Weddings
Bellies & Babies
Engagements
Families & Kids
Posted on June 24, 2010
Absolutely love these two. LOVE. They are completely adorable and so very much in love. I shot this wedding with Jenni O’Connor from Lion’s Roar Media. She’s a fellow photographer/vidoegrapher and a very good friend of mine. She’s been hesitant about shooting weddings and I told her she HAS to. Her work is fantastic and I wanted her to see that she CAN do this! So she came along as a second and she ROCKED it! Seriously love her images. The first two here are hers, and the other two are mine. I’ll post more pictures and more of the story when I’m finished editing the 8 bizmillion pictures we took!
Posted on June 11, 2010
Normally, I would only post one or two sneak peeks from a wedding. However, because I (#1) couldn’t pick just one or two, (#2) am not good at keeping things secret, and (#3) love Ashley’s (nagging) aunt so much, I thought I’d post 6. I know, I’m so generous. More pics and more of this wonderful story to come…
And because I love you so much Leah, a sneak peek of you and Joe. Quit nagging. 
<3
Posted on June 11, 2010
One of my favorite things about my job is seeing people’s lives change, and being there to photograph it. Especially when I get to do it several times during their lives. To me, it’s an honor to be asked to come back and photograph another significant moment in their life. I was lucky enough to do Jason and Angela’s engagement pictures, and then their wedding back in 2008. Now, they just welcomed a beautiful baby girl into their life, Sydney Nicole. She was so sweet during the session! We were hoping she would stay asleep, but she was so interested in everything going on around her. Finally, during the last few minutes of the shoot, she fell completely asleep. She tried to keep her eyes open, but it was too much for her, and I was able to get a few sleeping shots.
Thanks so much, Jason and Angela for allowing me to come back and meet Sydney! And a big thank you to their older daughter, Emily for all your help!
Posted on June 4, 2010
If you’re not careful, Sydney will make your heart melt into a puddle at your feet. More pics to come soon!
Posted on June 3, 2010
LOVE this couple! A few weeks back I was fortunate to meet up with this beautiful family at Lake Katherine in Palos Heights. I did Kara’s maternity pictures two years ago when she was pregnant with the adorable Cole. This session was a LOT different! I love her last maternity session, but this was outside, natural lighting, and a lot more exercise for everyone! Especially for Kara, who sported these fantastic pink and zebra print heels around the nature preserve. I believe she is Super Woman.
Lake Katherine is a beautiful place and a favorite among some photographers in the area. So, when we got there I wasn’t too surprised to find there was not only prom pictures being taken, but a wedding going on! We were lucky enough to squeeze in after the prom pictures and while the ceremony was going on, so I got my favorite spots, and some beautiful lighting with the sun beginning to set.
So we had a wonderful time and I’m so glad I was able to meet Cole outside of the womb (haha). He is so completely adorable and I think I may have fallen in love with him. I’m betting the new baby, Ryder, will have the same effect on me. Thanks so much Kara, Mike & Cole! And thank you to Kara’s daughter, Alyssa and her boyfriend for watching Cole during the shoot!
First, a video by animoto.com. LOVE them!!
Posted on June 3, 2010
I get giddy over small things. Daisies, Johnny Noddy (is my family the only one who named the light reflecting on the walls?), coffee breaks, cereal boxes in the fridge, things like that. So, when a package I was waiting for came in the mail today, I of course was jumping up and down. For real, my daughter was even telling me to simmer down.
Ok, so these really are a small thing. I usually provide event cards at every wedding I shoot. Photogs, If you aren’t familiar with them, you might want to start. They are one of the best ways to provide advertisement for your business. They also provide a significant increase in print orders. As soon as dinner starts at the reception, I walk around to each table, introduce myself to the guests, let them know how long I’ll be there, and pass out a card to each guest, letting them know when the pictures will be up online to view. Every single table I go to, I get a “Oh! How nice,” or “That’s so wonderful!” They LOVE the cards. If you have a list that guests have to fill out with their email address that you pick up at the end of each night, stop. Notice how they aren’t usually filled out by all the guests? And really, how fun is it entering all those email addresses? Plus, I have to tell you, I booked a bride the week before her wedding because of the event cards! She wasn’t satisfied with the service of her current photographer, and she was terrified that she wasn’t going to see her pictures for months. She noticed the cards on the tables, fell in love with them and I was lucky enough to sit next to her at the reception. We talked, I was free, and the next week, I photographed one of the prettiest beach weddings I’ve had and I had my very first trash the dress session!
Order event cards. Collages.net provides them at a low cost and they have a simple drag and drop template. It takes me 5 minutes to order event cards for a wedding. The guests love them, the bride and groom love them, and you’ll love them! I promise!
Now, on to the source of my giddiness:
MAGNETS!! Oh joy, oh rapture! I was just saying last year how wonderful it would be if Collages.net made magnet event cards. Voila! I can see this being a wonderful thing. I know people lose the cards. I’ve had people call me and say “I don’t remember where that cute little card is, what’s the password?” I also believe people will find the magnets a little more valuable and use them as another favor or reminder from the wedding. On top of that, how often do you throw out magnets? My business name and website will be on their fridge for a long time. Every time they grab the milk, they’ll think of me. Ok, they’ll think of the lovely couple in the picture on their fridge, but still. When they think of photography, that magnet will be the first thing they think about. I hope.
So, photogs, I can’t stress it enough, event cards! Get ‘em!
Posted on June 2, 2010
I think I’m becoming addicted to actions. I can’t get enough of them. Which could be detrimental for my wallet. Which is why I thought I’d let you all in on this amazing giveaway of Life. Camera. Actions. at Photographer Cafe. If you win, you should know that I will be coming over and editing on your computer at odd hours. Just a heads up.