Happy Thanksgiving!

It's that time of year again!

Time to remember all the things that we are all so very thankful for all year 'round, but don't seem to take the time to reflect on until today. For me, Thanksgiving is filled with tradition...tradition that I hope to one day pass on to my children, though I 'm sure that they will someday find them outdated and old fashioned.

What kinds of tradition, you ask? Well, we must begin the day with coffee and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I will confess that it's hard for me to watch [my kids watch] the parade without occasionally wiping a tear away, but it's all good!

The Sound of Music is another tradition. That one got started back in the days before cable when the networks would show the movie just this one day out of the year. My mother sang the songs...and later on I discovered that my Mother-in-Law had the same tradition going with my husband and his sisters. As a result, the movie is playing in the background at this very moment...and soon, my sister-in-law and I will be singing along to "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria".

Music, itself is a tradition too! There aren't many Thanksgiving songs out there. But there "Alice's Restaurant" (click here for the full 20-minute version) and thanks to Adam Sandler, we have "The Thanksgiving Song".

These things, of course are all second to the food! Turkey, stuffing, all the extras...and let's not forget that Thanksgiving just isn't Thanksgiving until you hear the "shloooop" that comes from the cranberry sauce when you slide it out of the can!

I am so very thankful this year for so many things. Most of all, I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for home, for blessings that I never thought I deserved. I'm thankful that I am honored to shoot the happiest days of people's lives for a living, I'm thankful webcams to talk to the family that's so far away at times like these.

Today, I hope we all take a moment or two to reflect on just how thankful we all really are.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Elizabeth and Brian

Remember Elizabeth and Brian's wedding? They were married in July in the most beautiful location in northern Ohio, the Mooreland Mansion. Well, their album is finished now, so here it is!

This album really shows Elizabeth and Brian's individual style. And yes, Elizabeth has a definite style as she is not only a recent bride, but an art teacher as well. Oh, and she recently started her own business doing calligraphy! She's one busy gal these days, check out her blog to see some of her work!

Congratulations again Elizabeth and Brian! Can't wait for you to see the album and hold it in your hands!

Emily and Marc: The Album

For the first time ever, I'm posting an album design! I'm thrilled to be able to share a slideshow of Emily and Marc's album from their wedding, which took place this September. I love, love, love designing these coffee table books and the options are virtually endless! You'll no doubt be seeing more and varied designs in the days and weeks to come!

Remember When???

So I was clearing out a few things and setting up shop in my new little office when I came across a small basket of old negatives and it really made me think. See, I made the switch to digital from medium format in late 2003. I liked film (and some day, I'm going to dabble in it again...really), but it did create a bit of a storage issue. I developed a system where I filed the large envelopes of 4x5 negatives (and the occasional 35mm ones) in a small container and planned to periodically clear them out every few years so so. I realize now, that although I'm completely digital storage is still an issue. Only now instead of taking up space in a box, my files take up space on hard drives and disks. I get new cameras that have better resolution and therefore larger files and guess what...I need a new computer! Then I need to switch from CD's to DVD's!

Still, it is quite remarkable to think that this...

Has given way to this..

Matted Albums are Here!!!

I am so excited to announce a new product to my lineup! As of last week, I've started carrying a traditional matted album.

Flush-mount albums are still available and they offer tons of different layout options...really the possibilities are endless, but I've had a few brides ask recently about a more traditional look...so here it is!

This is not your mother's matted album, though! Check out some of the details...
The same leather options, gilded edges and custom imprinting as the flush-mount albums...

Photos are hand-mounted into matted openings (in your choice of silver, gold, black or white) instead of simply taped into an mat and slid into a page...

They really are beautiful! The sample album is in, and if you'd like to check it out, give me a call or send me an e-mail!

Welcome Baby Dominic!

Little Dominic was born wayyy back in July. Remember his mom's fabulous maternity shoot? He was welcomed into a family that is just beautiful...inside and out! We spent a couple hours on Friday getting some photos of the Dominic and big sister, Mia. Here are a few of my favorites!

Brother and sister...



I love this one of Mia...it's so "Gap Kids"!



I don't do a lot of selective color anymore, but Dominic's eyes were such a beautiful shade of blue, I had to do it!

During the shoot, the little guy giggled for the first time! As any parent knows, that's a milestone, and an early sense of humor is a sign of intellect!

And then a close up...

A baby is always safest in his mother's arms...

Thank you Lindsey and Alex for once again inviting me into your home to document your remarkable family!

Get in Line.

I waited in line many times in my life. When I was in Kindergarten, I stood in line to go to the gym. In Basic Training I stood in line with both sleeves rolled up to get 10 inoculations at once. This past summer I stood in line with my husband and children in 90 degree heat to ride the many rides at Disney World. No line is more important to stand in though, than the election line which I stood in for three hours yesterday.

We all have the tremendous responsibility to make our voices heard and get in that line, regardless of how long we must wait. The long lines are a testament, I believe to the faith we all still have in our democracy. So make your voice heard these next 72 hours and brave the cold, the tedium and maybe make a new friend in line. Bring your iPod, a book, a folding chair and some snacks and soak up the camaraderie that is often formed when people come together for a common cause. Unless, of course you mailed your ballot in last month...