What's New at All Eyes on You

~~~Hilary and Derrick and our Rainy Day

2011-09-26T20:31:00.000-04:00

Finally it was time to get some pictures of Hilary andDerrick. We've been texting and emailing and facebooking andtalking on the phone. EVERYTHING but actually looking at eachother. We'd never met!

We had hoped to rock downtown like I love to do, finding new nooksand crannies; It rained, and it rained and it rained, and withHilary's beautiful silk blouse, outside was out of the question.

SO I schlepped into the Hilton with my soggy gear and my assistant,and there stood two of the best looking people I'd ever met.(How do I get this lucky?!) They were fun, and laid back,andrelaxed, and willing to do whatever I asked.

Here's some of what we got.

Their wedding is just a few weeks away. This was for theirguestbook. Now I'm even more excited for their weddingday! Thanks guys!

The VanBuskirk Wedding / Fort Jennings Ohio Wedding Photographer

2011-08-29T16:44:00.004-04:00

Once in a while someone falls into your life, and enhances it in all
sorts of ways. Such is the case with Justin and Tracy, and
such is ALSO the case with Tracy and me! She had seen my work
for another bride and groom in her area, and called and told me "I
like the way you look at things". She's an art teacher and an
artist and the more she talked the more I wanted to work with / for
her, and help represent her dream.
When she called, it had just been a matter of weeks since her dad
had been killed and her mom injured in a terrible traffic
accident. Her sweetheart had asked her to marry him, and as
she told me some of these plans have been in HER head for a long
time. I heard about the classic car his dad had that they wanted to
use as their get away car, her brothers walking her down the aisle,
and the photos she wanted taken at the cemetery to include her dad
in their day. By the end of our conversation, we both felt we
were a good fit, and agreed to move forward.

We didn't meet until their engagement photos, and that was the
continuation of the comfortable nature of our relationship.
They drove quite a ways to meet me, and then we drove all over the
place, one following the other, to get the atmosphere just
right. Lots of time, lots of images, and they completely fine with the driving and the time it took. It was all OK with them. They loved
their photos, and so did I!

The wedding day was just as she had described. Great fun with
big points of memory and emotion for both of them. We did get
to use the car. We did go to the cemetery and get something
that included her dad, and the beautiful spot where he rests.
Their wedding party was a great bunch of outgoing, big hearted
people who made interesting party images no trouble at all.

At the end of the day, I took them down an empty hallway together
and shot their ring pictures before we loaded up and left.
Justin thanked me in such a sincere way for working so hard and
dealing with everyone so well, and getting what he was sure were
great photos. It meant the world to me, and I told him
so. If we all hadn't been soaking wet with sweat, I probably
would have just grabbed him and bawled. It was a good good time,
and I think it shows in these images, from start to finish.

Thank you, my new friends.

Here's the entire project:
http://suzannekk.zenfolio.com/p937385346

Another shout out to Brandon Wittwer, my second photog for this
project, and my dear friend EVERY day!

Riley at 6 Months / Fort Wayne Indiana Family Photographer

2011-08-26T10:57:00.000-04:00

I had shot the wedding of Riley's parents, Shelly and Geoff last
year. It was a fabulous outdoor affair in Autumn, and
Shelly made the prettiest bride! Now the prettiest bride
has an equally pretty little angel.

We had put this off for hot weather, rainy weather and illness, so
when we finally got together and I got to meet this little punkin I
wanted to just eat her up. She's a happy, mellow child
with the longest eyelashes and the best baby girl wardrobe
ever! We're going to do some indoor stuff next week, so
I'll be sure to share that too!

I shoot far more grown ups than children, so I really relish these
opportunities!

The Olson Wedding, and Miracles at Notre Dame University

2011-08-15T22:45:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I think I am the luckiest girl alive. I am doing
what I most love to do, and making a few bucks for it. I get
found by people all over the country who see my work and ask me to
do work for them. They tell their friends, their friends hire
me....it's a wonderful circle.

