Jackfrost

Dear Jackfrost,

Thank you for letting there be snow in these last couple of weeks leading up to Christmas because it reallllly puts me into the spirit, but I would just like to inform you that I DO NOT like this bitter coldness. And furthermore, its nice to be able to wear cute scarves and hats and mittens, but by choice not necessity.

Thanks,
Jenn Austin-Driver

holiday tunes

I love that the beginning of December marks the time when christmas music is heard in every store you walk into and on every radio station you turn on. It makes me feel so happy and gets me into the christmas spirit so fast. I quickly remember the words to the songs that I havn't heard since last year and it amazes me how warm it makes me feel...I know it can get repetitive especially if you work in retail, but embrace it - it only comes once a year :)

JAD

baby bree

My cousin Ashley just had a baby girl last week and she is just the most precious little thing in the whole world ... ( i know, i know everyone says that about a baby they know - but she really is just beautiful)
Congrats, Ashley and Chad ... Here are a few cuties :)

JAD

:(

The worst possible thing happened to me 2 weeks ago. like seriously, THE WORST.

This summer I bought a new external hard drive to back up everything on - which is smart. however, because I had SO many files on my computer I decided to just back up the weddings I had done and the photography I had done for others... but I hadn't had the time to back up all of my personal files ... and when I did have the time ... I put it off.

Well I am sure you can all see where this is going ... my hard drive failed. and I lost absolutely EVERYTHING.

I backed up other peoples memories but not my own. Its soooo sad.

Definitely an eye opener, and from now on I will be an avid time capsule user.

JAD

ps. theres no picture with this post - as I don't have any :(

feeedddinnng frennnzy

ive been suffering a bit fromm being jet lagged and from boredom since i dont have a car and im staying at my parents which is in the middle of the country ... 

wanna know whats been occupying my time?? (other than surfthechannel lol) --- this wicked awesome video game ... feeding frenzy (lol its basically the worst graphics and most old school game out there but its totally addicting and i would def. recommend it if you want to procrastinate ... kill time.. etc. 

lol this screen shot gives you an idea ... 

enjoyyy

JAD

hoooommmmeee

I arrived home earlllyyy monday morning (took the the red eye, which was SO exhausting!) It feels so strange being back - nothings changed, yet everything has. Alberta was stunning, the people were friendly and fun ... it just didnt have that 'homey' feeling which i love and need. So heres to starting the next chapter in my life - over again ... 

on a side note ...

i hope everyone had an awesome halloween weekend! i for sure did - my friend kathryn cameee from ontario to visit for the weekend (bad timing since i was coming home in just a few days -but it was soo fun!) some highlights from the weekend - climbing a mountain ... shooting a glock (sp?) being scared to death by little children in a haunted house lol ... it was really great :) 

JAD

banff

this one is from inside the car - but i just loveeeed the view




here are some images from banff ... I was the biggest tourist EVA, but it was super fun!
I apologize for the quality ... most were taken with my point and shoot, and some through the car window.. but there still lovelllly! and

ps. banff totally reminds me of the scene in dumb and dumber where the guys are in the town when they go to aspen ... this little village amongst the mountains <3

JAD

alberta = beautiful

This past month I have been in Lethbridge Alberta. It's absolutely stunning here... The landscape is so different than anywhere in Ontario, in Lethbridge the city is separated by these huge glacier spillways called coulees which are so interesting. I was so excited to be in Alberta because I have never seen mountains. I visited Waterton national park, which just took my breath away. After I thought it couldn't get any better I went to Banff - which is indescribable. Apparently the further north you travel, the nicer the mountains ...And there are deer EVERYWHERE. Today 4 deer walked down my street and stood in the front lawn - just chillen' ... The picture above is from waterton. They were insane there! they let you feed them and pet them! I named this one Doreen and she looooveeeeed a&w fries lol

JAD

fall=fun

I just want to start by saying I <3 fall. I know its just the beginning and the leaves havn't even changed yet - but I love how brisk the air feels in the evening, and the cornfields that are tall and ripe and hay all over the fields.
I'm spending some time with my family for the next couple of weeks and soaking in the colours and feelings of autumn in Ontario because I have decided to visit out west at the end of the month!
This is my sister Emma - we had some fun last night taking some picture up the road from our house.

JAD

Jen and Ryan - Married

I shot Jen and Ryan's wedding yesterday afternoon. The weather, although hot was gorgeous. Along with the couple. I absolutely loved their energy and the personalities of the wedding party - they were just so much fun :) and you could definitely tell they knew how to have a gooood time!

I wish them a long and happy life filled with as many laughs and kisses as possible :)

Here's a sneak peek ;)

JAD

I have a confession ...

I have officially realized that I am a shopaholic.

When I'm bored, I shop. When I'm sad, I shop. When I'm happy, I shop. When it's raining, I shop ... basically I shop all the time (granted lately it's been a lot of window shopping but still...)

I just love the feel of finding that amazing shirt, or those jeans that make your butt look INCREDIBLE. It's a thrill ... but my favourite kind of shopping --- SHOE SHOPPING!

