Congratulations, Katherine and Martin. Thank you, for the honor of being your wedding photographer this coming September.

Have a great Wednesday!

We started out near The Pagoda in Norfolk where Martin proposed. He had foreshadowed five years before when he first met her that this was the place he was going to propose. He kept his word…

Love this…

We took a ride on The Elizabeth River Paddlewheel Ferry that took us to Old Towne Portsmouth.

The rain stopped just in time for our shoot and the overcast sky created a rich white background…

Katherine has the most amazing blue eyes…

Waiting for the ferry to go home…

Thank you, Katherine and Martin for a wonderful afternoon. To see more of Katherine and Martin’s Engagement Shoot…see the slideshow below.

xoxo,

Jenelle

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Aside from photography, it has become the time of year to hibernate our winter clothing till next season. But as is always the case, living here on the east coast, that Mother Nature plays Indian-giver: Tuesday…70 degrees…Wednesday…85 degrees…Thursday…45 degrees. It’s unfortunate that we have to live in this uncertain state of being for a month or so, but until 90 degrees hits for three months, we will gladly take the mild weather that plays peek-a-boo. Lucky for us though, the weather has given us a few charming weekend days and we have taken full advantage. A few weekends ago, Ben and I walked the dogs, took a few bike rides, ate outside at a couple local restaurants and lounged on a blanket at Pier A Park along the Hudson River. As I lay there watching fellow ‘parkers’ play catch, read their books, and reviewing our perfect weekend in my head, I realized that wedding season is just around the corner and I better soak up every ounce of this as I can.

And lastly, I must confess, this past year I have been lacking in the “good wife who cooks for her husband every night” department. When I first moved up to Hoboken, I was unemployed and had many hours to myself while Ben was at work. Aside from taking care of a puppy, I truly enjoyed spending my time cooking and baking. And that’s how I started my blog. I’ve missed those days, so I decided to take some shots of a quick and easy dessert I threw together from our Powerfoods cookbook. It’s a lemon filled cream treat…and for those of you who are health conscious, it is just that. Just tofu, honey and lemon!

Have a great Wednesday!

xoxo,

jenelle

Kim and Jordan met in the same graduate program that Ben attended in 2007.  I always enjoyed meeting and talking to Ben’s friends when I would visit him, especially these two. So, after a few years of dating, I was thrilled to find out that Kim and Jordan finally got engaged! I was so happy that Kim asked if I could shoot their engagement pictures. It was a phenomenal afternoon as we walked around Central Park and the West Village in New York City.  I am so happy for them and I wish them the very best!

Congratulations, Kim and Jordan.

xo,

Jenelle

Silence.

“Shelina….” I continued to whisper in a gradually louder, but still, desperate voice.

More silence.

“Shelina, will you braid my hair? ” I would finally get up the courage to ask.

Grunt.

And this how she always responded – “Jenelle…I’m sleeeeping. Turn off the light…gosh.”

This is how our mornings before school would usually go when I was in middle school. I would completely disregard Shelina’s need for 13 hours of sleep in order for her to function and wake her up bright and early on the days that I wanted to look extra cool in my braids for our junior varsity volleyball games. After about 30 minutes of begging, she would give up, swing her legs over the side of her bed and tell me to sit on the floor so she could give me totally awesome french braids, all the while eyes at half mast.

As long as I can remember, she has always had a talent for styling hair. My parents used to say she was born with a brush and mirror in hand.  And to a younger sister who didn’t have that same gift, I took full advantage of her abilities. Now, after years of being in the hair and makeup industry, Shelina owns a salon, Blush Hair and Makeup, in Chesapeake, VA. I’m so proud of her hard work and her ability to dream.

This past week, she came up to visit Ben and me. Like I said before, I took full advantage of her ability…and I still do. She gave me a brand new do, which I love. We also were able to do a mini-shoot for some portfolio shots for the new website I’m designing for her. So, here are a few shots along with a quick video I did for her. Enjoy!

