Leavin' on a jet plane ~ Pinellas Beach Photographer

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled often erratic blog programming for this important message:

 I'M GOING ON VACATION!!!!!

We'll be hitting the beach until August 7th, so if you e-mail or call and don't receive a response right away, it's not because I don't love you. It's because I've got my toes in the sand, a book in one hand, and a fruity drink in the other, and that doesn't leave any appendages left for holding my phone. I promise to get back to you as soon as I finish my drink(s). Until then, you can find me....

The O'Brien Family ~ Lake County, IL Family Photography

Is there anything better than photographing a family that really and truly adores each other? I think not. And this family had "we totally love each other" oozing from their pores. There wasn't a minute of this session that they weren't having fun together (And sometimes at each other's expense. My kind of family!)

We met up at one of my favorite locations in Libertyville (one that I don't get to use a lot because it is not entirely little kid friendly) and really got our feet wet! (Har dee har har) Afterwards we headed back to their home for a few snaps with the family pups.

p.s. Mom manages 4Kids Learning Center in downtown Grayslake. She found me because she was wanted to use a local business to capture her family's portraits. Do you try to keep your business local when you can? What a great thing to strive for!

Derek Is Two!!! ~ North Shore Children's Photographer

There are a lot of great things that go along with doing what I do. Getting to snuggle newborns, being able to sing at the top of my lungs (outside of my car) to make kiddos laugh, the satisfaction that comes from turning seemingly ordinary moments into forever memories, just to name a few.

But one of the very number onest of number one things about my job is getting to see little faces grow and grow as new clients become returning clients and become friends. This is the third time I have photographed adorable Derek. In his blog debut he was Baby Rocket, then he turned one in the midst of a wicked thunder storm, and this year he turned two with some grins, a mind of his own, and in need of a little cuddle from mama. Man I love my job!

And in case this post isn't long enough already, here's a fun little two-year flash back for you:

p.s. I have to give a shout out to my new friend Meghan from the "good hands" place. I always love when I meet a "blog stalker"!!! Hi Meghan!