Beautiful Baby Boy Ryan

I did this little guys pictures when he was just a few months old and he was a cutie then, but OH MY! Look at those eyes...he is just adorable. We had so much fun. He was in a great mood, laughing and smiling - mom, grandpa and grandma did a great job getting some great looks from him. I haven't officially started editing this shoot yet, but just glancing thru I had to pull a few out and post.

I can't believe that she is this grown up!

This is Kayla! I have known Kayla since the day she was born. Her mom and I have known each other since kindergarten. I was just in sheer amazement as we were doing these pictures. She has grown us to be a respectful and beautiful young woman and as her "Aunt" Criss, I couldn't be more proud. Although after we were done I realized with her being a senior, how old that makes me!

She also brought her boyfriend Beau. What a sweet couple they are!

Amber's Senior Portraits

What a sweet girl Amber is. She was so excited and had so much fun and we took TONS of pictures! You can see what a great personality she has from the sax picture. For the first time with a senior I had to change out my 8GB card! I'm still working on the finals proofs, but wanted to post a few of them for you to see!

My New Great-Nephew is Here!

Meet Noah! It seems like we have been waiting on him forever. I think his mommy found out she was pregnant at about 3 weeks - but finally......he's here! He is so precious. I am working on getting his pictures done, I'm taking a few here and a few there. We'll get them done. Here are a few of my favs so far.....

Kristin Senior Pictures 2009

Kristin was an awesome model! Her mom told me that she used to take tons of pictures when she was little - you could tell, she knew how to pose and she just worked great behind the camera. It was the easiest shoot because I didn't have to tell her what to do or how, she just knew!

Her shoot was done on 2 different days. Day one was in the studio and day two was outside at Garfield Park. I'm excited to get thru her images, I think they are going to be stunning! Here is a sample of what I have so far!

Tristan 2009

Tristan's senior portrait session was fun. He was a good sport and did a really great job. It was a sunny, but chilly day, but he took it in stride and handled it well. We had a good time. Here are some of the shots we ended up with.

Courtney 2009

Courtney was my first senior shoot of 2009. She had lots of cool outfits to change into. By the time we were done I don't know who was more tired -her or me! I'm sure me, she is young and full of energy!


I'm pleased with how the images are turning out and hope she will be too. Here are a few of my favs from the shoot.





I have to include this one. My studio is in my home and we have 2 black labs. Well, Bubba (our male lab) just needs constant attention. We are in the studion and all of sudden there is Bubba in the room and he just walks over and sits right down in front of Courtney and looks at me like, "what cha waitin' for, take the picture." So I took it and it's great! Doesn't he look like a Big Sweetie?!

This is why I love photography! It can make me feel better no matter what!

I will be quite honest, I was not looking forward to shooting last weekend. I had 4 shoots scheduled for Sunday and it was going to be a beautiful day. However, I got a call mid week from my best friend that her father had passed away. This was unexpected and desvastaing news. I've known this man since i was in the 4th grade. The funeral was scheduled for Sunday. I had shoots scheduled at 10 am Engagement Shoot, 1pm Senior Shoot, 3pm Senior Shoot, & 5pm Senior Shoot. Well the 3pm was for my best friends daughter, so that was cancelled obviously. I cancelled my 1pm shoot, but didn't want to cancel the other two as they had been scheduled for awhile and I wanted to get them in. But I really wasn't up for shooting, so I thought. I got up Sunday morning, dreading the day that I go to be with my friend as she buries her father. My 10am appointment Carie & Andy show up and my day begins. I had the best time with this couple! They are young, energectic (well sorta, Andy wanted to nap everytime I had them get down on the floor) and just a very cute couple. They have been together for 3 years and they are planning to be married next fall. They just glowed with love for one another. They instantly made my outlook on a gloomy day better. We did some studio shots then headed outside, the day was brisk, but beautiful and the fall colors were perfect.

After Carie & Andy, I had to get ready and headed to the funeral. My next appointment was at 5pm. It was a senior shoot for twin girls! I have been looking forward to this for awhile and after some scheduling conflicts we finally got it together and they were coming. I got a call for their mom on my way back to my house asking if they can bring some friends with them to be in a few of their pictures. What a fabulous idea!!! "Buddy-Pictures!" The girls arrived and the fun began. I had a blast with these girls! I got all 6 of them (yes! I said 6) outside in my front yard and we did a lot of different stuff using the trees, the brick on my house and my front porch. The girls had so much fun they were jumping!

We did some great stuff with all the girls - here is another one:

Then it was time to get down to business with Kasie & Kylie. They came prepared, with their letter jackets and cheerleading outfits to their formal prom dresses. We went to town! They definetly were the highlight of my day!

Occasions! Photography

Hello, welcome to my blog. This is my first venture into blogging so bear with me. I'm sure it will be an adventure.

A little bit about me....I am a 37 year old (am I really that close to 40?!) wife, mother, corporate america peon and Photographer. If that sounds like a lot - it is!!! But I love my life! I love my family! I love my friends! And I love, love, love being behing the camera.

I got serious with photography when my daughter, Lauren, was born. At the time I had the typical point & shoot digital camera and since this was my first biological child, I was very “shutter happy.” Always taking pictures!

After taking my daughter to a children’s photo studio for her first “professional” portraits, $210 later, I left and was stunned at how little I had to take home. I studied the portraits and compared them to snapshots I had done and I realized that this is something I can do and something I love to do.

I invested in a professional digital camera, signed up to take some classes, joined a photography club and began shadowing other photographers to gain knowledge. I began taking pictures, lots of pictures! The best part was the fact that I did them, this was my work, and that was very gratifying. Being able to see that memory on the wall of my child became a point of satisfaction for me.

As friends and family began seeing these photographs of Lauren and JT, they began to request that I take their portraits, their children's portraits and before long, requests were coming from friends of friends.

My primary goal is to do something I enjoyed and at the same time, give my clients affordable, quality portraits. To see the joy that these portraits bring to mothers, fathers and grandparents energizes me to move forward and offer my services to others that desire to capture life’s precious memories...for today, tomorrow and forever.

As my journey into photography moves forward, I have learned so much from so many people and I know I have more to learn. I wil try my best to keep my journey posted here and share the ride.

Thanks to all of you that have supported me in the past, present and future!

Criss :)