I was incredibly excited when Leah contacted me shortly after we photographed our Down syndrome portrait event. She told me all about her sweet little girl, Laiken, who also (as I like to say) happens to be gently enhanced. After hearing and reading all about her (I love family blogs!!!) I couldn’t wait to photograph her and her families love for each other.

When we met, I sort of fell in love. I think that is everyone’s natural reaction after immediately meeting her. She was even more precious than I imagined she would be. Andre and I ate up every one of her smiles. every content little expression. every pure feeling she had towards her Mama and Dada… and herself when looking back through her mirror. Laiken’s energy is truly contagious. She was a pure delight to be around.

We loved getting to know the Neff family. After only a few minutes, there were no doubts to the depth of their love. Love as it should be…Unconditional, Intense and FUN. Laiken is going to do great things with the love and support that she has from her parents.

check out this adorable smile.

a little peek-a-boo play. Love it!

I enjoy capturing moments like this. A love force that is to be reckoned with.

I’m so proud of you Laiken! I look forward to watching you continue to grow and flourish.

Yes, that’s right, this is only part 1 of this families session. Check back Thursday for a nice surprise, Andre style.

Shooting Joshua was so much fun. He was bold and willing to take risks outside of the norm. He had a comfortable nature about him and was filled with audacious spunk.

The fun continued throughout our shoot and at the end of the session he handed me a single flower and gladly told Andre that he thought I was pretty, and Andre agreed. (yes, I’m blushing… as I was then.)

Joshua is a National Special Olympics Athlete that is a member of Team Texas. He will compete in the Bocce Ball Competition in the 2010 USA National Games in Nebraska. There is no doubt that he will do well during these National Games. He is a driven, motivated, strong, and a thoughtful man.

I would love to direct you to his fundraising website for contributions toward his trip to Lincoln, Nebraska. Please visit his firstgiving website to donate today. He’s a little over $2,000 away from his goal.

BRING HOME MORE GOLDS JOSH!!!

Nate has been waiting for this tooth to fall out for over a month now.  Each day after school he would ask me to feel how loose it was followed by “how much longer until it falls out?” Each time I would tell him 2 more weeks, until after a few weeks he said, “Oh come on, you’ve been saying 2 weeks for 2 weeks now!” So the “2 more weeks” became our little joke until this last week he finally lost both of his bottom front teeth. 

The first one, he lost, was wiggling back and forth and side to side so I gently YANKED it out of his little precious mouth. He said, “Owe, what are you thinking!” but that was it. He handled it so well. Nate was so excited to feel that his tooth was finally OUT! He put his tooth in his tooth fairy pillow and that night…magically….the fairy came and took his tooth but left $5 and a pack of gum for his very first tooth.  He was really pleased and wondered what he would buy with his $5. That afternoon he told his class everything that happened and then they all went to library book fair. Nate knew then exactly how he would spend his money. He was able to buy himself and his sister a book with his newly acquired 500 cents! He came home and presented Lana the new book he had hand-selected for her. She was ecstatic! Yes, Nate spent his very first tooth fairy money on his sister (Proud Mama Moment!). He is such a great brother with a huge giving heart. He understands that his sister takes a little longer to understand somethings…he takes his time and reads to her every night. This is one of his favorite family times right before bedtime. What a perfect gift for both of them to share.

The next morning he woke up and was talking to his dad. Andre looked at him and asked where his other tooth was. He looked at Andre with a confused face. Andre wanted to know when he lost it. Nate felt around his mouth for his missing tooth and stuck his tongue in and out of his newly created gap. He ran upstairs and looked all in his bed. He couldn’t find it. He probably swallowed it during the night. He was concerned that the tooth fairy would not be able to get his tooth now. We told him that she is magic and magic makes the impossible…possible.  She would still get his tooth from his belly button. That’s what they are made for. Each night in our prayers we state something from that day that we are thankful for and that night Nate said, “And thank you for having Mama and Dada pretend to be the tooth fairy.” He caught us all off guard as we blew it off with laughter. The next morning the tooth fairy awarded his belief with a couple more dollars and a new toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste. This time I think he will be using his funds on candy.
 
My toothless, almost 7 year old is a blessing and so grown-up;-)

The day was crisp and promising as we prepared to photograph our much anticipated Down syndrome portrait event. We arrived to the location eager to meet our subjects for the day. First up was little miss sunshine. She shared her contagious personality from the start and gave of herself graciously. She warmed my heart with each click of the shutter and of each of her “will light up the world” smiles. She shared her true personality and didn’t hold anything back. Truly a perfect way to start the day.

Meet Miss Audrey. I will forever hold photographing her in my heart and continue to feel her genuine hug wrapped around me.

Ok, so I have a lump in my throat and my palms are sweaty as I type this part about sharing the most beautiful letter that I received from Audrey’s mom, who was celebrating her birthday on the day of the portrait event. I don’t know that I’m worthy of her writings, but I have to admit that I’ve cried a few times reading it and LOVE that she gets it! She really gets it! So feel free to read on, she’s Ok with it, as am I. For me, humbly so of course!

Dear Jenna,

I’m Audrey’s mom, Katrina, from the Ds Appreciation Portrait Event.  There are so many things I’ve wanted to share with you and Andre since that day, I don’t even know where to begin. 

I have to tell you Jenna, that I was overwhelmed when I first went onto your website, saw your beautiful work, and read a little about you on your blog.  My sister Karen (who lives in Santa Fe) is also a self-taught, beautiful soul, photographer, so I have a deep appreciation for what a special gift you have.  What I felt as I looked at picture after picture, before I had even had a chance to read anything you had written on your blog, was exactly what you later wrote about your experience photographing the children for the Portrait Event.  It is obvious that you do touch people on a deep level; you just open a little window (knocking first, of course) and look inside to their inner beauty and uniqueness.  Jenna, I cried like a baby, and do every time I think about what you wrote on your blog when you said, “Music plays in my head, we begin our conversation in our secret language . . .”  You have no idea – well, maybe you do, ’cause you’re you – but that is the kind of gift of great composers like Mozart and Beethoven, only you see and create, where they heard and composed.  Not to sound “woo-woo” or anything, but it just grabbed my heart to know that about you, and I so totally wanted to have the opportunity to have Audrey behind your lens.   As her mother, I feel so much love for her that I’d give anything to be able to capture in an image what you can, so I could show others what I see through my eyes.  So when you emailed that we were going to get to be in the photo shoot, I had to stand up and walk around and then sit back down, if you know what I mean!!
 
I felt like a star-struck fan when I met you and Andre, and the funniest thing just popped out of my mouth; I said to Andre that it isn’t often that you have the opportunity to meet someone who sees and appreciates the uniqueness and beauty of your child, and actually wants to spend time with them.  Watching the two of you work also made me cry.  It was beautiful.  I’m only halfway kidding you when I say that I’ll just bet if I had a little bit more of a discerning eye, I would probably be able to see the aura that radiates from you both.  Maybe it’s just your inner happiness, your joy for life – “your zeal” . . . but I’ll just bet that when I get to see an angel, I’ll see that same light shining from inside them.
 
AND THEN, after I had tried several times to sit down and comment on your blog, I got the link to the “Behind the Scenes” clip.  Oh boy, there I went again.  Crying like a baby.  But it wasn’t just me; my husband Michael watched it and tears rolled down his cheek as well.  That was validating for me.  I emailed it to all of my family and closest friends.  But honestly, while I received back nice comments from most, I knew and could tell that the emotion the images and the music evoked come more from a place of “knowing,” deep inside, what the life of a parent of a special child like ours is like.  Not only knowing their child’s unique beauty, but the other side as well – all of the difficulties, prejudices, lack of understanding and compassion from people who lack information, and a desire to know.  ARD meetings instead of ballet class, therapies instead of sleep overs, and a hundred other emotions.  Having that experience in my back pocket makes my appreciation of your vision all the more so.  I cannot wait to see all of the images you captured, because I want them all around my house.  But I have to tell you, the image that is imprinted in my brain and on my heart came from the video clip where the light was behind Audrey as she was bending forward and the breeze was blowing her hair and the light was shining behind her.  It was so beautiful!  Even my son commented on it, and he’s not one to dish out compliments, that boy!
 
One of your friends probably said it best when she said that you are such a gift to the disability community.  Like, yeah, and THEN some!!  Thank you, Jenna and Andre, so very, very much for sharing your love and your gifts with us parents.  This opportunity was a huge blessing and the best birthday present I’ve ever had!!!
 
Bless you both and your precious family,
Love,
Katrina Adams

Thank you Katrina for sharing such a beautiful email with me. It touched my heart in more ways than you know. It validated so much for me and gave me more fuel to work for my goal of sharing the beauty of children with Down syndrome with the world. I am forever grateful for your time and participation, but most of all for you sharing your beautiful daughter with us!

Words cannot express the joy that I have being “Mama” to my three children. They are each unique and precious with gentle dispositions. They make my heart pitter patter and teach me the true meaning of unconditional love each day.

The day started off right. From Dez sleeping through the night…to the giddy giggles of my kids jumping on my bed waking me up…to the delicious black bean aroma filling the house (made by the best chef I know)…to dinner with my Mom and sister at one of our “younger years” most favorite restaurants in Dallas. To say the least, the day was great!

Andre was able to perfect my black bean recipe and paired it with a yummy tofu potato taco breakfast for us. Then Nate decorated the table with a platter of fruit that he picked out and a large card that he and Lana made for me. This was the first year that he really got what Mother’s Day was all about. He thanked me for being the “bestest Mama in the world”.

awe, we couldn’t help ourselves. after returning from a wonderful morning with the Neff family, we just had to share this sweet sneak peek of the adorable Laiken. i wanted to keep her all for myself, but mom and dad weren’t having it. more to come in a few weeks.

It doesn’t take long after meeting Chris and Charla to know that they are perfect for each other. Saying that though, it’s rare to find such a couple. They are both equally HILARIOUS and gracious. Within five minute of hanging out with them you will experience laughing fits that are sure to draw tears. Chris and Charla know the meaning of the 3 Ls: Love, Laugh, and Live, and they have no problem sharing their knowledge with you.

We were honored to be selected to capture their exciting day at the wonderful Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX (working with Tristin is always a great time). Along with Rhonda Baker, Wedding/Special Event Coordinator, of Precisely as Planned. The beautiful and well-organized celebration was filled with Romance, Emotions, and sooo much FUN! Here are a few memories from that day. Enjoy! I know we did!

The fun started off the night before as we were invited to capture the rehearsal event.

The fun carried on to The Blue Goose Cantina of Addison. The food and drinks were sooo yummy!

I loved Charla’s dress and the view from her room.

Charla was a beautiful bride! Her veil naturally blowing in the wind gave way to many “uhhs and awwss”

The bouquet and floral decor was designed and created by the wonderful Tami Winn/Le Fleur Couture.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… sooo funny!

This was such a sweet Father / Daughter dance.

I’m not even sure if they stopped smiling, not even when there were tears falling.

To see more of Chris and Charla’s Gaylord Texan Resort wedding, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

Thank you Chris and Charla for allowing us to capture this beautiful day for you. We had a fantastic time photographing you and your loved ones. We walked away from your wedding inspired to laugh more. Actually my face is still hurting from laughing so much!

And Rhonda I gladly give you props for the wonderful job that you and your team did coordinating a perfect day! I love working with you and hope to work with you on many more fabulous weddings. Time crunch and all! ; )

And here’s a little shout out to all the great vendors that made this wedding just as Charla and Chris dreamed it would be!
wedding/reception : Gaylord Texan Resort
event design and coordination : Precisely as Planned
florals : Tami Winn/Le Fleur Couture
lighting: Randal Stout Entertainment
linens: Celebration Event Rentals

I wanted to take a moment to share this inspiring video about being “disabled”.