Jen Kroll Photography - Couture Archivist » Portraits

What We’ve Been Up To

Jen Kroll — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:41:43 +0000

Hi there! It sure has been busy around here during the last couple of months! It’s hard to believe we’ll soon be crunching leaves under our feet and wrapping up in warm sweaters. Oh, by the way, my name is Susie. I’m one of Jen’s editing assistants, which means I get to see all of the beautiful images before the clients! You may see me posting on here from time to time. We hope do a more full blog post on the weddings shortly. But for now the cameras are busy clicking away and our first priority is getting the photos in the hands of our clients. So enjoy these sneak peeks!

First up is a sweet couple, Win and Kristen, whose engagement pictures Jen shot around the campus of the University of Michigan and the hospital where they met. They will be getting married next June!

A precious couple, Daryn and Kira, are pictured here with their firstborn girl, Emmry. Jen had the honor of shooting not only the maternity pictures but the birth and newborn pictures as well!

College sweethearts, Lauren and Reilly held a huge bash in Minnesota, surrounded by enthused friends and family; their modern style and warm personalities shining through the details, which were coordinated by Alicia Caldecott of A Day in May Events.

Walloon Lake was the backdrop to Jen and Chris’s nuptials; what a gorgeous day and lovely couple! This event was also designed and coordinated by Alicia Caldecott of A Day in May Events!

Lauren and Erwan’s wedding was held outdoors at the bride’s home on Grand Traverse Bay; the groom’s French heritage added a unique twist to the beautiful decor and spirited atmosphere. Alicia Caldecott was the mastermind behind this extraordinary event as well!

Here are some more peeks into some fun high school senior sessions with Lauren, Aleks, and Katelyn.

Enjoy a glimpse of the lovely new design of couture letterpress, Gwyneth Paige, by Jodi Bos.

And what’s a crazy summer without Jen’s two boys, Ethan and Carter being their goofy selves! These boys took time out of their busy schedules to help Jen test out her new light modifiers. They might be another reason why her hands have been full lately!

Lauren (sneak peak)

Jen Kroll — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:58:48 +0000

Years ago I made the decision to focus my business. I wanted to be the best event photographer I was capable of being. I immersed myself into seminars, workshops, and mentor relationships that were so critical in my growth as a photographer. Because I chose to focus on events and weddings which primarily occur during the summer and fall, that means I usually referred high school seniors which have their peak season at the same time. I’m ok with not being everything to everyone. However, I do open my schedule to a small handful of other types of photography to keep things fresh and interesting. Or if the client begs. :) In the last few weeks, in addition to shooting amazing weddings in Minneapolis and Petoskey (which we still need to finish and blog), I was honored to shoot a pregnancy, hospital delivery, and newborn photos for a precious couple and their little girl (also plan on blogging at some point). Today I had the joy of working with Lauren and her mother, Diane, for a senior portrait session! I have two more seniors in the next week, along with another fabulous wedding at a private residence on Grand Traverse Bay! Oh, and a small shoot for Mario Batali (if you’re up for a lovely evening in Traverse City, get your tickets HERE). Yes, we’re very busy around here but we’re loving every minute! Forgive me for blogging out of order, but I wanted to post a quick photo of Lauren! Such a natural beauty with the sweetest spirit to match. Special thanks to Julie Strating for her humidity-proof make-up talents!

Engagements!

Jen Kroll — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 05:05:53 +0000

In my effort to catch up on blog posts, meet four of my fabulous couples who have weddings approaching!

Reilly & Laura will be getting married in July in in Minneapolis with the reception held at this swanky, modern hotel! For their engagement pictures, we wandered around Ann Arbor and U of M’s campus — where they met. We followed the session with a lovely dinner with Reilly’s parents who were visiting from Canada and a previous bride and groom, Nick and Lindsey! Extra engagement shoot perk: chocolate chip cookies! I’ll let Reilly and Laura do the big unveil of those photos for their guests at the wedding. ;)

Jen and Chris will be getting married in August at the Walloon Lake Country Club (north of Traverse City). So honored to have been able to sit in on one of their planning meetings with Alicia of A Day In May Events. Gives me a whole new level of respect for how much work an event designer and planner puts in behind the scenes! Jen and Chris squeezed their engagement session in before a long drive back home to Pittsburgh. A drizzly, cold November day provided the opportunity for great color for about 1/2 hour before we got completely rained out!

Next up is Michael and Andrea who will be celebrating their wedding in Grand Rapids later this fall with the help of the talented team lead by Jodi Bos of In Any Event. Michael and Andrea flew in from NYC for a few days over Christmas — arguably the coldest days of the year! We took most of the photos in the unfinished (and unheated) fourth floor of my studio’s building and a record five minute shoot downtown. Seriously, it was that cold. To say there were troopers is an understatement. In addition to the relaxed, easy portraits, Andrea and Michael were totally up for a more stylized, high fashion set (second photo below)!

And lastly, Anne and Brian! They will be getting married in Leland in August. I have dreams of their country church and a white distressed wood Art Building that will host the guests for the reception! After having to reschedule for rain, we ended up with the perfect evening for an engagement shoot that was uniquely them and completely natural. Alicia will be setting the scene for their event as well!

I’m looking forward to all the moments these celebrations and new friendships hold! Wedding season begins in just 18 days for another full year! Thank you to so many who have invited us into these precious days!

Lovely

Jen Kroll — Sat, 01 May 2010 04:23:04 +0000

I spent a couple of days this week with a sweet, sweet family documenting their precious kiddos. Here is just a small sampling of Samantha and a glimpse of her newborn little brother and sister, Raymer and Sydney. More to follow the second week of May after we return from our vacation starting at 4:30am this morning (in 4 hours)! Have a great week everyone!