Jenna Cole Photography-Dallas, TX bio picture

Welcome to Jenna Cole!

Investing in a camera and launching this business has given me the
chance to merge the two activities I love most, photography and blogging. After spending several months taking still life photos for my other blogging endeavors (That Bride, Weddingbee, and That Wife) I realized that I wanted to start spending time with people. I wanted to spend my days taking pictures of people that helped them to see how beautiful they are.

I want to capture the moments in your life as they are happening, as they would happen even if I wasn't there with you. When the light falls just right, and the boy and the girl look at each other just so, magic happens. I want to be there for that moment, composing an image that tells a story, your story.

You can read more about my personal life at That Wife, add me on Twitter, or find me on Facebook. Thank you for visiting and for commenting (I read them all and they make my day!).

 

As I prepare for the next big event in my life (the birth of my baby in April!), I'm going to be refocusing my business and sacling back on the number and type of sessions I am accepting. I'll be on maternity leave beginning in March and lasting through May. Please contact me if you have any questions!

Author Archives: Jenna

Engagement: Natalie and Jeremy

Natalie and Jeremy were the first engagement session I’ve photographed in months, and the last I’ll do before baby comes. I have this couple to thank for sending me into my maternity leave with a bang, I loved working with them! I’ll see Natalie again in May for her bridal session, and I’ll spend June 11th of this year with both of them as it’s the day they are set to get married!

We did this session at one of my favorite locations, Deep Ellum. I’ve been there several times over the course of my one year career (it’s Jenna Cole’s one year anniversary this month!) and I always find new spots to explore and use when I visit.

They brought their dog Luke along for the photos. I really enjoyed all of the funny faces he made.

Jeremy has a really terrific smile, and he displays it readily.

Love that tongue!

THAT SHOT!

How did I get Natalie to smile like this? At first I asked her to think about her wedding day, which got me a bit more of a nervous smile (I think she still has a lot of planning to do!) The secret? I told her to think about how she’ll feel when the wedding is over and they are getting on the plane for their tropical honeymoon. I think she’s excited about it!

I have a feeling that this is going to become a new favorite engagement photo pose of mine.

SOOC:

Fine Art Edit:

I asked the couple if they wanted to do a “street shot”, dashing out into traffic and grabbing something with a bit of the skyline in the background. We were almost hit by a bus to get this one but we laughed so hard while doing it that I think it was worth it.

I like to try to get at least one headshot of each person at each session. Who doesn’t want a good headshot of themselves to use?

These two got a little bit lovey-dovey as the light faded. This wall used to be electric yellow but I like this green color a lot better. That’s another reason why I love Deep Ellum, the walls are constantly changing and I never know what to expect when I show up with my clients.

Natalie has a beautiful, simple solitare.

As we walked back to the car I decided to have a little fun with the flash I had packed along. For the photogs reading this, these were done with my flash on camera, with a diffuser, and the flash head pointed at about my 2 o’clock, over Natalie’s right shoulder. Thanks to the couple for letting me play a little bit!

Natalie and Jeremy,

I had such a wonderful time with you. Thanks for being patient during my bathroom breaks and all of my moaning and grunting as I hauled my 8.5 month pregnant self up off the ground.

It’s going to be a fabulous wedding, I can tell.

Best,

Jenna

Complimentary Hair/Makeup with Emily Hudspeth!

Emily Hudspeth did the hair and makeup for my recent maternity session  (pictures coming soon!), and I recently learned that Dallas area brides have the chance to win a free hair and makeup trial with her. Lucky you! If I were you, I would enter and then use the trial on the day of my bridal or engagement session (maybe your session with Jenna Cole? :) ) because I’ve seen Emily’s work in person, and experienced her skills for myself, and I”m positive you’re going to love when you end up with.

Visit this post on the blog of Sweet Pea Events to learn how to enter!

My Favorite Teenagers

As soon as I knew my Christmas flight plans I contacted two of my cousins and asked if they would be interested in doing a photo shoot with me. I haven’t had anyone turn down the offer for free photos yet, so I wasn’t surprised when they said yes. :) Younger children aren’t currently my thing, but I did love working with these teenagers! They were silly and bright and happy and fun, and I loved watching them interact with each other and with the camera. I enjoy living in Dallas but I do get a little sad when I think about missing out on the birthdays, proms, and graduations of my favorite cousins. I’m still waiting for them to come visit me down here in Texas! (Hint hint girls.)

This is Keestan, she’s the older sister.

And this is Tanaya, the baby of the family. They have 3 other siblings, but the oldest is away at college and the other two are boys and I didn’t think they would get very excited about dressing up for a photo shoot so I let them enjoy their Christmas break in their own way.

This super cute girl isn’t my cousin, but after a few hours spent with Lindy I can see why she is BFF with Keestan.

I really hope that all teenage girls have at least one photo like this with their best friend. Some may call it cheesy, I like to think of it as “classic”.

Sisters. Aren’t they cute?

Saassafrass!

Due to the rain we ended up taking these photos in my dad’s onion packing shed. It’s a site my family has utilized for photo shoots several times now!

My family calls this expression the “Andersen scowl”. If you give me reason to, I can whip this face out as well.

I convinced these girls to wade through puddles, in Washington State, in the middle of winter. They were excellent models, as it was freezing and they didn’t let it show at all.

THAT SHOT!

This one makes me so happy.

We ended on the train tracks, using coats with furry hoods as “props”. I’m now officially in love with photographing furry hoods. I don’t see many of them in Dallas!

I hope I get the chance to work with these girls again in the future. Love you ladies!

Best,

Jenna