I have an obsession with pretty shoes. Like when I see a fabulous pair of high heels I just can't resist, I have to have them.
I think the reason I love shoes so much is that you can never have a bad shoe shopping experience ... You never have to worry about those 'fat' days and avoid shopping, you can always count on a pair of black stilettos to make you feel your sexiest. And that exhilarating feeling when you see the two best words ever -- 'shoe sale'

Here are the two latest additions to my wardrobe...

Stephanie and Tj - Engaged!

So when I first spoke to Stephanie on the phone, I thought to myself "I cannot WAIT to meet her - she sounds so sweet and down to earth ... I hope she picks ME to photograph her and TJ on their big day"
Well I was right --these two are so sweeet and lovable! I don't think I stopped smiling the entire time I was shooting their engagement pictures. I just LOVED them!

That first conversation on the phone Stephanie was intrigued with this 'engagement shoot' she told me that her and TJ didn't have many photo's together and that they were kind of simple and plain ...
Hardly.

From the car they drove up in - an oldsmobile that they rebuilt together <3 - to TJ's sweet cowboy boots - this couple was farrrr from plain. Their energenic, fun, sweet, and hilarious!
I absolutly cannot WAIT to photograph their wedding in september!

Here are a few of my favourites ...

-- JAD

Lisa and Paul Withers <3

Sorry this has taken me SOO long to post anything - I have been crazy busy with all the editing and weddings ...

Lisa and Paul's wedding was amazing! They both looked stunning and the amount of love that was felt between the two of them was inspiring.

Not only did they look stunning, but they were SO photogenic - it made my job super easy :)
Congratulations - I wish you a lifetime of happiness ...

Here are a few of my favourites <3

My First

soooo - today is my FIRST wedding. I'm excited and terrified all at the same time. The bride and groom (Lisa and Paul) are super cool and I am excited to be apart of their big day :) stay tuned for the images :)

--JAD

Loves

Earlier this week I met up with my friend Kevin and his girlfriend Kayla (who just happens to be my cousin) we did a short shoot and I had a blast. Here are some of my fav's!

ps. don't be disgusted at the kissy kissy one - they aren't even actually doing it :) 

Caleb*

Caleb and I had so much fun today! We got some really nice shots ... this is one of my fav's - its so natural and kid-like ... he's just checkin' out a piece of left over paintball from his game earlier this morning. 

As much as I love when people/kids follow the direction you give them ("ok stand over here like this - and smile biggg) I also love when you catch them in the moment even more :) 

JAD

family shots <3

My aunt has been asking me forever to take some shots of my cousins, kayla and ryan. Today being such a gorgeous we decided to take advantage of it!

we went to a fun spot covered in graffiti - which i loved!

ryan took some coaxing to 'get into the groove' of being a model (lol) but i think by the end we had a lot of fun, and got some great shots!

Here is one of my favourites  - its totally natural!

craazyy

sooo... I come home from work to find this baby squirrel in my driveway. Me being the animal love that I am, I obviously go over to see it and make sure it is ok ... well I walk right up to it and it barely moves - so naturally I assume it is hurt and of coarse I am going to help it. 

I go into my house to get a box to put it in to take it to the vet/animal control. I then put the little guy in the box and take it into my house. I go back to my car to get some of the bags I left behind. When I go back into my house not only is the squirrel out of the box - but he is now running around my house. 

As soon as he spots me... he runs up to me and follows me around like I'm its mother... cute but scary lol .... 

I finally lure him outside and a few days later he is doing this same thing alllll over again to my neighbor .. crafty little guy!

ps. its not the best picture as it only sat still for like seconds at a time!

Not Enough Time:(

I havn't blogged in quite some time, I feel so disappointed. I have been so wrapped up in finishing school and moving, I have kept putting it off! 

buuutt not anymore! 

and since everything is better with a picture:

Here is a shot of my boyfriend (Ben)'s family dog - Luke. He's just a puppy and is so hyper and hilarious ... 

stay tuned - there is going to be lots to come :)

JAD

Old Friends

Over the weekend I visited my very best friend Victoria. We have known each other for many years and have certainly shared many memories together. University has changed us both so much and because we live in cities far apart we don't get to see one another that often, so when we do get together I cherish the time so much. This weekend we spent reminiscing of the past and thinking of the future -- we looked at some old photos and laughed at how stupid we used to look and how much fun we had. I decided that I wanted to do a shoot with her, so we geared up and headed to a local park. I loved being able to share my passion for photography with someone who is very close to my heart and whom I care so much about :)

JAD

A new addition ...

I recently did a preggo belly shoot with a family friend which was really fun! This is her first child and she is ecstatic! I loved being able to share in her excitement and capture such a memorable time in her life. Hopefully I will get to see the new addition to her family shortly :)

JAD

New Challenges

Photography has always been a passion of mine but not something I considered making a career out of, that is until about a year ago.

In this past year, I have improved my work so much and developed skills I didn't know I possessed. Now with my first summer of weddings ahead of me, I am really focusing on my work and I am very excited for the upcoming months :)

JAD