Happy Birthday Ethan!!!

On September 20th at 10:48pm I had the honor of photographing the birth of Baby Ethan. It was such an awesome expreice to be a part of and now to be adding to my portfolio. I so look forward to making this my prime focus!

 This is mom first look. It is so full of emotion!!! This was such a powerful moment. After a LONG day and the water birth she wanted, She got her sweet sweet son.

He was such a mellow baby. He hardly cried and just kept his hand up by his face like "2eally more pictures" lol  I LOVE this picture

This was sooooo cool!!! 

To book your birth session please email me!

Check out my website for additional images

Please swing by and "like" my Facebook page!

Xander is 2 so.....Guess what that means??? Discounts for you!!!!!!!

My baby boy turned 2 on Friday September 21st so until the end of the month I will be giving away some discounts, prints and free sessions :) YAY for all of you!!!!

OK. SO here are the rules:
~The only thing you are REQUIRED to do is like my page to be entered.
~You can only win once per entry.
~ If you do all 6 things you have the ability to do you can win at least 6 times.
~ You must comment below once you have completed each entry option. Please be honest, if you didn't do something you said you did, you will be DISQUALIFIED from ALL winnings!!
~ Entry options 4,5 &6 may be completed as many times as you like. You must book and attend you session before your prize can be used  for these entry options.
~I currently have 402 "likes".... For every 10 "likes" I will give away itty bitty mini session. {you name will be put back in the "jar" if you win one of these, this is a bonus giveaway}.

HOW YOU WIN.....
1. You must "like" my business page. (1 entry) - if you already like my page just comment and say so :)
2. Share this blog post on your personal page or business page. ( 1 entry per day)
3.Write a recommendation for my page. (1 entry).
4. Book a session for this year. (1 entry)
5. Pay for you session in full when booking you session (1 entry)
6. Pay for a print package in full when booking you session (1 entry)


PRIZES
1. Free 5x7
2. Free itty bitty mini session
3. Free 8x10
4. Free sheet of wallets
5. Free itty bitty mini session
6. 10% off any print order
7. 15% off any print order
8. Free itty bitty mini session
9. Buy one get one free prints(as many as you want)
10. $25 off any session
11. Free itty bitty mini session
12. $25 off any session plus $25 print credit
13. Free mini session
14. Free family session
15. 50% off ANY service I offer
16. 50% off ANY service I offer
17. Free itty bitty mini session

~ I will give away all of these items, as long as there are enough entries, starting at the top and working my way down.
~ All winners will be randomly selected and winners will be announced on October 1st, 2012 here on the blog.
~ Winners will have 48 hours to claim you prize by emailing me or your prize will be given to another winner.
~ You have from right now until midnight on September 31, 2012 to get you entries in.
~ If someone books a session off your recommendation or share(make sure they comment on my wall so I know you sent them) then you get an additional prize :)

HAVE FUN!!!  HAPPY WINNINGS :)

email me

check out my website

find me on Facebook

Shauna & Amy

"THE KISS"

I had the pleasure of capturing the fist moments with these newlyweds!!!! These ladies are so in love and we so excited to finally be able to tie the knot!

TRUE LOVE

Check out more from these ladies on my website!!

CLICK HERE for wedding packages.

Why We Charge What We Do

Why the heck do Photographers Charge so Dang Much????
I have so many times heard people say:
 "Oh my gosh, the cost of a profession photographer is so expensive."
 " Why does it cost so much, its just picture."
 " Why should I pay that much money when i can go to sears?"


I hope to be able to answer these questions below!


Prior to the shoot
  I take the initial call or email for the client to find out what they are looking for out of a session. After a series of calls or emails we will get you date and location set for the session. If we are shooting on location I then head out to the location during the session time( even if this means interrupting family time ) to check it out.If it is in my studio then the day of I still have to get all my lighting set, props ready and clean the studio. Once I have seen the location I will get back with the client to make sure that I have the same ideas as they do for the session. In the mean time, I am putting together a welcome packet and client files. Also purchasing or making new props for the session. One more email or call the day before the shoot just to make sure there are no last minute ideas from the client and we have all the details hammered out.


