Friday, November 13, 2009

this first gift i am buying this year.. and hope you are too!!!

The first gift I'm buying this year.
As I sit and write this, in front of my beautiful computer,
a diet coke next to me, in my safe, big new home,
mothers are burying their babies.



This is not okay.

I know too many families who have lost precious children. And if they could have prevented it/ if I could have prevented it/ if you could have you WOULD HAVE!!!!

But we do have the power to save lives.

To change the world.


With water.



Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80%
of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every
year than all forms of violence, including war.



Yet for only $10 you can provide one person
in Africa with clean water for ten years.

Ten. Years.




Today I do not care about anything else.
Today I am buying water.
Because I can do something.
I can change something.
I can save a mother from the agony of losing her precious child.

$10 is hardly a sacrifice for me.
But I know with all of my heart, that $10 will be
by far the best money that I will spend this Christmas season.

Join me.
Blog about it.
Tweet about it.
Update your Facebook status.

Today is about water.
Today is about saving lives.
Today is about something bigger than ourselves.


Donate here.

100% percent of your donation will buy water for Christmas.

Every single penny.

Read more...

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House

Each year.. I donate a either my sitting fees and portions of my profit to a specific charity...

in the past it has been the Autism Society of America, Little Friends, Inc., and the Y-Me Race in Chicago..

also last year we had a silent auction for a family that had an extremely hard year behind them...

This year.. I want to do something a little different..

I am hosting a gift drive and money donations for The Ronald McDonald House of Chicago... look below for more details


This fundraiser.. is open to all but I am personally asking my clients for help.



The Ronald McDonald House provides a “home away from home” to keep families together while their child is receiving medical treatment far from home. Located near , Children’s Memorial Hospital, the House provide comfortable & private rooms, opportunities to bond with other families going through similar situations, and delicious meals prepared by giving volunteers for a suggested donation of $10 per night.


Here is our wish list the house manager told me they need:


*Easy Mac
*Soup
*Frozen Meals
*Canned pasta
*Cereals
*Snack Items
*Lysol Spray
*C-Fold towels
*Paper Towels
*Kleenex
*Clorox wipes
*Travel size shampoo and conditioner
* Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and plastic sandwich bags
* Laundry detergent and fabric softener
* Cleaning products (scrub pads, sponges, dish washing liquid, dishwasher detergent)
* Bath and bedroom items (sheets, pillow cases, towels, shower curtains)
* Trial size personal care products (deodorant, tooth paste, bath soap, shampoo, conditioner)
* Entertainment products (new toys, games, DVDs, books)
* Food (canned goods and non-perishables)

-Since I will be delivery this the day after Thanksgiving.. she also said families that are there during the holiday's they like to give them a little something (they get plenty of childrens toys but the adults and older children there is nothing to give to them) so they are looking for small increment gift cards to walgreens, chipotle, barnes and nobles, mcdonalds, bp gas.. etc.


-Also..if anyone wants to donate money they can do that.. I am going to be taking pictures of the families that are there and giving them a CD of their shoots and I am going to try if we get enough money try to cater a dinner for them from Portillo's.


I hope anyone and everyone can try to help out a little, I know times are hard.. but I cannot imagine going through these hard times in America along with being away from home and having a sick child in the hospital.

Please feel free to email me: yesitssam@juno.com or message me for more details on where to drop off or collect!!!

Read more...

what do you get when...

you have 1 set of grandparents + 7boys + 1teenage girl...
a whole lotta fun!!!
I just simply love this family... I have been doing their pictures for 3 years in a row now and it has just been so fun.. to see the little men grow and more get added to the picture!!

my favorite thing though.. i must admit.. is the little boys think cantigny park.. is MINE! one of the little ones asked me "so do you still have those tanks of your here" to which i replied "YES, YES I DO"

they just melt my heart...
here they are, after waiting so patiently for 30min to get "THE" spot.. i think we all will be happy!



