You may remember this engagement session from the fall.

It’s my beautiful cousin Margaret and her now husband Jason.  They were married in June and contacted me about doing a bridal/”back in the dress” session.  I had the BEST time.  I get to be fun and creative, they follow directions (unlike trying to shoot a session with my 2 yr old), and there’s just something about a newly married couple because love just pours out of them.  Crazy fun.   My secret wish is that they have babies soon so I can do their maternity and newborn too   I have a funny feeling that is the same wish that my Aunt Ellen has… no pressure guys.  None at all.  Hehehe…

Normally, I like to keep my editing “clean” with as little trendy stuff as possible.  I want my images to look timeless and still hold strong 50 years from now.  Every now and again, I get the hankering to try something fun and do something trendy.  Here’s my fill from this session.   Little funky, little fun, LOVE it.

I didn’t talk a lot about it here, but I shot my first wedding last week.  Previous to now, I was unsure if I wanted to shoot weddings.  I love shooting children and families, and am very happy with that.  But, when a great friend told me her brother was getting married and they asked me to shoot it, well, the stars seemed to align.  I will say, I was amazed at the amount of love in the day.  It just oozes out of the images!  We had BEAUTIFUL golden light.  And, what’s more, it didn’t rain!  In July!  In FL!  Afternoon/evening thundershowers are a virtual certainty this time of year.  Here’s your sneak peek Troy and Sheryal!!

1)  I’m baaaa-ack!  We had a nice little vacation, and I am finally caught up on the post – vacation laundry and such!  Phew!!!  I gotta be honest, I still have at least one load of towels to fold an put away though.  Just keepin’ it real.

2)  With all of the challenge of 2 small children, teaching ballet, and running a successful business, the back burner has been Boden’s newborn photos.  I have just been putting them off for too long.  Here’s one I just finished.  I left his “angel kisses” in tact on this edit.

I know I’m a bit partial, but I just love that squishy face!!

3) I am running my a/c full time, house full of fans on high, and the external temp is in the 90s and I’m already planning for the holidays.  Holiday sessions and holiday cards that is!  I have some BEAUTIFUL plans for holiday cards this year!!  I can’t wait to share!  You’re gonna love them!

4) Don’t forget about summer mini sessions!

5)  A little plug and information for a great service.  Carter is a successful graduate of the Infant Swimming Resource program.  His instructor, Megan Zoller is a wonderful instructor.  This program is not simply about learning to swim, but for survival lessons should a child fall in the water.  Carter starts his refresher lessons next week.  His float is a little rusty.  I am so thankful for Megan and her services!  She is worth her weight in gold!!   Be prepared for some pics of him in lessons next week!

1)  I am so far behind editing personal photos!  I am STILL working on Boden’s newborn photos.  Don’t worry there will be a BIG post when they are done!  Here’s one from this morning that just made me melt…  Say it with me, “awwwwww”!

2) I am enjoying a weekend away with my family right now.  So, I may be slow to respond to emails and such.  I have internet access, but it’s via a wireless card, so it’s a bit slow.  I’d like to say “I deserve a weekend off”, but it’s just nearly impossible for me to make a clean break from technology.

3) I am booking Mini sessions right now, and have had quite the response to them!  They are only good on sessions that take place by September 15th, so book now before I’m all booked up!

4)  Christmas in July!!!  No, seriously!!  I am getting my holiday cards for 2010 picked out and organized!  Remember to ensure delivery for the holidays I am instating the following deadlines.   Nov. 15th:  Last day a session can take place and ensure product delivery by Christmas.  Dec. 1st:  Last day of orders to ensure Christmas delivery for standard prints and holiday cards.  If you want an album, the latest you can order that is Nov. 1st, so you’d need to have your session in the beginning of October to allow time for editing and design!

5) On a personal note:  I am finding motherhood just flat out hilarious.  I find myself saying things DAILY that I never dreamed would come out of my mouth.  This week?  Carter is obsessed with my armpits.  You know, the crease that is made when your arms are down by your side?  And the little bit of “fluff” (I’m telling myself it’s the fluff that is from my relaxed muscles against each other and not a fat pocket… hey, whatever gets me through the day, right?) that is there?  Carter likes to poke at it… and KISS it.  He’s been told REPEATEDLY “Do not touch people’s armpits, it’s yucky”.  So he tries to circumvent getting in trouble by asking “Is that Mama’s armpit?”  Why yes, Carter.  It is.  It is Mama’s armpit.  Then he’ll lean in and kiss it.  Blech.  Crazy kid.

