Visual Poetry » Personal

Time flies when you’re having fun!

Jen — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:08:18 +0000

My sweet little Brooklyn that used to fit in my arms turned 4. Although I have a hard time coping with the idea of her not being small anymore, I am beyond proud with who she is becoming. She’s a whirlwind of personality and opinions, artistic and smart. So smart. Considerate. My everything.

In addition to a fun birthday party, she started gymnastics last week and LOVED it!

2012 :: GOALS!

Jen — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:07:10 +0000

I’m writing this post with hopes that by actually publishing it’s content I may actually adhere each one of my 2012 goals, both personal and for my business. Now is the PERFECT time to sit back and take a look at the past year and figure out where you’d like to make changes. Well, here’s my list.

1. Blog!
I used to be an awesome writer but some where over the past 5 years I lost it. I’ve been really bad (shame on me!) and have kept blog posts super short – sometimes I don’t include any text at all. I want to keep this blog personal and work harder at opening myself up to you so not only do you know my work, but you know who I am and what I’m about, as well.

2. More personal photos!
Since I’ve been getting busier with my business, I’ve been taking less and less images of my personal life. Note to self: BRING CAMERA WITH YOU MORE OFTEN. I have recently purchased a few small(er) film cameras that I plan to use frequently for personal projects – maybe that’s what I need. Convenience. Either way, I’m pushing myself to do it!

3. Work smarter, not harder.
I feel like a big chunk of my life is consumed by work. Like… 80% of it. Sadly, I’m probably pretty accurate in that figure. I work ALOT. By the time I get home each day, dinner isn’t served until around 7:30pm (IF I have time to cook at all!) and shortly after we’re all crawling in bed. I need more time with my family.. more personal time. I love what I do, don’t get me wrong. I just feel that I need to (somehow) free up more time for personal things, like family.

4. Revamp!
All these ideas are racing through my head about session set-ups, stylizing, expanding my personal walls and opening up my creativity! A 2012 change to Visual Poetry is going to be an added feature to YOUR sessions. Wait and see!
That’s not all. 2012 will be a GREAT year to revamp my branding and business in full. I really want to reach out to the boudoir market more! Weddings, boudoir and fashion are my (hands-down) favorite sessions to photograph. JEN, DO MORE OF THEM.

5. Studio!
This kind of goes in line with my #4 mention.. but, I have some plans in changing the shooting space up in the studio. As most of you know, our size was cut in half when we changed suites back in August. It’s good and bad all at the same time. Its good because it pushes me to photograph more on location, in clients homes or other locations. Bad because… well… it’s not very big! I’ve been limiting myself to infants and boudoir in there but I think by restructuring a few things I can expand my shooting space.

What are your new years plans? I’d love to hear them!

Ready.. set.. go! Welcome, 2012! Boy-oh-boy do I have plans for you..

The reason why.

Jen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:20:23 +0000

October has kept me insanely busy! In between my heaping list of to-do’s, I wanted to share a little something with you. I started November off with attending an amazing conference called the HER Photography Conference. There I got to listen to some phonomenal photographers speak and from their words I came home FULL of inspiration and excitement to continue taking Visual Poetry to the next level. After all, if you’re not improving, your standing still.

One of the most important ‘reminders’ that I took back from the conference is why we do what we do. Why we’re in the business of photography and why our work holds so much value to our clients. The first week of November I lost both my grandmother and my uncle. This was a big eye-opener for me. I spent hours flipping through old albums and sifting through my harddrive for special moments I had with these people. Our job, as photographers, is to create legacies (as one of the speakers had called it). The images we take of you and your family are the images your great, great grandchildren will be looking at to remember you. Photographs are the only tangible evidence that you ever existed. To me, that is an amazing reason to take photographs on a regular basis, both personally and professionally, of those you love. The value of documenting someone’s legacy is priceless.

If you’re one of those people who hasn’t had your photo taken in years (or ever!) now is the time. Document the youth of your children.. the shared love between you and your spouse.. and revel in who you are, this very moment. Life some times happens so quickly – stop for a moment and create a tangible memory.

happiest mom on the block

Jen — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:38:48 +0000

These two munchkins make me feel like the luckiest mom in the entire world, every day.

happy easter!

Jen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:58:32 +0000

smile.

Jen — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:32:25 +0000

I haven’t had time to post any Music Mondays lately – my appologies. Wedding season is in full swing and my schedule is crazy busy with spending time with fabulous brides + grooms… and high school seniors. So, expect a random music suggestion on occassion… but most definitly not every Monday.

Today’s Monday blog post will be a little more personal. Right now life is looking great. I mean.. really great. Business is soaring and my family ties are growing stronger and stronger. My daughter is getting so big and smart – and my husband keeps coming home with flowers and love notes. What gives? Well, I think I know what gives. We have really been put in touch with ourselves lately.. about how much we love, how much we laugh, how lucky we are to have each other. I am beyond thankful to have such an amazing family and great group of friends. I know you’ve heard it all before… I just can’t stop saying it. My smile is from ear to ear and I wear it proudly.

Smile. Love. Laugh. Live.

greetings from the shore

Jen — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:40:29 +0000

We’re spending a lovely 9 days on the beaches of Lake Huron in East Tawas and Oscoda. The weather has been hit or miss.. but we’ve put in some quality beach time between the storms. Here’s some snapshots of my family and I. We will be back in town Sunday afternoon and ready to rock out next weeks wedding!

My baby is nuts-o. Road trip!

Now that’s a view…

Pretending she’s on the Titanic!

Work hard, play hard.

I looooove my new Jeep!

just because..

Jen — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:59:31 +0000

…i love her smile.

mishka photography

Jen — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:15:17 +0000

Thanks to Andrea at Mishka Photography I have cute photos of me and my girl.

zoomanity

Jen — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:11:50 +0000

My mother, Brookyn and I went to the Detroit Zoo a while back. Luckily we planned it as a three hour event instead of an all day one because I’m not sure how much longer I was going to be able to keep Brooklyn out of the animal cages! Ha! We had alot of fun exploring.. watching.. getting dirty.. you know, the usual. Brooklyn picked out a fuzzy pink penguin out of the gift shop and now that penguin has a permanent residence in her crib. Our favorite animals at the zoo were the giraffes – they have such cute faces and curious little personalities! Here’s some photos of our day..