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Jen Johnson Photo Blog bio picture

My Camera, Your Story

Hi, I'm Jen! For a long time, I admired the artistry of other photographers until one day I felt an urge to start capturing images on my own. As I embarked on this journey, I had many ups and downs, but one thing remained constant...I love what I see through the lens of my Canon.

I'm a Southern California lifestyle photographer with a passion for capturing special moments and memories. Please join me as I continue along this journey - my vision is to make each shoot not about me, but to capture your moments, joy, anticipation, love, commitment and laughter!  Whether your needs are for family portraits documenting special milestones,  engagements to celebrate, head shots for new business ventures, or weddings to capture, I'm confident that I can meet your needs in a way that expresses who you are.  It may be my camera, but it's your story.

If you're interested in learning more, please feel free to contact me or click on the 'ABOUT JEN' tab. Thanks for stopping by!

YOUR ANTICIPATION.LISA AND STEVEN.

About 6 months ago, I got a phone call from my oldest friend Lisa. There was an unusual excitement and joy in her voice…it was different enough for me to sense that some amazing big news was on its way. Sure enough, she had called to let me know that she and Steven were expecting their first child!

Lisa and I were best friends before we knew was best friends were. Our moms and dads met at church and became fast friends and at my 5th birthday, they all came and we’ve essentially celebrated every birthday and milestone together ever since. While I was in college in TX, then moved to DC, we stayed close and blew up the airwaves with phone calls. Then we found instant messenger and discovered a new way to chat. When I moved back to CA, Lisa was back in grad school in LA and let me know she met someone special. Not long after that, I wore a long pink dress and stood up with them under a tree on a beautiful afternoon in Malibu. They’ve taken their time in starting a family and neither side of the family can wait to meet the sweet little guy!

Tomorrow is Lisa’s first baby shower and I knew that I wanted to gift them with some images, so we met up last week in the Orange Circle for a maternity session. I have the images in hand and think they are amazing. I know they will be thrilled to have documentation of this sweet time in their lives and encourage any expectant couple to memorialize this wonder as well! If you’re interested in a maternity session, please do not hesitate to contact me!

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March 6, 2010 - 1:33 am SIMPLY DASHY PHOTOGRAPHY - Hi Jen! The very last shot is my favorite. Just fabulous! =)

March 6, 2010 - 9:16 am Tira J - Gorgeous work Jen! I also love the last shot.

March 6, 2010 - 9:43 am carlee - i love love love them jen! you are truly growing! i am sure your super cool clients and amazing relationship with Lisa couldnt have hurt either! and that last one is so cool...the togetherness, but still anticipation and confidence stands out! thanks for sharing - and can i just remark how much she looks like Bethany in these pictures? i never thought they looked too much alike before, but holy bejeebs! tell them congrats for me and how gorgeous and glowing i think she looks...and tiny...tell her tiny...pregnant women like that :)

March 6, 2010 - 10:47 am JJ - Thanks, ladies! That last shot is one of my all time favorites...I'm thinking of a large format display print for my office. : )

March 6, 2010 - 1:17 pm Ashley - JJ! You are right about these images! They are your best yet! I love how crisp they are and I love your use of light. Amazing job my darling!

March 6, 2010 - 1:45 pm Angie from The Arthur Clan - You did an amazing job Jen...this has got to be the best baby gift they could possibly hope for! :)

March 8, 2010 - 11:52 am kara-noel - LOVE IT!! My fave is the one with Stephen feeding Lisa. I would have loved one of each pregnancy with Brad feeding me what I was craving!

March 8, 2010 - 11:54 am kara-noel - Just saw that I typed Stephen instead of Steven! Oops!! Sorry!! I promise I knew that... just typed too fast!

March 8, 2010 - 4:34 pm stacy - GORGEOUS JEN!!! great color!!! you are rockin' it girl!!!

MY JOURNEY.I’M A MAC NOW.

Well, I’ve done it.  I’ve made the big switch.  Last week, after a LOVELY visit with my accountant, I found out that Uncle Sam owed me BIG TIME, so on Monday evening, I made my first visit to the Apple store with my friend Becker.  And I left with a very heavy box.

Fast forward to roughly an hour after I got home.  I’ve downloaded all the programs I needed, and I’ve started to play with all the fun functions; and I’m in love…with my computer.

I was a judger.  I was committed to my PC.  I was SO WRONG.

Thankfully, the people at the Apple Store welcomed with me open arms and I’m now on my way to learning how to live my life as I should have all along.  And my “office” has never been the same.  But I do have one problem.

What on earth am I going to name him???

I welcome your suggestions.  Here he is in his new home.  Doesn’t he just look exquisite?!?!?!

