Sunday, August 30, 2009

Another Shoot in the Can!


Not literally, of course! That just means I am done, it's a wrap and I can move on to the next project! The next wedding is this coming Saturday!

If you want to see some more amazing shots you can go here!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

My 1 Year Blogiversary is Coming up!


Yup, September 11th it will be one year ago that this little blog got it's start! Lots has changed since then:

1. I have gotten older!

2. The diva has sprouted into a full blown toddler and is growing up before your very eyes.

3. I have started a photography business that will turn one in October and is growing by leaps and bounds.

4. The moody teen has gotten a job, started Junior year and turned 17 (sniff, sniff)!

5. LIFE IS GOOD!

I really could not ask for more than I have because I have so much more than others! My life is blessed! Don't forget my upcoming giveaway from ColorInc. I promise it will be worth your time to enter.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Giveaway Teaser!!

I really could not hold this in any longer! See that new button at the top right corner of your screen? Well............that is the awesome company that is helping me with my next giveaway and review!

I placed my order yesterday so we are just waiting until it arrives so I can do the review and kick off the giveaway! I promise you will be very excited! Better start looking for that favorite photo that you want to do something awesome with right now so you are prepared!!

Enough said! Click on that button up there and check it out!!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Gives Me Hope


Like Santa gives a child hope of better things to come, mankind gives me hope! -me


Thanks to Dana, The Homesteading Housewife for turning me onto the site Gives Me Hope. I went to the site and was immediately engrossed in the simple gestures that give people hope!

The site brightened my day and I thought I would share some of the simple things that give me hope!

1. Photography, I capture so much through the lens that my naked eye misses! Tender moments between a father and his child, generations of hands that tell the family story, the love of a newly married couple, a father's love for his newly married daughter. I could go on and on.

2. A significant other caring for her dying partner in spite of it all!

3. A total stranger who opens the door for a young mother who has her hands full of groceries and babies.

4. A mother, struggling to make it on her own, who gives up food so her kids can eat.

5. A blogger friend, whom I have never met, telling me she is there if I need to talk.

I could keep going but you get the idea! These things all give me hope that the world can be a better place for all of us if we just work together and help each other! What have you witnessed or experienced that gives you hope?

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Senior Photos with Samy

All I can say is what a cutie and so much fun to spend an evening with! Dusk made for a great shoot with some DRAMATIC results that I am so in love with! Here are just a few of my favs!
The Golden Girl! Love the sun shining behind her!

Just such a sweet look!

Showing her fun side and love of dessert first! A girl after my own heart!

And here are some of my favorites where the drama really shows! By the way, she is also in the drama club so this is perfect for her!


Friday, August 21, 2009

My Lover!

My love, I cannot get you off my mind! You are so beautiful and freeing! Being with you is like being in love again for the first time.

I will return to you when life no longer pulls me in a million directions and the weight of the world is not on my shoulders. In the mean time, please do not forget me because now that I have seen you, on my mind you shall remain.

Until we meet again my love!

**Side Note** Yes, I am talking about the mountains!! LOL!

Storms of Life


Yup, I have been really lax in all aspects of blogging lately but I really do have a good great reason for being so absent! You see, we all have stormy seasons in our life and I am in one right now! There are many tough decisions that I need to make (no I will not air my junk here on the blog) and I have just needed time to think!

I am at a crossroads and the choice I make will not only affect me so I must weigh all options carefully! I just pray that you will stay with me because I will be back full force with the blog and dropping ECs! I just may need some time!

To all my bloggy pals: YOU are the best some are closer than my own family and I appreciate you so much!!

This photo which I call "The Perfect Storm" was taken the day of the Colorado wedding and it was awesome to see! It just fits the situation that I am in perfectly!! Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Vote For My Photo! Please!

Hey all!! Go here and vote for my photo! If I win, I could be published! That would rock!

Thanks!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday, August 17, 2009

I ♥ Faces Week 32 - Bubbles




So, I have not been around to participate for a while and thought I would come back to play! This was takes a couple of months ago during a marathon bubble session with the knight and the diva! And no, it has not been entered before but there was another pose with the knight that was entered.

Now hop on over to I ♥ Faces and check out some of the other great photos!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

All Because Two People Fell In Love..........

That is one of my favorite sayings! I just love it and it fits the theme of today's photo shoot! Here are Ryan and Amy's maternity shots, taken just hours before I left Colorado! In the course of planning their wedding they got the joyous news that there would be a new addition to our family! I am happy to say a little boy will join us later this year!


