Chistmas is almost here!

And I'm finally coming up for air. Only a few more last minute orders to package and they're ready for pick-up. I'll breathe a big sigh of relief when the last piece of jewelry is delivered in time for Christmas.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to photograph an adorable little 3 month old. He has the cutest rolls and wrinkles. Chubby babies are the best. Here's a sneak peak of his little bum.

New prices and a better value

I know a number of folks out there put booking a session on the back burner during the crazy holiday season. I want to let everyone know that effective January 1st, my new prices will be in effect. I'm still doing the analysis on my business plan and fine tuning some things, so I can't yet lift up the velvet curtain to unveil them.

The good news is that with the new prices, I'm convinced that you'll receive a better value for your investment. Here's just a few ways:

• I'm making some serious upgrades to my studio in the next few weeks. My lighting will be even better. Just wait until you see how good it makes you look!
• I'm investing in some new backgrounds that will add variety and uniqueness to your portraits.
• I've picked out some new props that are perfect for babies and small children.
• A brand new gallery will showcase various products (canvases, framed images, handbags, jewelry) so you can see, touch, feel various items.
• Portrait collections will be available to provide even better value. Don't worry, you can still order a la carte, if that's your thing.
• Wall display options will be included in your proofs, to help you get ideas for hanging your treasured portraits in a way that makes an artistic, decorative, and sentimental statement in your home. No more stressing out about where and how to hang your portraits. I'm here to help.
• For ordering sessions, I purchased a brand new 21" LCD monitor that is top-of-the-line for graphics. What you see on my monitor will be exactly what you get from my lab.

If you book a session in 2007 for Jan., Feb., or Mar., 2008, and keep your original appointment, and place your order within 10 days, I'll guarantee my 2007 pricing. This offer expires Dec. 31, 2007.

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Baby "A"

I haven't done any sneak peaks lately because I'm too busy getting everyone's cards ordered and packaged. But, I can't resist on this little guy. He's adorable, isn't he?

I'm putting together a baby plan for 2008. It will included several sessions spaced for your baby's first year. Email me for details!!!

When I first mentioned to my husband that I was putting together a "baby plan", he got quite nervous! He didn't realize that I was talking about photography and not our own family. Too funny.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I can't believe that 2007 is nearing the final stretch. Here are some things that I'm thankful for...

- Good health. We take it for granted, but it really is the most important thing we can be fortunate enough to have.
- Family. I love my family dearly, and I'm happy that we all love each other.
- My husband. For his love and support of me and my business. Knowing it takes time away from our family, he's picked up the slack with the children, and fully supported the many, many, many financial investments I've made.
- My friends. I feel so blessed to have so many dear friends.
- Pixel Chicks. To my dear friends who share my passion for photography, who provide technical advice, emotional support, business advice, and laughter.
- To my clients (and friends). Without you, I'd just be a mom with a camera. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to get to know each of you and to share and capture a quickly passing moment in your children's lives.

Moments like this make me feel like I have it all. If only I remember this feeling when the laundry is piled high, the kids are cranky, and there's nothing in the fridge for dinner.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

Isn't she sweet?

Before I get back to work, I want to show two pictures from a sweet newborn session. The mom and baby were so sweet. Thanks for bringing baby "I" in. She's such a beauty, even if she didn't sleep much for us. :) I can't wait to see her when she smiles.

Busy at work!

Wow, has it been this long since I've posted? It's a busy time of year here. I've been thrilled to death with everyone I've had the wonderful opportunity to photograph in the past weeks. I feel like I've made so many new friends. :) I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to get to know such kind and fun people.

Enough of my sentimental babbles... Here's what you REALLY care about. I received a very big shipment from my lab, and I'm hopefully getting one more tomorrow, so that means that many of you will be getting emails from me in the next few days saying "your order is here!".

Okay - back to work! I have two sessions more to edit and get online...

November is booked!

I'm officially booked the entire month of November. I have several openings in December, but will not be booking at the same capacity as November. Just as it's important for you to spend time with your family during the holiday season, I'll be focusing on mine during December. Of course, I'll always reserve times for newborns under 2 weeks of age.

The "D" family

What fun I had with these three energetic kids! Because they were so full of energy, I felt like showing some of the more fun shots. I always love photographing this age - their personalities really come out, and we can have some fun. So, thank you! You all did great, and hope you enjoyed your ice cream!

