Marcus & Vicki | Together Forever! {Lena, IL Wedding Photographer}June 30th, 2011Last month I helped my good friend Heather Wilson shoot Marcus & Vicki’s wedding in Lena. There was a threat of rain, but luckily it held off and we were able to get lots of pictures outside before the ceremony in the church. I love second shooting because the pressure is off and I have [...] |
Last month I helped my good friend Heather Wilson shoot Marcus & Vicki’s wedding in Lena. There was a threat of rain, but luckily it held off and we were able to get lots of pictures outside before the ceremony in the church. I love second shooting because the pressure is off and I have more time to get some of the “fun shots” while the main photographer is getting the “must-haves” – which depending on the couple, maybe be a little more traditional.
Andy & Jen | Engaged! {Dekalb, IL Engagement Photographer}June 29th, 2011Andy is my husband’s brother, so of course I had to insist on doing his engagement session with his super sweet fiance, Jen. We went to the NIU campus, where they met and also where they plan to get married next summer! I think the fact that we were related made for a lot of [...] |
Andy is my husband’s brother, so of course I had to insist on doing his engagement session with his super sweet fiance, Jen. We went to the NIU campus, where they met and also where they plan to get married next summer! I think the fact that we were related made for a lot of laughs; it was hard for us to be serious, but I love the results. They are a really cute couple and I am excited to welcome Jen into the family!
New Collections & Image BoxesJune 29th, 2011Last week I revamped my collections! I am so excited about my new products, and my new motto is, “I will spoil you.” Now instead of a boring old disc, I’m offering three different digital collections, and they all feature gorgeous image boxes. I ordered a sample just so I could show you all how [...] |
Last week I revamped my collections! I am so excited about my new products, and my new motto is, “I will spoil you.” Now instead of a boring old disc, I’m offering three different digital collections, and they all feature gorgeous image boxes. I ordered a sample just so I could show you all how awesome these are.
Pictured below is the image box set that comes with Portrait Collection I (I know, I should come up with a cooler name than that, but I was stumped!) This digital collection comes with five digital images and five corresponding mounted prints (5×7). The box itself is super smooth: I kept running my fingers over it! On the side is an elastic closure that keeps the box shut tight so you can display it upright on a shelf or mantle.
On the inside cover, there is another photo and design, and it’s raised a tiny bit. The box is filled with five mounted 5x7s, resting on a black ribbon to make them easy to lift out.
The mounted prints can be left in the box or framed. They are thick and sturdy!
Underneath the mounted prints is the disc and the print authorization card.
When you order one of my digital collections, you get to pick which digital images you would like out of your gallery, and you also get to choose which photos are featured on your image box. I will also send you a proof of the box design before I send it out to print so you can make sure you love the design. I can add special quotes, verses or names, etc to the box – just ask!
The Schulze Family {Forest Park, IL Family Photographer}June 25th, 2011Forest Park? Yep, I travel! If I can drive there and back on one tank of gas, I’ll go. There is something exciting about going to a new city, site unseen, and having to come up with locations on the fly. A year ago, even, I would have been nervous, but I’m at the point [...] |
Forest Park? Yep, I travel! If I can drive there and back on one tank of gas, I’ll go. There is something exciting about going to a new city, site unseen, and having to come up with locations on the fly. A year ago, even, I would have been nervous, but I’m at the point now where I feel confident I can find a good spot and good light just about anywhere. I always tell people, I don’t need a whole field of gorgeous scenery, I only need about 8 or 9 feet of it.
This family was just about to move out of state, so it’s a good thing that the forecast for thunderstorms held off until I was driving home – there would have been no time to reschedule! Their 3-month-old baby girl was just the cutest thing, ever! And I loved her white embroidered dress!
Sunset… Horse… a Gorgeous Senior {Roscoe, IL Senior Photographer}June 25th, 2011When Emily and her mom told me they wanted to do a shoot with Emily’s horse, I was super excited. I instantly had the vision of Emily & her horse riding in the sunset. We had fun with this session, and I have to thank Emily’s parents and grandparents for helping make this whole thing [...] |
When Emily and her mom told me they wanted to do a shoot with Emily’s horse, I was super excited. I instantly had the vision of Emily & her horse riding in the sunset. We had fun with this session, and I have to thank Emily’s parents and grandparents for helping make this whole thing come together. Emily’s mom held the tall & awkward umbrella, her dad helped keep the horse under control when it was freaked out by nearby cows, her grandma drove us out to the location on her golf cart, and they were all helping me lug around the step ladder. There were a lot of challenges, but as I told Emily’s dad, ‘perseverance gets the shot!’
