JEN JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY » portraits

YOUR JOY: GAST

JEN — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 06:00:42 +0000

Last month, I was contacted by Jill to take some family photos. She had been referred to me and we had never met prior to our shoot, so I had no way of knowing how stinking adorable her little girl would be or that she and her sisters all have such incredible smiles!

We met at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. It was a beautiful afternoon and I enjoyed seeing this family interact with one another. The inside jokes, immediate laughter, and razzing reminded me of MY family. This is just how a family session should be!

I caught this shot of Dave and Janet flirting with one another…I hope that I can have that same feistiness with my hubby after years of marriage! Okay, Presley is just a total doll. I wanted to keep her! It was so fun to shoot down at the Ocean Institute. There were a ton of great sights to see, including the tall ships! See what I mean?! Presley made a funny face at her parents and we all started laughing, so she kept doing it. She’s 2 1/2, but seemed like a star to me already! SISTERS! The beautiful Gast sisters. Three generations! I told them to laugh and they instantly started busting up. I love inside jokes and family idiosyncrasies!

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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 BLESSING: GRAYDEN, PART II

JEN — Wed, 19 May 2010 18:36:07 +0000

Earlier this month, I introduced you to baby Grayden, the son of my childhood best friend. Steven and Lisa are beautiful people who I’ve enjoyed photographing in the past, so it was inevitable that they’d have a photogenic baby who would be a gem to work with!

Now, I’m not a newborn photographer. I have talented friends and colleagues who are drawn to working with babies; they are clever and creative and know how to lull babies into the perfect sleep and positions…like the pied piper of newborns. Not having children yet, myself, I find that working with newborns is intimidating…I worry if I’ll break them. Having said that, I’ve photographed many of my closest friends’ babies and all has gone well. This baby, however, was the pièce de résistance.

Grayden slept or coo’d sweetly for about four straight hours. He had two diaper situations, but neither caused any disruptions. He ate, snuggled, and let me move him about without any fuss. When I have children, I’d like to order one up just like him!!!

He is beautiful, but his temperament is so chill. He’s already his mommy and daddy’s perfect little angel and I can’t wait to watch him grow up. Steven and Lisa will be his perfect parents and I know he’ll grow up surrounded by love!

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YOUR BLESSING: GRAYDEN

JEN — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:03:49 +0000

Well, maternity season is officially coming to an end for me. Why do you ask? Because the first of my clients gave birth last week! Remember the gorgeous Lisa and Steven? Well, baby Grayden made his debut on April 22nd…large and in charge, he came in style and called me up for his first portraits.

I’ve known Lisa since she came to my 5th birthday party. Our moms and dads are the closest of friends, too. They’re like a part of my family. Watching Lisa get married, and then a few years later become a mom, has been so fun and somewhat surreal. But as I watched her with her beautiful son, I saw a sereneness about her that I’ve never seen before…it was like all was right with the world. And Steven was already a helpful and hands on dad and I just know they’re going to have a blast raising this beautiful little boy.

Lisa, Steven, and Grayden, I love you so much and am so proud of you and your new family. I pray that Grayden grows up to be the best at whatever he chooses and that he always knows how much he is loved!

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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 JOURNEY: JULIE

JEN — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:42:13 +0000

Sometime last year, I was contacted by a sorority sister of mine, who happens to live here in CA, as well. We have a mutual dear friend, but didn’t really know each other very well in college. However, because of Facebook, we’ve connected more over the last few years.

I was thrilled to hear from Julie Rollins that she was starting a photography business, too! She specializes in newborns, infants, and children and has been building a booming business! I’m so excited for her to see how her business progresses. She herself, has three beautiful babies, and being that she has a really fun personality, I know her clients will be loyal to her for years!

When building a photography business, it’s important to share yourself with your clients. They need to know you and part of that is through a blog, bio and ‘about me.’ I mentioned this to Julie and she got right on it…and I was blessed to be able to shoot some portraits of her last week on her birthday for her blog!

Julie, I’m so excited to have our photography careers in common! Having you in So Cal is great and we need to make it a priority to connect more!

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YOUR JOY: JACOB

JEN — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:16:59 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of photographing the Baez family. Jacob just turned four and it was time to get some updated family photos.

We met at Irvine Regional Park on the first nice Saturday of the season, with Spring just around the corner, we weren’t the only ones with the idea of spending some time outdoors. The park was full of families, enjoying their time together, and after our shoot, the Baez’s were off to ride the train.

Enjoy the following images, shot on a beautiful day!

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MY JOURNEY: BOUDOIR WORKSHOP

JEN — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:34:39 +0000

For a long time, I’ve just been in LOVE with boudoir shoots. I believe that they can be classy, romantic, sophisticated, and sassy. Many people gasp and feign shock, but when a boudoir session is done for a woman’s husband, I believe it’s a beautiful gift. THAT is the reason why I am so compelled to become a boudoir photographer.

Certainly, over the years, there have been photographers out there whose work has inspired me. I was THRILLED and SO FORTUNATE to be able to attend the workshop of one of my idols – Jennifer Skog – this weekend when I was in Vegas for WPPI. It was every bit as exciting and informative as I had hoped. I can’t wait to start pursuing new shoots and this type of photography. I have a vision for my clients that is classy and artistic and if YOU are ready to take that plunge for your husband or fiance, let’s take this journey together!

Here’s an image of my idol in action! I hope to do a full (and tasteful) blog post in the next few days.

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YOUR JOURNEY.SHANNON.

JEN — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:00:01 +0000

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!

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! : )

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