady can! I remember Michael all too well- five weeks early and so scary! I was not ready but he sure was!

I am surrounded by amazing moms (starting with my own, who swears that on my own "labor day" if there had been a nearby window, she would have jumped!). I am thrilled at the precious opportunities I have had to photograph moms right before and right after their "labor days".

I would love to celebrate this "Labor Day" by hearing your stories! Please share with me the highlights of your own labor days! The good, the bad, the ugly (but not too ugly- let's not scare the moms-to-be!). Can't wait to hear them all!

Happy Labor Day! ;)

Lebo Tip: Take Your Own Great Shots!

Life is full of wonderful moments- first birthdays (just had one in this house!), first days of school (about to have that too), holidays, lost teeth, parties, you name it! And while these are moments we all want to capture with photos, they aren't always moments that allow us the help of a professional photographer.

Now I don't know about you, but September is chock full of wonderful events in our home! You've got the start of school, birthdays, and well... three beautiful kids surrounded by gorgeous fall colors! Someone get me my camera! If you're anything like me, you'll be shooting a lot during the next month of so. And so I thought some "Lebo Tips" might help you capture some great moments!

Tip 1, and it's one of my favorites! Shoot at an angle higher than your subject. When I shot Katie here, I stood on a chair and let her look up to me. Look at the light in her gorgeous eyes. On an overcast day, or in a shady spot, this is a great angle- no squinting, no shadows, just great light in the eyes!

Tip 2: Don't put your subjects in a line. We're not identifying criminals here right? Well, maybe we are... but still! Stagger your subjects so no two sets of eyes are on the same level. This shot could have been chaos- crazy colors, shot right on the front porch, but the way the kids are set up creates a tight knit group! Oh and let them be themselves! One of my favorite things about this shot is my daughter's crazy pink headband- she always wears them 80's style and I know I'll love that about this shot for years to come!

Tip 3: Don't force the shot in bad light. Look for different angles. The light was pretty harsh this morning and Krista's smile was squinty- not her usual beautiful smile.

Solution? Turn her around and shoot her looking out at the ocean, or from the side. As long as she wasn't looking right at me (aka squinting) she was looking perfect. Don't get stuck with the traditional "face forward" shots. Think outside the box.

And again, sometimes the best shots aren't facing forward. I love this shot of Tatumn and Tanner. They are in their own world, best friends. Shoot from every angle!

Tip 4: Don't forget the details! School books, school bags, birthday cakes, prom corsages, hair clips, shoe laces (tied all by themselves!!!), whatever! Shoot all the details!

And finally, Tip 5: don't stop shooting! I LOVE this shot of Ty, and I think his mom does too (she added it to her order despite feeling guilty about loving it). Yes, everyone has photos of those gorgeous smiles, those giggles, those sweet expressions. But seriously, any moms out there with kids who have never cried? Really? Didn't think so! Why not capture those moments too? Soon enough, they'll be old and too cool for us, and we'll look back at all these moments and cherish them all. So shoot them all!

Happy autumn, school year, birthday, whatever everyone! Go take some great shots!

And let me know if you enjoyed this post! Or let me know what you want to know next! I'd love to make "Lebo Tips" a continued post! Got lots to share!

See ya!

Wedding Bells: A Lebo Celebration

A few weeks ago, my brother-in-law married a wonderful woman! Their wedding was amazing. This was no "head off to the chapel, say 'I do', have some cake, dance, leave" kind of event. This was a "head off into the woods, spend the whole weekend, climb ropes, zip-line, swim, water-ski, eat, eat some more, sing songs around a camp fire, sleep in cabins, eat some more, take long gorgeous hikes, laugh a lot, hug a lot, meet new people, spend great times with family, have a chili cook-off, do arts and crafts, play softball, and oh yeah, get married in a beautiful setting, then dance, eat cake, eat more cake, eat lots of different cakes, and celebrate" kind of event. It was everything Ned and Dani are about, and it was spectacular!

Here are a few of the highlights from the weekend!

The rehearsal. Dani had everything ready and organized.

Brady before the rehearsal, and Scotty during- he was the ring-bearer and stood like that for most of the rehearsal!

Mikey enjoyed wandering during the rehearsal.

Annie (right) and Tilda with their daddy, Joe. Joe's smile here is pretty much indicative of how much fun we all had.

A beer-tasting contest (who brought the best brew?) and a chili cook-off were highlights of the rehearsal dinner!

The morning of the wedding- a Bride vs. Groom softball game!

The bride's team won!

I think the big winner this weekend was Ned!

And the main event! What a gorgeous bride Dani was!

This was Brady's expression as Dani walked down the aisle- she was so excited over her beautiful aunt!

Scotty walks down the aisle, with Brady, Annie, and Tilda following. Dani is not far behind.

Brady enjoyed the ceremony from Daddy's arms... until she fell asleep!

Scotty's big moment! He did great!

And the kiss! Husband and wife! Hooray!

What a getaway... and they lived happily ever after...

Congratulations to Ned and Dani! Thank you for a fabulous weekend! We love you both so much!