Jennie Sjursen Photography

A Giving of Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:08:00 +0000

Over the past year or so I've started thanking people who have touched me in my life. Not everyone one is someone who has brought me joy. Instead they have provided me with very powerful lessons that I am grateful to have been in the right place to accept. I am thankful that these people, as well as the ones who bring me much joy and laughter, have been part of my life. I had a moment to sit and think the other day. I started thinking about the people who have touched me. I was planning on sitting down next month and sending a note to each person and then I thought why wait until next month. The thing that I didn't expect is that it has given me great joy to share with people how they have touched me. I want to keep acknowledging such special people at all times and not only one time of the year.

The Big E

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:04:00 +0000

I made the trek up to the Big E one Wednesday night. I had only been there once before - sometime in middle school or high school. My dad was charged with bringing his three daughters for the day. It was the last thing he wanted to do and he was in a most foul mood. I remember seeing the butter sculpture, eating a hot dog (which Dad absolutely didn't want to buy) and going home - fun day!

So I just wasn't sure what to expect. I did a little online research - knew I needed to try the Big E cream puff - after that I had no clue. I expected it to be more agriculturally based - farm animals etc.. I was so surprised to see people walking back to their cars with bags full of things they had bought - the guy selling mops was making a killing!! Over all I found the experience overwhelming. So much food that I didn't know what to pick, people everywhere of all sizes and ages, lights and games galore. Glad I went - incredible people watching and what a place to get lost in the crowd!

The Cream Puff - it was huge and delicious!

It was Agawam day - orange shirts filled the park. This was during the Agawam Parade.

A corner of the park looking back towards the rides.

Some of the amazing amounts of candies and goodies - seriously the place must run on sugar!

Going up I knew I wanted to try and play with some of the lights at night - here is some of what I saw.

And then this caught my eye and all I could think is - how unappealing! Am I wrong?

Woo Hoo New Album

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:54:00 +0000

Just finished working on this sample album - so excited about it - had to share! The only thing not done is the cover - I can't decide on size - 10x10 or 12x12 hmmm....

A List for Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:34:00 +0000

I decided I wanted to continue enjoying simple fun things that I started this summer. I sat down to make a list for the fall and found it so much harder than summer! I was able to come up with a starter list - here goes -

I want to go to the Big E see the lights and watch the people go by - hear the screams of delight and fear on the rides - find things that spark my visual eye and take images just for myself. Go into the the kitchen and slice apples to make a pie - smelling the cinnamon and tasty aromas as they fill the house - cut a generous warm piece and watch a huge dollop of vanilla ice cream slide down the side before I take a bite. Visit a haunted house to feel the thrill of anticipation and fear - not knowing what is coming and knowing I'll scream at least once. Take my first visit to a corn maze - knowing that getting lost is part of the fun - challenging myself to get through with as few hints as possible. Go to a local football game - wrapping blankets around my legs - smelling the chill in the air and watching the people around me bond with "their team". Carve a pumpkin to light my front door on a night when there is a chill and rattle of leaves in the air. Build a huge pile of leaves in the yard and run full on jumping into the center of them - feeling the softness of my landing and the scratch of leaves against my face...

This is what I have to start with. Like the summer list I'm sure more will be added on as we get more into the season. I'd love to know what says fall to you - the things that if they didn't happen would make you feel like you missed the whole season. Is it baking and eating a whole pumpkin pie by yourself or roasting the seeds after you've carved a pumpkin? These adventures are always more fun when shared and I'm always open to more company - let me know if you'd like to join me!

Summer's End

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 19:59:00 +0000

The beginning of this summer I was emailing a friend - telling him about the helicopter ride that I've wanted to do for years and finally got around to. He asked me what my next adventure was going to be. My answer was..

"My next immediate adventure is a smaller more encompassing one. I want to enjoy this summer like I did when I was in high school and college - simple and fun.... I want to sleep out under the stars even if it means I lug a sleeping bag out into the back yard, cuddle up on the couch and watch movies and eat snacks until the wee hours of the night, have a lazy rainy day sitting on the porch playing games listening to the radio, drive with the top down - full moon and good music, go out dancing and get slick and sweaty - take an icy shower and slide into bed still damp and sit out by a fire having deep meaningless conversation - with samores of course!"

I later added to the list - having a squishy finger painting date with my niece where all the paint oozes and slides between our fingers and toes, chase fireflies just for the chasing, go to a minor league baseball game - smelling the popcorn, listening to the crack as the ball rebounds off the bat and the thump of it hitting the glove, geocaching with a friend (high tech scavenger hunting) where we walked and talked - ate bad food and walked some more, fishing with the boys - coming home all salty, red and tired. I even threw in a skinny dip or two.