The shoot

I always try to arrive at least 15 minutes early for an on location session. For a session in my studio it takes me at least an hour to set u for a session. A session can last up to 3 hours for a regular session. It is my job to keep you relaxed and having fun so you have the best possible images! I have to have an insured vehicle to be able to get to and from these sessions so there is extra costs. We also put a lot of money into chairs and props for our beautiful clients to use.

Post work

As soon as the session is over, I pack up my equipment and drive home or break down my studio. Then head straight to my computer to download and back up you images. Next step is weeding through the images and decided which ones to keep and edit and which ones to throw out. I'm sure you see our finger clicking away to ensure you don't blink or fart =D There is a lot of time involved in editing as well, i generally spend up to 8 hours editing per session. Once the images are all processed and ready for the client they have to get uploaded and saved. time to get in touch with the client to see their pictures. YAY!!!! Now that the [pictures have been viewed the selected imaged need ordered. Once i get the pictures back from print I review them to make sure they are perfect then wrap them up all pretty just for you!

There are quite a few extra things that we as photographer HAVE TO HAVE!

The list starts with my camera body and lens'( I have 4 and rent others regularly), flash and studio lights, batteries for my camera and flash, CF cards computer, software and props. And this is just few of the essentials.

These are the things we have to do even if we don’t have a shoot.

Monthly Operating costs: cell phone, advertising, Office supplies, electricity , insurance for car, business ans equipment , licensing , trade magazines. And don't forget about he sitter!

As photographers we get no sick days, no paid time off, no vacation pay, and no holiday pay!!!

Plus 30% goes straight to taxes.

Whew, that is a ton of stuff. SO lets add it up... On average the hours I put into a regular session is 14, HOLY COW!! OK my regular session costs $125 to the client and $50 of that the client gets to spend, so that is $125 divided by 14 hours = $8.93.....

Holy Moly ! I haven't even figured my operation expenses, taxes or equipment costs in yet. Oh yes don't forget about the sitter I have to pay.

Now with all that being said I LOVE MY JOB!!!!! I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world! I look forward to shooting more people each and every day!

Why should you hire a professional instead of a chain?

SAY CHEESE!!! You are right, you can pay less by going to a cookie cutter place! The posed images are all the same and inside. Have you ever been able to look at a picture and tell which studio they went to because you have the same picture in your house, just a different kid... IMO those places push you out as fast as they can. If your kids screams the whole time will they keep working with you, or let you take a break? Nope because they need to hurry up and get you out so they can get the next one in. Just a few of my personal reason...

Please contact me to book your session!

Check out my website

Beautiful Belly ~ Bloomington Illinois Maternity Photographer

Meet Maria and her little man!

This precious baby boy came just a few short days later!

Talk about true love! Her husband was so sweet! He ran up and down the stairs for her for her part of the session! We did a beautiful boudoir maternity session after these shots!

Don't they just make you melt ! They  now have the pitter patter of little feet running through their house.

Email me to book your maternity session!

Check out my website for more maternity pictures!

Ellsworth Illinois Photographer |

LET ME INTRODUCE HALEY {SENIOR REP}  Ellsworth Illinois Senior Photographer

I have so much fun every time i get together with this beauty. She is just STUNNING and knows just how to pose for the camera. She has natural grace and beauty and am truly blessed to be able to help preserve this time for her and her family. Keep watching for more of this pretty lady!

This is just a quick out take in route to the next location on the family land. 

Aren't her and her sweetie so cute !!! 

To see more of my portfolio please check out my website!

EMAIL ME to book your Senior Session!

Mention you saw this blog post and Haley gets a discount and so do you!

Welcome Home

Mom doesn't want to let go :)

These pictures don't really need a post to go with it. I think they pretty much speak for themselves. Welcome Home and GOD BLESS you ! I was honored to be a part of this family and welcoming home a solider on National Armed Forces Day! It was a such a cool experience to genuinely FEEL the love in the air, SO AWESOME! I managed to hold back the tears as i captured every last hug until these 2 little boys(their father is in the service as well) came over to shake PFC Michael Haerrs' hand. At that point I lost it there was no more hiding behind the lens.... What a beautiful experience I got to be part of !