Change.

Ain't it crazy how you think

You've got your whole life planned

Just to find that it was never ever

In your hand

- Sugarbabes

I struggled with how to even write about this. For one, it's personal. Very personal. For two, it's a new experience for me and one I know very little about. But, I thought about it for awhile and realized that connecting with people on a real, true level is something that is important to me: in life and in my work. So, I decided not to let that change even if the subject matter was sad.

Today, my husband and I lost our baby. We had actually found out last week that things with the pregnancy weren't exactly normal and we were waiting for a follow up visit to see if it was just a fluke or a mistake. Apparently, it wasn't.

Of course I'm sad. I'm thinking that it isn't fair, that this baby was very anticipated, wanted, and already loved. I'm thinking about who he or she was, how Betty would have been such a great big sister, how we were already planning his or her arrival. I never thought it was premature. I never thought this would happen.

But, again, life goes on. This too shall pass. As Grams would say, it'll all comes out in the "warsh" (she was from Chicago...)

But today, I'm sad. Sad for what could have been and excitement extinguished.

Let It Be Me.

And when your faith is gone, feels like you can't go on

Let it be me, Let it be me.

-Ray LaMontagne

I had REALLY been looking forward to Kari and Jorel's wedding for a number of reasons. One, Kari and Jorel are a great, fun-loving couple that are just a pleasure to work for. Two, they have great taste and this was evident by the black and white damask print theme they had all over their reception. I was giddy! Third, they held their reception at the super-cool Industrial Arts museum in Beloit. I had been there once before and had remarked that it would be such a neat place to have a wedding reception. And it was!

I had a great time, even the heat didn't get us down as we walked around downtown Beloit seeking out places for pictures. Hopefully I didn't drive the bridal party TOO nuts with my search for the best brick wall!

I hope you guys had a wonderful day and enjoy your sneak peek!

I kind of had to improvise with the usual ring shot, as Kari couldn't get her's off!!

Kari's "Something Blue" was the signature of all of her bridesmaids on her shoe. I've heard an old wive's tale that the name of the girl that "wears off" the shoe first is the next to marry....just FYI!

Kari wore her mother's wedding dress (with a few alterations) to her rehearsal dinner.

Even though Kari's eyes are closed here, I love this picture. It looks like she's taking just some time out from the business of the day to breathe and be with Jorel.

The sun DID make itself known, in more ways than one.

Sunny In Our Hearts.

Forget what we're told, before we get too old

Show me a garden that's bursting into life.

- Snow Patrol

Stacey and Tony were married at the lovely Riviera in Lake Geneva, which sits right on the the banks of the lake. After a lovely ceremony the crew hopped aboard the Polaris boat and took a little jaunt around the lake. This photographer even hopped on with 'em!

Their day was tinged with dampness, but as one of the groomsmen said "It's sunny in our hearts, Tony" (although I am willing to bet that statement was meant to be as funny as it sounded, it was a sweet sentiment!).

Rain or not, the couple had a great party. Young and old had a blast and so did I.

Enjoy your sneak peek!

The girls in the bridal party had great shoes...but I heard a rumor that they weren't very comfy!

The Peanut Turns 2.

It amazes me how fast a year passes, and the changes that come about in such a small facet of time. My baby is two. TWO. I can hardly believe it. She's a little girl now. Not just a baby.

We held Betty's birthday party this past Sunday at my in-law's house. Betty made out pretty well present-wise. Now it's the question of where to put all this new stuff! She got her first tricycle...unfortunately she was blessed with her father's stumpy legs and her feet don't yet reach the pedals...but, in time.

She had a Spongebob cake (as Spongebob is the coolest cat ever) and enjoyed lots of running around time with all of her little cousins.

It was a lovely day, and I'm just now kind of getting used to the idea of a two year old. Everything you've heard about them is TRUE!

Prepare to PAR-TAY.

Great-Grandpa Jack and the monkey he got for Betty. Grandma would approve.

Any kid can blow out a candle. Being that my kid is uber hardcore, she puts candles out with her tongue.

Welcome to the World, Little Evelyn.

I love newborn shoots, especially now that I'm pregnant again. It's such a great, fleeting time and they're so teeny weenie and adorable.

Tonight I had the pleasure of photographing Angela and Andrew's new little girl Evelyn. If you remember, Angela and Andrew were the couple that were waiting until their baby was born to find out the sex. Talking with both, they were surprised when it was a girl that arrived. Both were pretty sure a boy was on its way.

Little Evelyn is adorable and handled her first photo shoot like an old pro (with the exception of when they put the St. Louis Cardinals had on her...but I maintain that was the hat, not the camera..lol)

Enjoy your sneak peek, Little Evelyn! Welcome to the World!




I give all mom's license to hate on Angela for looking so adorable 1 week post-partum. I remember I looked like I had been hit by a mack truck filled with Krispy Kreme donuts.

I really liked this one because it looks like little Evelyn in on a cellphone making business deals.

The new family.

Baby toes.

At Last.

I discovered from listening to Ricky and Sarah's reception speeches that they have been together for 11 years! So, their first dance song to Etta James' "At Last" was quite fitting.

I actually went to high school with both the bride and the groom so there were some familiar faces at the wedding. It was also in my hometown so it was nice to be able to be in my "old stomping grounds" and working.

Sarah and Ricky's wedding party was one of the largest I've ever working with, and more was definitely the "merrier". They had a great time despite the ever-present threat of rain which never materialized.

Enjoy your sneak peek!

With a bridal party this large you have to get a bit "creative" to get them all in the shot!

Walking to Take a Stand.

"And it came to me then that every plan is a tiny prayer to Father Time."

Tonight I had the supreme pleasure of photographing the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. As those who may frequent the blog may know, I lost my beloved Grams to colon cancer in October of 2008, so this cause is near and dear to my heart.

I had never been to Relay for Life, and I was just taken aback by the sheer joy and optimism displayed. It really was wonderful. I walked around with a bit of a lump in my throat wishing that Grams could be there, walking with a purple shirt....a survivor.

That was quite possibly the most touching event of the day: the survivors in their blazing purple walking 1/2 a lap and being met by their care givers. It was great.

At the end of the evening they shut down the stadium lights @ Franklin High School and lit the luminaria that people had been purchasing throughout the night. I got one for Grams...it was surreal to hear her name read over the deafening silence of the Luminaria celebration.

It was a wonderful night, I am so glad I was able to participate in a small way. Here are some shots from the evening.

Grandma's candle.