Miss “Inependent” is turning one this week, and although I heard she was walking, I was surprised by how mobile she already is. Not just walking, but running! This bitty thing made me work! I had so much fun chasing her around in Ortega and Avondale. While I love going into a family’s home to photograph them on their turf, I also have enjoyed exploring our historic neighborhoods on recent sessions.

Many thanks to Let Them Eat Cake! for letting us make a bit of a mess!

I love how you can glimpse Mom and Dad watching attentively from inside and outside the bakery window.

Share this…   …and a few more pics from this session will be on the JMP Facebook page ().

…giving them an opportunity to record, preserve, and CELEBRATE themselves and their families.

…giving a gift that they will have and cherish for years to come.

…giving them the experience of a photo session where they get to be themselves and then see how beautiful that really is.

Gift Certificates can be purchased in any denomination and can be sent either to you or directly to the recipient.

This is also something you could register for if you are expecting a baby.

Contact me to register or purchase a gift certificate today!

I love my job. I love getting to spend time with families spending time with each other. The B family was so sweet. It’s always even better when dads (in this case, aka JB2) are willing participants as this dad was.  And JB3 (see his shirt)? He didn’t even need a second to warm up. He had his own shots, even wardrobe changes, planned before I arrived!

Everything about this family – the way they spoke to each other, the way they cuddled and played, and the way they looked at each other was so warm and comfortable.

Thanks, guys, for letting me in on your Sunday morning. I really enjoyed getting to know you a little. I’m excited to hear what the next week brings for you!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JACKSONVILLE – Just a few slots left for Holiday Mini Sessions! See Investment page for details.

If the image above looks familiar, it might be because you saw it here. Mom wasn’t kidding when she told me that really captured her son the first time around! This time we were on the beach and at their home in Fort Lauderdale.

Baby M is not saying much with words yet, but those eyes are definitely talking.

And they could be saying, “have you heard I’m going to be a big sister?! I’m not sure what to think about that yet.”

Congrats to the whole W family! Thank you for being such generous hosts and friends to me and my girls. Next time, really, we have to get A in there…along with the new baby!

I have too many favorites of these guys to post here. Check out the JMP Facebook page to see more!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JACKSONVILLE – Just a few slots left for Holiday Mini Sessions! See Investment page for details.

I met the M family on a recent muggy morning when we got together to do a quick mini shoot at their new home.

I love this series of father and son.

But don’t forget baby sis.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JACKSONVILLE – Just a few slots left for Holiday Mini Sessions! See Investment page for details.

I am honored to be invited into the homes and lives of amazing families through my job. The H family has so much going on, but it is clear that family is their priority. They have three boys. One in utero, one with special needs, and one with a brand new puppy. As if that wouldn’t be enough to keep you busy, they are in the midst of a MAJOR home renovation. So major that when I arrived I wasn’t sure where the front door was!

You know what’s important to them when the first things to be done at their house are the playroom, pool and outdoor play area. They even have their own ball pit!

Unfortunately, our shoot got cut short by a health scare that was both terrifying yet normal to them. Full plate, I told you. I can’t even imagine. Still, in the short time I got to spend with them, it was clear that this family is full of love and optimism despite their challenges.

K and M, good luck with the weeks ahead. I hope to get to pick up where we left off, next time with the new baby in the new house!

It’s been such a busy few weeks that I’ve not posted as much as I would have liked. These are from a mini session on the beach that I did recently near Fort Lauderdale. This shoot was late in the morning and it was HOT! We had to hide out under the pier to have any hope of finding shade. Miss E is beautiful, but wasn’t too keen on getting her picture taken by me! Thankfully, Daddy helped me bring out her smile.

So serious…

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

JACKSONVILLE – Just a few slots left for Holiday Mini Sessions! See Investment page for details.

ATLANTA – One Day Only – Saturday, October 17 – until 2010! Contact me at jenmen@gmail.com

I recently got to photograph one of my favorite young families. We first met back when big brother L and my own CM were both still in the womb…a few years and states ago (for me). I am lucky enough to still see them occasionally when they come down to Jacksonville. It’s always fun to check in with them, because when we met we were in that twilight period of expecting our first babies, entering that unknown world of parenthood. Now they have their beautiful two boys, we have our two girls, and we’re comparing notes on kindergarten and sibling rivalry….oh, and college football. Some things don’t change (guess their team by the their wardrobe).

You just know that it won’t be long before these  boys will be too cool for PDAs with daddy, or to take their lovies anywhere and everywhere with them. But for now…

The last time I saw J he still had that baby look to him. This year, I was surprised by what a little man he’s growing into!

D and J, I’m so glad that our paths have continued to cross. I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed spending the time with you. See you again soon!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BOOK NOW for Holiday Mini Sessions! See Investment page for details.

Spaces still available for the Fort Lauderdale 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.

I really enjoyed this recent shoot for a number of reasons. First, that it was an opportunity to catch up with an old friend I went to school with (gotta love facebook). She was as genuine and easy to be around as I remembered her, as is the rest of her family, which was great to see.

Second,  was that I got to capture an amazing moment. Little Miss A took her first “official” step right in front of my camera! To get that, and mom’s reaction, was awesome.

Another cool thing, we went to a park that sits in front of the house that J’s grandmother lived in when he was growing up. He has a lot of memories of the house and park. I love that they picked a location not just because it was pretty but because it meant something to them.

I like the tear and smile in that last one. The line between crying and laughing is so thin with children.

And last, but NOT least, that hair!

It could be a pool, a puddle, the tub, a creek, or the ocean. My girls just love being in and near the water. Well, CM has gone from being terrified to loving it now that she has learned to swim. VC already can’t get enough of it.