Read more...

the o'reiley family

one of the last few nice days in september and this family was lucky enough to take total advantage of it! btw.. take a look at these kids eyes.. have you ever seen anything more intense! LOVE IT











Read more...

Miss Brooklyn.. totally full of personality

with a strong name like that.. you know she was a born a natural born rockstar..










Read more...

mini-sessions in full force

you know the holidays are approaching when the mini-sessions are here!!
here are some sneak peeks!


















Read more...

another game of catch-up..

first i had my last beach shoot...
oh how i love this place.. its just so comforting on so many levels!











next we have little miss abby.. who honestly just melts my heart... i think we became bff's!!!










and mister charlie... UM.. HELLO CUTENESS... I totally will miss watching all of these kids grow.. honestly.. that's going to be the hardest part.. first time I met charlie I think he was about 8months.. now look at him!










Read more...

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

feature shoot of the month...

Read more...

its a catch up game... here are some of my latest shoots

Little Miss Cassidy and family... they simple were just beautiful to watch and photography.. one of those dream jobs!







next we have Little Miss Matilda.. oh how her name just melts my heart... so tiny but what a bundle of love... once again.. I don't know what it is.. family interaction just is one of my favorite things to capture.. its those moments you dont think people are watching and see it and when i capture it.. its a YES moment.. for those moments are the ones filled with the most love!






now ready... ladies... your ovaries will be hurting... baby lucas... "ahhhhhhhh" thats all i can say.. i could hold this little man forever...so precious so tiny so new.. so amazing!








oh baby bella.. i have been taking her pictures since she was in her mommy's belly... how im going to miss photographing that gorgeous infectious smile of hers!






oh another family I have known for quiet some time.. and funny how we first "met" on craigslist while swapping products.. and now I can say that she is one of my alltime favorite all-around people...she is so fun and her kids get the exact same trait from her.. and not to mention her newest little one.. ok not really new i was there for her newborn shot.. but now she is a girl after my own heart eating chocolate in a tutu and pearls!






and then i met ricky... a boy with strong hopes and admiration to be a model.. and i hope with these pictures it gets him a great lead.. such a sweet and good kid.. i can't wait for him to make it!






ok so i sounds like a broken record.. but these families have all been nothing short of amazing... they are all so happy and have such great family dynamics that there is not a bad thing in the world i could say.. i enjoy it all so much... and i really hope everyone gets as much joy out of their pictures as i do taking them. this family i met last year... and their children's eyes have stuck in my mind for the whole year.. when i saw them again i was drawn to them... such beauty.. such soul!




Read more...

so.. big.. BIG NEWS... some may not like me after this ... but...

as of November 28th, 2009
I will be closing up shop


its bittersweet i know...
but this blog speaks for itself.. i can't even find the time of day to sit and type a little something..
i have no time.. no time for my family no time for myself..

i have longed for the days where i could spend an entire day and not worry about work..
i have longed for the weekend where i get to spend the WHOLE weekend with them..
i have longed for the day when we can have a family vacation...
i have longed for the day that i get to do one on one activities with my kids..
i have longed for the night that i can go out and enjoy an evening with my husband and not worry about staying out too late bc i have to work early in the morning
i have longed for the day to be able to hang out with my bff's on the weekend
i have longed for the day to be me again...

and i am sooooooo ready...
i can always go back to photography when i am ready..
but can i go back on these days..
NO... not at all..
and my babies need me now more than ever.. and i owe that to them 100%
so for those of you who say.. what's the #1 reason you are doing this...
look at this...
this is why i am doing it!

Read more...

Friday, August 14, 2009

feature shoot of the month...

Read more...

oh miss hannah

she is such a fun little one.. and lucky me has been photographing her since she was a few weeks old... everytime i am lucky enough to see her.. i always walk away with a smile on my face!!!







Read more...

2 sisters and their families...

its so nice to see families wanting to do things together... both of their families are amazingly sweet, fun and up for a good time... and when they chose the beach.. I knew they were totally my kind of people!! We had a blast.. what more could you ask for sunset at the beach with your family... to me equals the best time ever!!!























