Hiptionary

hiptionary
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

OMG we have had so much fun with this little black book that Molly brought when they came home a few weeks ago. Lots of terms in here to help 50-something year-olds stay kewl with our peeps (grandchildren).

Into the Clouds

Into the Clouds
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

From a recent session of Andrew climbing to the top of the 13th green behind our house. I was drawn to the huge bank of clouds that I often see above the green from my kitchen window.

The very next night, my husband called me to grab my camera to shoot a huge mama doe and her two tiny ones in exactly this same place. Alas, my camera wasn't ready in time -

Cousins

Cousins
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

Another photo from last Friday in Dubuque. Erin was quite happy and adept at orchestrating this "session" and the following one with just girls. She is very good working with Grandma and the camera. Katherine (on the left) isn't usually this outgoing but who can resist Erin's smiling face here. Click here to see the slideshow

Ann Marie

Ann Marie
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

I've experienced a couple of firsts in the last couple of days. Last night I finally met my great-niece, Ann Marie, and today I'm watching the olympic opening ceremonies in hi-def.

Both events are amazing!

Just the Five of Us

Just the Five of Us
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

Got some good ones of all five kids this time: from left Nic, Erin, Kelby, Paige and Jason. We had an incredible time last weekend with everybody home but Andrew. We went to Cannova's Thursday night and to the lake on Friday with just Molly's family. Saturday morning, eight of us (not me) ran in the Lincoln-Douglas 5K with Lars getting first in his age group. There's a video on the Journal Standard website of Dawn and Dinna finishing. That night we went to the UD and Cruise Night. I just could not believe how many people were downtown for that. Saturday the whole group went to the lake.

It was eventful, too. Jim had to spade a ground hog to death in front of Jason. Our dog, Bogie, had him in a death grip and neither animal would cry uncle. Then, at the lake, Jim and the two girls made the mistake of all sitting on one side of the picnic table and it tipped over spilling them all onto the cement. Each one of them got scraped up but were able to laugh about it. We did SO much laughing ...

Erin's Eyes

Erin's Eyes
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

I only had time for a few shots of Erin this past weekend. They were only there for 24 hours on the first stop of their week-long vacation.

This photo made it to Explore's Most Interesting today, July 23, 2008. Haven't had a photo there since February! Yeah - that's a big deal for me. See Flickr for my processing information.

Alicia & Dayne

June 28, 2008 - a day that is memorable on many levels. Alicia & Dayne were married outside on her mother's property and their day started out just gloriously perfect. Then, the wind picked up (that's a subtle way of saying we had 50 mp winds). And yet, the bride was stunningly gorgeous and the groom was happy and loving every minute of it. These are just a couple of my favorites from downtown and the fainting couch. More photos in their slideshow. You may wonder why we are in front of a power plant?? Dayne & Alicia are both electricians and that was his great suggestion!

Bright Eyes

Hailey was so happy for her nine-month session. I can't believe our next session with be our last one already. The first image is my very favorite!

So This is Where Sunflower Seeds Come From

So This is Where Sunflower Seeds Come From
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

I love to wander the grounds of the Highland campus and capture the beautiful flower images that our crew create for us.

4th of July

Ah, it's been a busy start to the holiday weekend. I got to have Paige for three whole days (she and I were both very excited). She's so independent for a four-year-old - knows when to take her medicine, how much, when it's time for the vitamins, when to give the dogs treats and dog food and which song is the best on her CD. We went to the Freeport library (first time for her) and checked out eight books. It is a 'novel' idea to her to return a book. The library has some great, educational toys and we even met a little girl there that we later saw at the swimming pool. After our trip to Union Dairy, we sat in Debate Square and just acted silly together. The little park is being improved in readiness for our sesquicentennial celebrations. There are a couple of photos of her on my website.

Today is mine, though, and I've just returned from picking up two pieces of Great-Grandma's maple furniture that Paul, at Celia's redid for me. I love the way they turned out. Shabby chic worked out perfectly. Now, I have to get busy and get a couple of new lights and probably different rugs for the living room where the two pieces are at home again.

Just found this blog and really love the tie-in with reading and photography - two of my very favorite things. I arrived there while googling the Wordpress blogging software. I think I want to combine my blog and website if I can figure out how to do it!

Frame Products

I am offering some beautiful frames, now, to finish off your portrait prints. I was stunned a few months ago to see photos that one of my customers had ordered, still neatly wrapped in the NmB Photography black box LONG after our photo session. I never thought I wanted to deal with frame ordering and finishing but it's very satisfying to know that your portrait can immediately be hung in your home. Here is one example of an 8x12 portrait matted into a 12x16 frame. Isn't the distressed moulding beautiful? The depth and curves really add an unusual aspect to the sides, as well.

You Take a Picture of me Taking a Picture of You

You Take a Picture of me Taking a Picture of You
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

This is another of our favorite places to go together, Fox & Obel gourmet market. It's primarily an upscale market on the corner of Illinois & McClurg but is also a sweet spot for a leisurely breakfast.

