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Confidence-Building Photography for Teens

As a mom of two daughters, I know full well how tumultuous the teen years can be.  It’s one of the main reasons I specialize in shooting this age – there’s nothing better than hearing a girl’s exclamation when she takes a sneak peek at the back of my camera during her photoshoot!  I witness her confidence bolster right before my eyes, and, at that age, who couldn’t use more confidence?!

Contemporary Photoshoots

Another bonus to photographing this fun age (the girls below are 14, btw) is their openness to fashion posing and motion shots.   Tweens and teens are putty in my hands and respond so well to the constant coaching I give them.  There’s an electric sort of energy we all share during a photoshoot, when we all know we are creating something cool and unique!

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

The moment I stumbled across an Instagram photo of Vizcaya in Miami I started planning this shoot.  Vizcaya’s gardens are crazy-gorgeous, straight out of a fairytale!   Being only a two hour drive from Naples makes this a very manageable location.

I thought a Best Friends teen photoshoot would be a great fit for my first Vizcaya photoshoot.  Four Community School of Naples girls and I picked a date in August and met up for this unique Best Friends shoot.  Of course, the middle of summer in Florida is blazing hot and humid, but that didn’t stop these girls from putting their hearts into this photoshoot!  We had a blast and got some beautiful photos of everyone!

Enjoy!
xo
Jenn

ps. Want your own Vizcaya Photoshoot?  It couldn’t be easier to book me.  Text Jenn at 239-207-0003 and say “Hey Jenn!  My name is _____ and I’d love to schedule a Best Friends [or Senior] shoot at Vizcaya!”  I’ll text you back asap, send you some info, we’ll set a shoot date, and chat about outfit ideas.  What are you waiting for?  Perfect for your SENIOR PICTURE location or for a fun BFF Photoshoot!

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Tween + Family Beach Photoshoot

I was thrilled when Wyatt’s grandmother reached out to me for portraits of her grandson, especially when she told me he was 12 (soon to be 13!)  He’s what I call a ‘tween’ and it’s such a fleeting stage in kids’ life, and so radically transitional.  I speak from the heart when I say it’s so much fun to work with kids this age – they’re so unique, it’s really hard to explain.  When I compare this age to my high school seniors, for example, it’s like a night-and-day difference – it’s incredible how much they change in 5 years!  I call the ‘tween’ age the most under-served and forgotten age, photographically.  Parents rely on the school photographer for yearly portraits (and who ever loves those?)   So, circling back to my initial reaction when Wyatt’s grandmother contacted me, now you can appreciate why I was so tickled!

We decided that Lowdermilk Park and Beach in Naples would make the perfect backdrop for Wyatt’s photoshoot.  I also talked mom into being photographed, so the park and beach setting made for a beautiful family photoshoot!

In spite of the summer heat and humidity, we had fun, and most importantly, mom now has meaningful portraits of her son that truly showcase who he is now, as a young man on the road to adulthood.  And since us parents never seem to exist in photographs, it was a joy to capture a few family shots for mom to treasure.

Be sure to scroll all the way to the end and check out the wall grouping DIGITAL MOCKUP’S I created for mom, to help her decide what sizes she’d like to hang of her son’s portraits.  This service is included with every shoot, and I’m always happy when clients lean on me for portrait design help.  I also included a product shot of Wyatt’s folio box.  Something tells me mom will love this beautiful portrait box so much more than Wyatt, especially as he transitions from Community School of Naples to college and beyond. 🙂

Enjoy!
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Graduation time is here!

I’m so excited to be blogging about one of my Class of 2018 Model Team beauties, Audrey!  Where do I even begin with this joyful and bright young woman!

Since Audrey was on my Model Team, I had the pleasure of photographing her for a Fashion shoot, a BFF shoot, in Chicago for a destination photoshoot, along the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan for a group photoshoot, and finally, for her milestone Senior pictures.  I truly get to know your clients so well by their senior photoshoot, when they’re in front of my camera multiple times.  This girl is the real deal – the complete package – with a beautifully kind heart and a cheerful smile.   Each time we worked together, I appreciated Audrey’s lovable and compassionate personality.   I truly can’t say enough kind things about Audrey and it’s with confidence and genuine respect that I watch her continued journey into adulthood.

If you can give your daughter only one gift, let it be enthusiasm.

As the saying goes, enthusiasm is a true gift, one that Audrey’s mom gives with her full heart.  Audrey’s fabulous mom, Jackalyn, went above and beyond prepping for Audrey’s senior pictures.  She and Audrey had a vision for Audrey’s photoshoot, down to the very last pom-pom, and kudos to her for bringing her ideas to the table!  There’s nothing that gives me greater pleasure than turning someone’s vision into reality!

