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!
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!
The M Family | Fall Photos at Gibson Ranch
I loved photographing this sweet family of three in October! (The last time I took photos of them was in the spring of 2018.)
Rebecca and I attended high school together (many moons ago!), and it’s always fun spending time with her and her beautiful family.
Gibson Ranch Regional Park in Elverta was the perfect spot for these fall photos.
As you can see, Rebecca and Rod’s nearly 4-year-old son stole the show!
Isn’t he darling? He has the most beautiful curly hair - just like my son had at that age!
Oooo, that light coming through the trees is just so pretty on the hill above the bridge. And I adore capturing moms, dads, and their kids interacting - talking and laughing and enjoying one another’s company.
I’m really, truly grateful that I am able to photograph these special moments for families! Thanks, M Family!
Sessions and More Sessions
Photo taken by Aimee O’Brien
I've been missing in action here on my blog. Like most portrait photographers, I’ve been shooting and culling and processing and delivering images (on repeat) for the past two months.
Not that I’m complaining! Fall is my busiest time of year - and I so enjoy seeing families year after year and catching up on their lives and snapping some photos of them. I’m always so surprised by how much the kids have grown and matured!
One of my favorite things to do this time of year as I’m driving from home to a photo location is to marvel at the leaves as they change color. Yep, I’m a leaf peeper, and right now, the deciduous trees in our area are showing off!
Last week, my 8-year-old son, knowing how much I love colorful leaves, surprised me with two bright red leaves, which he pulled out of his pocket after school. He said after recess, he jumped out of line on the way back to the classroom and grabbed these two leaves for me, knowing how much I would like them.
And I do! He knows me so well.
I’m sure it would not surprise you to learn that spending a week in New England one fall is on my bucket list.
I’ve been drooling over Instagram photos of trees and leaves in New York and Pennsylvania and Delaware.
What are your favorite things to do in the fall?
The T Family
I met this sweet mom six years ago during a Music Together class we were attending with our kids. At the time, we had no idea that we lived just five minutes from each other - and that we had something else in common: Both of our families had been blessed by adoption!
We hit it off and have been friends ever since. I’m so thankful to have her in my life! (Her husband and daughter are pretty awesome, too.)
This is the second time I’ve photographed these three (this was their first photo session), and this time, they brought along one of their sweet pups.
Libby, their Golden Retriever, has the prettiest coat!
A is so ticklish! And, of course, Dad knows all the good spots. I love her beautiful smile!
Thanks to Foothills Roots Farm in Meadow Vista for allowing us to use their beautiful flower garden for photos.
I loved this quote when I read it - and it seemed appropriate for this post: “True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time.” Marie Williams Johnstone
Photography & Writing for a Blog
A few months ago, I started writing blog posts and taking photographs for Kids Activities Blog. I love that I can do fun arts and crafts projects with my kids at home - something I genuinely enjoy - and earn a little pocket money, too.
Last week, the kids and I made a batch of homemade Halloween soaps, and we added a plastic spider or eyeball to each to make them especially spooky!
I’d never made soap at home before, but it was surprisingly easy!
These were the supplies we used to make the soap - and everything you see here was purchased at Michaels.
Aren’t those red and purple eyeballs fantastic?! The kids picked them out! The spider rings were the right size and price point, so I just cut off the “ring” part before placing them in the soap.
No scent or color was added to these to these bars of soap, but I’d love to try that next time.
The best part: My kids are actually washing their hands these days - haha! - thanks to a bar of homemade soap with a red eyeball in it!
If you’re interested in making soap with your kiddos, check out this Kids Activities Blog post: How to Make Soap at Home for Halloween!
FAQ | Do you Offer black and white images?
Yesterday, I was looking through some of my images from 2019 (it’s so gratifying and humbling to look back at my previous work!), and I realized that although I had processed some black and white images from this family session, I’d never shared them here on my blog.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. First, the answer to the question: “Do you offer black and white images?”
Yes, but not all the time.
With sessions that include a newborn baby (like this cutie patootie below), I definitely include some black and white images.
This was one of those images that I knew instantly I wanted to convert into black and white.
Some images just scream “make me black and white” when I see them. (They are typically images with great facial expressions or fun details or cool movement.)
Black and white photography is perfect for highlighting and remembering those itty bitty baby details (like all that hair!).
Holding hands with his mama!
I just can’t get enough of baby toesies! They are the cutest!
Holding hands with his two older sisters!
Those tiny newborn fingers!
One more of the baby’s feet!
In addition to baby galleries, wedding galleries always have some black and white images mixed in with the color images.
For the most part, though, I don’t include black and white images in my galleries. (However, if you adore black and white images and want to see a few in your gallery, I’m happy to oblige! Just ask!)
Truth be told, I really love black and white images, but I don’t think many of my clients do.
Perhaps that’s not accurate, though.
Tell me: Do you love black and white images? Or do you prefer all color images? Or do you like a combination of both?
Baby E & Siblings {Children's Photography}
After taking photos of Baby E in her bubble bath, we took a short break (so mom could dress baby in a cute outfit), and then it was time for sibling photos with her older brother and sister.
Taking photos of children and/or families on their property here in the Sierra Nevada Foothills (Meadow Vista, Auburn, Colfax, Applegate) is a true pleasure.
It’s super convenient for families, too! No need to load everyone up in the car and drive to the photo location. I just show up at your door at the appointed time.
And I find that clients are more comfortable and laidback when I photograph them in or around their home. Makes total sense.
Here’s Baby E at 8 months! How cute is it that she’s sitting IN the milk crate! (I so love bringing this vintage Lucerne milk crate - that we inherited from my husband’s paternal grandfather - to photo sessions.)
And her older sister at 5 sitting atop the milk crate!
And her older brother at 8!
If you need some updated photos of your children, let’s chat about how we can make it happen! I’ll come to you and snap away one morning, afternoon or evening - whenever your kids are typically at their best. Just email me at jennieharlessphotography@gmail.com.