This event was incredible! What a glorious series of
delightful surprises, and beauty beyond belief. But please
believe it. It's all true, and it can be seen in this
pictorial.

Andrea found me online. We had a terrific rapport on the phone
and through email, and we went back and forth for quite a while
before she was in the area with Dave, and we all drove quite a
ways to finally meet. They had conducted a long distance
romance of epic proportion for a very long time since they had both
graduated from Notre Dame, and had gone on to grad school, and
internships.When I walked into McDonald's in Angola to have coffee
with them, I came face to face with two of the warmest most genuine
people I'd ever met. So comfortable in their own skin.
So comfortable with one another. She is
Princess-Grace-American-Beauty kind of pretty. .He is sparkly and
genuine in a way that makes you want to stay around him, and be his
pal. We talked. We got excited. We made the
plan! Almost a year went by before I would see them again, at
their wedding rehearsal.

I needed help at Notre Dame. More than I knew. I needed
someone to shoot with me, and as it turned out, I needed a tour
guide for the campus as well. I was so fortunate to have
Christian Alonzo agree to work with me on this project! He is
familiar with the campus, and although he had not been inside The
Basilica, he could get me there and that was WAY better than I would
have been able to do on my own. I felt confident walking in
the massive doors with him, although we had never met before, we
were online friends for years in photography boards. I knew I
had a worthy comrade. How smart am I? The guy is
brilliant, and great company too! ("Thank you" does not suffice,
Christian!)

I could go on and on--and in fact I HAVE, haven't I?!

Just let me share one more tidbit of this day. (Then if you
want to know more, ask me. I could go on for hours.) The
large wedding party walked in and down the aisle. The bride
and her father walked in and down the aisle. Her hand was
placed in Dave's, dad walked away and sat down with his wife.

THE LIGHTS WENT OUT.

Christian and I looked at each other across this cavernous building in silence. I quietly walked over to the event coordinator for the Basilica. I asked her who often this happens. She said in the six years she had been working there, it had never happened. As it turned out, the entire campus was out.

Christian and I had all our tools. We were prepared for anything, and WOW was it a good thing! 40 minutes go by in natural light. The singer of the prayers had such a rich and powerful voice that she rose to the occasion, and no one suffered for it whatsoever. In a Catholic mass, the Eucharist is brought out, a select group of prayers and blessings are said and at the very end of this lovely part of the ceremony by the priest, and before communion, the Eucharist is raised high in the air. It's a goosebump moment, always. At that very moment, the lights came back on. The jewelers lights shone on
the gold at the top of the majestic pillars, the gorgeous antique
fixtures fired back up, and we completed the wedding mass with the
light that it was intended to have.

I tell this story for 2 reasons.

1) It did not surprise me at all that with a couple so tranquil and
secure in their love, and so peaceful at preparing on their wedding
day, the Lord showed that he WAS there.

2) If you know of someone thinking of hiring a photographer who has
shot a couple of weddings and would love to do it for $500--tell
them this story. When things don't go smoothly, there is NO
replacement for experience, fine equipment and know how. I
have shot hundreds of weddings now. SOMETHING happens at every
single one of them, and for years now I have been ready!

.

I LOVE my job!

http://suzannekk.zenfolio.com/p127333715

The PBS Auction and Our Henry Adventure in Wonderland!

2011-08-11T20:38:00.000-04:00

Last summer I donated a big gift certificate to the local PBS auction for their annual fundraiser. It was exiting to see the donation mentioned time and time again during the month of the fundraising event. I got some emails with questions about what the coverage entailed, etc. That even heightened the thrill of being involved, as I anticipated meeting the winner and beginning the planning of their big day.

In the end the Martin Henry family won, and their daughter Rebecca contacted me to arrange a meeting so we could get acquainted and talk about her wedding day. Becky was in town from Indy to taste cakes, and look at floral choices, and I met her mom Vicki, her sister Jamie and her at Club Soda for a cocktail (or two) and some delightful chat and love fest. They were so appreciative of my donation to PBS, I was so appreciative of their support of same. I made fast friends that night.

