Amelia's 3rd Birthday Party

I absolutely feel honored to be a part of so many of my client’s special events in their lives; from engagements, to weddings, births of their children, and birthdays of their family members.. the list goes on.

Last week we celebrated such a sweet angel Amelia as she turned three years old. Her closest family and friends came to make art, eat sweets and yummy breakfast foods, listen to stories from Anna from Frozen and wish Amelia the best birthday ever.

Her older brother really wanted to blow out her candles. She was quite taken back by Anna’s visit. The crafts the children made were so unique..gave me ideas to recreate for my son. Needless to say, Amelia is a doll and for maybe the first year ever, she really realized this party was ALL FOR HER.

The Artery and The Pop Shop really helped this party come to fruition.

Happy Birthday Amelia!!

Thank you for having me!

A Beautiful Bridal Shower

What an honor it was to photograph this bridal shower event held at a cousin of the bride-to-be’s home in South Jersey. The decor, the food, the mobile bar in the driveway, the cake and the company were all just flawless. The party favor was a portrait sketch done by Denise Fike Designs.

The bride-to-be was gleaming and full of laughter and love.

While slightly warm for this last weekend in September, all fun was had and warm wishes were sent to the beautiful bride in her journey to marriage.

Beverages brought by The Barrel Mobile Bar @thebarrel_mobilebar

Party Planning and Decor by the amazing Andrea @thepapertrailandmore

Photography by Yours Truly, Jennifer Helene Photography

Sketch Artist @denisefikedesigns

H Family Picnic

It’s hard to describe how it feels to watch families grow. With a handful of my clients, I get to see when the first child turns one, when new babies are born, the celebrations of their birthdays, the gatherings of extended families and the honoring of where their future homes will be. Yes, I said it! The H family had invited me to the grounds that they own and plan to build their forever home together for our session. It gets better.. They decided there’s no better place to have a picnic! Amongst the yummy cheeses, fruit, seeds for the little one (his favorite), delicious warm bread and champagne were giggles, tackles, snuggles, kisses and togetherness.

Back to what I was saying.. it is hard to describe how it feels to watch families grow. It is like I am being invited into the family a handful of times each year, as a spectator or a stand-in auntie and I get to soak in all that love they express! This family is so great at expressing that love and taking life seriously but lightly! Hats off to you H Family. And thank you for having me help freeze these amazing moments in time for you.

Family Maternity Session 2018

This amazing family is welcoming awaiting their 5th counterpart & due for some family photos as well! They were easy to shoot, beautiful and nature loving which just steals my heart. Who doesn’t love a pregnant mom who’s also barefoot?!

Their two girls just shine like the stars. I just know their third baby will be a king.

#jenniferhelenephotography #lifestylephotography #southjerseyphotographer #newjerseyportraitphotographer #familyphotographer #motherhoodphotography #maternityphotography #jhp #jenniferhelene #childportraiture #portraitphotographer #capturethemoments #honestphotography

Baby James

Sometimes we hear that the first baby is the hardest labor, the longest pregnancy and the one filled with the most surprises, but in this family’s experience it was the third! Baby James was so comfortable in Momma’s belly that he just wanted to stay and snuggle there longer.

You can imagine the excitement of the family to finally meet their 5th counterpart, the last piece of their puzzle. I was wowed at how great sister and brother were with holding and nurturing their new baby brother. Their love for him was unmistakable and it was such a beautiful sight. I imagine they will be wonderful helpers to mom and dad at home.

Healthy Baby James was born to two extremely loving parents, one of which is a phenomenal pediatrician, and the other that was born to be an astounding mother.. and to two older siblings that will show him the way with kindness and innocence.

Blessings to Family M and many thanks for having me document another miracle in your lives.

Glamour & Graffiti

Cleaning thee ol' desktop and hard drives, or at least starting to.. and reminded that much of my work has gone unseen. Cheers to the digital hoarding of photographers, and to the hopes that I will find the time in my lifetime to continue weeding through to find the gems. 

