Polka Dot Photography

NEW BLOG..... NEW BLOG......NEW BLOG!!!!!!

2009-02-12T00:29:00.000-08:00

Yep, you heard me, I got a new blog.
Don't come back here anymore ever ever ever again (0; I imported all the archives from here so everything can be found on the pretty new blog with big pictures YAY by going to HERE

Hello!!!

2009-01-30T16:33:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I have been at a workshop the last three days and have been unable to answer emails or make phone calls. I came back to a ton of them and will getting back to everyone soon. New blog and wedding site to be launched soon too (after I get some much needed sleep)

If you need to get a hold of me right away, please call me even if you already have. I have returned almost all of the calls but a few. I have a ton of emails about booking sessions. Please note that even though my schedule hasnt been released, I am already booked for the next month. (0; Have a good weekend

I am still here.... {Boudoir Luxe} limited edition - Vancouver,WA/Portland,OR boudoir photographer

2009-01-06T01:21:00.000-08:00

There are some really exciting things coming in the next few weeks for Polka Dot Photography. 2 new websites (yes I said 2) and a brand spankin new blog with big pictures and yummy goodness. New products and packages that I am so excited to share. New awesome pricing. Basically a whole new me and I can't wait to share it. It is just taking a bit longer than expected.

I am getting lots of emails to book sessions right now but my camera is going off to Nikon to get serviced and cleaned so I wont have my baby for a few weeks so can't put anything any dates on the schedule for the next two weeks. If you wish to be added in February let me know!

The end of January I am going to be offering limited edition Boudoir Luxe sessions. There will be a swanky hotel, gorgeous you. A gorgeous custom hard cover coffee table book to show of your beautiful photos will be the highlight. A wonderful Valentines Day present for the husband/fiance/significant other. I will be taking only a small handful of clients for this session so if you are interested in the details please email me right away.

giving is awesome update

2008-12-24T22:41:00.001-08:00

As I sit here tonight watching the lights on my tree twinkle and my babies tucked safely into bed, I come across the difficult task of deciding the winner. The nominations I received were heartwarming and humbling. As I started receiving the nominations the last week I realized how difficult it was going to be to decide. Every single one of the nominations deserved to be picked and how I wish I could chose everyone. Originally I was going to sit with my family and read the entries with my sister and mother in law to decide. But unfortunately because of the weather we don't get to spend it with them and alas I had to make the decision all on my own.

A few days ago I received an entry that brought tears to my eyes instantly. All the other entries were sad yes but this one was different because it was the story of me in high school. The nomination was sent in from a boyfriend for his girlfriend which is just too sweet on it's own. So with permission from Nick and Mackenzie, here is their entry:

Dear Jenifer,

My girlfriend, Mackenzie, is really in need this year. A few years ago her mom was having kidney failure and is a type one diabetic. She has a lot of other serious health complications and is constantly in and out of the hospital. She isn't going to make it much longer. This summer her parents went through a really ugly divorce and her mom ended up in the hospital for the whole summer. Her mom got out this fall and is now disabled. Her dad is now gone and her mom is too sick to take care of her or her sisters so her and her other three sisters live together without either parent. There are six of them all together crammed in a tiny three bedroom apt. Mackenzie is 16, she will be 17 this March. She has been working her butt off since her sophmore year to graduate one year early and is now graduating this June. She has to work full time and do all her senior year of high school online in order to support herself. She wants senior pictures soo bad but she knows she cant afford them (she has kind of given up hope) She works so hard and she deserves to have senior pictures like every other senior gets to have to remember all of her hard work. I have entered her into multiple photographers that are doing this and am hoping that someone will give her this Christmas gift. Me and Mackenzie have been together for over a year now and I know she really deserves this. I hope you consider her when you pick someone for your new years gift.

Thank you,

Nick

Thank you Nick and thank you Mackenzie for letting me do this for you. It is such a blessing for me to be able to donate something I love to such a deserving young lady.

I have found out the last few days that their entry was quite popular with my photographer friends so I am glad I snagged it early. It was just meant to be that I got to be the one to give them this christmas gift. Thank you all for the wonderful nominations. You are all so truly thoughtful and I can't thank you enough.

Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope your holiday is filled with wonderful moments and lots of love.
love,
jen

Only one day left to nominate......

2008-12-24T01:51:00.001-08:00

I have a few entries so far so be sure to get your nomination in by Christmas Eve. Please forward the post below with all the details to any family and friends. They might know someone as well. Help me makes someones Christmas extra special.
Love,
Jen

Help me give away something special.........

2008-12-14T15:16:00.000-08:00

Help me give away a $1000 custom photography package.

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $1000 worth, to be exact. They will receive a 1-2 hour session, a full resolution CD and printing rights, a set of 4x6 proofs as well as a $200 print credit to apply towards any wall display. A package worth $1000.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $125 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Washington or Oregon and be within my local area. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : jenifer@polkadotphotography.net by Christmas Eve at noon PST.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Jenifer

Deadline and an adorable share.....Vancouver, WA baby/kid/family Photographer

2008-11-23T00:13:00.000-08:00

First just a note to let any of you know that are still deciding on getting Christmas cards. The deadline to order them will be the end of November to ensure they get back in plenty of time for you to mail them out to family and friends. I am designing them up like crazy so if you had a session from me this year please get ahold if me if you are interested in ordering some.

Also the end of November is also the deadline for ordering any prints. There is a rush order fee applied to any orders not placed by the deadline so make sure to get them to me on time. All galleries will be purged from the system in December as well.

There no longer is a waiting list for those of you that were unable to get appointments with me. I am booked solid plus some and have been for months. There is no way to get anybody else on the schedule until after the first of the year so if you are need of photographer still please, please let me know and I have some fabulous friends that I can refer you to.

My blog and site are going to be getting a revamp over the holidays and the new and improved Polka Dot Photography will launch Jan 1st (maybe sooner). I am NOT booking sessions for 2009 as of yet but will hopefully start mid December to release dates.

Last a fun share since I have severely neglected all my loyal blog readers. Thanks for all the emails hounding me about posting something. har har. You don't realize how many people actually read until you don't post. Love you all, it is just crazy around here but I am loving every minute of it.

I sware these kids could be models. I have another shoot with the whole gorgeous family tomorrow and am very much looking forward to meeting the rest of the kiddos.

and I have been told that my basket has been nicknamed the pineapple basket by blog readers. I love it and am so referring to it as such now. (0;

Peek a book

The FABulous hats by miss Nuxie made. What a fab christmas present these would make. I rock the adult one everywhere I go and get so many compliments. The little boys ones are adorable too. Go check out her site and tell her I sent ya! Click HERE for the link.

and last but surely not least. I scored this killer high chair on my way to pick z man up from school a few months ago. I am love with it. This was his first food. How cool is it that I got to take pictures of his very first food. I love my job.

A quick share.................Vancouver, WA baby photographer

2008-11-04T00:28:00.001-08:00

Just one quick photo that I had to share........ see look, I am getting on a roll aren't I? heee heee. (0:

yes christmas already

2008-11-03T01:25:00.001-08:00

So I had to go to Fred Meyers today to buy some more fill for my bean bag (for newborn photos) and they had already replaced the halloween stuff with Christmas stuff. Most people get annoyed by this but I love it. Christmas is my favorite and I am just grinning thinking about it. Anyways, it reminded me that I haven't posted any samples yet of Christmas cards. I am working with a fab designer for this years cards and thought I better show off a few samples since everyone is ordering them now. Any of the cards can be made into flat, bifold or trifold and come with envelopes. If you had a session with me this year or have one coming up get ahold of me now so I can get working on them for you. I have more samples to show but this will at least tie you over for now. (0: OH and if you are a photographer reading this, shoot me an email and I will hook you up with the designer so you can get your hands on them too. enjoy

Happy Halloween from the cutest fat baby....