Fast forward to the wedding day. How lucky can I get? Seriously! The handsomest men, the most gorgeous girls. A huge loving family completely immersed in this occasion. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The Scottish Rite. A trolley for a couple of hours in between and all of downtown Ft Wayne as our backdrop. This was a fabulous day with clients who wanted cool photos just as much as they wanted a rocking party. A photographer's dream!

Thanks Becky and Steve, and your entire entourage.

Thanks Martin and Vicki for being benevolent benefactors to a worthy cause.

Thanks to ALL for being the perfect subjects.

Thanks to the entire Henry family for their graciousness, that day and every day!
I've made LOTS new friends--the ultimate icing on this cake!

(A special shout out to Brandon Wittwer, who takes my sh**, shoots like a champ, and helps make me look good!)

Clean Underwear and Stuff

2011-08-06T00:02:00.000-04:00

You know what our moms always told us about wearing clean panties for the ambulance driver? The same is also true of hair color.

Don't wait two weeks too long!

You could walk into the emergency room with a serious need for color, and be held captive there for a week. When this happens you find yourself then assuring the nurses that usually you are way cuter than this.

It's true. I know.

I'm freshly red now, and much more is right with the world!

modernedgymetalphotos

2010-06-05T18:57:00.005-04:00

I have been so darned busy--which is the good news AND the bad news. I promised myself I would blog better this year, but instead I've only had the time to Facebook like crazy. Something new is afoot though, and I HAD to holler about it here.

This summer's promotion is METAL.

Book a senior picture session prior to August 1st and get a metal 8x10 float mount (A $90.00 value!) of your favorite image along with your regular $250.00 in prints. Book your wedding for any remaining 2010, '11 or '12 date and get a complimentary group of THREE 12x12 metal float mounts of your favorite images from your wedding day included in your after-the-event product package! (A $375 value)
Interested? Call me! Know someone who might be? Hit "share" at the top of this blog and pass the news around.

This offer expires 8.01.10

Learn more here !

See my website HERE
I've been excited about this product for months, and have decided on this material for the Vino Bellisimo gallery I've been asked to do in Lima, Ohio. I received the samples today, and here are some images of what I have!
I am SO impressed! I want all my clients to have this on their walls, and I'll be talking about it and showing all my clients from now on!
Be sure to ask me about it after your next photo session, and check it out in Lima in the next few weeks!

The Kimmell House Inn

2010-05-20T22:13:00.094-04:00

Deb and Dean of The Kimmell House Inn allowed me to shoot a bridal boudoir portrait session in their beautiful establishment and in trade I shot some promotional stuff for them for their upcoming website. I could have stayed there all day. A gorgeous woods, one of the most beautiful homes I've set foot inside in the Midwest, and the nicest people. If you get a chance, stop by. They have fantastic lemonade, and their B and B is a fine example of historic Indiana.

Beautiful Camera Bags for Women--FINALLY!

2010-04-01T12:10:00.001-04:00

Hurray! Ladies, we don't have to cart around those awful things that look like newspaper men from the 70s.
Lookie here!

(I didn't shoot this, guys)

There's a contest to win one. I'm entering...and if I don't win--I will STILL have one by Christmas.
Enter here! I did!

Karli, and My Visit to Carissa and Marc's

2010-03-24T20:22:00.001-04:00

This is without question one of the joys of my life. I get to know and love a couple getting married. Then as their family grows, I get to document that, and become a part of all that life is about.

I drove to Lima Monday night to meet Baby Karli, Marc and Carissa's newest child. She is three days old, and fussy and not fussy, and sleepy and not sleepy, not unlike exhausted Carissa, my dear friend, at this point. Life is LARGE right now.

I knock on the door and a ball of dark haired energy emerges, and becomes this evening's entertainment. She's Indie, the big sister now. She's 3, and she is fantastic! She danced for us, and reminded me of how far I have come with my near teenager, and how much I miss this part of raising children.

