Amelia's 3rd Birthday Party

I absolutely feel honored to be a part of so many of my client’s special events in their lives; from engagements, to weddings, births of their children, and birthdays of their family members.. the list goes on.

Last week we celebrated such a sweet angel Amelia as she turned three years old. Her closest family and friends came to make art, eat sweets and yummy breakfast foods, listen to stories from Anna from Frozen and wish Amelia the best birthday ever.

Her older brother really wanted to blow out her candles. She was quite taken back by Anna’s visit. The crafts the children made were so unique..gave me ideas to recreate for my son. Needless to say, Amelia is a doll and for maybe the first year ever, she really realized this party was ALL FOR HER.

The Artery and The Pop Shop really helped this party come to fruition.

Happy Birthday Amelia!!

Thank you for having me!

A Beautiful Bridal Shower

What an honor it was to photograph this bridal shower event held at a cousin of the bride-to-be’s home in South Jersey. The decor, the food, the mobile bar in the driveway, the cake and the company were all just flawless. The party favor was a portrait sketch done by Denise Fike Designs.

The bride-to-be was gleaming and full of laughter and love.

While slightly warm for this last weekend in September, all fun was had and warm wishes were sent to the beautiful bride in her journey to marriage.

Beverages brought by The Barrel Mobile Bar @thebarrel_mobilebar

Party Planning and Decor by the amazing Andrea @thepapertrailandmore

Photography by Yours Truly, Jennifer Helene Photography

Sketch Artist @denisefikedesigns

H Family Picnic

It’s hard to describe how it feels to watch families grow. With a handful of my clients, I get to see when the first child turns one, when new babies are born, the celebrations of their birthdays, the gatherings of extended families and the honoring of where their future homes will be. Yes, I said it! The H family had invited me to the grounds that they own and plan to build their forever home together for our session. It gets better.. They decided there’s no better place to have a picnic! Amongst the yummy cheeses, fruit, seeds for the little one (his favorite), delicious warm bread and champagne were giggles, tackles, snuggles, kisses and togetherness.

Back to what I was saying.. it is hard to describe how it feels to watch families grow. It is like I am being invited into the family a handful of times each year, as a spectator or a stand-in auntie and I get to soak in all that love they express! This family is so great at expressing that love and taking life seriously but lightly! Hats off to you H Family. And thank you for having me help freeze these amazing moments in time for you.

Baby James

Sometimes we hear that the first baby is the hardest labor, the longest pregnancy and the one filled with the most surprises, but in this family’s experience it was the third! Baby James was so comfortable in Momma’s belly that he just wanted to stay and snuggle there longer.

You can imagine the excitement of the family to finally meet their 5th counterpart, the last piece of their puzzle. I was wowed at how great sister and brother were with holding and nurturing their new baby brother. Their love for him was unmistakable and it was such a beautiful sight. I imagine they will be wonderful helpers to mom and dad at home.

Healthy Baby James was born to two extremely loving parents, one of which is a phenomenal pediatrician, and the other that was born to be an astounding mother.. and to two older siblings that will show him the way with kindness and innocence.

Blessings to Family M and many thanks for having me document another miracle in your lives.

Dorothy wants to go home...

I usually drive by so many magnificent moments, only to regret not stopping at every one. (I'm in the car traveling a lot!!) As a photographer, someone who desires to freeze all the beautiful moments witnessed, you come to realize that you can not get it all. You have to be choosy, but follow your gut....some moments are meant to be lived, some are meant to be captured.

On an ordinary Saturday driving in the farmlands of South Jersey, I saw a moment that intrigued me. More specifically a woman. She sat on her rustic porch in her blue dress and gazed into the sky, the wind in her hair. I wondered who she was, what her story was and what she was thinking. I went with my gut and did a quick but safe u-turn into her driveway. I asked her if I could photograph her and visit with her for a few moments.

Dorothy explained to me that she is 94, turning 95 this month (June), and that she is waiting to go home, waiting to die. She's alone in her heart. I could feel her pain and sorrow, as I observed her eyes fill with tears. She said she's taking her house with her, even if she has to burn it down. Her cat Lucy is her only companion. My heart bleeds for Dorothy. I told her she looks like an angel already, and someday I hope to meet her again.

Take chances in life!! When I do things that feel scary I am almost always blown away by what results of it.

#MIXITUPMONDAY