Her Story/ Rachel Carson: The Hill School Senior Photography

He looked at her differently all throughout dinner.  This four year old of mine, who up until this moment had only had eyes for his momma.  I could see the way he held on to her every word as she laughed with him and my two other kids.  A sixth former (senior) at The Hill School and one of my 2014 JLP Seniors, Rachel had become quite close with our family and with our kids.  All three of them loved her.  But there was something different about the way my baby was watching her.

And then it came out.

"Rachel…" he said very slowly and calmly, "…you're so pretty."

The table erupted with laughter, and I beamed at my little man.

I may have lost him for a moment there, but I realized in that moment that my boy has got great taste!

Thank you, Rachel, for all the time and effort you put into being one of my 2014 JLP Seniors.  I had so much fun photographing you this year, but even more so, I am so thankful that you opened up your heart to my kids.

To them, and to us, you will always be "our Rachel".

Keep smiling,

Jen

Their Story: The Mullane Family/ Limerick Family Photography

I know that I always gush about how much fun I had with each family that I photographed in every blog post, but truly, this family is special.  And ANYONE who knows them knows this to be true.  Jim and Lori live life with tremendous passion, and that is how they love each other and their beautiful daughters.  And that love comes right back to them in squeezes and hugs and tickles and squeals of delight from those sweet girls.  It's absolutely amazing to watch this family together.  The love is overwhelming because they know how precious each is to the whole.

This past fall I had the pleasure of photographing the Mullanes for the second time.  I am absolutely smitten with this crew and hope to be making autumn dates with them until Jim is walking each girl down the aisle!  Truly!  We held this session right in their backyard and let the girls just play.  

It was such a blast.

I already cannot wait until next fall.

Although I'm secretly hoping to steal Lori away for a few runs this spring!

Right Lori?

Keep smiling, Mullanes.

Those smiles brighten so many lives!

Jen

My Story/ Let's Do A Personal Photo Project!

Lovely family portrait right?

I'm guessing you have one too.

Perhaps, like me, you grab your crew once a year and hook up with your family photographer (maybe it's me!) and we capture something like this for you.  

And like me, you probably look at it a lot and smile.

But…

Perhaps, like me, you know that this is not enough.

Life is happening around us everyday.  Are we capturing it on camera?

If you're like me, the answer is no.

So…

I've got a challenge for all of us.

Who is up for a personal photo project?

Maybe it's "a photo a day", or maybe it's a monthly project we do focusing on 12 things that we are passionate about.  Perhaps it's a one month project to take your camera (not just your phone) with you at least once a day (and use it).

Let's brainstorm some ideas!

Comment below and share what you want to do as a personal project.  

Then let's meet back here next Monday, pick one, and begin!

Who's in?

Comment below and let's have some fun!

Jen

Your Story/ What Makes you YOU?

Welcome to the first Monday blog post of 2014, where we focus on "Your Story"

How can there not be one photo?  Seriously?  All these photos of soccer games, and first days of school, the spring play and before church on Easter Sunday, and nothing?  Not one photo of me, of my interests, of what makes me Me?

Have you checked?

Are you noticing the same thing in your endless file folders of photos?

WHERE ARE YOU?

As we spend our days collecting the cherished memories that make up our families, let's not forget about us.  Photograph the personal passions of your life.  You don't hesitate to photograph those basketball games, so why not capture the 5K you're training for, or the new blanket you just knitted.  Big or small, think about what you enjoy doing, and catch a few photos, even if it's just with the phone.  You'll be so glad you did.  And so will your future grandkids I bet.

What are the passions in your life?  What makes you YOU?  Shoot them and share, either in the comments below or on my JLP Facebook page!  It'd be so fun to SEE what you love!

Keep smiling!

Jen

In The Blink Of An Eye/ Florida Teen Photography

"Ooh, get a shot of me with this British flag, Aunt Jen, since I'm going to London this summer!"  Wait.  What?  I was abruptly brought back to reality with that one statement.  I had been reminiscing about the darling little girl who had once sung silly songs for me, danced around in shiny red boots, and called me "J" because she couldn't say Jen.  And now here I was photographing this stunningly gorgeous teenager who was chatting about getting her license, seeing her boyfriend later on, and heading off to London in a few months.

Wait.  What?

How did this happen?

The years sure have flown by, but what a precious and beautiful young lady has emerged from those little red boots.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for you, sweet girl.

What surprises in life have you experienced lately?

How does it make you feel?

Share your stories with me!

And keep smiling!

Jen

Happy Autumn from JLP

I love autumn.

A time for sweaters and scarves.

A time for pumpkin picking and mums.

A time for crackling fires and pumpkin pie.

A time to be thankful for so many blessings.

And of course, a time for family portraits.

From our home to yours.

Happy Autumn.

Jen

The Carroll Family/ Pottstown Family Photography

Four daughters in one family?

Sounds like a recipe for drama right?  Well, not with the Carroll family!  When Maria called to set up a portrait session with her daughters, I was more than intrigued at finding out what four sisters would be like.  And after that session, I found myself asking Maria and Brian for some parenting tips, because these girls were anything but dramatic.  Fun, kind (to each other!), polite, sweet, and absolutely beautiful!  It was one fantastic session!

Not to mention a sweet little 8 year old's birthday!

Here are a few favorites from the session.

What beautiful young ladies and what fabulous parents!

I wish my kids got along like this!

Thanks, Carroll crew, for such a fun time!

Keep smiling!

Jen

The Davidsons/ Schwenksville Maternity & Newborn Photography

One of the greatest perks of being a portrait photographer is sharing in the joys of family life, particularly when that family is growing.  And most definitely when that family is growing with baby #1!  It is an amazing and special gift to witness and capture the excitement of expecting parents, and the overwhelming love poured out over their newborn baby.

Such was the case with Scott and Carla as they anticipated and then celebrated the birth of their baby boy Riley.  The love that enveloped this home and this little man were extraordinary and I actually found myself in tears as I edited these images.  There is nothing more precious in life than family.

Here are a few of our favorites from the maternity and newborn sessions.

Congratulations to you Carla and Scott.

It was such a joy for me to share in the celebration of your precious little Riley!

Make sure to give him lots of hugs and cuddles for me!

Keep smiling!

Jen