Have a great Friday and wonderful weekend!

P.S. It’s our Dad’s birthday today, so here’s a huuuge shout-out to our Pops! Love you so much, Dad. Happy Birthday.

Click here to view the embedded video.

We walked down to Columbus Park in Hoboken. The weather was about 65 degrees and the sun was beyond perfect for shooting.

Work it She-nay-nay…

Usually, Shelina is behind the scenes doing hair and makeup for the shoots, so it was awkward for her to be in front of the camera at first, especially with the onlookers…

My favorite shot…

Loved her laughing shots…I can’t help but smile to myself when I see them…

We had a lot of fun and I’m so happy I was able to repay her for those countless times of waking her up to do my hair. Hey…what are little sisters for??

xoxo,

Jenelle

With my trench coat belt tapping my legs with each stride, my mind took me back to mornings just like this – mornings that my eyes would open when I heard my dad rustling in our hotel room as he tried to get dressed in the darkness as not to disturb my mom, sister or me. But I always woke up. Not because he was making too much noise, but because the thought of grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting with my dad wherever our current vacation spot was sent a spark of excitement through me and there was no way I could go back to sleep.  As he was just about to slip the hotel room key into his pocket, I quickly threw on jeans, a sweatshirt and flip-flops, put my hair into a ponytail that looks semi brushed and joined my dad as my mom and sister slept.

I’ll always remember one morning imparticular when we were vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard in May of 2006. Dawn had just broke when my dad and I sipped on our coffee as we sat on a bench along a rocking dock, watching the still ocean house dozens of sailboats with sleeping captains aboard. It was quiet. It was peaceful. And as I snuggled deeper into my sweatshirt, I was thankful. Its mornings like this that I will always love to remember and appreciate.

And here is a sneak peek from a shoot that I will be posting tomorrow…

Happy Thursday!

xoxo,

jenelle

Shelina wrote…

Happy Birthday Celene!  I gave my dear friend Celene Long an on location photo shoot with hair and makeup done by Blush Hair and Makeup and photography by Jenelle for her birthday.  This was such a fun day getting her beautiful for her photo shoot, minus the rain and cold winds while shooting.  We started at the salon with hair and makeup then drove out to the location to set up and start shooting.  The location we chose to shoot was a client of mine, Richard Garner, which owns FISH TAIL BAR G.  What a beautiful barn with a lot of horses and a few other farm animals running around made it a great place to get our Ralph Lauren inspired shots.

What can I say? Celene you are absolutely amazing!  You are one of the most thoughtful people I know. Your friendship means a great deal to me, and I feel very lucky to have your love and support through thick and thin.  I Hope you enjoy your birthday present.  XOXO – Shelina

Have a great Wednesday!!

We started out up in the hay loft in the barn because it was raining. The only natural light was the dreary daylight peeking in through the barn walls. The ranch handlers were kind enough to grab us some flood lights. Hey, you gotta work with what you got…and Celene worked it.

Although the lighting wasn’t ideal, I really liked the deep shadows the lights gave…created an intriguing image with a lot of natural contrast.

Luckily, it stopped pouring so we were able to go outside for some of those “Ralph Lauren” shots…

Celene did such a fabulous job, you couldn’t even tell it was freezing by looking at her…

So cute. I think Celene looks like Jenny from Forrest Gump…

Daylight was starting to diminish, so we ventured inside the barn with the horses for a few last shots. This horse kept nibbling at Celene…adorable!

One quick outfit change into jeans, a white t-shirt and suspenders to finish off the shoot…

This past Saturday, we went into the city and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon eating brunch at Cafe Condesa and walking around the West Village. I also decided to take along my 7D and take some video shots. There is so much to see here and I’ve been negligent to archive our adventures, no matter if its big or small. Sometimes, its the everyday happenings that give you the greatest memories. And I am so lucky to have Ben to share them with.

