Meet the McKinnons.

Ive come to know this incredibly wonderful family over the last few years and felt honored when they asked me to photograph their family. Bryn mentioned these were the first photos they had done together since their youngest was born... so 13 years. It was a chilly winter day but the amount of laughter that circulated kept us all  warm and our faces a little sore.... ha!

xox, Jenna

A fun throw back to a session I did back in the summer of 2020. I'm really missing those warm summer evening family sessions. The sessions that typically start at a little kids bedtime, but the families make it work because they trust I know when lighting is best (thank you for trusting me!!) Im not sure who left this session happier, me, or the two littlest kiddos who got to ride on my dirtbike afterwards, lol...

xox, Jenna

Welcome sweet little Owen.

It seemed only fitting that I was the one to photograph your newborn session since I have been photographing your big sister since she was only 6 months old. You're only incredibly loved little dude. I cant wait to photograph you as you grow.

xox, Jenna

I’m Back!!

It’s been awhile since I posted a blog. Funny, I think I start every blog off with some phrase like that, ha! So FYI…if you are wanting a current look at my most recent work, you will find it on my instagram + Facebook pages. Im a little surprised in myself that I didn’t use any of my downtime during the most intense moments of Covid to share more sessions, but here we are….alive and well.

What a ride these last few months has been. Mid March for us started off with loads of excitement. The kids, my Mom and I were bound for the beaches of Florida for 2.5 weeks then I was jumping over to New York City to catch the Blue Jays vs. Yankees home opener weekend with my man crush. Talk about an exciting month of adventures- one I had planned since the previous September! Well, three days before our departure date, the world basically shut down and we spent what should have been in paradise, inside, away from family and friends and quarantined to our four walls. Boohoo- but this wasn’t just us, it was basically everyone I know. Despite having our lives turned a little upside down, these past few months have given me a bit of a brighter outlook on life and on the relationship I have with my littles. A couple things I mentioned to families while shooting these porch sessions was how much I’ve loved this life slowdown. I couldn’t remember the last time I had sat down and had a non-rushed breakfast with my kids or enjoyed doing homework with them (this did not last long…). This slow down gave me time to appreciate all the time we have had together. Being able to walk out our front door at any given time of day and just go for a walk and explore nature, was wonderful. Also, I kind of hate to admit it but not having any extra curricular activities has also been a nice break. Don’t get me wrong, I love that my kids stay busy and involved but it gets to a point where this is not one day of the week someone doesn’t have something….which then turns into quick dinners and rushed bedtimes.

So fast forward a month into isolation, a friend of mine sent me a screenshot of a Calgary photographer doing these “porch sessions”. She said “you should so totally do this with your neighbours”. My first thought was, I haven’t left my house in 3 weeks, but it sure would be nice to hold my camera again. So, uncertain of the response I would get, I tried my luck and offered these sessions in the Nanaimo (and beyond) area. I was blown away by the positive comments  and bookings I received. These sessions were an affordable way to document a crazy time in history, something that many of the youngsters I photographed may possibly use in a history class one day. Not only did these sessions bring me so much joy to just get out of my house and use my creative skills but also seeing all these smiling faces made me realize that amongst all this crazy chaos and darkness happening throughout the world, there was still light & we’re all in this together.

Lastly, I just wanted to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who booked these sessions. By supporting my small business you also helped support myself and my kids. We appreciate you all so much.

Love and gratitude, Jenna xox

Happy New Year, Everyone!

I love the holidays and all the magic it brings to our house, but I think I let out a sigh of relief when its all over. You know that feeling when you finally get your tree dissembled and your decorations packed away... your living room looks like its had a makeover, ha! I really do love the holidays but I think just as much, I also love the fresh start of a New Year.

New Years day was my first official day back to work after nearly a month off. It was also the first decently nice day we had seen here on the island for some time, so you can imagine how busy the park was. New Years day also happened to be J & S ten year anniversary - a whole decade!! (insert applause). S reached out to me on facebook, asking if I could work with them on recreating their wedding photos….of coarse I said YES! How fun! She mentioned she would be wearing a white dress and he would be dressing up semi-formal, and tagging along would be their two Irish twin daughters.

These four were a dream to work with, trekking through the park in heels, climbing up mountains and not caring one bit about how many people were around. I really could not have imagined spending my New Years day much differently. 

xox, Jenna