Meet Jeff.....

I have been very busy with Seniors lately! I really enjoy these

sessions and love to hear the plans that lie ahead for them.

Jeff has high hopes for himself and I have no doubt that he will

achieve his goals! I had a great time and he made my job very

easy with his big smile! Thanks Jeff & Mi!

Meet Miss Molly...

I met up with Molly a few days ago for her senior pics.

We had a lot of fun walking around and shooting

downtown. She was up for anything and although

said she usually doesn't like getting her pics done,

I think she took some really great shots!

Thanks for hanging with me Molly, it was a

fun afternoon! I'll talk to you soon!

Simply. Beautiful.

When I photograph, I always try to "capture life, as is."

These moments are the ones that tug at your heart-strings..

A few weeks ago, I took my daughter outside & of course

brought my camera along......

This cracks me up because I was in her face and she was contemplating throwing this at me!

And she threw it! I jumped out of the way just in time!

This is the look she gives me when I ask her,

"who is Mama's Princess?" I LOVE it!

Help find a cure!

Today, we are walking to help find a cure...
If you would like to donate, please go to
JDRF and search for Ally Baxter, Indiana.

She is counting on us to find a cure in her lifetime..

M.I.A.?

First, let me start by saying thanks to my loyal blog readers for
checking in on me! I am fine. Although I cannot believe it has
been over a week since I posted last! Wow. Well, let me explain...
Last week, I ended a 10 1/2 year career and started working FT
as a photographer.... Although I am ecstatic to take this leap of
faith, it feels sort of strange...to wake up and not have to be to
work... to do what I want, when I want....I needed a week to
"test drive" my new life...see how it feels.....so, I have been
hiding out with my Mom for a few days, took my Grandma
shopping, visited a group of girlfriend's this am....the kids
were home the first two days due to rain, so that was
wonderful too! I have not spent much time behind the
computer screen or my lens.....which feels weird...but I
needed to breathe. I have been running, running, running
for a very long time...in every direction....and I needed some
ME time to soak this new freedom in..... well, I'm back & I
LOVE it! My hubby said he thought it would take me a
good 2 days to adjust to my new life...hehehe. :)

Anywhoo~ Thanks for checking in on me and making sure all
is good.... it is..in fact, it's better than ever! & I promise, I'll be
posting again really soon!

Feedback......

I LOVE hearing from my clients.....the message below was from my Senior Rep, Taylor's Mom....

"Lori,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We had such an awesome time with you taking the kids senior pictures. You made this an enjoyable experience for all of us. We can hardly wait to see the proofs. You were amazing -- so creative and fun to work with. Your choice of locations added such a unique style, making these not just typical senior pictures. Your enthusiasm, professionalism and obvious love of what you do was so evident. We think you are amazing! "

Thanks so much Laurie, this means the world to me... :)

I cannot explain it...

Moving out before I graduated High school & having our daughter at 19 caused me to grow up very quickly. I cannot remember a time when I did not work full-time, even during high school..I think there are rules about that now! Anyway, the point of this is that I always worked because I had to. Not because I was passionate about my job, I needed the check.

Well, what some of you may not realize is that I have still been working a full-time job as an Accounting Manager in addition to building my business as a photographer. It has been very trying for me at times, I must admit. When I decided last year to open my business, I was a mother to four children(still am:) who were in multiple sports, working full-time & served as the President for the Niles Service League. To say I was over-extended is an understatement. I have so many people ask me how I could do it. Well, truth be told I don't know either.... I do know that I had to sacrifice some things.....like my housework.....it's not filthy & disgusting or anything, but it is not *sparkly* either.....I sacrificed sleep, which fortunately I do not mind....and I have dark circles to prove it......It's crazy when I think back about the last year and what I put myself through...I would ALWAYS pull an all-nighter...each week....until finally I got a sign that my body could not handle it, no it wasn't the dark circles...it was Shingles...adult chicken-pox....that can be brought on by stress. Ya think? :) Very painful!

Anywhoo - I have always dreamt of staying home with my babies, working on MY schedule...
well, the sacrifices have finally paid off. After 10 1/2 years as an Accounting Manager, TODAY is my LAST day. Tomorrow, I am a full-time photographer! I have butterflies in my stomach....and my smile is beaming so that it can be seen from miles away. I want to run across an open field and scream FREEDOM!!!!!!! Are you visualizing it? hahahaa! I am just ecstatic & sooo blessed to be able to follow my dreams!!!!!!!!!!! Finally!

I wanted to thank all of my family, friends and clients who have supported me along the way! You have all been so incredible to me and I am very blessed to know each of you! I am so excited to see what the future holds & hope that you will be a part of it!

Ok, now scream it with me........F-R-E-E-D-O-M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Brides, this is for YOU!

If you are looking for flower-girl dresses and Ring Bearer suits &
MORE, you must check out http://www.gagas.com/ .

A very good friend of mine opened this business up & it is such a
fab idea! Instead of spending bu-cu bucks on these items, you can
rent them! Very inexpensive idea and the clothes are gorgeous!

Check them out and pass this along!

Meet Javier!

Javier was such a pleasure to photograph.....

I mean, just look at this smile.....

He kept us laughing throughout the session!

Thanks Javier, it was great to meet you!

Introducing Miss Kaleigh!

On Sunday, I spent the day with Kaleigh & Javier,

my NHS Senior reps! Before we met up with

Javier, Kaleigh took me to her Grandma &

Grandpa's house.....OMGoodness....it was a

photographers DREAM! Not only is Kaleigh

beautiful, but there were awesome props...

EVERYWHERE! I could have spent all day there!

In addition, Kaleigh's Mom, Mary joined us to help

coordinate the session, which I really appreciate & feel

is a special bonding moment between them. She also

brought snacks & drinks! Thanks Mary!

Kaleigh had some rockstar poses and was such a

natural in front of the camera! Below is a sneak peak......

Next up is Javier!

Brief Update...

I am so excited to post images from my sessions with
Kayleigh & Javier! They are my NHS Senior Reps &
we spent the day yesterday photographing all over
the place! Sneak peaks will be posted by 8:20pm(hehehe!)
.......check back!

Just for FUN!

Ok, I thought I'd have a little fun today! I saw this on Jasmine Star's blog. She is an amazing photographer.....


I AM … lucky to be so blessed in my life.
I WANT… a Venti Mocha Frappucinio.
I HAVE … OCD. :)
I KEEP … . friendships
I WISH I COULD … .have six more kids....come'on Honey! *wink*
I HATE … sleep. I know it's sick, but I think it is such a waste of time.
I FEAR … losing those I love most.
I HEAR … Chips & salsa calling my name
I DON’T THINK …. I'll ever weigh 125 again(see the above comment)
I REGRET … Not following my dreams sooner.
I LOVE …snuggling with my husband & children, hearing them giggle, Don Pablos & Starbucks!
I AM NOT … organized..... :)
I DANCE … with my children often.
I SING …like a rockstar
I NEVER … skip a meal....are you kidding me?
I RARELY …get anywhere on time
I CRY WHEN I WATCH … other people cry
I AM NOT ALWAYS … outspoken, but most of the time
I HATE THAT … I have to eat twice as much to balance out my hips.
I’M CONFUSED ABOUT … . why I have not hit the Powerball yet
I NEED … to relax & have a day at the spa....with a venti mocha frap
I SHOULD … visit family more often

Fun with Family!

I had a great time capturing this family!

I got so many great shots & could not help posting so many!