All in all it was a really great summer. There were one or two things that I didn't get to and will add to next summer's list. I haven't decided what I'm going to get up to this fall. So far I'm thinking about going to the Big E looking for images that just strike me as fun and maybe a candy apple. What do you have on your list to do?

The helicopter that started it all.

My friend Audrey sporting the helicopter look :)

The kite flying we ran came upon while exploring Newport RI after the ride

The great finger paint artwork Dorrie and I created

Told you we used our feet!

What we used for the geocaching - once I figured out how to use the thing!

I'd love to see any great images you have from your own adventures this summer!

Family Fun Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:44:00 +0000

The Sjursen girls and their families all spend a week at my parents in the summer. It's a lot of people (11) going in a lot of different directions at the same time! This year my Aunt Jane, her husband David and cousin Sanna (not to be confused with baby Sanna) were here as well. We ended the week celebrating Gram's 93rd birthday.

First up Kai

His brother Cooper

The indomitable Dorrie

And her sister baby Sanna

These two are exactly 11 months apart and adore each other - so funny to watch them interact!

So while the ladies were all out getting pedicures the Dads got to work. They taped a hose to the top of the slide, added a kiddy pool to the bottom and then a tube - so you could slide out of the pool and onto the tube - boys loved it!

Dorrie took a little more time to warm up to the idea - here she is contemplating the journey - she took it. :)

Sanna hanging on the swing with her mom while all the action happens around her.

It was a busy busy week- beaches, boating, dinners at the beach, hallmark's ice cream - oh and little fishing trip. I also realized the curse of having the swing set right outside my window. Seriously - who would have thought swings at 7am would be such a big attraction!

Gone Fishin'

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 21:20:00 +0000

Recently I, Chip, Matt, Owen and Dad went on a 1/2 day fishing trip with Southbound Charters out of Waterford, CT. My dad, Matt and I had done this once before - it was painful, exhausting and fun :)!! It was just as fun and a lot less tiring with the two more people. We were going for Strip Bass and Bluefish. Last time I didn't take a single picture - made sure to remedy that this time!!

Our first mate Eric working with our first catch.

Dad and Owen working as a team - Owen is helping to guide the line back on the reel as Dad cranks in a fish.

Eric explain the how to use the next rig.

Matt and Owen chillin!

The boys at work.

Chip showing them how it's done.

Hooks in waiting.

Eric getting ready to filet our keepers - all Blues.

Filleting the fish - I remember doing this with Dad in the driveway as a kid.

Little Bird feeding.

The Boys - Matt, Owen, Chip and Dad

Smart Man, Einstein!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:29:00 +0000

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." - Einstein

Kayak for a Cause

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:07:00 +0000

My friend Audrey has been telling me about Kayak for a Cause (KFAC) for a few years now. It's a bunch of crazy people who get together at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, CT and kayak across the Long Island Sound raising money for some great charities as they go. For what ever reason I wasn't able to take part until this year - I did not Kayak - I was a volunteer. I got up early in the morning to photograph everyone getting ready to embark. I took one look at it all and said no more more volunteering for me I want to play with the big boys!! I'm actually all signed up for next year - can't wait! So here's what I saw that morning.

Team Hawsepipers (a Hawsepiper is a nautical term for someone who has gone up the ranks purely based on experience) - formally known as pod 6.

Ok this shot is really just for me - those are New Zealand flags for team Kiwi.

The Hawsepipers!

I can't wait for next year - see you there!

It's Back - Paws for the Cause 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:18:00 +0000

This walk this year Sunday Oct 5th in downtown Ridgefield. Check out ROAR's website for more info. It's a really fun event - hope to see you there!

Elise and Tony

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:19:00 +0000

As many of you know I went to New Zealand this past winter (their summer) to photograph my sister Elise's wedding and to catch up with family and friends. Here are some of my favorites from Elise and Tony's day. I have to say weddings are a bit different than they are back here at home. In some ways not as formal - I actually shot the ceremony barefoot - can honestly say I've never done that before! Others ways more formal they have a Master of Ceremonies who tells tales and leads into others speaking and announces the dancing/cake cutting/etc. Usually a close friend who knows how to tell a few good stories!

First off Elise and I started at the hairdressers and I decided to play and have some fun. I'm sure neither of them had any idea what I was doing!

