I made it

...in an image!

A while back David came over and took some images of Vic and I together. It was way overdue. The last professional image of Vic and I was taken when I was 3 months pregnant with Grace. Before that, I think it was our wedding day...yikes. I vow to not let it go that long again.

Thanks DB for putting up with us! (Get used to it!) ;)

taken in our backyard:






I just got this one framed up and ready to hang:

N.Y.R | 2009

I'm a bit premature to post what my New Years Resolution is going to be, but what the heck...

Overtime I've gotten away from taking simple snapshots, forgetting the technical and just shooting. Looking back in Gracie's scrapbook one of my favorite images was taken the day after she was born. I just wanted the moment captured and did exactly that.

taken on our 2005 Sony cybershot and scanned in which probably explains the strange lines:

this is another favorite taken after a morning of minnow fishing:

Last night I snapped this moment between Gracie and Miao. It felt good to just take a picture and throw a little bit of my perfectionism out the window. Taken on my Nikon D700.

For 2009 I want to refocus on what made me fall in love in photography in the first place: capturing a moment & creating a memory. I'll always strive to become better and better as a photographer and I'm excited to see what 2009 has in store...

Reindeer in Training

For those that didn't get our Christmas card this year, here is my e-card to you...




And when he had enough, he played dead.

I declare a snow day!

It's about time all that rain turned to snow!

Wall Art

Before I deliver this canvas (tomorrow, J!!) I had to share a few images. This is a 20x24 with a 1.5 inch frame.

Curious what size you need for a wall space? Use masking tape or painters tape to mark the corners or border of the size you think you want. Seems like common sense, but a friend just mentioned this to me and I had one of those "ah, ha" moments! Just don't blame me if the paint comes off your walls in the process :)...I haven't tried this yet!!

little moments

Gracie has crossed into the land of imaginery lately and sometimes doesn't come out for quite some time! Tonight our loveseat was a castle, the swiffer was decorated with a Christmas bell and served as the tower, and the dog was a dinosaur protecting the land. ( I think the Backyardigans is to thank for all this). I love these little moments when I can sit back and quietly watch her.


But, I couldn't take it any longer and picked up my camera (my NEW D700-more later!!).


we started with some upside down giggles...




and ended with a very bubble filled bath!


Gracie, you rock my world. love, mom.

Family Time

We took a quick trip to Akron this Thanksgiving and had wonderful food and family time. My sister did such a great job I'm off the hook for several years ;).

My nieces sweet talked Vic into getting up on black Friday for some *early* morning shopping. He said if all 3 got up, he'd go. An hour or so later they came back with Webkinz they purchased for a penny each at the Family Christian Bookstore! While waiting in line outside in the cold my youngest niece discovered she put her pajama pants on backwards...memories.

They have a lot of snow up north so the girls suited up and headed outside...I suited up with my tennis shoes and bare hands. that's love.

this is before she face planted in the snow :)

Newborn | 5 days old

Yesterday was a fresh reminder how fast kids grow and change. Baby J was a delight to watch squirm and stretch as he found ways to get comfortable in his new world. He also found his thumb while I was there which just amazes me they can do this so early. Documenting these times is beyond wonderful.

I love this image. He was probably like this in his mommy's belly ;)

just shy of 8lbs

Pomeranian Christmas

Next to my laptop sits one of my favorite dog books (well it's my only 1 so far!) "101 Salivations-For the Love of Dogs." It's filled with simple creative portraits of all kinds of dogs taken by the award winning photographer, Rachael Hale. Someday I want to have my own titled something like "Gracie-best name in the world, for dog or human." It will be filled with images of dogs I have photographed with the name Gracie...so far I have 2 for my book.

Meet Gracie, weighing in at a whopping 3.5 pounds:

And this is Fozzie, who made me laugh so hard in his santa suit. The second he would put his head down and walk the hood would engolf his face and he would need rescued. Here, I think he just decided to give up::

the whole family::

unconditional love

We have the best lab in the world. Gracie loves to shut him in her room and "torture" him with dress up parties, pretend nap times complete with a pillow and blanket, and of course lots and lots of baby doll play.

Me: "Gracie, go let Miao out of our room if you're done playing in there."
Gracie: "but he's okay"
Me: "I don't care, it's not nice to leave him in there. Please go let him out."
Gracie: "fine"

10 minutes later on the kitchen floor.....



She loves to pick up his lips and look in his mouth while he's sleeping. Sometimes she puts Cheerios under his gums for a tasty surprise when he wakes up :). Don't try this on ANY other dog...

brothers

Brrrr....Winter just rolled on into town today! However, I managed to squeeze in some sessions before it got here! The leaves may be off the trees but I still love the woodsy feel you get with bare trees in the background and the leaf covered ground.


These two brothers were a delight to photograph. Capturing the bond between siblings is so heart-warming...

Three | Eleven | Thirteen

In a few more days Gracie will no longer dominate our walls with photos! I'm working on a collage of photos to cover our main living room wall. It consists of a 20x24, 2 8x10's, 1 10x20, 1 20x20, 1 16x24, and 2 11x14's! I'm just glad I don't have to hang everything ;)

~Have a great weekend everyone~

Lillie, Gracie, and Jill::

Sweet, Precious Newborn

What are the chances I would have a maternity yesterday and newborn today (not related)! I'm loving it. It's a wonderful change of pace from photographing moving, jumping, squirming children recently. hahaha. I love them all, but it was a pleasure to have a newborn thrown into the mix this month.

Sweet baby T was such a wonderful and calm baby. I loved documenting all her little features. From her tiny scaly fingers to curly little legs, newborns at this age change so fast! I am so pleased we were able to capture this time for her parents.

Thank you F family for opening your home to us. We'll be back for coffee and wiffle ball when your grass comes in ;)!

love her little scaly hands::

and her precious wrinkles::

Just when I was packing up my camera she pulled her hand up to her face so I quickly turned everything back on and snapped this shot. I love it!

A big thanks to David for assisting me today! Its nice to have an extra set of hands when you need them.

Maternity Session | Peters Lake Park

I had a great maternity session this morning and had a tough time picking out my favorites to post on the blog. T had the most wonderful referral from her friend whose boys I photographed a few weeks ago. I'm always so appreciative when that happens!

We met at Peters Lake Park and worked efficiently since it was pretty cold. I'll work in any condition to get a great photograph...and when my clients don't mind, what a bonus!

I'm in love with the fall "weeds" and colors:

this is my favorite! Isn't she gorgeous?


few more days to go little guy ;)

Information on maternity and newborn packages will be on the website soon.

I prefer the other side ;)

I do exist in photos! I do! I do! hahaha. I'd much rather be taking photos, but it's good to be on the other side for a while.

Head on over to David Burke's blog for more information on The White Sessions.







runner up pic:

Happy Friday!

This sounds like a diaglogue between my husband and I!

Senior Session | The Ellis School

Sunday morning I met with E and her mom at Southpark. It was a gorgeous day with beautiful lighting and there were even some leaves still on the trees. I've really enjoyed this mild fall we've been having and I certaintly love being outside with my camera! E was such a natural in front of the camera too, she really made my job easy. I'm convinced she can't take a bad picture.

She chose this one for her yearbook photo. I wish all schools were this way!!