Her dance is as follows:

She got out her costume....

Then thought better of it.

She started gently, and a little demure.

Then started to unwind and really show us her inner artiste!

and then for the grande finale...

And then I took pictures of the baby....don't worry, there's a whole year of her to come!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST....Handsome Jesse! (You didn't think I'd forget you?)

Thanks everybody. I smiled all the way home.

Melissa and TJ's Engagement

2010-03-12T14:42:00.006-05:00

You know...by the end of the year, as I limp out of the last reception

hall, and I have hugged my last bride and groom of the year...after I

start the van and feel like tears are IMMINENT, I'm sooooooo tired...THAT'S

when I say to myself "Thank goodness this is it for a while!" I

rejoice. I tell my fellow photogs "I'm done! I'm

done! I survived another year!"

Then this happens:

I meet (again) a bride who signed me over a year ago. I see her

and think "OH YEAH!" and recall the special qualities I recognized

during our meeting. She's excited to see me, this means it's official--they really

ARE getting married. My relationship with them is finally

underway, and many times, this is my first meeting with her

Romeo. This time was like that. TJ shook my hand firmly (I

love that in a man) and looked me right in the eyes. He was

excited too.

At first the couple does not know what to do. They feel

awkward. They stand together unnaturally. They're suddenly

awkward together. They're embarrassed at first.

My advice for these people, so excited and scared, and unfamiliar with

me and my shooting style is "Just be together! I'll get

it." Subtle, if any direction...I get excited. I show them

something magical I caught... They get excited. They

remember why they chose me. He relaxes, and magic starts to

happen. This last one made me gasp when I got home, and

unloaded my card. I GOT IT. He looked at her, they trusted

me, I hit the shutter release- POW.

I'm ready ready ready for wedding season again.

I love my job.

How lucky am I?

TJ, nice to meet you. I won't let you down.

March Special!

2010-03-04T07:16:00.000-05:00

Book our most popular package for any remaining 2010 or 2011 date,

and receive 2 additional (and identical) 11x15 coffee table books for your parents!

Offer expires April 1!

See the site calendar to check availability.

Here are a few pages from Kristi and Tyler's book. Just sent it to the publisher!

So Tickled to be Featured!

2010-02-27T13:45:00.000-05:00

I advertise on QueerlyWed.com. I support the movement, and it's an audience I LOVE.
They recently asked me some questions, and wrote an article about me and my business. I couldn't be more proud!

See it here.

THANK YOU Melissa and Stacey!

BABY MADDIE!

2010-02-03T13:42:00.002-05:00

I wish I didn't have to admit this, but babies (aside from my own) are not something I have a huge amount of experience with! I love them. I love to smell them. I love to touch their amazingly soft skin. I love to listen to their little squeaks....but I need practice with the actual capturing of them.
I'm happy to say I'm beginning to get some!

This is Madeline Mae. She is the niece of one of my favorite brides from last year. What a treat! Here's the entire project!

Laura and Nick's Engagement in the Snow

2010-01-10T13:06:00.017-05:00

Laura and Nick are getting married this summer. They were going to be home for Christmas, so we knew we wanted to do something during that week. Initially we were going to take a road trip to Purdue. They had loved Sarah and Sean's engagement shoot and wanted to do something similar, but this winter did not coopreate. The week prior we touched base and decided it would probably be safer to stick closer to their hometown, and we're all glad we did. We hit it out of the park right here in River City!
The snow was intense, and downtown was a ghost town. The convention center was closed, so we sneaked in through the hotel (he he he), and got some cool stuff there.

I'm proud of this work, and they are thrilled to death with it.
Here's the entire project!

