Moved.

If you find yourself here, please update your bookmarks as my permanent blog address has moved to:

www.jenniferemerling.com/blog

Spring.

Winter.

Country glow.

New Mexico.

Jefferson & Tracy.

Jefferson & Tracy tied the knot elope-style last year, juuuust before we were able to get some engagement portraits in. Luckily, they were still game to take some pictures as newlyweds! I love shooting these two, especially in the vintage backdrop of the Tower District in Fresno--a place that reflects their personalities and their love. I adore their sense of humor and had a blast hanging out with them all afternoon. Congrats, lavabirds!

Mount Dora for Florida Travel + Life

I am also featured in the Escapes section of this month's issue of Florida Travel + Life for a story they did on Mount Dora, Florida. All photos are mine.



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And here are a few outtakes:

A1A story for Florida Travel + Life

I'm in this month's issue of Florida Travel + Life, sharing a byline with Larry Nighswander for a story we did on the A1A -- a historic road going along the eastern Florida coast. The story is called "Skirting the Edge."



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On this page, my pictures are the girl blowing bubbles, the road signs on the ceiling, and the cupcakes.

Snow day.

Just outside the entrance of Yosemite National Park, December 2008.

Weatherveins.

Lost on a river our hearts beat regular time
Well the landscapes don't
The rivers flowing by
We're just drifting all night long hands to the sky

Cape Cod.

Bun in the oven.

The most beautiful pregnant lady in the whole world is my good friend Kim. I spent an afternoon photographing her while in Fresno over Christmas because she and her husband Doug are expecting their second child in February. Their family is so good looking I can hardly stand it!

Road snaps.

A few snaps I took while driving while driving across the country back in October.

Florida has the best clouds.

Monterey snaps.

Trying to catch up pictures I've taken over the past couple of months... these are from a weekend I spent in Monterey with LeAnne and Athena back in October. After all these years, it's still one of my favorite places to be.

I was told I would get it when I got older:
the losing hands, the moving vans.
Seems to me now there is no getting over --
there is only getting by.

SCRG Portraits.

Back in August I photographed the stunningly beautiful Smog City Roller Grrls for some team portraits they needed for their website and promotional materials. We did two locations and two themes in one evening. The first was the "derby pageant"--an idea I came up with and had been dying to execute for a while. Originally I wanted to shoot them in the Tower Theater or a similar venue, but we didn't want to pay to use their stage. Luckily, my favorite derby girl, Kim Burly, arranged to have us use her church's stage and tacky green curtain as a backdrop.

I'm pretty happy with how a lot of these turned out, but I'm not entirely sure that I nailed the pageant feel I was going for, especially since only four girls did the "talent" and "swimsuit" portion of the pageant (my favorite part of the idea), which hurt the overall picture package. But regardless, the bottom line is that I did this shoot for the SCRG and not for me, so I really just wanted to make them look amazingly gorgeous and fun!

The second part of the shoot was a lot more straight forward--hot chicks in an auto shop--and, as always, I had a blast taking pictures of these amazing women!

Drag Night at the Granada.

Scenes from a weekly Pride Night at the Granada Theater in Lawrence, Kansas.

Moving on.

A week ago I graduated college, moved out of my house, and then immediately hopped on a plane bound for Kansas City to shoot a wedding. It's strange to go through so many changes at once--they all happen so fast that you hardly have time to reflect on it all. So here I sit late at night in a friend's apartment a few blocks away from KU, and I can't help but miss the sun (it's been cold and raining) and think about my time at Brooks. Three long years and it's all over... hard to believe. On any given day my mood will range from feeling excited and determined, to utterly terrified and lost. I have no idea what to expect or where to begin, but I think I'm on the right path.





I hope the sun comes back out tomorrow.

VC Derby Darlin's Freak Show Fight Night - 8.16.08

The Ventura County Derby Darlin's had a bout with Bakersfield a few weeks ago and, of course, I was in attendance to take pictures and hang out. The girls played a great game with the score almost always tied, up until the last 60 seconds when Bakersfield just barely beat out Ventura by 2 points. Even with the defeat, I can safely say that the darlins' put up a good fight and were just as beautiful and entertaining as always!

Lucent Dossier.

A little over a week ago I photographed Lucent Dossier at The Edison in downtown Los Angeles. The best way I can think to describe watching Lucent Dossier is by simply saying that it. was. AMAZING. Truly a performance unlike anything I've ever witnessed. It didn't even feel like they were "performing" most of the time; it was just so organic and seamless that you felt like you were a part of the era they were channeling. I was blown away by all the thought that went into how they used the space and all the little surreal details they added in order to create an experience I'll never forget. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend that you all see them once in your life. It is well worth it. I hope I can go back this Wednesday and shoot them again!

Ventura County Derby Darlins Disco Brawl - 7.26.08

I photographed the Ventura County Derby Darlins at their inter-league bout last weekend to add to the roller derby photo essay I'm working on. They had the disco team--whose name I can't remember--(in silver) versus the punk rock team--the CBGB's--(in gold), and if memory serves, I believe the CBGB's won. It's become challenging me to find new persectives and new moments the more and more I photograph derby, while also trying to get that one essential action shot (nope, I still don't have it... but I'm getting closer). In any case, here are my favorite shots:

Happy August.

New month, new project:



(Wall art by Aurora Armijo)

I'm still trying to figure it all out, as it is by far the most challenging project I've ever taken on. Expect a series of experiments to follow--some may succeed, some may fail, but hopefully I'll create something meaningful with it in the end.

Circus snaps.

SCRG Bout - June 28th.

God help me, I'm still obsessed with shooting roller derby. Here are my favorites from when the Smog City Roller Grrl's won a great game against the Prison City Derby Dames on June 28th:

Leadville Update #6: Scenics, Part 2.

This is my last Leadville update. Being there was an incredible experience, and I'm really happy with most of the pictures I took. I hope to go back someday and dive even deeper into the community. The town has truly captured my heart, and I miss it so much.

Leadville Update #5: Around and About.

Leadville Update #4: Little League.

Leadville Update #3: Religion.

Leadville Update #2: Youth Culture.