Fab Fridays | busy, busy, busy...

Weddings and newborns and holiday sessions and senior sessions... and some little league baseball to boot.   Yes indeedy, it's been a whirlwind two weeks! But I'm really looking forward to the upcoming holiday for a little R&R with the fam. Hopefully, I can squeeze in some time to continue my blogging catch up, too. :)

In the meantime, wanted to share this lovely little fashion find. A couple weeks ago I blogged about this fabulous faux fur coat I found at a church rummage sale for a whopping $5. Well, I found this little beauty there, too...

Yes, this is a REAL leather motor jacket. Price tag on this fab find: $5.  Can I get an amen?!!!

Ironically, I had been searching for a reasonably-priced jacket like this for weeks and had come to the painful conclusion that I would have to part with at least 100 of my hard-earned dollars to find something like this. So imagine my surprise when on the rummage sale rack I find this little gem. Fate? Why yes, I do believe so... clearly, we were meant for each other. :)

Have a FABULOUS weekend!

xo,
Jenn

Fab Fridays | color and texture and being a quitter

TGIF!!!!! Never been more fond of that acronym than right now... it's been a looooooong week, to say the least. But I've got a couple of fun goodies to share to start the weekend off on a good note.

First up is this funky fresh set of bracelets that I wanted to share. Every time I go to my favorite fabric store, I spend a little time at the huge box of leather scraps. All the colors and textures and smells... oh my! But I never had a reason to buy any of it, so I'd just admire it and then move along to the silks and chiffons. However, on my last trip I was so inspired by all of the rich, jewel-toned colors that I had a creativity-lightbulb moment: ACCESSORIES!

Some of my inspiration came from a braiding technique I saw in a DIY headband tutorial by Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth. Not gonna lie... it was a bit challenging with the thicker leather that I bought, but I still think it turned out pretty sweet. 

But where the thicker leather failed in the braiding, it made up for in the basic leather cuffs. :) LOVE them! 

These were super easy to make... just head over to your local Joann's and buy some heavy duty snaps and some snap tools, and you're on your way to making some one-of-a-kind accessories. :)

GOOD READ of the week:  Quitter: Closing the gap between your day job & your dream job by Jon Acuff

This book came highly recommended by the fabulous, Zach & Jody Gray, with whom I took a workshop with earlier this year. 

Disclaimer #1: I have not been a very good reader in my adult life. It wasn't until two years ago when my sis and I started up a book club that I became a consistent reader (and by consistent, I mean that I might average 12-16 books a year). Not as well-read as I would like to be, but better than where I was 2 years ago!

Disclaimer #2: I don't think I've ever read a "business" book before. I've been mostly a novels girl, although now I'm really getting into memoirs (again, thanks to book club). 

So given these disclaimers, I'm proud to say that I read Quitter in record time and quite enjoyed it! First of all, I was highly motivated by the subject matter. Juggling two jobs right now is exhausting, and I wanted to quit my day job a year ago to pursue my photography full-time. But Acuff challenges you to not be so hasty in quitting your regular 9-to-5 to pursue your dream job.  

After being a serial quitter himself (8 jobs in 8 years) in constant pursuit of a dream job, Acuff candidly shares how to avoid the mistakes he made and how to plan wisely when considering a major career change. I loved how easy and fluid his writing is... like you're having a convo with him over a cup o' Joe. And while I'd still like to throw caution to the wind and quit my job today, I do think he offers some good advice on how to quit the right way. It's all about the "hustle," baby. 

I'll leave you on this Fab Friday with one of my favorite quotes from the book: 

"I know sometimes our day jobs feel meaningless. But they're always a great place to start dreaming. They're also a great place to start changing the world."

Fab Fridays | SCORE!!!!!!!!

So I'm at this church last weekend getting ready to help shoot a wedding. I'm early and have a little bit of time to spare, so I decide to pass the time at the church rummage sale... you know me, love all things vintage and thrifted. :) Can I just say... BEST. DECISION. EVER!!!!!!!!  Why? Because among a handful of other pieces I picked up (and may share at a later time), I found this beauty of a faux fur coat.

