angel wings at twilight

I am part of a facebook group called Art Winds where we have monthly themes that we use to create works of art in various mediums of our choosing. This month was 'feather'.. I was full of ideas, and yet continuously found myself lacking the time to execute any of them. I had pretty much abandoned the thought of completing something for the group before March 1st. But then last night I was pulling into the parking lot at my brother and sister-in-law's condo for dinner and a sleepover party, as I noticed the orange sun setting through the bare trees and realized I had my camera in the back of the car. I ran inside.

'Ally! Do you have any feathers??'

'Hmm let me think.. wait, yes! My angel wings!'

'OMG. Do you want to dress up as an angel and go run in the woods with me for a few minutes while the kids are still asleep???'

'Ummmmm, obviously.'

So she changed, and we snuck out of the house into the woods across the street. The air felt warm on our skin, and although the earth was still cold, it smelled different.. it was as though we could smell winter saying goodbye, and spring making it's way slowly back to us. The light was so soft and it lingered, as if to keep us outside longer.. as if it didn't want us to go. We ran through the leaves, laid in dirt, and laughed the whole time. And it wasn't until the light was completely gone that we decided to head back inside.

These are the moments that feed our creative souls, that connect us to other creative spirits, and that keep our imaginations alive. I am grateful for last night, and for my beautiful friend for always letting her imagination run wild with mine, and for this really cool group of artists pushing each other to create; without reservation, unapologetically, for the sake of art, just create. 

Swing Bazar

We spent the evening last Friday at a neighbor's for a private show with the Québec City jazz manouche band, Swing Bazar.. I don't know if it's because my grandfather played the accordion when I was growing up, or because it reminds me of my Brooklyn years hanging out at the French bar-restaurant Bar Tabac, but I could listen to these guys on a regular basis. They are all so talented and are playing often in the Québec area, so if you haven't seen them before, I highly recommend making it out for one of their shows! 

On était chez un voisin vendredi soir passé pour un show privé avec la bande jazz manouche de Québec, Swing Bazar.. Je ne sais pas si c'est parce que mon grand-père a joué l'accordion quand j'étais jeune, ou parce que ça me r'appelle de mes années à Brooklyn quand on a fréquenté le bar-resto Français Bar Tabac, mais je pourrais les écouter tout le temps! Ils sont très talentueux et ils jouent à Québec souvent, alors si vous ne les avez pas encore vu, je vous les recommande fortement!

Jessica, Jonathan, et bébé Victoria

En Septembre, j'ai eu la chance de photographier ces deux amoureux, Jonathan et Jessica. Jess était enceinte de 7 mois avec leur premier bébé. C'était une belle journée autumnal à Québec.. froid, gris, et beaucoup de pluie! Parfait pour se promener sur le bord du fleuve au parc Bassin Brown dans le Vieux Québec. J'ai eu tellement du fun avec eux.. c'est une couple très relax, avec un gros sens de l'humour, et évidement plein d'amour un pour l'autre. 

In September, I had the chance to photograph these two lovebirds, Jonathan and Jessica. Jess was 7 months pregnant with their first baby at the time. It was a beautiful autumn day in Québec City.. cold, grey, and lots of rain! Perfect for a stroll along the river in Brown's Bassin Park in Old Québec. I had so much fun with them, they're such a relaxed couple with a huge sense of humor and are clearly very much in love with one another. 

Il y'a une semaine, je suis allé chez Jess et Jo pour rencontrer leur petite fille de quatre semaines, Victoria! O.M.G. Quel beau bébé! Elle est toute réveillé.. et ses cheveux.. !! Malade! Et encore une fois, Jess et Jo était merveilleux.. Tellement relax et alaise avec moi et leur petite chouchou d'amour, Victoria.