This time of year I watch Facebook proudly, as posts of my client’s graduation pictures flood my feed.  I see the campus tour posts by their anxious-but-proud parents.  I see the tearful dorm room pictures in August when college move-in-week starts.  This is such a memorable and exciting milestone for seniors!  It makes me feel tremendous pride that I’ve had the opportunity to work with them, encourage them, and bolster their confidence, especially during this critical milestone year.

I hope you enjoy perusing a few of my favorites from Audrey’s senior pictures!
xo
Jenn
Proudly serving Naples & Fort Myers Florida
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If you’d like to see more of my senior portrait work, please CLICK HERE to check out Abby’s senior pictures!

If you’re ready to book your very own shoot, I welcome you to call, text or email, Jenn at 239-207-0003 or [email protected].   Or reach out to me using my website’s contact form by CLICKING HERE.

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Swooning over Abby’s senior pictures!

I absolutely fell in love with Abby’s look.  Such a natural beauty, with the personality to match! I couldn’t wait to take her senior pictures!!   Can I get real here for a second?  When I first met Abby, she came in with her mom for their pre-shoot consultation.  Now, nobody everrrr walks into my studio telling me how comfortable they are being photographed and Abby was no different.  Like every human who graces my lens, Abby expressed the same concerns about ‘wanting to look natural, not awkward’, and admitted to not  knowing ‘how to pose’ (who does??)  I assured her she was in good hands… it’s not your job to pose yourself in flattering, natural-looking poses, it’s MY job!  I’ve spent the last 12 years honing my craft so that my clients can put their trust in me and enjoy themselves during their fun shoot, instead of fretting about looking awkward or unflattering.

This is my full-time job – this is what I live for.  I don’t just tell you to “stand there”.  It’s more like, “Ok Abby, go ahead and turn to your right, bend your left leg slightly, that’s right, push it over.  Now, tip your upper body towards me, slide your right arm back and put your left hand on your hip like this (as I demonstrate the pose).  That’s it!  Good. Now, relax your shoulders. Tiny smile.  PERFECT!” <CLICK>  (all the while, you’re ignoring the pokey shrubbery I have you tucked in)  BUT, if you ever wonder how I got the shot.. now you know! (see first photo below) 😉

We started Abby’s photoshoot at Lakes Park in Fort Myers and took advantage of the variety of scenery there.  We ended Abby’s shoot on Sanibel Island, starting on the boardwalk and finished with beautiful pictures on the beach.  Such dreamy locations!

I hope you all enjoy a sampling of some of Abby’s favorite pictures from her senior photoshoot!  Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see what Abby ordered!

xo
Jenn

HMU: Abby
Photography: Jennifer Bates
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Here’s what Abby held in her hands when it was all said and done!  48 beautiful custom grad announcements, with pearl finish and rounded corners.   Abby and her mom also opted for the USB of all of Abby’s session favorites.

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Enjoying the sun & sand on Sanibel Island

This beautiful and athletic Northerner recently visited our beautiful beaches here on Sanibel Island for a fun photoshoot.  The past few years, I’ve had the privilege and joy of shooting Caroline’s older sister, who is now off enjoying college.  I didn’t get a chance to get Caroline in front of my camera before our move to sunny Florida, so when her family made a recent trip down and mom contacted me for beach pictures, how could I refuse!

I love this sweet girl’s infectious laugh and lovable personality.   Caroline’s mom, Angie, has become a dear friend over the past few years.  In Michigan she was one of my biggest fans in helping me grow my photography business.  Ang is a beautiful and energetic woman, and instrumental leader to the young women she coaches; she’s someone I deeply admire for her quiet strength and constant positive outlook.  I can easily see, after photographing Caroline, that it’s ‘like mother, like daughter’.  It was such an honor and privilege to get to know Caroline during our shoot.  I hope you girls enjoyed your visit to SWFL!

** Be sure to scroll alllll the way to the bottom to see our behind-the-scene shots that mom got! 😉

xo
Jenn
cell/text 239-207-0003
[email protected]
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Caroline crushing it!

#werk

My infamous “crouch” stance. So I don’t kneel on the sharp beach shells… not sure what I’m doing with that hand though lol

If you’re ready to book your family’s beach shoot, or tween-teen beach shoot, I welcome you to call, text or email, Jenn at 239-207-0003 or [email protected].   Or reach out to me using my website’s contact form by CLICKING HERE.

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