I just wish I could be there to do his very first photo shoot after he makes his big entrance into the world!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Ryan and Amy - The Colorado Wedding

This is the story of a boy, whom I have known since the day he was born, he is my nephew Ryan! I am so proud of him and his new bride, Amy! They are made for each other! Spend 2 minutes with them and you will see why!

This is one of my favorite shots from the day and there were over 700 to choose from! This one struck me because you can get a glimpse of the venue where the ceremony was performed in the background.

This is Amy's son! Look how sweet he is hugging Mama on her big day! He is such handsome guy!

This is Amy's daughter! She is so precious!! I love the way she is looking at them! This was taken immediately following the lighting of the unity candle.

And here they are the new Mr. & Mrs.!! They are so cute together! I wish you all the happiness in the world! Congratulations!! To see more click here!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year.......


Oh yeah, the moody teen started school again today! I am doing the happy dance!! I know summer is over and that is sad but he has been getting antsy the last few weeks and is ready for the new challenge that is Junior year! AND..........he is turning 17 on Sunday! I can't believe it!

Let me take a moment to brag on him since I don't do it nearly enough! He was the biggest help during our trip to Colorado! He was flown out to watch his sister while I took pictures and he did a great job! He had help from my niece and together they made a great team! He got the diva to take naps, eat and change clothes when needed! He was the perfect big brother!

I love you moody teen! Enjoy your Junior year!!

Big Savings at Kmart This Saturday Only!!

Did you know that the Kmart Bluelight that we have all come to know and love is still going strong? In today's economy it has become important to save money any way that we can and Kmart is there to help and on August 15th the savings will be tremendous!! Mark the 15th on your calendar and make your way to the nearest Kmart for this one day sale extravaganza! You will save on everything from patio furniture and grills to jewelery all at Bluelight Special prices! In addition, there will be over 40 in-store Bluelight specials throughout the day and other great offers at kmart.com.

Some of the great deals include: Kids Backpacks (Athletech, Route 66 and Licensed) that are regularly priced at $19.99 for only $8 during this one day Bluelight sale! With school time upon us it is a perfect time to stock up on school supplies for the entire year! Kmart is helping with 70 count Notebooks – Buy 2 Get 1 Free! See what I mean? Great savings to help you, the customer keep your budget in check!

Did you also know that you can follow Kmart on Twitter so you can get information on great sales as they happen! Well what are you waiting for? Mark August 15th on your calendar and plan on saving big at your local Kmart! Click Here
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

My Body is Home But..........

My head and heart are still in the Rockies! Sunday we went up the mountain to Estes Park and my sister made ME drive up the mountain! Me, who wanted to gawk in wonder, me who had never been there, me who had never driven those twisty type roads! Ha! It was all good and we did make it to the top, alive!

The scenery was awesome and can only be described as AWESOME and inspiring!! It was like being in church as I stared at the beauty and wonder of it all!! I was only disappointed by the fact that we did not see an elk or big horn sheep one! We did,however, see a few fly fisherman in the Big Thompson that runs along the road all they way up the mountain and lots of tourists!! LOL!

One fun spot to see in Estes Park is the Stanley Hotel home to many ghosts and the location for the shooting of the mini-series The Shining. The hotel was the inspiration for Stephen King to write his famous novel! He got the inspiration while he and his wife were guests at the hotel. This was also the site for the Danbury Hotel in the movie Dumb and Dumber! Some famous guests include: the Titanic survivor Margaret Brown, John Philip Sousa, Theodore Roosevelt, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and a variety of Hollywood personalities. I did not see a ghost or anyone famous! Ha!

Then there were the mountains!! Look at these and tell me that God does not exist!! Seriously folks, this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and I have been lots of places but none compare to this, in my humble opinion!!







All I can say is WOW! What about you?

Saturday, August 8, 2009

I Am In Love With This State.........Part 2

OK, today is the big day and I am off and running......well sort of! I was the first one up and have been editing photos from yesterday since 6 AM Colorado time! I am still in love with this state!! Can I say that enough! Here some of my favorite shots from yesterday!



This is where the ceremony will be held today! It is so beautiful and I could not imagine a more perfect location! To me, this is what the Garden of Eden might have looked like! Shear perfection!

This is my great niece and the diva walking down the hill! What a beautiful site to see! Stop by tomorrow for some more shots from this amazing place!

