athlete, role model, and self-proclaimed zombie slayer . New Braunfels, TX photographer

Minutes after first meeting him, Hunter and his friend Colter, whisked away my children and proceeded to play with them for hours. Tell me that doesn't do something to a mama's heart!


So, it was no surprise when his family described him as outgoing, kind, athletic, and compassionate.
I heartily agree.

My handsome husband and I did this session together. And Hunter's mom and sister joined us. By the time we were done, we were eating together at a little Mexican restaurant across the street. [can you see those lights in the background? Y U M]

amazing young man + GREAT session + sweet family + my man + fish tacos = 
fantastic way to spend a day. 


I love this "job."


It was a little bit of work to try to take some serious shots. 

Only because Hunter's smile is infectious. 

And so I have a feeling he's smiling whether he's coaching at camps, playing basketball, volleyball, or fishing [slaying zombies-ha!]. I know he admires Dirk Nowitzki but he's quite a role model himself. I'm so thankful he has the opportunity to influence little minds and hearts. 

Hunter, you are a stud. You come from a family of studs. 

Thank you for letting Michael and me be a part of this year with you! Now go slay some zombies . . . or something like that ; ).


let's do this y'all, 


jen 

the flirt + the engineer + goodnight moon = love . Yoakum, TX photographer

they were just doing what 18 month olds do, navigating their way with trucks, bubbles, and balls. 
but even then . . .

. . . even in the fun of it all, I got to see such clear glimpses into their later lives . . .


in their mother's own words, 


Blake is the flirt

and Brody, the engineer.

while taking these things in, I couldn't help but wonder two things: 


I wondered if the boys' mama feels time fleeting yet?  or are their diapers, their endless energy, and her constant chasing getting in the way?  or maybe she is "right there" knowing that kindergarten is creeping up way too fast . . . 


can she already see her flirt charming his teacher?

and her little engineer thinking about how to put together an entire community of legos?

I just can't remember when it set in [for me] that babies  really do grow up.


and finally, I wondered as her own mama completely rocked the grandmother role and helped me capture some smiling boys . . . was grandma thinking about her own children?, about their different personalities and their grown up lives? about how they became adults and are in now in charge of other people? does it feel like they were just small children?

here is what I DO know. no growing up blog should be written during the first week that your oldest son goes to kindergarten. note to self. emotions run high.  ; )


tammy, I always love being with your family! may you relish in the day to day, hang on in the fleeting, and stay encouraged when finding the balance!! cheers to the miracle boys once again!


let's do this y'all, 


jen

the gorgeous couple . loyal doves . funny family [West Columbia, TX photographer]

a garage transformed to
this . . .

a lovely backyard gazebo turned into one of the most beautiful wedding venues I've seen...

[rentals from Performance Party]

[flowers by the flower cottage]

and two very kind people became one . . .

[just love how he's looking at her]

they were surrounded by their families for this special day and had so many beautiful moments during their ceremony. not to be outdone by the bride and groom, the doves that were released decided they rather liked their caretakers. their "stick around plan" worked. they've officially been adopted.

and did i mention funny family?  . . .

Barbara and James, the details of this day were stunning! Your family is just precious. Thank you for letting us be a part of your beautiful day. We were honored!

let's do this y'all, 

jen

heroes... victoria, TX photographer

Just this morning, I overheard my son and his cousin (two boys-exactly the same age) talking about Jesus in supreme superhero fashion. Something like... He’s got ALL the power and can take down giants that are bigger than the whole world!!! Little iffy on their history...right on in boyology.


I love boys.

And I love their design.

Just like my baby girl can’t help but feed and take care of her babies, these boys can’t help but want to save the day.

[now don’t go get crazy on me...there is not an underlying women message here saying women should only raise babies, etc. the only thing i’m saying is this:

simply that, at our most basic, women nurture and men conquer].

So I couldn’t help but LOVE the conversation I had with another boy.

Young man, rather. 

Whose nurturing mother sat near but quietly, letting her son speak about his dreams.

He wants to be in the investigative department of the FBI. Because, at the end of the day y'all, he wants to commit his life to help get rid of the bad guys. 

