i'm just in awe of what's in front of me

Taffi and Chris are inspiring.  They're full of that verve and spunk that certain couples in love have that just makes you wistful and yearning for the days when everything felt so bright and so new.  Truly.  Their enthusiasm for life is contagious.  And the wit!  Eeep!  I am certain a Sunday afternoon at home is nothing close to boring with them, simply because their engaging hearts always seem to happen upon something new to treasure.  I just wholeheartedly enjoy being around them and I cannot wait for their wedding next June!

And this post was supposed to have made its way on here on the 1st (which I'm just a few hours past now...), so my apologies to Taffi.  I hope you had a most fabulous birthday, girly!!!

and in a white sea of eyes, i see one pair that i recognize

There are so many different kinds of love out there.  One of my very, very favorites is the kind that feels like home...the kind where you just know the couple have been best friends for ages and the love flows so easily between them.  Fortunately, Heather and Brian share this kind of love.  It's just so honest and real.  It makes you want to be a part of it...wish you were a part of it...want to have a part of that in your own life.  It's the kind that just makes everyone around you smile.

When Heather and Brian first started talking with me as to where to have their session, we were tossing around ideas more downtown (as they were coming in from Davenport, IA) and then the plans shifted to some of the more natural spreads of scenery in northwestern Illinois.  Although it's not a far cry from their hometown, the setting was adorably suited for their easy-going nature.  I just loved this afternoon with them and am very much looking forward to their wedding next September! 

wait for the season to come back to me

I am truly thankful to be finding such lovely couples and families to work with this fall and these sessions have been keeping me on my toes!  I've also had the chance to collaborate with Precious Time Photography and their promotional sessions for the delectable children's clothing store, Janie & Jack this past week.  Despite the nuttiness of my current schedule, I'm loving every moment of it.

Just a few teasers... 

mini session with the jamisons

lifestyle session with hullabaloo's FREE SESSION winner! jessica + family

engagement session with heather + brian

More to come shortly!

how delicate each beat trembles in my ear

Mark and Brooke are  a one-two punch of sorts--ten minutes with them and I was sunk.  Done.  Finished.  Down for the count.  I'd fallen for them in the way every photographer likely does when they've met yet another dream couple.  They're just fabulous people!  It's always a sort of magic to come together with the simple intentions of taking photographs together and slip-sliding into "the zone" of creative juices and lots of trust.  It was amazing to watch them going from hot and smoldering to being the dorkiest kinds of cute to finding their happy place in the midst of a bite of cupcake.  I couldn't help but drag my shutter for a few shots because both Brooke and Mark would fall so sweetly into their own time and space that passerbys might as well not exist.  Such a treasured morning on my end...  Congratulations, lovelies!!!  Best of luck planning your big day down in Knoxville!

Special thanks to Bunches (A Flower Shop) and Swirlz Cupcakes for accomodating our needs while wandering around Lincoln Park!!!

i need more love every day of my life

Oh yes.  There will be more.  This is just a taste.  I had to get your attention.  ;)

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there are still openings for the october 3rd mini sessions!

• INDEPENDENCE GROVE in LIBERTYVILLE ll Saturday, October 3^rd (rain date: Sunday, October 4^th) ll 3-6pm 

• $200 for a 25-minute session (ideal for families with up to two children)

• Clients will receive an 8x12 lustre print of their favorite image from the session, as well as their choice of either: 25 – 4x6 loose prints of a single image for their own holiday card OR a set of 25 – 5x7 press-printed holiday cards featuring images from their session with many designs to choose from.  (This is a combined value of $100!!!)

• Clients will also have their own private online gallery of approximately 15 of the best images from their session to order additional prints, products and press-printed holiday cards.

THE FINE PRINT: Session fees are due at the time of booking. Each afternoon will hold up to six scheduled mini sessions and will be arranged on the hour and half hour (i.e. 4:00pm, 4:30pm, 5:00pm, etc.) I can only accommodate those families who make an appointment, so please call or email me for your reservation! Families with more than two children should double-book (schedule two back-to-back mini sessions) for a 50 minute period in order to properly capture your family and all of its members; this can be done for $325 and you still receive the print and holiday card benefits from the mini session. Photographs of your family can only be taken during your scheduled session time. Sessions MUST end five minutes before the start of the next session in order to accommodate each family, so please be on time! Directions will be emailed to you, as well as portrait contracts to complete prior to your session and bring with you (to save time and sanity!). 

don't let the moment pass!  book your fall session today! 

This fall is proving to become a busy one...which is GOOD (I welcome this!)...but I am sensing that my schedule will start to come undone all at once.  This is why I am asking all of my loyal support base to start paging through your planners NOW!  If you have any inklings that you would like a lifestyle session with your family while the air is crisp or are expecting a baby this fall and wanting some delicious newborn pictures, pleasePLEASE contact me as soon as possible so that we can get your date squared away.  I know it's a challenging time, what with the school season just beginning for many of you, but I promise you that this extra planning will benefit you in the long run!!!

I am available for lifestyle sessions (of up to 2 hours) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, both in the morning and afternoon. Mornings are best for indoor sessions and the afternoons are best for outdoor sessions. The light can be buttery delicious in the two hours before sunset when outdoors! I am able to work around your schedule, especially if you have wee ones who are napping, so please contact me to see if I am available on the day of your preference!

Please note: It can take up to 2 weeks for the proofing of a session, and once images are selected for printing, it can take up to 2 weeks for delivery of prints and up to 4 weeks for the delivery of gallery wrapped canvases and all albums. Be sure to plan accordingly! Rush times are available; please check to make sure I can make your date and inquire about the Rush delivery rate.

All lifestyle sessions are guaranteed to be proofed for holiday delivery if you schedule yours by Sunday, November 15^th. All orders must be received by November 28, 2009 for the holiday deadline. Orders placed between November 29^th and December 5^th will incur a 50% rush fee. Orders placed after December 5^th cannot be guaranteed for holiday delivery.

My pricing is outlined on my main website, but if you would like a more detailed pricing sheet, please email me!

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Thanks, lovelies!  Just had to get that public announcement out there again!  I would hate for anyone to be left behind!