I had some down time and I decided to abscond with the shoes and see what I could find - I don't know why but I really love this shot!

Getting ready - Elise with the make-up and Mum putting on Tony's boutonniere - which they have another word for and we spent a few minutes trying to figure out what the other was saying!

This is one of my all time favorite wedding shots ever! I love it. It was taken in a covered flora fauna area on a very hot day - was so much cooler in the shade of the plants!

Elise and Tony did see each other before the ceremony - I love when people do that - not only does it make for some great pictures but I like to believe it gives them some time to be together without everyone hanging around and have a special moment. These were the last shots just before the ceremony.

My oh so cute niece Izzy during the ceremony.

The setting was an outdoor garden at an old house - garden area that is open to the public. Beautiful Beautiful and HOT! I love how what I think is ivy is framing them and the wedding party.

Not only was there a wedding but there was two more rituals blending the family as one - Here is Tony and Caleb - now officially father and son. And just below is the naming ceremony for Elise and Tony's son Jacob - being held by Dad.

Right after the ceremony they had a little music in the garden while everyone milled and families caught up.

Here are the Tony and his cohorts in crime (all in the past I'm told)!

I love this shot - this is my two sisters Elise and Danie - you should have seen us trying to get this shot - let's just say it was a sister moment! :)

Elise and the Ladies!

Ok this was probably the hardest shot of entire day - Mum. She hates having her picture taken and you have to sneak up on her to get it - she usually catches me!

Here's Dad giving his speech - he worked really hard on this - even downloaded sample versions as outlines - I think he did a great job!

I had a phenomenal trip and I also knew I was exactly where I was suppose to be this Dec/Jan. Love and Miss you All!

Chchch Changes..

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:58:00 +0000

I've avoided putting this out for quite some time. I wanted to be really sure of my decision before I made any announcement. For those of you who don't know, I moved my headquarters back to Old Lyme this past winter. It was a tough decision but one I knew had to be done. I still work in the Wilton, Ridgefield, Westport area - I'm just not there full time anymore. This leads me to the next change. For the time being I will no longer be accepting weddings. I am going to exclusively focus on my children's location portraiture. Keep a look out for some changes in that area and hopefully a new website too. In the meantime I have images from Elise's wedding this winter cominig up (she's been patient and deserves a little of the spot light!) and some other projects I've been working on. Stay Tuned!

32 Hours Later...

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:43:00 +0000

and I finally made it home! My time in New Zealand visiting friends and family was exactly what I needed! I photographed my sister's wedding and then didn't pick up the camera again. It was lovely to get away from photography for awhile - it helps recharge your batteries and explore different things so you can come back more creative. Instead I walked a lot (they got some hills there!), went on a search for the perfect custard square (finally found one the Sunday before I came home) and spent time learning how to meditate at a buddhist monastery (was difficult to slow my brain, but I really enjoyed it). It's amazing how fast three weeks can pass - maybe next time I can swing an extra week or two! So now I'm moving slow and still adjusting to this time schedule and weather - did I mention it's summer in NZ...

See You in January

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 20:14:00 +0000

Tomorrow I leave to spend Christmas Eve with my family and then I'm off for 3 weeks to New Zealand. I was an exchange student to NZ 20 years ago and will be spending my time catching up with family and friends. I get back at the god awful time of 12:05 am at Logan Airport on January 17th. Best way to reach me will be by email at jennie@jsjursen.com - I can't promise a quick reply, just that I'll try. So see you in Jan - hopefully with a nice summer glow!

Sanna Makes an Appearance

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 12:58:00 +0000

I am an Auntie again. Last night Sanna (more recently known as Cletus the Fetus) was born! She was 6lbs 11oz with dark hair. I won't get to meet her until Christmas eve and then I'm sure she'll be smothered with family. I can only imagine what her older sister Dorrie is thinking!

My First Habitat Build

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:21:00 +0000

and I didn't build a dang thing. I moved and moved and moved lots of split wood. Apparently they cut down 7-8 trees on the property about a week or so ago. Today was about splitting and stacking wood - about 6 hours worth to be exact (and there's still more to go!). The funny thing is, as I was driving up to the property I was thinking that I've been spending a lot of time in my head lately and this would be a perfect way to get outside myself. Well the thing is with all the chain saws and motorized splitter going you have nothing do to but get into a groove and be in your head - I guess I needed to learn a little more. I have a friend who has been cutting and stacking a lot of wood lately - I definitely have a new appreciation for what it does for him - it's an active form of meditation. I also have to say I have to give props to my work mate Chuck - he's 77 and walking around on a bad knee. He limped more and more as the day went on - I couldn't even think about stopping as long as he was still going! He was an inspiration!

