You may remember Michelle from a few months back when she came to me for photos to surprise Trent for Father’s Day.  They wanted to do some photos together at their home with the baby before he made his arrival.  When they gave me the directions I thought the area sounded familiar, but once I got there I realized I had photographed at several places close by.  One was an old barn that I photographed a senior at last fall and just loved.  Trent said it was his family’s and now I have permission to use the barn instead of my usual asking permission only if I am found out!   Anyways…back to Trent and Michelle!  I saw them at the bank last week and she still hadn’t delivered, but I am thinking she has to of had him by now.  I can’t wait to meet this little guy and photograph him!  I’ll be sure to post those as soon as it happens.  For now I hope you enjoy these!

Behind Michelle & Trent is the cattle he raises and the family farm.  They have some awesome old pictures up in their kitchen of his family that used to farm there.  I love hearing stories like those!  (The moon even made an appearance in the sky for us!)

One last family photo before the new addition!

I wanted to end this post with a little heart warming story.  This photo was Trent’s idea and I have said before I LOVE when my clients come to me with their ideas.  The tree in the background has been on the property forever (he told me how old he thinks it is, but I can’t remember so lets just say its REAL old and REAL big) and recently the little tree in the foreground was planted.  Trent wanted to have a photo with both of them in it while their baby was growing in Michelle so one day, thirty years or so from now, their child can look at this photo and see the growth that has taken place in his life and the tree’s.  I am sure I am not giving the story justice as I am horrible at re-telling, but I hope I got the point across of the meaning behind this photograph.  Thanks for an awesome shoot guys and for inviting me to your awesome home!

Makaya’s mommy received a gift certificate for a free sitting at her baby shower and she saved it for her daughter’s six month photos.  She is ADORABLE and I can’t wait to get her back in the studio again!  I had a few helpers who bent over backwards to get this million dollar smile…thank you to Makaya’s Mom and Grandma!!

Eye lashes a mile long!

Already sticking her tongue out at the camera!

Love this goofy little face.

I’ll end with a big happy smile!  Hope it brightens your day!

Bailey was a lot of fun to photograph.  As a photographer it’s my job to make people look the best that they can, but I didn’t have to do much for Bailey!  She has great style and was good at posing herself which made my job pretty easy.  Bailey’s mom owns Jillian’s…a salon on the south end of Main Street in Princeton.  When I asked where they wanted her portraits to be taken at their suggestion was the salon and I was so excited!  Every time I stop in there I am blow away at how beautiful it is and the light from the front windows is gorgeous.  These first two shots are right in the front part of the salon and shot with the natural window light.  Isn’t it beautiful?!?  Or should I say isn’t she beautiful?!?

Then we stepped out back out the salon to peek around and see what sorts of backdrops we could find and I hit the jackpot!

Thanks for an awesome shoot Bailey!  I wish you all the best in your future endevors!

I am behind on blogging so it’s been quite awhile since Dede & John’s wedding, but I still wanted to share.   They were married at Starved Rock State Park on June 13, 2009.  It was a beautiful day, but a bit muddy from the flooding we had this Spring.   The reception was a Wise Guys in Princeton and was just a beautiful as the ceremony.   The day went off without a hitch and they left plenty of time for lots of great photographs all around Starved Rock.  Every corner we turned was a great backdrop for photos!

Dede made a stunning bride!  I love the detailing on the back with the simple lace up corset.

John was looking pretty handsome himself!

Dede chose to have her two sons walk her down the aisle.  So sweet.

Everyone was very emotional after the ceremony.  I love these special moments!

That is me…getting the bunny ears from their youngest son.  I had no idea this was going on while I was photographing the guys so when I was editing the photos (my assistant snapped this one) I sure got a good laugh!

Dede and John were so into each other that I had a hard time getting them to look at the camera!  I actually prefer these type of shots so I was in photographers heaven that day!

Dede’s mom was a hoot!  She was in charge of cutting the cake and it got a bit out of control.

I am going to end this post with their new family photo.  I wish you all a very happy life together!

Kelsey was my first portrait shoot of the 2009-2010 seniors.  I LOVE photographing seniors.   They are at such a neat place in life and all so different from one another.  I especially enjoy when my clients come up with neat ideas for locations or bring something along that is special or unique to them.  Kelsey has been dancing since she was a little girl and brought along a ballet outfit and shoes.  Thanks for a great first shoot, Kelsey!

Joel is the second born son of my dear friends Jessica and Curtis.  I have know Curtis since high school and met his wife during a Bible study at the Princeton Bible Church.  I am very proud to have gotten to photograph their family through the years as it has grown.  This was Joel’s birth announcement (I took off his last name and all the birth information) that I just love!  I also photographed Joel’s big brother, Cade, when he was born and his had the same bible verse on it.  How special!  Hope you all enjoy this sweet little baby boy and his beautiful family!

Do you ever wonder what babies dream out?

Proud Mom & Dad with their two boys.

Big brother, Cade, had a few minutes in front of the camera as a star too!  His smile sure brightens my day, how about you?!

I photographed Reese for the first time when she was just a little baby and now she is one year old!  She has grown up so quickly.  My favorite thing she did at the shoot is dance!  I turned on some bumpin’ dance tunes and she grooved the whole time.  In a few weeks we will be doing their first family photo and I can’t wait!

Peek-a-boo!

This one might be my favorite.

Her brother, Brody, came along for a few photos and these are my favorite.  This is one of the biggest “cheese” faces I’ve ever captured!

Ellen and Jeff will be married on October 17, 2009.   I love October weddings!  With the way the weather has been I bet that the color on the trees in three weeks will be beautiful.  Ellen and Jeff were a bit shy at first, but they soon opened up and we got some great shots.  I hope you enjoy.  Come back soon to see the wedding photos!

I am not a shoe girl…my family makes fun of my shoe choices, but I loved Ellen’s shoes!  Aren’t they sassy?

Phew!  The last few weeks have be a whirl wind and I am still spinning like a tornado.  I am sure glad I had a two week vacation fishing with my family in Canada before this all began or I’d be due for a getaway soon!  I will post the pictures of our big catches very soon.  My days have been filled with packing and unpacking boxes in my new studio and my new apartment.  I will be a very happy girl when everything is back in it’s designated place.  My family and friends will testify that I am more pleasant to be around when my surroundings are neat and tidy!  I will be posting pictures soon of the new building once everything is the way I have envisioned.  If you’d like to get a sneak peak feel free to stop by and peak in the windows or if I am there you are welcome to stop in.  The new address is 927 North Main Street in Princeton.

Wedding season is winding down and Senior Portrait season is just beginning.  Since this weekend is the Homestead Festival and my TEN YEAR High School Class reunion (yes, you heard me right…ten years since I graduated from Princeton High School!!), I am offering a Senior Portrait Special.  All sessions booked between today (Tuesday, September 8, 2009) and Tuesday, September 15, 2009 will receive a free 5×7 & a set of 8 wallets with paid minimum print order.   That’s a $38 value!!  (I just felt like the infomercial guy when I typed that!)  Call now to get the best selection of dates for your senior session…815-878-6406.  (You must mention this blog post when you book your session to receive the free prints.)

Since every post is better with some pictures I’ve posted my 2009-2010 Senior promo piece.  Enjoy Homestead weekend everyone!

Eleni was born only a few weeks before her session which is perfect!   For a newborn session it’s best to bring your baby in early as possibly so they are still scrunchy and sleep a lot.  I think their session turned out great.  Eleni’s Mom and Dad couldn’t be more excited and proud.  Hope you enjoy these!

Proud Mommy and Daddy!

Eleni’s Daddy couldn’t have been more captivated by her!

I don’t know if I can recall any newborn shoot where the baby didn’t pee and/or poo on their mom or dad.  Shortly after this shot Eleni took her turn to pee on Daddy!