Happy New Year

I have New Year's Resolutions...but they're a secret. I WILL post them as I accomplish them though, so be watching for that. I have a couple more lists I'll be posting upon my return as well.

Anyway...I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!!! I will be back to blogging Monday, January 5, 2009!!!

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! (hahaha...I always loved saying that when I was kid!)

Michael Michael Motorcycle

One of my goals in 2009 is to feature one of the kids in a post of their own at least every other week...just a couple pictures and a chance for me to brag about one my dudes. :) And I will try to make it even, but some kids like having their picture taken more than others, so cut me some slack.

That said, I realize '09 isn't here until tomorrow, but I won't be online tomorrow, so here is my BABY...my "Michael-Michael-Motorcycle".

He is going to be beating girls off with sticks. My "pretty" eyed boy...*sigh*...


And a glimpse into this kid's personality...he is a bright and shining light. He is funny and goofy and joyful. I love him.

Winner #1: Kathy Lafave

Let me again say THANK YOU soooo much to EVERYONE that submitted an entry for the "Giving is Awesome" holiday giveaway. I had no way of anticipating how hard it would be to decide how any one person or family is more deserving than another. Absolutely, all the of the nominees were wonderful people who are all more than deserving of good things coming their way.

Let me share with you a little bit of the nomination letter I received regarding my first winner:

"Kathy Lafave and her family lost their home and nearly everything in it on Wednesday, December 10th 2008. Kathy is a single mother raising 3 children. Her son is a senior at Marinette High and he had just received his graduation photos 1 week before the fire. These were one of the many losses from the blaze. Kathy has two other daughters younger than her son. Along with the graduation photos lost were her family photos which carried a lot of history with them. I can't even imagine what it must be like to experience a house fire especially right before Christmas. "

Kathy, if you're reading this...Thank God you and your family are safe...but I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your home. I know that I cannot give you back all of your old family photos but I hope I can replace some of your sons graduation photos as well as give you some new family photos as a fresh start and a point to start rebuilding your life.

Kathy was very excited when I spoke with her and we are working together to set something up for early spring! I am excited to meet her and work with her family. Congratulations Kathy!

Giving is Awesome Update

I am updating again...I have decided I can't choose just one winner. It just doesn't feel right. So I chose two.

I'm working on contacting them today and will hopefully be posting their stories soon!!

Again, happy holidays!

Next Week.

I will be absent from blogging next week, but want to wish all of my reader's and their families HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I will return Monday, December 29th and will be announcing the winner of the GIVING IS AWESOME holiday giveaway, so keep the entries coming! (Email entries to: jennstevens@ymail.com)

The stories I've heard so far are very touching, and I am realizing how hard my choice is going to be.

Stay warm, safe and happy this holiday season.

xoxo, Jenn

How we roll.

Santa came early for Adam this year. (Early=no WAY we were moving his gift TWICE! As it stands, it took three men to get it up the stairs...and should I sell my house someday, this will be included, because it's never coming back down!)


This is how we roll...13, side pocket.

Giving is Awesome.

You know someone.

You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography – over $800 worth in fact!

Jenn Photo & Design is GIVING away a portrait session including a digital set of files with full printing rights to one deserving person or family in the area, and nominations are coming from YOU…the readers.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a free session and a $50 print credit! What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Wisconsin or Upper Michigan. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well. (Please note, if you know someone to nominate who is from out of the area, please visit http://www.givingisawesome.com/ for a list of other photographer's participating in similar programs.)

* You must e-mail me the full story : jennstevens@ymail.com

The winner will be announced on Monday, December 29th. I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Jenn
xoxo

FYI (pricing)

I've had some recent inquiries about pricing. I am unveiling a new price and product list in 2009, however, if you book before 1/1/2009 (even if it's for a session next year), I will honor current pricing.

As it stands, my session fee is $75 which includes up 2 hours of custom photography at a location of your choice. 5x7 prints start at $12 and all prints 11x14 and up are mounted. Fully retouched digital files are also available for purchase (including full printing rights) for $800 per session(which includes all proofs from that session).

