Jenn Hildebrand

FAMILY: MITTELSTAEDT

Meet the Mittelstaedts. 

There are many families that just radiate pure joy, kindness and love. This is one of them. I’ve known the Mittelstaedts for four years now, and during those four years, I’ve seen these kids grow up, obsessed over mason jars and burlap with Simone, and swapped corny jokes with Phil. They’ve made me feel welcome and part of the team at Bethel International church and have supported Jenn Hildebrand Photography throughout the three years. They’re a huge support system and I couldn’t be more thankful.  They’re definitely one of a kind!

Here are some shots that we took on a chilly fall afternoon. The kids were less than thrilled to be sitting in the cold and would have much rather play in the jungle gym. But those smiles? Definitely worth the seawall breeze and crisp autumn air.

J.

Marta + Cam

Weddings are always an exciting time. However, I find that it increases in excitement whenever the bride is an old friend.

I’ve known Marta since we were in the fourth grade. When I actually think about how we’ve been friends for most of our lives, I need to take a moment to sit. I don’t think neither one of us thought, back when we were only eight years old, that she’d be getting married and I’d be there to photograph it. It’s amazing how life changes and where it can take us. All of our plans that we made up when we were in elementary school changed and morphed into something completely out of the ordinary… but absolutely beautiful at the same time.

Even as kids, Marta always dreamt about being married.

After the ceremony and portraits were finished, we sat down with one another and chatted, and one thing she said to me was, “Wow, I’m married..” and that she is! I think one of the best parts of the wedding, and definitely at the top of the list of most beautiful moments, was seeing Cam and Marta’s little girl Alice laugh and smile at her parents during the ceremony (when she wasn’t running around with grandma at her toes).

Their wedding was small and intimate, but full of love, laughter, and food. (Really, really tasty food… might I add..) It was a DIY wonderland of hand crafted bouquets and decorations. Streamers hung above as the rain poured outside – a Persian symbol for good luck, but was quick to clear up once we stepped outside for portraits. Little Alice’s screams could be heard for most of the day, but was soon drowned out by the giggles and excitement of her newly wedded parents. It was a wonderful wedding for a wonderful couple.

Congratulations Marta and Cam!

Here’s a little peek at their beautiful day…  

Springtime Make-Up Musts

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with my friend Hannah about make-up as we got ready for a wedding we were shooting later that day. As we rubbed foundation across our skin, contoured (well, at least I attempted to…) our cheeks, and pilled on the mascara (spider lashes are actually my favourite…), we shared with each other how much we love doing our make-up. As we were doing this, Hannah said something that really stuck with me. As a photographer, we spend hours and hours editing photos. We try to enhance the photograph and showcase the beauty that we’ve captured. That can be the same with make-up. We use make-up to enhance our already natural beauty. We take our time and try our best to “perfect” a look (and sometimes we don’t even need to do too much to it).  Just as we try to perfect a photograph, we do the same with make-up. Not only that, but it’s a great way to be creative… and I’m all for being creative!

Springtime Make-up…

I love all things beauty. I’m almost border line obsessed with it. Over the past few years, I’ve spent my free time watching make-up tutorials online, read blog posts about the latest beauty trends and how to perfect winged eyeliner (I’m still trying to perfect it. It’s an ongoing battle…). There’s something (almost) addicting about it. I’m not the kind of girl that can’t go out of the house without a full face of make up. There have been many times that I’ve left with only lip balm on and have been okay with it. However, when I do get the chance, I love to take my time with applying it.

As the seasons change, so does our beauty regime. In the winter, I find myself wearing heavier foundations and darker lips. Sometimes I’ll even throw on some eye liner and pile on the mascara. I find as the season get’s colder and the colours become richer, so does my makeup. But now that winter is long gone and spring has sprung, my make-up routine has shifted with it. I’ve found that my skin has become a bit dryer (I blame the weather…) and that I’m needing my skin to breathe more.

Lately, I’ve been reaching for my Nars Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska. I find that the coverage is light, allowing my skin to breathe. Even though it is a moisturizer, I still tend to wear a face cream underneath. Clinique Moisture Surge is my usual go-to, but it is on the pricer side. If you are on a budget, I’d suggest opting for Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream. It has a mattifying finish which will help your foundation last and it keeps your skin matte. I also recommend applying it with a brush. Not only does it give your skin a flawless finish, it also wont tug on your skin like your fingers will. I use the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush.

For concealer, I like to use two. If I have any spots or redness on my skin (usually around my mouth and my nose) I’ll use Makeup For Ever Full Cover. This concealer is intense. If you don’t want something that’s super heavy duty, then this might not be for you. You don’t need to use a lot of it either. Just a dab will do. I’ve had this for over a year now and it’s still going strong. For under the eyes, I use the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer. It’s amazing! I’m running low and will definitely be repurchasing it.