2008-11-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

This wasn't fat baby's official costume but the one big brother wore when he was his age. I am so glad I saved it because he is just too cute as the baby gap teddy bear. The two were actually vampires for halloween and were looking scary cute but I couldn't resist sharing this one. And what does me posting mean? You guess it. The new computer got here this week and I have been cranking out the sessions like a mad woman. So excited. Lots and lots to share just as soon as I get caught up on everything. Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween.

waiting, waiting, impatiently waiting

2008-10-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

I am MIA while I wait for my new computer to get here. It was a lengthy shopping experience that had to be rushed as my current one decided it really had enough of me and my abuse. I can't really blame it but it is still frustrating nonetheless. Those of you on my email list should have received an email from me about getting a new phone number too. I updated it on my site for those of you that didn't get it. I switched providers and got a new iphone and now I can check my email and the internet while on my phone (which is how I am posting this). Sooooo excited about the new phone and the new Mac on its way. Life will be perfect in the next few days and you will be seeing lots of new posts that never made it to the blog soon. I promise I have been so busy and with no computer, it just stinks. Although it does mean I get to bed before three am which is actually pretty nice, but don't worry, I won't get used to sleep. (0: Anyways just wanted to let you know why there is not posts and thanks to those of you that are patiently waiting to see your photos. (0:

belly belly belly and out of the office...........Vancouver, WA Maternity Photographer

2008-10-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

I have quite a few bellies I have shot lately, which means that in the next few weeks I will have lots of tiny, yummy little newborns too and I couldn't be more excited about that. I still have lots to share on the blog but have been busy getting work done so the blog has been a bit neglected. Anyways here is a cute belly to share and their adorable 2 year old toe head as well. I sware he could be Jacks twin brother.
**also a quick note to let you know that I will be out of the office Friday until Sunday and will return to work on Monday the 6th. Please call me if you have anything urgent, if not shoot me an email and I will get back to you on Monday. Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

me on the other side of the camera for once

2008-09-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

So as any of you that frequent my blog, are clients, or are friends of mine know we at the Johnston house have had quite a crazy last two months. To call it crazy is honestly actually a huge understatement. On top of having work to do, we were plagued with one sickness after the next and each one being subsequently worse and I say this with complete seriousness. Sweet baby boy got the brunt of it and the day before he almost died on us we were scheduled to have family photos taken. At the time he had a runny nose and we didn't think much of it but man was he a stinker.

Anyways, we had our family photos taken by the very awesome Shannon Sewell. Leading up to our session I for once realized what it was like for my clients. I was struck with panic and nervousness for the whole week before trying to figure out what the heck to wear. I can dress my clients but heck no I can't dress my own family. Why? I have no idea but I just couldn't. Doesn't this make you all chuckle? I am sure it does. So we got dressed, Ben left work for a few hours and we tromped around portland with the paparazzi following us. Jack was turkey (for obvious reasons we know now) but you honestly cannot tell he was so sick when looking at any of these. I waiting in anticipation to see these and yes, now I know how you all feel now too, so laugh even harder at me now (0: She posted the photos on her blog and they about brought me tears because the made me so happy. I can't even tell you how happy these make me Shannon. Your rock!!!!

Baby B......................Polka Dot Photography, Vancouver, WA baby photographer

2008-09-26T11:05:00.001-07:00

So baby B and the previous post, baby J came at the same time and shot them both last christmas. It is so fun to watch them get bigger. He is such a cutie and had the cutest smile. Reminds me of my little guy. Anyways here a few to share. Sorry about being MIA but it is for good reason. I have gotten so much work done the last few weeks and it has been awesome. So there will be lots of posts coming soon, I just have been too busy to blog them.

P.S. I am booked through the end of the year. If you aren't one of the lucky ones that got on the schedule, please email me to be put on a wait list. I will only add a few people to the wait list. I do have some amazing photographer friends I can refer you to as well so don't be shy! (0:

baby J is back ....................Vancouver, WA baby photographer

2008-09-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

I did christmas pictures of this little one when she was super tiny last november. Her mom brought her down from Longview to do them again and she is still just as cute as ever. I love being able to see these little ones grow up and she just has the cutest smile and personality. Makes me want a girl, but man do I love my boys so very much.

Twins, twins, twins ................. Vancouver, WA baby photographer

2008-09-10T00:22:00.000-07:00

A sneak peek finally. I see in my stats all you little blog checkers and all the emails and phone calls have been so amazingly sweet. I have the best clients and the most understanding during the crazy last month we have had. This family is one that has been ever so patiently waiting to see a little peek and I can't wait to share them. When I first talked to mom to set up the appointment, I would be lying if I said I thought photographing 6month old twins was going to be easy. But let me tell you, boy did they prove me wrong. They were soooo stinkin cute and smiley it would have been impossible not to get a cute shot of the two of them together. They put my older sibling clients to shame. ha ha. Anyways, here is a few of the two lovely ladies. They are actually my third set of twins this summer. The other two were newborns and I just realized I never posted them to the blog. Whoops.

And of course, we have to have a comment contest.......Amie, if you get 25 comments you will get free mounted 11x14 print of your choice.
No anonymous comments, please just type your name at the bottom of the comment.

phew....what a week

2008-09-02T15:27:00.001-07:00

We are home as of this morning and Jack is just waking up from a three hour nap. Apparently he wasn't getting much sleep at the hospital. who does? I know I didn't and will be beyond happy to sleep in my bed for the first time tonight. ha ha.
Anyways the nurses just gobbled him up and I am pretty sure he was sad to leave. They took great care of him. I couldnt resist this shot. The nurses died laughing when they saw him doing it. He has mini daddy bubble butt. Love it.
I think I have responded to all the emails etc but if you didn't get a response, let me know! I look forward to getting back to work. Thanks for all the emails, phone calls and sweet comments about my little guy. Sure means a lot. (0: You guys are the best.

PLEASE READ.....

2008-08-30T15:59:00.000-07:00

We have been plagued by nasty colds the last few weeks in our house and yesterday our 15 month old was having a difficult time breathing and by the time we were on the way to the dr's, he was turning purple and choking. His dr's office admitted him immediately to the hospital and after blood tests and a very scary hot dog contraption for chest xrays for babies, Jack has a nasty case of pneumonia. He is doing better today and I am home to take a quick shower and type this up very quickly. If there is anything urgent, please call me. I wish I was tech savvy and had an iphone so I can check at the hospital because man it is boring there, but I do not. Anyways this is just to let everyone know what is going on. We don't know when he will be released but are hoping soon as it is absolutely impossible to sleep in that place. Hopefully be back with good news soon, in the meantime PDP is closed for a few days.

thank you

2008-08-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say thank you for all the wonderful comments for Amber and her boys. I have been battling a fever and cold for the last few days and have barely been on the computer to respond to everyone, but wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

a heavy heart

2008-08-21T21:52:00.000-07:00

This session was one of my most emotion filled and though filled sessions I think I have ever had. I fought back tears both times I met this wonderful woman and heard a tiny piece of her story that has unfolded over the last year.

I met Amber at a dear friends baby shower and then again at the hospital when baby Micah was born. It was then when she asked me to do this photo session for her. You see, next week (thursday to be exact) is the 1 year anniversary of her husbands death. I remember hearing about her husband Bryce Howard on the news last year. He was the first soldier from SW Washington to be killed in Afghanistan and he left behind a beautiful wife and two wonderful sons that melted my heart. I cannot put into words anything that would do this beautiful family justice. I am both humbled and honored that she asked me to capture this for her and I hope that my blog readers will leave her a little comment and cyber hug as this next week I am sure will be tough for her and her family.

I am of course doing my comment contest, especially for this deserving momma.....so after this post gets 25 comments, Amber will get to pick out her favorite photo to be printing in 11x14. PLEASE NO ANONYMOUS COMMENTS, simply type your name at the bottom of the message. (0:

Is this little stinker not the cutest thing. He just had me grinning ear to ear during our session. He was so stinkin sweet. I wanted to bring him home with me.

mr serious here didn't want anything to do with giving me smiles. I finally got some good ones after his silly faces. Such a sweet kiddo.