Check back tomorrow for an exciting announcement and the chance to GIVE the gift of custom portraiture to someone that you know who is deserving this holiday season!

Cheers!
-Jenn

A conversation with my boys...

Fa La La La Laaaaaaaaaaa

The time has come...Photographer Skye Hardwick (http://www.workofheart.typepad.com/) inspired me to post my MUST-HAVES from 2008…just a few of my favorites I want to pass along to you to “share the wealth” on some goodies I just can’t live without!

Who knows? Maybe you’ll find something to try that YOU will end up loving or something that may be the perfect gift for someone you know…

Without further ado…JENN’S MUST-HAVES OF 2008!!!!

1. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Owl Candle Holder from PartyLite! (http://www.partylite.com/ ...locals, hit up my amigo Jennifer (jenniferwilch@yahoo.com) if you need your very own partylite lady!) He is the perfect addition to my bookshelf and just looking at him amuses me for some reason. I typically use a Champagne Pear votive with him. It’s a delicious light citrus-y scent that I’ve recently fallen in love with!

Isn't he the cutest!?!?!

2. Call me a nerd, but I ADORE my Bostitch Antimicrobial Stapler in CELERY GREEN! (http://www.bettymills.com/shop/product/view/Stanley%20Bostitch/BOSB326CEL.html?source=froogle2&utm_source=froogle2&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=parts&utm_keyword=BOSB326CEL&utm_content=Office) It stands on end and stares at me in all it’s antimicrobial glory all day long! (And the green color just totally cheers me up!)

3. Buffalo Chicken Dip is the PERFECT addition to any football party or family gathering. It’ s like a hotwing on a chip…how could life get any grander? (Is grander a word??) I use a variation of the recipe found on the Frank’s Red Hot site. (Here: http://www.franksredhot.com/recipe/rds/franks/?rn=RE1242) but I use one cup ranch dressing, one cup hot sauce, and one cup shredded CHEDDAR. I mix it all in a crock pot and keep it warm and perfect for dipping our Frito’s Scoops in! YUMMY!

4. Any book lover’s in the house? I love reading…LOVE it. And I am a self-professed “self-help” book addict, with a particular fondness for self-help for ARTISTS books. I just love to read about other people’s vision and how they found their own way and how I TOO can find my own way. This past year I read “How to Think like Leonardo DaVinci”.(Buy here: http://www.amazon.com/How-Think-Like-Leonardo-Vinci/dp/0440508274/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229100292&sr=8-1) It was a wonderful book, FULL of exercises…my favorite kind! Check it out!

5. Dove makes a new “grapefruit and lemongrass” scent. It is fresh and light and citrus-y and delicious… it’s definitely a must-have for me! (I have the body wash, the shampoo and the conditioner. YUMMY!) (http://www.dove.us/)

6. Everyone who knows me KNOWS I’m a music-aholic. My current fave is Avenged Sevenfold’s self-titled album (http://www.amazon.com/Avenged-Sevenfold/dp/B000V6BE6C/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1229102064&sr=8-2) It is so WEIRD and quirky and fun and fantastic. (I know…I’m over describing everything today but seriously…it’s out there, and I LOVE it.) Check it out!

And my 2009 WISHLIST!!!!

1. DKNY Be Delicious. It’s on my Christmas List…it smells YUMMY and I MUST have it. (http://www.dknyfragrances.com/templates/bedelicious_landing.tmpl?ngextredir=)

2. For you Etsy lovers…you’ll dig this. This store: (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5691356&section_id=5498619) has SO many shirts I love. I don’t know how I’m going to pick, but they’re definitely on my shopping list for the new year!