For bronzing (if I do feel up to it that day) I’ve been using the Sonia Kashuk Chic Luminosity Bronzer in goddess. I find that with this bronzer, it can work as a highlighter as well because of the shimmer undertones that it has. With the seasons warming up, I bounce from two different blushes – either a coral or a pink. Sonia Kashuk Blush in Sunset looks like it’s a pink but it does have coral undertones to it. Lately, I’ve been more leaning towards the Milani Baked Blush in Delizioso Pink. These blushes are super pigmented so you only need to use a bit on your brush. I tend to sweep it on the apples of my cheeks and leave it like that. Most days I wont even use a bronzer and just wear a pink blush. I find that it makes your skin look a lot more fresh for the springtime.

My brows are intense. So, I don’t normally do anything with them because they are already so dark. However, I do find that after I get them threaded, there are a few patchy spots. In that case I’ll go over it with a brow pencil but normally I keep them as is. However, I will take the Benefit High Brow Glow and highlight just below the brow line to give it a bit of a shimmer. I pair that with The Balm Nude Dude in Fit and bam! I love that Fit is a bronzy colour. I’m all for nude eye shadows, especially in the spring and summer. (Note: I received my mini nude eyeshadow in an Ipsy glam bag. You can’t purchase them separately… not that I know of at least.) I’ll then coat my eyelashes with some mascara – right now, I’m using Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara (…it’s amazing, by the way!) and then I’m good to go.

For lips, I tend to lean towards more moisturizing lipsticks and glosses since my lips have been more on the dryer side. Right now, I’ve been using either Cover Girl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm (could that be any longer?), Bare Minerals: Pop Of Passion Balm-Oil in Peach Passion, or Laura Mercier Sheer Lip Colour in Baby Lips.

Once I’m puckered up and good to go, I spritz my neck with whatever body spray I have on hand (Lately, I’ve been hooked on the PINK body mists), grab my sunnies, and head out for the day. What I love about this look is that it’s super easy to do, it takes literally no time at all, and it’s light. With the weather changing, I don’t want to feel like my face is melting off… because let’s be honest, that’s NOT cute. With this look, I don’t feel like that’s happening and my skin still looks flawless!

What are your springtime/summer must haves?

My Creation Inspirations

Hello! 

I’ve always been a creative person. Being in the photography business, it’s basically implied that I love to create. I’ve always been the type of person to find inspiration from the world around me. I’m always looking at different ideas to incorporate into my style of photography as well as into my every day life.

Where do I find my inspirations?

This question was asked recently. It took me a while to really think of an answer for it. I’ve always loved to create and do things that forced me into it – but I wasn’t sure what exactly inspired me. 

To answer that question simply – I find inspiration everywhere!

Whenever I find myself preparing for an upcoming shoot, I turn to the internet. I think that the biggest place for inspiration is by looking at other creative people.

Over the past few years, I’ve become a Pinterest junkie. If you look at my account, I have over two thousand pins and over twenty boards. I’m sure if there was a Pinterest Anonymous, I’d be the first person to sign up! Whenever I’m about to go to a shoot (may it be a wedding, or a portrait session), I like to check out my previously pinned boards. I have a few boards online of different photographs other photographers have taken to pull inspiration from. Usually, if I’m stumped for a pose, I like to revert back to ones that I’ve pinned and base my photograph off of those poses. Many times, clients have sent me their own Pinterest boards to look at hoping that I can incorporate it into their shoots. I don’t mind that at all! When it comes down to it, I want whatever I’ve taken to be something that a client loves.

Tumblr has also become a recent source of creative inspirations for myself. I can scroll for hours on end looking at the different photographs people have blogged. I’m constantly trying to change and better my style of editing. One thing that I’ve found with the editing of many of the photos on Tumblr, is that they have a bit of an edge to them, or they are super clean. Crisp whites and higher exposers. I love that! I think that’s why I’m so addicted to Tumblr! It’s one of my top places for finding inspiration as well.

Other than that, I think life is a major source of inspiration. Walking down the street, you are constantly coming into contact with a variety of different types of people. Each person has their own type of style, thoughts and views on the world around them. Not only are people a great way to find inspiration, but I also find it in the city I live in. Vancouver is easily one of the most creative places that I’ve come into contact with. Everyone seems to be creating something. I think that’s one of the most beautiful things about this place. It’s surrounded by artists. As well, the place as whole is a living masterpiece. From the greens of the trees, to the blues in the ocean, there’s always something that can spur the creativity.