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February 25, 2010 - 4:14 am SIMPLY DASHY PHOTOGRAPHY - OMG Jen! I visited the Apple store about 2 weekends ago, browsing around, who knows....I too will switch on the other side! LOL. Your new MAC looks very handsome! I'll have to think of a name for him. =)

February 25, 2010 - 9:44 am Tira J - So excited for you JEN!!!! It will totally change your life. And I am really glad that [b]ecker went with you. He seriously knows what he is talking about when it comes to Mac! So glad I listened to him for all of my Mac stuff too. yay!!!!

March 3, 2010 - 9:24 pm Mike Johnson - Another one bites the dust! It's not the fact that another PC user falls, its the fact that everyone seems so happy and proclaim what a difference it makes. As many fundamental issues I have with Mac, I feel ever so closer to drinkin their Kool-Aid!

YOUR JOURNEY.SHANNON.

My sister in law, Shannon, is BEAUTIFUL.  I can still remember the first time my brother introduced us to her.  She was so tiny, giggly, and beautiful…and she had big dreams.

It’s been almost 10 years since we’ve had her in our lives and she still has big dreams.  She is raising two of those dreams right now…my gorgeous niece and nephew.  They are wonderful children with happy dispositions and are incredibly bright (in my humble opinion! ha!).

While she’s an “executive homemaker” (just heard that phrase recently and loved it), she’s also pursuing some new projects and since I was just in Denver for the niece’s birthday, I told her I’d take some profile photos of her.  And I think they fit her to a T.  She’s spunky and beautiful and also very committed to her passions.  I admire her for that.

Shannon, I love ya to pieces and am so excited to see you pursue your dreams!

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I also had to sneak in a darling pic of Shan and my brother.   I was trying to get them to do some fun poses, but they started laughing and then this happened naturally…and that brings joy to my heart!  : )cute

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February 18, 2010 - 3:00 pm Tira J - So much fun! That last picture needs to be a BW in their home! So awesome!

February 18, 2010 - 9:32 pm SIMPLY DASHY PHOTOGRAPHY - Jen...awesome job, as always! I really like the post processing of the last photo! Plus, it's just too darn sweet! Thanks for sharing. =)

YOUR JOURNEY.KIMM.

I recently traveled to Nashville for a conference on blogging.  Yes, they have those!  It was a blast and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting women who I’ve been connecting with online for the last year.  One special friend, Kimm, asked me if I’d take some profile photos while we were there.  I jumped at the chance.  She’s sweet, talented, and beautiful and I couldn’t wait to shoot her.  : )

For those who have blogs, twitter, or Facebook, it’s important to connect with readers and social contacts through words and through images.  Having a photo that shows your personality and style helps connect even more.  If you’re interested in profile photos, please contact me and we can schedule a session.

As for you Kimm, I’m proud to call you my friend and I’m so glad you love your photos!!!  XOXO!

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February 17, 2010 - 3:05 pm Tira J - Awesome shots Jen! I love the ones of her sitting in the chair. The light is GREAT!

MY JOURNEY.LUNCH WITH FRIENDS.

I spent the weekend in Nashville at a conference and before I left, took the opportunity to connect with some cousins and friends.  UNFORTUNATELY, I was almost an hour late to lunch.  Yep, I was lost in the outskirts of Nolanville, TN…without GPS.  I called my cousin and my sweet friend Jody and neither of them really knew where I was. YIKES!

Thankfully, I made it to lunch and had a wonderful time visiting with people who have huge, generous hearts.  I felt so terrible to leave them all at lunch together, but I bought lunch for everyone, so I’m hoping that made up for it in some small part.

Talking shop and catching up was a great way to recharge my photo batteries.  It’s inspiring to know that this hobby, that led to a business, has also led to great friendships.  So Jody and Zach, thanks again for meeting me for lunch and for your patience!  I can’t wait to see you at WPPI!!!n_60

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February 10, 2010 - 10:37 am Tira J - YAY for Zach & Jody Gray!!! I saw them when I was in Nashville too!

February 13, 2010 - 12:36 am SIMPLY DASHY PHOTOGRAPHY - Hi Jen! =) You looks so happy in this picture. Someday...I hope to meet Zach and Jody too.

February 13, 2010 - 12:36 am SIMPLY DASHY PHOTOGRAPHY - oopsie...sorry, can't type. looks = look ;)

MY JOURNEY.PHOTOG SHOOTOUT.

This weekend, I had the opportunity to join a number of photographers in Encinitas for a shootout with models, classic cars, and rockabilly flair! I met up with some old friends, made new ones, and even won a raffle. Plus, the rain subsided and we had gorgeous blue skies. It was a perfect day.

As I was preparing the first batch of images to blog, I realized it had been a while since I’ve posted anything. I hope I haven’t lost any visitors to my little online office. Ha! I promise to dedicate more time to posting in the future!

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January 27, 2010 - 7:04 am Tira J - gorgeous work Jen! How fun!!!!

January 27, 2010 - 7:35 am living with lindsay - BEAUTIFUL, JJ!

