Welcome to my corner of the world. I’m Jenn. I’m a photographer. I’m a dreamer. I’m a hopeless romantic. I love to laugh. I cherish tears. I adore travel. I crave adventure. I live for the present moment. I love spontaneity.

These are your stories. I’m passionate about creating images that capture the essence of who you are. I specialize in lifestyle sessions with dramatic flair. One of my greatest joys is capturing your uninhibited expression of love for each other. I want to get to know you so your images reflect your authentic self. I am so thankful for the many friends I have met through my photography. This is where I share with the world how wonderful you are!

This is my journey. Life sometimes gets so busy that we stop to revel in the present. My blog is a way for me to take a deep breath and focus on what I am experiencing NOW. This is where I will share my own joys and struggles as I learn to live passionately, embrace my humanity, and open my heart to life, love and adventure. Dive in with me!

What better way to spend a Friday in charming Galena than with a couple as fantastic as Brittany and Reed? A fellow photographer (she co-owns InSite Creatives in Humboldt, Iowa), it was Brittany’s creative vision to do their engagement session in this delightful historic town.  She couldn’t have chosen a better location as the backdrop for a love that began in a small town and that has been going strong since the two were in high school. I was blessed to have my talented friend and colleague, Jaclyn Simpson, join me for the day.  We just loved every moment with Brittany and Reed, and we cannot wait to shoot their January wedding in the Dominican Republic. Here’s a preview of a few images we captured this past Friday. Stay tuned for more!

Her laughter filled the air as she teased him, and his smile betrayed how much he adored her even in his witty retort.  Within moments, it was evident Pip’s spunk was an endearing complement to Brian’s sweetness and humor and that the two could not be more perfect for one another.  Combined with the flawless planning and floral styling of Kelly from Fleur, Inc. at Vera’s beautifully eclectic Videnovich Farms, we could not have asked for a more charming shoot.  Jaclyn Simpson and I were euphoric over Kelly’s vintage-inspired tulips, billy balls, ranunculus and garden roses, and we almost swooned over the antique cars, farm equipment, vineyards and gardens. There were even sheep! I loved collaborating with Jaclyn to photograph every aspect of Pip and Brian’s sassy engagement session.  We are thrilled to share that we have been featured on Style Me Pretty, a gorgeously chic wedding resource and one of my favorite blogs for inspiration! It is such an honor to be highlighted along some of the industry’s most talented artists, and I am so very thankful for this opportunity. Take a peek at SMP’s post for a teaser and stay tuned for more images here!

I simply adore Indian weddings. The colorful saris and ceremonial details, the smells of masala, curry, and turmeric wafting through the air, the hypnotic sounds of the drums and unique Indian melodies and the ladies voices singing in unison- everything about it evokes within me such a deep awe and appreciation for their rich cultural celebration.  As a photographer, it is a visual feast of colors and textures. As an artist who is moved deeply by emotion, it is one of the most fulfilling events to witness.  For in every aspect of the elaborate ceremonies, relationships are honored.  It is every much a celebration of the joining of two families as it is the union of the couple entering marriage. There is such an emphasis on relationships between parents and child, siblings, and in-laws and there is significant time spent observing these individuals.

I have the tremendous honor of having been invited to India to photograph a wedding tomorrow.  Spending time with Sarah and Chris’s family the last few days here in Kerala has been incredible, and after being a part of their prayer ceremony this evening, I am even more excited to see how their day unfolds.  As I spend time in my sweet little hotel room in Trivandrum preparing for tomorrow, I thought it appropriate to share an Indian wedding I assisted on at the end of May.

When Liesl of Liesl Diesel Photo asked me to join her in photographing Dharna & Samir’s wedding in Naperville, I was thrilled. I often marvel over how one small connection leads to another and precipitates an entire chain of events. Like the way Samir’s uncle wandered into the brokerage where Dharna worked, and was so captivated by her that he insisted she must meet his nephew.  Neither of them suspected the priceless relationship that would blossom out of taking a simple risk.  As I chatted with Dharna and her bridesmaids- girls she met through Samir that have since become her two closest friends, I was even struck by the the circumstances that transpired to allow me to be a part of their day. Years ago while still in college in Rochester, my love for photography was reawakened- and little did I know that down the road I’d meet Liesl, daughter of one of my professors at the time. So many random acquaintances have linked us since then, but it wasn’t until a few months back that we connected again in Chicago, where both of our paths have led us.  Liesl’s talent is inspiring and her humor contagious, and I enjoyed every moment working with her!! I feel so very fortunate to have joined her in capturing Dharna and Samir’s celebration in Naperville.

