Jenny Spires Photography

The Maclean Family

I met Holly a few months ago when I went in to get our 18 week ultrasound. She just happened to be the amazing ultrasound tech that I mentioned in the post then! How fun is that? We happened to talk about photography when she mentioned that our Baby Girl was quite photogenic and was giving her a lot of great shots. Derrick and I looked at each other and laughed and Derrick told her that that was a good thing cause I was a photographer! She said that she had been needing some new pictures of her kiddos and that was that! I was so glad because her kids were SO much fun to shoot! Such a cute family and we picked a super fun location that I thought portrayed them really well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Maclean Family! I hope you love them!

The Ba family is...

{Update} Due to the request of the parents, I've taken down this post for privacy purposes! Thanks so much for understanding!

...one of the cutest families I've laid my camera on. I was tickled sideways when Mo (dad) suggested a new spot for me to photograph his family last weekend. We headed down to Scorpion Gulch at South Mountain and took advantage of the setting sun over the mountains while I chased his beautiful girls and family around. It was a great location! I could have kept on shooting if the sun would've let us! Such a simple, serene little place. I enjoyed following his girls and beautiful wife through the old, broken down house and allowing the girls to create moments. At this age, it takes a lot of patience to get the shots, but I usually find soo many more than I would've otherwise! I love my job :).

The Webb Family: Family Photos

Cool name, by the way (it was my maiden name and no we're not related)! I got together with some friends to do their family photos yesterday on Market Street in Scottsdale. I took the laid back approach (my favorite, by the way) and let their boys just play around and explore for a little bit while they got used to me and my camera. The unplanned pictures are always my favorite anyway! We had a ton of fun, which I'm pretty sure you're going to be able to tell by the photos and the boys were up for anything! Loved it! Such a beautiful family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jamie & Justin: Married // Part One

It was a beautiful San Franciscan afternoon as the temperature cooled to the upper seventies and the fog rolled in over the hills. I met Jamie that morning to begin capturing her wedding day and was blown away by the ease, beauty and love that I met there. This was the day that Jamie and Justin chose to make their vows to one another. To continue a lasting and close friendship, that remains evident to those around them. To cherish and proclaim their love to one another. It was a beautiful day.

Here is Jamie, calm and collected, being pampered for her day.

 

 

 

 

Here she is in the limo reading Justin's letter to her..

Unconditionally.

Their wedding was at the stunning California Golf Club, which set their day up with poise and charm.

Loved her shoes!

Beautiful and stunning girl.

First look.

 

They were so giddy to see one another!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved the charm of this early 1900's building!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gorgeous, right?

Jamie's stunning bridesmaids.

 

My favorite.

Justin's groomsmen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Justin and Jamie for allowing me to be a part of your day! Congratulations!!!

 

Baby Avery Layne

One of the first photos I took when I was considering photography as a career was of my friends little girl, Emma. I wasn't sure if I wanted to do all of this yet, but here we are a few years and a few shoots later with this wonderful family. What's even better is that over the years our families have become close friends and I adore following them around with my camera still!

Here is a little Saturday morning shoot with one of my favorite families and their newest addition, Avery Layne.

Doing their thing.

 

Doing her thing. Love how she plays in that little dress.

She's not so sure about this..

Ok. That's better.

This lasted point four seconds! Big sister was so on the go.

Isn't she so beautiful?

 

Karie and her new baby girl.

My favorite!

Daddy and Avey Baby.

I think I'm obsessed with those little feet...and yummy little thighs.

 

Bright eyed girl.

 

She wanted her own ring shots, too.

 

Thanks guys!

The Prather Family

One of the things that I love, love, love about my job is that I control it. I am my own boss so to speak. When I first started out in this industry, I gave away a lot of shoots to build my portfolio. I made a lot of easy deals. Now that I'm neck deep, I've had to get serious and really draw a good line at the deals I make and shoots I give away. Not that I wouldn't love to give everybody and their brother a good deal, but I'm also a business woman and have to make some dinero too!! It used to be kind of gray, but I think I have a good system now.

One of the wonderful things I have kept in my 'system', however, is being able to provide family photography to my pastors at church. Growing up as a pastor's kid myself, we were always well cared for and showered with gifts from our church families. Providing photographs is sort of a pay it forward that I can do for them. And let me tell you, it's easy for me to do because we have such a tremendous staff at my church and Derrick and I definitely call them family. Our church is our home here. Our mission at church is to love each other with no strings attached and I've taken this a bit literally and given this gift that I am able to give them with no strings. Just memories in the form of pictures.

This shoot is of our Children's Minister, Lori and her family. When I asked Lori what kind of story she wanted her shoot to tell, she answered that she wanted a laid back, fun feel because that's what reflects her family. They also wanted to shoot at Papago Park because that's where they spend a lot of time as a family.

 

I've really come to enjoy photographing pre-teen and teenage girls. I think that at this age (especially since we live in the era of America's Next Top Model) a lot of girls really just like having their pictures taken. I had so much fun with Megan. I loved her little sense of style and her giggly, free spirit. Such a beautiful girl!

And I mean, how can you not just dig these shoes? I think I need her to help me out in the accessories department for sure!

These two reminded me a lot of my brother and I at this age. A sweet love between them; playful and bantering all within two seconds.

 

 

Their playfulness..

 

Is he not so stinkin' cute?? Watch out Mom and Dad...the ladies'll be a knockin'.

 

I know this one is similar, but I couldn't resist his bashfulness.

I set Megan up here and we both got up with little spur thingies stuck to our behinds! She was a trooper and sat through it for me for just a sec before we got up!!! So worth it though, I loved this photo.

One of my favorites.

A little family fun.

And even more fun..they totally got into this!

This is my favorite of this little man. He was kinda grumpy by this point (boys don't enjoy the photo thing like the girlies do sometimes...). But when I saw it, I fell in love with this look of little boy that seeped through. Such a sweet little moment that if I had to bet, will make his mama melt too.

Maybe it's because I know I'm having a daughter now, but I love this photo. I hope you stay this close for ever!!!

 

Just love it.

And of course the daddy-daughter..

He found a heart rock and was all mine again for the photos! Good find!

 

One last photo of this wonderful family! Thanks for all you do and for setting such a wonderful example as a family!

Baby GIRL Spires!!!

Derrick and I went to the doctor today for our 18 month ultrasound. I've been so very excited to figure out what this baby is. I've not really let myself go one way or another with thinking it was a boy or girl until the last couple of days. Derrick's been referring to it as a he or boy and I think that finally swayed me to think so too, not to mention almost everyone has thought it would be a boy!

I knew on my way to the appointment that I'd be pretty emotional; every time I thought about the moment that the ultrasound tech (which, by the way, was one of the nicest people anyone could've asked for to deliver news like that. You would have thought that this was the first time she's told someone news like this. I was so thankful for her!) would say what the baby was, I'd choke myself up. So when I was laying there with gucky stuff all over my belly and the ultrasound stick-thing showing us these super-clear, vivid pictures, I knew I was in for it. I warned them both that I was definitely going to cry when she told us.

Right away, everything was really clear as to what we were seeing. We saw her head, her profile, her little feet and hands. Then she'd turn and we could see her back and cute little bottom. She was pretty active. I would see her little leg kick up and then simultaneously feel a flutter. So crazy! Then the tech got to the good stuff and I think we all just sat there holding our breath. Every now and then I thought I saw what I thought was a little Peter, but the tech would be quiet and I just couldn't wait anymore. Finally, she said, "With 100% certainty, you are  having a little girl."

I was right. I cried like a little baby. I was so choked up, I couldn't say anything. I just looked over at my sweet husband and he had the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face. He was all lit up. That made me cry more. He put his hand on me and then we just watched as everything was explained to us. 

It was such an experience that I can't even explain. One of the most wonderful moments in my entire life. To find out that I'm going to have a little girl. Words can't even explain! Needless to say, we're both pretty excited. I don't think that Derrick is disappointed at all that this little baby is a girl, not with the look he had on his face.

Here's the pictures that we got to take home.

 

 

 

 

Alicia & Tyler | Engaged

I've known Alicia for a couple of years now and I was thrilled when she told me that she wanted me to photograph her engagement! I knew it would be a fun one because of her spunky, cute personality; and I was so right! I don't think I've ever had more fun on a shoot! I actually don't think I've laughed more in a shoot! To top it off, Tyler's personality paralleled Alicia's and it was so much fun to see them together and enjoying the day and it was so clear that these two are ready to be together in marriage. They told me that this was the first time that they'd had 'professional' photos done of the two of them and to give them LOTS of direction. They hardly needed any.. I loved the dynamic that they naturally brought.

We met up early morning at DC Ranch in Scottsdale and we were already battling the Arizona July heat. We had all loaded up with the necessary items to keep cool and we managed to get some awesome photographs despite it. Thanks for being such great sports, Alicia and Tyler!

I'm pretty sure this first one was a test shot for lighting and I couldn't help but love the way Tyler watched Alicia. Sweet, unscripted moment.

Lookin' studly, Tyler.

Alicia informed me later that she can't do serious photos very well.. I'm pretty sure this look lasted for point two seconds before she cracked a big, gigantic smile.

 

 

 

 

Another momentary serious look. Doesn't she look hot here! Ow, ow!

......and then laughter. Told ya.

Ha! Ok, this was ALL Tyler. He decided he wanted to choreograph the next shot and took the director position. I'm pretty sure I was crying laughing as they both stood there and I'm not sure if he really expected me to take their picture or not, so Tyler, this photo is just for you. I made it all pretty for ya.

Love the composition of this one with all the vertical lines and color.

Let's just capture what these two did the majority of the shoot. Laugh. I love it.

So cute.

Paper...

Rock...

 

Scissors... not really sure who won here!

I don't think it mattered :).

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks guys for rocking this shoot! It was SO much fun! I can't wait to hear all about your wedding..I'll be home having a baby or something like that!!! :)

Lindy.

When I first moved to Arizona 4.5 years ago, I came only knowing 2 people. My best friend, Amy, and my then boyfriend (now husband), Derrick. Such a big thing moving across the country to the Great Out West, leaving all of my family behind in Michigan and Indiana. I wasn't scared at all, just excited to see what future lay ahead.

A couple of months after moving, a church was recommended to me through my Dad and some friends that I had found here. Considering that Dad had just emailed me a list of churches he knew of that I may be interested in (being that he is a pastor, he always knows of some to scope out) and meeting some mutual friends that I had gone to college with telling me about one of the choices on his list, I figured I had better check it out.

The next Sunday, I walked into a brand new church and was immediately greeted by a beautiful, smiling Lindy. She shook my hand and asked me if I was new. When she discovered that I was, she didn't waste any time asking questions getting to know me. She was a warm, friendly breath of fresh air and she alone made me want to come back. She was even part of the committee to bring brownies to newcomers and made the trek all the way to my apartment to deliver them.

A few months ago, Lindy approached me and wanted me to document a very important chapter in her life. She has spent the last 8.5 years working very hard to receive her Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. What a precious moment I could give her. She asked that I just document the day as it unfolded. It was much more 'unscripted' than most of the shoots that I do and I so enjoyed experiencing her day filled with smiles and joy. I came early enough to sit through the entire ceremony and found myself surprisingly blessed by the messages that different people delivered. Lindy also shared with me that she has a love for black and whites in which I enjoyed doing for her. I usually find myself drawn to color more often than not, but I felt when I was all done with her photos that it was appropriate to her series.

Please enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathleen : Jenny Spires Photography Senior Session

I've been super, SUPER excited to shoot this little lady's senior photos for awhile! And poor Kathleen had to suffer through the end of my morning sickness with me while waiting just a teensy bit longer to get her sneaky peaky! Thanks for being ultra patient Kathleen! I hope this was all worth the wait!

When my friend Marcie told me that one of her dancers (she was a pom and cheer coach at a local high school) wanted to book me for a photo shoot and I was thrilled! I had met Kathleen a couple of times at our church and heard what a fantastic dancer she was and was pretty darn thrilled that she wanted me to shoot her! I knew from her style and personality already that we would hit it off and have some awesome photos ahead of us :).

I took Kathleen and her mom downtown. Maybe I shouldn't be driving people around in my husband's stick shift car??? I'm pretty sure I turned it into a nervous adventure with me weaving all over downtown in that little car! We had some good laughs out of my awesome driving, especially me trying to pull out of an uphill parking spot. I rock.

When we found our locations, I took out my camera to do some test lighting on Kathleen and these first two are some of the first shots I got. I love her cute energy! She was slightly nervous, but the performer in her gave her confidence and then we made some magic after I cracked some corny jokes for her to loosen up to!

I love these kind of shots. Sweet smiling, off in the distance.

I'm dying right now cause this girlie's eyes are beautiful!!!

One of my favorites from this shoot..

Yes, I did make a photo out of a random cluster of electric meters. Actually, two separate groups of them.

Love that she did some dance moves for me!

Don't you kinda feel like this isn't Arizona? We loved this church we found downtown.

Bustin' out ghetto Kathleen :).

Cool. Even cooler cause I've never been able to move my body like this!

This feels like an ad for a clothing store. I died and went to heaven when she busted out this hat.

Uh....we didn't trespass or anything to get these shots. I would never do that.......... ever. ;)

One last location downtown with a cool, old, little hotel. Walk the line.

Beautiful.

Thanks Kathleen for making beautiful photographs with me! I hope you love them!