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If you are still here, you're missing out on THE NEW JLP BLOG!  

Go check it out HERE!  

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so you don't miss out on all the new goodies that are in the works.

Thanks!  See you at the new blog!

Out With The Old, and In With The New

I've been both dreading this post and looking so forward to it.

When our family decided to move west, back to Colorado, I began to pray over the future of Jen Lebo Photography.  I had no idea what God wanted to do with my business, and whether I should continue with it, particularly since I would be heading back to teaching.  A new job, a new community, a whole new world for our kids.  I knew my focus needed to be elsewhere, and I was feeling led to put my camera away.

But several weeks into settling into our new place, my heart began to stir.  I wanted to keep shooting.  But it felt different.  It wasn't the business I was missing, the excitement of sharing posts, or having clients love my work.  It was the connections that God allowed me to make through my camera, particularly with teens, especially with teen girls.

The more I prayed, and the more I spent time drawing near to God, the more I felt Him assuring me that He had given me this gift of photography, but that I had been misusing it for the past few years.  I had not been seeking His will, but my own.  I had been listening so closely to what the world told me I needed to do to succeed in my business, and not listening at all to what The Lord had planned for me.

I began writing down all the Scriptures that God put on my heart as I prayed over my work.  Seek first the kingdom of God, commit your ways to Him, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Write down the vision.  Wait patiently for the Lord.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not on your own understanding.  My ways are higher than your ways.  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the Lord, and not for men.  Walk by faith, not by sight.

I came to realize that my work is not for me.  It is not for my glory or my pleasure.  And it is not even for my clients, or my subjects.  My work- every facet of it, from the session, to the sharing of images, to the blog posts- it's all for God.  And it's for those who I long to love through my work.

Now as amazing as a revelation like this is, it brings with it some doubts.  My mind quickly went to places like "You're doomed.  No one will want to read or hear about stuff like this.  No one will want to be in front of your camera anymore.  This is too much."  It also went to places like, "You have no one to photograph in Colorado!  No one knows you!  You aren't good enough to start again.  You have too little knowledge, expertise, experience, talent, business savvy, fill-in-the-blank.  You are not good enough to be used for God."

And it's true.  And at first it all scared me to death.

But then I was reminded of another wonderful truth.  Yes, I am absolutely flawed, completely unequipped to succeed at photography, or teaching for that matter!  I'm filled with shortcomings.  But my many weaknesses point straight to my God, who is made PERFECT in my weakness.  Because when I do anything, it is with His power.

So I am stepping out again.  But I am stepping out on His terms, and in His timing.  I'm not sure yet what that all entails.  But for now I know it means this:

* Focusing Jen Lebo Photography on the photography, not the business.  So I am not "hanging out my shingle" just yet.
* Focusing on high school senior and teen portraits.  I believe God has given me a heart for teen girls and their struggle for truth in a world of lies- about their beauty and their worth.  This is where God wants me.  I will gladly shoot other types of photos if and when the need arises, but my heart is for teens.
* This will be the last post on this blog.  But a new blog is in the works, complete with a new brand, and a new JLP!  Jen Lebo Photography will focus on blogging for teens girls, and ladies of all ages.  My prayer is to encourage, uplift, and bring joy and hope and love to anyone who comes across it.
* Fun.  Authentic.  Shine.  These are the three words that I want to embody with my work, with my photos, with my writing, with my life.  This is what Jen Lebo Photography will be about.  I'm finished trying to run a business based on what the world tells me.  It's time to be authentic and share my photography the way God has always planned it.

I am well aware that such a shift might mean that no one else ever reads my blog again.  That I never photograph another subject, that any hopes of restarting my business go down the drain.  But that's ok.  I'm not in it for me, or even for you (and I hope that's not harsh).  My blog posts are for God.  Everything I write or shoot, I now do so with the thought, "Father, how can I glorify You with this?".  So if He's the only one who ever reads another post (besides my mom- Hi Mom!), then that's absolutely ok with me.  He's the one I'm doing it all for anyway.

If you've read this far, then thank you!  And I apologize for being so long-winded!  You know me!  And if you want to join me for this next phase of JLP, then that's fantastic!  I'm working to combine my JLP website with a new blog so that it's all in one place.  www.jenlebophotography.com will soon be the blog and the website.

I'm looking forward to following The Lord down whatever path He leads me, with my photography, with my teaching, and with everything else.  I sure hope you'll join me.