I just love how serious he looks

sick, sick, sick

2008-08-15T00:53:00.001-07:00

We have two sick (and I stress VERY sick) kiddos for the last two days. Both waking up ALL night long, hysterical with a fever. Z man has bolted out of bed every two hours in a sweat, mumbling things that don't make any sense. Jack has been screaming and crying non stop on top of the fever and he is also getting 8 teeth that are all poking through the skin at once. At the moment he is running in circles around the house with ben trying to calm him down and yes it really is 1am. Talk about crazy. I jumped on the computer for a quick second just to let everyone know that I am still alive, just the babies in the house have got a weird, nasty virus and it has put a hinder on everything the last 48 hours. Please send good thoughs our way because I need to work, but most importantly Ben and I need some dang sleep.

sweet baby micah is back

2008-08-05T00:59:00.000-07:00

Baby Micah is back! I shot his newborn photos in the hospital before I left for Alaska and now here are more from the most recent session. Me love me some fresh babies! Oh and I am getting a new computer! yes I am! I am so stinkin excited I can barely contain myself. These computer problems and also it being so incredibly slow have been driving me crazy, so it time to upgrade. I am going back to mac. yeah baby. So I will have me a new fresh baby this week too. ha ha.

lots to share but not enough time

2008-08-01T10:19:00.001-07:00

I have been working like a crazy woman the last few weeks as you can tell by my lack in posting peeks on the blog (so sorry about that). I will be caught up and able to post the million peeks I have to share next week. PDP will be closed over the weekend so if there is a delay in my normal 2 am email response, it is because I am out of town and will have limited access to email. Normal me (whatever that is anyways) will return on Monday. And here is a share to tie you over for a while. This lovely, lovely lady is one of my dearest friends. This is their first baby and everyone couldn't be more excited about it. Is she not the cutest little prego thing eva? Oh yes. Nope, these aren't her real session as we will do those end of august.....we shot these real quick for some shower goodies and invites. So fun! I will post the results when I am done next week.

P.S. There is ONLY 8 open dates left through the end of the year. Yes I said 8! Told you they would go crazy fast. These spots will of course go quickly so don't miss out on getting your fall or christmas photos done by me.

where are the posts huh?

2008-07-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

well about 2 1/2 days ago one of my editing program files went corrupt, meaning I lost all the edits on weeks and weeks worth of sessions. ugh. But don't panic, it wasn't the original photographs, just the stuff that was in process of editing. I back all my photos up so nothing was lost except my edits on those. Anyways it has been sent off to a very sweet guy at adobe who is trying to repair my catalog (he says today hopefully) so please cross your fingers for me that I get it back repaired so I don't have to do a bunch of work all over again. (0: Anyways that is why there is no new posts. Hopefully by tonight! In the meantime, help todd and ivy out and put some more comments on Teagan's photos. They almost have enough for their free photos. whooo hooo!

look at all you little blogstalkers you....... and my schedule is up!!! whooo hoooo

2008-07-14T01:17:00.000-07:00

So I am seriously cracking up at all of you. It is so fun to see you all come out of nowhere and start commenting. whooo hoooo. I know it is a bit intimidating at first but I promise it makes my day to see comments so please keep them coming. I always here random people say they blog stalk me and my hubby had someone confess to him this weekend when I wasn't with him (ahhhhhemmmm Lyndsey, you have been caught ha ha). I blog stalk quite a few people too so it is nice to know I am not the only one (0: Anyways I know I promised peeks every day this week but I promise to do extra good tomorrow night. Right now I am working on the tail end of the beautiful wedding I posted shots of the other day. Maria and Tommy are waiting so patiently so my time must be dedicated to that for the next day or so until it is up. I promise to return with more sharing.

Oh and I have a ton of you that were anxiously awaiting my schedule to be released for the rest of the summer, through the end of the year. Guess what? It's up and filling quickly to say the least. Please go check it out on my main site here, go to schedule and then pick your dates for summer sessions or christmas pictures and email me real quick like to claim your spot! I will not be squeezing in sessions at the last minute come holiday time and the spots will go quick so please don't make me have to turn you away. That would make me sad.

i am a hippie at heart so she says..........Polka Dot Photography/Portland, OR Photographer

2008-07-13T00:40:00.000-07:00

So this one was my funnies client yet probably. She is from Texas and is here doing her internship for her degree in fashion design. She leaves in about a week to go back and graduate and I was the lucky one she picked to do her college graduation photos. We joked the whole time that she was a hippie, when in fact she put me in check after we got back and I changed into my white summer skirt and long green dress shirt and flip flops. She assured me I was a hippie and was just in denial about it. It was pretty funny and cute with her sweet Texas accent. I loved it. I love fun clients!

Senior photo sessions are upon us. Contact Polka Dot Photography to book your senior 2009 photos sessions in the Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR areas. Most schools require the photos to be turned in for the yearbook shortly after school starts in September. If you are a senior at Battle Ground, Castle Rock or Washougal High School go find one of my reps at your school to get their card for a special offer!

smash the cake gone wrong ...... Polka Dot Photography/ Vancouver, WA baby photographer

2008-07-11T23:19:00.000-07:00

Well I guess it didn't go wrong but for sure different then my previous smash the cake sessions. The prior little stinkers had cake in every fold of their cute 1 year old chub. There was no inch on their cute little polka dot cakes that went untouched. But this one......there was something different about her. Can you tell what it is? OH yeah, a neat freak baby. It was hilarious! She wanted nothing to do with getting messy no matter how much frosting we tried to put on her tongue. She just wasnt having it, unless she was sitting on daddy's lap and he was feeding it to her. It was sad at first to both her mom and I, but then we realized how funny it was and that the screaming shots were fantastic on their own. See, smiling faces don't always produce the best pictures and this just proves it. It puts a smile on my face seeing this series.........and oh my goodness, is she not seriously the most gorgeous baby you have ever seen? No this isn't just me babbling, I am being really serious. Fat baby has been pre-arranged to marry her. har har.

** Todd and Ivy, if you get 25 people to comment on this post, you will get a free mounted 11x14 image of your choice from your session**

A beautiful wedding....... Polka Dot Photography style/Portland, OR Wedding Photographer

2008-07-11T00:55:00.001-07:00

I shot this wedding the day after we got back from Alaska. It was so much fun and the B&G and their family have been so patient waiting for their gallery to go up. It is almost finished and this sneak peek is I am sure going to put a smile on their faces. Thank you Maria and Tommy for having me there on your special day!

The anticipation shows here. I just love the look on her face as she waits to see herself in the dress. Gives me the tingles.

This one was just too sweet not to show on here. The wind kept catching her hair so Tommy tried to fix it for her. It was so sweet.

Can't remember what made everyone laugh but I just loved this shot.

Officially married! yay!

love

This might not be for some people but I loved this shot of the wind catching her vail.

And of course you gotta do the reservoir dogs shot. Except they didn't all have shades. Still cool though.

The first dance

And the best for last. At least it is my favorite anyways. oh I just can't tell you how much I love this one.

Still alive and kickin....yes I am and photos from Alaska

2008-07-10T01:06:00.001-07:00

I know, I know, I know.....I have been bad about posting sneak peeks on the blog since I got back. It is with good reason though. I am so slammed that I haven't had time. I also have been promising to release my schedule through the end of the year now that I am all booked through July. I know a ton of you are waiting for me to do that and it was my goal tonight. There are also quite a few of you waiting on seeing some sneak peeks from your session and they will be popping up. I will make a promise to get a new peek up every day for the next week. Did I seriously just dig myself in a hole or what? (0: Thank you to my so very patient clients that I love so much. You guys rock!!! beautiful pictures to come soon. To tie you over, I figured it is about time to share some photos from our trip to Alaska. Hubby took some so I can't take all the credit. I love all them. And see my huge fish? I wasn't kidding was I?

Cori and I realin in the big butt (halibut for you non fishing people)

see what the fuss was about? And on my birthday too. Cori always looks so cute in raingear......me, not so much. ha ha.

yes, we clean our catch. Where are the boys at? Alaska girls kick hiney!

Us, minus fat baby, who got to stay at home and get loves from grandma and grandpa. We sure missed him though.

So angry at myself for cutting off one side of its face. grrr. Anyways this was at in Kasaan in the old totem pole park. There used to not be a road to get to Kassan but there is now so it cool to go to.

Zachy always find love wherever he goes.

in the sand at sandy beach

It seriously never gets old seeing whales. You can see it on Cori's face and JR sees them everyday and they still bring a smile to his face too. (0:

JR is the best fishing guide ever. If you want to go to alaska or are planning a trip there, you must go to Craig and you must go out fishing with Catch A King Charters. They are amazing, their lodge is amazing, their cooks are amazing (wink wink) and they have the best guides. We came back with so much it is crazy! Their website is http://www.catchakingcharters.com/

Cathedral Rock...isn't it beautiful? This is where we caught the big butt too!

another totem out in kassan. Did you know we got to help carve one of the totem poles in craig in high school? It was so fun and how many people can say they carved a totem pole? not many.

