Because we shot in groups of five or six, I knew I wouldn’t be able to run my shooting time like I normally would, so I focused on a couple of things, such as new creative angles and lighting. I’m quite happy with the results and hope you like them, too!

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Well, I have a new item that is no longer useful to me that I’d love to offer up here. If you’re interested, please feel free to shoot me an email and I can provide you with more details.

I loved this bag at first because it is really cute, has excellent craftsmanship, and it’s pretty versatile. However, I needed something bigger. With that said, this might just be the perfect bag for you! It’s made by Jill E. Bags and retails for $299. It’s black suede, has a smooth set of wheels and the handle is great (like an upscale piece of luggage). There are four external pockets with magnetic closures, a laptop slot inside, and velcro/moveable gear slots inside. There is a small attached bag (where I kept CF cards or business cards) inside, as well. The bag is airline friendly and even fits in the smaller SWA overhead bins.

I checked online and saw some sale prices recently as low as $175. Mine has VERY LITTLE wear and tear and I’d be willing to sell it for $125, so let me know if this is the bag for you and we can make arrangements to get it to you!

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Being in Vegas for the second year in a row was wonderful. At this year’s massive photography convention, I felt a lot less lonely and much more secure in my craft. I have a business plan now and more experience under my belt…AND I knew how to have much more fun this time around. : )

On Sunday night, Melissa and I had a yummy dinner and then we headed over to The [B] School party. We (I) enjoyed yummy sangria and a couple of hours of awesome mingling! The B School is an awesome photography network that is run by a goofball named Becker. Melissa and I grabbed him and insisted he visit the photobooth with us for a few crazy shots!

On Monday night, I met up with my darling friends Amanda, Keira, Melissa, and new friend Stephanie for dinner at N9NE at the Palms. We had an INCREDIBLE dinner, then ran off to the Mad Men party thrown by Victor Sizemore, Summer Watkins, and Michael Norwood (Madera Books). I enjoyed the greyhounds, stylish attire everyone was sporting, and networking. After the “pre-party” we all ran off to the big Airplanes and Blazers party. I had been wanting to dance for quite a while and I sure did!!! I didn’t know there would be a fun photobooth there, too. It was such a happy realization. We waited in line and took tons of shots…these are my favs.

I thought I’d leave around midnight…as my coach definitely turns into a pumpkin, but after I left my friends, I got sucked back in and danced until 3:30 in the morning. I felt like a college kid again! And guess what…on that second round of dancing, I hit the photobooth AGAIN with Summer, Victor, Braedon, and some people I don’t even know! The part that makes me laugh the most is that I apparently thought making a bored/dead face was a GREAT idea! I’ll blame it on my return to college. ; )

Thanks to all my friends for making WPPI such a blast this year. I had SO much fun and you all contributed to that immensely! XOXO!

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About half way through the week, I got a text message from a friend from church who let me know she was making some goodies for my booth. I was BLOWN AWAY to realize that she’d made me lingerie cookies. I’ve had her sweets before, but these were absolutely exquisite. I can’t wait to see what she does with her business and when she officially launches, I’ll be one of her biggest fans! (Stacey, that’s a sign that you need to get crackin!!!)

I’ll be sharing more about the new products later in the week, so stay tuned!

If you’re engaged or thinking of planning a wedding in So Cal, you really must stop by The Wedding Pantry in Old Town Tustin. Eva, the proprietor, is the sweetest thing and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her this year. Her shop is adorable and is filled with all sorts of planning goodies. She also sells garters, favors, and things every DIY bride needs for her wedding. She has great vendor referrals, too!

Some of the other vendors there yesterday included: Darla Marie Designs – gorgeous stationary!

KOKOCANDLES – yummy scents and beautiful colors!

I also loved meeting Kelly in person, finally. This online world is quite funny and I’ve loved turning these digital friendships into real ones. And I’ve also love to thank the brides who stopped by to inquire about Jen Johnson Boudoir and my friends Ashley and Jeff for stopping by to say hello after church! These friends helped to make time fly by!!!

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What heaven…

The food theme for the event was breakfast and there were all sorts of fun treats, so when we got in line for the ice cream and saw the flavors, I was immediately intrigued by Fruit Loops. While I’m not a regular cereal eater, I love me some Fruit Loops. I wondered how accurate the ice cream flavor would be and I was blown away by the deliciousness!!! The ice cream itself tasted like the milk after you’ve eaten the cereal AND there were loops hidden in with it. I wish I could have gone back for more!!!

Naturally, because I was so blown away by the ice cream and how cute their cart was, I took a card and then later looked them up. It turns out that this couple started the business after making organic ice cream on their own while they were expecting their little girl, Lucie! : ) I love to hear how businesses start up and I think that having an ice cream cart at your wedding or special event is just the greatest thing EVER! So, be sure to check them out…I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

image courtesy of heandshephoto.com

The event was held at the Avia Hotel in Long Beach (which I love and shoot a lot of boudoir sessions at), so I knew the atmosphere would be fabulous. I arrived a smidge early and met Melissa in the bar. While we were there, we chatted with a bunch of other fab gals, too, then went on in to the par-tay.

The music was amazing all night. Melissa informed me that the genre was “frat rock,” which made me love it even more. I loved the good tunes from the 80s and 90s (toward the end of the night they had some good current stuff, too!), the decor, the food stations (mini doughnuts – YES!), and the competition. There were several tables that teams competed in decor, styling, cake, and stationary. There was truly a wide variety, but mostly bling and color ruled the day. There are a TON of immensely talented event people out there!!!

