Jenna Cole Photography-Chicago, IL » Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer

Rachael and Andrew are a beautiful couple that infuse sentimentality and sincerity into everything they do. I particularly love the way they talk about the Golden Gate Bridge and the meaning it holds in their relationship. They took that meaning and infused it into Rachael’s ring, the piece that Andrew custom designed for her. Can you see the Golden Gate Bridge?

But don’t let all my talk of sincerity, beauty, and meaning fool you into thinking that these two are anything other than full of life and love! They were laughing, cuddling, sweet-talking (to each other, not me) the entire time, just the way I like my couples to be during a session. They were another one of my sessions in Washington DC, and all of these photos were done just a few blocks away from the White House. Some of them in parks filled to the brim with bums, which meant I had to be tricky in my framing so it looked like we were alone.

I’ve decided that along with doing SOOC comparisons every so often I’d like to show you a Basic Edit v. Fine Art Edit one as well.

Basic Edit:

Fine Art Edit:

This is a duet session because they’re married, but they got hitched in a small courthouse wedding (just the two of them I believe) and are now planning a fabulous ceremony and reception on a beach in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge. Where else but the Golden Gate Bridge for this couple, right?

I was crazy for this alleyway, crazy enough that  even when they wanted to change clothes I told them we had to come back to it. The light was magical and it made me want to spend my time shooting in big cities with  light walls bouncing light into small spaces like this.

There’s that SF ring again.

Rachael and Andrew describe themselves as a match made in heaven, with families and friends that sat around wondering what took them so long to get together and seal the deal. I was lucky enough to witness a small part of that in our session, and I don’t disagree with the description. They really get each other.

THAT SHOT! I adore too many things about this image to name them all. Glasses, curly hair, and real smiles, to name a few.

I would rate these three as some of the best work so far, and definitely the direction I would like Jenna Cole to keep going. Thanks to Rachael and Andrew for being so real. I know I wouldn’t have been able to produce photos like this from just any couple.

Enjoy San Francisco next year. After spending a few hours with you, I know it will be lovely.

Best,

Jenna

Husband and I are keeping a pretty tight Christmas gift budget this year, so I had to get creative. Might as well use my camera equipment worth thousands of dollars to make presents for our closest friends here in Texas, no?

Kelli and Cory are the first of a few sessions I’m doing as gifts this year, and it’s going to be hard to top. They aren’t engaged but they are in love, and it was wonderful to spend the weekend with them.  I’ve never marked so many photos as favorites to share on the blog, so their full post is going to be a big one. Love you two!

Early in my brand new career as a photographer I had some people in my life who demonstrated great faith in me and my talents by booking sessions before I had very many examples to show them. They sent me deposits and told me how excited they were, and I prayed that I would be able to deliver the kind of product they were hoping for. Heather was one of those people who trusted me very early on, booking a Duet session for her parents to celebrate their loving and happy marriage .

Tim and Sarah have been married for 32 years and after spending just a few hours with them I wanted to run home and kiss my husband. These two love and appreciate each other so much!

This pose was Tim’s idea. I can tell he dotes on Sarah constantly and treats her like a queen.

THAT SHOT! It was a spontaneous kiss that didn’t give me time to line up the framing how I would have liked, but I love it anyway.

Has anyone seen the movie Places in the Heart with Sally Field? Some of the scenes in the movie were filmed right in this very spot!

It’s been awhile since I’ve included a SOOC shot with my post. I think it’s time to start that practice back up again.

This one, straight out of camera.

And the edited version, with a bit of cropping, sharpening, and bumps to contrast and levels. Isn’t this feed store terrific? I love all of the advertisements gracing the entrance.

A big thank you to Sarah and Tim for showing me around Waxahachie, especially for hauling that beautiful green couch out to the park for the photos. I think the effort was worth it.

Best,

Jenna

Jenny has a lovely little blog where she refers to her husband as Dashing Boy. I enjoy the nickname so much that I can’t seem to break away from using it myself. I was thrilled when she contacted me about doing a session while I was in Utah for my sister’s wedding reception, and even more so when she mentioned that they would like to visit This Is The Place Heritage Park. I’ve seen what a beautiful setting the park is since my sister had her engagement photos done there by my mom and the location has a great variety of settings.

May I present, Jenny and Dashing Boy. Married three years and still ridiculously in love.

These two were both so easy-going and natural in front of the camera.

THAT SHOT!

Jenny told me she had seen the purple flowers and grass shot at Cindy+Paulino’s session (scroll down to the bottom of this post to see for yourself) and would like to try to do something similar with Dashing Boy. Except we couldn’t find a nice grassy spot in the shade to try it with. I proposed lying down in this patch of weeds, and they consented. Now I’m a little unsure which shot I like better. Look at those eyes! (Did I bump them? I can’t remember.)

I always try to get individual shots at my Duet/Engagement sessions. I’m a firm believer that everyone should have a good quality headshot of themself.

This Is The Place is an interesting location to visit during the daytime on Saturdays. Right as we were leaving children and adults dressed as pioneers were walking up the path to start “working” for the day. Volunteers dress as authentically as possible and spend time learning about the people they represent at the post they are assigned. Jenny and Dashing Boy wanted to get a photo in front of The Riter Cabin where Jenny’s mom worked for some time, gardening and acting as a tour guide for curious visitors.

Did I mention that Jenny made that tunic she is wearing? Sewed it herself. I was so impressed when she told me. She also taught me about the Croc ballerina flats and I’ve already ordered myself a pair for my shoots. They’re waterproof, blister-free, don’t require socks, and are perfect for those shoots where I find myself traipsing through the mud and gore to get the perfect shot.

I don’t usually show multiple variations of the same photo (Remember when I used to do SOOC shots? When I catch back up on my workflow I’ll start doing those once again.), but I just can’t decide which one I like better.

With the color you get lovely skin tones and his pretty blue eyes.

But this sepia version really makes his eyes pop. Jenny, what are your thoughts?

Love this set. Natural, spontaneous, genuine emotion is my favorite. Especially genuine laughter.

Speaking of spontaneous, isn’t this the most spontaneous looking kiss? I love motion in my photos and usually dipping is the only way to get it in a kissing shot. These two are cute.

I had such a wonderful time with the two of you, and Jenny it was so wonderful to meet you, one of my “e-friends”, in person. Your love is obviously warm, and real, and simple, in the best way possible.

Simple. Life. Love.  I think I would be blissfully happy with the same thing.

Best,

Jenna