New Studio Space | Cutest Little Boy Ever! {Rockford, IL Child Photographer}June 24th, 2011This morning my son, Micah, got to test out the new studio. I’m not going to lie, marshmallow bribes were involved (hey if it works, right?) Over the past few weeks, I gutted out our spare room and my husband helped me build a small studio that I will use for “Watch Me Grow Mini [...] |
This morning my son, Micah, got to test out the new studio. I’m not going to lie, marshmallow bribes were involved (hey if it works, right?) Over the past few weeks, I gutted out our spare room and my husband helped me build a small studio that I will use for “Watch Me Grow Mini Sessions.” It is the perfect size for the 2 and under set. Its simplicity puts all the attention on the subject, and I love the organic, natural look of an unlit white wall.
This little man is the reason I got serious about photography. Every day, I am so grateful that I am able to capture who he is right now. Everyone tells me how fast they grow up, and I hope that by taking a lot of pictures of him, I’ll be able to remember all the little details of his 2-year-old self. He’s my best little buddy! (He’s currently driving his Hot Wheels cars by my feet…)
1 Month Old {Poplar Grove, IL Newborn Photographer}June 14th, 2011On Sunday afternoon I went to baby Eden’s house to take her newborn portraits. I just love her blue eyes! Her big sisters were a big help during the session, and it was cute to see how much they are enjoying their new baby sister. Enjoy these previews! |
On Sunday afternoon I went to baby Eden’s house to take her newborn portraits. I just love her blue eyes! Her big sisters were a big help during the session, and it was cute to see how much they are enjoying their new baby sister. Enjoy these previews!
We’re Back!June 8th, 2011This past Saturday, after I wrapped up a senior portrait session, I hit the road with my son to visit family out in Ohio. We just got home very late last night. On the way back from Cincinnati yesterday, we stopped near Toledo to visit some friends of mine. Sarah is my “internet friend” – [...] |
This past Saturday, after I wrapped up a senior portrait session, I hit the road with my son to visit family out in Ohio. We just got home very late last night. On the way back from Cincinnati yesterday, we stopped near Toledo to visit some friends of mine. Sarah is my “internet friend” – as our husbands joke – we met online through blogging years back and have met up on a few occasions. It was fun to catch up again with her and her family for a few hours. We swung by a park for a super quick mini family session, as in 15 minutes or less. It was about 100 degrees outside! Part of that time was spent by my husband and hers trying to break down some dead branches that were “ruining” by perfect archway in the last shot.
Aren’t her kids adorable?
Because I Said So! {Chicago Family Photographer}June 1st, 2011A few months ago I was reading one of my favorite blogs – Because I Said So – which is written by Dawn Meehan. She is the author of this hilarious book (among others) about pregnancy called “You’ll Lose the Baby Weight.” I’ve read it and it made me laugh out loud in my doctor’s [...] |
A few months ago I was reading one of my favorite blogs – Because I Said So – which is written by Dawn Meehan. She is the author of this hilarious book (among others) about pregnancy called “You’ll Lose the Baby Weight.” I’ve read it and it made me laugh out loud in my doctor’s office. <– sign of a good book! To make a long story short, amidst some pretty awful circumstances, which you can read about on her blog, her readers showered her with encouragement & gifts. I saw such a huge response to her hardship and I wanted to do something as well. I noticed that her family photos in the header of her blog were outdated. The wheels in my head started turning. I thought, “I wonder if she would think I was some weirdo if I offered a free session?” Luckily, she saw that I was indeed 80% normal and agreed. I was super excited to meet her. And yes, she is funny in person, too. Although…. Austin, her eldest, has a whole slew of corny jokes of his own.
The session was a blast – it was totally off the cuff. I had never been to her town before, let alone the forest preserve we went to. The kids had so much energy, which made it even more fun, and I tried to capture that energy. I think I smiled the whole time I was editing these. It was so fun to be around this family – and they have good things ahead of them, I’m sure (besides the Florida sun!)
Enjoy this preview! (Dawn, your photos will be in the mail soon!)