The Seeton Company

2009-12-01T10:38:00.002-05:00

Sherry and Eric are refurbishing their website, and wanted a new look at their products. I had done commercial work before, but never products--inanimate objects. After some conversation about their liking the detail shots I do during a wedding, I knew I was the right person for the job. It's been interesting, and an immense learning experience on many levels. I'm proud to say that they are thrilled with my work, and our relationship will be ongoing!

Tyler and Kristi's Wedding Day!

2009-11-17T10:04:00.023-05:00

This was so much fun for me! Their wedding party was all gorgeous, smart and funny. They were game for anything, and I took full advantage of that! The church was one of the only Catholic churches in Ft Wayne I hadn't worked yet, and that was exciting. Kristi loves the Wells Street Bridge, so the limo went there after the obligatory altar portraits, so I was able to capture the essence of this group of friends away from the family and formality at the church. The party was a culmination of two very large, very boisterous and loving families, and friends from as far back as kindergarten. One of the prettiest cakes this year, great florals from Armstrongs, Cerutis' excellent service....it was alllll goooood.

Kristi's Bridal Portraits

2009-11-15T18:03:00.001-05:00

I love my job! We shot the engagement and the bridal the same weekend, which had to take as much out of her as it did me--BUT LOOK. She's a natural beauty, and a trooper. She's also funny, smart,and a new friend for life.

Her wedding was last night. It was gorgeous, the party was fun. Her parents were proud (as they should be) of the gorgeous, glamorous party they were able to throw for her.

Working with them has been a complete joy!

CONGRATS. Kristi!

(Thanks Peebles and Armstrong families for taking me into your families the way you have!)

Kristi and Tyler's Engagement!

2009-11-08T15:44:00.019-05:00

This couple does everything on the fly. They hired me to shoot their wedding last month (they're getting married November 15 !) and then last week she called and said they wanted BOTH engagement AND bridal sessions this weekend. WHEW! No pressure....right?

Can't share the bridal shoot for a few days, but here's some of their engagement!

Megan and Brad's Wedding

2009-10-03T16:40:00.004-04:00

Another artist's wedding this year, and another masterpiece of details, and elegance! She designed the invitations, the menus, and the place cards. The extended family had the most incredible desert table of all their favorite cookies, fudges, brownies, and all the confections you could ever dream of. They gave bulbs in beautiful gift boxes as favors because they run a landscaping firm and it best represented their favorite thing to share. The wedding was very small and intimate, and the party hours later was very large and boisterous. My favorite florist was utilized Rose's Bouquets, and did the fabulous job she always does.

Spyro's Christening

2009-09-20T21:18:00.002-04:00

One of the most precious gifts bestowed on me as a photographer this year was this one. Spyro's mom chose me to document his Christening day. It was at the Greek Orthodox church that I had worked in a couple of years ago to shoot Malak's wedding. It's a beautiful venue, and the service there is so touching and lovely. To be able to even behold this would have been a joy, but to be entrusted to document it for this family was exciting, challenging and invigarating! Definitely one of my favorite projects this year!

Baby London!

2009-09-16T16:19:00.001-04:00

London's mom and I barter work. She is one of the best dog groomers in Fort Wayne, and we admire each other's work very much. (She's also a pretty cool woman, and has become a friend of mine!) I went and met London and saw little Ross again, who I had photographed last fall. She makes pretty kids. This time her handsome man was there with us, so we got some family stuff too!

NeuroNE

2009-09-15T16:09:00.003-04:00

I was contacted in August about doing promo work for this new practice opening in Fort Wayne. I had worked with their marketing director before, and was excited to do more work with her! This is a great looking, and NICE group of people. I hope I get to know them better! We had fun!

Melissa and Joe's Wedding Day

2009-09-12T15:56:00.002-04:00

This day was nothing but fun, start to finish. The wedding was staged at the place where the groom's mom works, and where she had been married years before. The reception was at a friend's house, with a pond, and a tent, and a friend for a DJ. Lots of kids, lots of laughter, lots of dancing and lots of mosquitoes!