Dharna, of course, was absolutely breathtaking. Perhaps one of my favorite Indian wedding traditions is the art of Mehendi, the adorning of hands and feet with henna.  Within the intricately designed patterns, Samir’s name is hidden. It is said that the groom must find his name in the bride’s decorated hands before the wedding to symbolize the strength of their commitment.

Dharna and Samir opted for doing a “first look,” to spend some time together before the ceremony and have a few pictures taken. It is always so moving to witness their first interaction when a couple starts their wedding day by setting aside a few moments to be together and reflect on the significance of their union. Afterwards, Samir met up with his friends and family for the Baraat. This is a time of celebration and blessings.  Samir could not stop smiling in anticipation to meet Dharna again for the mandap ceremony!

Dharna’s mother was so overcome with emotion, that I was almost moved to tears. The Indian Vidaai is the symbolic wishing farewell to the new couple, and there were many more tears, hugs, and laughter following the ceremony.

After the vidaai, Dharna and Samir changed to get ready for the party!!

Liesl and I had a blast at their lively and rowdy Bollywood style reception! (We may have even danced a little.) We also had the pleasure of working with Rogie Cruz from RAC Visual Imaging. Thanks so much Dharna and Samir for allowing us to share your day!

When my good friend Todd called me a few weeks ago and asked if I’d like to join him for a Chicago engagement session, I didn’t hesitate for a moment.  I’m fortunate to have a close circle of fellow photographers as my friends, and we often shoot together on assignments.  This level of collaboration makes every session an adventure, and I honestly feel it provides an even more remarkable experience for each client.  Todd is an incredibly talented wedding photographer in the Wheaton and Naperville area who also shoots frequently in the city, and we had yet to work together.  So naturally I was thrilled to have the opportunity to shoot with him.  I was even more stoked when he mentioned Keelah and Eric would be bringing some props along.  What I didn’t anticipate was how perfectly each item would complement their fun-loving personalities and spunk! I had such a great time hanging out with Keelah and Eric as we photographed their Old Town and Oak Street Beach engagement session.  I’m so thankful to have spent the afternoon shooting with Todd, and meeting two new friends.  My images are only a glimpse of the fun we had that day, but for a full post, check out Todd’s artistry.  Best wishes to both of you!

Almost three months ago I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Amanda Edwards of Chicago Craft Social while attending a workshop at SCORE Chicago. As three young entrepeneurs with zest for our businesses, Amanda, Maria Bayer, and I instantly connected. Recognizing the value of collaboration, we started meeting regularly to track our progress and offer a fresh perspective to one another outside of our own industries. One of the ideas birthed out of these meetings and Amanda’s flourishing creativity was Chicago Craft Social. As coordinator for three collaborative craft events over the past year, Amanda’s experience inspired her to take a new approach to energizing the craft community in Chicago. Her prior gatherings were highly successful and creatively fulfilling, quite similar to Etsy’s local craft parties, but Amanda wanted to take it to a new level. So for the all new Chicago Craft Social, she has joined forces with both local and national talent. Among the talented artists that will be donating their resources and sharing their skills are a bead store, a stamp store, a national craft education manager, and a professional celebrity crafter. The idea is that participants pay a small fee for unlimited access to these materials while receiving instruction in a new area of artistry. There are typically 4-5 crafts to choose from in a given night and the amount of time one wants to spend on one is the only limit. The event has some fabulous sponsors giving away notable prizes, and refreshments will be provided throughout the evening. I am honored to be photographing Craft Social’s debut and I hope to see many of you there!

There are two types of people when it comes to a certain haunted October holiday: those that pour their creative energies into coming up with the funniest, sexiest, or most innovative costumes…and those that just don’t care. Matt and Tonya are definitely the costume type. All the way. Which makes their meeting even more ironic. Tonya’s friends invited her out to a party a few days before Halloween. And so she came straight from work and showed up sans costume to the midweek party. Turns out she was the only one who wasn’t decked out that night. Well…except for Matt and the handful of friends he arrived with.  So when he spotted the beautiful blonde across the room, he had the perfect opening.  Soon they were laughing over drinks at their humorous faux pas, and the flames of a new relationship were sparked.  The thing I love most about Matt and Tonya is that, while incredibly polished and completely gorgeous (Tonya actually models part-time), they truly know how to have fun….and above all, laugh at themselves.  It’s this spunk and light-heartedness that will undoubtedly continue to keep their love fresh and alive for many years to come.  We spent the afternoon a couple of weeks ago in River North and downtown photographing the joy of their engagement.