Just a week ago, I went to Jess and Jo's place to meet their four week old little girl, Victoria! O.M.G. What a beautiful baby! She's totally alert and awake.. and her hair.. !!! Amazing! And, once again, Jess and Jo were wonderful.. So relaxed and comfortable with me and their sweet little love bug, Victoria. 

Sans doute, vous êtes déjà des parents super, j'était témoin.. Victoria est très chanceuse! Merci de m'avoir donné l'opportunité d'avoir partagé une petite partie de vos vies, et de m'avoir fais confiance pour capturer ces moments importants de votre histoire. 

Without a doubt, you are already awesome parents, I witnessed it. Victoria is so lucky! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a small part of your lives, and for trusting me to capture these important moments of your story.

xoxo

Jenn

Irish + Jay // wedding

Just about a year ago, I decided to give away a wedding photography package. The contest was narrowed down to three couples, and it was left to my audience to vote on their favorite couple! It was so much fun(stressful!!!), and when it came down to the final hours, the numbers between the top two couples were soooooo close. Irish and Jay came in a very close second, and I recall thinking, ohhh I wish I could give away both! I emailed Irish after the contest was through and offered my services with a runner-up discount because I just so badly wanted to be a part of their day after hearing their story and seeing the incredible outpouring of love and support from their friends and family throughout the voting process. Thankfully, they accepted my offer and I was the lucky one who got to photograph their wedding day this past October!

Irish and Jay are genuinely beautiful (and hysterically funny) people. They have huge hearts and would do anything for those they love. Their wedding day was so much fun.. it was a super relaxed, a DIY style ceremony and reception at the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, CT. This property is just beautiful! In the middle of the woods, a long driveway leads up to the site. The house itself is surrounded by fields and a lake, which was the backdrop for the ceremony.

This particular day was very cold for early October, and it rained the entire morning(we actually weren't even sure if the ceremony would be held outdoors), but the rain stopped just in time and we made it work!  And between the good drinks, the heat from the pig roaster, and the mega dance party that broke out after dinner, everyone stayed perfectly warm.

This was definitely one of my favorite weddings to date, with the moody light and beautiful pops of fall colors in the flowers and dresses, but mostly because of how real the love between these two is.. How happy they were to be making this special commitment to one another with their three children present. Their eyes and smiles said it all, and that just isn't something you can fake for the camera.

Thank you Irish and Jay for having me be a part of this day with you.. Such a privilege and I feel so lucky to have crossed paths.. xoxo, Jennifer

venue: the White Memorial Conservation Center | bride's dresses; ceremony: hand-me-down Galina Signature, altered by Danielle Morander (bride's sister), reception: Burlington Coat Factory | flower crown: Danielle Morander | groom: Jos. A. Bank | flowers: Jen Parsons, bridesmaid | rings; bride: Kay Jewelers, groom: Staghead Designs | bride necklace: Design Forum Gallery | groom cufflinks: Etsy | invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | hair: Donald Francoeur of Somers Day Spa | makeup: Lisa Ricco of Somers Day Spa | pigroast: Travis Bauer | catering : Carbone's Market | dj: Ryan Smart

 

bonne année, I'm back!

Sooooo it's been a while since I've written a blog post. Like over three months. I have to say these last few months have been completely insane. Like possibly more insane than the first three months of both of my girls lives. I put over 12,000 km on my car since October 1st, and I'm pretty sure I only spent one weekend from October through Jan 1st at home in Quebec. It was crazy. But I'm back and full of beautiful stories to tell, and some exciting announcements to make!

I am looking forward to sharing them all with you here, and this is pretty much what I will be doing for the next few weeks; catching up on my blogging! But for now, I am signing off for the weekend. I am going to run to the marché to get a few things for dinner before I get the girls from school, and then we will make a toasty fire and enjoy some family time at home tonight. 

I wish you all a wonderful weekend with your loved ones, and I will be back on Monday with a gorgeous wedding featuring these two lovebirds above..(Irish + Jay!).

bon weekend à tous..

xoxo

Jennifer