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Retro Valentines Day!

When fabulous make-up artist Mary-Ann approached me to do a pin-up themed Valentine’s Day shoot I was so excited. Then, her fabulous hair stylist Jena wanted to get in on the action, and before we knew it, we had a full blown pin-up party! Thanks to my good friend and fellow photog Jessica Frey, I even got some shots of me! (Check out her blog to see photos of me and more photos of the girls.)

I even happened to have the perfect place for a Vintage Valentine’s Day Baking Theme- my kitchen! This is part of the reason I love my apartment. It is the coolest apartment ever, and my love for it is part of the reason I have yet to join the adult world of home ownership.  It has a bathroom that would probably rent out as a large bedroom in New York City and a classic stove that came straight from the original Be Witched TV show. No matter where I live in the future, I will always love this place. I am so glad I got to document it in such a special way!

Make Up by Mary-Ann Jones
Hair by Jenna of Styles by Jenna over at the Contere Salon at 4441 Ming Ave.


February 2, 2010 - 2:15 am christina looker - cute. cute. cute. thumbs up to jessica too, dig that look on you chicky!! ;) that looks like it was a blast to shoot!!! you ladies rocked it! jen you know i loveeee it! good times, good times!

February 2, 2010 - 10:31 am Therese Dozier - SO CUTE!!! I LOVE JESS"S Shoes!! Jen you so rock, it's not even funny!

February 2, 2010 - 10:43 am Jessica Frey - Thanks Jen for making me look so vintage-y good! :) Had a blast working with all 3 of you lovely ladies!!

February 2, 2010 - 6:15 pm Gma - Fantastic, Jennie. I love every picture. Your kitchen is so neat. Love your story too.

February 6, 2010 - 1:03 pm Rock 'n Roll Bride · Retro Pin Up Valentines Lovelies - [...] have been inundated with Valentine’s themed submissions, however this retro/pin up shoot from Jen Will may well be one of my utter [...]

Drummer Needs Your Vote!!

As some of you may know, Brad and I have done some video projects together before. We made our infamous stop motion video, various 5D tests, and basketball highlights for our work with the Shafter basketball team. Well, this time, I must say Brad has really out done himself! My work on this project is minimal… if any. Actually, I really can’t take credit for any of it. I just think it’s totally awesome and want to share.

This video is Brad’s submission for a scholarship contest at Musician’s Institute. If you like what you see and wouldn’t mind taking a few minutes to go vote at this link, I would really appreciate it! : MI Full Ride Link
Steps to Voting:
1. Go to this link and sign up as a fan. http://fullride.mi.edu/
2. Then go to brad’s profile page at this link and select vote for this musician.
I also got the chance to snap a few photos while I was hanging out at the studio with him. Big thanks to B2 Studios for being so accommodating and providing such a cool backdrop.

February 3, 2010 - 9:46 pm Tarah French - I voted!!! I voted!!! I want a photo shoot, a pin up shoot!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a dream of mine!!!!

February 4, 2010 - 6:51 pm Gma - Pretty cool if you ask me. gma.

Say Cheese!

Last month was the Kern County Bridal Association Christmas party. I originally intended to just blog about that. Then, I posted the photos on my facebook page first where they have been tagged and commented and shown much love. So instead, I thought I would take an opportunity to discuss something I think is super awesome to consider including on your wedding day…

The Photo Booth! – Seriously, photo booths are the coolest!! Last month at the Christmas Party a photo booth was provided by Sit n Grin and it was lots of fun.

There are lots of different versions of photo booths now days but no matter how techy they get, my favorites all include a curtain and a printed photo strip with four frames. I love the nostalgic charm, especially in black & white. Cozy up to a friend or loved one, or hop in solo. Either way when you sit behind that curtain everyone seems to let their personality shine through. There is something about a photo booth that can’t help being candid, even when you know it’s coming (or think you know). It’s a really great way to snap a head shot of every guest in a fun yet classy way. Not to mention how it allows your photographer the freedom to focus on capturing the story of the event and keep her mind on creatively capturing beautiful moments.

Brian Rouch for Supervisor

Remember those landscapes I posted a while back? Well, I am now very proud to share that session with you and announce the purpose of the shoot. Brian Rouch, Tulare County native, formally announced his intention to run for the Tulare County Board of Supervisors in the 4th district. My photos and designs are now being used for Brian’s campaign and prominently featured on his website. Because the professionals always say it best, here is a little text directly from his press release, “Citing need for ‘trustworthy leadership’, Brian pledges to bring energy, common sense, and fresh ideas to the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.” After spending the afternoon with Brian traveling through his district in search of photo locations, and hearing him speak about the area along the way, I must say Tulare County is very lucky to have such a caring and passionate person running. You better believe if I lived in his district he would get my vote, and if you do live in his district I hope he will get yours!

January 29, 2010 - 7:01 pm Gma - Great pics Jennie.

Janelle and Nick – Wedding

We had the most amazing beautiful weather this weekend. It was the perfect day to get married!

January 26, 2010 - 10:25 pm Therese Dozier - PINK!!! My color of the week!! I love it!! You did an amazing job Jen!

February 4, 2010 - 6:54 pm Gma - great pictures.

Patrick – Senior Portraits

It’s always such a compliment when fellow industry professional seeks out your services. Patrick’s mom is the fabulous catering manager for Famous Dave’s (yum!) and fellow bridal association member. She contacted me this week about taking some senior portraits of him and I was so thrilled to be asked.

