Neato

These are my kids. They're dressed up for the 50th anniversary of their elementary school. The assignment: come to school dressed in 50s getup... and this is what I came up with. Cate is wearing a home-made poodle skirt. If you look closely you'll see I actually DREW the poodle. Fancy, I know. Jackson's outfit was so much easier. Jeans and a white t-shirt. I resisted the urge to roll a pack of candy cigarettes up in his sleeve. I know he'd have been stopped about five feet inside the front door and asked to explain himself. Obviously he'd have no idea that was "cool" at the time, so I spared him the ordeal.

All in all I think I did a pretty good job. With a little help from the lady at the fabric store I created the entire look in one Sunday afternoon. I won't get hurt patting myself on the back though. It's the same exact sort of thing MY MOM would have done for me. Thanks Mom!

One More Reason To Be Thankful

My brother and sister-in-law are expecting their first baby in the first weeks of 2010.

It will be the first new one on that side of our family in more than six years and we're all getting really excited for the big arrival!

Last weekend I was invited over to take a few photos of the ever-growing Mom-to-be. She's getting bigger, but more beautiful every time I see her. It's hard to top the happiness that accompanies hope for the future. Pregnant women are brimming with that kind of happiness.

The baby (they aren't finding out whether it's a boy or a girl, though surely it's one of those two...) isn't even official here yet and is already filling our hearts with love and joy. We're thrilled and this Thanksgiving know we've got another reason to be thankful.

Cliff and Jill - Married!

I am so very proud of this next post... a wedding I shot this fall along with a new friend and colleague Leah. Jill and Cliff's Lake Geneva wedding was so beautiful - but their choice to stop off at the observatory was nothing short of brilliant. The light was so wonderful - it created such a glow around the wedding party. I might not know all there is to know about photography, but I do know good lighting when I see it - and the lighting this mid-October afternoon was perfect.

Here are a few images from the day - a sneek peek for the wedding couple, who can go to my site RIGHT NOW to view their entire edited collection!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sneak Peek - Ethan

This precious boy is a preemie... four months old. (or is it 2 months?) Whichever it is, time was no matter when it came to capturing his parents' hearts. I'm sure it took less than a blink of his eyelash to make them fall in love. Ethan's Mom and Dad doted on him every second of our photo shoot... dabbing drool off his bright red vest and carefully situating his bright red cap. What a joy! I can hardly remember when my two were so tiny... I'm fairly sure one of mine was NEVER this small. Congratulations to this new little family - and my best wishes for happy and healthy years to come.

Family Portrait Session

It's that time of year again - when mom and dads and kids of all ages worldwide gather together to take that most elusive of photograph... the family portrait.

Here's a preview of a session I did just last week. A wonderful family with two beautiful golden retrievers... which made for a tricky picture. Lots and lots of eyes to watch for blinking and of course, the occasional wagging tail.

It's not too late to get your holiday photos taken and there is a lot of fun to be had too! Build a snowman... cozy up to the fire... invite me over to photograph your little ones hanging ornaments on your tree! All ideas are welcome and will make for a very touching holiday portrait.

Senior Portrait Session -Tyler

Tyler, thanks for having me out to photograph your senior portraits! How cool to have so many different ways to express yourself - whether it be snowboarding, four wheeling, hanging by the lake or the more formal portraits. Our hour long session just flew by with so much to capture!

Have a great senior year and all the best to you in the future!

Senior Portrait Session - Meredith

This young woman is full of creativity. A photographer herself - it was a lot of fun to roam the streets of downtown Oconomowoc searching for just the right spots to stop and take a few shots. I always love learning something new about someone and while High Schoolers tend to start off shy, they usually open up and share tid-bits of their lives with me by the time the session ends. Meredith was no exception, telling me about a her very creative way to raise some money for a school trip. I love to see kids who are willing to work hard to get what they want out of life. Congratulations to you - and all the best in your final year of high school!

Hard at Work

I have had an incredible run lately.. lots of business has come my way - thank you!

I have really enjoyed meeting so many new clients, visiting their homes

and special portrait locations.

It's been like a dream for me, who is still working so hard to build a successful business.

I am busy assembling Liz & Mike's wedding album, editing Jill & Cliff's wedding portraits, editing Meredith and Tyler's high school senior portrait sessions and the Secord family session too!

I will get in touch with each of you as my work wraps up.

Again, to all the families, couples and seniors who have trusted me with capturing such important moments in their lives... I'm exactly where I want to be... and have you to thank!

Just a reminder! It's time to order your 2009 Christmas Cards!

Place your order by November 15th to ensure early delivery.

Spooky and Spectacular

We had a fabulous Halloween around here. The kids were sick the whole week before, but managed to heal up just time for all the fun! We did the usual jack-o-lantern carving.. put on our costumes (an Angel and Elvis... nice combination!) and then headed out into the neighborhood. We literally get hundreds of trick-or-treaters that roam our area on Halloween night. This year was the first in many that I've actually walked around with the kids. Usually I'm at home, manning the cauldron, in my awesome witch's costume. This year the job fell to my husband, who kept the cauldron - but dressed up as some funky 70's dude. No

making sense of that one. Anyway, a lot of fun was had by all... and we hadn't even headed to the Halloween Party yet!

Next year, feel free to drop by. I purchase a TON of candy, there will be plenty to go around.