Ryan and Stephanie's Wedding Day

2009-09-05T14:59:00.001-04:00

Stephanie's mom found me on Craigslist, and told her about me. When Ryan, Steph and I met we clicked immediately, and saw the same vision, we left that meeting completely psyched to be working together. Their wedding was such a collaboration of creative spirits, it was a unique experience for me to work with true artists--and so the day was enriching to the eyes, the heart and the mind. I enjoyed it immensely. It was as much a gift to me to be working with them! I'm really excited to see it all done!

Drew and Cheryl's Family

2009-08-25T16:18:00.002-04:00

I have known Drew for a while, and was excited to meet his gorgeous wife and movie star quality children. MY GOSH, what a stunning family. There's another on the way in November, so I'll get to shoot a teeny tiny one again this fall!

This was shot at Foster Park, In Fort Wayne, IN

Adam and Brittany's Engagement!

2009-08-20T16:07:00.002-04:00

Adam and Brittay are a cool couple. They met online, and "cyber dated" for a while. She teaches school and he writes a sports column in Ohio. They're fun and quirky, and smart and happy. I'm excited to shoot their wedding in June! This was shot in the booming metropolis of Celina, OH. (Which Adam claims is the only other site than the Grand Canyon that can be seen form the moon!) I hope to work there again. Very cute little old town!

Cathie and Andy's Wedding Day!

2009-08-15T23:30:00.004-04:00

Cathie is a vivacious redhead. She married Andy, a laid back guy from southern Indiana. They all went to Purdue (second one this season) and were, as Purdue crowds are--VERY cool to work with!

They had a hayride to the reception, so we stopped along the route through Decatur. They had square dancing at their reception, and the best speeches I've heard this year!

Cathie planned a big beautiful Catholic wedding with a party to end all parties, and that's what it was.

Erika and Rick Got Married!

2009-08-08T20:32:00.011-04:00

This wedding was a great family event. Erika and Rick have been together since high school, and college--TEN YEARS before they got married!

Her mom and dad danced a slow dance to Stairway to Heaven (which choked this old hippy girl UP!), the groomsmen played DS at a table in the dark, her mom's baby ring hang from the bouquet that the bride made herself.

It was simple and wonderful, and I felt glad to be a part of it!

Nina's Senior Pictures

2009-08-02T19:47:00.001-04:00

Nina's a cool chick. She found me on Craigslist and we're bartering something very precious for both of us! I got to go first, and I loved it. She came out to my place and we walked the tracks, sat in the yard, used my flower beds and trees. I don't get to do that EVER, and it was fun.
She brought her friend Jesse, so I had to pull him in for some, too. NICE GUY!

Erika and Rick's Engagement

2009-07-22T12:37:00.000-04:00

Erika and Rick are getting married on August 8th, so we did their engagement session 3 weeks before. (Nothing like a challenge, right?)
We went to the park in Lima, near where she grew up. Glad we did, they needed time to relax and trust me, and we achieved that!

The Roberts Hoos Wedding

2009-07-11T01:45:00.010-04:00

Sarah and Sean got married! This party was filled with class and joy, and the wedding party was fantastic to work with, and game for anything. That makes for a fun day of work!

The wedding at St Joe UMC, where I'd worked many times before, was huge and gorgeous in every detail, and the Memorial Coliseum was wonderful. Even the security guards are fun.

Jack Hammer and Mr. Fabini rocked the house until the wee hours. Fathers were beaming, mothers were glowing.

I just wish I could have seen the breakfast buffet crowd at the Holiday Inn the next morning.

Zent's Anniversary

2009-07-10T10:42:00.000-04:00

April and her sweetheart didn't have a big church wedding, and so on their anniversary they wanted beautiful pictures! We went to Foster Park and had a great time getting the tour. (She had grown up nearby and had never been!)
They are a fun loving couple, absolutely nuts about each other, and I made a new girlfriend that day!