Let Snow!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:10:00 +0000

I'm so excited it's going to snow today. Today is my birthday and I never have snow for my birthday. All growing up I would hope and hope for snow. It is December. My family would tease me and hint at possibly having seen a flake or two. At best I would get a dusting. To add insult to injury my sister Katie with her March birthday almost always seemed to have snow. Well today we are forecasted to get a real snow storm and it's my birthday - only had to wait 36 years!

In Honor of My Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:00:00 +0000

a little funny..

You know you're getting old when you stoop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you could do while you're down there.
- George Burns

Fifes, Drums and a Bagpipe or Two

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:02:00 +0000

This past weekend I went to the Candlelight, excuse me - Torchlight Parade in Old Saybrook. When I was a kid we went to this parade almost every year. It's always the weekend before or after my birthday (and sometimes the day of) and we would bring our lanterns and watch the parade go by. At most it was a 20 minute affair of fife and drum corps having some holiday fun. It is no longer the same parade. This year it was an hour long - I kept looking for the end - couldn't believe it was this long. They now have floats and fire engines, a bagpipe or two, girl scouts and boy scouts - even a few elks. Not the parade of old. A good parade but I guess I was feeling a little nostalgic. The thing I missed the most was the lanterns. Hardly anyone in the crowd had their lanterns - that was part of the magic of the old parade. Will I go again next year - probably - and hopefully I'll remember to bring my camera!

Dang Email!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:44:00 +0000

My email was all out of whack yesterday. So if you tried to contact me I received nothing. As far as the tech guys can tell all of yesterdays mail is lost in space. They tell me the internet is funny that way and it just happens... Makes you wonder where all those lost emails go to and do they recombine themselves into completely different messages? Also is there one poor guy who receives all these lost messages... In short - if you don't hear back from me please contact me again!

Looking for an Erg

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:26:00 +0000

To be more specific I'm looking for a Concept 2 Model D erg. Here's why - I've been involved with rowing for over 20+ years - shocking I know - but I have never ever raced a single. I have talked about racing a single for 10+ years, but honestly would rather race a double. So I've had a lot of time to think lately and have come to this conclusion - one of the things I least want to do but always talk about is racing a single. Which means it something I really have to do. So in that vein I am trying to get ready to race in 2008 (God help me!). So I'm looking for an erg to help train and develop my aerobic base, if anyone has a lead out there for me I'd appreciate it!

Things I am Most Thankful For

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:42:00 +0000

I am very grateful to have crossed paths with someone I meet this summer. They helped me to rediscover myself and dreams and feelings I had long put aside or had forgotten. They were truly who I was meant to meet when I met them - I'll always be grateful and have a soft spot in my heart for them.

I am thankful for my family and friends - my life has and is going through a lot of transistion and they are there to keep me strong. They send me things in the mail to let me know they are thinking of me. They email me small jokes and they just keep me bolsterd up. They listen to me talk on for hours (anyone who knows me knows that I can too!). I am grateful to have them in my life and to be loved by them all.

I am also thankful for the small joys in life - the way the sun lights up the hillside of fall leaves to make it look on fire. The peace of walking through the woods and watching and listening to the nature that crosses my path. For the way that my dogs just love me - I am thankful.

Killer Christmas Card

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:56:00 +0000

I'm so excited that my friend Lisa decided to go with this holiday card. It's a first for me - a 5x5 trifold card.

Here's the front

then the inside front flap

And now for the inside

I love it - tell me what you think.

ps - I didn't show the back of the front - it's the solid red color shown through out the card

New Zealand Here I Come!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:04:00 +0000

I'm so excited! On Christmas day I am go to New Zealand for 3 weeks! I'll be photographing my sister Elise's wedding and catching up with friends. The really neat part about this all (and a little scary - where did the time go?) is that this is also the 20th anniversery of the first time I went to NZ. I was a bright eyed 16 year old looking for adventure! I still think I'm 16 and looking for adventure - just not sure I'm as able to keep going like I use to... So excited to see everyone and meet my niece and nephews - along with my best friend Alan's boys! I'll be busy!

Mea Culpa!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennie) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:20:00 +0000

Sorry so Sorry - I've gotten so far behind. I apologize to all who check in regularly. I promise to try and do better! So here's to not looking back and a fresh start!