What I loved the most about the party, though, were the people. In my day job, I network constantly, and sadly, at times, the subject matter can be somewhat dull. But networking at  industry events such as these really energizes me and excites me! It was fun being recognized in line by people who know me through twitter, and likewise, I was able to walk up to a bunch of “friends” whom I’d never met. I’m certainly not shy, so a few times I went up to other photographers whose work I admired and told them so…and I hope I made some real life friends that way, too!

There was a fun photobooth, so Melissa and I waited in line, then jumped in. And you know what?! Melissa and I are photobooth failures and total dorks! Gosh, these pics make me laugh! : )

Now that this event has come and gone, I can’t wait for WPPI. I just know it’s going to be a total blast and I can’t wait to network, learn, and hang out with my photofriends. And yes, that’s all one word!

A sweet new photofriend, Drexelle Park, sent this shot over to me today. I knew I’d be too busy flapping my gums to take any pics, so I’m so pleased when other thoughtful people do. Thanks, Drexelle!

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At my table, I’ll have unique products, sample albums, information about my Red Haute Valentine’s Day promotion, and I’ll be serving champagne, too!

If you’re planning a wedding, be sure to stop by and see more displays from wedding industry vendors and be sure to stop by and say hello. Alternatively, if you’re already married and have considered a boudoir shoot, but have questions or would like to meet me and see my products first-hand, come on over!!! I’d love to meet you!

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I had a moment of business clarity which you will soon hear more about, and I continued to expand Jen Johnson Photography and shoot some pretty awesome clients, all in the same year. I’m so thankful for all of you who read this blog and those who have become clients and friends. This business continues to exceed my expectations and I am truly thankful.

As I thought of how I’d end my December Daily Challenge, I decided it would be on a note of thanks (above), a note of humor, and a note of hopefulness.

LOOKING BACK

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to assist some photographer friends (Derek and Sarah Frenzel) on a shoot. I took one of my favorite shots ever and loved it so much that I turned it into a canvas. It wasn’t until I unwrapped the beautiful piece of art (seriously, my canvas vendor is the BEST!), that I noticed a little something funny about the shot. And it was large and in charge. I laughed in horror, then gasped at the expense, but then realized that this was 100% me and that I couldn’t get rid of it. See the big blob below and you’ll laugh with me (I think). This shot remains one of my favorites of 2010, primarily because of the experience of being in the field, hearing someone in terror say “HORSES,” and then getting this beautiful shot, and then the realization that I should have look a little more closely before I order a huge canvas for my wall!

LOOKING FORWARD

In the next few days, I’ll launch my boudoir website. Over Christmas, I explained myself a couple of times about why I shoot this style of photography. Even my parents are a little uncomfortable with the idea, until I explain that I feel like boudoir is my gift. I choose to shoot boudoir to celebrate intimacy, which I believe is a gift from God! All my work is elegant, sophisticated, and classy, if I do say so myself! I believe that confidence and love motivate these shoots and helping a woman to feel beautiful for her man gives me great joy. I am ecstatic to see where my business goes in 2011 and my goal is to become the preeminent boudoir photographer in Orange County! My pastor always says we need to pray big giant specific prayers…and I’m not shying away from that challenge, either!

MY HORNED FROGS

On a TOTALLY different note, tomorrow is January 1st, a day that usually just means sleeping in and relaxing for me. HOWEVER, tomorrow is different. Tomorrow, my TCU Horned Frogs will be in the Rose Bowl and I will BE THERE! I CANNOT wait and hope you’ll join me in rooting for a purple victory over the cheese heads!!!

DECEMBER DAILY

So, this is the end of the December Daily Challenge. While I feel good about sharing more of myself with my readers and clients, I am SO glad that this is over. I am so thankful for this opportunity, but also felt major pressure to come up with something every day for you. Over the next month, I plan to share new shoots and posts, but this every day business has come to an end – thank GOD! : ) Ultimately, I am very thankful for the challenge and for your readership. If you have any questions, thoughts, or interests, please do not hesitate to comment or email me directly. I look forward to continuing the conversation!

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Yes, I’m that kind of photographer…I have no shame about shooting you when you’re in the middle of a conversation, are leaning over to pick up Christmas gifts (sorry, Miss!), or are making your double-chinned belly laugh, but when the tables are turned and I see a lens in my face, I’ll give you my best devil face like the one above. : )

Consider yourself warned! ; )

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On Christmas Eve, the Johnsons all gather for a celebration of the season. We begin with an eat-a-thon and end with a gift extravaganza; somewhere in between, Santa shows up and delivers gifts to the younger generation.

To know us is to love us and everyone is fair game for pranks and teasing. My cousin’s husband Pete came in the kitchen and asked for a glass of champagne. When I couldn’t find any glasses at my parent’s house, I gave him this little glass and made him drink from it. BIG MAN, LITTLE GLASS!

Each year, the Santa duties rotate. This year, my cousin had the chance to perform and when his daughter was called up, he gave her a real hard time. Think she had any idea of who the bearded man was???

My cousin’s youngest is a special friend of my dad’s. “Gruncle Darrol” always gives him naughty gifts. This year, Buddy was anticipating it and knew when he opened the gift card holder that there would be something sassy in it. And yep, there was a silky pair of thong undies in it. Gross, Dad, gross!

Yes, in our family, the humor tends to be of the bathroom variety.

Which leads to copious amounts of laughter!

My mom had the final laugh when she gifted my cousin with her science project from 16 years prior. What a pack rat!!! My cousin passed it off to her nieces and nephews. It WAS an A project after all!

I SO wish I could remember what was said here, but knowing my family, I can only guess it was something good and shocking!

I hope your Christmas was good and shocking, too!!!

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