I kind of have this thing for bridges. I’m borderline obsessed with them.  I get this euphoric kid-in-a-candy-store type of excitement, whether a structure as humble as my beloved Rochester bridge or as majestic as the Golden Gate bridge. And photographing such rugged aged beauty…..mmmm.   Throw in a gorgeous, fun couple, and I am in photo heaven.  Chicago certainly has no shortage of unique bridges. So when we made out way towards Wacker Drive after shooting various places on Chicago Avenue, I could hardly contain myself.  Tonya and Matt were fabulous! As a model, Tonya has a bit of flair for the dramatic…and she knew how to work it. Always the perfect balance, Matt played along, and we were also able to catch some more candid moments between them.

Along the riverwalk, we caught one of the boat tours passing by in front of Merchandise Mart.

Another thing I just LOVE about Chicago is that in the midst of magnificent architecture, one can always find a pretty park and some greenery!

I feel so fortunate to have spent the afternoon in River North with Matt and Tonya, walking around the streets of Chicago, reveling in how wrapped up they were in one another.  Thank you for allowing me a small glimpse into your lives for the day. Here’s to many more years of love, playfulness, and Halloween costumes!

There are so many reasons I love what I do for a living, among which is the opportunity to give back to the community. A few months ago my friends, Carolyn and Steve Goldhaber, put me in touch with Kristen Berlacher, deputy director of Chicago’s Working in the Schools (WITS) regarding their upcoming Blackboard Affair fundraiser. WITS is a charitable organization whose primary focus is promoting literacy in the school systems. By developing relationships with students, volunteers help cultivate a love of reading and a greater enthusiasm for learning through one-on-one tutoring and student mentoring.. When Carolyn told me WITS was looking for a photographer to cover the Blackboard Affair, I was delighted to get involved. From as early as I can remember…well…knowing HOW to read, I was curled up with a book every chance I had. Whether it was risking car sickness on a road trip to finish a story, sitting in the front pew of church with my latest paperback purchase (hey, I was there!), or lying in bed at night with a flashlight and a novel, sheets forming a tent over my head so my parents wouldn’t catch me, I have always loved to read. It was because I had parents and teachers who cared enough to invest in me, and so it is very dear to my heart to help support an organization that devotes its time and resources to making a similar impact in children’s lives.

WITS Chicago held their annual Blackboard Affair this year at the Chicago Illuminating Company in the south loop area. Jaclyn and I walked through the doors of the spacious CIC, thrilled to be shooting in this former warehouse converted into one of Chicago’s trendiest wedding and event venues. There was a bar in the front registration room usually reserved for cocktail hour, and on the wall opposite the entrance was a magnificent framed floor to ceiling panting. We wandered into the next few rooms taking in the massive paintings, large framed mirrors, arched windows and marble bars. Self described as “renovated, modern architectual highlights,” blending “with an urbane loft aesthetic for a sophisticated, state-of the-art feel,” Chicago Illuminating Company was a sight to behold. Three large tables were lined with top notch prizes from local businesses for the silent auction. Bidders had the chance to win items such as a boat excursion, a custom Oxford Clothes suit valued at $3,200, tickets to a Chicago Cubs game, a wagon full of enough liquor to stock any personal bar, engagement or lifestyle sessions from several Chicago photographers, pampering for the day at a spa, and many other exciting services. Complete with lighting by Sound Investment and floral artistry by the Revel Group, the decor at the Blackboard Affair was breathtaking.

Food for Thought kept guests satisfied all evening with their delightful and creative hors d’ouvres, while DJ Kid Color spun the music throughout the event. Glitter Guts added to the excitement with fun sparkled background photobooth in the lobby! The night’s festivities concluded with an iPad raffle, drawn from halves of large playing cards participant wore during the event.

Two of my favorite images from the night were captured by Jaclyn, below. Chicago Illuminating Company has an expansive display of Grey Goose behind its back bar, and GG was, very appropriately, one of the Blackboard Affair’s official sponsors

I am incredibly grateful to have had Jaclyn Simpson shooting with me at Chicago Illuminating Company. It was a blast to spend time with her at the WITS Blackboard Affair, and she truly captured some amazing images!  I am so glad to be able to support Working in the Schools, and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish in the future.

Angel smiled shyly as Achint gently put his hand on the small of her back and led her to the rear of Ipsento Coffee.  Suzy and I greeted them enthusiastically, and they introduced us to Angel’s mother and sisters who had made the trip with them from Champaign to Chicago to take advantage of some city shopping. It had actually been Angel’s sister, Sarah, that first got in touch with me about the engagement session in Wicker Park, and we chatted excitedly while waiting for our coffee. Talent runs deep in the Scarbrough family, and I was thrilled to meet three of the five girls in their indie eclectic rock band, Seventeen Sisters.

