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

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

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

Cawfee Tawk Tuesday! Fun Times!

Yesterday was the first Monthly Monday Mommy Playdate! It was planned for 9:30am, this month at Mandarach Park, and I was so happy with the turnout! There were about 10 moms who came out to join me on what turned out to be a bright and sunny morning! And for a good chunk of the hour, we were the only moms at the park! It was great fun!

As I told the moms there, I see the purpose of our Monday Mommy dates as three fold:

1. It is a great way to meet and connect with other moms with kids who our the same ages as our own!

2. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with our kids while meeting new moms. I'm not sure who had more fun during our hour together, we moms or the kids!

3. It's a great time and place to take a couple of select tips and try them out! New and old friends, quality time with the kids, and an hour of practicing our photography! A sure recipe for fun and success!

At our mommy dates, I will be focusing on compositional tips- tips that you can use immediately, regardless of whether you're using a point and shoot or a fancy DSLR, tips you can use whether you are a seasoned pro or a newbie (mom or photographer!).

Yesterday we started with 2 basic tips:

1. Get closer! This was the very first pointer I ever heard and put into practice and it is still my favorite. Getting closer removes outside distractions, and leaves no question as to who your subject is. And it allows you to get close enough to actually connect with your child! Which leads to...

2. Simply engage with your child. Forget "say cheese" and going for the perfect shot. Just follow him around, spend time with him, talk with him, play with him. Bring your camera along for the ride and just shoot him being him. The expressions are more genuine and you get more of them!

I followed my own pointers and am sharing my favorites from the morning. These were the few I got between great moments with great ladies, and multiple trips up and down the huge slide at Mandarach! Don't know who was more tired after our play date- Mikey or me!

Thanks for spending the morning with me, ladies! I've got a couple of great ideas for the next outing and I hope to see you all there!

Bring a friend!

And keep shooting!

Jen

Rosie and Lisandro: Engagement and Wedding

Last month I went out to Philadelphia to photograph the wedding of Lisandro and Rosie, and the month before I met them at St. Peter's Village for their engagement session. As always, it was a treat for me to shoot at St. Pete's. I've come to love the variety of "looks" there. But even better was getting out of my comfort zone to head into the city for the actual wedding. I am SO NOT the city girl, but it was so worth driving on crazy streets to be able to spend time with these two and photograph their love. These two are just dream subjects! So romantic, so fun, so up for anything. They were getting honked at and waved at walking through Philly in their wedding attire, and they had a blast with it. It was so fun!

Here are a few of my favorites from the engagement session and wedding:

Congratulations Rosie and Lee! You deserve all the happiness in the world!

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

Father's Day Contest Winner

And the winner is...

Courtney Neese!!!

(with winning entry #16)

Congratulations Courtney and thanks everyone for entering!

There were such wonderful blog comments. There sure are some amazing dads out there!

Mother's Day Contest Winner: Stephanie, Jason, and the Kids

Last weekend I had the best session! Stephanie, Jason, and their three kids met me on campus at The Hill School to shoot some family portraits. Stephanie was the winner of my Mother's Day contest and she was excited to get her free mini-session!

It was such a delight! Older brother Evan was my big helper, finding me fun places to shoot and giving me great smiles. Middle sister Emma was just beautiful. She was a bit shy to start out, but that didn't last long and she may have had as much fun as I did! And baby sister Elizabeth was just precious. She was happy as long as she was in either mommy's or daddy's arms. I was so smitten with all of them.

Take a look at a few of my favorites and you will be too! Be warned though... this post is picture HEAVY!

Thanks so much Jason and Stephanie for a wonderful afternoon. It's obvious how much you cherish your babies, and after our session together, I can easily see why.

Don't forget everyone! I'm running a Father's Day Contest right now so you can win your own free mini-session! Check out the details in the blog post from yesterday!

Hope to hear from you so we can create YOUR special memories!

Jen