Is it not divine?!? Wanna know what I love even more than the coat itself? The $5 price that I paid for it. Can you say steal of the century?!?!? I am beyond excited and can't wait to get this baby cleaned up and ready for Park City, Utah (for my annual pilgrimage to the Sundance Film Festival.)

Looking for something similar? Here are a couple I found online...

This one has ears! Asos $140.72

Bloomies $228

Would love a leopard print swing coat like this one. :)  Free People $248

Hope you have a FAB Friday and an even more FABULOUS weekend!!

xo...
jenn

Kara & CJ | wedding at inside the bungalow

Earlier this year I had the honor of photographing Kara and CJ's wedding in Mesa, Arizona. The venue, Inside the Bungalow, was absolutely perfect and enhanced the close, intimate feel of the entire evening. The ceremony was so moving, especially the exchange of rings where they included their young daughter, Grace. The day was filled with laughter, tears of joy, hugs, smiles, fun and so much love. CONGRATULATIONS to the happy couple!

A huge shout out to my two fabulous sidekicks for the day, Monica of Monica Stanley Photography and Lynn of Lynn Indrizzo Photography. You ladies are a dream to work with and so so talented. Thank you!!

Meet Lily | scottsdale newborn photographer

I've photographed more baby boys than baby girls, so you can imagine how excited I was to photograph this little beauty. She was sweet, angelic, and one of the most photogenic newborns I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Congrats, Nate & Ash, on this beautiful new addition to your family!!!

Ashley & Nathan | scottsdale maternity photographer

Yes, I'm still playing catch up on my blog, so these maternity pics are long overdue. But with a beautiful couple like this, it's better late than never!

Ashley and Nate are good friends of mine that I met through volleyball, and when I heard that they 

Fab Fridays | hello fall!

Fall... hands-down my favorite time of year. Always has been. From the changing colors to the crispness in the air to the return of football. But most importantly, to the return of my beloved fall wardrobe. :) We welcome back the boots, sweaters, scarves and all the fabulous layers. LOVE it!!!

Fall perfection: boot, jeans, sweater. Yum!  {link}

Here are a few of my fall fashion faves (thank you, Pinterest!) 

Jacquie & Brian | scottsdale maternity photographer

Our sweet friends, Jacquie and Brian, are expecting their first child literally any minute now! So I wanted to share some of the images from their maternity session before this little bambino officially enters the world. Seriously, can Jacquie be any more stunning in these pics? I think not.

CONGRATS, you two!!! We are so excited for you and can't wait to meet the new addition. :)

Fab Fridays | my first refashion!

Everyone, meet Mabel. She is my new best friend.

Mabel, isn't she so pretty? 

Right up there with photography, fashion is my passion. I'm a Project Runway junkie and secretly hope that one day I'll be good enough to apply for the show (trust me, I've got a long way to go, but I like to dream big).  I'm also an avid follower of fashion blogs like Kendi Everyday (LOVE her!), M loves M, The Glamourai, and Chiara of The Blonde Salad. But one of my newest, favoritest (yes, I made that up) blogs is Cotton & Curls.

First of all, let me just say that I'm a lover of all things vintage and that includes fashion. Not only do I love the character of old, classic pieces, but I also think that it's a great way to be green (ie - environmentally friendly). So when I found Cotton & Curls and saw how amazing this chic is at taking old, too big or otherwise unwearable clothes and "re-fashioning" them into totally cute, totally wearable and totally chic pieces, I became a huge fan. She is such a creative inspiration that I finally decided to try my hand at some refashions of my own. :)

Holly & Dan | scottsdale engagement photographer

So excited to share these images of one of the sweetest, funnest, most adorable couples I know! Dan is quiet and witty, while Holly is an outgoing ball of energy, who can tell a story like nobody else. They compliment each other perfectly!