Happy Monday!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Favorite shot of the day…

xoxo,

Jenelle

In the beginning of January, my sister, Shelina of Blush Hair and Makeup Salon, and I had the idea of getting a booth together at a bridal show. Great. I loved this idea, but now all we needed was a bridal show to be a part of. Seeing as most of the bridal shows had already come and gone or the deadline to sign up had past, we were getting nervous. After researching a bit more, we came across the VOW Bridal Event at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.  We quickly sent our inquiries to the show coordinator and with multiple and prompt responses from Katherine Byrd, VOW Bridal Magazine Sales Rep, we were able to book the last booth available. Hallelujah!

So, after many creative hours spent on preparation for the show, we finally pulled it together just in time. We were very pleased with the entire process of the show and we could not have done it without many, and I say many, helping hands. We are truly blessed to have friends and family in our lives that care about the prosperity and success of our businesses.

The show was this past Sunday, so we spent all afternoon on Saturday at the convention center setting up.  You cannot see, but we had seven sets of hands there to make our booth perfect for the brides. Here is the before…

 And here is the after. We went with a shabby chic look. All the furniture pieces are from Shelina’s salon. 

 On the left is an example of canvas prints I offer my clients. On the right are the discs that my clients receive with their images on it after their wedding.

Oh, these brochures. These brochures were made with TLC…a big ‘ol whopping amount of it.

 Shelina and and her Glo Minerals Makeup demo.  

We needed a backdrop that we could hang the prints on, so Shelina had a brilliant idea of finding old and weathered doors. My dad hinged them together and they created a perfect setting to display my photography.

VOW put on an exquisite bridal fashion show featuring Maya Couture and Pure English Couture gowns. During the show, I leaned over to Ben and said, “Let’s get married again…” He snarled through his lips and shook his head. I guess once is enough for him.

Our team: me, Tehra Burton (Shelina’s assistant), and Shelina. Ben is behind the camera.

A huuuge thank you to everyone that helped make this show what it was. We could not have done it without you! You know who you are. And another huuuuge thank you to all of the brides that were able to stop by and chat with us about their wedding. We truly enjoyed meeting everyone and look forward to working with you.

xoxo,

Jenelle

Lauren was kind enough to travel down to be apart of our bridal shoot for the day. Lauren got married in July of 2010 and when I saw her walk down that aisle with her daddy in that dress, I almost collapsed. Beyond phenomenal, Lauren oozed every bit of southern belle in her Maya Couture gown. I knew she would be the perfect fit for our bridal shoot a few weekends ago. Shelina kept Lauren’s makeup clean and warm with touches of soft pink. Tehra Burton of Diva’s Day & Spa Salon, created soft waves and pinned her hair into a timeless styled chignon. She was radiant.

 Happy Friday and have a great Superbowl weekend…Go Giants! (I have to root for them, I live here… it’s the law).

Enjoy!

 Beanie, the horse, modeled for us at the horse ranch and she did wonderfully…

 Lauren grew up riding, so it was second nature for her to be around horses…She looks fabulous

Love her…

A contagious laugh and a sarcastic comment made all of us laugh…

A big thank you to everyone for being apart of this shoot! Time to kick your boots off and enjoy the weekend…

xoxo,

Jenelle

Our models, Joel and Haley, were fantastic and did not even blink an eye in the freezing temperatures we had that day. A big thank you to Frances for her vintage detailing expertise and for the location on her family farm that has been in the family for six generations. And another big thank you to my dad for allowing us to use his ’49 Cadillac (his third child). And for all the other extra helping hands that made this shoot possible.

Happy Wednesday!

Haley has a classic beauty that was piercing every time she looked at me…

Joel and his Josh Hartnett’ness…

Loved getting some “in between” shots…

Fierce and…

…absolutely gorgeous

Thank you again to everyone for contributing to this shoot…

xoxo,

Jenelle