Check out Grayson’s AWESOME mohawk!!!! YES!!!!!  I fell in love within seconds. Nay, a second.

Lil Grayson Thurston is just shy of a month old.  Soooo adorable.  This was timed perfectly by the great minds of Steve and Brooke Thurston.  Right when I got there, Grayson’s temperament was just awesome.   And yeah, it sure doesn’t stink that he loves looking out windows, right?? And how THUG is he with that awesome Cubs cap? Right after this shoot, I saw a few kids walking around Wheaton that reminded me of that same pose.  Hilarious.

One of my favorite shots was when Grayson was looking right at his momma Brooke.  Right before this, he wasn’t too thrilled when I was up in his grill.  Within a swoop, Grayson was up in momma’s arms.  Everything was right as rain.

There’s something so comforting about a mother’s touch.  Always a treat to be able to capture that too.  Very cool.

Thank you Steve and Brooke for opening up your home (which is within a block of my home…WEIRD) so I can snap away at Grayson!  More to come from this clan!!

Right off the bat, this is Jackie Lovato’s family of Lovato Images. (www.lovatoimages.com) She’s amazing.  Okay, here comes a lot of writing.  Sorry. {kind of}

I had the highest of high privileges of photographing the Lovato’s in Strawberry Farms out in Orange County, CA.  Super cool place to hangout at for sure…as you can tell I’m sure.

Leo. {the dad}  This guy is such an amazing guy to know.  Each time I get hang with the big guy, I have this sense of encouragement and importance.  I hardly met him for two minutes last year and he was already giving me awesome encouragement about enjoying the moments of having a photography business.  Along with that, he asked me so many great questions about myself that made me really feel like I mattered to him a lot.  And of course, seeing him as a loving leader of the pack is inspiring as all heck.

Carol. {the mom}  She can be anyone’s mom away from mom.  Straight up geared to love.  It was so adorable; the morning of a wedding Jackie and I were going to photograph Carol was making us breakfast.  Not ONLY can she cook up in a whirlwind, but does it oh so well.  Turbo legit.  Anytime I sat down for a meal on a baptismal shoot Jackie and I were on she would always ask if I need anything food/drink/happiness.  HEY look back up at the Abbey Road wanna be picture.  Did you see Carol’s feet? YEAH.  She was so into it.  When the shot was suggested, she jumped on the chance to get her shoes off.  She is so dang fun.  Seriously, I really love it.

Nick. {the bro}  I only met Nick this time around for the family shoot, so my first impression of him is easily in my brain.  Yeah, he’s a pretty tall dude, right?  It was really cool that during our shoot (going in between spots) he would talk to Leo about his phone and some improvements he could do with it.  Course I had to jump on that too so I could have my phone battery last longer than 5 hours.  Woof.  He totally knows his tech stuff.  You know what else? I love this, for a few of these last setups in the shoot, Nick was just coming up with some groovy ideas and spots to get our last bit of the day.  So it was just super neat to see Nick so pumped for our session.  Rock.

Jackie.  {the sis}  Not enough can be said about Lovato. (Sorry, confusing, I just call her that)  One of the best mixes in personality with the caring, go get em attitude, humble, upfront, and all around crazy awesomeness included.  She took the few days I was out there off to make my California an experience I’d always remember.  From all the amazing food she cooked (like the 10pm bodacious bison burgers), to the LA trips, awesome hangouts with other awesome friends and her fam, to even just a day inside to work on photography business stuff.  But straight up, this cat is legit.  She is an amazing photographer with a very distinct style.  Within that, her “on shoot” presence is so great.  It’s kinda like professionally hanging out doing awesome things in front of a camera.  She is incredible at making people feel so good about themselves, and bringing out the BEST in them.  Straight up GO TO HER SITE if you haven’t already and be blown away.

Okay, wow sorry this is long.  Longest I’ve written.  Well go figure.

Thank you guys SO much for taking me in and really showing what it’s all about to be the coolest and most caring family!  Hope the picture do you some justice on your awesomenivity.

Super awesome.  Melody Hanna finished high school last year, and never really had any pictures taken. So when I first met her, I expected to be ready to help her out with any kind of poses and whatnot.  Little did I know, she was a rockstar.  Within 20 seconds, she was as comfortable as any professional model should be.  I was blown away.  We had so much fun in downtown Wheaton in that small window of mid 50 degree weather!!

This was the DAY before she cut off her hair to donate.  So for this session, we really wanted to focus on the hair when possible.  Some lucky girl out there will be blessed with Melody’s extreme generosity.  And guess what? This isn’t even her first time donating her hair.  Outstanding.

I had the distinct privilege to photograph Katherine the other day for her promo images on an upcoming concert.  The first bit of our shoot, I asked her to play a little while I snapped away.  Oh my GOSH, she just whipped out some of my favorite pieces and played them flawlessly.  She has a great personality to be around, and has a super contagious laugh.  We had such a fun time with our session.  Keep your eyes peeled for her to show up just about anywhere in fantastic concert halls.  Come February, she’ll be in Taiwan performing!

Tear it up out there Katherine!!!  I know it’ll be incredible.