Friday, August 7, 2009

I Am In Love With This State.....Part 1

Colorado is beautiful! I am head over heals in love with this state! If you are looking for a vacations destination, look no further! Seriously, I never want to go back to Illinois! I have considered staying, I am not kidding! I would be willing not to catch my return flight! OK, the knight would not be happy if I did that so I will go back!

I pray that the return flight is better than the flight here!! We were making our final approach to Denver when the pilot informed us that there was a thunderstorm over Denver and would would have to circle for 10-20 minutes until it passed! OK.....great! 45 minutes later he informed us that the storm was not clearing that quickly and that we were running low on fuel so we might have to divert to Colorado Springs to refuel! OK......GREAT! Then a few minutes later he informs us that we are cleared for landing! What he did not tell us was that the storm was not completely out of the area and that the landing would be a bit scary! There was lightening all around and tons of turbulance but 1 hour and 10 minutes after our scheduled landing time, we were safely on the ground!

So I have not gotten any great shots yet but I will when we head to the foothills of the Rockies where the wedding venue is! I promise that it will not disappoint so for now I leave you with a few shots that I got yesterday!!
Here are the diva and the moody teen riding on the moving sidewalk at Denver International airport. Needless, to say this kept them busy for a while! The diva thought she was on an amusement park ride. Ha!

This, of course, is the drink of choice in the airport (or anywhere for that matter)!! Yum!

Yup, the diva is wearing a child harness!! It worked out well because the moody teen or I could keep a hold of her while giving her the freedom to explore safely! She loved it and pretended that she was a cute little puppy!!

The diva watching planes land and blast off! LOL! Blast off, that is what she calls takeoff! By the way, she fell asleep on the tarmac while waiting for our plane to blast off so she missed it!

This is the diva with "Buddy", her new friend! She calls all boys buddy! They were fast friends because he had on crocks that looked like Lightning McQueen from the movie cars! He was 4 and she hugged him before we boarded the plane.

This is the top of the gazebo where the wedding will take place tomorrow! I cannot wait to share all the photos from this trip with you! It is truly a stunning location for a wedding!


This is a tree and statue behind the gold fish pond! Notice all the lights! The whole garden is light up with thousands of lights and it totally gorgeous with the mountains in the background!

OK, enough for now! I am off to the rehearsal and dinner and also to do some pre photos! Check back tomorrow for part 2.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

We Are On A Photocation!

Yup, I am winging it to Colorado to photograph a wedding and I will be gone until Monday!! Yeah for me!! The kiddos and I are on our way to the airport as you are reading this, or maybe we are in the air by now or if you are a late reader, we may already be there!!

I will try to post some travel pics as we go but I won't promise anything because I will probably have my camera in my hands the whole time photographing all the wonderful things we will see on our journey!!

This will be the first flight for the Diva so it should be interesting! She is so excited and keeps talking about flying on a big plane to Colorado! Our newest thing is trying to figure out which animal will be on the tail of the plane since Frontier has animals on all of its fleet!

Well, peeps that is all for now! Wish me luck and look for some cool photos in the coming week!!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Megan & Tyler Preview - Wedding Photographer Mattoon, IL

Here are a couple from Megan & Tyler's wedding this past weekend! You can see more here!


Monday, August 3, 2009

My New Hangout!

We had all the proper tools and had made several trips to Home Depot and now it was all coming together! Our new deck, that is! There have been some road blocks like a huge root from an old tree that had been removed before we moved in! This thing was huge and took a while to remove but it was finally defeated and all the posts were set!

Here is the Diva on day 2 or 3 of the build and we won't be daddy's way too much so we decide to help! Yup, she is missing one pony tail that disappeared sometime during her nap and she was to excited to play for me to put it back in! Ha!

We got some done and then the mosquitoes decided to come out so we went in! We were so excited when we could help on Sunday after church and a visit to Papa!

The Diva worked really hard helping daddy! Notice the sawdust on the booty! I could tell early that this would be a two bath day for our big helper!!

Of course, when I look for something to photograph it is usually the first thing I see! Well, from where I decided to perch on the deck, this is the first thing I saw! Besides who can resist a booty shot from time time to time! LOL!

Now all that was left to do is inspect the craftsmanship and call all her friends over for a get together on the new deck! I forsee some future tea parties on this deck!

Notice the dirty face! My little diva sure does like to get dirty! Oh well, that is what baths are for! Right? Right!! If you want the full effect of the dirty face, click on the photo to enlarge it! LOL!

Busy week here getting ready for Colorado!! The list of things to do is a mile long so I will be around but probably not too much! Talk to you all soon!

 

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