Gerrick and Liz

2009-07-02T12:17:00.000-04:00

Liz was the winner of the drawing at the bridal show in February and won a complimentary engagement portrait session. They had already hired another brilliant photographer for their wedding, so this was a privilege to add to their family album in some way!
NICE people! Never a dull moment.

Elliott Turned TWO

2009-06-20T19:38:00.000-04:00

I have been blessed to be documenting this little boy's life since the very beginning, and now he's turning into a little man! We had a conversation. He LIKED me.

Made my year!

Thanks, Beth and Ryan. It is a complete honor to be your family photographer!

Here's the complete project!

Betsy and Matt's Wedding

2009-06-13T14:40:00.000-04:00

Emmanuel Community Church in Aboite Township, and Ceruti's Diamond Room.

These were the best summer colors! NICE NICE people, and fun ideas. Thanks to the Carmiens and to the Augensteins for making us feel so welcome, and making our jobs so easy that day!

We got to work with Quattro Systems again (consummate pros every single time!) and a florist AND a baker from Huntington we had not worked beside before who were brilliant!

Betsy and Matt are in the Caymans now...whimper....

Lora and Kara's Commitment Ceremony

2009-06-06T10:08:00.000-04:00

Just the way they'd hoped, and planned for so long. Quiet, intimate, and beautiful, with a fun party finish!

Congrats ladies!

Mike and Jessi's Wedding Day

2009-05-23T15:06:00.000-04:00

This day was unreal. 18 attendants, two bars in between the wedding and reception, one of the grandest churches we have ever worked (in one of the smallest towns!), Bengals...Browns...gringos....--a great day! My feet still hurt thinking about it!

Sarah and Sean's Engagement

2009-05-18T21:40:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I drove to West Lafayette to meet with Sean and Sarah, my bride and groom for July 11.
I ended up adding an extra hour to my trip because I was chatting it up to a fellow photog that I never get to talk to. I missed my turn--OH WELL. GREAT talk with Amber, and pretty day for a drive. Thank you Sean, for the patient phone navigation into town via the RURAL route.

(Felt like such a GIRL.)
I got the tour of Purdue university where Sean had just graduated the day before, and from where Sarah had graduated, prior to obtaining her advanced degree in Chicago. We had a good time, and true to their promise, they took me to their favorite local pub for a cold brew before I left town again.

These two are a blast, and now more than ever, I am PSYCHED to shoot their wedding.
My feet hurt!

Sarah and John's Wedding Day

2009-05-15T17:54:00.000-04:00

I drove up to South Bend on Mother's Day weekend, and shot this. Turned out the entire floor of the hotel was reserved for family from Utah, etc. NICE people, every one of them!

Every detail had been considered, and then everyone relaxed and had a fine time. The Wedding Pastor from right here in Ft Wayne was the officiant AND the DJ, and did a terrific job with both. The ceremony was quick, and genuine. The party was subdued at first and then rocked late into the night.

Thank you for choosing me Sarah. I loved with working with you!

Sweet Little Brynn

2009-05-14T11:43:00.000-04:00

Brynn's two now. Her mommy and daddy have entrusted me with documenting her life so far, and it has been a heart-filling JOY to me.
This time we took her to Foster Park when the tulips were in bloom, and she was fascinated with the entire place!
Her parents even cooperated with being in the shots a LITTLE this time!

James and Alane's Wedding

2009-04-19T10:56:00.000-04:00

Alane's wedding was supposed to be in Lima, it ended up in Delphos. It was supposed to have reception across a downtown street and be urban and edgy, but ended up across town in another church venue.

But they're married, there were tears, and beauty, and love abounded.

In the end that's really all that matters.

Jerry and Michelle's Senior Pictures

2009-04-19T10:25:00.000-04:00

I lucked out last Sunday on 2 fronts. I got to spend time in Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana, and I got to do TWO sessions there.

The coolest part of the day was that I had not met either of these kids, and they were both so nice, and so good looking.

