Throwback Thursday | Fiona | Lake Forest Senior Portraits

Since it's Thursday, I thought we'd "throwback" to a session from last fall that never got blogged.

Actually, let's throwback even a little farther than that.

This is Fiona. Okay, this is Fiona about twelve years ago or so, back when I first met her. She was a spunky little kindergartner and my first Scottish Highland dance student.
 

Over the four years I was in college, I taught Fiona and her sister Shona dance, and in return their family welcomed me into their home and family; usually sending me home after our lessons with a full stomach and a full tank of gas.
 

After I graduated and moved away, Fiona and Shona continued dancing under another teacher, ultimately both qualifying for the Scottish Highland dancing national championships! (Insert tiniest smidge of pride for the girl who taught them their first pas de basques.)

Through the magic of Facebook I've gotten to follow along as they've grown into beautiful, talented, athletic, and just all around good young people. So that leads us to last fall when their mom contacted me to do Fiona's senior pictures. Um, yes please! It was awesome to catch up in person with these guys, and Fiona made just about the most beautiful subject a photographer could ask for.

 Fiona graduated last week and is heading to college in Miami in the fall. Congratulations, Fiona! You are lovely inside and out!

 

Oh wait...one more....

Down on the Farm ~ Chicago North Suburbs Child Photographer

Although I live in Illinois and primarily shoot here in Lake County, I took a trip "home" to Florida this fall and while I was there I offered up a few fall mini-sessions. It was so lovely to be able to shoot in the warm Florida weather surrounded by lots of green grass and warm sunshine. I met up with sweet Ella and her family at Going Green Family Farm (coincidentally, in Lake County, Florida), so I had a little geek out moment when I saw Ella and her mom's awesome boots ready for some farm action. (Well, sort of. We didn't ride any tractors or horses or anything, but there were some curious chickens and a pony keeping an eye on us.)

p.s. I just *might* be headed back to Florida in 2013, so if you're interested in setting up your own Florida session, let me know and I'll update you when I have more deets.

Catching up...MY beach babies ~ Chicago Lake Photography

It's only been two months since we went on our vacation to the beach. No time like the present to get things blogged. Especially since fall is coming and that means lots and lots of sessions to blog! Time to catch up....

Cooper was nine months old when we were at the beach this summer (and, in case you're wondering, he'll be 11 months old tomorrow! Agh!!!!), so I wanted to grab some cute beachy, nine-monthy shots while we were there. Couldn't leave the big kid out, either. He was equal parts grouch and crazy that day, though. So basically like a normal day, but that meant pictures of the two of them were about as likely as me running in a bathing suit. Very, very unlikely.

Beach Baby ~ Central Florida Family Photographer

My so sweet, so adorable godson Blaz (remember his book-themed baby shower?) is turning ONE in just a few days! So when he came to play with me at the beach this summer, we had a little fun getting ready for his big day. After all, you only turn one once, so you have to get your cake smashing skills in tip top shape before the big day arrives.

 After we got Blaz cleaned up, big sister Nora (yes, you've seen her before) and mom and dad got in on the act. This family's awesomeness just shines through, doesn't it? And I'm not just saying that because they're some of my best friends. But they are, so you know. Anyhow, love you guys! Happy Birthday, Blaz!!!

The Florida Mini-Sessions

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....

Vacation, a.k.a. Florida, How I Love Thee ~ Lake County Beach Photography

Finally slogging through some of our vacation photos and wanted to share a few (okay several) of my favorites with you. I rented a Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 from BorrowLenses.com (totally recommend them for equipment rental, btw) and had a great time with it on the beach. I'm thinking a super-wide may need to be on the wish list soon.

Admittedly, some of these are a bit snappity snap, but it's my blog and I'll snap if I want to. And speaking of vacations, how about a little reader poll. What's your favorite vacation spot? This is definitely one of mine: