:: catching up ::

I joined the "cool crowd" a few months ago by joining Facebook and have had a BLAST catching up with some old friends. It's really amazing how easy it is to fall back into conversation with friends from junior and senior high. So much has changed in everyones lives but the past still keeps us connected.

So, if you're on Facebook ... "friend" me. I'd love to catch up with you!

:: i've been blessed ::

If I were to wish to have a problem, this would be a great one to have. I am really busy with sessions and weddings. I want to encourage anyone wanting a session to book as soon as you know what date you're looking for. At this point, a week or two lead time for making an appointment just isn't working out ... so please, PLEASE plan ahead as far as you can. To give you an idea .... at this point, I am booked through the end of November with just a couple of week night sessions open.

Moms ... if you're looking for a newborn session, call me while you're still pregnant and schedule an appointment for a week or two after your due date. I'd be willing to be flexible with you if your little one comes a bit early or a few days late ... but we need to make sure you get on the calendar. :)

Like I said, it's a great problem to have. I feel so blessed that my photography business has exploded like it has. I have made friends with great families I wouldn't have otherwise met and shared in family milestones ... and for that, I am forever thankful!

Two more notes ... I will not be taking any appointments December 24 - January 1. I'll be taking some much needed time to spend with my family for the holidays.

And lastly, the deadline for ordering Christmas cards is November 30. I want to make sure the cards are in your hands in enough time to actually send them out before the holidays.

If you have any questions, shoot me an e-mail. :)

:: 2008 Christmas Cards ::

Introducing the 2008 Christmas card line-up.

4 x 8 cards
$1.00 each
These cards are printed on photo paper and include envelopes.

Press Printed Cards
Assorted sizes (5 x 5 flat, 5 x 5 folded, 5 x 7 flat, 5 x 7 folded) ~ Prices start at $1.75.
Press Printed Greeting Cards are not photographs, but are produced on state of the art digital printing presses. These cards are printed using real liquid ink, not toner, to give press printed products the look and feel of a very high quality printed piece. If you want your Christmas card to stand out this year, these are the cards to get! Cards need to be ordered in multiples of 24 and envelopes are included.

I have examples of both types of cards if you'd like to actually see and hold them. Below is the 2008 collection. All these are formated as 5 x 7 cards but can be redesigned into any of the card sizes. Slight color changes are also an option.

:: me in action ::

I second shot a wedding for the WONDERFUL Kate Crafton from Tennessee this past weekend in Wisconsin Dells. It was a gorgeous day with a gorgeous bride and groom. I'll share pictures as soon as I get a chance to look through them a bit.

Kate posted the following picture of me on her blog and as I showed it to Ryan tonight I said, "Look at my face? Do I always make that face when I shoot?" To which he responded, "Yeah, ya do." :)

Maybe that's why kids are always looking at me strangely?

:: the baby parts of miss claire ::

Claire's mom and I work across the hall from one another and Claire often comes to work with her so I get to see her often. She's one of the best babies I've ever seen ... hardly ever making a peep. What little peeps she makes is usually in the form of laughter.

I had the joy of creating a baby parts storyboard for Claire and her mom. It's the perfect way to remember all those tiny toes, short fingers and little ears.


















And because he was SUCH a big help in making his sister laugh, I can't leave out big brother!!

:: norah at 7 months ::

You'll probably recognize this little girl. This is Miss Norah at 7 months. I love that I've been able to document her first year. I can't help but smile in her presence ... she's just adorable!

:: welcome to the world, gretta ::

I LOVE babies ... love, love, LOVE them. There is nothing more amazing than a newborn taking in as much as his/her little body will allow!

I have been anxiously waiting to get my hands on, Gretta. She is the 10 day old newborn of neighbors and friends of ours. I was quite impressed with how well she did during our session. She was awake the whole time she was here (which was almost 2 hours), filled her pants twice, ate once, gave us a few little burbs and had the quietest cry I think I've ever heard. I mean, really, she showed me all the skills she's learned in her short life so far. Quite impressive!

Congrats again to Gretta's mom and dad for creating a perfect little miracle!

:: can I have a lollipop? ::

I'm not necessarly above bribery. :) I keep a canister of suckers in my office for a little extra incentive for kids when I'm doing a shoot. My son, Riley, asks me just about every time he's in my office if he can have a sucker ... and he (almost) always gets the same answer, "No Riley ... those are for the kids who come for shoots." He knows this line well.

Today I had the joy of doing a session for Kylie. Kylie lives in our neighborhood, goes to the same daycare as us ... and is about 10 months older than Paige meaning Paige and Kylie "bicker" back and forth quite a bit. We are greeted just about every weekday by Kylie as we drop the kids off and she almost always says something that makes us leave with a smile. She is just a precious little girl.

As Kylie walked in our house today, Riley informed her that if she took pictures she'd get a "lollipop". Well, about 2 flashes into our session, Kylie wanted to know if she could have her "lollipop" now. :) She asked for it a few more times ... and finally I gave in. BUT she'd done such a great job, I offered her a special lollipop. You should have SEEN her eyes. :)















And a couple shots from the inside part of the session.

:: the joy of cousins ::

I had SUCH a blast with this session. I know I say that with every session, but I enjoy becoming a small part of the families I photograph ... even if it's just for an hour or two.

The mother of one of the little boys is a friend of mine. I left this session wishing I was part of their extended family. I realized after I drove away from the session that they remind me of my family. The biggest thing is that I get the feeling the two middle cousins could get into trouble if left unattended for an extended period of time ... and that's the same with my son and HIS cousin who are also just months part.

Thanks again Jen (and family) for allowing me to capture the joy of cousins!

:: for the love of skin .... ::

I love it when people bring items to my house that are near and dear to their children's hearts. Josh and Kim did just that. The most interesting of the items they brought was "Skin" ... a skeleton that sang and danced. It was so cool! Skin has been with their oldest boy since he was quite small ... and it seems like everyone in the family has taken a liking to him.

Thanks again for the session with your family! I had a blast with all of you!