Grandma & Grandpa with Ian, the star of the show

He was SO sweet and adorable

The boys. This might be one of my all time favorite family portraits now! This was one of Ian’s favorite things to do during our shoot, so the boys figured if you can’t get the finger out of the nose, then you may as well join the fun!

Anna Marie and her beautiful daughters-in-law

Anna Marie and Tony, married 40 years!

Their two sons with their families

Do you remember Elissa & Ryan? I knew back when they got married that one day they would make beautiful babies, but little man K is even cuter than I could have imagined, PLUS he’s so happy and joyful too boot! It was so wonderful to catch up with them recently for a mini portrait session in Scottsdale. I love, love, LOVE continuing to see my former wedding couples have babies and grow their families!

In fact, gonna have to storyboard these :-)

I was going to link to their previous family shoot on my blog, but I was shocked to see that I didn’t upload it (and several others — it must have been during the crazy holiday season), so I’ll post a few pictures of their family sessions before Cash arrived, which include adorable big sister Emerson. :)

Holiday ’09 Session

My Year in the Life Package includes 4 sessions spaced throughout the year to follow the growth, development and changes of a little one (and often include the pregnancy images as well) and a beautiful custom designed album to showcase all of your favorites from the year. What a perfect way to preserve that first year that goes so fast and is so fleeting. Now, if I can just complete albums for my own kids… :-)

Is it time for some updated images? On April 24th I’ll be offering a special on mini portrait sessions in Scottsdale. Perfect for updated shots of the kids, some new fun headshots/lifestyle pictures of you, or a mini-couples session.

• When:: Saturday, April 24, 2010

• Where:: Scottsdale Civic Center Park – Old Town Scottsdale area (exact location to be provided with contract signing)

• Times:: Sessions will begin about 3 PM and finish at 6 PM

• Sessions will start on the full hour and the half hour and are 20-25 minutes max in length::
3:00 – 3:25 PM – Booked
3:30 – 3:55 PM – Available
4:00 – 4:25 PM – Booked
4:30 – 4:55 PM – Available/Tentative Booking – First come, first serve
5:00 – 5:25 PM – Available/Tentative Booking – First come, first serve
5:30 – 5:55 PM – Booked

• Mini sessions are for groups up to 4 people max (kids, families, couples, headshots welcome)

• Assorted posed and candid shots

• A few props will be on-hand for the kiddos (tutu’s, fun hats, wildflowers, and more)

Sessions are $195 and include::

• Time and processing
• Assistant on hand to help entertain the kids
• 15-25 final edited images uploaded to online gallery for proofing and ala carte ordering
• 16 Wallet Prints (up to 2 separate poses/images chosen by you)
• 5 Free Facebook/Web-ready watermarked images for sharing

To book your session or inquire for more details, please email us.

*** Mini Sessions provide a great opportunity to get some updated and fun shots of the kids or small families, but they are not the best fit for full-blown portrait sessions with outfit changes, or large groups. Those take more time that we would have on this date. If you are interested in large group family photography or full lifestyle portrait sessions, please do email us for more information. Thank you! ***

Hello blog readers! This is Kelly Gill, Jennifer’s studio assistant, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to her blog. I am going to dive into today’s post with a confession: I have a bit of a totally appropriate and professional crush on Jennifer.  Monday mornings are always better because I know I get to head over to her office, share some coffee talk with her, commiserate about the perils of motherhood (as well as share the joys, of course!) and then delve into her world as a photographer. The joy, sweetness and poignancy of her photographs always take me on a journey that I look forward to and if you are reading this blog, we already have something in common- we adore this gal and her images!

Since Jennifer is offering mini- portrait sessions on April 24th, I thought I would pass on some portrait planning tips:

Tip #1: Don’t forget about wardrobe for the adults. I know many parents (and let’s face it, I’m really talking to the moms on this one) who spend hours agonizing over the outfits for the kids and then are left with what for themselves? A faded black shirt? The not-so-perfect necklace? You are going to scrutinize yourself in these pictures so make sure you are wearing something that gives you that little spring in your step, but something that moves easily and that you feel good in. You will be much happier with the end result. (I’ll be sharing some fun ideas for clothing here next week, so stay tuned…)

Tip #2: Shed the stress. I know how it goes the day of a shoot: the clothes need to be ironed AGAIN, your hair won’t cooperate, child #1 is feeling ornery, you get into a spat with significant other, and then you almost run out of gas on the way to the photo shoot. Photo shoots are stressful for parents, simply put. But try, try, try to forget all that and start the session with a deep breath. Look at your beautiful family and try appreciate the moment. Your pictures will show your happiness and love for your family — or your stress and tension. And remember that you won’t have to really think about any of this again for another year or so :-)

Tip #3: Be prepared, but manage your expectations (for your kids). I actually went to a shoot once at 9AM without feeding my children breakfast and without a snack stash. Hello catastrophe! Here is what I must pass on to you: bring water for everyone, snacks to bribe your kids (yes, we all do it, stop beating yourself up about it), and toys or lovies to comfort the kiddos. Jennifer is fully aware that a child’s threshold for “behaving” in photo shoots is roughly 15 minutes and she is an expert at going with the flow. Lower your expectations and go with the flow too. Logically, we know that firmly demanding (i.e., yelling through clinched teeth) that your child sit still, smile and be charming doesn’t work, yet our emotions get in the way and we just want it all to be perfect. If you let the kids do their thing, Jennifer will do hers, and you will see the genuinely charming side of your family reflected in the images. Promise!

JB fans, thanks for reading my debut post! I will be back at it next week with some clothing ideas for spring and summer portrait shoots.

Spring happiness to all!

Kelly

I photographed this little love-bug a bit ago, in honor of her first birthday, and I have just loved watching grow. I first “met” her when she was in her Mom’s belly and she is one of the happiest little persons I’ve ever seen.

a