Katelynn+Peter | scottsdale engagement photographer

In just a few short days these high school sweethearts will head to the alter to say their "I DOs," and I can barely contain my excitement! Not only are they one of the sweetest, funnest couples I've had the pleasure of working with, but their wedding venue is sooooo unique and cool. You'll just have to wait for the sneak peeks to see what I mean. ;)

In the meantime, enjoy some of my favorite images from their engagement session.

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