Our busy season is in full-swing, so blog posts are going to take a beating. I am still going to post the much-loved pictures, but I am going to hold off on my jabbering. If you protest and riot I will find the time, but until then please enjoy favorites from busy-season clients!
The world lost one of its best yesterday. Jared was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a friend and my cousin.
We are all lost and confused with no answers in sight and no comfort on the horizon. There is nothing anyone can say to make the hurt stop right now. Not for me and not for the rest of the family. Nothing feels real except for the hurt inside and we are sharing it as a family.
If life has meaning, perhaps we find meaning not in our own lives, but through the loss of our loved ones. Jared was not the perfect human, but he sure seemed to have it all figured out these past few years. I am forever changed by his passing and will be sure to take his philosophy on life with me through the rest of mine.
Nothing made Jared more happy than simply living each day. I have never met another person so excited about every moment, nor a person more eager to make those moments count. This is no cliche, but rather a testament to a genuine accomplishment. He lived each day pure and simple: From owning not much more than the clothes on his back and the few conveniences that fit in his duffle...to giving his whole self over to you in a hug that would knock a man over with its sincerity. Jared was impressively aware of life, pure and simple.
So this is what I will take as my gift from Jared. And though his legacy comes at a high price, I am grateful to have witnessed a life lived as it was meant to be lived, which just days ago I took for granted. Thank you, Jared, and goodbye.
Another kiddo I have had the pleasure to watch grow...Madelyn! It is so much fun to see the difference a year can make. Last time I saw Madelyn she was a much smaller bundle of smiles. Her cute little mouth and her big, expressive eyes are exactly the same though! We went to the park on what felt like the first day of fall. She ran a loop around the whole place and before we knew it we couldn't even tell it was cold anymore. Back at the studio she changed into more polka dots and stripes! This is just how every kid should show up for picture day...whimsical, colorful and fun!
This is Ryan from Derby. He is just one more great example of why I have a special place in my heart for photographing guys. There is a whole different feeling and experience for me behind the camera. Ryan was ready and willing and we got right down to business. I think my favorite part was being at the soccer field. I don't know much about soccer other than there is a whole lotta running! Ryan is an accomplished player and goalie on the varsity team at Derby so we made a special trip to a field to make sure we captured this side of him. He was a complete sweetheart and I can't wait to share the rest of his images with him and his family...
In the midst of the senior portrait tidal wave that is going on here, poor cutiepie, Mason, got left off the blog! Big sorry, guys. Mason was a funny little fellow with the cutest little outfits. We took out his rocking horse (which was actually a cow), but Mason was having none of it. The we tried bribing him with food...that seemed to work but then his face was full of food and his hands were inside his mouth! Basically Mason gave me a run for my money! Dad whipped out his magic guitar and Mason practically went to sleep standing up. Little Mason already had a boo boo from a previous accident that was hurting him, then we put him through the utter torture of picture-day. He had had enough and was ready to pass out in the car when we were done. I loved him and his family and hopefully the love some of my favorite moments...
This is Maggie and she had "medicine head" the first time we met! On the day of her consultation, Maggie wasn't feeling well and could barely speak...so the person I met on the day of the shoot was new to me! We soon got to know eachother and even Gina got in on the fun. Gina came in as a personal "posing coach" giving Maggie our secret stance that everyone looks good doing...shhh. After a wee stint in the studio, we marched off into the alleys of downtown to find as much texture as possible. We even hopped in the Mini Cooper and went aimlessly searching for someplace new. Enjoy a few favorites from our day...
Emma's session was a great way to end my day yesterday. She was fun, excited, friendly and well-prepared...she brought some sort of an outline! I didn't get a close look, but I know she had some sort of a plan on that paper! Whatever it was, it worked. We played a little with her pup, Bella, then we moved on to focus on just Emma. She was such a refreshing mix of adorable and beautiful. Even when we went outside, all the elements were in our favor...the sky was perfectly overcast with just enough sun for some flair...when the wind blew, it blew in just the right place to give Emma her Supermodel Hair. We finished the shoot out in Oak Park in a spot where her mother actually designed the landscape. It was a great day for shooting and I hope everyone enjoys a few of the shots from the day...
Little Miss Charlie brought her christening gown to the studio for a little fashion show and a quickie photo shoot...it was B-E-A-UTIFUL.
Here is what you get when you come prepared. Justine knew how to find her light and where to put her body. I really enjoyed shooting her. We spent some time in the studio and then made our way to the actual park in Riverside...which I thought I had never been to, but upon arriving had some crazy childhood flashbacks! We found plenty of photo-worthy locations in a train yard, at the playground, in a knobby tree and more...
"At least he is polite about the beatings."
Sara Claire is back for her second Gingeroot session showing off her 6th month of life! When mom picks her up with kisses and tickles, this little nugget goes crazy with cooing, giggling and wiggling galore. I have never heard anything as cute. It was an addictive sound that melted my heart. Check out a few of her winning faces from the shoot...
Gina says TO ME...
"You are like the fat kid who just can't stop!!!"
If you are super stealthy, you will recognize Meagan. She made a cameo appearance in Shelby's blog post as her best bud that came along for moral support and face-making assistance. Now she has her very own blog post from her very own Gingeroot senior session! The lighting last night was just wonderful, there was no rain and it was almost chilly out...very unusual for these parts, but a very welcome change. Enjoy a few of my favorites from the evening...
