Sweet Boy - Chicago Area Children Photographer

This was such a great session.  M is a sweet boy, he even took a nap at the end. 

I love this image so much.  It may be my Christmas card ;)

Mommy is a teacher and she requested this specific shot.  I can't wait for her to see what I came up with on my variation to this shot.  I really enjoy collaborating with clients. 

Big sister did a great job too.

I am thankful for little sleepy clients.  :)

Day 14 -20 Grateful Journal - Chicago Area Photojournalist

I am continuing my 30 days of gratitude. 

"Saying thank you is more than good manners.  It is good spirituality."  Alfred Painter

Day 14

 



I am grateful for my health.  "The greatest wealth is health."

Day 15

 



I am grateful for sharing goals, dreams and fears with these special and successful women. 

 

Day 16



 

I am grateful for photography and that my business grows every year. 

 

 

Day 17



 

I am grateful for cotton candy faces. 

 

Day 18



 

I am grateful for all things that soothe little and big sore throats. 

 

 

Day 19

 

 

I am grateful for doctors, nurses and modern medicine.  Even if they tell me something I don't want to hear. 

Not sure why she was holding her arm.  She should be holding her throat.  I think she was nervous. 

 

Day 20



 Today I am very grateful for mommy friends who look after me.  I received a message yesterday from a mommy friend reminding me that the A.M. Kinder class didn't have school today.  I sure was going to send her on the bus... can you imagine the mommy shame?  She was so sweet too saying, "I know you've got it together... but I just realized they don't have school tomorrow."  I don't have it together this week, so grateful for sweet friends.   

 

 

Check out M's 3 month session... cuteness overload!





30 Days of Gratitude Cont... Chicago Area Photojournalist

There is so much to be grateful for!

Day7

I am grateful for friends here and across the country.  Women from very different backgrounds, with different accents, political views and goals.  I am grateful to be inspired by them every day.  Thank you for dinner Sandra. :)

Day 8

Thankful for my partner.  I am grateful that God brought us together.  I can't imagine my life without him.  I am also grateful for his sense of humor.

Day 9

I am grateful for the sun.  I was pulling out J's winter clothes (something I've been avoiding) and the sun's rays poked right through the curtain on to my hand.  I felt like that ray was just for me. 

Day 10

I am grateful for my faith.  My faith has evolved throughout the years and I've never felt closer to God as I do now.  One of the reasons I am most thankful for my faith is because I know God is always with me.  "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope."

Day 11

 Today I give thanks for our veterans and their families.  When my husband was stationed in Iraq, I asked him to take pictures of everything.  He did and he put a caption on the back of almost every image - I put an album together.  I never showed the kids the album before and this morning we looked at them together reading the captions.  They loved this page because it had a pic of how daddy celebrated Halloween in Iraq.  I sent him a box of Halloween items and they put them on for the pic.  We talked about all the veterans we know, we prayed for them and their families. 

Day 12

I am grateful for one-on-one time with R.  We read books, laughed and cuddled. 



Day 13

 



Today I am grateful to be able to volunteer in the Kindergarten classroom.  I really enjoy being in the classroom with all of the children and giving the teacher a hand.  It fills me with so much joy.  It also makes me very grateful for all teachers. 

What were you grateful for this week? 

30 Days of Gratitude - Chicago Area Photojournalist

November is the month to be grateful.  I have joined many of my FB friends in posting something I am thankful for every day.  I encourage you to share with your family and friends what you are thankful for every day this month. 

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." Thorton Wilder

Here is the start of my 30 days of gratitude. 
Each image was taken the day of except for day #1.

Day #1

I am thankful for my mom.  She has shown me through example what being a wonderful mother means.  I am grateful for the sacrifices she has made for us.  Happy Birthday mama, I love you!

 

Day #2

Today I am grateful for where I came from; the South Side of Chicago.  Not the most wealthy and glamorous of places but rich in diversity, community, culture and faith.  I am proud of where I came from and grateful. 

 

Day #3

I am thankful for my in laws they raised the man that I love and are wonderful grandparents. They feed my kids all the stuff I don't and let them play video games all day.  ;)

Day #4  

 

 

Today I am thankful for time alone with my love.  It is very unusual that we have time alone together like this.  I am SO grateful when we do.  This angle is wide to show we are alone and we got to sit next to each other!!!!!! 

 

 

Day #5

 

 

 

I am grateful for the laundry.  I am grateful because I am physically able to do it.  I am grateful that we have the means to clean and dry our things.  I am grateful that we have clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, etc. to clean.  I complain about it more than I should.   

 

 

Day #6

 

 

I am grateful and proud to be an American.  I am thankful for our military and their families who sacrifice so much.  Exercising my right to vote this morning, now that is a wonderful thing.    

 

What are you thankful for? 













Yee Haw - Chicago Area Family Photographer

It's my favorite holiday of all time.... HALLOWEEN!

I just love it.  I have successfully convinced my family that we should dress up in group themes for the last 5 years.  :)  The day that I am not successful in convincing them will be a sad day for me. 
The person that gives me the most protest is my husband... it's probably because he knows that a family picture will soon follow.  He says it takes too long and I take too many pictures.  I only got about 15 min and I only took 10 shots.  Even though he complains and it is a hassle for me... I always love the results. 

The thing I love about Halloween the most: creating fun memories that will last a lifetime.

  

My little cowboy is so serious about being a cowboy.

My cowgirls can put on a mean face too:)

M said she is a sheriff not an outlaw. 

Even though hubby complains, I am grateful he humors me every year.  What a good looking cowboy ;)

 



 

After I took this shot of R I thought there was something really wrong.  I asked her why she was so upset.  She said, "No mama, that is my mean face." LOL! 



J said mean cowboys don't look at the camera. 

I love my family!
Have a Happy Halloween with your loved ones!
YEE HAW!

It Was You - Chicago Area Photographer

When I was asked to document our nieces wedding day I knew I was going to do everything I could to be there for her, on such a special day - even if I was only given a 24 hr notice. ;)

I only have two pictures from my wedding day.  I wasn't going to let that happen to her, not if I could do anything about it.

The wedding was simply lovely just the bride, groom and immediate family.  No distractions.   

The bride was beautiful, nervous and excited.  The groom had a constant big smile on his face.  The day was windy but warm and beautiful.  The sun beamed so brightly in the sky.

After the ceremony we had a short 20 min session before I had to make the two hour drive back home.  I am so glad we did...

While you look back at their wedding day, play their song "Caught In The Rain" by Revis.

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God has opened many doors for them recently.  They are stepping out in faith.  J is the new lead singer of Bloodline Severed a Christian rock band based out of Salem, NC.  They will be moving in a few short weeks. 

 

Congratulations A&J!

 

God bless this union. 



 

 







Toddler E Christmas Session - Chicago Area Children Photographer

I thought my last photo shoot with E was a little crazy but this one tops it.  She is too busy to sit down.  Of course she is a toddler ;)  We got some good ones that I will have to save for mama as she decides on Christmas cards. 

I love this one...mama is doing such a great job keeping up with busy E. 

She was playing hide and seek with me.  I gotcha! 

 

Merry Christmas E!