Shawna Jensen Photography: books

Photography has been a passion of mine since I can remember. I used to say that it really started for me when I took my very first photography class in high school, but it actually began way before that.
Recently I was going through an old box of photographs and I had a ton of pictures of me and my friends from elementary school. When I really started to think about it I remember always having a camera with me even at that young age. I would bring it with me everyday to school and take pictures at recess.

Another passion that I've had since a really young age is art. I remember when I was five years old I got some cheap Crayola watercolors, you know the ones all kids use first? Well I just wanted to paint everyday and I did! I painted everything in sight. All my stuffed animals, vases, flowers, babies, people, pictures from my books, whatever I saw I painted. This too grew into a passion and is something I have practiced and practiced always still to this day.

But what do I do when I'm not shooting awesome families or painting and drawing? By now I'm sure you can tell that I am an artistic person so most of my activities include some sort of creativity. I love paper crafting like scrapbooking and making cards. I have a craft room filled with everything I need to make whatever I want. I have punches, stamps, stamp pads, card stock, vinyl, embossing folders, framelits, ribbon, tons of embellishments, and more.

I own a cricut machine and I love to make everything for my kids' parties including invitations, food signs, banners, cupcake toppers, water bottle labels, etc. Everything matching for their parties. Recently I have been using vinyl and making custom t-shirts, signs, cups, and anything else I can put vinyl on.

Also, I love to crochet. I know how to knit too but I prefer to crochet because it's quicker. Right now I am working on a cool blanket for Hunter's big boy bed to match his room.

I love to read! Usually the only time I can read is at night before bed because there is just no time during the day, but sometimes I am able to just curl up on the couch by the fire to read a good book. I love Victorian literature, romances, biography's, religious, and history books. This is what I am currently reading right now.

Fun fact, I was a band geek! That's right I played the clairinet from 4th grade until 9th grade but I have been studying music since 1st grade. I learned to read music and play basic songs on the piano in addition to learning the recorder. Then in 4th grade I chose the Clairinet. In high school I started to play the guitar and took a class at school. Recently within the last few years I have developed a strong love for the Ukulele and have taught myself to play. I now own four of them!

Baking! I have made cakes, cake pops, brownies, and sugar cookies. This is a frustrating art for me. Every time I am in the middle of making something I tell my Husband "I'm not doing this anymore!" Then the next event comes around and there I go again! I just can't help myself. There is something amazing about seeing your finished creation after all that hard work.

Occasionally, I like to refinish furniture. I paint old items with chalk paint. It's so much fun. I wish I had a before and after picture of something I have done.

So these are my hobbies! Sometimes I wish I only had a couple of activities, but how boring would that be?! If I get bored with one medium I can switch to something else and that also keeps my creative juices flowing so I don't get in many ruts.

What are some of your hobbies?

Technically, it's not back to school since she's never been in school, but I thought it sounded better. These are for first school pictures because she is in Kindergarten! I don't think I have seen a kid more excited to leave her mom and go to school, but my kid was. She came back that first day and said she didn't even miss me and that she didn't think about me all day. Yup. Just like that. I mean I was happy that she loved it and was so eager to learn and make friends but geeze. Actually, because she had such a positive attitude I think it really helped me mentally because I was fine. I didn't cry like I thought I would. Anyways I absolutely love how these came out and will offer this set next year for back to school mini's.