| Sneak Preview | Everly Jo | Newborn |

Welcome to the world Miss Everly Jo.  I have to say you are in really good hands.

happy accidents

Every so often I'll come across photos I hadn't planned on taking and they turn into happy accidents.  This is one of those images.

Here I was actually setting up for a different shot and I snapped this as a test image.  Now as I'm working on the other images from the wedding I keep coming back to this it. There's something about it I really like.

Kelsey and Zyn did not want to see each other before their ceremony and we had done a really good job keeping them from accidentally catching a glimpse of one other while we were doing photos.  Kelsey was amazing. He didn't try to peek once.   I think he deserves extra points for that.

Sneak Preview | Claire + Chris | Ohio Wedding

I thought for my second preview I'd take a slightly different approach.  My first preview image had a lot of drama. So much so, that many people asked me it was real.   (Yes. Yes! YES!  It was real. I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die.)

And while I love to capture those BIG moments, I also love to catch those other very real moment, like this one. This is also very much Chris and Claire.

sneak preview | Claire + Chris | Ohio Wedding

I was going to wait a little bit before posting a teaser from Claire and Chris' winter wedding, but I simply cannot keep this one to myself. (I showed it to half the guests on the back of my camera.)

When everything is right, magic happens. 

Happy Holidays

I have a confession to make.  I just haven't been able to get into the holidays this year.  I'm not sure why.

Now I'll admit I've been known to grumble about the shopping part.  I can't stand all the traffic and crowds, but I usually enjoy all the other stuff, baking cookies, decorating the tree, building gingerbread houses, Christmas cards, wrapping presents. wearing my jingle bell Converse (Yes, I really own a pair) etc etc.   This year...no tree, no cookies, not even a wreath on the door.   For whatever reason the holiday spirit has taken an extra long time to reach me this year, but here it is Christmas Eve and I want to share with you some holiday cheer.

Enter Ashleigh, George, and Pierce.   They are familiar faces here on my little blog.  It just so happens that Ashleigh is my BFF and I refer to Little Pierce as my BBF (Baby Boyfriend.)   If any family embodies the spirit of season, it's these guys. Ashleigh will be the first one to tell you that Christmas is almost her favorite time of the year. It's second only to Fall, because Fall means Christmas is right around the corner.  She starts listening to Christmas music sometime around July or August.  She excitedly texts me at the sighting of the first snowflake. Missing out on the annual viewing of The Nutcracker is a deal breaker.  I believe she could give Mrs. Clause a run for her money in terms of holiday spirit.

So when Ashleigh told me she didn't have any pictures for her Christmas cards years,  how could I not help out?  For a moment, I became Bubbles Peppermint, my elf name, and got my Christmas Spirit vicariously through this wonderful family.  :)

We took these earlier this month at a local Christmas tree farm.  Little Pierce had a great time running around decorating the pint-sized trees with peppermint sticks.

Peek-A-Boo

Ashleigh, put together a video of the photos from our session.  Every time I watch it, I get tears in my eyes.  Thankfully, she's given me permission to share it here.

The holidays are meant to be a special time shared with those you love. May you and yours be truly...

Blessed

Best wishes to you this Holiday Season.

First Look | Alicia + Brian |

8/31/11 flashback

Have you noticed on Facebook the little reminders of what you were doing on this day in 2010 and 2009? I'm not sure why, but for some reason I am constantly amused by these little status reminders. I guess because it reaffirms how quickly time moves.

For example last year I posted this image.

And not quite one year, later the scene looks something more like this.

Amazing.

8/30 never say never

A few years ago, my cousin called me in a state of almost panic. "Crystal I need to ask a huge favor!" It seems her maid of honor had bowed out at the last minute, leaving her without an attendant just eight days before her wedding. She asked me to be what we call the EMOH (Emergency Maid of Honor.)

No problem I was honored and willing to step up to the task. She even gave me carte blanche with regards to attire, with one tiny request. "Please don't wear your chucks." Now deep in the back of my mind I was thinking "I would never think to wear chucks to formal occasion such as a wedding. What kind of person does she take me for?"

Well never say never.

This past week I traveled to St. Louis for my best friend's wedding. I was scurrying around trying to get ready and pack my gear in the car. That's when it happened. SPLAT! I fell down the stairs at my friend's apartment. And when I fall, I fall with gusto. I lost my footing somewhere in the middle and landed flat on my back at the bottom. Admittedly I was a little stunned by the whole ordeal but I tried to regroup as best I could. I just had one little problem.

I had ripped the heel off my one of my dress shoes. We were leaving for the ceremony in minutes, no time for emergency shoe shopping. This left me with two choices, wear my chucks or go barefoot.

I opted for the chucks. This pair would not have been my first choice by any means. I probably would've gone for something a little dressier, like my aqua chucks with the flower and butterfly on the side, but that's just me.