This was a shoot I assisted under Robert Szatmari (a previous professor of mine/very talented photographer). Being the doll that he is he always offers me time for myself to shoot. This was our second or maybe third time working with Meng (the perfect teacup model & sweetest girl) together. Her portfolio is mind-blowingly good so it was such a pleasure.

The venue was Tattooed Moms in our nearby city of brotherly love. The great staff there allowed us to be in their space outside of normal business hours.

I love collaborating with talented professionals! A model at a bar is somewhat out of the realm of what I specialize in on a daily basis, but just some insight... I LOVE trying new things and expanding the horizons of my work! Always feel free to contact me if you have ideas and believe I could help you execute them;)

Heather, AJ & their babies

I got lucky this day and booked a double (they were friends) on the beach. Both families brought such unique charm to the session. This happy, curious and wildly adventurous sibling pair were so fun to meet and hang with. Within minutes of meeting the youngest, she was laying on my feet drinking her packaged fruit snack. I adore how honest and open they were. And the parents were great too!

BOTH sessions were GREAT. I will be posting the other as soon as I free up more alone as a juggling mama.

#lifestylephotography #jenniferhelenephotography #southjerseybeachphotographer #southjerseylifestylephotographer #portraitphotographer #familyphotographer #documentaryphotographer #jhp #newjerseyphotographers #portraitphotography #philadelphiaphotographer #lifestylesessions #childrenphotographer

Welcoming Fall & New Life

A recent session at Jennings Tree Farm in Shamong, NJ with this adorable growing family of four. It is always an extreme pleasure to photograph this family, as I went to high school with the husband and wife, who were high school sweethearts. They just brought their new baby boy into the world and couldn't be happier. He will have the best big brother to look up to.

If you would like a fall session please email jennifer@jenniferhelene.com as the coming weeks are booking up fast.

#jenniferhelenephotography #jenningstreefarm #lifestylephotographer #southjerseyphotography #familyphotographer #newjerseyportraitphotographer #childphotography #makingmemories #capturingrealmoments

Diamond & John

Sneak Peek from Friday's #Bynumforever wedding.

Such a cute story, they dated in 4th grade and it didnt work out. And then here they are decades later, with so much love. Hands down, the most energy filled wedding I have ever had the pleasure of photographing.

Venue: Brigalia's

DJ: GP Entertainment

Photographer: Jennifer Helene Photography (myself)

Videographer: Greg (Didn't get his last name or business name!)

#southjerseyweddingphotography #Bynumforever #lifestylephotography #jenniferhelenephotography

Brianna at the Beach

When you are going through your hard drives, and come across small folders of moments where you took some shots in your free time and now exists these gems of photos.

This was a beach trip in May of 2016, with my best friend and her second born, Brianna. Brianna and I wore matching leopard bathing suits coincidentally. I was two months pregnant. We sat under the pier for the perfect shade. Anyway, here are some portraits of one of the cutest little gals I know.

Kaitlin & Ryan

Kaitlin & Ryan married in St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church in historical Princeton, NJ on March 11th. After mass, we walked the cobblestone checking out some of their old stomping grounds such as the bar they met at, the local grounds of Princeton University and another bar Kaitlin worked at and Ryan commonly visited. The whole day was very well put together, visually beautiful and warm with love, even though it happened to fall on the 20 degree day we had this March!

Both the groomsmen and the bridesmaids were a perfect combination of silly and sophisticated just as Ryan and Kaitlin are!

The reception was held at the cozy Nassau Inn where drinks, dinner and dancing flooded the evening!

Cheers to Ryan & Kaitlin!!! A match made in heaven.

Thank you Susan Hennessey for second shooting with me on this special day!

#thenassauinn #princetonuniversity #weddingphotography #lifestylephotography #JenniferHelenePhotography #Newjerseyphotographer #love&marriage #marriagephotographer #philadelphiaphotographer #eventphotography #JHP #jenniferhelene #love #unity #catholic

 

Fisher Wedding

Stephanie & JaJa eloped and when planning the later reception asked me to photograph it. Stephanie and I went to high school together; I was thrilled to be a part of their celebration.

Pink lighting, beautiful flowers and fancy jewels covered the ballroom at the Washington where they danced the night away with their family and friends.