Sneak Peek for the "H" Family

Here's a sneak peak from a recent session. I just have to say how much fun it was to photograph these adorable girls. They were so incredibly cooperative did a wonderful job. I love the outfits the mom picked. Perfect for a fall day in Chicago. And, I'm glad that our original location was closed (due to hunting!). I'd been wanting to come to this site and now I can't wait to go back. Here are 3 from the session. There are so many good ones to choose from!

PhotoPlus EXPO in NY

I'm back from New York. I can honestly say it was one of the best weekends I've ever had! The EXPO was really just an excuse to meet up with some of my favorite photographer friends. Though we'd never met before this weekend, we got along fabulously. We're part of an online group called the "pixelchicks", and we've been emailing daily for over a year. We had a ball chatting, and going out taking photos and seeing how everyone else does it. I'm so honored to be part of such a talented and creative group.

One of the highlights of the trip was meeting Kevin Kubota in person. We felt like groupies at a rock concert, and he was so very nice and genuine. He was kind enough to pose for a photo with us. His actions are fabulous (I bought version 2) and it'd be really super to go to his workshop someday. Here we are (from left to right: Megan Peck, Laura Stetser, Denise Snyder, Kevin Kubota, Candy Avera, and me). Too bad Alli Gaulin was not in this photo. :(

The Expo was also great for seeing all the vendors and making sure that the products I'm offering are the best quality and the best value. Keep your eye out for some new products I'll be offering soon!

Off to New York!

I should be packing, but it's hard to decide what to wear and what camera gear to bring. I'm leaving tomorrow on a 6:40 am flight for New York. The destination is the PhotoPLUS Expo, but most importantly, I'm meeting up with some of my favorite photographer friends: Alli Gaulin, Megan Peck, Denise Snyder, Candy Avera, and Laura Stetser. They all have amazing talent and style that I can't wait to see how they do it. As excited as I am for that, I'm not looking forward to the alarm going off at 3:30 am. Better get back to packing!

Sneak Peek for the "K" Family

Here's a sneak peak from a session this morning. I had so much fun with this family - an 11 year old, twin 7 year olds, and mom and dad. Everyone was great, but I think I need to learn some new jokes. :) I hope the "K" family likes these as much as I do. I'll be busy working on the others, but wanted to share a few right away. Enjoy!

The GRAND PRIZE!!!!

I spent this weekend at the Better Photo Summit in Chicago. It was a great two days of seeing presentations from fabulous photographers and talking to them at breaks. They were all so kind and so helpful. I learned so much and am incredibly inspired to make some amazing portraits. Although it's always been important to me, I'm going to focus even more on really connecting with each person. This connection allows the emotion and personality to really come through, and makes each session more relaxed and more fun for everyone.

Yesterday they announced the winners for the summit contest. I was hopeful I'd receive some recognition, and I was thrilled to have 3 finalists. I wasn't expecting to actually place, and so I was absolutely STUNNED when in a room full of 150 people, for the grand prize, my name popped up on the slideshow, followed by one of my favorite photos of a sweet baby I photographed this spring. It still doesn't seem real because there were so many amazing entries. The prize for this award is a free trip, including airfare, to the summit. Since I'm local to Chicago, Jim (the president) is so nice to work something out, so I may get to go to next years summit as my prize. Hurray!

Here's my Grand Prize photo:





Here are my finalists:

Here I am with Jim Moitke, founder and president of Better Photo.

Sneak Peek for "V"

Here's a sneak peak from a session last weekend. More to come in your gallery very soon!



This one below has a midnight sepia filter applied for a dreamy look.

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Here's a canvas that a client recently ordered. It's 20 x 30 inches. At first it seemed gigantic compared to the 11x14s that most people consider to be a "big print". But, when I hung it up on a wall in my home to take a photo for this blog, it didn't seem so big. In fact, the wall it's shown on is only 44 inches across. What a statment it makes on this small wall! I think I'm going to have to order one just like it (with my family, of course) for this same wall.

Scroll down for a special deal on a gallery wrapped canvas and two mini-masterpieces.

Tag... I'm it!

I have recently been tagged by my good photography friend Megan Peck to tell 8 things about myself that you all might not know...


