New New New

In effort to catch up with the best photographers out there, I've decided to update my website yet again. This time, I've gone and purchased a flash template. I know that the finished site will look much cleaner and more professional. I hope that it will also help enhance my abilities as a photographer.

After much debate over which image I should use as an opening image for the splash page to my site, I decided to use one of my most recently edited photos from a trash the dress session (or wet the dress, really) a few months ago:



The logo will not be on the picture itself, which is perhaps a risky move since the splash page is in html formate, but since I own the copyright, well... it's a risk that I'm going to have to take. After all, any image can still be pirated in a flash site with the wonderful technology of the print screen button. Darn thing.

I've also been doing some business planning for my photography company. I've decided to begin working with a coworker of mine, who is the video camera operator for Fox's helicopter. With Matt's background in graphic arts, I know he's going to make a fantastic (dare I say) employee. Wow, that feels weird to say.

Things are still insanely busy as far as my schedule goes. Next week, I have three engagement sessions and a portrait session, plus some networking meetings just to fill in the rest of my time. There goes any chance for a nap, right? ;) Oh, but I wouldn't have it any other way. These are truly exciting times for me, and I cannot wait to keep on traveling down this little path.

After this next week passes, however, it looks like I'm going to have a bit of a breather!!! I only have one wedding left at the end of this month after I shoot a wedding this upcoming Saturday for Essence - my second to last with them!!!! YAY!!!

Alright, off to sleep so I can wake up at 3:45 am to fly in the chopper. Goodnight, everyone.

Tracylyn

I have to say, I LOVED working with Tracylyn, and truly look forward to working with her again, as well as her band (which I've yet to work with). I'm also going to add that Tracylyn has a beautiful and powerful voice. You should definitely check out her music:

http://www.myspace.com/tracylyncountry

Rather than write a bunch for this blog, I'll simply say that it was a headshot/publicity portrait session for Tracylyn.

So great to meet you, Tracylyn! Talk to you soon!

~amy

Shelley & Ted

Saturday, I was contracted by Essence Photo and Video to be the photographer for Shelley and Ted's wedding. As with all weddings I've photographed, this one flew by so quickly. Shelley, Ted and their friends and family were all so much fun to be around and to work with. Thanks to everyone for helping to make my job so much easier!

The day started off at Shelley's house in Bartlett, IL. I arrived before she returned home from her morning errands. While I waited for her to come home, I decided to go ahead and start getting some detail shots of the dress. Shelley was home in no time, and gathered the rest of her things, got dressed and began the picture process with me and her girls.








The girls' part of the morning was over with, and it was time to take the guys' pictures :)






It was time for the ceremony before we knew it. It was a traditional Catholic service minus the mass portion held at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Mount Prospect, IL.






After the ceremony, we took the formal set of pictures as quickly as possible, and then headed off to the grounds of the Prairie Center for the Arts at the Schaumburg Municipal Center in Schaumburg, IL for the outdoor photo session. I communicated with Shelley and Ted's limo bus driver to make sure that he knew where we were going. We decided that he would just follow me. What ended up happening was that he accidentally followed another black Toyota Corolla, and lost me! I circled the lot for the Prairie center and tried calling every number that I could find on my contract sheet. I finally received a phone call, and they were at the center. We took the pictures in record time! :)











The reception was held at the Bartlett Hills Country Club in Bartlett, IL. There were so many wonderful images from Shelley and Ted's big day, and I truly hope that everyone enjoys looking at them :) Congratulations to you both again, Shelley and Ted. Many warm wishes for your happy new future together!