Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Audrey's Senior Portraits

I got to work with a really fun senior yesterday. She saw some of my work and decided to make the trip down from Wisconsin so that I could shoot her senior pictures. For this I am very honored!

Audrey is a talented writer and loves the winter, so we tried to incorporate these elements into her photos. Too bad the snow all melted just days before our shoot.

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Audrey, I had a blast yesterday meeting you and your mom. I wish I could fit 50 photos onto this sneak peek because that is how many of them I just love. Proofs coming soon!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

9 Month Session Sneak Peek

Just a quick little sneak peek of a session that was done right before Christmas. I just love her little leg warmers!

Leg Warmers


Christmas Baby

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Congratulations to Geoff and Lauren!

I just want to share my excitement about the recent engagement of my brother and his girlfriend. They are perfect for each other and I am so happy they decided to make this a permanent situation.

Geoff & Lauren

Geoff & Lauren

My brother really hates to be photographed. I don't want to freak him out about how many photographs will be taken of him when he is actually the groom, but I thought he might like this pose below since he normally pulls his collar up over his face whenever I point the camera at him.

Geoff & Lauren

Congratulations again. Love you both!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours!

Merry Christmas, Flickr Friends!



xmas bokeh 600

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah!

Hey wait. Is that a Menorah in front of a Christmas tree? What the.....?

I was raised in a mixed-religion home (Jewish Dad, Catholic Mom) and although I am Catholic, we celebrate holidays for both sides. On Christmas Day at my parents' house, it's really interesting to have my great-aunt who is a nun say grace and then have my Dad proceed to light the menorah. I actually love to embrace this diversity and hope to keep some of that alive for my children. This year my daughter learned a lot about Hanukkah at school and was interested in lighting our own menorah. My Hebrew really stinks, but tonight for her sake I muddled through the prayers my father taught me.

Today was an extra fun day because my daughter had a pal over and we spent the afternoon making cookies - Christmas cookies and Hanukkah cookies.

Cookies For Blog

To my Jewish family and friends, I wish you a very Happy Hanukkah!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Favorite Things 2008

fave things


In the spirit of “Oprahs’ Favorite Things”, I had been thinking about doing a “Jessie’s Favorite Things” blog post this year. Then Oprah decided not to do her typical favorite things episode due to this year’s economic issues. I bet the people in the audience were pissed that day -- "What do you mean we DON'T get $100,000 worth of free gifts??" I wanted to still share the list of cool things I have discovered this year because most of the things on my list are very affordable and might help some folks with last minute gifts.

So here we go, in no particular order:

1) Busy Body Book Academic Calendar. This is an awesome planner book for any mom. It shows a week at a time and has 5 columns so you can assign each family member a column to keep track of everyone’s schedules. When I had a normal corporate job and had to be responsible for only myself, I had an electronic calendar so it’s kinda weird that I have gone back to a paper calendar now. But I am totally in love with this thing and have bought it as gifts for a couple of friends. Mine is the academic year version (August 08-Sept 09) but I am pretty sure it also available in a normal calendar year version that starts in January.

2) Lands End Chalet Shoes. These are so warm and comfortable, they are like wearing slippers but are actual shoes. We normally don’t wear shoes in our house, and these have become my “inside shoes.” As you know, I work from home so when I have to meet with someone, at least I am not wearing my slippers. LOL! Snatch them up now because as of this posting, they are on sale for $19.99.

3) Tracy Joy Camera Bags. These cool and trendy camera bags created in some of today’s hippest patterns and prints. I have the original Reese and I love it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the new Reese, which has been redesigned to be larger, and my only complaint about my Reese is that it is a tad too small. I cannot speak for the other bag models, but the Reese is sturdy with its zipper closure. Sign up for Tracy’s blog and watch for specials!

4) Phat Straps. These are custom designed trendy camera straps created in hip patterns and prints. My favorite feature about these is the quick release, which allows me to switch from a neck strap to a wrist strap in just a few seconds.

5) Tyke Light. What a great idea…. A nightlight that a child who is afraid of the dark can hold with them, and even carry with them during a midnight trip to the potty. Both of my kids have one. Genius, I say!

6) Alba Very Emollient Body Lotion. I am not normally one to shout from the rooftops about a lotion, but if you get dry winter skin you really gotta try this stuff. If you start using it at the beginning of winter, you will never even get dry or scaly the whole season. Don’t be fooled by the name. Most things with the word “emollient” in them are thick and greasy, but this is surprisingly light. Give it a whirl.

7) Bare Minerals. I too am totally annoyed by the long infomercials, but ladies and gentleman – believe the hype! I started using Bare Minerals last December and my skin has never looked better. It’s really hard to give makeup as a gift due to all the shades, but Bare Minerals are available at Ulta and Sephora so maybe you can give your special someone a gift certificate to one of those stores.

8) Teavana. I just discovered Teavana this fall. Even if you are not a tea lover, stop in and try some samples because they have something for everyone. There are even tea-free drinks for kids made of dried fruits that brew like tea but look like juice. The woman at the counter was so knowledgeable about the teas, their different uses, health benefits o the different types of teas, etc.

9) Molly Cupcakes.
Unfortunately you need to be in Chicago to take advantage of this little treasure. It’s a cute coffee shop/bakery specializing in (of course) cupcakes. I am not normally a big fan of cupcakes but would sit in traffic for 2 hours to get to Molly’s Cupcakes if need be. The story of Molly’s cupcakes dates back to when the owner was in grade school. His teacher, named Molly, would bake cupcakes for the kids’ birthdays and was kind enough to share the recipe. The shop itself is really cute, with actual playground swings suspended from the ceiling at the bar instead of stools. Be sure to check it out when you are in town.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

One more from last Thursday's newborn session

because I love this and just can't help but post it.


one more from last week's newborn session

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Nine Days Ago...

this sweet little bundle made her grand entrance!

a bowl of baby
* Tushie Wrap by Mamique Designs.

Just look at those big beautiful eyes. It's hard to believe she is only 9 days old with such alert eyes.

such bright eyes for 9 days old!

Her eyes may be deceiving, but she definitely has the flexibility of a brand new baby.

folded up and snuggled

This raised hands pose reminds me of the beginning of "The Lion King" (I know, I am such a mom... I need to get out out of the house and see some grown-up movies, huh?). The cool pose was her mom's idea, but I am not sure her dad thought it was so cool. Oops, sorry dad! Thankfully this was the last shot of the day.

oops, sorry Dad!

I sort of feel like today was a rite of passage for me. In my whole career, today was the first time I have captured tinkle in a picture. It's certainly not the first time a baby has tinkled during a photo session, but it's the first time I photographed the actual act of tinkling. Perhaps this baby should win some sort of a prize. I know... a free 5x7 for the baby book. S&R, in 17 years you guys can bring this one out to show her prom date.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

World's Most Cooperative Newborn

I’d like to introduce the world’s most cooperative newborn, Baby J. Four weeks old, he would pretty much go along with anything and didn’t cry once during the session. And amazingly he only peed on my pillows once....LOL!

Even though I am running around this week processing holiday orders like my hair is on fire, I was so excited about yesterday's shoot that I just had to play with a couple of them.

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* Knit cocoon by Breanna Morman.

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