Archive for the ‘Seniors’ Category

Distinguished Young Women

April 25, 2012

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!

Robyn – Class of 2012

September 14, 2011

Boy do I have a lot of blogging to catch up on!  It’s been a crazy few weeks here at Snapshots By Jess!  We’ve had a bunch of senior sessions, some engagement fun and even some last-minute wedding excitement.  In the mix of all that our little guy is still growing and has started moving!  It’s amazing how fast these little buggers can crawl!  So when I do find a few free minutes I tend to be chasing him around the house and keeping him out of the various things he loves to get into!  7 1/2 months and still a joy each day!


Now to the subject of the day – Robyn!  Robyn is actually the sister of one of my seniors from a few years ago – Nicole.  It’s so fun to work with the same family, but it also reminds me how fast time goes.  It is hard to believe it’s been three years since I first worked with Nicole and her family…  soon she’ll be graduating from college!  WOW!  I’m sure Robyn is just as shocked to realize she’s finally a senior and about to finish up her high school career!

We met early on a Saturday morning and we actually had some fog issues to deal with.  I woke up to what many would call “thick as pea soup”, yet Robyn’s house was fog-free.  We had no idea what the location looked like.  Thankfully the back and forth to determine what area was fog-free allowed the fog to lift and we ended up having a pretty nice morning.

I’m sure Robyn loves to hear this…  but I can tell she’s Nicole’s sister!  :-) I’d have to search the archives, but I have a shot of Nicole that looks a lot like this!


Love the blue eyes!


As often as I’ve shot at this location I’ve never used this wall.  Always finding new things to work with!  Also love the colors in her dress!  Girls – don’t be afraid to wear some color!  As long as it looks good on you (I tend to avoid red because of my skin-tone and my red hair) go for it!  Bring it along…  we don’t have to spend a long time in it, but sometimes the best photos are when you’re wearing the brightest colors!  It gives the photos another layer of life!


Loved this shirt too – because it was so much fun!


It’s not too often you can get a completely different look by simply changing sides…  bare shoulder…


Sleeved shoulder…  not sure which I like better!


Robyn brought a ton of clothes and we wore them all!  It’s fun to shake things up with a bunch of options!  This is one of my favorites from the session.  Love bringing in the architecture.


Okay a little more Robyn and less building please… :-)


One more outfit for a little more fun.


She probably thought I was nuts, but there was just something about the way the fence had fallen that screamed “take her photo there!”  I told her mom this was one to blow up to hang over her couch!

We had a lot of fun exploring the area, getting lots of great shots!  Best of luck in your senior year Miss Robyn!  Have a blast and create lots of great memories!  Thanks for letting me be a part of such a special time!

I’ve had a busy few weeks here at Snapshots By Jess.  I recently hooked up with Photography By Jamie to do a wedding here in Lancaster.  Since it wasn’t my wedding I can’t share too many photos, especially photos of the special couple – that’s for Jamie to brag about…  but I had to share a cool bouquet shot I got!  I had a feeling since all the ladies had these cool “feather boas” with their stuff, they had to have some significance to the day….  I later found out I was correct!  I’ll just say the bridal party put on quite a show during the reception!

I’m working on the final details for this weekend’s wedding of the lovely Kristin and her man, Zach!  You might remember their engagement session from the fall, but here’s a quick shot from her bridal shower…

She’s probably going to kill me for posting this shot!  This was during a great game the bridesmaids put together.  There were questions that her fiance` Zach had answered and for every answer the Kristin didn’t match/get correct, she had to add another piece of bubble gum to her mouth.  I think a this point she was working on her third piece.  You try putting three pieces of “yum” in your mouth!

Tuesday I get to spend a little time with Miss A again!  I had a brief meeting with her last week, if you’re a Facebook Fan, then you already met Miss A.  She became my youngest client July 7th!

Now for the real reason for this post!  The lovely Kendra, Class of 2012.

We met at Rockford Plantation for some senior portrait fun.

We did the typical wander around the area to see what kind of fun we could fine.  The above shot was in a spot I never stopped and shot before, and I now like it.  Throws the tree into the background, really makes Kendra pop!

Then there’s my normal “no smile” look! Awesome!

I love when my client isn’t afraid to wear some color!  A lot of people ask me what’s the best thing to wear.  I always suggest a color that looks good on you.  As a red-head I don’t wear a lot of red – but love purples, greens and blues.  Kendra brought a shirt that hit them all, and I think it looked great on her!

Everyone looks great in black and white, but keep in mind the life some color will bring to your photos!  :-)

Of course, in a black and white photos, clothing color really doesn’t matter!

There was a tree we wandered to that was extra special to Kendra’s family.  When Kendra and her brother were wee-little tikes, they had a family photo taken inside this tree.  Now Kendra is all grown up and mom wanted a few shots with the tree.  We had some fun before we lost the last little bit of sunlight that was left.

Another great senior session down and a bunch more to go!  Thank you Kendra for the opportunity to work with you.  I’m glad you decided to try some photos outside, on the ground and inside a tree!  It was a lot of fun and I wish you the best with your senior year!  Have a blast!