Some baby belly love! - Roscoe/Rockton/South Beloit Maternity Photographer

When Jessica contacted me about doing a maternity session, I was pretty sure we had known of each other since grade school. I was right. I moved away later in grade school, then we ended up in the same middle and high school. However, she moved away before we graduated; we hadn't seen each other since.

She's due to have a little girl the first week in January. 

I can't help to laugh, she kept telling me how she doesn't like to have her picture taken, yet had some very cute ideas, and one that most people wouldn't even think of doing. We did some in the baby room, outside, and I even brought along the backdrop and lights for some too!

All of the pictures turned out great!

I can't wait to meet your little princess! Enjoy your sneak peek!

Some big shoes to fill - Harvard Newborn Photographer

Did I mention how much I love babies?! So VERY cute they are.

Jordan is the newest arrival to the family. With the name, he has some big shoes to fill. As far as his Daddy and Mommy are concerned, he's already done that.

Seeing new parents is such a neat time in life to witness; the happiness that comes along or maybe it's the lack of sleep. I had taken Josh & DeAnn's maternity session a while back, and we mentioned some ideas for Jordan's session. DeAnn really wanted him in an apple bucket since he would be born in the late fall. 

As all new parents figure out...Jordan had some other ideas. Jordan mastered the sleeping baby picture. However when it came to anything to do with the apple bucket, he figured out how to inch his way out, or turn his head. He wanted nothing to do with it. It was okay though.

Enjoy the days of him being so little, it goes away so fast. Congrats to Josh & DeAnn!

Enjoy your sneak peek!

Little Miss Makenna - Rockford Newborn Photographer

I love babies. Their little sounds they make, faces, and that new baby smell (the baby lotion one!). 

Josh and Heather asked me to come and "play" with baby Makenna, now just shy of four weeks old. I was thrilled, especially after doing their maternity session not too long ago. 

Makenna did such a great job in her first photo session! Josh was a great help, as all he had to do was talk to Makenna and he caught her attention immediately. I'm sensing a little bit of a Daddy's Girl.

Enjoy your sneak peek!

Robert & Jessi - Beloit Wedding/Family Photographer

When Jessi and Robert had originally discussed the planning of the engagement session, Jessi had mentioned wanting the fall colors. This fall the colors have been interesting, to say the least. Most of the leaves went from green to the ground practically overnight. After realizing, we searched for somewhere that had some sort of leaves left. The original date of the session, we woke up to rain - not a sprinkle - an all out thunderstorm. Pushing a session back in October can be rather risky in the north, as it can be anywhere from 20 to 80.  

The second date came, the weather was beautiful, and they brought along Robert's daughter, Hailey, for some pictures too! With all the frustrations of rearranging to begin with - it worked out in their favor! 

I brought along my husband, Matt, who is a great support and business partner. Not only does he do a great job helping to haul my stuff, blocking the sun or holding down some weeds (in this session!), but during some weddings this year he's caught some great pictures! 

I still enjoy giving him a hard time about being the "bag boy" - and it made for some interesting laughs, and some beautiful natural pictures with Robert and Jessi!

Enjoy your sneak peek! We are looking forward to your September 2011 wedding!   

Brandon & Melissa - Rockford Wedding Photographer

Brandon & Melissa were married early October in Jamaica!

They still wanted to have a reception at home. We started our Friday afternoon at Sinnissippi Park. The weather was beautiful for October. After the park, we drove around in circles on our way to Swilligan's Pub for a quick picture and a drink! Then we headed to the Lombardi Club.  They had a beautiful slideshow of pictures filled with high school dance pictures and some from their Jamaican wedding. ABC Catering served a delicious dinner. 

Congrats to you both! Enjoy your sneak peek!

I thought this was a nice way to dress up your entrance table, and bring some family history along!

Brandon & Melissa knew how to have some fun with the cake, finishing off with a frosting kiss!

Fall weather fun - Roscoe/Rockton/South Beloit Children Photographer

Fall weather slowly became my favorite this year. The colors and mostly the nice warm sunlight! 

Some friends asked me to take pictures of their children, which I was wondering how well it'd go considering I've known them most of their life. Sometimes that can make things interesting - not here!

We went out to Hononegah Forest Preserve and captured some great pictures in record time for a session that involved children. Oh I wish they could all be like this!

Enjoy your sneak peek!

Daniel & Megan - Beloit Wedding Photographer

Daniel & Megan were married October 9th at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI.

