Blog Every Day in May: Day 2

Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at.

I don’t know what to write about...
I could go deep and blog about my professional expertise with suicide
I could go shallow and blog about NKOTB or Reality TV
I could go sappy and blog about mommy stuff
I could go personal and blog about IVF/Fertility
I could go crafty and blog about making baby blocks & nursery banners

Some of the consistent feedback that I get from people when they look at my photos is that they love how I capture "moments."   When I look back at the photos taken at my wedding, most of my favorites were the ones that captured "moments."  The moment that my bridesmaids saw me in my dress for the first time...the moment when I reached Brad at the altar...the moment when our first kiss went a little longer than necessary...the moment when the confetti cannon went off over Brad and I as we walked into the reception...the moment that I threw my head back and laughed during our first dance...and the moment my sister put her arms around my mom and watched my dad & I dance.  When I decided to take on photography as a hobby and a side business, I knew that this would be my "style"  and I can say with confidence that I'm good at it.  I'm good at capturing the moments in life that you want to remember or at the very least the ones that depict reality. So, how do you this?
  
Bring your camera with you whenever you can
Take photos everyday
Take photos when no one is looking
Take photos when your subjects are getting ready to pose
Get on the floor...stand on something...change your perspective
Look for inspiration from other photographers
Here are a couple examples of photos where I captured "moments"

Best moment of my life that will ever be captured in a photo - thanks to my husband

Blog Every Day in May Challenge

Oh, Sew Snappy, I didn't forget about you! I came across this "Blog Every Day in May" Challenge on one of my favorite Mommy blogs - Running from the Law - and thought it would be great. I loved doing the 365 project with photography but that seems too much to take on.  31 days...31 blog posts.  I can do 31 blog posts. 

Day 1: My Life Story in 250 words

I was born & raised on the Southside Chicago to a nurse for a mother, a banker for a father, and a special needs brother.  Just three years after I was born, my sister entered the mix.  I grew up riding bikes, playing softball, swimming, and using my imagination.  I lost my brother at age 6 and that forever changed our family. We moved to the suburbs when I was in junior high and I hated it until high school.  In high school, I swam, played softball, marched with band, got good grades, made great friends, dealt with heartbreak, and got into trouble without getting caught.  I attended the University of Illinois with the plan to become a pediatrician.  After tons of studying and tons of not studying, an amazing study abroad experience, volunteering and odd jobs, I decided to pursue social work.  While getting my MSW, I met with people that would be my forever friends.  In April 2005, one of these forever friends set me up on a blind date to “meet my future husband” and it worked.  He purposed with a sweet dog with a heart shaped spot in August 2006. In September 2007, we hosted one of the most memorable weddings.  We wanted a baby right away but had to struggle for almost 5 years before we had our miracle baby girl on August 31, 2012.  All my life all I ever wanted to be was a mom…and now I am.

Welcome to the world Wynn!!

Welcome Wynn Elliott Rowland

 

 

During the photo shoot, Becky asked me what my all time favorite picture that I've taken since I started doing this.  At the time, I couldn't think of one particular photo but said that I love when I capture a true natural moment in someone's life.  After this photo shoot,  I now have my favorite photo of all time.  This moment wasn't planned.  I asked Camm come over and kiss Wynn on the head...the rest just happened. Pure love.  This photo is what makes me think that I could do this full time.

Meet Quinnley Marie Kalins

This past Sunday I did the newborn photo shoot for 2 week old little niece & Goddaughter 

Quinnley Marie Kalins.  

 

 

 

 

BFFs & Baby Bumps

On a freezing Saturday morning, I had the honor of doing a Maternity photo shoot for one of my oldest friends - Becky Rowland.  Becky & I have known each other since 7th grade.  We met at volleyball camp at the Oak Forest Park District.  Every part of that last sentence is awesome, in case you were wondering.  It wasn't until a few years later that we became BFFs once we were in high school - Go Bengals!  Ever since the first time Becky showed me her roof top deck of her building, I thought how great it would be take photos up there with the city that she loves so much as her backdrop.  It was so cold and windy up there that I'm sure that even that baby boy growing inside her was thinking we were nuts.  I had a great time helping document this special time in Becky & Camm's life.  

Here are some of favorites from our shoot...

Chi City!

 No caption needed...

 "It's Baby Time"