I am so excited to announce the next phase of Jacquelyn McHenry Photography: JM Actions and Templates!!  I am just getting it up and running, so I’d love your feedback.  Feedback on the products, the site, the checkout process, everything!

And…..a Soft Opening wouldn’t be much fun without a SALE.  So – for a limited time the Web Boards Template AND Action pack are BOTH on sale for $1.99 each.

More products will be rolled out slowly – so check back often.  The Grand Opening date will be announced soon.  But, for now enjoy a sneak peek at what we have going on.

I know I mentioned a while back that we were now offering Organic Bloom frames.  Well, I recently got my first order in and let me tell you – I am IN LOVE!!!  They are absolutely beautiful.  They have literally thousands of frame combinations that you can choose from: check them out online HERE!  Each frame is handcrafted and gorgeous!!!  If you are interested in purchasing any Organic Bloom products let me know and I can get pricing information to you!

I know…..crazy……but it is that time of year again!  I had a really hard time finding some open dates to do mini sessions.  My calendar is SO full right now (which is a good thing, right).  Anyway, I have 2 dates set for Christmas Mini Sessions.  October 30th we’ll be in Glendale.  November 20th will either be back in Glendale, in Surprise, or possibly Estrella (depending on response).  Sessions will be 20 minutes and you will sign up for a time slot.  Session fee is $50 and you’ll get (1) 8×10 AND (2) 5×7′s.  If you are interested, please let me know ASAP to ensure your spot on the schedule.  If you are interested in booking a regular session, I am currently booking into January.  If you need something sooner than that contact me ASAP and we’ll see if we can find a time to work you in!

Okay – so I’m going to brag on myself for a minute.  haha.  As some of you may know, I have tried in the past to crochet (very unsuccessfully, I might add).  Well, my mom crochets (or use to) and when she came out to visit a couple of weeks ago I decided to make her work.  She was going to teach me to crochet.  Well, it didn’t take long to figure out what I had been doing wrong all this time.  For those who are crocheters, I was ALWAYS doing my stitches into the back loop and not taking the whole thing…..so I kept getting these crazy lines in my stuff and it never looked smooth and nice.  But, now I was on a roll.  We bought some patterns from RAKJpatterns and got busy.  We made hats, headbands, leg warmers and the most adorable skirts (and HEAVY – 3 skeins of yarn for each one) I have ever seen.  I’m not going to pretend it was easy.  I had my mom start making everything first so she could give me all the lessons learned and tips in reading the patters that she had to work her way through.  So, when it came time to make the skirt she went first.  Here is the adorable skirt that she made (and I made the headband to match it).

And then it was my turn.  It took me about 4 times as long as it took her, but I did it.  I am beyond proud of myself!!!  And my mom made the cute slouch style hat with tassels to go with it (I haven’t attempted that yet).  What do you think???  They both will fit a little girl from about 6-12 months old (maybe even up to 2).  I can’t wait to have someone to try them out on!!

Thanks for letting me brag!    It does take me forever to make anything and my husband will kill me if I add another “thing” to my pile of stuff I do.  I do have some crafters that I LOVE to use.  Check out Mama Meg’s Yarn Shoppe for custom made crochet items and Crochet My Love or RAJKpatterns if you are in the market for patterns.  Happy crocheting everyone!!

Who is the Photographer behind Jacquelyn McHenry Photography?

I already feel like my clients are my friends.  Whether I have known them for years or if I have just met them.  I just love interacting with people and getting to know so many wonderful individuals and families in the valley.  However, I don’t feel like I “know” all my online friends as well.  While I talk to some of you a lot and read what is going on in your lives, there is always a little something missing when you can’t put a face with a name.

Well, I am Jacquelyn McHenry.  Here is the most recent photo of myself (I know I need to do a session of Head Shots – hopefully I’ll get around to that soon).  So, for now you have to take me with my adorable new daughter.

Okay….so it is really just a photo of my daughter and you can’t even see my face.  Oh well, I’ll get a new photo for you all soon!

As you can see I am a mother.  I have 3 wonderful children.  I have two boys who are 5 and 3.  They are full of energy and ALL boy.  And, I have my precious little girl.  She will be 2 months old tomorrow.  She is growing and changing so fast!!  Maybe it’s because I am a mom and I love having photos of my kids, or maybe its because there is nothing more special than the bond between parent and child, I don’t know.  But I LOVE to photograph growing bellies and brand new babies!!  Don’t get me wrong, I love the older children and families too, but there is just something so wonderful about a new baby.

