Metanoia - Bridget's Make-Over Session

Bridget is a very soft spoken kind person. I loved working with her. She was a pleasure and happy throughout the session. Often there are reasons that someone decides to come in and have a make-over portrait session. We had talked about it together a bit, but I asked Bridget to describe why she came to me herself. In her own words:

"Metanoia is the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self or way of life. 2013 was the year I changed my mind, heart, self and way of life, all for the better. I changed careers, gained and lost friendships and broke off an engagement all within a year’s time. The growth and transformation was difficult, but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong. Fortunately, I am considerably more grateful with my new life.

I decided to welcome an upbeat 2014 with a glamour session with Jen Dean. From the moment I walked into the bright, open studio, I felt instantly at ease. Jen and Julia greeted me with open arms and showered me with strawberries, chocolate and champagne, a delightful start to the week. Julia pampered me like a princess and styled me beautifully. With my playful curls and stunning makeup, I was directed on each pose, outfit and expression by Jen. I was elated when Jen chose a beautiful white wedding dress for me to wear as my last outfit.

The final photos were breathtaking and exceeded my expectations. They have captured the new true essence of me. Thank you to this dynamic duo for a magnificent experience, I know I will never forget!" - Bridget

If you have been looking for a way to give yourself something really special (a reward well earned or a much needed break from this long winter!) give me a call and I can tell you all about the sessions. I look forward to getting to know you and your story.

                                                                              In life and love - Jen

The farce of letting go.

Warning. This post has little to do with photography and more to do with me personally. It may be upsetting though so read at your own risk.

Often I have not written what I want to write here on the blog for fear of offending someone. For fear of scaring away potential clients who come here to see what my business is all about. What I have realized though is that this is who I am and it is a big part of why I am able to connect with people so well. The stories about my life that I feel compelled to share are just as much a part of me as the portraits that I take. I hope this story will not only let you get to know me, but also give you a glimpse into the ways that we are all people here in the community and we all share the same trials.

Letting go is the hardest thing for me. Well, maybe on a list of hard things for me if I were being totally honest. What I have realized is that I tend to really hold onto things. Maybe for too long. I just can't let go. It's something I am working on. I mean I try my hardest to look at life, to know when I need a change and can see when it will be good for me. It takes me a long time to actually jump. But the letting go part. That's when it gets really hard. You know what I mean? But I learned something this year and was reminded again in the last ten days...

You see I get really stuck sometimes and this week it happened in a big way. I got really stuck. I am running this photography business and trying to do a great job for everyone and be a good attentive mama to my girl. And it has been a crazy few months. And then on top of everything being a bit unusually nuts there was this big, well, death. There I said it.

And I don't know how to move on. I have a dear friend. One that I have known for the last almost 9 years. She is someone who would do anything for you. And she has been there for me and supported me in many ways, at many times, when I needed it most. She was 18 weeks pregnant when, two weeks ago, her water broke. She gave birth to a baby boy that was just too tiny. He was just half a pound.

This is not my baby. This is not my tragedy. But, I was there with her though. After 20 hours of waiting with she and her husband I watched her give birth, helped cut the cord, held him and mourned with them. I said goodbye to this little person that we were all so excited to get to know. I feel this profound loss with them.

It's a story that is all too familiar for many many families. I have no idea how people live with this. I applaud and respect them. And yes, time will heal this wound. I do know that. I know that time will weave this story into my life and hers. But this tragedy made me stop in my tracks. It made me really think about what we have in this life. How truly fragile we all are. I mean I think about that fairly often anyway, since I am a mama and totally neurotic. But to actually experience the fragility of life was more than sobering.

It was also a stark reminder of all that is wonderful in this world. It seems crazy to me to say so, but I also found an absolute transcending peace in saying goodbye to this little boy. This part I am not so sure of. I just know it happened and I keep feeling fleeting moments of it. I guess my awareness was heightened in the knowledge that we are all here on this ride together. That we truly need each other to hold onto. Especially at these times. And that we don't have the control over anything that we wish we had, but we have all this beauty around us. There is just so very much of it. If we can reach out and take it and choose to experience it.

So now at over a almost two weeks later I am here in the process of "moving on" while I try and get back to business and everyday life. While dealing with people who have no idea what happened. It all seems very surreal. And I am watching my dear friend experience all of this x10000. I wish that I could help her more. That I knew what to say that would make it better. But most of all I wish her all the peace that will come in embracing this sadness because I believe that is truly the only way to live again.

I guess what I think about letting go is that we hold a place in our heart for every experience that becomes a part of who we are. It doesn't need to devastate us when we visit it again (though I think it may for some time), but it needs to remind of us of what we learned from it. Who it helped us become. I know that my dear friend will become an even more kind hearted, loving, giving, wonderful person and parent than she already is. That she won't ever really let go because her baby boy will be with her forever. In a really big, beautiful, and hopefully peaceful way.

I think I will do the same. Maybe I will just skip letting go. It's the wrong saying. We don't need to let go. We just need to accept. And make our hearts just a little bit bigger.


                                                                                 In life and love. - Jen

Heather's Makeover Session - A new mom gets Glamourous!!

 Heather came to me when I put out the call for my 'white sessions' promotion. She has a new baby boy who is just 6 months old, Rowen, and felt like she really wanted the chance to feel "beautiful again".  As any new mom will tell you, often you feel like your time is spent covered in fluids, trying to find clothes that will still fit you, and generally aware every moment that your life is no longer your own and is totally upside down. And you wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

However, that doesn't mean you don't miss feeling girly, pretty, well dressed, and getting some alone time. Add to that the idea of having lasting portraits to hang in your home for your child to see what a HOT mama they have...and most moms really love the experience of a day of pampering in the studio. Heather was no exception.

Heather also volunteered to be recorded for my 1st promotional video the day she was in the studio!! I am really excited to be sharing that very soon. (I also have a new website coming that is dedicated just to my Glamour Photography!! Big things are in the works!!)

She was so very much fun to be with. I loved her laugh...it's contagious. And I loved getting the chance to remind her how stunning she is...I think she looks so much like Selma Hayek! Here are some favorites from her session. Though I could really post them all!

A huge thank you to the wonderful Julia, owner of Andrea's Bridal, who provided the amazing gown for Heather to wear. Julia is an awesome person. I can't say enough good things about she and her staff!! Go visit her for your prom or wedding gown - her customer service is exceptional.


                                                                                                            In love and life. - Jen