Photo-Palooza Day 2 ... (Angels among us)

Todd and Michelle were planning on an early morning wedding at the beach. They were going with a Hawaiian theme, and wanting to capture the sunrise over the water. They were planning on a small intimate ceremony with the serenity of a peaceful morning to complete their wedding bliss. So you can imagine my surprise when I talked to Michelle 4 days before the wedding and found out things had changed. The wedding was moved to a more typical time (1:00pm) but a not so typical place (a pavilion). I didn’t quite understand, but little did I know it was the absolute best pavilion in the world. No it wasn’t in the middle of a beautiful park somewhere. It wasn’t decorated like something out of a fairytale. You see this pavilion was next to a medical facility where Michelle’s daughter is a patient. Michelle’s daughter had some serious health issues and could not partake in the beach wedding. So, Michelle put her dream of a beach wedding in the back seat and took it to her daughter. They were able to roll her daughters bed out to the pavilion so she could be a part of her mom’s special day.

It often amazes me what lengths a mother will go to for her child. A mother would spend her last dime to help her children. A mother would give up things for herself to lay a “foundation” for her child or child’s child to be. Not because she has to, not because it’s her duty for giving birth, but because she loves. She loves with a love that is indescribable, a love that could never be replaced. A mothers love is truly a God send and we are all blessed from the day we are born to have a mother of our very own.

There really are “Angels among us” and they go by the name of Mom………


After the ceremony we did visit the beach for a few photos…

Here are a few of my favorites from Todd and Michelle’s heart warming day…

Photo-Palooza Day 1

Friday marked the beginning of one of my busiest weekends to date. I had booked 2 weddings (locally) and a Sweet 16 birthday party in Chicago all in a 72 hour time frame. I had this silly thought in the back of my mind… If I was going to make it or break it as a photographer this weekend would definitely be the deciding factor. All be it with a sore back, I am still standing. I also had a really good time to boot….


Gary and Kathryn kicked of the 3 day photo-palooza with a bang….

Here are a few of my favorites from their special day…

The Diva Video.....

The Darling Diva Day...

How do you really rock a family session??? You turn it into a baby session and an engagement type session all in one.

Anyone who has taken pictures of a newborn can tell you, that you are limited to what the star of the show will allow (or put up with). There are breaks on the set for feeding demands “mother’s milk must be 98.6 degrees or the poop is hitting the diaper”…. “Speaking of poop, can someone freshen up my backside?” Then there are breaks on the set for nap time. “Being a diva takes it out of ya…ya know….”

So as you can imagine the photo shoot can be quite taxing.
(for the parents, the photographer, and the diva)

Now throwing in some Mommy and Daddy lovie dovie pictures can make good use of “Diva Downtime”. It also gives Mommy and Daddy a little reminder of how and why they have a diva that makes their hearts skip a beat.

Here are a few of my favorites from the most rescent Darling Diva Day….

Morgan, Holly, and Joe........... The Video

Family of 3 + 1 on the way... Sharing some laughs on picture day...

Joe and Holly are our longest tenured friends. Putting up with Sarah and I for as many years as they have, and still able to stomach us, tells you how nice they really are (or are they just crazy?? jury is still out…). Seeing how well I know these 2 and their kindergartner to be (Morgan), you can imagine how excited I was when they asked me to take some family / maternity pictures for them this past Friday. Holly is due at the end of the month, but her easy bake oven is totally giving off the appearance of completely cooked contents. I think the little guy won’t wait until the end of the month to make his grand entrance. But for now….. A big belly (not just mine), an in love couple, and a 5 year old with balloons and ice cream… make for good times with the camera!


Here are a few of my favorites…

Kathryn and Gary's Engagement

I’ve never seen two people who loved to laugh so much;
Smiling and giggling with every kiss and touch.
Their wedding is approaching and you can easily see;
These two giggle boxes are truly meant to be.
Laughter is contagious and brings joy to ones life;
Which makes these two perfect, a happy husband and wife.