Friday, October 23, 2009

STARVED ROCK: It's the little things...

Wow!  What an amazing weekend!  So I know it's been a while... okay a long while so I'm trying to catch up with blogging and my images, but this past weekend was such a blast!  

On one of my past blog posts I had met with a bunch of photographers at the Dollop Coffee House in downtown Chicago, and since then we've all gotten pretty tight.  So this past weekend we planned a trip to Starved Rock in Oglesby, IL.  It was fantastic!  We started at 9 a.m. in the morning & hiked through the day, spending hours from site to site taking pictures, learning, and helping each other with our own specialties.  Basically it was a great time to, as my aunt would say, "commune with nature."  It was so nice just hanging out with photographers, getting to meet their wonderful families, and really bond outside of the professional aspect of the industry.  The funny thing is that I think pain and agony have a way of bringing people together... especially when we're all suffering through it together!  So I think we were the closest when climbing some of those ridiculous trail steps while lugging our camera equipment!  As tiring as it was, I wouldn't trade it for anything... so much fun!  

I love building relationships with people and I hope that this is the beginning of something awesome!

Here are some of the pictures from that day, sometimes we just need to take time to enjoy the little things of life and be reminded of God's beautiful creation!  Enjoy! :)
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
It's early as our brave explorers get ready to embark on the... um... rugged... stone path?

Starved Rock
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
Photobucket
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
Photobucket
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
Starved Rock
630.696.7496

Saturday, October 3, 2009

CHICAGO eSession: Crystal & David

Most people would have packed up while the thick clouds rolled in blanketing the sky and subtle rain drops began to hasten; all I thought was; a photographer's nightmare.  But then I looked at the couple in front of me as we were driving in the car, they were giggling over some funny comment and my heart couldn't help but smile.  I asked, "Is it alright to say a prayer?"  While I looked at that deep grey sky, they replied, "Absolutely."  "God I pray that whatever you have planned for this day, let me be able to capture the love these two have for one another, Amen."... and don't let my equipment get wet.  ;)  One of the most fun couples I have ever had the privilege of working with.  Their wonderful personalities, easy going spirits, and the beautiful love that they have for God and each other made this such a special engagement session for me!  I'm honored to have the opportunity to call them my clients and my friends.  

A few months ago on a Chicago night similar to this, in a beautiful church courtyard, this man decided he wanted happiness and to love this woman for the rest of his life.  Lowering to the ground on a single knee, decorative lights came to life around the fountain as he pulled the ring from his pocket.  Her eyes glimmered with happiness as she looked into his and he asked, "Crystal, will you marry me?"  She said... 

..."YES David, I will..."
Crystal & David eSession
Crystal & David eSession
Crystal & David eSession
Crystal & David eSession

"Oh my gosh, look at this bus! Quick, fashion pose!"  Talk about funny timing ;)