The only problem? 

He's adorable. 

And he smiles like this...

But he IS well armed. ; )

Sam--it was a pleasure to get to know you better. I am thankful and hopeful that there are more young men like you who long for "right."

We're all excited to see where this life takes you. I can think of one person in particular...

We believe in you--tell your story, buddy.  

No, S H O U T it! 

Let's do this y'all, 

jen

can't wait to introduce you... shiner, tx photographer

when I asked him what inspires him, he said a few things 

and then he said, his mama...

and if i wasn't already a fan, i'd be sold right there. 

i am praying that we are raising our boys {and our girl} in such a way that they credit their mama and daddy for giving them hope...inspiration. what a gift. 

i'm not sure how i'm getting to work with the most amazing young men and women in this whole SHOUT project, but i am. they are sincere, driven, talented, respectful, creative. 

and Colter is absolutely an example. 

he's dang funny too. 

and i couldn't adore his family more!

these pictures are special to me because they show who he is AND where he is. 

he {and i!} are partial to south Texas and these settings shout what he loves. 

meet my {fighting Texas Aggie bound} friend, Colter...

{warning ladies. adorable young man ahead ; ) }

look at that smile. cannot wait to see all the places it takes him. 

let's do this, y'all, 

jen

focus. shout. first up{!}. lake jackson, tx photographer

focus is a good thing. 


to make a long story short: 
i wasn't focused.  now i am.  seniors, let's do this.


i've launched SHOUT specifically for graduating seniors this year; i couldn't be more excited about this project! i just designed and ordered cards to advertise SHOUT and when they get into my hot little hands, i'm showing them off here!


until then, may i introduce to you the f i r s t face of  SHOUT.2012


drumroll...


{no really. she's a percussionist and it would just be really cool if i could insert a live drumroll. pretend with me. that's it...bang on your desk...}


meet m a r g a r e t 

i know. say it with me, aaaahhhh. she's simply gorgeous. and behind all that beauty is serious talent. 

my goal in shooting is "soulful stories of you." margaret's story begins and end with music. she's the real deal, y'all, and we did everything we could to show that off. i won't lie. i was a little intimidated by the marimba. i'd never worked with a marimba before. but margaret, with her charm and sass, made it easy. 

did i mention the piano? because she plays that too. 

we ended the session at her home. i am so in love with how natural and how poised she was in these pictures.

margaret, you are amazing and your future will be too! dance off into your senior sunset, girl. we're cheering you on!  you can see the rest of your gallery H E R E.

stay tuned for more SHOUT . 2012

let's do this, y'all, 

jen

small towns, chips, and beautiful people . yoakum tx photographer

Michael and I have lived in a lot of places in the time we’ve been married, and have compared city life versus small town living often. At the end of the day, we prefer what happens in a small town...walk into a restaurant, store, or the post office and know the people inside. Know their families, know their story, know what they grow in their garden. (they’ve  shared!) There’s something about community that will win that comparison for us every time. 

So, we were intrigued one week when we went out for lunch and noticed an adorable couple with adorable children and we had never seen them before. Now, I am somewhat of an “out of towner,” not having been raised here like Michael so I asked him if he knew them or went to school with them--I didn’t mean to stare but seriously, they are just a good looking family, y’all! When he said no, I thought, well then they must be here for “the wedding”.

A while back you met another couple, Kayla and Riley. This was finally the weekend they were getting married and just as I surmised, good looks run in the family...that adorable family happened to be related to the groom. Had I known I was going to photograph them a few days later, I would have lamented the fact that I had no make up on and was stuffing my face with a turkey sandwich and jalapeno chips. 

: )

After one of the most gorgeous weddings I’ve attended, I had the privilege of meeting all of the groom’s family the day after for group pictures. They were such troopers and were a pleasure to be around. In honor of everyone that was there (from a few different states), I thought I’d share a picture of the family that caught our attention just a few days before.

I told you.  Simply gorgeous.

Thank you to the entire Boening family--I loved meeting all of you!!

Let’s do this y’all, 

jen