New Journal Backgrounds

 I just created a couple of art journal backgrounds that I love, so thought that I would share them here.  These feel like I am getting back to a stye that I was missing...like I had forgotten about it and left it behind in the name of every element needing to be mine.  Hand created.  There is something so peaceful about just flowing with images.  Cutting. Pasting.  Breathing. And out of that came a couple of pages that I can't wait to write all over.  That mean something to me.  I hope you enjoy!

xo
Jen

Creative Event Venues

Are you planning a wedding or other event?  Looking for something amazing?  Check out Devour Catering for some truly stupendous ideas. I was blown away by their attention to detail in the photographs and know that they would be worth a look! Here are a couple of images from their blog - just gorgeous!

xo

Jen

Back to School Photo Tips

 

There's only one "first day of school" for every child, so capture the day accurately with extra special photos! Whether it's kindergarten, first grade, or any year thereafter, you'll want to preserve that special day forever... and here's how!

Tip 1: Plan ahead. From clothes to lunches to backpacks, there are many things to get together for that first day of school! Don't be scrambling for camera, batteries, and memory cards as you rush your child out the door... make sure you have those things ready beforehand! Hurried activities will only add stress, so the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your child will be!

Tip 2: Be sensitive to your child’s emotions and needs. Preparing your child for the first day of school AND the first day of school photo is important. The additional stress of taking a photo before heading off to school might prove a bit taxing for your child. Its a good idea to talk about that first day of school photo beforehand with your child... knowing what to expect is a stress reliever for everyone!

Tip 3: Decide where and when will be the best place and time to take photos. If your child’s going off to school on the bus, waiting at the bus stop might be a great place to start! If you’re picking your child up after school, you might want to take the photo in front of the school. This can even work out better because the anxiety over the first day of school will have subsided.

Tip 4: Make it a tradition! The first day of school is a great time to chronicle, in photographs, the growth of your child.  Try taking their picture in front of the same tree or in the same pose each year, and frame or scrapbook all the images together to see their growth right before your eyes, from kindergarten to college!

Tip 5: Don’t forget to photograph those who may not be going off to school. -- younger children, friends, or even dad! The images of those watching can create some wonderful and completely spontaneous images!

Have a great school year and don't forget to keep taking pictures throughout the year!

xo

Jen

McMitchell

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Summer is fading and as I gear up for what will surely be an insanely busy fall, I came across these lovely pictures from last year that went unposted.  We have such unbelievably beautiful parks in Calgary to take advantage of.  Fish Creek will always be my favourite because it is stunning in any season.  I love the richness of the fall colours even after the leaves have come off of the trees. And I love the sparkle in the eyes of the girls as they cavort and hang out with their grandparents.  I will mourn the fading of the summer's heat.  But the tang of new fallen leaves brings nostalgia and grace to my world.  This year I will revel in the colours and crunch through leaves shed for another year.

How will you celebrate the coming of autumn?

xo

Jen

Ashton and Alex

 

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This is why I love being a photographer. A gorgeous summer day, a family that I have been so fortunate to work with a few times and beautiful children. There is nothing about this that feels like work! Even when Alex didn't want to be a part of...well...anything...there is always a way around it.  Playing airplane with his dad or walking with his grandmother brought smiles to his face.  And as always, I love the moments that capture ALL the moods of the day.  Here are a few of my faves from the shoot!

xo

Jen

Back to School

Back to school is one of my favourite times.  It always feels like New Years to me...the true start of the new year. Everything feels like a fresh start and there is a certain energy in the air. As a student my favourite thing was to go shopping for school supplies. Woolco would have these huge bins of pens and paper and pencil crayons out.  The sheer multitude of stuff made me heady with delight! I loved the pencil cases and binders.  And the second I got home, I would dump the bags of stuff on to my bed and organize absolutely everything. 

Then there was the nervous anticipation for the actual first day.  What should I wear?  A new outfit for sure...nothing too fancy, but something cool. Something that made me feel special. That new outfit feeling fades after the first week, but it was part of the fresh start.

Carter started Grade Two this week.  And at a brand new school on the other side of town.  She has been looking forward to this since we found out she would be attending in May.  But it still didn't come without a touch of apprehension for all of us...change is exhilarating and scary! She can't wait to go back...I love her courage and excitement.

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These shots are from her first two days - New Student Orientation and the actual first day.

xoxo baby girl!

Shadow and her Peeps!

 

We had such an awesome day in South Fish Creek with the lovely Shadow and all her people! No mosquitos - which is unheard of in August in Calgary, a bunch of sunshine and awesome people.  My idea of an awesome shoot.  And for those of you that remember, the lovely Susan (formerly of Chipperfield Photography) is in these shots as well! Hope you guys enjoy your sneak peek - can't wait for you to see the rest!

 

 

 

 

 

  

xo

Jen

 

Cheryl Kroeker Shields

 

I met Cheryl last fall doing a promo shoot for "Storm Warning" for Company of Rogues.  We had a lot of fun that day, so I was excited when she called me to update her head shots.  I love how easily she connects and we had a blast doing this shoot as well!  Here are her two new shots to re-launch her career.  Break a leg Cheryl!

 

xo

Jen