his favorite kind of snow.

It has been snowing in Québec City since yesterday morning. Heavily at times. And then there are little breaks in the storm and you see the sun trying to peek out... almost.... almost...... but no sooner than those bright yellow rays cast a hue of warmth and joy across the frozen saint lawrence seaway, do the heavy flakes of winter begin to fall again. Mathieu grew up with this constant state of winter from every november to april, and yet he summoned me down to the first floor this morning with complete joy and excitement because he wanted me to see the snow. (Remember: it has been snowing for more than 24 hours now...). "Jenn, hurry up! You have to see this, THIS is my favorite kind of snow!"

So we threw our boots and coats (and camera) on quickly and stepped out onto the quiet, snowy street. And it was indeed magical. And I was reminded again of why I love this man. I find it so incredible that after so many years, he still sees the magic and beauty that surrounds him. He helps remind me and our beautiful girls to do the same. And for that, I think I am a pretty lucky gal.

This second series I shot just after coming back inside, and I just thought the light was so beautiful in front of the door, and then this beautiful moment happened between Mathieu and Joey. And the best part about it was that the magical snow flakes from outside had stuck to my lens, and created this wonderfully magical effect with out me having to change a thing. Love.

photography by Jennifer Marcuson

crème bralée at beauty and essex.

I feel very lucky to be able to do the things I love to do. I still find such energy and ignition in styling hair and makeup for a photo shoot. Especially when it involves beautiful New York City!!! The call time for this shoot was 7 a.m. in the lower east side. I was in Connecticut, so I drove in the night before and stayed with friends in Brooklyn, then got up super early to fight the morning city traffic to make it to the shoot location on time. Beauty and Essex is a gorgeous restaurant/lounge on Essex St in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I had never been before but was immediately impressed. You enter through a small pawn shop on the street front, into an incredible foyer with a large marble stair case who's 30+ foot wall is covered in white fur pelts. The place is beyond decadent: glamorous and seductive doesn't even touch on the decor. Golds and rich reds, with black wooden floors and intricately carved framed mirrors draping the walls. It was a place for queens, and was the perfect location to shoot this emerging lingerie line by Liz Marrell for QT Intimates. Crème Bralée is a sexy yet comfortable lingerie line geared toward full busted, full figured women. Liz and the whole QT team were great to work with,  the two models were both wonderful and gorgeous and well, there wasn't much about the day that wasn't!

Have a peek and see for yourself...

Location: Beauty and Essex, nyc

Lingerie: Crème Bralée for QT Intimates by Liz Marrell

Photography: Michael Rosenthal

Hair and Makeup: Jennifer Marcuson

Models: Michelle Rudan and Sara D.

josephine.

I quickly snapped this on my bed in our room the other day and had to share it. I am just in awe of her little beautiful face. That's my baby. I helped create her. She is AMAZING. I am telling you, I now understand why there are so many wonderful mommy photographers out there. How could you not just want to take pictures of little faces like this all day long??

into the woods.

I am not a 'photographer', although I love photography, and taking pictures. And I love taking pictures of people. Since I can recall being able to pick up a pencil and draw, all I ever wanted to draw were people. Faces. Dancers. The human form. It is just so beautiful and interesting and perfectly flawed. Recently, my aunt asked me to take some pictures of her and her family. I was honored to do so, and yet a little intimidated. I had never really been asked to take pictures for someone before, and I had never attempted shooting this many people all together. Let me just say that my respect for family/group portrait photography went up quite a bit after doing this.. It's not easy!! But I took the challenge, and we met up just before sunset in the woods in West Hartford.. And thankfully I had my talented friend Jason Langevin there along side me second shooting so I wasn't so nervous about not getting enough shots.

Needless to say, this was quite a learning experience for me. So much goes into this craft, there are so many things to consider; creatively and technically. And I have so much more to learn. But I am grateful for each one of these moments for they are the moments that allow me to grow as an artist. This is when I gain appreciation for not only the so very talented artists who inspire and educate us on a daily basis, but to people like my Aunt who believe in art, and the artist. People who encourage the learning process by taking a chance on the amateur. This is what makes art. To you all, a huge huge thank you.

(above image shot by Jason Langevin) 

(above image shot by Jason Langevin)

(above image shot by Jason Langevin)

these are the moments.

I am not perfect. My life is not perfect, in fact it can be pretty ridiculously insane sometimes.  But there are these moments.. these beautiful, real, naturally comfortable, innocent, gorgeous moments that bring me back and remind me what it is really all about. I was just sorting through some pictures I took at my friend's daughter's 3rd birthday. This is a friend who has been in my life since the 5th grade. We spent almost every single day hanging out in our parents' kitchens after school and worked together for over 2 years in a chinese restaurant in high school. I was the maid of honor in her wedding. She and I had our first children only 6 weeks apart, and they are such beautiful friends.

I live in Québec City, and my family lives in Connecticut. Before I moved to Québec, I was in New York City. My friend lives in Massachusetts. Since moving away, I have learned to appreciate home.. and I have realized what truly makes a home. When I am with my family and friend(s), wherever they are, I am home.