Read more...

a fabulous modern family

what a fun session... i love it when people let me just do my thing..
and it helps when you have 2 gorgeous little daughters like they did!




















Read more...

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

wedding details and highlights...

this was so much more than a wedding...
it was a party.. and a great one at that..

I will be adding some of my favorites as I go along..

1.) who has a Caricature Artist at their wedding?!?! well Connie and Bill do.. and Katherine Hilden is amazing at what she does. Please be sure to visit her website!!












2.) I also worked alongside of a wonderful florist at Town&Country Gardens in Geneva, IL. They do such wonderful work.







Read more...

Wilson Wedding July 2009

I have known this family for 5years now.. and to be able to the one who was trusted to capture their wedding... well lets just say.. it makes a girl feel extra special..

here is a quick video.. more of my favorite images to be posted soon!!
Enjoy Connie & Bill... congratulations!!!!

Read more...

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

boohoo..

this made me so happy and so sad at the same time..
i had to do miss marley's 3rd b-day shoot..

oh man alive can this thing be any cuter...she just melts my heart, but it makes me so sad seeing my baby so grown..

but how can one be sad when you look at these pictures!!!

















Read more...

happy birthday miss m...

a beach bound birthday princess and her family..

we had so much time, even if the little man wanted nothing to do with the cold wind and wet water.. mom, dad and big sister had a blast!!!









Read more...

and twins makes 6..

another one of my OC (original clients) wow.. want to feel old.. watching this family grow.. has made me feel old... I started taking this families pictures when I was 4months pregnant with my youngest.. and her oldest had just turned 1year... now her oldest is now a BIG sister to 3 little brothers...

they are such a gorgeous family from the inside out... congrats nic and kelly on your amazing family!

beware picture overload ahead!























Read more...

baby jackson....

oh baby jackson... how i have watched you for so long.. i was there from the minute mommy knew she was pregnant.. i have waited for you for so long!!! and now that your here.. i do not remember life without you... welcome to the family... we all love you so!!!









Read more...

Sunday, July 19, 2009

how does one....

remember to breathe...

i really need to listen to myself.. and take some time...
i will..
right?!?!
i have to..

well for now.. doing this little entry is my "breathing" time... im so busy with work.. that i have neglected the one thing that lets me take a break, time to breathe and reflect...

ok..
enough of that.. now back to the daily grind

Read more...

Sunday, July 12, 2009

life...

its funny... you grow up with people.. our parents were the best of friends...we grew up as friends.. lost touch for 10years.. and now found eachother.. just when she is starting a new chapter in life... she became a mommy for the first time... and boy is he just amazingly cute!!! they are so in love.. with him and eachother its just a wonderful thing to see let alone be able to capture it in still life for them..

Michie and Tito I hope you guys love these.. many more to come.. this is just your sneak peek!













Read more...

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Step Up To Autism Walk - June 28, 2009

Sorry for the delay in post.. I just wanted to post when I had all facts in order and pictures up..

once again..
THANK YOU ALL WHO SUPPORTED US/WALKED/DONATED

Recap:
One Sunday June 28th we walked in honor of my little man Dylan... we created a team called "TEAM BIG D" the walk was for supporting "Little Friends" a school for children with special needs, especially Autism.



As a team.. TEAM BIG D raised $1600.00 for "Little Friends"
and after the walk we had a bbq/fundraiser at our house... to thank everyone and to get a few more for all of the amazing outlets out there for the support in Autism.

At our "little" (i say that delicately) bbq we raised an additonal $500.00 for the ASA "Autism Sociecty of America"

We had such a great team of walkers.. it was a beautiful day.. and we could not have done it without any of the help and support of our family and friends..

