JEN JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY » maternity

YOUR ANTICIPATION: LISA & MATT

JEN — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:49:41 +0000

Whenever friends become clients, I get a little nervous. What will happen if they don’t like the images? What happens if they aren’t natural in front of my camera? What happens if I screw something up? Yes, these silly questions pop into my head until I get started and that’s when instinct kicks in.

Luckily this last weekend, I had wonderful friends/clients to work with. Lisa and Matt are expecting their first child…a blue one! Little Henry will be here in the next couple of months and so I flew up to Sacramento to celebrate with them at their baby shower and do a maternity session. They were SO EXCITED and based on the fact that they have some photos I’d taken of them last year all over the house, I knew they’d love the images regardless – because really, this maternity session wasn’t about my photography, but rather capturing this special moment in time.

When I commented to Matt that I knew Lisa was going to be a great mom, he said I didn’t have to convince him because she’d done such a great job raising him over the last seven years that they’ve been married! That’s the awesome part of making your friends clients…the session just becomes a couple hours of fun!

Lisa and Matt, I can’t wait to meet little Henry and I know that you both are up to the challenge of parenthood. You are such a loving (and fun!) couple and I know your love for each other will be the best gift you can give to your son. I can’t wait to see you hold him in your arms! XOXO!

No session would be complete for this couple without paying homage to their Alma Mater…where they first met. Go Ducks!

Lisa was gung ho to show off her precious belly. This set turned out beautifully, and I noticed Matt snapping some shots on his phone, too. I’m guessing he thinks she’s a pretty hot mama!!!

Whenever I asked them to not look at the camera and just be natural, they had sweet little whispered conversations. Occasionally Matt would kiss her forehead and I just loved their connection. Who knows, though…they could have been discussing their grocery lists. ; )

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YOUR ANTICIPATION: CARLEE

JEN — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:30:24 +0000

Last week, I had the awesome pleasure of photographing my cousin Carlee. She’s expecting her third baby, who I know will be amazingly gorgeous like the older two! The reason I was thrilled to get her in front of my camera isn’t that she’s beautiful and easy to photograph, but rather that we grew up together and rather than just being my cousin, she’s also one of my best friends! She’s quirky and fun, intelligent and creative, and let’s face it, she’s just one of the coolest people I know!

We ran down to the Long Beach VA Hospital’s Community Garden. On the way in, I may or may not have gone the wrong direction down a one way street and got pulled over…but we got great shots and that’s all that matters, right?!

Thanks to my cuz Carlee for being as close as a sister and more than a friend! Your open heart is one of the most special parts about you and I’m so thankful for the role you play in my life! You’re a wonderful mom and I can’t wait to meet the new little one and see how your family grows! XOXO!!!

Carlee is an awesome blogger, too, and this shot is currently her avatar on her blog! I love it!Work it, Carlee!For her third outfit change, Carlee rocked an 80s look. It was amazing to see how quickly the quirk came out! She started working the old school poses, and suddenly channelled the inner high school dancer!Jazz hands…nuff said.

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YOUR ANTICIPATION: SARA & HECTOR

JEN — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 05:13:34 +0000

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with my friends Sara and Hector yesterday evening. You may remember that I shot some “day after” images for them a year ago. When I found out they were expecting, I was SO excited. They are a beautiful couple who love each other immensely, they love their family and friends, and they love the Lord. And NOW they’ve got a little bun in the oven who has taken over their hearts already! This little man is SO LOVED.

I loved the fact that early into her pregnancy, Sara shot me an email reserving the right to hire me down the road for their next set of images. They live in Orange and saw some of my previous maternity shots from the Circle/Plaza, so we decided to head back there. It was a hot afternoon, but Sara and Hector were cool cats. They laughed and smiled, joked around, and celebrated the fact that little Micah is on his way!

Sara and Hector, I am honored by your friendship and touched that you had me shoot these special images once again! I can’t wait to meet the new addition to your family! XOXO!