I am also a wife.  My husband is in the Air Force (Reserves).  We have moved around a lot and as a result found that we were always trying to find a new photographer.  So frustrating when you have someone you love to capture images of your growing family only to move and start the search over again.  When I had my first son, we lived in South Carolina and had an AMAZING photographer.  When we moved to Phoenix in 2007 I struggled to find someone to capture those fleeing moments for us.  When our second child was born I decided I’d just do it myself….and things have only grown from there.

So…I am a Photographer.  Growing up I took a camera everywhere.  I started with a Polaroid and finally got a little 35mm that never left my bag.  I was a photographer for my High School yearbook, GO RAMS, and enjoyed taking wildlife photos in the early morning hours when I went “hunting” with my dad.  I sat freezing in a tree stand with my camera….and loved every minute of it.  After college I finally got a digital camera – a HUGE Kodak point and shoot.  Not the best camera in the world, but oh the possibilities of the digital era.

When I started shooting for my family and friends I was using a Nikon D60.  I continued to use that little camera for a long time and it now has a place in my backup bag.  For the past year I have been shooting with a Nikon D700 (which I absolutely LOVE) and primarily use an 85mm f1.8 and a 50mm f1.8 lens.

As you can probably tell, I am not a writer.  So, if these tidbits seem to be disorganized and out of order – well, it made sense in my head when I was writing it.  haha.

Be on the lookout for periodic spotlights on other business men and women in and around the photography industry.  In an effort to get to become “friends” with my social media “friends” I will be on a mission to get to know you guys better.  So, watch out for my invitation to be a guest on my blog.

We recently started a Facebook fan page.  Although our regular Profile has been active for a while and will still contain current information, Please also “Like” or fan page.  We are trying to find the best way to communicate with everyone and are excited for some changes coming in the future!

Well, it is Fix it Friday at I Heart Faces.   They give Photographers a photo to “play” with.  Today’s photo was taken by JaimeLee at Candidly Grateful.  The top photo is the original file that was given to us and the bottom file is my 10 minute fix!!  I really love this photo and hope you enjoy my vision for the edit.

I am testing the Wordbook plugin for WordPress to automatically post items to Facebook.  We’ll see how it works.

I will be in Panama City, FL from June 2nd through June 17th.  If you would like to book a session while I am there, just let me know! Photos@JacquelynMcHenryPhotography.com

Be sure to let me know when you refer someone to me for photos.  I love referrals, they make me feel so good.   But, I would also like to give something back to you.  For every referral you send my way that books/pays for a Regular Session, you will receive a $20 Photo Print credit to be applied toward any future session (session fees or products).  There is no limit to the number of referral fees you can receive.

I am so excited as we begin 2010.  I am looking to get started with a bang this year and have some wonderful things lined up!  We have new newborn/infant props, new birth announcements, new digital backdrops, new location options, and TONS more.

If you would like to schedule a maternity/newborn session contact us for specials.

If you have a school class or sports team contact us for package details.

If you are looking for the perfect photographer for your engagement/wedding contact us for pricing options (we have something for every budget)!!

Thank you to everyone who made 2009 such a wonderful year, I am really looking forward to what 2010 has in store!!

I have had several requests to add additional dates for the mini sessions.  The updated schedule is as follows:

Saturday, October 10th – North West Valley – Surprise, AZ
Saturday, October 24th – South West Valley – Location TBD
Saturday, November 7th – North West Valley – Surprise, AZ

All photos from the mini session will be available for viewing/ordering within a week from the session.  Allow 1.5 weeks from the time your order is placed for you to have photos/cards in your hand.

All mini sessions will be $25.  This will include time/talent/editing as well as your choice of an 8×10 or 2 5x7s ($20 value).  Any additional photos/cards may be purchased a-la-cart.

Christmas card designs are available for viewing on the website and Facebook page.  All cards are front only, 5×7, envelopes included.  All text can be customized for your needs.  In some cases the colors can be customized as well.  Cards can be created from new or past photo sessions.  All cards can be printed on lustre or silk paper.  Prices are as follows:

I just got back from my vacations. I have been having so much fun editing the beach photos that I took while we were in Delaware. I’ll have some up for everyone to see very soon!! But, I am back in town now and starting to fill up my calendar, so if you want to schedule a photo shoot just let me know and we’ll get you on the penciled in.
-Jacquelyn

I will be in Panama City the week of July 12th. I’m not planning on bringing anything to set up indoor studio shoots, but if you would like some outdoor photography done let me know and I will get you on the schedule.