A special thanks so LORI from "Lori's Place, Gourmet Delights" she came through with some AMAZING donations... she donated 100cookies for our guests as their "thank you presents" and they turned out... well lets just say I cried when I opened the box.. they were perfect and they had such meaning to them. She made puzzle pieces with words of inspiration on them... for those of you who know.. the PUZZLE PIECE is the symbol for Autism Awareness.. and the words of "hope" "dream" & "inspiration" all embody everything that children with autism stand for! She also made hand*prints with hearts on them.. a sign of advocacy..











A LOT of time and effort.. and mostly HEART went into these cookies.. and I cannot thank her enough... so one way.. I figured we can thank her.. is by telling all of you.. not only about her wonderful heart.. but HOW AMAZING of a baker she is..
please visit her online bakery here: LORIS PLACE


Below are some pictures from the walk... we had a team of 30 walkers.. followed by 100 friends and family throughout the day.. all in all.. SIMPLY AN AMAZING AND MEMORABLE DAY!!!

I cannot tell you how much it means that you all came out in support of Dylan... its been a long uphill battle.. and he has grown so much.. but honestly we as a family could not get through all of these challenges that we face on a day to day basis if it was not for the love and support and backbone of our family and friends.. so thank you thank you thank you.. i love each and every one of you!





Read more...

im an auntie.. AGAIN..

no no no my sisters didn't have babies
technically.. not an auntie by blood.. but close enough
i watched this lil old man grow from a seed to watermelon in his momma's tummy..
and i just want to eat him alive.. he's so precious...
look at how proud big brother is.. and well momma... she's simply in love..

but best of all.. when i know the mom.. i know i can get away with doing some special things.. like taking your 8day old newborn outside to take pictures naked in the weeds!!!



congrats again jen... i love all of you!



















Read more...

Friday, July 3, 2009

feature shoot of the month...

Read more...

so you wanna see how my days have been spent...

we have been attacked by a killer stomach bug.. we have been confined to our house.. and thats it.. i have a bottle of tissue and a garbage bag in one hand and a bottle of lysol in the other at all times its seems...

my kids are such opposites when they are sick.. marley hides and goes on the couch upstairs... dylan likes to lay on the hard floor and snuggle with tons of blankets.. while sierra.. she likes to write stories.. (i think she is secretly writing her life memoirs)


<

Read more...

Thursday, July 2, 2009

i love the beach....

i just wanted to share some real quick.. its not too often you go on the beach of lake michigan at the end of june.. and you have the beach completely to yourself..

well thats exactly what happened to us..
and here are a few quick ones i just opened up.. i had to share with these darlings mom.. just because i LOVE them!!!






Read more...

wahhhh.... my baby.. my baby... why is she growing up?

i've been a little in denial lately.. my baby is growing up and its totally killing me..

in 2days she went from pure baby: diapers, pacifier and letting me hold her to go to sleep... to....... a big girl with no pacifier and no diapers...

whats a girl to do...

remember this is how my days were filled and i ate up every second of it:



and well this is now how my days are spent (i will prob. get in trouble from her in a few years for posting it.. but oh well.. ill deal with that at the time):

Read more...

100 degree weather day #2..

ok lied.. it was 106!!!

and these guys braved it.. we tag teamed it.. so they could stay inside and cool off...they were such troopers... and they are such sweet boys with the most amazing loveable personalities.. and the oldest.. well he is right up there with the funniest of little men!

Enjoy Jill & Jeff!






Read more...

nothing a little water won't wash away

that's all i kept telling myself as i let the kids paint adam's father's day present...
but OOPS... well water didn't take it off of the cement patio.. and our gift was found out by adam when we had to explain why there were little green handprints on the patio..

but he LOVED his present so much that he forgave us! and you ask what were we painting... well we bought him finally a set of "bags" and it not only turned out to be a great gift.. but it turned out to be a great time for my kids!

Read more...

Thursday, June 25, 2009

100 degree weather day #1..

and what a little trooper this princess is..

i have watched her grow and let me tell you it really is the best side of this job.. i photographed her as a newborn (melt my heart) 6months (such personality) and now 1st bday (what a little independent one she is)

but.. when its 2pm and 100 degrees out.. no one is happy.. but this little one managed to keep it going!!!

happy birthday miss hannah rose!