January 27, 2010 - 12:09 pm Angry Julie Monday - Great, love those!

January 27, 2010 - 1:11 pm Melissa - Awesome Jen - love the second one!

January 27, 2010 - 8:59 pm No.17 CherryTreeLane - I LOVE this shoot. Oh, how I want to be a rockabilly!

January 28, 2010 - 7:53 pm Rob - Great shots! So glad you came out! ;)

YOUR JOURNEY.JABEZ SALON PORTRAITS.

I got a call last week from a fabulous salon in Yorba Linda, the Jabez Salon, asking if I could come and update the portraits of the staff and snap some images of the salon for a website upgrade. Not having been there before, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found a gorgeous salon filled with talented and lovely stylists and administrators.

I also have to admit that while my mom and my sister both go there, I’d been pretty loyal to another salon. But I needed a cut and color and I needed it bad. So I killed two birds with one stone.

My hair turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself, and I’m very pleased with how the portraits turned out, too. Below are just a handful of samples. You’ll have to visit the Jabez Salon website very soon to see the rest! AND, if you live in north Orange County and need a great salon for regular visits, facials, skin care, or for special occasion hairstyles such as wedding, please visit the Jabez Salon (18513 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886. (714) 970-Jbez(714) 970-Jbez)!

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January 12, 2010 - 11:43 am ashleigh - great work jen!! how cool you got this opportunity!! :)

January 18, 2010 - 8:21 pm living with lindsay - Great shots, JJ!

January 31, 2010 - 5:45 pm Jen Disney - One of my brides got ready there a couple of years ago! I recognize her hair gal!

MY JOURNEY.HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD.

Today is my parents’ 36th wedding anniversary and I couldn’t be prouder to share that with you!  As someone who loves love, I have the greatest example of that in front of me whenever I go home.  After 36 years as a married couple, they know the buttons to push to get each other going, but they also have a look that conveys sensitivity, fondness, humor, and love.  I am so proud of them, and also envious.  They are the reason that I find joy in capturing beauty through my camera, and the reason why I pursue happiness at every turn.   I thank God for them every day!

And speaking of happiness, I just about leapt out of my skin tonight when I got my parents’ gift in the mail.  I’ve mentioned how much I love Thin Wraps before, but just want you to see them one more time!  If you’re interested in something like this, please let me know!!!c_6

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December 31, 2009 - 3:03 pm Ashleigh - awww happy anniversary to your parents!!! what a great gift-- the wrap looks amazing!! i'm sure they will love it!

January 26, 2010 - 2:38 pm Noel - What a great presentation idea for that! Love the creative picture as well, gotta remember that pose..:-)

MY JOURNEY.CHRISTMAS MAIL.

I’m not going to lie, all month long I’ve raced to the mailbox to see what the postman had for me each day! Christmas cards are one of my FAVORITE parts of the holiday season…and this year, it was even more special. Since beginning JJP, I’ve felt really good about some shoots and have LOVED several shots I’ve taken, but it’s been so much more fun to see what my clients LOVE and think are reflective of their personalities! As the Christmas cards rolled in, I noticed something different about this year…I took the majority of photos displayed on cards…and that makes me more happy than I can say!

To all of my 2009 clients, THANK YOU for trusting me to capture your family. I’m honored by your support and faith. I can’t wait to see what we can do together in 2010!

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December 29, 2009 - 9:30 am Tira J - Yay! Our's is not in your pile there because we haven't done them yet. Maybe this week!!!

December 29, 2009 - 9:14 pm living with lindsay - How cool! Go JJ! YOURS was our favorite this year! It was totally rad. Maybe next year I'll send cards. I'm so lame. I just never get my act together in time.

YOUR JOY.SIMONIAN.

Sugar and spice and everything nice. Yep, that describes these two precious little girls! I had the opportunity to shoot a session for some friend’s just a few weeks ago, just in the squeak of time for Christmas. I hadn’t seen their beautiful daughters in some time and when I arrived, I was greeted by two gorgeous sisters!

We shot at their home and made use out of their beautiful landscaping. But the center of attention were the four beautiful eyes and two bright smiles who found their way into my camera!  What angels!!!
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December 18, 2009 - 12:08 pm Ashleigh - these are sooo cute jen!!!! i especially love the one of both of them laying in the grass! adorable!!!

December 18, 2009 - 12:40 pm Ashley - Those adorable headbands look very similar to those things you had hanging in your house last night! And you still didn't tell me the significance of them! Oh and can I get one of these headbands for myself? I adore them (:

December 19, 2009 - 9:39 pm stacy - GORGEOUS photos jen!!!! great job!

December 23, 2009 - 9:44 am Shawn Kloster - Hi Jen! Awesome work!! I found your blog via Tira's site and thought I would leave a comment and say that I really like what you have going on here. Nice work! =)