Keep smiling!  There is so much to smile about.
Jen

Big News! We Are Heading West! Jen Lebo Photography/ Colorado Springs Portrait Photographer

I'm so excited to share the news that our family is moving back to Colorado Springs.  After lots of prayer, and lots of patience, we have found ourselves moving right back to the school we said goodbye to seven years ago.  And we could not be more excited about it!  One of the most beautiful places we have ever seen, Colorado Springs is a place where we can experience life and joy with our kids, and where we can live every day to the fullest.  

We are counting the days!

I am excited too, to be continuing my passion and my business out west.  It will only be part time (I'll be back in the classroom a little bit myself), but it will be fantastic.  

I only wish I could take all of my clients with me.  It will be so sad to leave some of the greatest families I know.  I've photographed the most beautiful families, the most wonderful teens, the most precious babies from birth to elementary school.  I'll miss my clients so much.

I will not be taking on any new clients in the months leading up to our move, but I will be honoring any JLP gift cards still out there.  Photo session slots are limited so if you have a gift card to redeem, please contact me ASAP.

Thank you again and again to all the amazing clients I've photographed, who trusted me to capture their family memories.  I've loved being part of your lives.

Keep smiling,

Jen

God Within Her: A Portrait Project with Jen Lebo Photography

It's been an unforgettable year.  As I was approaching 40, I had my heart set on making this the most epic year of my life.  I had NO IDEA that God had the same plans, although in such a different way.

My life changed abruptly on Mother's Day Weekend last year.  Nothing tremendously dramatic.  No health or family issues, nothing that tragic, thank God.  But I was about 800 miles away from home, in a van with a group of friends, running in the "adventure of a lifetime", when God used my pride, my ego, and my self-centeredness to break me.  He stripped me of a lot that weekend and brought me home with the realization that I had put EVERYTHING above Him.

I spent the days and weeks after that weekend crying a lot, but from the pit, God rescued me from myself, showed me my heart, and began to change me.  I will forever remember that weekend as the most amazing weekend of my life.  I have come to cherish that weekend as one that saved my life.

Slowly through the months that followed, I dove into the Word of God, and drew closer to the Lord.  My hunger for Him took over my life, and everything in it.  I wanted everything in my life to center around Him.  My marriage, our family, my fitness, and my work.  I began to see my life as not mine, but as a tool to serve the God who loved me.  I have never felt more fulfilled.

I specifically began praying for a way to use my work to serve God.  I love being a photographer and I especially love working with teen girls.  It's a wonderful thing to capture the beauty in a young lady, to show her that beauty at a time in her life when, as we all know only too well, it might be hard to see in herself.

As my desires changed, God poured into me wonderful plans to start a Bible study for teen girls, which we call Unfading Beauty (based on 1 Peter 3).  This study has been such a wonderful experience for all of us.  It is still going on, and it's open to all teen girls any time!

But I wanted to create.  I wanted to express God's love and His promises with my camera.  And as this desire grew, I felt the Lord plant the seed of a project in my heart.

It's called "God Within Her", based on Psalm 46:5 which says "God is within her, she will not fall".

With this project, my hope is to use portraits of teens coupled with God's word to bring encouragement and hope to girls everywhere.  My prayer is to create a resource for teen girls to find hope in Christ, a resource filled with beautiful portraits, encouraging Scripture, devotionals from older women who have walked the path before them, and a safe place to share prayer requests, struggles, and questions.

Often in the past few months I've heard the voice in my head say "How ridiculous!  What could a 40 year old lady possibly have to offer to help teens!  You're too old!  You're so out of the loop!  You have no idea how to do this!"

This all may be very true.

But if I've learned one this this year it's this: this life is not about me.

I don't have all the resources, but I have a God who does.  I don't have all the words, but I have a lot of Christian sisters who can help.  I don't have all the answers.  But I have the power of a mighty God.

So I'm stepping out in faith.

If you've read this far and you're not asleep, bored, embarrassed or offended by this blog post, then I thank you!!!  And I ask for your prayers.

I also ask for those who might feel led to come alongside me in this to contact me.  I know this project is not one intended for me alone.  I hope in my heart it is intended to pour God's love and His word into women young and old everywhere.  Or maybe, just maybe it's intended to pour into just one heart, just that one heart that God is pursuing today.  Maybe it's you.  If it is, know that I've been praying for you.

Stay tuned for updates here on the blog.

A "God Within Her" Instagram page is coming.

A "God Within Her" blog is coming (I pray).

And don't forget the "Unfading Beauty" Bible study.  You're all invited!!!  CLICK HERE for details.