And because I shared about Carter, I’ll share on Boden… he’s rolling over so well from belly to back!  I’m so proud of him!  He’s getting so big.  This week I had to put away the 3-6 months clothes and get down the next 3 sizes from the attic.  He’s asleep in a 9-12 month outfit right now.  It’s so cliche, but so true… They grow up so fast!!

Congrats Dave and Jenny!!  They get to have a FREE session with me that is all about love for them!   They also get a 16×20 gallery wrapped canvas of their favorite image from the session!!   2nd place went to Joe and Roberta, 3rd place was Andy and Becky, and 4th was Jared and Bri!  2nd place wins a $100 print credit, and 3rd and 4th place win a $50 print credit on any booked full session (does not apply to mini sessions).

And because I can’t post without a pic… here’s one of my Bodie from yesterday.  I was testing out a blanket and a lens… but, he’s darn cute isn’t he?!

Email me at JenniferMauren@gmail.com to book your mini session today!

It takes time to develop technical genius… and when it comes to computers and codes and such… well, I’m still waiting for that “genius” status.  So I appreciate you bearing with me while I worked some things out!  BUT!  We’re ready to vote people!!!  You are allowed one vote per computer.  You have one week to vote!  Voting ends next Wednesday!  Why Wednesday?  Because I leave for vacation Friday morning and I want to announce the winner before I leave!  “But Wednesday is a strange day to end a contest?”.  Yup, you’re right.  But, it’s my contest and my rules   LOL!  Here are your couples!  Spread the word!!

P.S. – stay tuned to the blog today for summer MINI session announcements!

“Never say never”, right?  When I first started in photography, I was very happy with family portraiture (including (but not limited to):  children, families, babies, newborns (still my fave), maternity, etc).  But, when a dear old friend (I won’t say how old, lest we give away too many secrets) told me she was getting married and wanted bridal portraits done, I wanted to do it.  Mostly, I wanted to be able to use my gifts to capture her.  Her wedding is Thursday, and she now lives in Vermont, so last night was our ONLY night to shoot.  Well, if you live in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, you know what the weather was last night.  NOT GOOD.  Dark, cloudy, stormy… blech.  I thought it was clearing up so we waited it out a bit, but at some point, my faithful friend just said “Let’s go for it”.  So in her wedding dress (that most would be fearful of getting wet) she braved the drizzle, and the wind, and the flat out rain at some points.  I had such a great time shooting.  I love getting to let out creative energy, and we certainly did that last night.  I grew a bit as a photographer last night.  I couldn’t be happier that it was during a shoot with a great friend.  Kendra, you are stunning!  Lu is a VERY lucky man!  Here’s a peak at some of the faves…  I have more editing to do on the rest, and may come back and share more later because I love them that much.

Last week I had the PLEASURE of capturing this precious sweet sweet baby girl.  She was a feisty one!  But, ultimately I won… I almost always do.  I have my ways, tricks, and techniques to get little ones to slip off into dreamland.

P.S- I am working on the post for the voting for my “It’s all about the LOVE” contest.  Bear with me as I endeavor into techmology I’m not familiar with!  LOL!  It will be up soon!  Get your voting fingers ready!

I’m baaaa-aack!!  Sunday was my first shoot officially back from maternity leave and it was GREAT!  It’s wonderful to be shooting again.  And, while I did have to leave my precious little one at home, I was heading to a shoot to snuggle someone else’s sweet baby, so it made it a little easier!  This is the beautiful Miss L.  She was a little peanut and her mother had the most amazing story of her pregnancy!  I forgot to ask if I could share any of that here, so, we’ll just say that little Miss L was quite the surprise!  She may be tiny, but she is full of spirit!  She looks adorable in pink, and it’s a good thing because I have a feeling she is going to be one heck of a girly-girl!  See for yourself!