Happy New Year! I am taking a few days off...

I hope you all have a safe and happy new year. I am going up north for the holiday and will have no intetnet (not that it is even working on my laptop yet) and my cell phone coverage will be sketchy, at best. I will return all e-mails and phone calls next week.

Here are just a few fun shots from in the studio last night. We were just goofing around.

Check out the hip chick in this outfit! I think Ella may be the youngest Stones fan. Brynn is a fan too, but she didn't have a choice...she went with me to my first Stones concert when I was about 8 weeks prego. Thank you to Eric & Ashley for the totally rockin' outfit!

Brynn and I got Ella this hat for Christmas. It is from my favorite store in Geneva called Cocoon.

I made my handsome brother-in-law strike a pose for me. Check out that "Blue Steel!"

Happy New Year everyone! See you in 2009!

Kathlyn & Mike

I am finally getting to blog about this wonderful wedding I shot a couple weeks ago. I have lost my wireless internet connection on my laptop, so that has set me back on some of my work...ugh! :(

This wedding was so special for me to be a part of. This family was so welcoming and so sweet. You may remember Kathlyn & Mike from their engagement session I shot this summer on the most humid and stormy day. When I was still working in the legal field, I was Kathlyn's dad's paralegal at two different law firms. He was sweet enough to support my growing business and include me in this beautiful day.


Kathlyn and her dad (my old boss), Steve. He is truly one of the nicest, most sincere people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and especially working with.


Kathlyn's grandma made her this jacket to wear for her December wedding. It came in handy too...it was 20 degrees outside.

Isn't she beautiful? Just like her father, she is truly a sweet, sweet person.

Mike and his mom.

Where's Waldo?

Putting on the finishing touches.

Mike is such a fun, happy guy. They are so lucky to have found each other because they make a perfect couple.

Mike & his brothers.

The girls giving some last minute support before walking down the aisle.

I love this shot. This is the Maid-of-Honor taking one last look at her big sister right before she took her turn down the aisle. There were lots of happy tears :)

First kiss

Alone at last! Well, except for me sneaking up on them ;)

Just as we started some fun photos, it started snowing and it was beautiful. A very, very special thank you to Deanne at the Herrington Inn in Geneva for letting me shoot down there. We so enjoyed your Christmas decorations, it was just the look Kathlyn was hoping for.

I love the motion of this image. We were running back to the limo since we were freezing our butts off. Kathlyn and Mike were such good sports about shooting outside on this winter day.

The reception took place at the Hilton in Lisle. The food was delicious and all the details were perfect for a Christmas wedding.

First Dance

I just love the look on Kathlyn's face as she is watching Mike dance with his mom.

As an added bonus, my grandparents were in attendance so I got to have a nice dinner with them and enjoyed watching them on the dance floor.

Kathlyn & Mike, thank you so much for letting me enjoy your day with you. I had such a good time and am so happy for both of you! Happy New Year!

Also, I want to thank Faye & Michael for shooting with me too. It's always fun with you both.

Merry Christmas Eve!

This holiday season has been filled with so many fun traditions and holiday activities, including my favorite, shooting weddings. Here is just a sneak peek from last weekend. More images coming after Christmas, I promise. I would have had them all done except for the 8 hours I spend yesterday wrapping presents....ugh.

Another one of my favorite activities (all the time, not just at the holidays) is spending time with our families. Every year all the girls take the train and we go to lunch downtown. We used to always go to the Walnut Room at Marshall Field's, but we took a few years off due to the name change (Macy's) and the massive line to get in. We have eaten at the Four Season's on Michigan instead, but we gave it a try again this year and it was perfect.

The girls: my grandma Lois, my sister Courtney, niece Ella, my mom, sister Lisa, Aunt Ann, me & Brynn. My cousin Alissa was the only one missing :(

We also spent some time over at Chad's mom's house on their annual Holiday Baking Day. Brynn loved helping her Nana and Auntie Mary. They had so many things baking, they would put a candy store to shame...

I am not a cook or a baker, but I do like to eat.

Indoor s'mores

Cinnamon rolls

Not sure what was in this one, but it was good.

Mary's boyfriend Wes is also a great cook. He is in touch with his feminine side. Sweet apron. Very festive.

Homemade caramels

Soft pretzels

I love their aprons :)