These little lovebirds will be tying the knot this weekend in downtown Phoenix, and I am so thrilled to be a part of their big day. Let's all send them some good, positive vibes as they embark on this beautiful journey together.

On the mend

Dearest Blog and JHP fans,

My apologies for being M.I.A. the past few months. I sorta kinda had a little accident...

Nice boot, eh? It's all the rage in the fashion world.

Keep reading for more fun details on why this was my view from above for 6 weeks!

Meet Eliza | scottsdale newborn photographer

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” - Helen Keller

Long overdue in sharing pics of this sweet baby girl... petite, angelic and the perfect little poser. Congrats to Courtney and Rob on your new addition! And to her Auntie Jess back in KS, I hope you love the pics of your new niece. ;)

And the winner is...

1) Tara Villagomez - Portrait session and $200 print collection
2) Brian Mann - $75 print credit towards your next portrait session
3) Jen Collins - $50 print credit towards your next portrait session
4) Andrea Smith from KS - $25 Starbucks gift card


Congratulations to the winners! You will be contacted by email with further details on how to redeem your prize.


THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Fabulous 500 Giveaway, and thank you to all of you who continue to support my work!!

FABULOUS 500 GIVEAWAY!!!

In just over a year's time, I've gone from zero to 500+ fans. Two thoughts come to mind...

1) I can't believe how fast the time has flown by.

2) I am incredibly humbled by your support and want to shout from the mountaintops THANK YOU!!! But since there's no way I'm climbing up Camelback mountain in this oppressive heat, I've opted to show you my gratitude and celebrate this milestone with a fun little giveaway. 

GET TO THE PRIZES ALREADY!!!

For all of my friends and fans in the Phoenix metro area, I'll be giving away 3 prizes:

1st Place:  FREE Portrait session & $200 print collection

2nd Place: $75 print credit towards your next portrait session

3rd Place: $50 print credit towards your next portrait session

And since I want ALL of my friends and fans to feel the love, I'm even offering a small prize specifically for my NON-desert-dwelling followers:

Bonus Prize: $25 Starbucks gift card :)  Mmmmmm, latte...

HOW DO I ENTER???

The contest will start on July 11 and end on Friday, July 20th at midnight EST. Four winners will be selected randomly via Random.org and announced here on the blog Saturday afternoon!

Here's how to enter: 


1) "Like" the Jennifer Halen Photography fan page on Facebook. {mandatory requirement to enter the contest}


2) Leave one comment here on this blog post telling us why you'd love to win a free portrait session. {mandatory requirement to enter the contest}


EXTRA ENTRIES {optional, but increases your chances of WINNING!!!}


3) Share about the giveaway on Facebook by TYPING (not copy-pasting) the following: Go check out @Jennifer Halen Photography at www.blog.jenniferhalen.com and enter to win the FABULOUS 500 GIVEAWAY!!


4) Follow me on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/jennihalen (and if you're not on Pinterest yet, let me know and I'll send you an invite to join!)


5) Follow me on Twitter: @jenniferhalen


6) While you're on Twitter, Tweet about the giveaway!


7) Earn FIVE extra entries by signing up for my monthly newsletter and stay in the know on all things Jennifer Halen Photography. To sign up, simply enter your email address in the SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST field at the very bottom of the blog and hit the SUBSCRIBE button.  


After you complete each step, use the Rafflecopter widget below to track your entries. YOU MUST COMPLETE EACH STEP TO EARN YOUR ENTRIES as all entries will be validated at the time of the drawing.  So what are you waiting for? Start entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving!

Perfect for baby showers, birthdays, special occasions or just because... a Jennifer Halen Photography gift certificate is a truly unique gift, and one that they'll treasure for years to come. So help your friends, family and favorite people preserve their special moments by giving the gift of memories!

For more information on purchasing a gift certificate, drop me a line at (480)220-1630 or email me at jennifer@jenniferhalen.com.

