Jael Photography

Every year by December, I’m feeling a little burnt out, and need to get excited about what I do all over again. So that’s why it’s so great to head to the SPA conference (Senior Portrait Artists.) This year was in sunny San Diego, and Brian came with… we had a fantastic time with old friends, new friends, shooting, and seeing southern Cali. And we managed to miss a blizzard back home, which even though they’re starting to run together, was still a good thing. We stayed at the famous Hotel del Coronado… our room overlooked the beach; it was sublime! On the last day of the conference, I did a photo shoot with our dear friends Shawn and Michelle, of Fagan Studios in Rochester.

We also spent a day at the Zoo (a lot of walking, but totally worth it), visited Old Town for some nostalgic shooting, and found all kinds of neat nooks and crannies in the city. We stayed in the Gaslamp District for a couple days… shooting and checking out gallery spaces, and we found where the place to be for happy hour is! Half price sushi, superb Italian, and a Ghiradelli ice cream store. dang!

And a couple images by Brian. It’s been fun to see him get interested in what I do, and occasionally grab the camera and wander off. He’s really got an eye!

Check out my interview on Keloland a couple days after disaster struck in Haiti… so glad I was able to be there in April; definitely lends some perspective.

Jael Photography, Haiti images

It’s been touching and so exciting to see the outpouring of interest and desire to serve in Haiti from our community! The more people I meet who have either been there, are planning on going, or are helping with some type of fundraising is incredible. For example, I just found out that one of my 2009 grooms (a physician in northern Minnesota) is currently there. In the words of his fantastic wife, Amber…. “He will be traveling with a group organized by a local surgeon who has been providing medical missions there for 20 years. The hospital where they will be working is inPignon, Haiti, about 60 miles northeast of Port-au-Prince up in the mountains. I watched he and his partner load up his very own anesthesia machine and tubs of drugs and supplies to bring with. They will fly from Miami on Saturday on a Coast Guard C130 transport plane. They have heard that patients are being moved out to these outlying hospitals, and are expecting to perform plenty of orthopedic surgery on infected limbs, as well as many other kinds of traumas. 

Here’s a link to the Minnesota Public Radio website, which provides an article about the mission as well as an interview with the local surgeon. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/01/19/project-haiti-minnesota/

I posted these images after our trip last April, but I think it’s fitting to share them again. As I’ve watched the footage over the past couple days, I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed to think of the devastation. Haiti is such a ravaged nation… And without faith and hope, it’s easy to believe that it is utter chaos. Anyway, a photo is worth a thousand words, so watch the slideshow. haiti-by-jael.mov And if you’d like to learn more about Canaan, the orphanage and clinic we went to work at, or even give a donation, click here. 

Speaking of the bridal show, I too, will have some images and information there. So if you’re researching wedding stuff, head up to Gary and check us out! In fact,  if you’re still looking for a venue… let me recommend Buffalo Ridge Resort for a “local destination wedding.” As you’ve probably noticed, that’s where Brian and I got married in September, and it was L-O-V-E-L-Y!! I cannot say enough good things about the Ridge… the location is beautiful; restored historical architecture, lots of green space, and a scenic lake, along with a great hotel, and a fantastic staff.

And here’s an image from our wedding, by our photographers, at Buffalo Ridge Resort…

If you’re from Brookings, you know about Hagmans. If you’re planning a wedding in the area, then you almost certainly know about Hagmans. And if not, you should!! These guys are my absolute favorite. In fact, the second set of images are of my wedding cake that they created, shot by our photographers. I have yet to see a creation by Pam and the gang that is not, simply put, perfect. These are some pieces I put together to market Hagmans at the Buffalo Ridge Resort Bridal Show in Gary, on January 24th. 

Brookings, South Dakota, wedding photographer, Jael.

It’s always fun to do a senior session during the winter… when things are a bit slower, and the scenery is looking very different. Brittany is cute, and ended up with some great images.

Senior portraits by Jael Photography, Brookings, South Dakota

First of all, can I just say that doing this kind of thing makes me want to have like, 6 daughters? Okay, maybe not 6, but sheesh… these little gems, wrapped in gold, are so irresistible!!!

We did our Angelic Limited Edition Session last week, and it was a blast! Of course convincing a 2-year-old why they should be wrapped in slippery material, and wear a wreath was a challenge at moments, but the images turned out beautifully!

These three… wow. Such beautiful little girls, and so great at being photographed! I’m sure you recognize them from past blog posts, and I’m always excited to see them. (their mom claims they are not always this angelic.)  Kiana (on the right) always has a song in her heart; even while she held this precious pose, her little butt was shakin’. ! haha, I loved it. 

Mataya- such beautiful rosy features, and sassy attitude to match!

Isabella, aka: “Izzabee,” which makes me smile. She has some of the greatest parents in the world, and they are more than joyful to have her!

Leighton, the new little girl of a couple who’s wedding I shot this year. She has received a very warm welcome, and I’m sure gets cuddled a whole lot! 

Elle. Another one of my favorite wedding clients from year’s past, now bringing in their little gal. And she is sweeeeet. (Also has a stubborn streak, so I hear.)

Katie, my new niece, is such an adorable little thing! You may recognize her as the flower girl from our wedding. It’s been so fun to watch her grow up and develop personality, because when Brian and I started dating, she was only 1. They live a few hours away, so when we’d see her, she used to be pretty shy. This is certainly changing!

Jael Photography Brookings, SD 

I  just found out that Kiana has been joined by a new baby brother, who I can’t wait to meet. But in the meantime, I have sooo loved photographing her since she was an infant. Her dimples, and brown curls are impossible to not love!

Brookings & Sioux Falls, SD portraits- by Jael 

I get to photograph such a fabulous variety of beautiful families. From one little cutie to five, from infants to graduates, from newlyweds to 50 years of marriage. How fun! And these guys were no exception. Their little gal was full of smiles and personality, and she is clearly adored by mom and dad.

Brookings & Sioux Falls, SD portraits- by Jael