Jenny Spires Photography

Dana & Brian // Wedding // Part One

I met Dana four years ago when we worked together for an incredible organization working with children with Autism. We became fast friends and I can tell you that she is one of the most intelligent, hard working people I know. I have adored that we have become friends through working together; sharing our lives and hardships and laughter (Dana, there are a million jokes that I would love to *insert here*, but none of them will be appropriate for my family friendly blog :). 

More than anything, I've adored watching Dana go through her process of marrying her best friend and soul mate, Brian. As cheesy as it sounds, the two of them complete each other (yes, I just said it) and compliment each other in just the right way. I think it's incredible when two people can find a love like that. And let me also add that I don't think I've ever seen anyone as happy on her wedding day as Dana! She didn't have a stress in the world (she's an uber organizer and incredibly on task...if only I could possess an ounce of that!) and had an unwipable smile a week before her wedding until she left the ceremony. 

I've also split this post into two, which I don't do all that often. I just couldn't cut my images down this time! Look for the slideshow of the wedding day in the next post too!

That beautiful smile..

I adore the look between Dana and her Mom in the above photo. 

Dana chose to put on her dress with only her sister and mom in the room. I love how intimate it was during their first look at Dana all put together. Putting on the dress always makes everything real.

And showing her bridesmaids.

I love the personalized hangers from etsy (not sure which shop).

I LOVE Dana's dress. 

This box held Dana's grandmother's ring. 

Beautiful, stunning girl. 

This moment between she and her sister makes me smile. 

 

Brian, you're pretty handsome yourself! 

The first look was breathtaking. I love that Derrick (my husband and second shooter) captured the image on the right. 

You can see their smiles from a mile away after seeing each other for the first time (or at least 20 yards). 

Ear to ear. 

You think she loves him? I sure do :). 

Cara & Quin // Engaged

He's a golfer, she's a teacher and they met by chance. Cara went shopping at a department store one day when she glanced across the store and saw a boy that took her breath away. It was an instant crush and she quickly thought of ways to get his attention. Since he worked there, she came up with the idea to buy something just to get a bit closer. When it was her turn to ring up the earrings that she cared much less for than the boy who she thought would check her out and hopefully check her out, she was disappointed when another checker stepped in and did it instead. 

After bringing her irrelevant purchase home she could not shake the thought of that boy, so she went back to return the earrings. There he was and she braved her way and introduced herself and they've been together ever since. 

I was delighted to spend the day with Cara and Quin and witness the love that they have for each other. Click here to check out the photos from the rest of their day.  

It took no time to know that these two would be easy to photograph. And hello floral, I LOVE this dress. 

Cara and Quin have an easiness to them which was so transparent in their photos making my job simple :). 

Cara, you are incredibly beautiful. 

See the heart sunglasses behind them? I love. 

Striking. And in Cara's own words, Quin, you look a bit GQ yourself. 

And a bit of silliness. 

I've been wanting to photograph someone in front of this building for forever. Love me some birdies. 

It did not disappoint. 

Lovely.

And off to the golf course, which we made feel not like a golf course.

 

This little corner was a favorite. 

And we couldn't miss the evening light as it went over the mountains and straight into our horizon. 

 

Thank you, you two! I cannot wait until all of the one's align (11-11-11...get it?). 

Sarah & Michael // Engaged

I met Michael six and a half years ago in a small group on Thursday nights right after Derrick and I first moved to Arizona. It's crazy to me that we've lived here that long; that we've had friends that we've been able to build such amazing relationships with. I adore that kind of knowing that you can gain in friends over so much time.

When we all got to meet Michael's new girlfriend, Sarah, last year, we instantly knew she was great. She's a genuine kind of girl. What you see is what you get and I really love that about her. I also love that she gets a bit giddy everytime she talks about her boy, which she does quite a bit :).

During their shoot I felt like we were all able to just be with one another and it made for fantastic photos. Michael was beyond sweet to his lady all day; opening her car door, walking next to her with his hand on the small of her back, sitting next to her with his hand on her knee and often offering sweet kisses even without the camera aimed. And I was the lucky one to witness such a sweet love evident by the sparkle in Sarah's eye everytime he did. 

