Happy 50th!
This lucky couple celebrated 50 years of marriage in November!
Their daughter hired me to capture images of the two of them and their closest family and friends who had assembled to celebrate their golden anniversary.
A good-looking group, am I right?! (Thanks to Dan - on the far right - for delivering the punchline to the joke at this exact moment!)
I also took photos of each individual couple/family.
Seriously, everyone in this family was so welcoming and kind. Kind people are definitely my kind of people.
Most of my clients opt to take photos at a local park or near a body of water, but if you have property, consider taking photos on your land! I’ve found that families tend to be more relaxed, more comfortable, and just generally happier in and around their home. And happy, fun-loving clients make for beautiful images!
Lavender Mini Session | Bywater Hollow Lavender Farm
This adorable couple joined me for a maternity mini session at Bywater Hollow Lavender Farm last June.
It’s the prettiest place for maternity photos, baby photos (6+ months), family photos, or even spring school photos. I even photographed a cake smash there one year.
And I know you might be wondering if I plan to offer lavender minis again this year. The answer: YES! Follow me on Facebook or sign up for my quarterly newsletter to be the first to learn the date and times!
Class of 2021 | Placer High School Senior
I was SO fortunate to photograph some really awesome high school seniors last year, including this Placer High School grad.
If you read my last blog post, you might recognize the location. Yep, it’s Veteran’s Memorial Park in Roseville again.
Love the leading lines of this bridge, and she wore such a pretty floral dress. It worked great with her green cap and gown, too.
A more casual look is nice, too.
I love that she brought along her camera since she enjoys taking photos!
And we can’t forget the college t-shirt, which she cleverly wore underneath her sweater, so she didn’t have to run back to the car to change.
I’m looking forward to photographing more high school seniors this year!
Class of 2022 | Placer High School Senior
This Placer High School senior saw these senior portraits I took last year and requested that we do her portrait session in the same location. Of course, I was happy to oblige.
Location is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to senior portraits.
What tops location? Outfits! As in, what should I wear - and how many different outfits can I don during my session?
My answer: 3-4 different outfits!
This range seems to work well for most seniors. It gives the senior and her family lots of variety in their photo gallery, and yet the session doesn’t run too long.
Here’s what I recommend: A casual outfit, a dressy outfit, your cap and gown OR your sports uniform and your college t-shirt, if applicable.
This young woman wore a cream-colored blouse and denim jeans for her casual outfit.
She donned her Placer High School softball jersey and brought along some sports gear: a ball, glove and bat. I LOVE when seniors incorporate their interests and hobbies into their session.
I always come to a session with a list of go-to poses in my head, but when I saw her softball glove, this one popped into my mind.
Of course, I had to see it in black and white, too.
Which do you prefer: Color or black and white?
She also wore this pretty red floral dress, which paired nicely with the orange-red hues in the sunset.
Such a fun night with this beautiful young woman and her mom!
I’d LOVE to photograph more 2022 seniors! Email me at jennieharlessphotography@gmail.com to book your senior portrait session.
Turning Two
This little boy was the CUTEST!
His mom reached out to me a few months before he turned two requesting a photo session on their property in Auburn. Photographing a 2-year-old boy - and his horse- outside in the foothills? Sign me up!
He didn’t want to wear this TWO hat more than a few seconds at a time, but I managed to grab a few shots of him with it on.
The apples in his hands are really for the horse, but he loved carrying them around. And when you are photographing a 2-year-old boy, you just roll with it.
Mom and Dad were SO patient with him and the horse - and me running around them trying to capture pictures of their active son.
The light was REALLY pretty coming through the trees as the sun was setting.
An hour after delivering their photo gallery, Mom sent me this email:
Hi Jennie!
I’m lost for words! These pictures are absolutely stunning & better than I could have ever imagined!! I’ll cherish them forever.
A million thank you’s!
M
So grateful for clients who take the time to thank me for my work.
With a happy heart,
Jennie
Lavender Mini Session 2021 | Bywater Hollow Lavender Farm
I love photographing families at Bywater Hollow Lavender Farm in Lincoln, especially during the lavender season (mid-May to mid-June).
The lavender is, of course, beautiful and smells amazing, but the ponds and dock make for pretty pictures, too.
These photos were taken in June 2021, and I plan to offer lavender mini-sessions again this year, most likely the first weekend of June. Sign up for my newsletter to be the first to learn the date and times.
Homeschool Sessions | The C Kids
I look forward to photographing these SWEET kids every fall! They are part of a local homeschooling group, so not only do I take pictures of these five, but I also photograph about 5 other homeschooling families that same morning.
This time, we all met up at the School Park Preserve in Auburn.
I schedule 15 minutes for each family, which gives me plenty of time to take individual and sibling photos.
It’s quick and easy - and the moms and dads are pleased with their kids’ school photos! (Plus, some of the families use the sibling photo for their holiday photo cards. So smart!)
Doesn’t get much better than that, amiright?!
Class of 2021 | Whitney High School Senior
I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: High school seniors are so much fun to photograph!
This young woman’s mom reached out to me on Facebook, and luckily, our schedules lined up and we were able to squeeze in a 1-hour photo session one week before her high school graduation.
Seriously, this beautiful young woman made my job so easy. She said she wanted some “candid-type” photos, so I made sure to capture some of those as well as more traditional posed shots.
It’s always good to have a headshot - you never know when you’ll need it for a job application, a study abroad application, or a college leadership application.
I know many seniors - more so women than men - like to have the option of 2-3 outfit changes during a photo session. And I’m all for it!
In my experience, seniors like to bring: one CASUAL outfit, one DRESSY outfit, their cap and gown, and sometimes, their COLLEGE t-shirt.
Congratulations to the class of 2021! Juniors, Seniors, and even recent High School Grads: If you’re interested in senior portraits, please reach out to me! I’d LOVE to capture this special time in your life.
xo,
Jennie
Pajama Minis | December 2020
Seriously, these pajama sessions are my favorite minis of the year!! The kids are happy, the parents are thrilled, and I have so much fun behind the camera capturing the fun!
There’s always some jumping…
…and some reading…
…and sometimes, a little wrestling, too.
More reading…
…more jumping…
…and some hugging!
Jumping…
…and snuggling…
…and posing…
…and being sillly…
…and of course, more jumping!
Plus, even though it’s not pictured here, I bring real cookies for the kiddos (and fake milk bottles)!
I’m thinking I’ll offer these pajama minis again in November/December 2021. Follow me on Facebook or sign up for my newsletter to be the FIRST to learn the date!
Red Truck Minis
I am SOOOO behind on blogging! Let’s just pretend it’s Christmas in July, okay?!
So many cute kiddos and their families joined me for Red Truck Minis in November 2020!
Two dogs, including the adorable Gus (pictured above), joined us, too!
A big thanks to this couple, who own the beautiful red truck, for letting me borrow it for a few hours.
In case you’re wondering, I WILL be offering these mini red truck mini sessions again in November/December. Be sure to follow me on Facebook or sign up for my newsletter to be among the FIRST to learn the date/time. These spots will go fast!
Class of 2020 | Placer High School Senior
This young man graduated from Placer High School in 2020, but like many others in the class of 2020, he never got the chance to don his cap and gown and receive his diploma in a graduation ceremony.
Luckily, his mom realized the importance of documenting him in his cap and gown. In January 2021, Collin and I met up at Placer High School. Have you been to Placer High School in Auburn? The PHS campus is so old (it was founded in 1897!) and awesome. I especially love the Spanish architecture there!
I took photos of Collin in his graduation garb as well as some in his everyday attire.
I love to play with artistic angles and crops when photographing high school seniors.
Which version do you prefer - color or black and white? I think I’m in the black and white camp!
I adore shooting on stairs - and the windows on top are so pretty! And then there’s this tie-dye jacket that Colllin adores. Tie-dye is so popular right now!
Senior sessions are really, really fun for me! I love being able to capture a young man or woman’s personality and interests through the use of setting, clothing, and props.
Do you know someone in the area (Placer County/Nevada County/Sacramento County) who is graduating this year or in 2022? Send them my way!
Homeschool Sessions | The M Sisters
Gah, isn’t she THE MOST adorable little girl?
Seriously!
And she’s one of the luckiest, too, because she has, count ‘em 1-2-3-4, yes, FOUR big sisters!
This was my second time photographing the M sisters and they are sweet as can be. I hope to take pictures of them again in the fall!
Homeschool Sessions | The K Kids
For the past three years now, I’ve photographed five to six families from a local homeschool group. It’s always scheduled in the fall (usually October or November) and the location is in the Auburn area. I select a different location each time so that the photos don’t look exactly the same each year. I take individual shots of the kids, as well as a few sibling shots. Here’s a look at the individual photos from the K kids.
Parents receive three images for each child in their gallery, in addition to three sibling images. They can select their favorites and choose to order prints + products or digital images - or a combination of the two.
All prints + products are made by Miller’s Professional Photo Lab (they do superb work!) and then mailed directly to each family.
I’m excited to take more school pics this coming fall! If you’re part of a homeschool group and are interested in photos of your children, please email me at jennieharlessphotography@gmail.com for more details and pricing.
Red Truck Minis | The O Boys
Another RED TRUCK MINI SESSION from last November!
These boys are so stinkin’ cute; their mom did a fantastic job selecting their matching outfits! Mom messaged me a week before this session to ask about the setup, and I texted her with a mock-up photo. And then added that same photo to Facebook, so my other clients could see it as well.