I think that it’s important to be constantly finding inspiration. There are days where I find myself losing my creativity, which can be super discouraging when your careers are creativity based. If you find yourself unable to create, my best advice is to take a step back and regroup. Sometimes when we go, go and go, we tend to get too lost into what we’re doing, that we forget where we’re going in the first place. In those moments, I think that’s when we need to take a step back and breathe. Take a step outside and soak up what’s around you.. hop on a plane and go to a different country… strike up a conversation with the person beside you on the bus… open up your favourite book and read a chapter… go online and look at different blogs or your favourite artists… whatever it is that you find inspiration, do it! Never be discouraged. I think it’s so easy to get down on yourself when you get into a creative slump. I know that I do! You start to question your work and if this is what you want to do with your life. Creativity shouldn’t be forced. It should be something that you love! If you find yourself getting stressed out over a portrait session, or an upcoming wedding session, take a moment and regroup.

At the end of the day, whatever you create will be beautiful… long as you have faith in yourself to do it!

Links: pinterest – hildebrahh
tumblr: jennhildebrand
instagram: jenn.hildebrand

Brock + Kirsty

When a friend get’s married, it’s an exciting time. You get to watch someone who is so close to you be joined with their love. It becomes even more exciting when you get asked to be their wedding photographer!

Kirsty has been one of my closest friends for the past six years. When she asked me to be her photographer, I couldn’t not say yes. It’s always an honour to be a part of someone’s wedding. It’s even more special when that bride is someone so close to you. When I first met Brock, I knew that he was the perfect match for Kirsty. They are basically the same as the other! It was pretty neat to see.Their wedding was the epitome of country chic – from the country boots, to the mason jars and twine. Their reception was held on a farm, and guests were guided to their seats by the map of Middle Earth (that’s Lord Of The Rings, for those of you who don’t know). All in all, it was a beautiful wedding fit for a beautiful couple.

They were married on a beautiful October day in Rosedale, BC.
Ceremony: The Church Of Rosedale United, Rosedale, BC
Reception: Shelby’s Pond, Rosedale, BC

Christina

Fall evenings are officially my favourite times to shoot.

The evening was crisp, the wind a bit chilly, but the sunshine glistened.

Meet Christina. Christina was super lovely to photograph! I had so much fun working with her. She was up to trying different things (including laying in leaves and dirt!!) Which made for some beautiful shots!

Can we please talk about the leaves and colours? Gorgeous!

Jai + Rhon

Meet Jai and Rhon.

They met in Whistler at a church they were both attending. Jai said that the moment she saw him, she knew that he would like her. Apparently her instincts were right, because now they are married.
Their love is raw, authentic, and Christ-Centred. They are driven in their faith and are determined to make Christ the center of everything that they do. As I got to know them, I learnt that they are super fun and extremely in love. It was beautiful to watch them get married in an intimate wedding on the beach. They only had 19 in attendance.

The ceremony took place bright and early on a Tuesday morning at Second Beach in Stanely Park. The weather was supposed to be crapy – rain was in the forecast for the whole time their wedding would be taking place. But from the moment the chairs were set up to the moment they said I do, the sun was shining.

As we were taking some intimate photos, CTV News had decided to interview Jai and Rhon. They had a couple who had been together for almost 20 years give them advice on a happy marriage. It was also an opportunity for Jai and Rhon to share their story and how they fell in love. They were a natural in front of the camera. I, on the other hand, was given a taste of what a celebrity goes through everyday. Those dang paparazzis, let me tell you.

Afterwards, they shared lunch together as a family at the Tea House which is located at Third Beach. All in all it was a beautiful wedding, full of love, laughter, and memories that will be cherished for years to come.

Here are some snapshots from their special day.

Enjoy!

J.

Welcome!

Hello! Welcome to my blog.

I am beyond thrilled that you have stopped by and decided to give this a read.

What to expect:

Photographs. Lots and lots of photographs. From weddings, to engagement shoots to personal posts, this will the one spot where you can see many, many photographs. Which makes sense.. since this is a photographers blog and all!

Ramblings. I love writing. I love talking. I love writing about my thoughts and opinions. I am excited to use this space to write about personal things that I love. Beauty posts, social topics, media, faith – I will probably talk about it. I want to be able to use this as place where I can discuss things that are on my mind but pair it with some pretty pictures.

Authenticity. In everything that I do, I try to be as real and authentic as I can. I don’t want to be someone that I am not – on the internet and in real life. I want you – my readers and clients, to be able to know who I am and get a better idea as to who I am as a person and as a photographer.

Photography. Again, if you haven’t caught on yet, I like taking pictures. I’m always taking a picture of something – if it’s on my camera or on my phone. There’s something neat about documenting life’s events (may it be my own or yours).

I am excited, so very excited, for this next chapter to start!

 

       

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