Scottsdale Arizona Wedding Photographer Jennifer Bowen

Christmas Time Is....
Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Family Time:

My entire family is out visiting me right now and its been so fun having quality time together. Family is the most important thing to me in the world and we are a pretty close knit group. Like all families we have our moments, but I love them all so much and we always have a lot of fun together. My daughter Jordan and niece Morgan are on Grandma and Grandpa's laps (my mom Linda and step-dad Jim) and my sister Shannon and brother-in-law Matt are on the right, my other sister Alexia is in the middle and Chris and I round out the left side. Jordan is laughing so hard because Woody from The Toy Story movie was "taking our picture" and she found that quite hilarious.

Some more images from the past few days...

My sister Alexia took this shot of Jordan and Papa and I love it!

Another few (above and below) that my sister Shannon took...

Tradition Time:

Growing up, we made sugar cookies every year shortly before Christmas and decorated them (ours did not look like Martha Stewarts, but we didn't care), so it was so fun to make them with our girls this year.

They made a Gingerbread house with Grandma and Grandpa on Christmas Day. I think you can see their pride with the outcome!

Every year we add a new meaningful ornament to the tree. Earlier this month, I took Jordan to a children's Nutcracker production put on by the Arizona Ballet Company and she loved it! We received this ornament there, so of course added it to the tree.

Matching Jammies

Growing up, my Mom always gave us matching pajamas every year on Christmas Eve, so she has continued that with our own children. (Since its highly unlikley my sister and I would wear matching jammies now).

Christmas morning was so fun with the girls....

...And the aftermath of cleaning up for the adults...

Labels: PERSONAL

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Trisha and Mike's Wedding
Sunday, December 23, 2007

I photographed two weddings over Thanksgiving weekend and Trisha and Mike were my first couple on Friday. They were married in a small and very intimate ceremony at Sassi, followed by a outdoor cocktail reception and romantic dinner in one of Sassi Ristoriante's private rooms. Trisha is the wedding coordinator for the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in north Phoenix, so I was very flattered she selected me to photograph her wedding. She pulled together such a beautiful wedding and paid attention to all the small details that help shape the day. It was such a joy to meet their friends and family, who were so warm and inviting. In fact, they absolutely insisted I sit down and eat the meal with them, which was so very nice of them! I obliged and had such a nice conversation with Mike's aunts and uncles. Their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Alexa was simply adorable and so good all day too!

Here are some the details to start... her beautiful wedding gown and shoes:

Trisha's hand made programs rolled and sealed with a beatuiful rice paper leaf and ribbon...

The stunning bridal bouquet and florals made by Rene Wendell of Design Group Florist

LOVE, love this shot of Trisha and Mike

Another favorite shot...

Adorable Alexa

I love how you can see Mike's pure joy in this shot.

....And, shortly after I backed up and kicked a cactus with those really sharp thorns, and it lodged into my shoe to the point where I couldnt get it out and couldn't wear my shoe....

So one of Mike's best friends actually got it out for me! I couldn't thank him enough for actually putting his hands inside my shoe!!!!

The beautiful room at Sassi, decorated with all of the florals by Rene Wendell

Congratulations Trisha and Mike!! Thank you for having me be a part of your day!

Labels: WEDDINGS

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Featured on Channel 3!
Friday, December 21, 2007

Such a surprising day today! I woke up to find several new inquires after I was featured on Channel 3 News this morning thanks to Tara Hitchcock and Andrea Hiland (KNIX of the Tim and Willy Show). I had no idea Andrea would be on and that they would feature her Christmas cards (that she did on her own) and completely missed the telecast, but I was so delighted none the less! Thank you Tara, Andrea and Channel 3 for the plug!

Labels: NEWS

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Holiday Roundup!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

I've been a little MIA catching up on all the work from this past month or so. The client's have had the photographs for quite some time, but I wanted to post photos from several holiday sessions in these recent weeks that I have not gotten around to posting yet. So a little colloboration of sorts follows...

What is fun for me is how different every single photo shoot it. Each family is so individual and their relationships so unique that's its fun for me to try and capture something different each time. I always shoot what the client is hoping to get for the holiday card -- in the case of the more traditional shots -- and then I always shoot for me; for the more off the wall unique stuff.... which usually provides a good mix in the end.

Starting up with cute Santa Jake and his Mom, again this year... I was amazed at how perfect their dog Valentine was for this shoot!

Then the Seeley clan... good friends of mine!

Kate (above) decided she was done with photos, so she decided to talk a little rest. Remind me a little of a Norman Rockwell type moment.

My personal favorite of Kate

Then the Campisi family - my 4th year photographing their beautiful family!

