Chicago Blizzard 2011 - Chicago Area Photographer

The third largest snowfall in Chicago's history, with a recorded 20 inches and even bigger snowdrifts. What a great opportunity to take some shots. Since my #1 job is mom and the safety of my lil monsters, I had to make it work. Propping up my camera by the window I got these shots.

I really wanted to capture the snow that was falling side ways and blowing around...

snow falling side ways

Wind gusts reached 53 mph.

the next morning... covered in snow but still standing.

blowing snow

"Creating art out of every day life," a friend said about my work. This is what I enjoy the most about photog and here is a perfect example. Doesn't even look like snow, more like sand on the beach: the irony!
My fav shots of this blog.

trying to capture the blowing snow...

The calm after the storm.

Not bad for reporting from my window ;)

My Brothers Wedding - Chicago Area Photographer

I don't believe in coincidences; I believe in fate.

So when my brother told me last weekend he was getting married in a few days, I knew it was a big blessing in many ways. If you've been following my blog you know that I am currently taking a wedding photography class. How perfect!? My bro marrying the love of his life and I get to capture the special day.

Here is the photojournalistic story of my brother and SIL's beautiful and perfect wedding...



The "I do's".


The newlyweds walk down the magnificent mile.
At one point in the day my SIL said that she felt like she was in a wedding in the 60's; that gave me the inspiration for editing these images.







All the way up to the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center Signature Room.




The perfect backdrop: the city they were born, raised, met, fell in love and will grown old together in.


















Yes, that is dental floss that my SIL is using to cut the cake. I'll give you one guess as to what her profession is. HA!

A special note for my SIL: Welcome to the family, although we've already considered you part of the family for 15 yrs +. My brother is lucky to have you as his wife. Love ya!

Stock Photography - Chicago Area Photographer

What is stock photography? It is photography that can be used and reused for commercial purposes. Web designers, magazines, and advertising agencies are just some of the organizations that utilize stock photography. By using stock photography they save valuable time and money as opposed to contracting their own photographer.

There are many online photography agencies and they all have high standards when it comes to which photographs they accept to be part of their online databases. The photographs must meet criteria for high standards in quality, technical qualifications, and vision.

I decided to work towards getting some of my images accepted and I am happy to announce that 2 have been thus far.

Here is the link to view this image on Fotolia's site.

Here is the link to view this photo on fotolia's site.

Here's to new ventures and many more to come!

And it goes on and on and on - Chicago Area Photographer

...the learning that is! In preparation for the first wedding I'm shooting next month, I am taking a wedding photography course.

I had to submit three images the first one needed to be a story telling composition. Since all we see is snow everywhere and mountains of it, that's the story I wanted to tell.

Image #2 needed to be a front window lit female. I snapped a few of the girls before they went to the Valentine's dance with daddy. I submitted the one of R in color.

But I loved it in B & W.

Image #3 needed to be a side window lit male. I asked my BIL to model for me.

While I was out in the freezing cold doing my story telling comp. I saw a deer in the distance and was able to snap this shot:

I got this beautiful one of M but it wasn't exactly front lighting. She wanted to sit for the photo.

Thank you D for helping me with my homework and Happy Birthday this month!

He has this really cool tribal art tattoo on his arm that he got when he was in the Marines. I had some fun editing this image.

FLASH - Chicago Area Photographer

This was the last assignment: "This assignment is totally open to your creative ambitions. Do what you want, but spend time being as creative with flash as possible."

So here it goes:


Green sugar sprinkles with a heart shaped cookie cutter on top of a paper napkin. Just in time for Valentine's Day!






A family member asked me to come up with original birthday cards this week. She is changing jobs and wants a personal way to stay connected with all of her business contacts so she is sending each of them a birthday card this year. Here was one of my ideas for this project.
Funny enough I only shot one with highlight flash and that image came out the best.






I had to include one snow pic this week. I still have to go through my hundreds of images and do a blizzard blog. Here I used just enough fill flash to lighten up the shadows but have the image look as natural as possible.




A few out takes....


Round sugar sprinkles. Can you tell I have lil kids? We have them in all shapes, colors and sizes.

Another idea for possible birthday cards....

We ended up baking a cake. I really liked the way this spot lighting came out.

That was a great class. I've learned a ton! I can not wait to take another one.