Where has Snapshots By Jess been?  The places are endless!  :-)  It’s amazing how life changes when you bring a little one into the mix of things.  The time just seems to fly by faster than it already did.  Can you believe it’s almost May?  I have a few sessions which I should be sharing with you, including an awesome studio session I did with Kathryn a while back.

I met Kathryn through the DYW program, which I’m proud to be the official photographer for.  What is DYW you ask?  It’s formerly the Junior Miss Program.  Simply put, the program (Distinguished Young Women or DYW) awards college scholarships to young women who have distinguished themselves at school and in their communities. It is our goal to provide the DYW experience to every eligible young woman in our region. Those who participate in DYW programs develop interview skills, self-confidence, and other life skills that lead to future success.  If you’d like to stay up-to-date on the happenings with the Lancaster County DYW Program – bookmark our website!

Kathryn contacted me in the dead of winter looking for senior portraits.  As you know, I do most of my sessions on-location and outside.  That’s basically because my studio set-up is very minimal and small.  I explained this to Kathryn and she was fine with it.  She just wanted a few shots – nothing too fancy.  I said okay – let’s give it a shot.

After almost two hours of shooting and a lot of laughing we decided we did way more than she needed!  Proof again that it really doesn’t matter where you set-up for photos…  as long as your subject is ready to have fun anything is possible!

Continuing with my DYW post I thought I would share some images from the program we had last weekend.  Each year we get a step closer to have a full Lancaster County DYW Production.  This year we rented the Farm and Home center, worked with an actual stage, microphones and a real audience.  Our goal for next year is to have at least five local girls ready to put on a night of entertainment!  Current high school Sophomores…  please let me know if you’d like information for next year.  It’s never too early to start thinking about it.  I can connect you with Susan and she can give you all the information you need!

Below you will find a slideshow from Saturday’s event.  It’s a big lengthy as I wanted to showcase as many photos as possible since the three young ladies put so much time and effort into the day.  Hope you enjoy the fun and please share this with any young lady you feel would be a great candidate for the program.  It’s open to high school juniors – so current sophomores – you are who we need for next year!

First I have to say “hello” again as for about the last month this blog has been MIA.  You may have noticed some dead links if you happened upon me in a search or through Facebook…  Something went crazy with a WordPress update and next thing I know I deleted my database and all my posts were gone!  (That’s what I get for messing around with things I don’t understand!)  I had just about given up hope that it was ever going to come back when I found some advice on the Googles and I contacted my domain hosting company…  and Ta-Da!!   I’m back in business!  Lessons I learned — don’t be quick to update WordPress and figure out how to back this thing up!

So now that I’m live again we have to celebrate with a blog post!  I thought I’d pull another one of my fall mini-sessions from the archives.  This adorable family had some fun wandering around Lancaster County Park and the girls loved playing in the leaves!

I think this is one of my favorite family shots from the session.  This was actually mom’s idea.  In our email conversations prior to the session she told me she envisioned some photos of them casually walking with the sun shining through the trees…  I think we pulled it off!

These two young ladies were a joy to work with.  They were a little unsure at first, but warmed up quickly and we strutting their stuff in a matter of minutes!  Here they are being “sassy”!

You have to follow a sassy shot with a lovey, sister shot!  Doesn’t this just melt your heart! 

Of course mom and dad have to strut their stuff a little too!

Another great family shot!  Fall is such a pretty time for photos-the colors are amazing!

What a beautiful family and a fun session!  I hope to do it again this fall!

Back in September I have the opportunity to work with the staff at Lauxmont Farms for a wedding.  I was more of a second shooter for the day, but it was still a lot of fun.  I personally have never been to Lauxmont, it’s a neat place.  The views are the best part of it all!

This wedding was at the Japanese Gardens and the bride was delivered by horse and carriage.  How romantic!

Especially when they are brightly colored!

The ares for photos around the gardens are almost endless.  Unfortunately we were a little pressed for time so I didn’t get to really explore as I would have liked.  I did love the yellow door though!  Not only did it give this photo a little extra pop, it matched her colors!

This was one of the best entrances I’ve seen in a while.  I’m sure there was quite a back story to this because it was well received by the guests!

The bridal party took to dollar dance seriously at this wedding.  The Maid of Honor and Best Man were keeping tabs on each other, seeing who could raise the most money!

This is the first time I worked in a tent for a reception.  After the sun went down I ventured out to play around…  love this shot!

This was a fun day…  maybe I’ll have the opportunity to shoot there again this year!  Thanks Katy for the opportunity!