Finally, I will be having model calls for seasonal photo shoots to create the images like the ones you see above.  So if you're a teen girl who wants to step out in faith to be a face connected to God's word, let me know.

This year is truly the EPIC year I never really understood I wanted.  I'd love it if every single one of you would join me in it.  There's PLENTY of EPIC to go around!

Keep smiling,

Jen 

Teen Models Needed/ JLP Portrait Project

I am excited about a new portrait project that is in the works for Jen Lebo Photography, and I am looking for a group of teen models.

Contact me for more details.

True Beauty Sessions: A Whole New Kind of Senior Portrait Session

What's a girl to do?

I mean really.  What's a girl to do when her job and her heart find themselves in conflict?

Don't get me wrong.  I LOVE my job!  Anyone who knows me knows this, especially when it comes to high school seniors.  I love capturing their unique style, their exceptional beauty, the expressions that make them "them".  I have found the job of my dreams!

But my heart sometimes struggles with this job.  After all, here I am celebrating each girl's beauty- her eyes, her smile, her gorgeous hair, or the way she laughs- but what I really want to do is celebrate with them their inner beauty- the TRUE BEAUTY of their heart, which is so precious is God's eyes.  (1 Peter 3:3-4)

I have been praying about this conflict for a few months now, and just recently had the most wonderful idea.  As I know full well, none of my great ideas are ever mine, so I'm giving God credit for this one!  Thank You, Father!

Starting RIGHT NOW, in addition to my classic Senior Portrait Sessions, I will be offering TRUE BEAUTY SESSIONS.  These sessions are exactly the same as my classic senior portrait sessions in most ways- planning, products, price, technical process, etc.  The one difference is the focus.

With a typical Senior Portrait Session, the focus is on the outside.  We chat about personality and color preferences, we create Pinterest boards to brainstorm poses and lighting ideas, colors and expressions.  We connect with the best hair salon in town (props to Gwendolynn's Salon & Spa) to create flawless hair and make up, and we have a great time.  

With TRUE BEAUTY SESSIONS, the focus begins and ends with the heart.  We begin with prayer and a special Bible verse chosen by the senior and then journey through the portrait experience with a focus inward.  Pinterest boards, hair and make up, lighting, posing, prints and portrait pieces all remain part of the process, but all are grounded in prayer and God's Word.

TRUE BEAUTY SESSIONS go much deeper than the surface, creating an experience that could be life changing for each girl.

I am ELATED to share this with high school seniors everywhere and would love to fill my entire calendar with these sessions, so I'm offering a special price for them THIS MONTH ONLY!

DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, BOOK TWO TRUE BEAUTY SESSIONS (ONE FOR YOU, ONE FOR YOUR BFF) FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!  

So grab a girlfriend and let's make a date.

I'm certain it will be an unforgettable experience, both for you seniors, and for me.

I can't wait!

Keep smiling!

Jen

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

So… What Happened???

It's been a little over two months since my last post and I'm thinking some of you MIGHT be wondering where I've been and what has happened since then.  I've actually been asked by a few of you how you got disconnected from the blog, that you wondered why you aren't getting my posts anymore.  No, it's not you, nor is it your email or computer.  I've haven't posted in over 2 months.

A lot has happened since my last post, the one I wrote about my upcoming adventure at The Ragnar Relay in Cape Cod.  I won't get into details here.  No need to bore you all, although I'm more than happy to share my story with anyone who asks.  It's one of those awesome God things!

I will share a few bits though.  I will say that my weekend at Ragnar is one I will never ever forget.  Aside from the fact that 12 women dug deep to run every single mile of that 200 mile relay, aside from the physicality of it all, that weekend was a life changer for me.  That was the weekend God broke me. It was the weekend He exposed me for who I was becoming, for the fraud and imposter that I saw looking back at me in the mirror.

In the two months since, God has humbled me in more ways that I can tell.  He has stripped me of a lot, but in return has given me a million times more.  My heart was broken, but then mended back together with His love.  His purposes, His plans.  And through it all, I was blessed to lean on my amazing husband and my three awesome little goofballs.  

And as I now wake daily to learn more about His plans, I am AMAZED (I cannot express enough how AMAZED I am) at how he is slowly but surely weaving all these heartaches, all of my life's passions (I'm talking decades worth!) together for His amazing purposes.  I am very slowly beginning to see the pieces falling together- my life's work, my passions in life, my children and family, my insecurities, even (and especially) the mistakes I've made (I love how He uses ALL things for good) for His purposes.  It's as if it was all for a reason.  Yeah… I believe it is…

So now that I've bored you enough, I will leave you with a few takeaways:

* Ragnar was amazing and unforgettable- for so many different reasons than I expected, but truly life changing.