I love that my job gives me the opportunity to photograph these boys at least once, sometimes, twice a year - together and separately.
Red Truck Minis | The B Family
This was my first year doing RED TRUCK MINIS, and they were a HIT! I’m so glad everything came together, so I could offer these fun and easy mini sessions to my clients.
A neighbor of mine let me borrow his beautiful Chevy truck for these photo sessions (thanks, Joe!), and a second neighbor allowed me to use their land for the photo sessions.
Of course, I had a lot of fun shopping for the decor - all the pillows, the wreath, and the blankets. And I rented the antique red lantern from Rustique Country Rentals.
I absolutely loved photographing everyone, including this crew of kids + their dog in the red truck! If you didn’t have a chance to participate in 2020 (I know there were more families who wanted to join us!), you’ll have another shot this year! Sign up for my newsletter to be the FIRST to learn when I’ll be offering these minis again!
Fall School Pics | Dry Creek
Many of our local schools did not offer school photos in the fall, so I held two days of sessions in Auburn. This sweet little one came along with his two older siblings, and it was such a joy to photograph them all.
I love kids of all ages, I really do. But man, there is something so special about babies who can sit up on their own but can’t walk yet.
He was so happy! Can you tell that he’s looking right at his mama?
And this facial expression made me crack up! It’s like he’s thinking, “You want me to do what?! I don’t think so.”
Bring me all the happy sitters!
That is all.
Fall School Pics | Bernhard Museum
Bernhard Museum is one of my favorite places to take school photos! I love that there are a wide variety of backdrops there - from white paneling to brick siding to rock facades to green hedges.
So many cute sibling sets! I feel lucky to be able to photograph these kiddos year after year.
See what I mean?! Lots of different textures and colors.
Love this boy’s smile!
I’ve known this young woman’s mom for years, but it was my first time photographing her. She’s done quite a bit of theater, so she was comfortable in front of my lens and had excellent posing ideas.
I had no idea her hair was SO long! Wow!
I love the movement in this one!
This teen is an accomplished birder, so this image - as she looks up into the trees and sky - seemed particularly fitting!
I hope to take more school pictures this coming fall!
Fall Mini Session | The D Family
The D Family is THE sweetest - and their babies are GORGEOUS! Wouldn’t you agree?!
This was my second time photographing the four of them. The last time they were in front of my lens was in 2018 when their littles were much littler.
I love when siblings cuddle up together! One way I encourage this is to ask one child (usually the youngest) to sit on the SMALL stool and then ask the second child to sit down next to them and put their arms around their waist. Because the stool is tiny, they can’t help but be close together.
This gentleman right here wins the award for THE most patient and kind DAD! Seriously, he was the most laidback dad/husband I’ve photographed in a long time, and it was such a joy to see him interact with his wife and kids.
We even snuck in a headshot for dad during the mini session, something I’m always open to doing for mom, dad or both parents.
Such a beautiful family - and a beautiful night at Coyote Pond Park in Lincoln!
Fall Mini Session | The B Family
I had the pleasure of photographing this family, not once, but TWICE in 2020!
In June, I took their photos at Bywater Hollow Lavender Farm (I‘m planning to do spring minis there again this year - sign up for my newsletter to be the first to learn the dates!), and the photos above and below were taken during their fall mini-session in Lincoln.
These two are growing up so fast!
You’d never know it by looking at their clothing, but it was extremely HOT that day! Like 90 degrees hot. They were such good sports, even when I suggested we hike up the hill to this spot for the best light.
Coyote Pond Park never disappoints when it comes to beautiful light during the golden hour.
If the parents are open to it, I like to snap a few shots of just the two of them. And generally, the kids are more than happy to have a few minutes to run around and play.
Thanks, B Family, for another fun photoshoot! Can’t wait until your next session!
The B Family | Fall Photos at Gibson Ranch
Although I’ve known this family for years, it was my first time photographing them - and we had a lot of fun!
I like to start photo sessions with some type of movement - generally holding hands and walking toward me. The act of walking or skipping or dancing seems to help people relax.
Family hugs with a bit of tickling thrown in works wonders for eliciting genuine smiles and laughter.
Gibson Ranch Regional Park was the perfect setting for their fall photos.
I always try to take individual photos of the kids because oftentimes parents prefer them to school photos.
Before each session, I email a short questionnaire to my client. While clients are not required to respond, when they do, I learn so much about them and their family members - and I’m better prepared for their photo session because I already know WHO they want me to photograph (and their preferred groupings) as well as which poses they love and which poses they do NOT love.
Brian’s parents were in town, so they joined in for a few photos, too. I love when multiple generations carve out time to take group photos. And this family was smart - Take photos for 45 minutes and then enjoy a meal together at a nearby restaurant. Sounds like a fun Friday night to me!