1) I'm always on time. I can't even remember the last time I was 5 minutes late for something.
2) I love to cook. I wish I had more time to do it, and kids who would eat more of what I like to cook.
3) I don't love chocolate. If someone told me I could never eat another morsel of it, I'd be fine.
4) When my son was born, we didn't name him for four days. On his third day of life, we started calling him Christian, but then on day four, we went back to our original name. The nurses kept pushing me to fill out the paperwork, and I just kept pushing back. Now, two years later I can't imagine him with any other name, but it took over a year to feel that way.
5) I have to read myself to sleep every night. My latest read is a series by Sue Grafton, the books are "M is for Murder", "K is for Killer", etc.
6) In college I worked as a Habilitation Aid for developmentally disabled adults, many of whom had physical disabilities as well. I saw the beauty in each of these individuals.
7) I teach programs on public speaking! Yep, for those of you who dread it, I'm up there teaching how to do it. It's probably the most challenging job I've ever had... and that includes the eight years I spent as an engineer for a major technology company.
8) I'm a PK. That means "Preacher's Kid". I hated it growing up because church wasn't so cool. My dad's been my pastor my whole life. He married me and my husband, and he baptized both of my children. Now I think that's pretty cool.

A touch of luxury for you and two perfect gifts

For a holiday gift that will touch the heart and may even bring tears to the eye, here is a special bundle. This is a gallery wrapped canvas and two mini masterpieces of the same pose. Mini masterpieces are 8x10s printed on canvas. They drop into a regular picture frame for a tabletop masterpiece. Keep the canvas for yourself, and give the mini masterpieces as gifts. Did someone say heirloom?

Special Price: $390
1 20x24 gallery wrapped canvas (regular price $300)
2 8x10 mini masterpiece (regular price $90 each)

Calling All High School Seniors

Can you believe that 17 years can go so fast? I can't believe how my kids have grown, and I know in the blink of an eye they'll be taking the ACTs, applying for college, and getting ready to pack up their rooms and decorate their dorm.

Now is the perfect time to get those senior photos taken. I offer creative sessions that match your personality. What that means to you is that you get more than the typical cookie cutter session. Specifically, we'll work together and have a lot of fun. Your senior session includes time in my studio, and up to two outdoor locations. You'll get several outfit changes to capture the various moods and and aspects of your personality. The outcome? Senior portraits that you'll love for years to come.

Here are some from a recent session. Call me to set up your appointment while slots are available. I only do one senior session per week.

A Photo of the Day

Yesterday I woke up to find that I had another POTD (photo of the day) at Shutterbugs.biz. This is a fun photo contest because the photos they select are always fantastic, and it's fairly competitive. There are about 2,000 photos submitted every day, and only one selected in each of seven categories. Here is the winner from yesterday. To see my other winners you can go to the site at http://www.shutterbugs.biz/, and go to POTD Archives, and look under Photographer.

Christmas card designs are coming to town

I know, I know, it's still hot and humid outside. And, I'm definitely NOT someone who starts thinking about Christmas before Thanksgiving... unless it comes to holiday cards. I've been doing some shopping and have purchased some really clean, crisp, and whimsical designs. I've also been busy creating some of my own. Here are a few that I'll be offering this year. I've got many more to choose from. These can be customized and colors can be changed on most of them. If I've already taken your portraits, I'd be happy to create a card for you. If you haven't, I'd suggest booking a session soon. This fall is very busy, and I'm already got several bookings in October, and have limited slots in September. Prices for flat cards printed on photo paper start at about $1/card. Flat cards and folded cards are available on cardstock as well.

Adobe Lightroom Workshop

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop on Adobe's Lightroom software. This is a software package designed especially for professional photographers. I've been using Photoshop for a few years, and know that it came with a pretty decent learning curve. (Keep in mind, I'm very good at figuring out software with my engineering background!). So, this workshop would be a perfect introduction a new software package. An added bonus was that Scott Kelby (oooooh, ahhhhhh!) was the presenter. He is THE master in Photoshop. Aside from being amazingly talented and smart, he was funny! It was a fun day. I'm excited to use the software now, as it will surely make editing faster and better. And, for my clients, I've already used the compare mode. Clients can sit at my computer and we can do side-by-side comparisons of their photos to know they're making the right choices. Now, THAT is the best part.

Her name means beautiful

And isn't she beautiful?

This b&w photo won a Picture of the Day yesterday at shutterbugs.biz.

It's always fun when I get to photograph my friend's children. This little girl was born just a month after my daughter, so I've seen these girls go through the same stages. Somehow, though this little one didn't hit the "I hate the camera" stage that my daughter is in. Fortunate for everyone, this beauty took directions perfectly and I really had fun with them. And, it's even better when a photo session ends with a play date.