Ben was in awe with the beauty there and it was so fun. Amazing to say the least and I cried when I left. It has been 6 1/2 years since I was there last and yet it seemed like I was there a year ago. I could never live there again as I am too much a city girl now but we have promised to go visit once a year now. This was Ben's first time and I can probably say it is probably his best vacation ever. So many amazing friends there that I miss so much and family that is not technically my family, but as close to family as I have. We miss you guys all soooooooo much and can't wait to see you next year.

I'm back!!!!!!!!

2008-06-28T13:57:00.001-07:00

We are back from Alaska and we had a fabulous time. I worked but also got to play so it was a wonderful time. The day after I got back I had a wedding to shoot and then have been slammed scouring through emails, orders and new sessions. I am back now from my break and will be posting lots of new things that I can't wait to share. I will also be adding new dates to my schedule to go through the end of the year so be sure to check for that. For now, here is a few to share from another one of my gorgeous senior reps for next year.

href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VNXtSJXDlvI/SGamYjItl3I/AAAAAAAAAjU/fPbUCpV3t9A/s1600-h/l1.jpg">

a very happy day

2008-06-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

So we are officially in AK as of yesterday. We left at 5 am for fishing and had an amazing time. I will post more later, but wanted to say that I caught a 97 lb halibut today. How flipping amazing is that. Wait til you see the pictures. And it is my birthday today so it makes it a really fab day. Spending time with old friends and my best friend came the same time as us too. Just an amazing amazing time.

Also I have tried to access my business email acct and I cannot pull up anything. Not sure why. I can however access my personal email acct so if you need to get ahold of me anytime from now until the 21st, please email me at jeniferlouise@comcast.net If you sent me a message within the last 3 days and did not get a response from me and need one, then please send me another one at the comcast address. Thanks so much (0:

a week off!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

We are officially on our way to Alaska for vacation and work (for me). Polka Dot Photography will be closed from Thursday June 12th until Friday June 20th. I will have limited access to my business email but if you absolutely need to get a hold of me email me at jenferlouise(at)comcast(dot)net the at and dot need to be replaced with the appropriate symbols (0:

Here is to us catching some fish and seeing old friends. So very excited, you don't even know. Beautiful pictures to come of our trip and also of a wedding the day after I get back.
hugs,
Jen

yes it is 3:35 in the morning and yes that means no sleep

2008-06-12T03:34:00.000-07:00

So we officially leave for the airport in 1 hour and 25 minutes. Why am I up? Because I had to finish my work before I left. This sweet little one is the last to share before I go on vacation so soak it up. Shot these at the hospital just day before yesterday. He was less than 24 hours old. I just wanted to snuggle with him all night.
Welcome to the world Micah
Born June 8th, 2008 at 5:24p.m.
8lbs 7oz and 20 inches long

yes sunshine!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-11T23:13:00.000-07:00

We had to reschedule a million times because of oogy weather. Was so happy to finally get to meet this wonderful family on a beautiful day. A smile on everyone face and just happy. I love that. Their boys were the cutest sweetest things and I had such a fantastic time with them. We even ended our day with ice cream cones. How fun is that? Thank you T family for a fabulous time!

do you like green eggs and ham? I do not like them Sam I Am. - Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR Family Photographer

2008-06-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

A fun, fun, fun family that trooped through the pouring rain this day to capture some very special moments. They drove an hour to see me, only to be greeted with dark skies and pouring down rain. It was my only day I could take their pictures before they move so we knew that had to be taken. Thankfully a dear, dear photographer friend Shari reminded me of the exact location that I had just shot a wedding at less than a week before. Long covered porches in cool old building was our only hope and I am so glad we did. You would never know by looking at these that the weather a few inches away was just oogy. I scored this way cool old desk from this client at their last session and have been dying to try it out. I love it. Thank you Lyndsey
for the amazing desk and thank you Ben and kiddos for trecking in the rain with me to try it out (0:

a loooooong post and a beautiful senior - Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR Senior Photographer

2008-06-08T22:30:00.000-07:00

Today the nice weather finally came back, thank god. I had rescheduled so many sessions within the last two weeks it made me want to scream. Thankfully everyone was really understanding that I have no control over this crazy rain. Isn't it supposed to be summer people? Anyways today the beautiful weather was back and I treated my oldest to a trip to the rose festival since we were downtown shopping for our vacation. Oh how I love to watch people at things like that....a photographers dream I tell ya. ha ha.

So anyways, here is to good weather and us leaving on a family vacation in just three days. Do you know how excited I am about this? Well lets just say that we have never, I mean never, been on a family vacation before so this is a pretty big deal for us. To top it off we are going to Alaska of all places and that just makes it a rockin trip. Excited to see old friends and take my husband back to where I used to live. Can't wait so show him what "real" fishing is like LOL!!!

I have worked my tail off the last few months and I mean that with all seriousness. Last week I had went 9 days straight with photo sessions. If that is not crazy, I don't know what is. The business is fantastic but it also means that I never ever got caught up. The last week I have spent every waking second on this computer, editing sessions, responding to emails, calling clients, taking pictures, designing engagement albums, ordering prints, packaging orders, shopping for supplies and I could go on and on. The amazing thing about all of this is that I will be completely caught up before I leave for my trip on thursday. Yes, every single session will be edited and everything else in between. This is a big deal and I am so excited to start fresh when I get back. I will also not allow myself to get overbooked ever, ever again. It is so important to me, to be able to provide my clients with personalized service and when I get overbooked it makes that nearly impossible to do that in a timely fashion.

So without further ado, one of my beautiful clients that is also one of my senior reps I have for next year. I cannot tell you enough how much I love my senior reps this year. I could squeeze and smooch all of them. Such sweet, sweet, young men and women that I have the pleasure of working with over the next year and it just makes me giddy.

I am soooo mean and made her get in the freezing columbia river. Thanks for being such a trooper Kristal. (0:

5 weeks young - Vancouver, WA/ Portland, OR baby photographer

2008-06-04T22:55:00.000-07:00

Got to photograph the sweetest family recently with a beautiful 5 week old little girl and 2 furry siblings.

The first one is a new processing I was trying and I am pretty sure I love it. (0:

If you are looking for a baby/newborn photographer in the Vancouver, WA/Portland,OR area please contact me soon to schedule your session. Summer dates are going extremely fast and I will start booking for fall later this month.

fresh baby

2008-06-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

The baby in this belly here decided to make his arrival finally. At just a few days old he was already getting bombarded by the paparazzi. He cracked a few little gas smiles for me too (which is the best thing for a new mom to see) and even went to sleep for me for a while. Here are a few to share for now. Does his little smile not make you instantly smile or what? Soooo cute.

yep...still here

2008-06-02T23:59:00.000-07:00

Just so busy I have been neglecting the little ole' blog. I can lie and say I will be better but am way slammed over the next two weeks and am leaving for our trip to Alaska in 11 days. So excited for that but a ton to get caught up on before that. Here is one session I just got finished and can now cross off my list. We shot these on mothers day (yes, I worked on mothers day, crazy huh?) and the kiddos are so cute. I did their photos at Christmas time and was so happy to see them again. Here are a few to share.

If you are looking for a family photographer in the Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA area please contact me to book your session.

I do........ Polka Dot Photography style

2008-05-28T23:40:00.000-07:00

Shot a lovely wedding last weekend. Man they are a ton of work whew! I felt like I got run over by a train for about two days. I think that means I need to work out but whatever I don't have time to exercise. Maybe I will just do a wedding once a week and that will keep in shape. ha ha. Anyways here are a few pictures from the day and thank you so much Jody and Cory. I had such a good time spending my day with you.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer in the Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA area please contact me {polka dot photography}. I would love to capture your special day for you.

site is down

2008-05-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give anyone a heads up that my site is down temporarily. My hosting company is doing some scheduled maintenance and it will be up shortly. This means, no site/slow site and my pdp email is down. So please call me or email me at this email address if you need to get ahold of me jenifer@polkadotphotography.net

I love Seniors and I love Taggers

2008-05-22T12:50:00.001-07:00

We did this senior session and I have to admit my head was pretty big for ummmm the last week. How many people do you know get their senior photos done with flaming footballs and custom graffiti? Yeah didn't think so. Ty was such a sweetheart and his mom too. We had so much this day. One of my new fave places had a bunch of taggers there this time. They were doing fresh graffiti. I finally went up to them and asked if they would write Ty's name on one of the walls and told them I was doing his senior photos for next year (He is one of rep's for next year). They were hesitant at first but then happily agreed. We were so excited with the result. We took pictures by The big "Ty" writing but somehow I didn't edit that one yet so this will do for now. The shoe picture is special to mom because these were his baby shoes and his new nike's matched. She had to bring both and I am so glad. I love when people have meaningful ideas. I hope this meets your expectation Lori and Ty. I am so excited to be working with you two over the next year.

