Meet our Clients!

This month we would like to introduce you to Jenny Garby of J. Bella Salon!  Jenny and her husband have the cutest little girl who seems to be the apple of their eye!  And a wonderful AHP model!

Jenny, please tell us about your family!  

I have a pretty large family with 3 sisters and a brother.  I met my husband Tom through an online dating site and have been married for 2 1/2 years. We have a beautiful little 13m old Emma who is just starting to walk. 

How did you get involved in the styling industry?

Honestly I couldn't afford college at the time.  My mother suggested going to hair school and I happened to love it. It was the best thing that could have happened. I got more involved a few years into it and started working for a color company.  I taught their brand color and new techniques for a couple years.  

How and when did you begin your adventure with J. Bella?

In 2001 the salon I was working at was going to sell their salon to someone that didn't want booth renters. I started looking for a space to move to and there wasn't really anything I liked that was open so I asked my friend if she wanted to open something together. We found the perfect space for the 2 of us.  After a year we were growing out the space so we added another stylist an doubled our size. We just kept needing more space so we ended up adding another unit 2 years later.  The bank that was on the other side of us was open so we ended up in our space that we are in now in 2007.  We started out with 650sq feet an are now at 2,300!

How do you balance life as a business owner and mother?  

It has been a transition. My business partner Jennifer and I both have children and we split things up pretty equally.  I have a great support system that helps with watching Emma so I can work. I don't work nearly as many hours as I used to.  We also promoted one of our receptionists to Mgr so she helps a lot with the salon making sure things are done, orders are placed Etc..  

I just have to add I really love what I do. I think people should find a career doing something they really enjoy. My clients have become friends. One of our clients delivered my baby, is my Dentist, our accountant and so on.  You get to know people over the years. I have a few clients that I have had for over 15 years!  I really think the old saying us true "If you find a job you love, you will never work a day in your life" 

Sorry for rambling on, I just get mushy when I think of how lucky I am!!

A note from Allison Hope Photography:  We are excited to share that J. Bella is the host for our Bella Sessions on May 19th!   Jenny is also going to be our hair designer for the sessions!  Please call us to book your session soon 867-4970.

Never Stop Learning

I am back from a great long weekend at the annual NHPPA conference.  I have been a member of this group for over 10 years and this has always been a time for me, not only to connect to other photographers, but to regroup and refocus my business.  I am always filled to the brim when I return with new ideas, techniques and a sense of excitement.  This was my first year on the board of directors, as membership chair, so I got to experience a different take on how it all comes together, and see just how much work it is! I was inducted this weekend as the 2nd VP, and I am excited to start fulfilling my responsibilities.  

I am also excited to share with you that I received my Associate Colleague of Photography degree this weekend.  This is earned in reward for service to the association as well as for photographic expertise.  

We also have a print competition and I am excited to share that all my prints were awarded ribbons!

"Fallen from Grace" earned a Blue Ribbon!

"Baby Doll" earned a Red ribbon

 "Our Jumpin' Joys" earned a Red ribbon

"Fetching Water from the Wood" earned a White ribbon

"Tummy Time" earned a White ribbon

Vote!

 

Parenting New Hampshire has begun the voting for the Family Favorite of 2012!

Click this link to head straight over to the ballot and vote for Allison Hope Photography!

 Parents often get the best advice from talking to other parents – at the playground, at school or sports events, in waiting rooms or lines... so we’re asking our readers to recommend their Family Favorites.
 


Family Favorites, Parenting New Hampshire Magazine’s award program, is your chance to recognize those places, people and things that make New Hampshire a great place to raise a family.

From June 1 through July 31, readers can cast their votes at parentingnh.com for New Hampshire‘s best in more than 50 categories including Out & About, Baby Stuff, Birthday Fun, Shopping, Activities & Learning, Family Services and Restaurants.


All qualified ballots will be entered to win great prizes including a four-pack of tickets for the Newburyport Whale Watch, a family membership to NUThin’ but GOOD Times!, a month free of Gracie Jiujitsu classes at Manchester Karate Studio, tickets to Water Country and a two-night summer package for a family of four at Purity Spring Resort in East Madison, N.H., valued at more than $850. For information on Purity Spring Resort, go to purityspring.com.

The winners will be recognized in the October 2012 issue of Parenting New Hampshire Magazine.

Thank you!!

NHPPA Conference 2012!

I just returned from this year's annual conference for New Hampshire Professional Photographer's Association held in North Conway.  I always enjoy going and learning from awesome photographers from across the country and being inspired to work at my craft.  I also love spending time with my fellow photographer friends.  There is also a print competition during this conference and I am happy to announce that I earned two blue ribbons and two red ribbons for the prints I entered. Thanks to my amazing clients and friends who inspire me!

"Looking For Mama" earned a blue ribbon!

 "Little Addy" earned a blue ribbon!

"Dawn of A New Beginning" earned a red ribbon!

"I'm Ready" earned a red ribbon!

Vote for Allison Hope Photography!

We would love for you to take a minute and vote for Allison Hope Photography in this year's...

Best of Bride 2012!!

Who are the top wedding service providers in New Hampshire? We want you to tell us!

The fourth annual New Hampshire Magazine's Best of Bride poll invites you to vote in over 40 categories, including everything from best DJ to best outdoor wedding venue.
The ballot is now open through Thursday, May 31.

THANK YOU!!

Ribbons

"Goldilocks"

I just returned from a 4 day conference in North Conway for the New Hampshire Professional Photographers Association. It is always a great time of learning and being with other photographers whom I admire and just plain love to be around. I helped out with print committee this year as a print handler, which was fun. I was awarded ribbons for all of the prints I entered into the competition this year. I am especially happy that the image above, entitled "Goldilocks" won a blue ribbon along with a judge's choice award.

"Quiet Moment"

"Seaside Embrace"

"Daddy's Little Girl"

"Lean On Me"

New Hampshire Print Competition

I recently returned from a fantastic time at the New Hampshire Professional Photographers Association's annual conference. It was my first time leaving my 1 year old son for overnight and it was 3 nights! He did great and I only had a few tears as he waved goodbye to me.

Above is me and my roomie, Jeni. We stayed up WAY to late every night chatting like we were at a junior high sleepover. Why did I think I would get more sleep then I do at home?

Oh and here I am dressed for the banquet night, which is always themed, and people actually dress up! This year the theme was "howlin' nights", so this is "dark Allison". I wasn't too scary, but it was fun.

The conference includes an excellent print competition, judged by some of the best in the area. I always learn so much by simply watching the print judging. As well, I am inspired to see all the excellent work being done by my fellow New Hampshire photographers.

I am excited to share that all the prints I entered were awarded ribbons for being above average professional images. Thanks to all my clients who provided me with these excellent subjects to photograph and inspire me.