Marie-Jeanne et Sam (et la bedaine!)

I'm writing this in English, even though this was a fully Québecois session, because I don't think I could give this evening justice in my second language. Where to even begin?

Marie-Jeanne and Sam had told me that they really wanted to have photos taken of them on his family's Québec 'camp' in the woods about a half of an hour outside of the city on the south shore. They offered to come pick me up because it would be too hard for me to find on my own, and I gladly accepted the lift. They told me that they really aren't posey photoshoot type people. I clearly said 'PERFECT!', because if you know any of my work, neither am I. They just wanted to walk around in the woods on the family property and grab a few shots, they said. What was supposed to be an hour turned into a two-hour wild woodsy adventure that ended in complete belly laughter and tears(I'm talking pee-in-pants material).

Marie-Jeanne and Sam are two of the sweetest, gentlest, and silliest people I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Their childish and wide-eyed sense of humor and perspective on life is contagious and in my eyes a good example of what we all should strive to have a little more of in life: FUN!

Merci merci merci à vous deux d'avoir me choisi d'être votre photographe pour ce beau moment dans vos vies... Vous êtes beaux, drôle, et plein d'amour et votre bébé est déjà chanceux de vous avoir comme parents.

xoxo

Jennifer 

lisemarie + famille

C'est un privilège unique lorsqu'un autre photographe te demande de prendre ses photos de famille. C'est spécial, parce que ça signifie que vous êtes alignés sur un niveau artistique et émotif, si cette personne trouve que tu es la mieux placée pour capturer sa vie dans le moment présent.

C'est comme ça que je me sentais quand Lisemarie, de Lisemarie Photographie, m'a approchée. Un peu gênée, assurément honorée, mais surtout allumée, parce que c'est ça qu'on cherche dans la vie, non? Les connections. Être compris, supporté, apprécié. Faire des liens et développer des amitiés. Construire des relations avec les gens qui nous comprennent. 

Oui, je vous ai pris en photos, mais ma famille et moi, nous nous sommes aussi fait de bons amis ce soir-là. Merci Lisemarie et Lincoln, pour votre générosité et votre confiance en ma capacité à capturer ces souvenirs en famille. Je comprends trop bien à quel point ça passe vite et un jour on se réveille et réalise qu'on n'est dans aucune photo. J'espère que ces photos traverseront les années et qu'un jour, vos garçons les regarderont et se souviendront comment leur maman et leur papa les aiment sans limites, sans doutes et sans conditions.

xo

Jennifer

Stephanie + Michael // Westchester, NY // Wedding

 One of my favorite parts of wedding photography is being priveleged enough to work with other insanely talented, creative, fun, and badass entrepreneurial photographers. I also have a secret(or not so secret) soft spot for the women in the business.
Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to assist/second shoot for the lovely Nicole of Nicole DeTone Photography, along side Jennifer of Jennifer Manzi Photography in Westchester, NY. We had such a blast and I look forward to the next opportunity to work with these two very sweet and talented women! Thank you Nicole for having me be a part of this beautiful day!

Reception Venue: Doral Arrowwood

Ceremony Venue: Church of the Annunciation

Floral Design: Noreen Enright

Band: Naked Soul Entertainment

Cake: Lulu Cake Boutique

Wedding Favors: "I Do Brew" by RAD Brew Project

Wedding Gown: Mikaella by Paloma Blanca

Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff

Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Calvin Klein

Makeup Artist: Vis a Vis Artistry

Hair Stylist: Salon V Mamaroneck

a reminder.

Fourteen years ago today, I woke up in my parents home, as I was living there at the time. It was a particularly beautiful day, I remember well. Much like today, actually. My parents were already awake, and sipping their morning cups of coffee while looking at the newspaper and watching the news on tv, as I made my way downstairs. Half-awake, I shuffled over to the cereal cabinet. I opened the cabinet, reached up for a box of Special K Red Berries, and pulled it down. I then reached up to the left of me for a bowl and brought it down to the counter. I can't remember if it was a new box, or already open, but I recall watching the corn flakes and bright red freeze dried strawberries spill into the bowl as my father, in a voice I almost didn't recognize, softly said, "Jenny, look at this." I turned to the television, and saw an image of the World Trade Towers in New York City, one of them with a massive billow of black smoke pouring from the top of it. "A plane flew into the tower", said my dad with confusion and fear lingering in his voice. And just then, we saw it coming. My mom gasped softly, and my Dad said, "Oh my god, no...". And we watched, in what seems like slow motion in my memory, a commercial jet fly directly into the second tower.

And then I felt a feeling I had never felt before. A feeling I am not sure I can describe, except to say that I was scared. I felt, for the very first time as an American citizen, unsafe. I felt sad, and mad, and I wanted to call all of my closest friends who were just back off to College out of state to make sure they were all ok. I wanted to be there, be present for my country, and the people who were hurting. I knew, in this exact moment, that everything was about to change.

I have a friend who shared on her Facebook page today how 14 years ago today she was supposed to be on the flight that ultimately flew into the pentagon. She had changed her flight, by chance. I wanted to share some of what she wrote because in life, we HAVE to find a way to keep living and loving and seeing the beauty, otherwise what is the point? This can be hard to grasp when there is so much dark in the world. But she puts it perfectly;

"Ive had a hard time digesting this truth... how close I was to being one of the lives lost on this sad day. Why not me? Why them? I can never find an answer that makes sense. Actually a lot of this life doesn't make sense.. why some people have go and some get to stay.. why some are sick and others remain well.. the list goes on. I've just come to the conclusion I don't have to make sense of life.. I just get to enjoy it and respect it and be thankful for it. And honor those that have gone by making every moment count. Today reminds me to embrace life - cherish it - never take it for granted - to live and breathe and laugh through it all. I will NEVER FORGET."

Hug your friends and family extra hard today, and every day. Take a little more time to appreciate the beauty of this life, notice the sunrise and sunset, drive with your windows down because you can, go for a walk, breath in the fresh air. Love your life and be thankful for all you have.

Love and peace to you all..

xo

J

Angela + Sarah // Branford, CT // Seaside Wedding

This summer has brought some pretty amazing couples my way, and I was so honored to be a part of Angela and Sarah's big day at the Owenego Beach Club and Inn in beautiful Branford, Connecticut. Everything about the day was beautiful; the weather, the house they rented down the street from the Inn for the before and after parties, the people, and the Owenego Inn itself with its bright white wood walls and ceiling and wrap around decks. The incredible view we had overlooking Long Island Sound kept us all in constant awe, especially as we watched the sunset from a large rock that jets out from the beach. Some people hung out on the deck in the gazebo all night wrapped in blankets watching fireworks over the water in the distance. And the dance party was on point(as you can see from the photos)!!

Angela and Sarah were glowing with love all day and night, and their amazing families and friends were some of the most fun, laid back, and loving people I have ever encountered. I left the Inn that night feeling so uplifted having been in the presence of that much joy all day long. It really is contagious!

Thank you both, Sarah and Angela, for inviting me to be a part of your special day. I wish you both a lifetime full of as much joy, love, and good old fun as you had this very day.

xo

Jennifer

venue: Owenego Inn and Beach Club, Branford, CT ~ brides dresses: Oleg Cassini, David's Bridal ~ MOB dresses; Stars, Avon, CT and R&J's NYC ~ Cake and Cupcakes: Gus Fernandez ~ Cupcake tower: Tom Woodbury ~ Bride's safety pins: Kristy Jensen ~ Center pieces: Kristy Jensen

A very special thank you to my second photographer, Mike Peterson!