It was such a casual session. Patrick is very laid back and a very easy going guy. As we just chatted about his interests, hobbies and the occasional direction from me, I’m sure Patrick didn’t even realize that the results would be this effortlessly cool vibe he puts off in almost every frame. There are also a few frames for the grandparents to place on their mantel, but my favorite is the last one. James Dean, no?

January 25, 2010 - 6:40 am Melissa Lamb - You managed to bring out and capture a side of him I never see or just overlook. This is what I love most about your photography! You seem to see the most everyday things that most of just overlook and then you bring out the most beautiful and flattering side of your subject.

Nathan, Amber, and little Arianna

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Lauryn and David – Wedding

Oh another beautiful wedding this past weekend shooting with Patrick Ang! This time it was for a fellow Shutter Clique member, Lauryn, and her adorable husband David. Lauryn is also a great photographer and Patrick invited her to our first Shutter Clique meet-up after meeting her as her wedding photographer. Lauryn is stunning, and I was very excited he asked me to shoot her wedding with him. From the the beautiful peacock inspired colors, Lauryn’s handmade details, the surprise arrival of her brother from the Airforce, David’s (and his groomsmen’s) goofy sense of humor, I could go on…. but lets just say once again that this wedding so was beautiful! I am just so excited to share these photos with you all.

January 22, 2010 - 12:15 pm Jessica Frey - Awesome job, Jen!! Love love the ring shots :) great work as always!

What I’ve been doing on my week nights-Shafter Girls Varsity Basketball

You may or may not know, but I am a huge fan of basketball. I don’t mean that in an “I love the Lakers” kind of way, I probably couldn’t even name 10 NBA players. I mean that in the sense that I absolutely love playing the sport. I began playing basketball when I was really young. In fact, Brad and I actually played on the same team in the first grade. I continued to play throughout high school. I was on the championship intramural team in college, and I even played in the NOR adult rec league a few times. However, never have I really considered myself a sports photographer. I had never really even tried to take sports photos for that matter. So, when Brad and I were first asked to document the Shafter Girls Varsity Basketball season, I was a bit hesitant at first. Then because it was basketball, and girls basketball for that matter, I had to give it a shot.

As it turns out, it’s not that different from a wedding, and it didn’t take me long to get attached to this team just like my wedding couples. There is nothing I love more than a team who just flat out plays hard. These girls have a lot of heart, hussle and team spirit. They are also super tough. They are the last ones to let go of the ball in a jump, the first ones to dive after it, and if they get knocked down they are the first ones back on their feet. After a pre-season of ups and downs, the girls came out with a bang and made their first league opponents take notice with a sizeable victory. Since this is what has been occupying my Tuesday and Friday nights as of late, I thought it was time to share some of my work with you all. Hopefully this is just the beginning for these girls. I wish them all the best of luck!

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Last Friday there was a particularly special moment that came out of an unfortunate incident. One of the girls I really enjoy watching is a quick little guard, #32, who is always hustling, stealing the ball, and even knocking down some 3’s. Late in the fourth quarter she was knocked down to the floor in a scuffle for the ball. In typical #32 fashion, she instantly hopped back up to her feet. Sadly though, her knee was seriously injured and did not want to accommodate her usually toughness. She tried to walk it off but with every step she took I was worried she was going to fall back to the floor. Her teammates were immediately at her side, and even ended up carrying her off the court when she needed their help. I am so sad she was injured, and I hope she is able to get back on the court soon. However, it was a truly special team moment and the epitome of what this team is all about.

IMG_6210I thought it was so funny that I happen to have two similar photos from different games. You wouldn’t want to get in the middle of these two girls.
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January 17, 2010 - 11:44 pm Jessica Frey - LOVE LOVE LOVE! Oh how I miss playing...great job of catching these tough female athletes! Let's play soon :)

January 18, 2010 - 10:10 am Cory Edgmon - Jenny these are impressive! You are so talented. See ya at the next game.

January 20, 2010 - 8:17 am Jared Isaac - I finally get to see some of your basketball pictures:) They look great! Keep up the good work.

January 20, 2010 - 1:41 pm Jen - Thanks Everyone!

January 20, 2010 - 9:38 pm Lucy - Envious! Girls and parents will have a lifetime keepsake!

February 4, 2010 - 7:01 pm Gma - Spectacular shots Jennie. You caught the action. gma.

Jamie and Justin – Wedding

Nearly every time I shoot a wedding I see someone I know who I didn’t expect to see. It’s inevitable in Bakersfield. However, this is the second time I have shown up to a wedding as a second shooter and I knew one of the people getting married! What are the odds? This was a special coincidence because it instantly gives me a personal connection to the couple. Often times as a second shooter we don’t get to meet the couple until the day of. I hadn’t seen Justin since high school, but it was great to be a part of his wedding. He was truly one of the happiest grooms I have ever seen. The smile never left his face as he married Jamie. Big thanks to Patrick Ang for asking me to shoot with him!

January 13, 2010 - 10:04 pm Therese Dozier - The Metro is the perfect place!! Very sweet wedding! Good Job Jen!!

January 14, 2010 - 8:43 am Patrick Ang - You complete me Jen!!!

January 17, 2010 - 8:20 am Jared Isaac - Hey, Jen! Great photos!! I especially like the one of the guys standing in front of the church.

January 17, 2010 - 10:02 pm admin - Thank you very much Jared!