I will say RIGHT off the bat…major props to the bridal party for being 500% outstanding for being outside for EASILY an hour and a half.  It was upper 30s, and look what all they had on.  Yeah, not so much.  Specially you, ladies! Wow, I still can’t get over how awesome you all were with this day.  I know Tyler and Dani turbo appreciated it!

Tyler and Dani have a terrific chemistry that I actually got to see even before their wedding, and knew off the bat that they were a great couple to be around.  Time after time, I was reminded on how terrific their relationship is.  Their carefree and overall love for life is such a beautiful thing.  Okay, remember that shot of all of them on the ice?  We got to the rink to maybe get a shot near it, or SOMETHING like that (They love ice skating big time), until Tyler just jumped over the rail and runs around.  Fearless.  Love it.  And right away, Dani runs out to join him within a half a second.  It was so adorable and touching.  This was probably one of the coolest and most symbolic moments for me about their relationship.  They are ALL about having fun, going on adventures, being so unique…but also how Tyler leads with his courage and strength, and Dani submits and supports him lovingly.  For the record, he didn’t really have to doing any kind of persuading.

After hour chilly photo excursion, we got back in, got these crazy kids married, and DANCED the night away.  That floor was filled no matter WHAT music was playing.  They just know how to have a great time.  The families were so incredible….I was just blown away with their love for fun and each other.  And even though I was a hired vendor, I really felt included and a part of this outstanding day.  Very touching.

Congrats Tyler and Dani!  Enjoy your trip and look me up when you’re back in the frozen wasteland!

Ceremony/Reception hall:     Mid America Club

Flowers:                                    Chicago Floral Events

Cake:                                          Bittersweet Pastry

DJ:                                             Music By Design

So here we are.  This image below is what’s behind my office.  Super muddy, dead trees…just gross stuff.  Right? Right? Well.  Here’s one little secret.

And over the past few months, I have had people ask for headshots real quick.  No problem!  Let’s go out back.  Haha, I really should have some camera video taping their reactions when I bring people back here.  ”So uh, where….can…we go?”  Granted, this first shot was when we had a little more green, but still you will get the idea on the other ones.  It’s hilarious.

For those that take the risk and ask about what gear I use and why I use what I use…I always end up talking up my baby, the Canon 85 1.2L II lens.  This is THE portrait lens of choice for me.  Here she is (taken with my 35 1.4L lens):

This was so much fun.  A little bit ago, I headed over to Greg’s place to get some pictures of his outta sight family.  Each time I photograph a family, I love seeing the personality and looks in the kids.  Absolutely awesome.

I met Greg at a wedding a few months ago when he was the rockstar DJ there. (http://www.admitonedjs.com/) From there we’ve just really enjoyed eachothers personalities and how much we both love doing what we do.  I love being around people like that.  And you can tell that everyone in this family is so super happy.  I love it.

If you had signed up for the Pix from the Lumix emailer, you would’ve seen this last picture in there, along with a fun video as well!  Sign up and ask to see!

Thanksgiving day.  This house was bonkers.  Of course in a good way.  This last picture is all the parents pretty much, and add 1-4 kids per couple.  Oh yeah, it was a good time.

Such a good crew.  Loved getting to see their hilarious antics.  I’ve known Dave (last picture bottom left corner) for a few years now, doing all sorts of random video and photo shoots all over the place.  This year in Feb. we’ll be heading out San Diego for some fun and games too.  I couldn’t ask for a better life and buddy to share some of the time with!

What a family.  WOW.  Blue eyes? Um, yeah.  Their spirit and love for life is incredible…and you can see that when you first meet them.  Any of them.  Hahaha, lil Carter is growing up sooooo fast!  I remember photographing him like it was yesterday, and now he’s sprinting around.  So insane.  Yes, I am turning into that person, “oooohh, I remember when you were only THIS big….LOOK at you now!”  It’s unbelievable.  Carter is great though, a big ball of energy, and just adorable personality.  (AND an up and coming drummer! *respect*)

Ryan and Elizabeth are great people to know and be around.  That’s obviously where all this awesomeness comes from.  It’s super encouraging to see their outlook on anything, to get probably the most optimistic yet still realistic point of view on things in life.  It’s something I really can’t explain more than just know it.  They both have this ability that blows me away…within five seconds you get to know their handshake, legit smile, laughter, how much they are actually interested in you, and why they are such an amazing family.  Yeah five seconds, I timed it.

And that’s just their personality side.  Unlike spicy red hot peppers, they are obviously super easy on the eyes.  So you can only imagine how lucky I am to do what I do.  The only pressure is to make sure people know how incredible they are through pictures and my small rambles.  Trust me, they’re just tops.

I love this dude.  I was lucky enough to see him play with my lifelong buddy Matt Livensparger (jamming on the keyboards) last thursday at the Subterranean.  Luke has some really cool stuff going on, a mix of all sorts of different artists that came to my mind….so when people ask me what does he sound like I end up giving an extensive list to blend them all.   Soon enough, he will be that band to use.  Here’s his site!  Luke Wade and No Civilians.

And I’m kicking myself.  I didn’t really get a chance to talk to him (ENTIRELY my fault), and so next time he’s back in chicago over spring of 2012 we’re hanging out.  Okay Luke?  Cool, K thanks.