* God's timing has been PERFECT as He has been teaching me through the long and lazy days of summer why He broke me at Ragnar, and what He wants to use me for.

* My portraiture is a part of His plan, along with my years spent teaching high school, my years of playing and coaching young women, my role as a mother (particularly to my precious girl), my life long insecurities, my mistakes, and my love for writing, encouraging and connecting.

* There is much much more to pray on, and meditate on, to wait on and to act on.  God will reveal His timing.

* The root of all of this is based on 1 Peter 3:3-4

                      Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry and 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.

For those of you who are still reading, I appreciate your hanging with me.  For those of you who are praying women, I ask for your prayers as I desire to move forward with this project and do God's will.  And for those who are interested in knowing more, stay tuned!  New things are coming!

Keep smiling!

Jen

Their Story: The Charltons/ Pottstown Family Photography

It was so chilly.  I couldn't imagine trying to shoot without my gloves and worried about how the girls would feel about spending the morning outside in 30 degree temperatures.

But the minute I met Sydney and Logan, I knew we were going to have a great time.

Mom, Diane, welcomed me with one of the warmest smiles.  I felt instantly at home with them.

We spent a few minutes photographing the entire family (Dad, Dave and little brother, Trent were thrilled with how quickly that went- success!) and then spent the rest of the hour with the girls and their horses.  

I had such a wonderful time with Diane that I had to keep reminding myself to keep shooting!

But the girls kept me entertained with their beautiful smiles and their love for the horses and each other.  I had the most wonderful time!

I loved this session.

It left me feeling giddy after lots of laughs with the girls, a wonderful connection with a wonderful mother, and some gorgeous portraits!

I can't wait to do it again, Charlton crew!

But next time, let's hope for some warmer temps!

Keep smiling!

Jen

Your Story/ Change Your Perspective

Spring has truly sprung and my hope is that you are all heading outside with your cameras to capture the fun of finally being out and about with the kids again!

A quick tip to improve those shots: change your perspective!

Try a new perspective for a fresh new look.  Get down on the ground to photograph your baby.  Shoot up at your teenage son to make him appear taller and more masculine.  Climb a ladder or some steps to get a bird's eye view of your kids.  Or even turn them (or you!) upside down!

Always look for a new perspective.

This works in life too.

But that's a deeper topic for a different day!

Keep smiling!

Jen

Their Story/ The Tanner Family: Douglassville Family Photography

Her little hat was just too much.

As if she little Leah wasn't precious enough, her mom topped her off with the most adorable little flower hat and it was just too cute.  She just stole the show- and melted my heart too!

It was a beautiful fall portrait session.

Jennifer and Zach, I loved photographing your family.

Thanks for a wonderful session!

Keep smiling,

Jen

Special Monday Giveaway! Win a Free Mini Portrait Session for Mom!

Mother's Day is just around the corner!

What are you going to get Mom?

Win her a Mini Portrait Session with her loves (that's you!).

Oh, and since I know it's you MOMS who are actually the ones reading this, feel free to pass this on to your husbands!  You can both enter and double your chance to win!

The contest is TODAY ONLY so don't wait!

Have fun and good luck!

Keep smiling!

Jen

Her Story: Stephanie Mourar/ Boyertown HS Senior Photography

She was a little on the quiet side, which made me wonder how the hour would go.

And then she smiled and all of my worries vanished.

I stopped wondering whether the photo shoot would be a good one, and started wondering if her smile had that relaxing effect on everyone.  I assumed it did.

Stephanie, a current senior at Boyertown High School, has that kind of smile.  The kind that stays with you in the most wonderful way.  

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, Stephanie!

May you always carry that beautiful smile and share it with everyone you meet!

Jen

Your Story: It's Finally Time For….

THE 2015 JLP SENIOR MODEL CAMPAIGN!

This is what JLP is all about!

But this year it's completely exclusive.

I am selecting JUST ONE current junior from each high school, and JUST THREE total juniors!

That's it!

ONLY THREE JLP SENIORS!

If you are interested in learning more about the JLP Senior Model Program and want to be one of my three models, then HURRY!

(Oh and I've already got one so that really just leaves TWO!)

Call Me TODAY!!

Jen

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