pour l'amour d'amour

I have worked in the wedding industry for ten years now. (That feels crazy to say). I still get excited at the thought of styling a bride for her big day. It is truly magical, and I am always so grateful to have been a tiny part of her lifelong memory. My big brother is getting married in 20 days. AHHHHHH. I am beyond thrilled for him and his beautiful finacée. It is just about all my three year old daughter Maxime is talking about these days(she is going to be a flower girl in the wedding). AND, I have the incredible honor of doing the bride's hair and makeup! I would go into detail about the look, but this is disclosed information.. my brother can not be finding anything out before the big day..

So, without going into too many specifics, I sat down on this brisk autumn afternoon while my two babies slept, and I got crafty with some pearls, rhinestones, silk flowers, needle, thread, and some bobby pins. I CAN'T WAIT.

baby belly beauty

I recently had the honor of styling and photographing a beautiful friend of mine, Lana, who is 8 months pregnant, and the envy of all pregnant women.. I mean, she is just gorgeous, and this early fall morning lent the perfect backdrop for this shoot.

This was so special to me because I have previously been the subject of two maternity sessions shot by the very talented Tim Brown at TAB Photographic, and those images are so important to me. I recognize first hand the significance of these images, and although I have styled hair makeup and wardrobe for numerous shoots, this was the first time I was really behind the camera myself. I have to say though, nerves aside, it was such a beautiful, energizing experience. I am so grateful for my friend's faith in me and my eye, and for giving me the courage to take the images I had in my head and to put them into fruition.. I could not have asked for a better subject.

bonjour mes amis...

I'm not so sure why this took me so long. As most of you who know me know that I am a completely and totally open book, and that hair, beauty, fashion, and photography are not only my career and livelihood, but major passions of mine. I have blogged before, but not like this. I have never been this honest and I have never shared my artistic journey in this way.. as it unfolds before me. Just like that. I am in the midst of a major life transition. It's nutty. I mean, crazy sometimes. And it can be scary as all hell. There are days where I am sure I am going to lose my mind, when I feel completely overwhelmed and lost and like I just want to quit. And then, it is then that I come back. It is then that my art grounds me and I recall what I am supposed to be doing. I recall what lights my fire, what makes me me. Maybe it's a song. Or an image. Or maybe it's cutting and coloring some hair. Or maybe it's sanding, painting and distressing an old piece of furniture. Or, a conversation with one of my bestest girls ever. Or the dance party in the kitchen with my little family. This is the stuff that makes life sweet, and is what gives me my purpose.

Along my journey, so far, I have come to learn that the lowest moments of my life were always in times that I had somewhat disconnected from my art. I have also come to learn that almost always, it was another artist who inspired me to reconnect and live the fulfilling life I know I deserve. I am forever grateful to ALL of those people for sharing their courage and creativity with me. It has helped me beyond words, and I can't thank you enough.

So now, in sharing images of my work and life, I hope to be able to do the same for you.

with lots of love always,

Jennifer