Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Lil Pampered Bridal Show









This past Sunday, I got to participate in an intimate "Pampered Bride" gathering (www.pamperedbridechicago.com) with some other folks. It took place at the Loft of Lake (www.loftonlake.com) which would make a great venue for so many occasions.

All brides got complimentary hair and make-up (from Robyn Joy from Blooming Brides, Maryam Bokhari of Inspirational Beauty and Wendy Woodside as well as others). There was complimentary food and beverage from Taste America (www.tasteamerica.net). And there were even more freebies from the publication Wedding Guide Chicago (weddingguidechicago.com) of which the new one about to come out will feature... one of my brides and grooms from fall 2008. Be sure to look for it.

Brides could also check out fine stationary and great design with Lambert Letterpress (www.lambertletterpress.com) and Erickson Design (www.ericksondesign.com) respectively. Any rental needs? Classic Party Rental was on the scene. There was even a photo booth set-up that can be rented for receptions from www.Shutterbooth.com.

So glad I got to be a part of it... just had to share about the people I got meet and the services they provide to the industry.

MOTHER'S DAY - WALK TO EMPOWER


Mother's Day is next Sunday and like so many Mother's Day in the past and in so many cities across the United States, the Network of Strength (formerly the YMe Foundation) will be hosting it's WALK TO EMPOWER.

Do you want to be a part of it? Last year I helped to photograph the event, in the rain and mud, with thousands and thousands of others, celebrating mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. Well, guess what? I'm doing it again this year but I hoping without the rain and mud.

Would you like to participate in the walk? OR VOLUNTEER? I'm working to get a team of volunteers together who are available to do whatever is needed to make the day a success. Is that you? Please consider it. It's an inspirational day that shows the strength of the human spirit and the power of community.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Little Daniel Mendez


I wanted to post a follow-up with the link information about the local feature on CBS 2 Chicago about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. In case you missed it, you can watch it at http://cbs2chicago.com/local and please check out the organization at www.nilmdts.org. Over 10,000 professional photography volunteers around the country provide bereavement photography for families going through this difficult time. As another volunteer said, it's not like our being there will change anything that is happening, but those photos will change the future for that family.

Monday, April 27, 2009

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 - 10 PM - CBS CHANNEL 2


On Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 10 p.m. on CBS Channel 2, an organization that I volunteer for will be featured: NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP. They spoke with a family that I photographed last year this time about their son, Daniel. And they spoke with me about why I volunteer.

NILMDTS provides bereavement photography for families. When I learned about the organization, I thought how could I not do this. You can learn about the organization at www.nilmdts.org.

In case you miss it, be sure to check it out at http://cbs2chicago.com/.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Pregnant Shoot


Yep... it was bound to happen sooner or later... one of my brides eventually having a baby... Seems to be the next logical step for married couples, right? I mean, if they already have a condo and a few pets, right?

Michelle is due in about 4 weeks and I spent a little time with her earlier this week to snap a few images with her big belly from here to Timbuktu.

Not having children myself (just nieces and nephews), I have often wondered about the bond between a mother and child. How you bring a life into this world?! How you can love something so much! Your drive to protect it! Your desire to nurture it and see it grown!

Though, like I said, I am not a mother, but I am my mother's child. There has never been a day in my life, not one moment, when I ever doubted the profound love my mother felt for me. When I remember her, I am not filled with sadness but incredible gratitude that she was mine. It is because of her, because of a mother's love... that I can only begin to imagine that that is the closest thing to what God's love is like for us. I just feel like the luckiest daughter ever because of my 'Mama.'

I know that Brian and Michelle's baby is going to be one lucky little kiddo and they can hardly wait for his/her arrival. Yep, they don't know what sex the baby is; it's going to be a surprise. Somethings are still best the old-fashioned way, right?

Old-fashioned or not, one thing is always true: there is nothing else like the bond between a mother and child! Michelle looks great and happy and ready!!! I wish Brian and she a healthy and happy baby. And I can't wait to see him/her and take his/her photo too.

CONGRATS!!!