It was a great day!

The finished products can be found here:

Jerry's Senior Pictures

Michelle's Senior Pictures

William and Kenzy's Wedding

2009-04-09T15:20:00.001-04:00

Elkhart and Middlebury Indiana.
April 4.
I ran the show myself.

This wedding was all about their family, their kids, and their God. The most laid back bride and groom I've ever met. They planned the wedding on the fly for the kid's spring break, and were married in his parent's church.

Fun day!

The completed project can be found here!

Nioka and Adam's Wedding

2009-03-30T10:15:00.000-04:00

Nioka and Adam hired me a year ago, and I've LOVED working with them through their engagement shoot as well as her bridal session a couple of weeks ago. They were married at The History Center in downtown Fort Wayne this past Saturday. We got to go out on the street that night, and as we were packing up, the rain that had been forecast for the day let loose.

Here's the link to the finished product!

Gretchen and Casey's Wedding

2009-03-15T17:17:00.000-04:00

First Presbyterian and The Fort Wayne Women's Club.
March 14, 2009!

Our first one of the season, filled with carefully thought out details, bittersweet memories, laughter and GREAT SHOES!

Heidi and I agree we need a gym membership through the winter this year. WHEW. We work hard, and feel it on Sundays. (...and we wouldn't
have it any other way!)

The complete wedding upload can be found here!

Nioka's Bridal Portrait

2009-03-11T16:55:00.000-04:00

I'll post more later* for obvious reasons. HAD to put something up. I'm tickled to death with the results, and so is she!

*3/30/2009
Now that she's married....here's a link to the rest!
Nioka's Full Bridal Session

The Hall Family

2009-03-11T16:24:00.000-04:00

Dr. Ronald Hall had all the kids home for his
42nd anniversary to his lovely wife, Susan.

What a cool family!

We had a blast. He said it was far less painful than he had feared. (LOVE hearing that!)

More Ryan--A Chronicle of His First Year

2009-03-09T05:52:00.000-04:00

Nine months old now. Crawling. Pulling up. Reaching for things. Making monster faces. Beautiful boy...and I got mom and dad in there this time, too!

Sarah and John's Engagement --February 2009

2009-02-10T19:04:00.000-05:00

Sarah found us on the internet from South Bend, and had decided on wedding coverage which didn't include an engagement shoot, but after a few weeks she decided they'd drive down and do it. We hadn't met prior, just lots of talks on the phone and IMs, but we all felt comfortable with each other right away (Thank you, God!) They make each other laugh, and have an easy, happy rapport that's infectious. I loved how this turned out. Apparently everyone in SB is thrilled too!

Skyler's First Pictures-- January 2009

2009-01-26T13:42:00.000-05:00

I work my Joe-job with Skyler's grandmother, who asked me to come over on a Sunday and shoot his first pictures. His daddy Brian was there, and Brian has certain attributes I had to mix with Skyler's softness. I'm pretty happy with these. Grandma is too.
The editing continues....

Mike and Jessi's Engagement Shoot January 2009

2009-01-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

This is Mike and Jessi. I'll be shooting their marriage in Fort Jennings, OH

this spring. They drove an hour to have their engagement shoot in downtown
Fort Wayne, to insure that their images didn't look like any of their friends.
It was a blast. When you look at these, please know that while there is no
snow on the ground, it was 10 degrees outside.

I can't wait to shoot their wedding. They are fun, good looking, and wild for each other.

Some Portraits from 2008

2008-12-28T16:06:00.000-05:00

2008 held some very unique and memorable chances for me to do portraits! I've loved every moment of it!

Some Weddings from 2008

2008-12-28T15:32:00.000-05:00

I have been so lucky this year to work with some of the most beautiful, and free thinking brides and grooms I have ever met! They've allowed me to be creative in ways I never could have been 20 years ago, or even FIVE years ago. I've been blessed. Can't wait to see what '09 brings!