Smarty Mom: Jen Hunt

The best word to describe Smarty mom Jen Hunt is inspiring. We met several years ago when we were neighbors (and laughed when we realized how we’re connected in one of those six-degrees of separation things that happens quite often in Charlotte!). Jen’s style is like Martha Stewart, Anthropologie and Etsy all wrapped into one beautiful mama. She’s crazy talented.

She and her husband, Chris, are amazing photographers – their blog jen+chris (we are photographers) highlights their photo shoots of families, babies, couples, and weddings all over North Carolina and beyond – phenomenal. Jen’s personal posts on the blog are a breathtaking view into their lives (I’ve cried on more than one occasion reading her blog – Jen is an incredible writer).

After trying for several years to have children, Jen and Chris started the adoption process.  They found out they would be parents to 3-and-5-year-old sisters Hannah and Hailey in August 2011. And on June 1, 2012 they officially (by law) became parents to the sweet girls.

I am so overjoyed for Chris and Jen AND for Hailey and Hannah. They are a beautiful family whose love for each other radiates from the core – just see for yourself!

Smarties, meet Jen Hunt!

Smarty Mom Jen Hunt

Mom of: Hailey (6) and Hannah (4)

Married to: Chris for 10 years.

Years in Charlotte: 15

Hometown: Syracuse, NY

Occupation: Photographer

What is the best part of being a new mom? Goodness, I don’t know how to pick the best part but I’ll give some highlights. Climbing into their beds at night for snuggles and pillow talk is one of my favorites and watching the girls learn how to swim, ride their bikes and learn to read has been incredibly fun. But, I think the thing that never gets old is hearing a little voice calling ‘mama’ from down the hall and realizing that it’s me they want.

What is the most surprising part of being a new mom? The most surprising thing to me has been the seemingly effortless job of toothbrushing. They are little people with very little teeth and yet after 20 minutes in the bathroom there is blue toothpaste on the toilet, cabinet, counters and the front of their pj’s and their teeth are no cleaner than when they started. They have toothpaste all over their lips so I’m certain they are aware of where the toothbrush is supposed to go but in the end, it’s still baffling to me.

What advice would you give to couples going through the adoption process? The best advice I can give is to pray and find a community of people who will pray along side of you. Adoption is beautiful and so, so hard. There is so much gain and so much loss wrapped into the journey that it’s clearly not made to travel alone.

Favorite place to go as a family? We went to Hilton Head Island over the summer and so the beach has now topped our list of favorite places to go as a family. We also love outdoor live music anywhere we can find it and little sister likes to end any family outing at Dairy Queen so her ice cream can have a curl on the top.

Favorite date night spot in Charlotte? Soul Gastrolounge in Plaza Midwood. I have dreams about their fried goat cheese bruschetta, it’s that good.

Favorite place to take family pictures in Charlotte? My heart feels drawn to photographing families in a different way than I have in the past. I’m longing to do Day In The Life type sessions. I want to capture families living life together – sitting around the kitchen table in their pj’s eating stacks of syrupy pancakes with sticky fingers and faces. There is so much beauty in day to day life and so I want to photograph families for at least part of each session, in their homes.

Who is your celebrity crush? I wouldn’t say that I have a crush on him, but I wouldn’t mind photographing David Beckham if given the chance because ya know, that’s my job and all.

You’re very crafty – what are some of your favorite web sites (besides Pinterest) to find inspiration? I love the DIY projects on Under the Sycamore  and I always find the BEST and FREE holiday printables and party ideas at Eighteen 25.

What are some of your favorite blogs (besides CSP! :-))? My favorite photography blogs are http://tarawhitney.com/justbeblogged/ and http://wearethebloggers.com/  The blog I feel most inspired by is http://www.chattingatthesky.com/

What is your family’s favorite homemade dinner? Over the summer we did a grilled cheese cook off. Each family member got to create a sandwich and we kept rotating until the summer was over then took a vote on whose was the best. The only requirement was that it had to have bread and cheese. The favorites were 1. Sourdough bread, brie, granny smith apples and cinnamon 2. Italian bread, shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, celery, mozzarella and crumbled bleu cheese and 3. Sourdough bread, homemade guacamole, bacon and cheddar cheese.

Thank you, Jen, for sharing your time and your sweet family with us!