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YOUR ANTICIPATION: SARA’S SNEAK

JEN — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 21:50:45 +0000

I’ll be publishing a full post later this week about Sara and Hector‘s maternity session, but this image just screamed “we’re so in love with each other and our growing baby” that I just had to post it!

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MY JOURNEY: PHOTO CAKES

JEN — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:02:03 +0000

This weekend, I attended the first birthday of a very special client. I took his parents’ maternity shots, his hospital arrival shots, newborn shots, and their family Christmas photos. He’s also the son of one of my dearest friends!

When I arrived at the party, Clare told me that she’d used one of our favorite shots on the cake! What a joy it is to have my photography loved by others and to continue to be used as time passes on!

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YOUR ANTICIPATION: STACY

JEN — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:56:38 +0000

When I first became interested in taking my photography hobby to the next level, I enrolled in a class and was fortunate to meet a lovely woman named Stacy. We had photography in common, but I also just liked her sweet spirit and encouragement. While we were both pursuing careers in the same industry, Stacy had a passion for newborns and children’s photography…I’ve watched her progress and am nothing less than impressed by all she’s achieved.

A few months back, she sent me an email saying she and her husband were expecting their third child! There must be something in the water, because I have so many friends with a baby on board! I was shocked and thrilled when she asked me to document her pregnancy with some photographs as she hadn’t done it with her two previous pregnancies.

In an effort to find a beautiful and nature inspired backdrop, we got in our cars and drove through Laguna Canyon. We found the perfect spot, but were told to watch out for rattle snakes. I’m relieved to say that neither of us had to suffer for our art – ha!

Stacy, you’re a gorgeous mama and I can’t wait to meet the little boy or girl you’re carrying!!! I’m so glad we’ve remained friends and I couldn’t be prouder or happier for you!

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YOUR ANTICIPATION: REBEKAH

JEN — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 05:59:22 +0000

Sometimes a woman just glows…and sometimes that woman is a friend you’ve had for years. As a photographer, I’m blessed to be able to share my passion with dear friends. It’s a blessing to be able to help memorialize their journey through life and last weekend was no different.

Rebekah is a friend I’ve known through church for a long time. Sadly, she now lives in Chicago, so I don’t get to see her often, but when she called and said she was expecting her first little one, I knew I’d get to see her again for a baby shower and (in my mind it was already set!) photos!

A Huntington Beach girl to the core, Rebekah knew exactly where here maternity pics should take place. We arranged to meet early before her shower and traipsed through HB. It was a joy to see her as a mommy-to-be and I know that she’ll welcome her son with love and excitement. Beks, I love ya to pieces and can’t wait to see you transition to parenthood!

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YOUR ANTICIPATION: LISA AND STEVEN

JEN — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:53:16 +0000

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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YOUR ANTICIPATION.LORI AND CHRIS.

JEN — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:24:07 +0000

Lori and Chris are expecting their very first bundle of joy! They couldn’t be more excited that this bundle is a blue bundle, but are even more thrilled that he’s healthy and will be here soon.

Chris proposed to Lori down by the Wedge and we really wanted to get down there for a few shots. Sadly though, parking and holiday beach goers made getting there impossible, so we settled for Little Corona. We traipsed around the tide pools and enjoyed a gorgeous morning and beautiful blue skies. But even more beautiful was the love that these two have for one another and for the new life that they’ve created.

I can’t wait to meet your little man and watch the two of you become parents. I know this little one is loved beyond measure and I couldn’t be happier for you guys!

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YOUR ANTICIPATION.CLARE AND MATT.

JEN — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 03:44:50 +0000

Matt loves Clare. Matt loves sports. Matt loves his ’66 Fastback. Next month, he’ll get to meet his son and will fall in love all over again.

Because of Matt’s love for sports, we decided to take their maternity pics at the Tustin Sports Park. I’m thrilled with how they turned out and know that the joy they’re expressing in these photos will last forever!

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