focus. shout. first up{!}. lake jackson, tx photographer

focus is a good thing. 


to make a long story short: 
i wasn't focused.  now i am.  seniors, let's do this.


i've launched SHOUT specifically for graduating seniors this year; i couldn't be more excited about this project! i just designed and ordered cards to advertise SHOUT and when they get into my hot little hands, i'm showing them off here!


until then, may i introduce to you the f i r s t face of  SHOUT.2012


drumroll...


{no really. she's a percussionist and it would just be really cool if i could insert a live drumroll. pretend with me. that's it...bang on your desk...}


meet m a r g a r e t 

i know. say it with me, aaaahhhh. she's simply gorgeous. and behind all that beauty is serious talent. 

my goal in shooting is "soulful stories of you." margaret's story begins and end with music. she's the real deal, y'all, and we did everything we could to show that off. i won't lie. i was a little intimidated by the marimba. i'd never worked with a marimba before. but margaret, with her charm and sass, made it easy. 

did i mention the piano? because she plays that too. 

we ended the session at her home. i am so in love with how natural and how poised she was in these pictures.

margaret, you are amazing and your future will be too! dance off into your senior sunset, girl. we're cheering you on!  you can see the rest of your gallery H E R E.

stay tuned for more SHOUT . 2012

let's do this, y'all, 

jen

small towns, chips, and beautiful people . yoakum tx photographer

Michael and I have lived in a lot of places in the time we’ve been married, and have compared city life versus small town living often. At the end of the day, we prefer what happens in a small town...walk into a restaurant, store, or the post office and know the people inside. Know their families, know their story, know what they grow in their garden. (they’ve  shared!) There’s something about community that will win that comparison for us every time. 

So, we were intrigued one week when we went out for lunch and noticed an adorable couple with adorable children and we had never seen them before. Now, I am somewhat of an “out of towner,” not having been raised here like Michael so I asked him if he knew them or went to school with them--I didn’t mean to stare but seriously, they are just a good looking family, y’all! When he said no, I thought, well then they must be here for “the wedding”.

A while back you met another couple, Kayla and Riley. This was finally the weekend they were getting married and just as I surmised, good looks run in the family...that adorable family happened to be related to the groom. Had I known I was going to photograph them a few days later, I would have lamented the fact that I had no make up on and was stuffing my face with a turkey sandwich and jalapeno chips. 

: )

After one of the most gorgeous weddings I’ve attended, I had the privilege of meeting all of the groom’s family the day after for group pictures. They were such troopers and were a pleasure to be around. In honor of everyone that was there (from a few different states), I thought I’d share a picture of the family that caught our attention just a few days before.

I told you.  Simply gorgeous.

Thank you to the entire Boening family--I loved meeting all of you!!

Let’s do this y’all, 

jen

Seeing past 18...

I can't see past five.  Do children grow up past that age?  My three haven't yet, so it's hard for me to believe there will be a time without diapers, without "I want to hold you," and without, "Mama, will you stay with me forever?"  All of which are recent things from the mouths of my babes.

I absolutely love watching a mama look at her grown child, taking senior portraits.  There has to be so many things going through her head...
I had just that pleasure last week when I met Luke Tyler and his Mama, Jennifer!

Luke is a polite, hard-working, graduating senior-The Tyler family [who definitely can see past 18] has every reason to be proud!

Check out the rest of Luke's GALLERY on my website.

Luke and Jennifer, Thank you for such a great afternoon!

Let's do this y'all,

jen

Now this is soulful...

Have I mentioned that my husband is hot? And I could mean temperature, [the man sleeps with a fan next to his head], but make no mistake. I’m definitely referring to his looks. Call it vain, earthly, whatever. But if you do, I guarantee you haven’t seen him plugged in, pounding keys, or seated just inches behind a microphone. Smokin’. Gets me every time. So my stomach may have done that turny-twisty-squeamy-I-totally-dig-him-thingy a few million times when he and his new band, the Poor Kings, opened up for a show at the Panhandle House. 