If you are looking for a Senior photographer in the Vancouver, WA or Portland, OR area, I am currently looking for Senior Reps for the 2008/2009 school year. Please contact me {polka dot photography} for all the details on making your senior portraits unique!

Mr. Josiah is back

2008-05-22T01:30:00.000-07:00

So this little guy from Christmas time is back and he is still so tiny and so stinkin cute. I just love him. Thanks guys for being SOOOOO patient with me during the madness around here. This is one of many photo posts to come. I have been neglecting posting only because I have been too busy to post. Seniors are flocking to me like crazy and I am trying to do portfolios for my senior reps for next year and also have babies popping out of bellies left and right. Mixed in with that is grad invite designing for seniors this year and families. whew. breathe Jenifer breath. ahhhhhhh

If you are looking for a baby/newborn photographer in the Vancouver, WA or Portland, OR area please get a hold of me {polka dot photography} to reserve your date.

7 years old

2008-05-14T22:41:00.000-07:00

He has been pleading with me to do his 7 year photos. I am such a bad mama that I have kept putting it off. I needed to scout out this new location for seniors so we did his photos finally and I am glad I waited for this location. It was so perfect for him and he loved it.

Are you a Junior, going into your senior year next year? I am looking for reps for the 2008/2009 school year. If you are looking for a unique senior portrait experience at a cool location like this in the Portland, OR or Vancouver,WA areas contact me right away. I also do monthly trips to Cowlitz County in Longview and Castle Rock. This would also make a perfect setup for some really fun family portraits.

senior

2008-05-05T23:34:00.001-07:00

One of two senior session I did a few weeks back that I forgot to post on the blog. Seniors are so fun. I am lining up my Senior Reps for 2009 so if you or someone you know is a Junior, going into their senior year next year please have them contact me right away. Please send me a picture of yourself and any info about groups and organizations you are involved in. I will then choose and if you are my rep, you will get a free photo session. You will get a proofbook showing a sampling of your photos to show off to your friends. You will also get a package of small business cards with your picture and contact info on (such as your cell phone number and myspace address)to hand out to your friends. On the backside it will have my info. For every person that refer to me you will get $20 in print credit and they will get a free set of wallets. Senior Rep photo sessions will take place the end of May so contact me right away if you are interested and forward this on to anyone that might be as well.

If you are in search of a Senior Portrait Photographer in the Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR area please contact Polka Dot Photography. I also make monthly trips up to Longview/Kelso and Castle Rock, WA.

Booked for spring etc. etc.........

2008-05-02T23:28:00.001-07:00

Just a heads up for those wanting pictures this spring that there is only ONE day left in May and June is completely booked already so contact me soon if you want the last day. I am booking now for summer session for July and later so reserve your date soon for those, as they will go quickly (especially now that I put a notice on my blog (-: ).

Also, I am new to the whole printing thing and while I order samples to show clients, I may change sizing option as well as mounting. This could change pricing just a bit on the larger prints so please bare with me while I figure out which product is the absolute best to offer you. My goal as your photographer is to offer you a unique experience that you enjoy, memories that will last a lifetime, yet still be affordable. I will also be adding some amazing options including coffee table books, gallery wrapped canvas, and custom cards for the holiday or announcements. Check for peeks of those over the next few weeks. I am so excited to show these off.

If anyone has sent me an email in the last 36 hours or so, or have tried to contact me, my computer crashed. I had the blue screen of death. It was a very scary moment for me, especially when I saw the words "deletion complete". Can you imagine? ugh. Anyways all was well (for the most part) and after toying with it for the last few days it is now ok to use and should not happen again. So anyways if you tried to contact me, my phone has also been being whacky and not getting service in my house so please call or email me again so we can chat or whatever you were needing. (0:

Fat baby's birthday is Sunday and this is a busy weekend of picture taking as well so I will try to post some peeks soon that I have been promising. Oh and I updated the website with some new pictures. Go lookie.

fat baby is turning 1 in just a few days

2008-04-29T00:50:00.001-07:00

My how the time goes by so quickly. It seems it was just yesterday that I was just meeting him. Ben snapped this picture as they handed him to me for the first time. I love that he is screaming like a mad man and I look I just went shopping. Doncha all wish you had easy labors like me. ha ha ha ha ha!

And then comes my favorite picture. The nurse questioned my ability to walk, let alone walk with a big camera since I had an epi. I insisted that I couldn't miss this moment and am so glad that I did. This was taken just about 2 hours after he was born and he was getting his first bath ever by daddy. The nurse said she could cry, that she had never ever seen a baby so content, especially while bathing. Let me tell you that I have a water baby on my hands. He could live in the bath if I let him which is awesome!

And now to the new stuff.....his bday invite. It doesn't really say fat baby in real life so don't get your panties in a bunch. Isn't he so stinkin cute. He loved every minute of our cake smashing session a few weeks ago. My baby boy will be 1 on Sunday. Off to cry now. )-:

baby sydney again

2008-04-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

Just 4 days old and such a cute little chub. I had to post these real quick for mom and dad to see. The day I bought my new baby...I mean camera...I was called to the hospital to do their delivery photos. Within minutes of being in labor, both mom and dad said they were buying it from me. I brought it to them at their session and it was so hard for me to let it go but I know it is good hands. Still so sad though. I was quite attached to the thing but I do love my new beast. It is pretty. (0:

So I do have a crazy amount of new sessions to share soon.....an engagement session for a wedding I am shooting in June, another senior session and others as well. I have been so busy I haven't had a change to post so I promise I will over the next
few days as I struggle to catch up. Anyways, without further ado.....baby (I don't wanna sleep until 8:30 at night)Sydney.

I got to document the most amazing thing

2008-04-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

The gorgeous belly you see here had me do her delivery photos. We had a few false alarms and I have been on alert for the last few weeks answering every call she made to me. It has been an excited time waiting for this little one to arrive and when I got the call at about 5 last night I ran to the neighbors to have someone watch the midgets until Ben could get home. I booked to Costco for an extra memory card because I had just bought a new camera only hours before I got the call and it needed more than my old card. I ran through Costco looking like a maniac or someone who was trying to steal something. It was I am sure
pure entertainment. I got all the way to Longview in record time without speeding and was so excited. We all sat around and laughed and talked until the wee hours of the night.

Baby Sydney arrived healthy, chubby and cute at 2:15 in the morning. We were all exhausted especially momma (who did the most amazing job). I can't even begin to tell you about the amazing experience I had last night in that little room. It was during this whole time I thought to myself how incredibly blessed I am to be able to call this my job. It was this moment that made me so thankful that had chosen me to capture this most precious time with them, their friends and family. I was able to document something so special to them and that right there folks is why I do what I do. For moments....the pain...the tears...the laughter...more tears...and then new life. I am so thankful. Here are a few to share of the little chubba. I love the little foot one. It is so purple and so cute. Hopefully these photos make everyone smile tonight too.

just a few

2008-04-15T00:00:00.001-07:00

Just a few from a gallery that went up tonight. We did her newborn ones a few months ago and now she is all big! I love being able to capture that.

I have seen angels......

2008-04-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

and of course fat baby cheeks. can't go without seeing them.

and my wicked cool new prop. isn't it just the best? I am in heaven.

eat cake

2008-04-09T17:02:00.001-07:00

a little peek from my smash the cake session..........there is a stinkin cute baby turning one in the polka dot world. be prepared to be smothered and overwhelmed with cute pictures of him over the next few weeks.................yummy.

..........