They lucked out with a beautiful, very warm, record setting day. I believe it was 85', crazyness!

When I started the morning with Megan, she was very calm and ready to get the day moving, the closer to the ceremony with each little detail coming into place it was settling all in. The flowers arrived, then a sneak card from Daniel brought her (and almost me) to tears. 

The ceremony went off without a glitch, including one little flower girl, their daughter, happy as could ever be in her decorated wagon. 

After the ceremony, we headed to Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, WI for some colorful, fall, wedding party pictures. It was so pretty out, and the wedding party made for some fun pictures. I can't say how nice it is to have a wedding party that is ready to have fun.

After some fun pictures (and roasting in the heat), we all climbed into the limo and headed for the reception.

The reception was held at La Casa Grande in Beloit, WI. The food was excellent, and the party kept going with the help of the DJ. Everyone was dancing. The groomsmen had a kick-line going, then finished off the night by singing "Believe" by Cher. A good celebration party had by all!

Congrats Daniel & Megan! Enjoy your sneak peek! 

'Fall'ing in love downtown - Rockford Wedding Photograher

Alana and Miguel had decided on heading downtown Rockford, IL to have some fun in the fall weather for their engagement session. It was almost funny, as generally fall weather is semi cooler and they had clothes appropriate for the weather. Well it ended up being rather warm - so we just pretended.

Alana is friend's with another friend of mine, and caught my booking for 09.10.11 up rather quickly. She's lucky that she did, as it seems to be a rather busy date for weddings. When we decided to meet and talk, turns out that Miguel and I had worked together at the local grocery store over 10 years ago. 

It definitely is a small world.

Miguel proposed to Alana in the bleachers at a Chicago Cubs game with family members around. I was surprised to not see a little Cubs wear in our session, which Miguel had selected the outfits for. So I started calling him Mr. GQ, and he was loving the camera. 

We had some fun strolling around downtown. Can't wait for their wedding next year!

Enjoy your sneak peek!

Miguel told me that I'll be famous for this picture.

I have to include one fun one...

Yes, this is the middle of State Street. 

Oh the fun in run, pose quick, and get out of the way!

A Country session under a Beautiful blue sky - Davis Wedding Photographer

When Scott and Jessie called to schedule their engagement session they mentioned taking pictures out at Scott's parents' home in Davis, IL. Scott gave me directions, mentioning that I would not be able to see the house from the street, and would have to drive a mile down a gravel road before even seeing the house.

Well needless to say, I had no clue where I was, no cell phone reception, and wasn't 100% sure that it was the driveway I should be on. As I'm driving and come over a hill, I am immediately thrilled (and hopeful) to be doing a session here. Thank goodness Scott's mother quickly informed me that I was in the right place.

We started our session, and the sky was as blue as it could possibly be. A perfect day for a photo session.

Looking forward to Scott & Jessie's June 2011 wedding! Enjoy your sneak peek! 

It wouldn't be a country session without a cornfield in a picture!

Memory in the making - Harvard Maternity Photographer

DeAnn and I had found each other on Facebook over this last year. We graduated in the same class, and hadn't talked since. DeAnn runs Dia Designer Events (facebook page), an event planning service, and we have talked about teaming up in bridal shows. If you are planning ANYTHING, contact her, she has some amazing ideas!

Turns out she had just been married, to another classmate, Josh and announced that they were expecting. I had no clue that they were even dating, let alone married and expecting. 

Now they are a month away from welcoming their baby boy, Jordan, into the world. We decided to play downtown Harvard and capture some memories. While downtown we were in the train station parking lot, not causing any trouble, or in any harms way, and were asked to leave. Woops!

Enjoy your sneak peek!

I love this picture. Two people very happy and in love!

Steve & Tara - Rockford Wedding Photographer

The wedding this last weekend was held at Riverside Assembly of God in Rockford, Illinois.

It was a beautiful fall wedding complete with tears, smiles, laughter, and afterwards a groomsmen that insisted on wearing his sunglasses on top of his head. 

Tara was a beautiful bride, Steve and her both smiled from ear-to-ear during the whole ceremony. After the ceremony, we traveled over to Anna Page Park for a few outdoor group pictures.

Fall colors along with the perfect light made for some absolutely gorgeous pictures!

We ended our afternoon with the one request Tara had, a picture of them both walking down the train tracks.

Enjoy your sneak peek Mr. & Mrs. Hilton!