rock out little dude | Peoria IL children photographer
Posted on August 31, 2010
B is rockin the hat don’t you think? We got so many fantastic images from this session, I can’t wait to show you, Mary! Thanks for coming all the way out to see me Saturday!
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Hailey happy | Peoria, IL lifestyle photographer
Posted on August 30, 2010
Tonight we had one of those moments that literally made my world stop. Right there. In the car. Driving home. We had been having fun playing peek-a-boo with the moon as it passed behind the trees, and then back out into view again, saying “hi moon!”…”bye moon!”. Now, for some strange reason, there are two bands that Hailey cannot resist. Lady Antebellum and Sugarland. Seriously, this girl has woken up from a dead sleep when Lady A came through the speakers in the car…just to rock out….then back to sleep. I’m not joking. So tonight some Sugarland comes on and Hailey says “mommy sing!” So I start singing along, meanwhile she is rocking out in the carseat in her own little way. It is now my mission in life to get this on video. When I do, I will share, and you will all be rolling on the floor laughing. It’s hysterical. So then she says “daddy sing!” So Justin starts singing. Then…during a break in the lyrics, we hear… “Hailey happy”…we looked back and she had the sweetest little smile on her face, staring out the window at the moon. She made me cry.
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Anastasia Minis Part 2 | Peoria IL child photographer
Posted on August 28, 2010
Last night I met up with some awesome families for part 2 of the Anastasia Minis mini sessions. We had the most amazing time and I just have to say I absolutely adore my clients. Especially when they bring me sweet little babies like this:
She definitely scored some brownie points with those curls. And that smile. And that giggle. And those eyelashes!
If you missed the sneaks from part 1 of the mini sessions, you can check them out here. And you can click here to read a little more about what they’re all about. The photos posted above have only received minor edits. I think this first round has gone exceptionally well and I plan on offering them again in the future. If you’re interested, or if your interested in hosting your own mini sessions for you and a group of friends, visit the contact section at the top of the blog and let me know!
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jealous… | Springfield, IL newborn photographer
Posted on August 27, 2010
I am so jealous of the sleep this little man is getting. Ah to be all snuggled up right now…
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Carni’s | Springfield IL photographer
Posted on August 24, 2010
That’s right. I titled my post Carni’s. Whatever, it’s my blog and I can do what I want 
. Saturday after a proper session with Baby Brady, we headed out to check out the Illinois State Fair. I don’t know that I’m a ‘fair girl’ per say. But my mom was in town and she wanted to check out the fair. So we packed up and went. We probably walked 15 miles by the end of the day, and maybe sweated 10 pounds off. Yikes. There’s not much to do at the fair other than check out animals and eat. And eat. And eat. Which we did, I think, pretty well. On our way out we had to walk through this insane “carni-ville” and of course little miss here was oohing and aahing over every single ride. Never in a million years would I have thought she was big enough to ride one. But when she wouldn’t give it up, I stood her next to the sign that says ‘you must be this tall to ride this ride’. And wouldn’t you know, she was tall enough. 36″ exactly. I am kicking myself big time for not getting a picture of that! Sigh.
So I walked her up to the green truck and she was so excited! I very nervously buckled her in, asking her over and over again “do you want to ride in the car? just Hailey? no mommy?’ And every time she anxiously answered me ‘YES!! Hailey drive!’. So I walked away and asked the ride guy if I could stand up there with him just incase…and he just shook his head no. Punk. I walked down the stairs with visions in my head of Hailey freaking out the minute it started moving and going around in circles screaming and crying, reaching out for me, every bit of ready to knock the ride guy out if he didn’t stop the ride. I mean, she’s only two for pete’s sake!
However, we were pleasantly surprised.
She squealed and giggled and clapped the entire time. She had a blast. So there we have it. Hailey’s first roller coaster. Yes, I’m calling it a roller coaster. Like I said before, it’s my blog and I can do what I want.
And while we’re talking about the punk ride guy. Does anyone else notice a resemblance to the Jonas Brothers? I know it’s only a profile view, but come on. I can’t be alone in this.
Anyone?
Also wanted to mention that I have one spot left for my mini sessions on Friday! We had a great time last weekend hanging out for the mini sessions, and I’m very much looking forward to Friday!
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Brad + Sam | Washington IL wedding photographer
Posted on August 18, 2010
A while ago I had the pleasure of working with one of my best friends on a wedding. Cathy Earleson is one two photographers who make up Unposed Photography. She has been my best friend since we were teeny tiny babies and I can’t even tell you how great it is to be able to share my passion with her! We don’t get to work together too often, but when we do, we have a blast!
I got to hang out with the boys the morning of the wedding and document their preparation. Let me tell you, I could not have been luckier. They were the best group of guys a photographer could ask for. They had their game on, that’s for sure .
I’ve talked a few times before about living life in the in-betweens. I just think it is so meaningful in so many ways. Every once in a while I catch a perfect shot…but out of focus. Sometimes I do it on purpose, but its the times I find that happy accident that really get me. Here, Brad’s mom is helping him tie his tie on his wedding day. I don’t need to tell you the emotional magnitude of that moment. So when I found this while looking through my shots from the day…
I literally gasped. How perfect is that?! Anyone who’s been married knows that the day flies by in a blur. One minute you’re waking up, so happy that today you’re getting married! Then you’re getting your hair done, getting dressed, talking to a million people, trying to take a minute to stop and drink in the memories, talking to more people, smiling smiling smiling, butterflies, excited, nervous, tears, deep breath, walking down the isle, saying i do, more smiling, more talking, dancing, laughter…then the night is over. I always tell my brides to make sure they have someone literally designated to stop them every so often during the day. To touch them on the shoulder, and remind them to take a second to remember this moment. For the mothers of the bride/groom what must this day be like for them? Her baby’s whole entire life has flown by in a blur. One minute she was holding her sweet little newborn…the next minute he’s getting married. Sigh…these life in the in-betweens treasures are becoming more and more special to me every day.
Okay, so back to the boys who had their game on. Now, when the groom and the father of the groom have swagger like this…
…I know it’s going to be a fun day. These are my kind of people 
. The whole wedding party was just dripping with swagger.
We had a serious storm brewing overhead, and thanks to Cathy’s quick thinking, we were able to move the entire wedding party to get these shots. Only two words come to mind. Bad Ass.
I 100% expected to see a tornado pop up out of those clouds. Did I mention this was before the actual wedding? Yeah. So the second we started feeling rain drops, the girls booked it back to the church.
Even the littlest wedding guest came ready to rock out…
I had a great time and absolutely adored hanging out with my best friend, sharing our art. Love you Cathy!
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August 18, 2010 at 7:37 pm -
Wow, I love the dramatic sky girl! You did a fabulous job
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Anastasia Minis part 1 | Peoria IL photographer
Posted on August 16, 2010
Well, I made it through my first set of mini sessions alive! Actually, I really had a great time with everyone who came out today! If you’re a fan on facebook, you know that yesterday didn’t quite work out. After some crazy rain Friday night (can we say m u d d y!!), and the threat of rain throughout the day on Saturday I made the always difficult decision to move our mini sessions to today. And would you believe that all but one family was able to make it out! Thank you so much for being so flexible and understanding! That’s the go-with-the-flow attitude I need .
Anyway, I thought I would sneak peek my first and last groups of the day. Aren’t these the most adorable kiddos ever?! Keep in mind these images have only been slightly re-touched. They’ve been edited pretty much only to enhance the contrast.
Part 2 of the mini sessions will happen Friday August 27 in the late afternoon/evening and there are still some openings left if anyone’s game. Promise you we’ll have a blast .
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happy birth day Brady | Springfield IL photographer
Posted on August 13, 2010
We could not be more excited to welcome this little guy into our family! My sister-in-law is an amazing mother and gave birth to Brady Matthew yesterday afternoon ~ a perfectly healthy, adorable baby boy. The whole family joined the proud new parents (and new big brother) to get our first glimpses last night. I don’t know about you, but this is one of the most exciting things for me. I just love how everyone drops their plans to be there for family. No matter what else might have been going on yesterday, this was the most important thing. And getting together to celebrate this little miracle is just the best . Congratulations Travis, Kristi & big brother Tyler!
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so close… {Peoria IL baby photographer}
Posted on August 12, 2010
…yet so far away! Whew. Playing catch up big time after being out of town for a few days, coming back to some nasty colds, and some exciting stuff happening with our family {more to come on that when I’m certain I can share}! I got to see this little guy again last weekend. It never fails to just blow my mind how fast that first year goes by. They took advantage of our Baby Cakes plan so I will get to see them again in just a few months! Actually, she was gifted the Baby Cakes plan by a friend for her baby shower ~ such a great gift! Moms-to-be can even register with me, contact me for more details.
Also a reminder, our Anastasia Minis mini sessions are happening this weekend! There are still a few spots open, get in touch as soon as you can if its something you’re interested in!
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Anastasia Minis {Peoria, IL photographer}
Posted on August 4, 2010
Just a reminder ~ Anastasia Minis mini sessions are happening Saturday August 14 & Friday August 27. There are only a handful of spots left, so get in touch to reserve yours! Details here.
Mini sessions are perfect for baby’s first year, maternity, beginning of school photos, milestones, etc!
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Awww…you’re going to make me cry with posts like this. Growing up sure is hard on us parents! The “carni” pictures are awesome with the vibrant colors!