Meanwhile I have a bruise the approximate size and shape of Australia on my backside. (I have pictures of it but this is a family show.) And, the makers of extra-strength tylenol are pure genius.

8/20 Embracing Imperfection

Confession time. I did not take this image. My assistant at my most recent wedding did. I love the humor in it. It was just too good not to share.

8/6

I've had a very domestic weekend thus far, spending a good bit of my day running down to the basement working on laundry. A year or so ago, the Little Dog would have accompanied me on these little trips, but after a post-surgery tumble down the stairs she has learned that she can't.

So instead she, waits patiently at the top of the stairs, and as I return upstairs I get this view. It always makes me smile.

It's nice to know that someone is keeping an eye out for you.

9/52 -- more Finn

part 2 | Sarah + Brandon | weddings

I know. I know. I promised more from Sarah and Brandon's wedding over a week ago.

I apologize for the delay my loyal blog readers. (Both of you!)

The simply beautiful ceremony on the Waveland Estate transitioned to equally beautiful reception held under a large tent at the Waveland Gardens.

Everything was perfect. Wonderful weather, gorgeous flowers and truly amazing food by Chef Josh Moore. Every detail, was carefully thought out and chosen with intention, including the pairs of goldfish adorning the tables. (Sarah and Brandon are both Pisces.)

Remember how I said everything was chosen with intention and purpose? This also extended to the entertainment. Instead of hiring a DJ, Brandon got together with the members of his band, "A Parliament of Owls" to entertain the guests.

Sarah told me, this is Brandon's trademark. He always takes off his shoes.

Now I'll admit that I don't know Brandon as well as I know Sarah, but he's always struck me as being very chill and easy going. That he is, but get that guy on stage and watch Brandon's personality really shine though. It was really a treat to have him share his talents, and MAN can he ROCK a harmonica!

It seems that Brandon isn't the only one in the family with music talent. His father did mean rendition of Van Morrison's, Moondance. Then Brandon's sister took the stage to sing one of his songs. She even took off her shoes in tribute to her brother.

Last, but certainly not least. One of the groomsmen took the mic and did a soulful rendition of Let's Get it On, by Marvin Gaye. Think Jack Black in High Fidelity.

It brought the house down. And that is what I love wedding receptions. All of stress, anxiety, anticipation of the day is has melted away and everyone gets to relax and celebrate.

I can honestly say that this was one of the more fun weddings I've been to. Even I got a little caught up in it and let myself be pulled out on to the dance floor.

Let me just say, I don't dance. Not in public. In my kitchen, where no one but the little dog can see me...sure. But I rarely....no...NEVER dance in public. But as you can see, that's me in the red. I fear those children behind me may be scarred for life at the sight.

But enough about me. Back to Brandon and Sarah and the many good times and memorable moments.

I just love this first photo. Check out the expression on Sarah's Mom's face.

And in and amongst the happy, fun times, you still catch beautiful moments like this.

Thank you again Sarah and Brandon for letting me capture and share so many moments of your memorable day. And, I PROMISE from now on to keep my dancing to the confines of my own kitchen.

Part 1 | Sarah + Brandon | weddings|

I've been struggling to put together this post about Sarah and Brandon's wedding. Mainly because the day was filled with so many beautiful moments, it compels me to want to share everything at once. But, then I think back to a conversation I had with Sarah just a couple of weeks prior to her wedding. I asked her to tell me what was the most important thing about her wedding day. She took a slow deep breathe and said "I just want to be very present in every moment throughout the day."

Sarah's desire to be present came back to me over the last few days as I've been scanning over the images trying to create collages of all the beautiful moments. Then I decided it would be better to be a little more present and take on more simple approach.

I hope you enjoy these present moments.

One thing Sarah and Brandon had decided, was to do most of their photographs before the actual ceremony. When a bride and groom decides to do this I try to coordinate a little time where they can have a "first look" in private. So these next few images are from their first meeting.

Sarah had told me months ago that she was going to be wearing blue shoes, but Brandon's fun footwear was a complete surprise. (Oh, I should have worn a pair of my Converse. )

Just a few moments before walking down the aisle I caught this little moment between Sarah and her father. I thought it was too sweet not to share.

When Sarah told me of her desire to be present in every moment of her day, I jokingly replied, "That's a very yogi thing to say." After all Sarah just happens to be on of my yoga instructors. But all joking aside, this was probably one of the best answers I've ever had to this question. By and large weddings tend to be beautiful and joyous, and often times hectic and emotional. It's not hard to get caught up in all of it to the point that the entire day becomes a blur. So it was refreshing to see Sarah and Brandon make such a conscious effort to be mindful of this one very special day.

I still have more to share in part 2...coming soon.