Click here to view the rest of their photos from their day (I actually teared up when I watched this after I made it. And yes, I realize that I'm cheesy enough to cry at something I made myself...gees). 

I was head over heals in love with some of our locations. I headed out super early and was greeted by a Jazz Festival that was going on in the same neighborhood that we were shooting in. I felt like the music and the buzz of the crowds inspired me to look a little deeper into what was around me. Maybe I need to strap on my ipod and load up the jazz every time I go scouting, huh?

I really, really like Sarah's tattoos. She's a really amazing chef (I've tasted her food and I really do mean amazing) and has reflected her passion with vegetables onto her arm. I love how organic it is, literally ;). 

Rose bushes and orange trees kissed with a little bit of light. I really need a back yard so I can have my own.

Sarah, you are beautiful. You cannot take a bad picture...I had such a hard time narrowing them down!

Look at those blue eyes. 

And hers too!

And Sarah, how could I have not mentioned your hair yet? Ugh. ...a good ugh.. I adore your color and am jealous of those curls! Beautiful. 

The background of this photo was almost a little Christmassy, but I still loved it. 

I felt like I was in northern Michigan here...but nope, just Phoenix :). 

See? Oranges. Definitely not Michigan. 

Thanks Michael and Sarah! I had such an amazing evening with you!!!! 

Katie and James // Engaged

And they've been engaged for a while...and already married too. We did this shoot back in the Christmas rush and I have so many sessions that I just never got to when it came to blogging. I was getting ready to post their wedding and I debated back and forth about posting this and after much tug of war in my brain, I finally decided to do so. There were so many I just loved and it was such an incredible day with them to not! So forgive me, internet, for my tardiness as I've decided in this case it's better late than never. 

Katie, James and Zeus joined me in Old Town Scottsdale at the Civic Center to shoot their photos. It was a gorgeous evening and I had a ball getting to know these two three. When we arrived to our spot, the Greek Festival was majorly underway. I've definitely got to start checking calendars at locations because I've snuck up on a few events lately. I will say, however, the ambiance of the festival definitely leaked into our shoot and I love how carefree we ended up being together. You'll see little boys and girls dressed in their costumes peaking through here and there too. 

This was literally the first shot I took. You know, the am-I-supposed-to-stand-like-this or should-my-hands-be-here-or-in-my-pockets and am-I-looking-at-you? Yes. To all of it. Just do whatever and let's get comfortable, which Katie and James definitely did right away. If you have never shot with me before, you should probably know that I also say some of the wierdest things to get the real laughter. So when it looks like everyone is laughing together, they probably aren't. I probably said something dorky and they are actually laughing at me. 

Right after the photo above, I yelled for Zues to come to me and he did... I couldn't believe it! 

And he is not photoshopped in either, people. Zeus, the flying god. Katie and James put this in their bathroom as artwork (because they got these pictures forever ago, remember?) and they told me that it is such a conversation piece....not so much in the bathroom, but when people come out I mean. 

Right at me every time. We could have done this all day. 

The photo above was actually loitered with naughty words that I didn't see until after I edited this particular photo. I talked to Katie later and asked her if she wanted me to take them out and she said leave it; it'd be another conversation piece :). And stop squinting, I took the words out of this photo. I mean, gees, this is a family blog. 

See our little Greek Fest friends behind? I still adore this photo. 

I really like happy people. 

And silly people. 

This was my favorite spot of the day. 

I think it was theirs too. 

Katie is smokin' here, huh?

Thanks James and Katie! Watch for your wedding photos soon!

A birth story.

Hold on to your seat, I'm posting again. Whoa. And I have tons more in the works, so if you've been waiting (for a real long time), brace yourself. It's gonna be a little crazy around here. 

I just got online and found this amazing birth story that I just had to share from my good friends Michael and Christy, who only yesterday gave birth to their third baby boy, Crosby Sawyer. Micheal owns Lomaland Productions, where he shoots and creates beautiful videos and stories full of emotion and I am left speechless at this video he shot and put together of their incredible day. 

Christy, you are beyond beautiful and even in the labors of childbirth you shine. Michael, this is such an incredible memory. You are both incredible parents and your boys are blessed to have you both to teach them and love them. 

Crosby Sawyer from Lomaland Productions on Vimeo.