3. Have you seen the Cadillac Escalade HYBRID commercials?? It’s my dream vehicle of the moment…green AND spacious??? *sigh* And yes…it will stay in my dreams, BUT I will show it some blog love anyway. (http://www.cadillac.com/)

4. “I’m dreaming of a greeeeeen macbook…” (ok …so I can’t sing. But I so love the new environmentally friendly macbook pro!) (http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/environment.html)

5. Did you see ROLE MODELS in the theatre?? Ahhh…I WILL be buying the DVD when it comes out so I can indulge in the smart humor that is Role Models over and over again!! Read about it here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430922/

6. IKEA makes me heart happy, and their TROFAST storage will make me AND my kids happy when their room is all organized and happy and fun! I can’t wait to (hopefully) snatch this good stuff up in ’09! (http://www.ikea.com/)

There you have it folks! Anyone care to share some favorites with me?? I’m always looking for new and fun things to check out!!

D is for...

As promised...

McKenzie and Mackenzie...best friends (and, interestingly enough, the cutest Niece and Aunt I know!) We had so much fun at their "photo shoot"...they were great little models!

A present for her parents for Christmas...(lucky for me I don't think they read the blog or the surprise would be ruined!) MACkenzie...one of the goofiest, funniest little chicks I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. :)

And of course, our lovey-girl...MCkenzie...working the camera like only she knows how..."pretty hair" and all!

The sun will come out...tomorrow.

Pictures of the Kenzie's (yes, plural) tomorrow. Should be fun! :)

In the meantime, I've had a couple people recently ask about "before and afters"...wondering how different my photos from the moment I press the shutter button to the finished print.

Long story short...it depends on the photo. Awhile back though, I put together a couple examples of before and afters that were fairly typical for me so I will share those.

This first shot is pretty much "the norm" as far as editing goes. Not a lot to be done. Warmed it up a little bit, cropped it in a little bit, added a vignette and not a whole lot else. (Remember...click on the image if you want to see a larger version...and for non-photographers, SOOC=straight out of camera)

This second shot involved a LITTLE more effort...it was taken in a fairly dark hallway, but it added some "moodiness" which I felt benefitted me in the end. Obviously, I converted to black and white and added a border, but other than that, all it needed was some brightening.

Anyway...almost time to head home and SHOVEL our several inches of snow, but as promised, Kenzie's tomorrow, and by the end of this week I hope to be sharing my MUST HAVES of 2008 as well as some other goodies!

Stay tuned!

Snow Days

It snowed on and off this past weekend...BRR!!! I am not ready for winter...not even close. The rest of my family on the other hand, is PUMPED. The boys have been having fun shoveling and making snow angels (photos sooner than later, but not today). They'd play outside all day if I'd let them. And Oliver, while confused at first, has seemed to find some joy in the snow also...he pounces around and sniffs and licks the snow...SO cute!

Adam and I took him out for a good game of fetch a few days ago and got a couple snapshots of us with our "fluffer" while we were out there. (He loves giving me kisses!!!) :)

I also conned Adam into letting me snap a few of him while the snow flew...one of my faves from that mini-session (tried something different from my usual post-processing...not sure how I feel about it yet, but here it is anyway.)

Pretty Hair

McKenzie and I hit the stores on Friday and weaved our way through the SERIOUS crowds of people. Kenz stayed pretty quiet...it was early and crowded and she was tired. She mostly just sat in the cart, people watching.

I heard a big sigh while I was looking at DVD's. I looked at her and said "What's the matter?" She looks up...."I wish I had pretty hair." Anyone who has seen McKenzie knows that she has GORGEOUS curls...long, pretty blonde hair. But, most anyone with naturally curly hair knows, sometimes, they just want it to be straight. (Just like how I with my straight hair wish once in awhile I could hold a curl...hair can be a bummer.)

I assured her that she did indeed already HAVE pretty hair. She said "Yeah...but it's always messy. I want soft hair like you." Little sweet pea...

Later that night she asked me if I could straighten her hair. I don't know how she knew about straightening because she said she's never had it done before but we sat with our spray conditioner and our flat iron and chatted away while we straightened her hair.

We didn't flatten it completely but smoothed it out some and she was SO excited. Of course, we continued to reassure her that she is pretty WITH her curls too, but it was very cute to see her so stoked.

"Can you take a picture of me laughing?" she said. Sure can Kenz...here's our girl with her "pretty hair" cracking up for the camera.

xoxo


Hope everyone had a safe and happy Holiday weekend!