Evy & Jeff | Wedding at Noah's in Chandler

For those who don’t already know it, I’m a big fan of sand volleyball. Love watching it, love playing it and I’m extremely blessed to have met some wonderful people through the volleyball community here in the greater Phoenix area (including my hubby!)  One person I met several years ago when I first started playing is "Nice Jeff"… appropriately named because he’s one of the most genuine, nicest guys you’ll ever meet. So when Nice Jeff and his fiancé, Evy, reached out to me to photograph their wedding, I was ecstatic!

Jeff’s family flew in from the Midwest, and Evy’s family flew in all the way from Costa Rica for their wedding celebration at Noah’s. It was a beautiful evening filled with love, laughter, tears of joy, and loads of fun. Jeff and Evy are living proof that love knows no boundaries… that two people from vastly different places can find a true connection and fall in love. I am so honored to have been a part of their special day and wish them a lifetime of happiness together with little Kayla!

Meet Jaxson! | scottsdale newborn photographer

Talk about a close call... within just 48 hours of her maternity session, Sammantha gave birth to this beautiful baby boy. So those "false" labor contractions she was having in the studio throughout her maternity shoot were actually the real deal!!! Of course, you would never have known it by how calm, cool and collected she was. I am just so thankful that she had a safe labor and delivery AND that I had the chance to photograph this sweet little boy. Many CONGRATS to Samm and Trent!!!

Picture your picture | scottsdale wedding & portrait photographer

Ever wonder how that 8x10 print is going to look above your sofa or that mantle? If you're a visual person like me, you need to SEE how something is going to look before you actually tack it up on your walls. Jennifer Halen Photography can help you see your vision to reality and give you a little peace of mind with the help of some awesome wall gallery displays.

In the sample above, you can barely see that 8x10 print above the couch... a print that size would just get overpowered by the expansive wall and the weight of the couch. On the other hand, the 24x30 or 30x40 images would really make a statement and have a visual impact in the room IF that's what you're going for. 

Now that doesn't mean you have to rule out the 8x10 or small prints altogether. That's where we can get creative in designing a wall grouping for your space like the one shown here:

One 20x24 with a 3" mat and 1.5" moulding, two 8x10s in 11x14" mats with 1" mouldings and two 5x7s in 8x10" mats with 1" mouldings

It's all a matter of taking into account the space you're trying to fill and the visual impact that you're going for with your images. So don't hesitate to ask for some design inspiration. That's what I'm here for... to make your fine art portraits come to life in your home! 

Samm & Trent | scottsdale maternity photographer

This was the first portrait session in my new home studio (YIPPEEEEEE!), and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. Samm and Trent were such an amazing couple to work with... so natural in front of the camera. Not only were we able to capture some really sweet, tender moments between them, but we were able to let their fun personalities shine through, too (Gooooooooo PACKERS!) Can't wait to share the photos of little baby Jaxson! Stay tuned...

OH, and if you love your doggies as much as I do, go check out Samm's dog walking business, Wagging Tails Dog Walking! I'd trust her with my furry babies any day. :)

Meet Jin-Su! | scottsdale newborn photographer

When my brother mentioned he was trying to decide what to give to our friends, Meghann & Woo, for their baby shower, I ever so gently chirped in "HELLO, McFLY! You are looking at a photographer who loves to capture newborn images!!!" Giving a gift certificate for a newborn photo session is a gift that will outlast any crib, layette set or diaper cake. :) In fact, the new parents expressed that it was one of the most thoughtful presents they received. Woohoo! Mission accomplished. 

This little cutie was initially quite alert (and even a little "suspicious" about my presence), but he soon fell asleep and was a JOY to photograph.  CONGRATS, Meghan & Woo!! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to capture these images of your sweet baby boy.

Stella | scottsdale newborn photographer

What can I say about little miss Stella? She was just a tiny little thing with the smoothest, creamiest skin (a photographer's dream!) There are several pics where you could almost mistake her for a delicate porcelain doll. Congratulations, Kristina and Eric! Thank you for trusting me to capture these tender images of you and your sweet, little girl.