Read more...

SHE CUT HER HAIR

its been about 3weeks and im starting to finally get over the grieving period.. so i guess i should blog about it...

miss marley ann took the scissors to the front of her hair.. and did her very first hair cut...

thankfully she has dark hair and with it growing back in you cannot really tell.. but for a while there she had a receding hairline!


Read more...

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

1...2...THREE... our little friend turned 3!!!!


miss geneva grace.. just turned 3... she is more than just a little girl.. she is a little one I hold near and dear to my heart and watching her grow each year just brings such happiness to my heart...

sunday was not only father's day.. but it was a wonderful garden party at eve's house... there was yummy food, beautiful decor, story time with miss tracey, the most wonderful cupcakes... and well.. what would a perfect day be without the sweetest birthday girl ever...

the weather was wonderful.. good times and good friends.. i hope you enjoyed your day eve as much as we all did.. thank you for inviting us to join in the fun!!!

happy birthday sweetest eve!










Read more...

yay!! finally I was able to go to my favorite location...

what do you get when you mix..
one of your first EVER clients...
your favorite location...
95+ degree weather...
and lots of sand...

well you get a GREAT PHOTOSHOOT!!!

I have been lucky enough to photograph Mr. C five times in his short 3 years.. and the one thing I adore about his mom is that she is up for any location and always wants a fun different one! this time we headed to Glencoe beach... and even though it was HOT and we could not go in the water due to the lovely rainstorms we had been having... it still turned out to be a wonderful evening with a wonderful family! I hope you kids enjoy these pictures!!!

Thanks again for everything..






Read more...

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

the cutest little family

how sweet are these girls.. they each have their own personality and the most precious names... i just adore them.. listen to these "stella, willow & wrenn" LOVE THEM.. enough talk.. look how cute they are!





















Read more...

Saturday, June 20, 2009

An early father's day gift

A little something...
Order $75.00 worth of gift certificates and receive $25.00 free.

Offer good until Monday June 22nd at midnight.

Please email me for more details.

Read more...

Monday, June 1, 2009

CALLING ALL CLIENTS.. IM IN NEED

in need.. of what?!? you ask...

WELL I WANT TO SEE YOUR WALLS!!!!
its been over a year since I asked.. and well.. TONS of new clients.. TONS of new shoots.. so show me show me show me!

and in return if you do and allow me to post it on my blog...
I will either design a wallpaper for your computer desktop/screen.. or give you a digital file for your facebook/myspace profile

so who's first!!!

Read more...

ahhhhhhhhh...

well.. i have a nice little break till next week..
not really a break.. but i have no clients this week.. bc i have to do some major work around the house..

but to treat myself i went to barnes and nobles and bought a book.. and some dove chocolate..

and can i tell you its been a perfect morning!!!

Read more...

Sunday, May 31, 2009

double the gift

as a photographer.. let me tell you how special it makes you feel when an out of state person WANTS you to take their pictures.. it really truly means a ton..

now this family lives in LA... i mean.. LA has some of the most amazing photographers out there.. i can name a ton that i admire and would love them to take my family pics... but they chose to come to me...

second gift... holy blast from the past the girl is a high school friends who had been out of contact for.. well.. its been over 10years.. and each of us now have 3 babies.. and are happily married -- who totally would have thought that!

i hope you enjoy mags.. its been nothing but a blast!











Read more...

well now... they make my job easy

these 2 gorgeous lil ones.. well.. if you look around your neighborhood stores, online and in catalogues you might notice these kids..

both are models.. and well.. as if it doesn't show.. they totally made my job easy, fast and fun!!!