The family of four is perfectly paired; Stephanie and Ja's chemistry is hard to deny.

Here is a sneak peak of the day.

 

Dorothy wants to go home...

I usually drive by so many magnificent moments, only to regret not stopping at every one. (I'm in the car traveling a lot!!) As a photographer, someone who desires to freeze all the beautiful moments witnessed, you come to realize that you can not get it all. You have to be choosy, but follow your gut....some moments are meant to be lived, some are meant to be captured.

On an ordinary Saturday driving in the farmlands of South Jersey, I saw a moment that intrigued me. More specifically a woman. She sat on her rustic porch in her blue dress and gazed into the sky, the wind in her hair. I wondered who she was, what her story was and what she was thinking. I went with my gut and did a quick but safe u-turn into her driveway. I asked her if I could photograph her and visit with her for a few moments.

Dorothy explained to me that she is 94, turning 95 this month (June), and that she is waiting to go home, waiting to die. She's alone in her heart. I could feel her pain and sorrow, as I observed her eyes fill with tears. She said she's taking her house with her, even if she has to burn it down. Her cat Lucy is her only companion. My heart bleeds for Dorothy. I told her she looks like an angel already, and someday I hope to meet her again.

Take chances in life!! When I do things that feel scary I am almost always blown away by what results of it.

#MIXITUPMONDAY

Esther

I grew up with Esther's mom..well sort of. She was the daughter of my mom's best friend. And therefore we saw each other when our moms did; but she was older than me. Fast forward 18-20 years..and she has her own daughter now. Her name is Esther and they live in California, with Esther's dad also. 

I asked to hang out and photograph Esther..and she stole my heart. Her eyes had stars in them when she saw the camera, and she must have said "Cheese" four hundred times even when I was across the room. 

What a darling. 

Lifestyle Photography by Jennifer Helene

South Jersey

Macey Getting Messy!

It's a pleasure babysitting three kids, watching them grow and sharing moments with them, while also practicing being a housewife/mom and teaching them good things when I can. But let's face it..sometimes they just act nuts and it seems impossible to stop them. So when they got a teeny bit out of control on this particular day, I just pulled out my camera when the scolding wasn't working. 

Riley, Dean Alan and Macey are the babies of Dean & Cabrina. Dean has been my older brother-figure for as long as I can remember, (since I'm an only child)... and Cabrina is an angel, a great friend and great "older sister in law". Riley whipped up some green water with sugar for her siblings to drink and made a huge mess of the kitchen. Dean Alan was fixated on his Ninja Turtle Toys and show, demanding snacks and climbing all over furniture with Riley. And Macey was just watching her older siblings, and trying to do exactly as they did. She was COVERED in noodles during her lunch time! 

Here are some shots.

 

Simply Beautiful Jodi

Celebrating beauty through photographs....

Jodi married my second cousin and is now a "Potts." She is a true beauty and has a kind heart. I am deeply appreciative that she allowed me to photograph her by the lake on their property. 

Below are black and whites from our session.

If you would like a session of yourself, please email me at Jennifer@JenniferHelene.com and we can begin talking.

Wedding of Natalie & Ryan October 5, 2013

On October 5, 2013 I was hired as a videographer for the marriage of Natalie & Ryan. I cant wait to start editing the footage. Natalie, the bride, wore a dress that is over 70 years old and has been passed down through the generations. She was stunning!  

Of course both my assistant & I had to sneak some shots. 

Ruff House Doggie Day Camp

Doggies need playtime and socialization too! 

I visited Ruff House Doggie Day Camp in Marlton, NJ this past Wednesday and got to play with and photograph the lovely dogs that join this particular day camp. While intimidating at first, of course with expensive equipment and being that I am smaller than some of the dogs there, it quickly showed that all of the dogs are harmless pleasures to be around. 

Many were so energetic, some sleepy, and others just wanted to be side by side with their best pals...but all were so loving and unique! 

Thank you to the owner for allowing me to spend time with the doggies! There are tons more photos, so more blogs may be posted..

... And not to worry ... there will be people on my blog too :)