She was so cute using the cell phone at first and then she switched to my camera. It was set on Manual and she was a little disgruntled at first that she couldn't see us through the LCD and also not being used to focusing and then clicking. However, she picked it up quick enough and took a couple of terrific, I mean really great, photos of Dinna and I. I might post those later...

I was pleasantly surprised while we were out-and-about last weekend to find free parking every place we went. Fox & Obel has complimentary valet parking, Uncle Julio's does too and when we shopped on North ave we parked in a free lot. One place we didn't make it to is Trader Joe's - I really love that grocery store, too! See more photos of Paige & family on my Flickr site.

Emmory is One

What a fun session we had last Friday morning with Emmory to celebrate her first birthday. It was also so special for me because I just completed documenting Emmory's first year in photographs.

We started out the cake set with this cute little topper from Cole's Confectionary in Freeport and Emmory didn't hesitate to start tasting it. She got some on a toe right away and then later on her bare little bottom.

See how she has changed - she's even walking now.





Here she is at three months in my studio -

Klemm Arborateum

A week ago I went to Rockford with my friend, Deb, and had a tour of Klemm Arborateum. One of her friends that works there guided us on our walk and told us about how the grounds are used. It is a beautiful wedding venue and many weddings are scheduled there in the Fountain garden area. I took my 100mm macro lens and had a great time seeking out the beautiful diversity of flowers there. These are a couple of examples and more can be found in this slide show.

I don't seem to have much time this summer to add to this blog. I just took a day off and spent it with Dawn, Erin and Kelby going to the swimming pool, the lake, and doing Emmory's one-year-old session. Today I'm headed into Chicago to spend some time with Paige! What a full and fun few days.

New Gallery Album

gallery_album
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

I'm crazy about this new album that I saw while attending a photography workshop. I had to get one because I knew it would work perfect with this session from Erin's third birthday. The cover is frosted, thick plexiglass and the pages are thick with mats for 5x7 photos displayed either horizontally or vertically. There are a bunch of other bright colors and cover options to choose from.

Mommies & Their Little Girls

Mommies & Their Little Girls
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

This is one of my favorites of Elsa & her mommy, Emily, from a recent session in Iowa City. Elsa didn't want to lose sight of her Mommy (or even lose touch) but we managed to get some awesome shots anyway. This was to celebrate Elsa's first birthday.

Nic and Jason's Sports

We went to Ohio on Mother's Day weekend so we could see Molly and Mark's new (circa 1903) house. We were also dying to see the boys play Lacrosse which is totally new to us. Jason's got rained out but we got to see a basketball game. They have improved so much by this time (six grade) and Jason pretty much lives for sports. When we got to the LaCrosse field, we were afraid it would also be cancelled since there were tornado warnings and the siren was even going off. Thank goodness it went on and it was super exciting to see Nic make a goal.

Later that evening we went to a funky restaurant and had such fun at dinner for Mother's Day. They live in Delaware which is a town about the same size of Freeport but they have a very thriving downtown business district.

Mully

Mully
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

We have been looking for a long time (rather Jim was looking) for a dog to keep our Bogie company. We decided on Mully, a 10-month-old miniature Schnauzer. Talk about opposite personalities. She's laid back, extremely affectionate a good car rider and somewhat of a "barker".

We had the opportunity to have her stay over night a couple of weeks ago to see if Bogie would accept her into his own home. They seemed to get along so great. However, as soon as he decided she was here to stay, he wasn't that happy. They are growing on each other day-by-day and have some great times racing around the back yard.

She has been absolutely perfect about staying in the yard, too. Jim put up the flags again and made her too scared to go close to them. She even comes when she is called. That is totally the opposite of Bogie.

We have had a name picked out for a second dog for a long time. She was going to be named Birdie. But, then we get this 10-month-old with the name of Molly. Since our oldest daughter's name is Molly, that just wouldn't work, would it? Jim substituted Mulligan and we call her Mully for short. Mulligan is a golf term for "do-over". She's doing over her life with us!

Six Hours Old - New Baby Girl

Our friends, Ian and Amanda, called at 5:30 am to report the birth of their new baby girl. They aren't sure of the name yet but is she precious. She was very sleepy at first but then really got down to business and chugged a full OUNCE for me. Too funny. That newborn stage that is so very fleeting is just amazing. Their wrinkly and flaky skin, unfocused eyes and bendy legs couldn't get much cuter. I hope to see much more of her and big brother, Dillon, in the coming months - and photograph her and her brother.

Mary Before & After

Mary Before & After
Originally uploaded by NmB Photography

This is a photo I took for Highland that I found to be pretty flat. On the left is the photo sooc and on the right is the result of three of Pioneer Woman's actions. They are free and just wonderful. What a difference. I also used my skin-softening action and then sharpened for the web. Whew - really it only took a few minutes and despite a great camera and L series lens, digital photos always need some help with contrast and white balance.

By the way, if you haven't discovered how much fun the Pioneer Woman is, jump over there RIGHT now. She takes gorgeous photos of horses and ranch life in Texas, shares (and photographs) recipes and food AND now has a section totally devoted to photography instruction. I'm telling you - you can learn alot.