A Benefit Concert Update
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A quick update:

The official Venue will be the Double Door in Chicago!

The date is still TBD, however, it will be a Saturday at either the end of May or beginning of June.

Stay tuned!

A Benefit Concert

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Hello, everyone. It is with deep sadness that I write this blog today. I've learned that an old high school friend of mine, Shannon, has been battling brain cancer. She has already had one surgery, and is in the process of undergoing continued tests and treatment.

I have been talking with the boys of Facing Winter, who also knew Shannon in high school, about the situation. We've collectively decided to put together a benefit show in Shannon's honor. The boys will be one of hopefully several bands playing for us, and I will be donating some of my photography prints to be auctioned off. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Shannon's cancer fund.

I am in the process of researching venues, bands, etc. for the event, as well as possible dates.

If you would like to help in any way, or would like to offer donations of merchandise/services to be auctioned, please contact me at amyaiello@yahoo.com

If you would like to make a donation directly to Shannon, you may do so with the following information as listed on her website:

Make checks payable to: The Shannon Sperando Cancer Fund

Mail checks to:
Hills Bank & Trust Company
Attn: Katie Miller
1401 S Gilbert St
Iowa City, IA 52240

More information about Shannon's battle with cancer can be found at www.shannonsperando.com

A Mental Health Trip to Dallas
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I decided to make a spontaneous trip to Dallas this weekend to visit my friend Lori and her Husband Tommy. I booked the flight just a couple weeks ago, and departed Chicago on Friday evening.

Upon arriving, the three of us took a pit stop to IHOP for some late night food. I've never laughed harder in all my life after who (or what rather) I saw walk through the door, and then proceed to be seated in the booth directly behind ours. I never anticipated seeing this sort of a thing anywhere besides Vegas... I guess I was wrong!

I believe the picture will say enough, even though it may take a second to figure out what it was.



Of course, Lori and Tommy were really making things worse - tears streamed down my cheeks, and I could feel how beat red my face I had turned, I was laughing so hard!

Anyway, more pictures from my mini trip to come. Just wanted to share my Elvis experience.

downtown Chicago from the chopper...

Some more winter trees from the chopper...

The NIU Tragedy
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Hi, everybody.

What a tragic day yesterday. You know, I never thought one of the few visits back to my alma mater would be in a helicopter, watching such a terrible event unfold.

My best goes out to everyone at NIU, especially to those closest to the victims.

While I was flying yesterday though, it was difficult for me to feel anything. The news has a terrible way of desensitizing a person, especially when you see the unedited version on a day-to-day basis. Everything that I saw yesterday is now starting to sink in though... I had many classes in Cole Hall while I was at NIU.

Anyway... I hope that everyone sticks together to help everyone heal. Have a great weekend everyone.


(this picture is taken from the video I shot, and was shown on ABC and CNN stations globally).

A winter wonderland?

Chicago was slammed with a lot of snow this past week. Yesterday was a great photo opportunity for me and my friend Mara. I'm sure that I will post an image or two from yesterday, but for now, here's one that Mara took of me - I decided to add a little bit of editing to the image...

Asha... again

I tell you what - I've been so busy doing so many different things that I've been juggling everything.

Last week, I shot a theatrical production of Beauty and the Beast, put on by Schaumburg On Stage. I edited over 700 images, and prepared them for dvd sales. I also had this Asha Salon shoot in the wings, as well as another one for the Dan Effland Trio (which I'm nearly done with, if you're reading this Dan).

Over the weekend, I was called out to cover the Tinley Park, IL murders. It took much of my day on Saturday, and by the time I got home, I wasn't very productive at all.

Something about pressure really makes me kick things into high gear.

So that being said, Here is one of the two remaining images for Asha Salon.