We sipped coffee with Angel and Achint in the back of Ipsento getting to know them better and listening to the story of how they met. Every time I hear the events that conspired to bring a couple together I am moved, and their version of how a Mississippi girl and an Indian boy found love in Champaign, Illinois was no exception. In fact, it was beautiful. It is always my desire to reflect the authenticity of a couple’s relationship in my images, and the better I get to know them, the more intuitive this becomes. As we prepared for our shoot, Angel shared that while fun and adventurous, she and Achint are a private couple, conservative with public affection. It meant so much that they were trusting Suzy and me to capture such precious moments between them in light of this. There was a purity and simplicity to their strong, quiet love, and it was very moving.

As we were getting ready to leave Ipsento, I grabbed this shot of Angel and Achint. I just ADORE the decor here, especially the antique windows on the walls and doors as accents.

Armed with warm coffee and pastries, we ventured out into an unexpected blustery Chicago day to capture Angel and Achint’s celebration of their engagement.

Suzy captured some fantastic moments between them here in the alley too!

There is something about the grittiness and vibrant colors of the blue line stop at Damen that I just love! We spent some time shooting outside and then went up on the platform. While I was photographing this,

Suzy captured this view:

I really enjoy shooting as a team, not only because it makes the session more fun, but because there are two creative minds working together who see the same scene with such different eyes and catch details the other didn’t.

Here’s a shot directed and captured by Suzy, that so very well expresses the sweet, quiet affection between Angel and Achint:

While walking down the street to our next destination, I caught this, but no matter how hard we tried, we COULD NOT lose that guy next to them! So alas, here is his moment of fame.

Nancy, owner of Una Mae’s in Chicago was so gracious to allow us to spend some time in her boutique on Milwaukee. I have a weakness for this place and have already made several purchases here, including a pair of red fingerless gloves the day of the shoot after losing mine on the El!!

The warmth inside Una Mae’s after braving the elements lent us to more playfulness!

In spite of the cold, we had such a blast with Angel and Achint, and I’m so thankful to have gotten a small peak into their world. Huge thanks also goes to Suzy Rohan of Lily Red Design who was a fabulous second shooter and also played the roles of driver, mitten chaser, Starbucks scout and keeping me sane.

]]> http://blog.jenniferkathryn.com/2010/05/09/wicker-park-engagement-angel-achint/feed/ 11 http://blog.jenniferkathryn.com/2010/04/05/second-shooter-seminar-chicago/ http://blog.jenniferkathryn.com/2010/04/05/second-shooter-seminar-chicago/#comments Mon, 05 Apr 2010 18:23:20 +0000 jenniferkathryn http://blog.jenniferkathryn.com/?p=472

Veronica is one of those people that is kind of quiet when you first meet her.  She listens with a smile on her face as people carry on around her. It’s not that she isn’t engaging in the conversation; in fact, it’s that she’s so in tune with what’s going on that she waits for the right moment to share what she has to say.  And when she does open her mouth, you know it’s gonna be good. Whether it’s the perfect quip, a word of encouragement or one of her many pearls of wisdom, she is someone that always leaves a conversation better than it was before she spoke. She exudes a warmth and humility that is disarming, but delivers with a conviction that leaves an impression.

When Veronica speaks, I listen.  And the joy of those that spend time getting to know V, as we call her, get to experience her laughter, radiance, and insights on a regular basis. Not only has she become a dear friend, but a resourceful voice in the photography community here in Chicago.  Tomorrow night (Wednesday) she will be giving the first session of her two-part Second Shooter Seminar. It is geared towards photographers who are interested in developing and contributing their skills to primary photographers during weddings and portrait sessions.  Whether you want to build your career as a freelancer or gain more experience to eventually start your own business, Veronica will share many of the perks and guidelines of being a Second Shooter.  Veronica has built Hinojosa Photography into a successful and wedding and portrait business over the past five years and credits much of her growth to her years of experience as a second photographer.

In my own journey as a photographer, I can attest to having gained priceless experience and knowledge from the primary photographers who had the patience to pour into me over the past few years in developing my skill. Not only was I able to hone my craft while working with talented photographers such as Brody Wheeler, Daryn Backal, and Kenny Kim, but I had the opportunity to see how a business works from the inside before I took the plunge myself.  They spent time teaching me how to best help them, but I can only imagine how much more value I’d have had to offer from square one had I attended a seminar like this to prepare me how to be the biggest possible asset to the primary photographer. I am so excited to attend tomorrow’s informational meeting, and looking forward to the educational seminar Wednesday, April 14th at 6:30pm.  It’s not too late to register. Come to Calumet Photographic (1111 N. Cherry) in downtown Chicago tomorrow night at 7pm for the  411 and see what it’s all about! Cannot wait to see everyone there!