JEN JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY » portraits

MY JOURNEY: DECEMBER DAILY

JEN — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:00:38 +0000

My friend Tira sent me a challenge yesterday to blog each day in December. I’m very doubtful that I’ll be able to accomplish this task, but I’m going to try!

I just got home on Monday from a trip to Colorado. My brother, sister-in-law, and DELICIOUS niece and nephew live outside Denver. We flew out there for Thanksgiving and spent some time up in Breckenridge, too. On our last day there, we ran down to Colorado Springs to have lunch at the Broadmoor. It’s a beautiful hotel and I enjoyed seeing all the Christmas decorations. It reminded me how woefully behind I am as I haven’t even THOUGHT about decorating for the holidays, yet! I guess it’s a good thing that I left my lights up on the deck all year long…yes, I’m THAT tacky person. ; )

While we were at the Broadmoor, I snapped this pic of my parents. They’re just the coolest people in the whole world and I’m so thankful that I belong to them!

Wish me luck as I embark on this challenge!!! And let me know if there is anything you’d like to know about Jen Johnson Photography, Jen Johnson Boudoir, or just Jen Johnson!

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YOUR JOY: LABRADO

JEN — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:42:06 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the Labrado family at Cedar Grove Park in Tustin. They are long time friends that I know through my public affairs/day job world and have given me the opportunity to photograph them for the second year in a row.

The thing I love most about this family is their laughter. They are kind people who just radiate joy and a love for life. I know their sweet little girl will grow up with the best of each of them and I hope she laughs just as much as they do!!!

This is what happens when you allow a 2 year old to select the poses. : ) Darling Maddie had us all in fits of laughter when she climbed on up and made a bed in her parents’ arms!

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YOUR JOY: VENEGAS FAMILY

JEN — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:41:13 +0000

This Venegas family is not to be confused with this Venegas family; but they are related! Clare and Matt are some of my best friends and they surprised their brother and sister-in-law with a photo shoot for Christmas last year and we scheduled it just in time for their holiday photos. Marc and Penni are incredibly fun and their boys Ryan and Riley are adorable and have such fun and distinct personalities!

We began the shoot at Peters Canyon in Tustin and then finished the shoot at Cedar Grove Park. It was a fantastic day, but I did manage to get a parking ticket…which reminds me that I DO need to get that paid. : )

Gift certificates are a great idea for the holidays. If you’re stumped on what to get for your loved ones this year, consider giving them the gift of memories!!!

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YOUR SECRET: LEE ANN

JEN — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:46:39 +0000

This weekend, I had the awesome pleasure of photographing a beautiful bride-to-be at the Hotel Menage in Anaheim for her boudoir session. Lee Ann is getting married in October and is a friend of a friend who I’ve known for a while. But after our AMAZING session, I’m proud to call her my friend, too!

Lee Ann’s fiancé is one lucky dude. She’s surprising him with a Little Black Book on their wedding day, and I can’t wait to see his reaction! I’m going to BEG her photographer to record it for me in hopes that I’ll be able to share it here, because really, that’s what these shoots are all about. There is something SO special about the motivation for a boudoir shoot. It’s not about being overtly sexy, but rather having the confidence to step outside your comfort zone and do something unique and special for the man you love! And Lee Ann nailed this!

When I got home from our shoot, I texted her and said I had a problem. I was in love with 140 of the images I shot. Narrowing down my favorites has been a struggle, but below you’ll find a random sampling of them.

Lee Ann, I’m SO ECSTATIC to be a part of your vendor team and I can’t wait for your wedding. You’re going to make a GORGEOUS bride and I’m certain your groom will LOVE his gift! XOXO!

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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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