I was so excited for this photoshoot that I found myself a little unprepared. I usually have sillybands or some small bribe to keep young kids interested in this event and to keep their parents calm. This time, in the middle of an open field, miles away from the house, I had nothing! Nothing but my word. Vienna is a 5 year old spitfire who LOVES the camera. She was a breeze.
But her little brother Vaughn, barely awake from his afternoon nap, needed something to work for. He made it loud and clear...he wanted DULCES... So for as long as he would let us, Sydney, Alex and I would tell him he could have candy...and then under our breath we would say..."when we are done" or "maybe in the car". Luckily the gorgeous scenery and the Fox river grabbed his attention and bought us a little more time.
Sydney and I have a history. She was my college roommate...not for one year..but for ALL FOUR! We were complete strangers until the fateful day our names got paired together the summer of 1993. And now, I cannot remember my life before I knew her. During their photo shoot Sydney told her daughter..."Lyra and Mommy lived together for 4 years! The only other people who have lived with me for that long have been family." Well Syd, that still holds true. I will always regard you as family and I will always treasure our friendship. You knew me..the REAL me..long before I ever did!
Brandi and I had been texting, facebooking, and talking for MONTHS regarding this engagement session. We talked about location, outfits and of course her fiance...JUSTIN. Photo sessions are generally not the male's cup of tea. In fact, most would rather get it done and over with. So in the weeks that led up to this fateful day, I made sure to ask Brandi frequently.."How's Justin?". Her response was always a solid..."He's good...he may need some coaching...but he's good." It turns out Justin was better than good...he was great! He was incredibly relaxed, so up for anything, so willing to give up a Sunday afternoon while the Bears were on! And as for me coaching him? Well, I basically told him where to stand and he gave every smile, look, and pose with very little input from me. I think I even caught him truly enjoying himself. Look I have proof...you can't fake a smile like this! Brandi and Justin just have a very natural way with each other and when i asked what the secret to their relationship is Brandi let me in on some pertinent information. She said... "Justin and I were voted cutest couple in highschool!" Obviously they take that title seriously! And in between the more posed shots, I got a glimpse of cute..I mean, beyond cute really... Justin spinning her around when he thought I wasn't looking. A few glances that I swear were not prompted by me. And laughter...lots and lots of laughter! The last time these two were followed around by their own personal papparazzi, it was for prom! Well, it is great practice for the big day in August 2011. And truly..I was honored to be a part of it!
When Amy contacted me via facebook to take pictures of her family for their annual Christmas card, I was honored and excited. And when the day finally came...I was honored, excited and nervous. I know that I was not the only one nervous about this occasion because after every few clicks, her husband Matt, would ask me..."Did we get any good ones?" So I won't write too much more about what "we got"....but I can tell you that we got some GREAT ones! It was easy really...we had gorgeous light, an incredible outdoor backdrop...and 2 of the most camera friendly pre-teens my lens has ever countered!
Matt and Amy, I know you were looking for ONE good shot...but you guys just gave me so much more, so I think the decision for the Christmas Card is going to be painfully difficult! Beyond the perfectly posed pictures, there were some amazing family moments that I got to be a part of and I hope that I documented them in a way that will allow you to remember them forever!
If you have ever flipped through a Pottery Barn catalog and wondered "Whose house really looks like this?", you will need to meet my friend Karen. Karen and her family live a couple miles down the street from me and I have often stopped by unexpectedly with an excuse to drop off small gifts for her children or allergy medicine for herself. But in reality...I just wanted to catch her in a state of clutter. Not the "Hoarders Buried Alive" mess, but good old LIVED in clutter. Shoes at the bottom of the stairs, laundry haphazardly strewn out on the couch, a trail of toys down the front hallway. You know...NORMAL stuff! Well, try as I may, I could never catch her in a moment of weakness. So I just have to reconcile (and secretly hate her for it) that Karen just keeps her home like this all of the time. Today Karen's daughter Maddie turned 7 years old. And as I read Karen's facebook status honoring her little girl, I could not help but invite myself over to capture the life of Maddie on her first day of being 7. Karen knows me better and she knew that I would not take NO for an answer. And so through a series of instant messages, we planned it and Karen vowed to "whip" something together in the next couple of hours so I could take some images of Maddie celebrating her birthday. I probably should not have been shocked at the pomp and circumstance that greeted me when I arrived later that afternoon. Karen's last minute, throw it together party was nothing short of an A-List event! Balloons, streamers hanging from the chandelier, a fresh baked cake, personalized confetti sprayed across the table and dozens of presents stylized on the granite countertop. Madeline wore a permanent grin the entire afternoon knowing that all of the fuss was over her in celebrating the day she entered the world! We did the token birthday images... blowing out the cake, opening the presents. We even got a change to take some photographs outside. But some of my favorite images came from a 15 minute span when Karen allowed me to take some pictures of Maddie's room. It was fascinating that even though she was playing downstairs, the bedroom was still filled with Maddie. Her favorite toys, her posters, her handwritten notes and doodling...Those tiny details that make this 7 year old uniquel! Sometimes its the little things, like Justin Bieber's pin up on a door, that truly mark the time in someone's life. And I hope I captured that for Karen and Maddie. Before I left, Maddie agreed to do a video interview with me. As we sat down I asked her what she thought of her birthday so far. She let out a tiny laugh, shrugged her shoulders and sweetly said..."My Mom is kinda crazy." I think that's 7 year old talk for "I am really grateful". And I wanted to tell her that yes her mom is CRAZY! CRAZY in love with her life. CRAZY in love with her family! CRAZY in love with her kids..and especially with her birthday girl!
