Not being a native to Florida, it took me a while to come to grips with the fact that the only real fall colors we see here are on the little decorative flags people hang on their houses and maybe the faux foliage that you see in classrooms and gift shops.

However, school, football, and soccer have all officially started. So, yes, it is fall!

If this time of year at your house is anywhere near as crazy as it is at mine, then this also means that the holidays will be here before you know it! To help you get a jump start, I’m offering HOLIDAY MINI AT-HOME SESSIONS! No Santa. No props. Just beautiful timeless pictures of your kids and family just in time to use for cards and presents! See the Investment page for details. These will be available through November 15 and SPACES ARE LIMITED so book now!

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Spaces still available for the Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta families! Contact me at jenmen@gmail.com

JMP is on Facebook! Become a fan to see expanded galleries from shoots and find out about special events and offers.

She sings, she dances, she’s bilingual, she’s charming, and she’s a SURVIVOR. I could eat her up.

Not to mention the glasses!

Miss R is a Patrons of the Hearts beneficiary, and the newest member of an amazing family. If you are not familiar with POTH, check them out. It is truly an admirable organization.

This week, I had the pleasure of photographing some young heart patients who are benefiting from the incredible work of Patrons of the Hearts. POTH helps children from around the world. These kids in particular are from Liberia, Morocco, and Grenada. Despite the challenges these families have already endured and still have ahead of them, smiles were plentiful on this morning. These pictures were taken at the Ronald McDonald House, another great organization that partners with POTH to care for the families while they are away from home.

This young guy came off as an average teenager. Kind of shy, sweet, and trying hard to be cool. But then I spoke with his mom and realized that his life does not conform to our idea of average at all. After coming to Jacksonville from Monrovia, Liberia for successful heart surgery, they’ve been told that they need to return annually for check ups because there is no adequate care in his home. His mother wonders how that will be possible with the lack of funds, support and reliable communication (phones, internet). But for now, she’s grateful for his health.

This family, from Morocco, has been here since the beginning of the year and is still not close to going home.

This sweety from Grenada barely spoke a word to me, but she clearly LOVED getting her picture taken!

This pretty girl may have had the biggest smile of the group. She and her mom were headed home to Grenada the next day. So smart and well spoken, she was looking forward to the homecoming party that she knew was waiting for her!

Some overdue pictures from the week of Mother’s Day, beginning with our “Ladies’ Day.”

The waitress brought CM a surprise dessert…it was a hit!

My dad loves hearing that VC looks like him. What do you think?

I LOVE our downtown library. And I love these signs that say “Start here. Go anywhere.” with T and the girls underneath. This would be a great spot for an engagement pic, too.

Here was my fortune from my Mother’s Day dinner.

It reads, “This is a good time for you to take a risk. You will succeed.” It has been four months now since I attended Me Ra’s workshop and decided to take on this new photography adventure.  In many ways I jumped in prematurely. I still have so much to learn and figure out, including what “success” will look like. But I’m so enjoying the ride. Thanks to everyone who has encouraged, advised and worked with me so far.

I am working on building my portfolio, so from now through the end of April, I am offering FREE PORTRAIT SESSIONS!! I’m looking for kids of all ages, genders and ethnicities, as well as pregnant moms. Prints are not included, but you will recieve a FREE digital slideshow to share with all your friends.

Please help me spread the word! Make sure your friends mention that you referred them so I’ll know who to thank!