2008-04-09T00:46:00.001-07:00

my computer is sleepy

2008-04-07T23:20:00.000-07:00

I got on the computer today to get knee deep into editing 2 sessions that are due. Now one of my editing programs is going wonky on me. It wont load the pictures properly. Hubby has informed me that my lack of clearing out my pictures and sorting them properly is lagging the whole thing down. I see no problem in my lack of organization. It makes perfect sense to me but apparently not the hard drive. So this means I am knee deep into now cleaning my desktop of, emptying out folders of pictures from like everywhere and going to buy more memory tomorrow. Sooooo not fun all. I will be back to my regularly scheduled crazy ramblings and beautiful photographs tomorrow.

2 posts in one night....yay

2008-04-07T00:34:00.000-07:00

I think this is only the 2nd time I have done two posts in the same day but I promised mom I would put this up tonight. We did senior pictures for him a few weeks ago at their house and I had such a great time doing them. Here are few from the session.

little peanut

2008-04-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

We did the belly photos and now the baby is here........ and she is so cute........ and sweet........ and it makes me wanna have another one........ and I love her......... and I want to eat her up......... and then I see how tired momma is......... and I reconsider my crazy thoughts when I remember how nice it is that fat baby sleeps for 12 hours straight now........ and I never want to go back to that.......well at least not for a while. (0:

love the size perspective with big sisters foot on this one

a big sister that is in LOVE with her baby sister. It was so cute.

I always love doing this shot

She didn't want to sleep much for me so it was hard to scrunch her up like a peanut but I tried my best

little peek

2008-04-05T23:12:00.001-07:00

Here is a little peek for mom and dad. These boys were so stinkin cute and good for photos even with the wet weather. The best part is they live like two blocks from me. I am so happy mom found me! I got to try out my new garage sale find old chair which also made me happy. It was $2 so I ran to my car to dig up change and brought him $1.96 of mainly pennies. He happily took it and off I went with my chair. I soooo love it!!! I need to go to garage sales more often (it was honestly my second time ever going) so does anyone want to join me??? (0:

I love these new little blocks. So perfect for baby and belly photos

and of course a photo shoot from me isn't complete without a feet shot of some sort. It's kinda an obsession and honestly I really think feet are ooogy gross but for some reason I like taking pictures of them.

ahhhhhh and the old chair. so in love with it.

seriously, aren't these two cute or what?

I tried a little bit of a different processing on this one and really like the look of it.

sweet curls

2008-04-02T00:31:00.000-07:00

This three month old was absolutely beautiful. She had the cutest curly hair and the yummiest rolls. I just loved her.

April's peek

2008-03-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

We shot these weekend before last and aren't these two kiddos the cutest? I loved their little skateboards too. More little peek's coming soon for those waiting. (0:

Another gorgeous belly

2008-03-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

So it seems the preggo people are flocking to me lately. I love it because they have all been gorgeous but also because they all booked newborn sessions too and those are my fave! I think this gorgeous belly might take the cake though. She was stunning to say the least and totally up for anything which any photographer LOVES. She has seen these and gave me complete permission to post these. I think they are beautiful and can't wait to share them.

catching up

2008-03-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

So I am still catching up after the last week of sickness. I think I have responded to all the emails but if you have sent me one and I haven't responded please harass me again. (0:
and a photo to share of course.

Such a cute baby belly

2008-03-16T23:28:00.000-07:00

I just had to post these real quick because they are so cute! I didn't realize three of the four are smooching pictures until after I was done with them but oh well. Everyone needs to see a little love once in a while (0: I had so much fun with these two and cannot wait to do the little guys pictures when he gets here.

No I'm not dead, I just feel like it

2008-03-15T23:41:00.000-07:00

So I have about six sessions to post sneak peeks from and then three from this weekend but I have been practically dying in bed since wednesday. Ben had to take the last two days of the week off work because I couldn't get up, let alone take care of fat baby. I have had the crazy 104.7 degree fever for four days. It has dropped a bit but 104's is pretty much the average. I finally went to the dr. today who pretty much told me I was a liar or that my thermometer was broken. I hate doctors sometimes. No, I am not a liar (I am brutally honest just ask my friends) and my thermometer works just flipping fine thank you very much. Anyways it's a virus and the fever is finally down to about 101 so things are looking better. My eyesight seems to be suffering now and I am assuming it was from the high fever so I absolutely cannot edit pictures. Tomorrow will be the day for that I am assuming. The good news though is I lost 6 pounds. Although I would happily have it back to feel better. Ugh. Oh and one of my best friends has the virus. I know, because her little midget gave it to both of us. She had a high 104 fever too. See I am not lying. (0: So anyways, lots of pictures coming soon.

yay! I can post pictures again

2008-03-11T00:47:00.000-07:00

So blogger is not being mean to me and it is letting me post pictures again. Go back and take a look 2 posts down to see the ones I wasn't able to post the other day. Here are a few more to share. I should have posted these weeks ago but spaced it. It is the famous mr. michelin man and he's all grown up.

Updated my schedule and going to Alaska.

2008-03-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

First I need to say that blogger is still not letting me upload images. I keep getting weird server errors so I am not sure what is going on.

I do want to quickly say that I have updated my calender through the end of June. Please go to my WEBSITE and look under my schdule section to see what dates and times I have available still. I am crazy booked for March and most of April although there are a few dates left in April. For June I will booking only one appointment at the beginning of the month because I am doing a trip to Alaska to do photos and will be taking sessions while I am there. That will for sure fill me up for the month will more than enough editing. (0:

I am so very excited to go. We moved from Washougal to Prince of Wales Island and a town called Craig when I was a freshman. I was devastated and it was really hard on me at first but I really did end up loving it there. I got off the rock (as we like to call it) just weeks after graduation and moved back here. The last time I visited was 5 years ago so it has been a while. Ben and Zach will be going with me and fat baby gets to get loved by grandma and grandpa here at home. Anyways Ben has never been and I am beyond excited for him to go and experience "real" fishing. He thinks a 10lb fish is big. I always laugh hysterically when he says this. So anyways just wanted to share this fun news. Go lookie at the calendar if you want any spring/early summer pictures. I am getting new appointments booked just about every single day so make sure to contact me soon.

A little peek

2008-03-08T22:26:00.000-08:00

Here is a little peek for Brienne! Two boys and a third on the way. The second one just says it all. It makes me laugh.

the cutest baby in the whole world

2008-03-07T23:46:00.001-08:00

I have had a ton of sessions over the last few weeks so have lots to share but I just had to share these first. He IS the cutest thing. I say so.

oops

2008-03-04T23:31:00.001-08:00

So I forgot to also post this. Fat baby is officially not a fat baby anymore. He is just seconds away from walking and is just cuter than cute, but because I am his mom I still can call him whatever I want. I took on the challenge of taking a picture of him every single day since the day he was born. I think I have missed about 5 or so days which I think is pretty stinkin good for my really horrid memory. On his month birthday every month we of course take his picture, but we also do his footprints. Today I had my scrapbooking/stamping class that I teach here at my house every month and he wanted nothing to do with dad or anyone else here. He smiled, laughed and cling to my neck for dear life. He has never grabbed ahold of my neck before, or wanted me over someone else for that matter so it made my day!!! All night long it was a game to try and hand him off to Ben just so I could get him to laugh and cling harder to me. I loved it. Sometimes I just need to feel needed and today was one of those days. Anyways I needed to post these pictures because they are too cute not to share. When I was spending time at the Art Institute of Portland doing applications, resistering for classes etc I came across Cargo. It is it really amazing store that brings in all kinds of neat finds from other countries and I fell in love. The ladies were so helpful and gave me a killer deal on all of these chinese wooden boxes (see fat baby sitting on the green one). Next time you are in Portland, you must check it out. I changed my mind about the AI but am so glad that I stumbled upon Cargo in the process.

Thank you!!

2008-03-04T22:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the incredibly large amount of sweet emails and comments on myspace about my site. I am so excited to have it up and am so thankful for everything that I have right now. There are a few people that haven't been able to see the site. Don't fret, sometimes it takes a day or two for it to be seen by everyone for some weird computer reason. So check tomorrow and you should be able to see it if you haven't been able to yet.

Oh and something so inspiring that I wanted to share. My best friend Cori sent this to me and it is so amazing. I hope you all watch it too and walk away with a bit of inspiration, humility, and desire to live your life to the fullest. Thank you for sending it to me Cori. I love you!
Much love,
Jen

It's up, it's up, it's up!!!

2008-03-03T22:56:00.000-08:00

Yes that is me shrieking with excitement right now! I have been checking ALL day and night and my website is finally up!!!! Go HERE to see it and take a gander. I am really, really excited and hope that you all go check it out and let me know what you think. I am still working out some kinks and will add some more detailed info over the next week. yay. yay. yay!!!! Can you tell I am excited? (0:

A beautiful belly to show off

2008-02-29T19:14:00.000-08:00

I shot these last weekend of the most beautiful prego belly (0:
Here are just a few to share. There are more on my site but apparently that isn't up yet. grrrrrrr. I have send them another email to find out what is going on but haven't received a response. Hopefully it will be up any second now. Thanks for your patience everyone. In the meantime enjoy a few of these.

Only one March appointment left

2008-02-27T21:23:00.001-08:00

I am booked through about the second week of april with the exception of one day in March. The date is March 15th and I have a 3:30 appointment available for the first taker. I told you I am filling up fast and the website isn't even up yet. (0: I was hoping the would have it live but I still don't see it up. Keep checking and I will too!

New logo and............... a few other important tid bits

2008-02-26T22:16:00.000-08:00

So my new logo is done and Jared (click his name to go to his site) did an awesome job. I am so stinkin excited (yes I can say stinkin, it's cool ya know). Here is the new logo so I will update my blog banner tomorrow with the new logo etc and it will also be my new watermark on my pictures.

AND what does the new logo mean???? come on people doncha know? (0:
That means my website can go live now!!! yay!!!! So I have sent in the request for it to go live and I believe they say it gets done within 24 hours. So without further ado, my new website is www.polkadotphotography.net click HERE to go directly to it now (if it's up) Go listen to some tunes, gander at beautiful pictures etc etc. I am still going to updating some things over the next week (like the calendar etc) so keep looking. I am also only going to be taking a limited number of sessions each month and I have been booking about 2 month in advance. This means if you want to schedule a shoot this spring, now is the time to book it. I am offering anyone that books a session within the next two weeks a free 8x10 with their session as well. This doesn't mean you have to have your photos taken within the next two weeks, it just means to make your appointment.

On another note if anyone is waiting for a response from me on email or phone and I have neglected you, please harass me. Fat baby and I have been back and forth to the dr's office more times than I can count over the last month or so. Poor sweetie has ANOTHER double, yes I said double, ear infection. UGH this is the third one! Thank goodness he is such a stinkin sweet baby and is actually handling it pretty good. Oh and I did headshots for a mortgage company today. 30 people! So I have been busy. Please comment and give me some love. I need it. (0:

New website teaser

2008-02-23T22:47:00.000-08:00

So I just have to share a little teaser for my new website. Like I said it would be done this week and it almost is. I have been plugging away at it like crazy in between sick kiddos. It sure made me realize how many stinkin cute babies I take picture of. Anyways, we did a shoot a few weeks ago for the sole purpose of being my main images on my splash page of the site. The splash page is the first page that comes up and you can either click on one to go into the regular site or click another to go directly to my blog. It is a pretty neat thing. Here is a portion of one of the pictures that will be on the new splash page. I think it is so stinkin cute I had to share a bit. (-: I am hoping the site will go live on Monday so please please check back!

Tricia's little peek

2008-02-20T22:39:00.001-08:00

Had another 3 month old to shoot and she was another sweetie. Happy the whole time and just beautiful. I love it! Here are a few photos to share for momma and dad to see (0:

P.S. Website is still coming. I should be done with it this week and my new logo will be done too. Yay!!!!!

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-14T22:57:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone's day was filled with lots of love! Mine was and I am so grateful. Here are some love pictures for you! The first one is Z man's card for his classmates and the mailboxes were filled with candy for some of the teachers. The cards apparently were quite the hit! (0: yay!
much love,
jen

More pictures by the old car

2008-02-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

I have had a few people send me messages to see more pictures from the old car shoot we did the other day, so I thought I would share a few more. This is my oldest son and my best friends daughter. The two have grown up together and are like brother and sister so it was fun to do some pictures together of them. We both ordered really big prints to do a series of them on our walls. I am really excited to get them. Anyways the pic of them facing each other in front of the car was taken just right before they held hands in the one I posted the other day. Amanda, here are their funny faces that you requested (0: My guy has a goofy look on his face and Tay is looking at him, like lets get this over with already. They were so funny. Anyways here are a couple more (:

For auntie linny

2008-02-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

...who is calling us impatiently to see these photos. heee heee. we love you lynn.

My favorite baby pictures ever.........

2008-02-09T18:50:00.001-08:00

I had a photo shoot this afternoon of the most beautiful 3 month old baby girl. 3 months is probably one of the trickiest ages to photograph because they don't usually hold their head up very well and they of course can't sit up either. They also usually wake up pretty easily. Well, this little sweet thing proved me wrong and I can honestly say the photos I took today are probably my favorite. I really think you guys all will agree. I got this new little suitcase and haven't had a chance to use it so I brought it today. Once mom got her to sleep, we put her in it and she slept like a champ. It was the sweetest. I was so excited to look at them I started editing them already and am really excited to share them. Please post and tell me what you think. She is so stinkin cute isn't she?

legwarmers are back....did you know?

2008-02-09T00:22:00.000-08:00

I am serious! They are the thing for babies and kiddos and I seriously want a pair (0: Fat baby is a lighting speed crawler and his poor little knees get ouchies if I don't have pants on him at all times. So I finally got him a pair of baby leg warmers to cover up his little knees. Ben thinks I am crazy that I am putting leg warmers on his son but whatever. I think they are so very cute and functional at the same time. Plus his new little shirt is the cutest thing ever. If only you could see the back of it. I got it at a boutique and I love it. We did a big photo shoot today getting images for my main splash page on my website with my 7 year old and my best friends 6 year old. It was interesting, but we pulled it off. Fat baby flies over to my studio setup whenever I have it up. He goes straight for the middle and sits up and looks forward smiling....ready to have his picture taken. It is the most hilarious thing. So here he is hamming it up during the photo session today.

soooo stinkin excited

2008-02-08T01:09:00.000-08:00

There are some really excited thing to come for Polka Dot Photography in the very near future. First, I have Jared at Firehed (click the name to go to his site)making me a new logo. I also got a website and actually just got to play around with setting it up today. It is AMAZING. It will allow you to order your prints directly from a password protected gallery. This is something that I know of a lot of you have requested and I am going to be so excited to offer this. I will still offer cd's though so don't fret. The other excited thing is that I have finally located an amazing photo lab company to do my printing. I always thought that costco did a pretty decent job, but I was incredibly wrong. These are amazing and they offer different textures, and an incredible amount of sizes. Anyways just wanted to share some really exciting news! My website should be done with the next week or so. Please please check back often and let me know what you think! Also here is some sweet pictures that I should have posted weeks ago but I kept forgetting. She is the sweetest little baby and I really hope they have me back again soon. (0:

I love fuzzy hoods

2008-02-06T00:13:00.001-08:00

Sorry to go so long without posting. Fat baby has been sick (all of us actually) and today the dr. said he has his double ear infection still. Poor little guy. We are all feeling better now though and amazingly enough my cell phone that he ate last week has dried up. This means I was able to retrieve all my phone numbers. YAY!!! So anyways, we shot these last Friday. Her daughters are sooo stinkin photogenic and I just LOVE LOVE the fuzzy hood. Isn't she so cute?

