It hasn’t rained since Steve was diagnosed.

It felt clean. A fresh start.

With the turning of the seasons, comes the turning of the minds. A revitalization.

I saw this. I’d say it’s straight to the point. AKA poignant. And, although it puts a negative spin on rain, you get the point.

“the way i see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain” – dolly parton

And a picture because lulu always brightens our day when she comes to visit. Even of it’s raining outside and she can’t play. She’ll soon forgot the ‘pain’ once the rainbow comes out.

Looking forward to their wedding in May. I know it’ll be fun and gorgeous and full of love.

**More photos soon as soon. I promise.

with the abundance of entries, i am trying to think of way to pick just one person.  i was thinking of possibly doing an open mini-session at a park for a few different families. yet to be decided.

the new deadline is january 20th at 11pm.

if you’ve already entered, please don’t be discouraged. i will still be considering everyone and maybe a few families instead of one.

click here to go to original contest rules

happy holidays!!!

-jenberry

UPDATE:

as much as it drives me crazy when other people extend deadlines and i get my in on time, i must do it this one instance.  my amazing friend, paola (mother to the double e’s), has just spread the “giving is awesome” link around children’s hospital LA, where she works in children’s blood disorders.

with the abundance of entries, i am trying to think of way to pick just one person.  i was thinking of possibly doing an open mini-session at a park for a few different families. yet to be decided.

the new deadline is january 20th at 11pm.

if you’ve already entered, please don’t be discouraged. i will still be considering everyone and maybe a few families instead of one.

happy holidays!!!

-jenberry

As much as I love the holidays, I truly dislike the running around and scrambling for gifts. No, I’m not a scrooge or tightfisted, I just always wish I could do more for those that truly need. Normally, we donate to a local charity in our friends and family’s names (which we will still do). However, this year  (thankful to KRISTEN) I stumbled upon a way to give back the priceless gift of photography. I know I would have loved to have more pictures of my family from my childhood. The few ones I do have are deeply cherished and priceless.  This holiday, I will be donating my time and products to one deserving family.

So without further ado, in Kristen’s words… Please find someone to nominate or nominate yourself…

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.

…and I want to know them too! I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography…worth over $1000 The winner will get a free photo session, (3) 8×10, (10) 4×6 & (10) 5×7 and a free disc of images….and the awesome, heart-glowing thing is that, this holiday season, it’s in your power to give a really deserving family the artwork they’ll cherish.

Oh, and it’s pretty sweet for you too: the person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be? {you can also donate your credit to a potential runner up}

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.) This is a karma thing, people, so please be thoughtful.
  

• The nominee must reside in Los Angeles Area. 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.

• You must e-mail me the full story:   info@jenberry.com
  

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve {pending enough entries, otherwise it will be extended until Mid January}…so tell your friends, and get nominating! I can’t wait to read the entries!

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

Happy Holidays,

Jenberry

note:  if you don’t live in Los Angeles, visit the site to find another amazing photographer in your area:  http://givingisawesome.com/

This map shows the places that photographers have volunteered so far…

]]> http://jenberry.com/blog/2008/12/giving-is-awesome/feed/ 5 http://jenberry.com/blog/2008/10/dylan-jamie/ http://jenberry.com/blog/2008/10/dylan-jamie/#comments Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:19:45 +0000 admin http://jenberry.com/blog/?p=212 shooting a commercial right now (not as a photographer, but production manager, don’t get excited), so i haven’t written in a while. so here we go.

when my friend/biz contact taylor’s husband, DB, called and asked if i would photograph his family, i was a tiny bit scared. this would be my first official party of 4. it’s one thing to photograph a 8 month old crawling around or a 2 year solo, but yikes directing 4 people with two of them under the age of five was definitely going to be a challenge.  i was a lil bit nervous to tell someone that i work with what to wear, where to stand, how to stand (which i’m sure they could easily tell). however, i felt it was time. time to step outside of my comfort zone of telling people who can’t really talk what to do.

saturday we set out to take a few family portraits and a couple of headshots. DB has a budding REAL ESTATE CAREER in santa monica and was looking for some photos for marketing. being the efficient, thorough guy that he is, DB had an idea of some shots that he wanted to cover, which was a relief to me. it helps when people key you into their routine as a family or individual.  when i arrived at the house DB was cooking bacon (yummy) and eggs for the kids AND he had fresh coffee for me. i think as a parent he knew what i was in for…something a non-mom wouldn’t know. he knew i’d need caffeine.

when i saw that the kids were still in morning gear, i was totally excited. i love to photograph kids in their true elements. uncombed hair running around with slippers (or crocs in Dylan’s case). i think my best captures were during this time. they had such beautiful diffused natural light through the windows of their house. heaven.  afterward a couple of hours, we headed to santa monica beach, a family favorite and weekly routine. the light was a little harsh for my liking, but i think i captured some of the fun they like to have at the beach.

jamie, is the gorgeous (almost 4) green eyed son of taylor and DB. he was not at all camera shy. before i said a word, he smiled at camera and said cheese. wow. he showed me one of his favorite toys, was good about sharing with his sister and ate his whole banana. good stuff.

dylan, who is an exact mini replica of taylor and DB, was so sweet and innocent. you could tell her soul was unique, strong willed and tender (jamie was too, but he’s a 4 year boy. enough said). dylan’s big eyes and white blond are to die for.

taylor & DB. what can i say. taylor owns a boutique production company, TRIO, in west los angeles. she is kind, honest, hard working and very saavy (so don’t cross her). i’ve known her for many years now…pre DB, pre kids, pre trio. she is both inspirational as a human and as a working woman. owning a well established  company, in a loving marriage and an amazing mom. DB, is one of the most amazing fathers i’ve met. he knows his kids ins and outs. he knows nap time, he knows favorite snacks, favorite toys, favorite books, seriously (my dad never knew these things). meanwhile he is giving, not only in his home life, but work. he has a real estate business of his own in a neighborhood he knows well and lives in. i’ve been working with another real estate agent and he still offered up advice and candid suggestions knowing that he was profiting off of his efforts. KIND.

well. here are a just few sneak peak images from our day. can’t wait to see them all again.

just checking out the ocean

burnt bacon, my personal favorite too…

CHEEEESEEE

jamie

dylan

alone time

family time

one of my favorites