Read more...

so there's this lady named jen...

who "knew" of me through some other clients/friends...
we tried to set up an appointment last year.. it fell through i didn't have the time... i sent her to another photographer.. and thought.. shucks.. there goes a client i wont get back! (bc the photographer i sent her too is an amazing one)

well little did i know fate would bring us back... we kinda bonded outta the blue.. and thankfully she lets me capture her families cutest moments.. but the most wonderful thing about her coming back as a client is.. i made a new friend.. and she has 2 of the SWEETEST boys you will ever meet and a hubby who is as strong as the hulk but is also the most gentle dad.. and i LOVE the fact that i was able to introduce her boys to the most annoying cartoon of all (im sure secretly she is despising me for that) but know they love spongebob all thanks to my HORRID singing ability just trying to make them giggle...

i have had these pictures done for a while.. but the lucky ducks have been in disney world... don't people know you are supposed to bring your photographer along to capture those "magical moments"... well there's always hope now that i sent the PSA out that other people will do that...



anywho.. the much long overdue pics.. enjoy jen and give the boys a snuggle for me!





Read more...

another dylan... i gotta tell ya folks I LOVE THAT NAME!

how fun.. another favorite thing of mine.. is watching families grow..

i first met these amazingly cute people when big brother was turning 1... now little brother is turning 1.. and momma is pregnant with #3...

how many other people get to do this!! i love it.. jealous?!? you should be :)







Read more...

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

its all in a name

no one ever said my job was easy... you try running after an 18month old.. in the HEAT, with a backpack on filled with equipment, a swarm of bugs all over you... oh yea... you have no peripheral vision because you are holding your camera up to your eye... just to get a little eye contact from a little man, who goes by the name of DYLAN... not my dylan.. but another dylan.. and i swear every dylan i know are the craziest most fun but make you work for your money type of kid...

but..
its so worth it!!!
once again.. another family that i love and adore.. CAN you say PICTURE PERFECT FAMILY!!





Read more...

OMG... LOVE.. THIS

sometimes i have a shot that i just love.. and i have to have for myself... so the majority of the time... not only do the clients order prints of their pictures.. but most likely i have an 11x14 all the way to a 16x20 of atleast one image from a clients session..

and its looking like this is going to be one of the big ones from this family!

Read more...

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

lucky me..

i think one of my most favorite people to photograph are first time parents..
they are so in love with their babies
everything is so fresh, new and exciting...
they are so protective..
you see how they beam with pride..

its really something all of us "been there done that parents of 2 or more" should pay attention to and try to emulate them!

this family that i photographed.. could they be any cuter!!!
Thank you Courtney & Nick..
I had so much fun!









Read more...

summer fun..

seriously.. cuteness overload once again
look at these 2... so sweet.. so fun. such PERSONALITY..

i just adore them...so glad to call them my friends..

they were such sports it was so hot and they were so drained from the sun and the roadtrip but hey what better way to end the day than a nice splash (ahem soaking) in the water fountain!





Read more...

one of my OC's (original clients)

hahaha... its so funny and how thankful i get when i can thank one of my clients for helping my business grow... this family was one of my first.. and spread the word sooo much! its been amazing... i can trace a so many of my NEW clients back to her.. and for that i will forever been indebted to her

but the one thing i especially look forward to is spending time with her 2 beautiful children who i love to watch grow.. her oldest reminds me so much of my oldest that it makes it extra special..

thanks again for everything kim!!!







Read more...

Monday, May 25, 2009

love is in the air...

can you feel it...

Read more...

honestly.. this was not planned

setup..

im in my office working...
i hear snoring...
but i know the kids are upstairs playing..

wait still hear snoring.. hey that's marley's snore...
look all around the basement cannot find her..

just figure its them playing around
i turn around to go back to my office..

and to my dismay..
the snoring i was hearing..

i found it..

Read more...

proud member of

Photobucket

About This Blog

here you will see a little bit of my world... my love for my family, my love for my friends and clients.. my trials and tribulations.. fun facts.. freebies.. anything i just want to say or give you will find here.. i hope you enjoy it!!!

Followers

  © Free Blogger Templates Photoblog III by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP