Tis the Season for Baking

Oh how I want to be better about posting on the blog. But, the funny thing is that the world doesn't stop and wait for me to upload, edit and resize my photos so I can get a new entry going.  Thanksfully, I've finally found some time to get this overdue post going on a topic I don't visit very often....baking.  I will admit I am a much better baker than I am a cook.  But, since we only have 24 hours in a day instead of say, oh, 32 or so, I rarely have the time. But, each Christmas, starting about 4 years ago, we bake and decorate Christmas cookies. We make the dough from scratch as well as the frosting. Last year, we grabbed the food coloring and added some extra pizazz to the frosting, which we repeated this year.  Each year we add a few more decoration elements and each year we get a bit better.

We've amassed quite the arsenal of decorating options.

We love to give personalities to our cookies!

There's some serious concentration going on here.

One of the first masterpieces!

I love all the red and green!

A perfect Christmas tree!

I love that we have started this tradition. We always keep two cookies set aside for Santa each year and put them out on Christmas Eve, along with milk in a Snowman glass.

Here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!

New Friends

I originally "met" Caroline through Flickr. I saw her work quite some time ago and absolutely fell in love with it.  Recently, I saw she had moved to Chicago and reached out to see if she might like to meet up for coffee one day. I find it truly fascinating that this amazing digital world we live in allows us to connect with people from all over the world, most of whom we'll never meet.  However, every once in awhile an opportunity presents itself where I get the chance to say hello in person.  I was thrilled when Caroline accepted my offer and we quickly got a date on the calendar.  She chose a very cool coffee shop, which had the best hazelnut latte I've ever had!  When our coffees were ready, I refused to take a sip of mine before walking to the table as I wanted to take a photo of them both. It's a wonder I didn't spill anything!

We talked pretty much non-stop for 2 hours before finally heading down the street to find a place for lunch. Along the way, we stopped to take a few photos of each other. In this neighborhood, there is some really cool wall art!

We found our way to Jimmy John's and continued chatting away. I snagged a photo of her really cool tattoo - what's not to love about this???

The three hours flew by and before I knew it, we had to head our separate ways. I'm thrilled to have a new friend who shares my passion for photography.   I can't wait until our next get together!

The K Family Sneak Peek

I must sound like a broken record by now but I truly can't believe I did not have to reschedule even one session this fall due to poor weather. For this sweet family, we did move our session to the afternoon to avoid the morning chill and ended up with another 50+ degree day.  The littlest guy is only a few months old  and was one of the calmest, most content babies I have ever met. The little girl was so full of personality that her beaming smile made me giggle.  We had a great time during this family session and I'm always thankful for new clients.  We still had some great color all around us, as you'll see.

Thank you for the opportunity to photograph your family! What adorable little munchkins you have. Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and wonderful holiday season!

A Happy Engagement

So this was my first official engagement photo session.  I don't normally get to do these as I am not a wedding photographer. When K called, I explained that most photographers who shoot weddings include an engagement session. As she hadn't yet chosen a photographer and really wanted some engagement photos taken, she decided she would like for me to do them. I was thrilled!  What more could you ask for than two people who are in love, willing to be all snuggly and happy in front the camera, while I happily click away?!?! Rock on!

We met downtown Chicago, at North Avenue Beach, on a very chilly fall day.  I'd say it was below 40 degrees but these two were troopers. We had all dressed for the weather and they managed to get through the whole shoot without jackets!  When the wind wasn't blowing, it honestly wasn't too bad.  I loved that they were willing to do anything I asked of them.  We all laughed through so much of the session. What is there not to love about my job?

Thank you for asking me to take your engagement photos. I couldn't possibly have had more fun with the two of you. I wish you all the best in your life together and most especially, lots and lots of laughter!

The F Family Sneak Peek

I loved getting to photograph this family for the second time this year!  Our first shoot was back in May and the littlest guy wasn't quite walking yet, though he was a super fast crawler.  This time, we was most definitely on the go and their sweet girl just got cuter!  We had a wonderful weather, though we did move the shoot a day earlier and into the afternoon to avoid the frosty, chilly mornings!  We met at Graue Mill and had a great time!

This is, by far, one of the most creative moms I've worked with in terms of getting the kids together for a photo.  We struggled to the the little guy next to his sister without him going in a different direction.  So, she put him in "time out" because after every time out, he has to hug his sister. Then, we wanted him to walk towards us but he was having none of it. So, she created a trail of fruit snacks to get him to move towards me. But, the first one mesmerized him and then he was super fast in getting the rest.  It made me laugh and I so appreciated the unusual ideas!  We did finally get them side by side on this rock - long enough for me to snap a few quick ones!

Enjoy your sneak peek!  Thank you for asking me to be your photographer for a second shoot. It was so much fun!  Happy Thanksgiving!

The P Family Sneak Peek

Oh did we ever luck out with the weather on this day!  November 1st and it was 63 degrees out and sunny. Wow!  A gorgeous fall day with some wonderful colors all around us.  The kids had a great time playing among the trees and leaves and I had a great time snapping away!

It was wonderful to meet all of your munchkins!  I hope you enjoy the images so far.

More to come soon.

The A Family Sneak Peek

This family shoot was a year in the making. A gift certificate was bought for a gift last Christmas. But, as it often happens, life sometimes gets in the way and our plans don't quite take shape when we think they will.  However, we finally got a date set this fall for a full family shoot, something that hadn't been done before with everyone together, including an 11 month old Great Dane named Jaeger.  We ended up moving the shoot to the afternoon as it would have been a tad too chilly that morning. The sun shone and it was beautiful later in the day.

I'm so happy we got the shoot in before the weather turns into true Winter. Enjoy the photos! And thank you for asking me to be your photographer!

The T Family Sneak Peek

This family shoot was originally supposed to take place in the morning. However, the forecast was for 35 degrees and frosty. Brrrrrr!  Fortunately, we were able to move the shoot to the afternoon, when it was going to be 55 degrees and sunny. So much better!  This family session came about when the mom bid on an won a Silent Auction package I had donated to our Elementary School last May.  We got the date set for the end of October and had a great time!  What a beautiful family.  And the kids were truly sweet and interacted with one another wonderfully.

I so enjoyed spending time with all of you!  Enjoy the photos!

A Fun Fall Day

I first photographed these adorable little people (and their mom) last November.  I was thrilled to get to do another shoot this year.  They are both so full of personality that it makes capturing images of who they are oh so easy.  They were dressed perfectly and more than happy to play in the leaves and explore everywhere we went.

Thank you so much for asking me to photograph your family again. it was pure joy for me spending a few hours with all of you.  Enjoy the photos!

The R Family Sneak Peek

I've known this family for quite some time now, through a mutual friend of ours.  I was so pleased to be able to have a photography session with them on a beautiful fall day. I can hardly believe how much time has passed since their daughter was a tiny new baby and I carried her around for several hours at party we were all attending. How time sure does fly!  We met at a local park and had a perfect morning with warm sunshine and gorgeous fall colors!

We finished up our session with some fun playing in the leaves and leaf fights!

Thank you so very much for asking me to be your photographer!  I had a great time hanging out with your family. Enjoy the photos!