This year the Lunar New Year has me reflecting on 4 Lunar New Year’s ago. My husband and I were living in the Uptown area of Chicago. We attended our first Lunar New Year parade days before setting off on our first jaunt in the Eastern hemisphere. Here’s a glimpse of our time in China & Thailand.
2021: A Year in Review
A round-up of my favorite photographs from 2021.
Read MoreFamily Portraits: Drakes Family
Autumnal joy in New Lenox, IL with the Drakes!
Peonies
How about that detail? Give it up for f/22!
This print is available in the shop.
COVID Wedding: Just Family
Travel Stories: St. Louis, MO
Brian and I took a road trip to St. Louis. Here are pics.
More Headshots
In the last few weeks, I’ve taken headshots for two of my friends, Rebecca and Kit. Rebecca is an actress looking for a headshot more true to life than her current headshot. Kit is a massage therapist starting her own business who needed a headshot for her website. Both ladies are very talented and made great models. Take a look!
Tender Napalm
In October I helped my friends film a trailer for a production they put on. The show was called Tender Napalm. You can read more about the play in this article from the Chicago Reader where they used my image and I was not credited. I emailed the paper about the issue, hopefully I hear back from them soon. Below is the uncredited image and a few other images I took that day. Have a look!
Travel Stories: Dubuque, IA
Back in June, my husband and I packed our bags to head to Dubuque, IA for the weekend. As with most of our Midwest travel, this journey was family focused. Brian's cousin Zach was marrying his college girlfriend Emma at Loras College, their alma mater. Brian was to perform a reading in the ceremony.
To our surprise, we both really enjoyed Dubuque. The bed & breakfast where we stayed was in a historic part of the city and steps away from downtown. Check out our summer fun and consider taking a weekend trip to Dubuque.
Our First Thanksgiving
This year, Brian and I hosted our first Thanksgiving. A momentous occasion for newlyweds, ours was very laid back. I snapped a portrait of each guest with their dinner contributions. Take a look at our very first, very laid back Thanksgiving.
Wedding Photography: Carolyn + Jim
Last month, my husband’s Grandmother (Carolyn) married her boyfriend Jim. They met a few years back at The Greens, a senior living community where they both reside. Earlier this year, Jim and Carolyn decided to make their relationship a permanent one. They set a wedding date of September 16, 2018. The couple enlisted the help of their neighbors to put together The Greens first-ever wedding celebration. The ceremony was held in the parlor of their senior living community and the bridal party were the couple’s children and grandchildren. All 150 guests were invited to stay for cake and punch after the ceremony. Needless to say, this was quite a special day. Take a look!
Headshots & Hip Pain
Lately, I’ve been struggling with some hefty hip pain. As a result, I haven’t been able to shoot as much as I’d like. Last week, I was able to squeeze in a quick headshot session with my BFF. He needed an updated headshot for an audition coming up. Obvi, he is a great model, thus we had this session done in 15 minutes. Off camera flash and natural light were used. For those wondering, yes, he got a call back. Check out this one shot wonder…
Food Photography: The Mighty Protein Pancake
Food is quickly becoming one of my favorite subjects to photograph. Lately, I can’t get enough. I’ve been photographing almost everything I cook, even simple endeavours like pancakes.
These particular pancakes are some of my favorite to make because they are quick, flour free and super good for you. Take a look, jot down the recipe and enjoy!
These pancakes are packed with protein.
The Mighty Protein Pancake
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
2 eggs (1 whole egg + 1 egg white)
1 T. Bob’s Redmill Hemp Protien Powder
2 tsp. flax meal
2 tsp. chia seeds
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. coconut oil (to grease your skillet)
salt (optional)
Directions:
Mash ripe banana in mixing bowl. I do this with a fork, since the banana is ripe it should be quick and easy. It’s okay to leave some lumps.
Add the eggs to your mixing bowl. I like to use 1 full egg + 1 egg white. You can easily do 2 full eggs, 2 egg whites or even just 1 egg.
Add the remaining ingredients- hemp powder, flax meal, chia seed, cinnamon, vanilla. Mix until combined.
Grease your skillet with coconut oil and put it on a low heat.
Add your mix to your greased skillet. You can add all of your batter to make a giant pancake or spoon it out to make silver dollar sized pancakes. I like to make mine in a small omelette sized skillet- resulting in a giant pancake.
Cover your skillet for about 3-5 minutes as the pancake cooks. Flip half way through and continue cooking for another minute.
Remove pancake from skillet and top any way you like! I top mine with berries as a healthier alternative to syrup.
ENJOY!
Did you make these pancakes? Let me know in the comments section below!
Wedding Photography: Em & Maggie
You guyssssss!!! This wedding, this couple! So much love, I can’t even tell you! Emily and Maggie got married at Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove, IL. It was an honor to be a part of their special day. Take a look!
Family Photography: McDonald Family
I’ve known the McDonald’s for over 10 years, they are always so gracious and a joy to be around. Earlier this summer, I went to their family home where I got to meet the newest addition of the family, baby Violet. She was just weeks old when these photos were taken. Have a look!
Product Photography: Cresco Labs
Recently, I applied for a job with Cresco Labs as a photographer. To make myself standout, I created images featuring their products and included them with my application. Still haven’t heard back about the job, but I love these images so much I couldn’t wait to share them.
These photographs were created in my home studio using natural light for the first photo and off camera flash for the last 3. My friend Matt served as a model and contributor. Take a look and let me know what you think in the comments!
Elopement: Brittany & Tony
Elopements hold a special place in my heart, as my husband and I eloped a little over a year ago. When Brittany asked if I could document her and Tony's elopement at Chicago's City Hall, I was thrilled! We ended up adventuring and taking pictures all around downtown. It was fun to hear the many "congratulations" from passerbys. Brittany and Tony even got to hop in a firetruck and honk the horn! Check out this city filled elopement!
Family Photography + Cake Smash: DeRoo Family
On a rainy Sunday in June, my husband and I drove to Schaumburg to do a family photoshoot with one of his oldest friends, Chris DeRoo. Brian has known Chris since they were maybe 5 years old? He's also known Chris's wife, Megan, since high school as Chris & Megan were high school sweethearts. They now have two beautiful boys and are in the process of relocating to St. Louis. Their youngest son, Henry, just turned one, so we added a cake smash to the session. Take a look!
Engagement Session: Maggie & Emily
Maggie & Em. Where to begin? I am so honored to be photographing the wedding of these two stellar women, next month. Let's just say the world is a better place with this power couple. We took these engagement photos on a chilly, Spring day around Montrose Harbor. Take a look and try not to fall in love.
Travel Stories: Oshkosh, WI
After a cool 3 hour drive from Chicago, we made it to Brian’s cousin’s house in Oshkosh, WI. It was Memorial Day weekend and technically our first anniversary. We decided to spend the weekend with Ashley (Brian’s cousin) and her husband Jeff. Practically newlyweds themselves, they just purchased their first home, where Brian and I hadn’t yet been.