Karie // Connect the Dots Promotions

Last week one of my favorite people and closest friends called me on a whim, I have four people asking for headshots of me and I was wondering if we could get them done fast. Yes, I told her, of course.

I showed up to her house a couple of days later with her entire family in check. I put Maya down to play with the kids and Karie's sister swooped to run her upstairs to make her even more beautiful. The rest of us followed the kids outside to catch up and within minutes, Karie came out looking downright fantastic. My jaw dropped to the floor and even I wanted to take her on a date. She showed me a photo of the look we wanted and we all practiced our smizing with her while I eyed the light around us. 

And this is all it took; 10 minutes in the perfect light of her very own backyard. I might be obsessed of these photos of her. They are so simple, but she is just breathtaking and I am so happy to be able to give her these moments. I love knowing that she'll always think of more than just the surface image when she sees them. She'll think about that day with her sisters all home surrounding her. Picking out just the right jewelry and the quiet moment doing her hair. And then sifting through each one when they were finished and all together picking just the right ones. 

Here is my beautiful friend:

As the owner of Connect the Dots Promotions, Karie is one of the most honest, passionate business women I know. I've been able to watch her career grow in the last few years and I couldn't be more proud of her and where she has come. She's had to make some very tough desisions based on her faith and trust in the Lord. I feel as if I've grown so much in my own journey through watching her strength in all of this. She strives to be in the top of her industry in marketing and truly connects to people in a way that makes them feel like they are old friends. Everyone needs a Karie in their life (just as a friend or even if you need some marketing jobs done --yep, that's a plug!). 

Karie, I'm so glad we did this! I love you! 

The Stone Family // Baby Makes Three

I have had the joy to once again photograph dear friends of mine. I've been taking their pictures since Jaclyn was a tiny baby and I couldn't wait to get my camera on these blonde little beauties again, let alone their gorgeous-and-about-to-pop-any-day mama, Kristi. Ok, ok, and Ryan, you're pretty good lookin' yourself. I'm totally digging the longer hair, by the way, totally studly. 

I made these guys dig out their jogging shoes to trek their way back into my favoritest spot to get these pictures. I could come here over and over again..I might even do my own family photos here soon. We'll see. 

I can't believe how big this beautiful girl is getting. I love that she can talk to me all day long about each and every Disney princess there is out there and that she was up for any little pose that my heart desired. 

I love every little detail in this photo. It's all little girl (which my heart has a very big place for since I have one of my own). 

And this handsome little man could've knocked me over with those sparkly blues. Every little girls heart should be still. As much as his sister could twirl her socks off with girliness, Brayden was every bit of boy playing with rocks and beind amazed at every cool (well..gross) bug his dad could find. 

Just the two of them for just a few more days!

And Baby number three. Kristi and Ryan always wait to find out what they are having. They also wait to tell everyone what they are naming their baby. All of this said, it drives me nutty! I cannot WAIT to see what it is, but I'm sure it will have hair that is blonde and probably some blue eyes to go with it. 

Kristi, I cannot get over how gorgeous you are right now. Every woman in America would die to look like this right before they have their third child. You are stunning. 

May I please order a small field filled with (dead) grass surrounded by trees please? Oh, thank you. 

I just like these two. And I just like that 15 seconds before this amazing shot, Ryan was making super goofy faces to make us all laugh. And I really like sticking people in trees for a photo. Hmm. 

More Mama-Daughter pictures. Yep, I took a lot. 

Ok, ok, we'll get some with both kiddos in there. Mama's like taking pictures with their little boys, too. 

See? 

Thanks Stone Family for hanging out with me! 

Any guesses on what they are having??? 

Cassie & Phil // Engaged

These people make me happy. They are the kind of people that light up a room when they walk in, usually saying something funny or offering an ear to ear smile and then a huge hug. The kind of people that within five minutes of meeting them, you realize that they are honest and genuine; what you see is what you get. The kind of people that live with their faith on their sleeve and live it out loud. These are the the people that you want to have as friends because they will bring enrichment to your own. 

I'm really, really lucky to call Phil and Cassie my friends. I met Phil a long time ago back in college at Anderson University in Indiana. We ran in similar circles and I would often see him walking around campus in his back pack with his duct-tape hanging from the bottom and never walking alone. When I moved out to Arizona a year or so after school, I found out that Phil and a few other mutual friends lived here as well and started going to the same church as him. We've been close friends since. 

It's been a joy for me to watch Phil walk through life these last several years. I've watched him through different points of his career, friendships, faith and relationships. I remember chatting with him on a hike with several friends about this girl that he was interested in. I knew from the way he talked about her in that conversation that she was a fit. Thank the Lord he did because I don't think there is anyone more perfect than Cassie. They are incredible together. She matches him in wit and personality and they are exactly what each has been praying for their whole lives. 

Check out the rest of their day with me here (a little music request from Phil :)). 

I love that he makes her smile like this :). 

Cassie, you have such a raw beauty about you, stunning girl. 

Had to bring some Indiana into the photos! Go Colts!

Thanks Phil and Cassie for an amazing day and allowing me to photograph the two of you together. I can't wait for your wedding!!!!!!! 

Daniella & Zach // Engaged

I like it when I meet people with a story; something that defines who they are and how they started. I love hearing how they met and the more interesting the story is, the better. As I've spent more and more time with Danni and Zach between their client meetings and a few hours shooting them, I have discovered that they had several stories. I've felt like a little child sitting in the corner story time area as a fairytale was laid out before me. Everything between them contains a sentiment and an explanation. They've grasped on to the details over the years that they've known each other and the five years that they've dated. And when it came time for their shoot, we all thought it would be fun to capture some of their story as well. 

See their whole shoot here in their slideshow and, yes, the songs were from their second and fourth year of dating...they have one for each year they've been together.

Danni wore her grandmother's bracelet that was a gift to her a few years back. I love how she styled it with this amazing shirt from Anthropologie (sorry ladies, they don't sell it anymore, I checked!). 

When had begun dating, Danni and Zach used to walk to this park in their neighborhood to hang out all the time. It became a meeting point and then it became theirs. 

They met there so much that they named it (more on the journal drawing later in the post). 

As they were swinging and telling me old stories from different trips here; they told me that this is one place they have never kissed. I think it's sacred and special that they've kept it this way all this time. AND I'm super glad they told me before I had them make out for their photos! 

He still tried though :). 

But Danni held her ground and Zach pulled out a few of his other tricks. 

Which she let him do. 

Something I've learned is that Zach is insanely creative. When they told me that he proposed with a video that he made himself using legos, I made them bring them to our shoot. He also wrote and performed the song that accompanies it. Check it out here. 

Next, we headed over to another favorite spot of mine. When we were discussing the look and feel, I knew this would be the place for them. I love how they are all smooshed together like one little entity in this photo. 

He just loves her. 

I love her hair. I want it. I love her eyes, they are so beautiful. And let's talk about her skin. Flawless. This girl did not take a bad picture all day.

Serenading Danni on the cigar box guitar that he made. It sounded awesome...I couldn't believe he made it.

I wonder what she is telling him here. 

Who knew I would fall in love with an old, rotten log? 

Danni, you are beautiful. Zach, you're not so bad yourself! 

I showed Danni the photo on the right right after I took it and she got so excited that it made Zach blush. That's what I'm talkin' about :). 

One of my favorites of the day. This deserves to be a huge canvas on their wall, don't you think?

Zach made this journal for Danni a few years ago and each of the pages represented different parts of their relationship. 

 

Thank you Danni and Zach for sharing so much of who you are with me! 

Ashley & Ben // Engaged

I love it when I stumble across those little times in life when I get to witness something so beautiful that it takes my breath away for days. Observing and capturing Ashley and Ben for a day was one of those times. I felt a little lucky to see such a cute boy love and care for his adorable girl. They had an incredible chemistry together that showed through the way Benn could hardly take his eyes off of Ashley and how he would make her so giddy that she would blush more times than I could count. And in the end, when the sun was going down over the mountains, we walked away from a little adventure that captured such a pure and Godly love between two amazing people. I was honored to have been a little part of it.

Click here to check out the rest of the images of their day...no really, check it out, it makes me grin like I'm watching a cheesy chick flick it's so good :). 

Thank you Ashley & Ben. I cannot wait to celebrate your wedding day with you!!