And the Roth family ... we were moved inside this year due to the rain, but managed to get a couple outdoors...

And finally, the Jemmett family, more friends of ours - the kids all growing like weeds! They live right on Camelback Mountain, so we didn't have far to walk for some amazing views.

Happy Holidays everyone! Thank you for such a fun and amazing year. I am thankful for each of you.

Labels: PORTRAITS

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Santa came early!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Christmas came early for me this year! My sweet husband got me the iPhone, which I am now in love with. He only gave it to me early because I kept going back and forth between wanting the iPhone or another smart phone based on reviews and specs, and because he had already purchased the iPhone, he told me I needed to make up my mind quick. So I did (and then begged that I could start using it) and have zero regrets. This thing rocks!

It is so easy to use, so logical, and fun - and I love having access to my emails on the road now, not to mention the web. Also love the visual voice mail function, so I know exactly who called and left messages without having to listen to all of them first. I watched a TV show while working out yesterday (which made the whole treadmill thing go much faster). If you have ever thought about getting this phone, just do it, you won't regret it!

Labels: PERSONAL

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The Peters Family
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

'Tis the season for many late nights of working! I recently photographed The Peter's Family for some very photojournalistic family shots. Ken is the owner of Nocturnal Design Studio where he does some really great graphic design for fairly well known clients. In fact he just designed me a new marketing piece I'll be using in '08. So we traded out services and I had the chance to meet his beautiful family. Braden is 2 1/2 and was such a doll. In the spirit of most 2 year olds in front of a camera, he didn't want to look at me too much, but I did manage to snag this shot of him...

This one below is now one of my favorite shots. Linda's face says it all. If you are a Mom, you just know exactly what she is feeling.

Labels: PORTRAITS

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Valerie and Ben's Wedding
Sunday, December 09, 2007

Valerie and Ben were married a few weeks ago at Sassi in North Scottsdale on a beautiful blue sky day. Their wedding was not only elegant and classy, but also a lot of fun. (For anyone looking for an intimate and warm wedding venue, Sassi is first rate. Krista is wonderful, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is so beautiful). Valerie and Ben are both incredibly warm and caring and they filled their day with so many very personal touches unique to them. They LOVE animals (well, I think Ben mentioned in his toast that Val loves them a little more than him, but he's grown to love the many strays they have taken in over the years just as much!) so they filled their reception with images from all of their beloved pets through the years. Each table featured an individual "pet table card" that explained a little more about that dog or cat and why they were so special to the couple. Even the placecards had adorable little paw prints on them, custom designed for Val. It was a great wedding and such a pleasure to spend the day with them. I somehow think children wont be too far behind (they both love children too) and I hope to see their future collaboration as he or she will no doubt be beautiful.

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Lots of beautiful details, like her gorgeous wedding gown

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Several bride and groom moments and shots I loved...

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Some touching ceremony moments...

One of Valerie's bridemaids was pregnant, and though she didnt want me to take any shots of her belly (during the formals), I couldn't resist capturing this moment when they were standing around talking and the way the sun was hitting her.

The animal touches!

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A sweet first dance moment I liked.

A couple cute reception candids

Congratulations Ben and Val! I loved spending the day with you both.

Labels: WEDDINGS

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Catching Up (with Tyler)
Monday, December 03, 2007

Well, we are busy busy at work over here processing and editing all these photos from the recent weeks. But we are also getting into the Christmas spirit. The house is decorated, Jordan is beyond excited for Santa and I'm trying to get everything all caught up before my entire family descends upon me in two weeks for the holiday festivities. But I'm LOVING the season this year because Jordan is making everything 100 times more fun. She is at such a fun stage where she is really starting to get it and appreciate it all a bit more. I took her to the Arizona Ballet Nutcracker production yesterday and it was adorbale to see some many cute kids dressed up in their holiday finest. (Pictures coming soon...)

On the subject of forthcoming pictures, I know you (clients) are checking and waiting, so here is what is on deck:

Valerie & Ben's wedding at Sassi - very soon!
Trisha & Mike's wedding at Sassi
Debbie and David's wedding at Royal Palms
Peter's Family Holiday Photos
Roth Family Holiday Photos
Campisi Family
....and the Jemmett Family

But in the meantime, if this face doesn't get you in the spirit, I don't know what will. :)

Baby Tyler is now 9 months and just keeps getting cuter and cuter! I just adore his little face and his curly patch of hair that makes him look like a Gerber baby.

Okay, this looks like one of those indoor studio "prop" shoots, but I promise this pose was 100% Tyler's. We found the pretty trees all decorated inside the JW Marriott Desert Ridge and he was digging the presents and lights.