Fat baby ate the phone

2008-01-26T00:41:00.000-08:00

I thought I was being sneaky letting him play with it, in hopes that if he ruined it I would get an iphone. Ummmm, hubby doesn't like that idea so I kinda screwed myself. Fat baby decided to snack on my phone today while I was edited photos. The slobber apparently isn't good for electronics and I am ding ding and didn't have phone numbers saved to my sim card. This means I lost EVERY SINGLE phone number I had. It also means I cannot turn my stinkin phone on either so if you tried calling me or want to call me, you might not get me. I convinced Ben that he doesn't use his phone so I put my sim in his so I could at least recieve and make calls now although I don't know anyones phone number. If you need to get ahold of me or if you know I need your phone number, please leave me a voicemail with it or email it to me at jeniferlouise@comcast.net Tomorrow is Zach's bday party and things have been crazy the last few days getting things organized for it. New pictures coming after the weekend, oh and more purses too. LOL!!! (0: Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Anonymous

2008-01-25T00:03:00.001-08:00

So I cannot respond to you when you leave the comment Anonymous. heeee heeee. so post with your name. Is it you Amanda?? (0:

Amy Butler Frenchy Bag #2

2008-01-24T22:44:00.001-08:00

Amy Butler Frenchy Bag #2
Originally uploaded by jeniferlouise

One of my best friends came over yesterday and loved my frenchy bag, so we did another trip to get fabric so I could make her one. I made it last night while Ben got the boys ready for bed. Sewing seems to be the only thing I can do with kids around, because every time I try and sit at the computer baby Jack pulls everything off the shelf below me. It is so frustrating. Anyways I made longer handles on this and only one pocket on the inside, instead of the regular 2. Someone called today and wanted me to make a diaper bag for her so I working on that now. It is so addictive!!!! Oh and I still have more photos to post so don't fret, I just thought it would be fun to see some craftiness once in a while too. (0:

Angie's Sneak Peek

2008-01-24T00:49:00.000-08:00

Here is a small sneak peek from a session we did a few weeks ago. Isn't she the cutest. I will post more from the session tomorrow, including pictures of her brand new baby sister too. (0: enjoy

I learned to sew!!!!!!!!

2008-01-22T17:07:00.001-08:00

Amy Butler Frenchy Bag
Originally uploaded by jeniferlouise

Well kinda anyways. When my great grandma passed away 8 years ago she willed me her singer sewing machine. I have attempted to sew pillow cases and such but it wasn't very user friendly. While at Craft Warehouse a few months ago I couldn't help but drool over this Amy Butler fabric and the pattern to make her Frenchy Bag. The lady at the sewing counter assured me I would be able to make it. For Christmas Ben got me a new sewing machine (one that Marthat uses and I love Martha!) so last night I tackled the project. Look how stinkin cute it is. I am so proud of myself I had to show it off. So who wants one next....LOL!!! (0:

some oldies but goodies

2008-01-21T12:45:00.000-08:00

I am feeling extremely inspired over the last week and I also bought a new action set from HERE. I have been playing with it since last night and love it. I took these photos way back in July but ran across them today so I thought I would try them out with a vintage feel. Whatcha think? I think I love them. (0:

2 posts in one hour......

2008-01-21T00:32:00.000-08:00

I think that is some kind of record right? hmmmmm.
These are from a photo session I did the week after Christmas of my good friend Dana's brand new baby boy and daughter. I am so incredibly blessed to have them in my life and it was such a privilege to be able to document this special time for them. I know you guys are dying to see all of them but here a few to tie you over until tomorrow (0:

Back at it!!

2008-01-21T00:06:00.001-08:00

So somehow even over my "time off" people still found me and suckered me in to doing their photos. I love what I do so much that it is crazy hard for me to say no (0: So anyways, I have a few newborn shoots as well as some others to show. For now, this is one that I took early December that I haven't had a chance to post yet. It was really yucky this day and it poured on us the entire time. It even snowed, but only right before and right after we finished. Dang! She was quite the trooper in the wind and rain and I just love how these turned out. They are going to be part of her senior photos and we are doing more in the spring. I can't wait!!!

Santa's nice list

2007-12-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

So I have one on Santa's nice list and the oldest not so much. Here is the nice one....naughty to come soon. (0: Sorry the colors are kinda wonky. It is what it is and I still love it.

Karens sneak peek....

2007-12-12T01:00:00.001-08:00

This family is special to me because earlier this year, they were my first clients that I didn't directly know. I amazingly wasn't nervous about it, but I think that had something to do with them being probably some of the nicest and funniest people I have ever met. The girls are just adorable and you will recognize their feet and crocs on my banner, business cards and postcards. The first picture collage with the pink border is some photos of them that I had taken earlier this year and the last two are the ones we did last weekend during the snowfall. It was such a priveledge to be invited back in to their home again. Thank you guys so very much for having me back!

In my groove

2007-12-11T23:03:00.000-08:00

So I am pretty proud of my posting lately. I told you I would get better at getting stuff on here and I kept my word. Yay!!! So without further ado, here is a sneak peek of sisters I did last weekend when we had snow. I sooooo wished it would have stuck to the ground but I was happy just seeing it coming down. Anyways, these beautiful ladies were my first shoot with no kiddos. All I can say is man do adults listen and I LOVE that. Thanks girls for being so great, I had a wonderful time.

AND YES, if you are someone waiting for your photos, they will be done by tomorrow as I said yesterday (some will be mailed tomorrow, and the rest on thursday morning). (0:

Some Christmas Photos to share and photos will be done......

2007-12-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

So as promised, here are some photos from a Christmas Photo shoot I did recently. These are some of my favorite people and their boys are seriously the cutest things. They have already seen these but I needed to share them here too.

On a side note, anyones photos I have taken, up until this weekend will ALL BE DONE BY WEDNESDAY. I am hashing it out tonight with my computer and will do the same tomorrow. So if you are waiting patiently Wednesday is the day! yay for everyone (including myself). (-:

Done with Christmas photos!!

2007-12-09T23:15:00.000-08:00

Half way happy and half way sad. Man I need a break to breathe but I love it too. However the next few weeks off are much needed. I should correct myself and say I am done taking them, just not done edited them. I still have a few more days of that. I had my last two sessions today. I had one yesterday too and lucky it was a friend because I conned her into taking our family photos for me too. Made me mucho happy as I refuse to go to the mall and have them done. You did great on our photos Magin! Thanks again! So anyways, there are a crud load of pictures for me to post from sessions over the last month. I am going to try and do a few a day. Tonight I am going to start with a few that I took of my kiddos yesterday and one that Magin took of us after I was done with her photos shoot. So for those of you that have no idea what I look like, here I am. (0: Hope everyone in our area enjoyed the snowfall today. I am excited to take the boys up in the snow this year. Zach will love it. Jack Jack is too little but I need pictures. One can never have too many. More pictures coming tomorrow (0:

My chubby bubba

2007-11-30T17:08:00.000-08:00

We scored a killer deal on a pre lit artificial tree last year so Zachy gets his own tree in his room. He loves it! Baby boy had just taken a bath and was mesmerized by brothers lights. I just love this picture of my chubba chubba.

Sara, Erin and Magin's sneak peek

2007-11-30T16:47:00.000-08:00

A few christmas photos to share so an anxious mom can see (0:

Naughty and Nice

2007-11-30T11:38:00.001-08:00

A little sneak peek for my good friend Yoko and her adorable daughters. The youngest came over in mismatched clothes (as she didn't want to wear anything her sister and mom picked out). I pondered a minute and realized our shade shirt order came in, so we whipped out one of mom's black shirts she ordered, put it on little one. I went through my stash of scrapbooking ribbon and found the cute little black and white polka dot. Yes I love polka dots (0: I then wrapped it around her waist a few times and tied it in a bow for a belt. I also made a matching headband with it too. So mom's shirt is a dress on her but it looked so stinkin cute and she loved it. I will post another pic soon so you can see my fashion ensemble (0: Aunt Jen, the fashion expert, on little girls anyways.

Shannon's Photo Party Sneak Peeks....

2007-11-28T00:12:00.000-08:00

So here are a few photos from a photo party done a few weeks ago. You sure can't beat taking outdoor photos. I just love these.

The first one is for Shannon...I just love taking their pictures, they are so dang photogenic and little "fia" is seriously the cutest.

"Don't do that Dad" this one just made me laugh

Poor little one just wasnt feeling good this day. She was such a trooper and was happy getting cuddled by mom and dad. So sweet.

This whole family was decked out in Seahawks. I loved it!!!! GO SEAHAWKS!!!

All booked up!!

2007-11-26T21:54:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to let you all know two things. First off, I am now completely booked up and will not book any sessions until after the 1st of the year (unless it is a newborn shoot or something like that). I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Second...my printer went kapoop last night so I was unable to finish printing off the covers of photo cds for those of you at Shannon's photo party, your cd's will go out in the mail tomorrow instead of today.

That's it for an update. (0: Sneak peeks coming soon......
Jen