Ryan and Laura
An Engagement Session
Bloomington, IL
May 30, 2009
_______________

Laura is my third cousin (at least, I believe that's the technical description for our relation). She's an absolutely beautiful woman, who has found the perfect partner to spend the rest of her life with. Seeing the way that these two interacted with each other (and the way that Ryan interacted with the family) was an experience that could only make you smile and wish for the same.

After more than 6 years of dating, these two FINALLY got engaged! I truly had a fantastic time working with both of you! Congratulations again! :)

~amy

Street Sweeper Social Club
Nine Inch Nails
Charter One Pavilion
Chicago, IL - May 29, 2009
__________________________

I have many thank you's that I would like to send along to Trent Reznor for the relaxed camera policy at Friday night's show in Chicago. It was because of this policy that I was able to bring my professional camera in, AND enjoy the show from the rail the ENTIRE time :)

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

The musicianship among both Nine Inch Nails and their opening band, Street Sweeper Social Club (former Rage Against the Machine's guitarist, Tom Morello) was certainly a sight to see and a deafening sound to hear (perhaps because I stood by the sound units without earplugs in...). The energy that each of the bands delivered on stage was EXACTLY what I expect from every rock show experience.

A thousand thank you's for the many smiles and amazing songs played - it was VERY much needed and appreciated!!

STREET SWEEPER SOCIAL CLUB
































NINE INCH NAILS

To see more photos from the Nine Inch Nails show, visit my facebook photography album at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=26434&id=1138585006&l=48cc3b26ca

Grandma and Grandpa
Their 50th Wedding Anniversary
May 24, 2009
________________

While my grandparents' anniversary was actually on May 10th of this year, the family chose to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary last night with a formal party, and today with an elaborate brunch at their home.

My grandparents and I are incredibly close and always have been. We talk about anything and everything, and have so many fantastic memories. Both are incredibly down to earth, funny, caring, honest, unique, and so many other things, that it would take days for me to list them all.

When my grandfather enters a room, he acquires everyone's attention with his stories, sayings, and creative and silly songs. Grandma's infectious laugh, outgoing character, and fun nature does much the same. These two wonderful people are loved by everyone who meets them, and forgotten by nobody.

Theirs is a love story that has gone through so much. 50 years together has demonstrated that love takes a lot of commitment, work, and care to last as long as a couple vows it will at the alter. When I've talked to each of them about the past 50 years they've spent together, they each told me how through it all, they couldn't dream of their lives without one another.

Congratulations to you both! I love you so very much!!!

~amy

Eric and Kristin
An Engagement Session
May 23, 2009
_______________

Working with Eric and Kristin proved to be one of the easiest and most enjoyable experiences a photographer could ever ask for. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is to see how much in love my clients are - it gives a girl hope that someday she can find the same. Eric and Kristin have a sweet and fun relationship. I am so happy for them, and cannot wait until their wedding day this September!

Congratulations again to you both!!

Killswitch Engage
Disturbed
Charter 1 Pavilion (Northerly Island), Chicago
May 16, 2009
________________________

Now, I know that I normally don't review shows. I like to try to stay unbiased and merely take the photos... BUT... This show made me REALLY want to rant about corporately developed bands. Please allow me a moment to complain about this show, and I'll reward your reading with some photos from the performances.

Much to my surprise, the crowd seemed to really enjoy themselves at this energetic and very typical concert. The show wouldn't be complete without women in the crowd flashing their bare breasts for all to see in response to the mostly male crowd chanting, "SHOW YOUR BOOBS! SHOW YOUR BOOBS!." The women flashers were rivaled, however, by men who received louder cheers from the crowd for doing the same. The sad thing is, the bands' performances weren't much more entertaining than the crowd's antics.

The music, while loud and with a decent rhythm to jam out to, all sounded EXACTLY the same from song to song, regardless of which band was playing (and there were four that evening). Four, maybe five, alternating power chords with a strong drum rhythm and mundane vocals were the theme for the evening. The stage performances were filled with stereotypical rock star antics. Headlining act Disturbed's entrance and opening song showed that their hay day remains about 8 years in the past. I'm not even going to comment on the stage's lack of luster...

Needless to say, I was not impressed.

Here are the photos from the evening. I'm at least fairly happy with how these turned out... Enjoy!

Killswitch Engage




















































Disturbed