First let me introduce you to a few creatives...some of our best friends in the world own a studio in Denton, TX...the Panhandle House. Even from when we were engaged, we watched Erik and my girl, Jill, and their brother Marc, build a gorgeous boutique studio that has hosted clients like Don Henley, Eli Young Band, and Denton's own, The Hope Trust. Pat Green may or may not have visited last week. And recently, they opened up their “garage,” for the studio’s first house show, featuring the folk duo, Bill and Kate Isles.  Just look at this place...

and the Poor Kings... Mike Marshall . Ben Holt . Michael Armstrong . Brian Casey [not pictured]... were invited to open that evening.

The word soulful is a big deal for me lately and I use it as a standard of measurement.  Someone soulful is authentic-very aware of his/her gifts and when he/she uses them, it feels good, sounds good, makes you feel something deeply. The Poor Kings are soulful. Mike Marshall . frontman . is among my most favorite singer/songwriters. He's a genius storyteller. You got it...a soulful storyteller with a voice that matches. And together, their sound is ruling my world right now.

This live show was recorded and is in production.  Until it's out, listen to my favorite tune HERE.

In fact, like them on FACEBOOK and you'll be the first to know when you can hear everything.  Ok, let's be honest. I'll be first. Because I'm so with the band. Official photographer and all... ;)

But you will be a close second.  'Til then, enjoy...

Let's do this y'all, 

jen

little [miracle] men.

These two beautiful boys recently celebrated their shared first birthday.

And while there is always joy watching your babies turn one, this family is also still celebrating the miracle of the boys' little lives!  I don't want to get the details wrong so I won't give you exact numbers but...these handsome little men were born extremely premature.  If my memory serves me correctly, they each only weighed around 1.5 lbs [?].  I had the privilege of photographing them last year and featured them here!  

And now?

They're diggin' life--being big boys and all--and I loved watching every second...

[we'll call this next series...faces] See that joy??  LOVE them.

After grandma let me in on the fact that the stairs just might be their most favorite place, we moved the party up here.

And you can believe that the race was on!  

GOT ME!!

Thank you to one of my favorite families for letting me get close to your little miracles!  

Let's do this y'all, 

jen

if you love the Parmas like I love the Parmas...

Let's define breathtaking...

Meet beautiful Robin--we met several months ago when she emailed, asking if I was willing to shoot a wedding in San Antonio.  [not necessarily friends yet] After a few conversations we were set and scheduled her engagement shots. [still not tight] But then we did this. And my Michael and I met Robin and Mike in person.  That's when we decided that, whether Robin and Mike liked it or not, we were going to be friends.  That's also the day Michael decided he thought shooting together for a career was a pretty good idea. Spending the day with them in Gruene was so. much. fun.  We couldn't WAIT for the wedding! 

But, because life is full of challenges, waiting is actually what happened.  Robin and Mike had to postpone the ceremony for an undetermined amount of time.  They handled this disappointment with so much grace and so much patience. But suddenly, nothing shy of an unexpected blessing, they were able to reschedule their wedding just over one month later in January!  We were ALL thrilled!

Just look at my buddy, Mike...so handsome! [well, he was alright...] See? We even have inside jokes ; )

There were so many sweet, unexpected moments in the day.  [including the gift Mike made and had delivered just before show time!]

Everything about their ceremony was graceful and beautiful. 

The long awaited celebration continued at the historic Faust Hotel in New Braunfels. We loved getting to meet the rest of their families and saying hi to Elise [Mike's sister] for the second time!

This was a very special event for us.  Being a small part of such a lovely story was more than an honor.  And after we deliver these pictures to Mr. and Mrs. Parma, we'll have to make up other reasons to "just be in the neighborhood" and make a trip to tell them hello! 

Mike and Robin, we sincerely wish you the best.  Thank you for allowing us to watch this part of your story unfold!  

Let's do this y'all, 

jen