The Scoop...

Come say hello...

The opening reception for my "On Location"  exhibit at South Shore Arts is tomorrow night (Friday) at the Crown Point Branch.  Come say hello- hang out- have some wine and cheese (thank you Tutu for catering).
138 South Main St. Crown Point. Thanks to Mary McClelland for everything and special thanks to everyone included in the show for putting yourself in front of the camera and for being so genuine.

Also- a special shout out to all the mom's of the newborns I've photographed in the past few weeks... Hello? How seriously cute are these kids. Really. How cute are these babies!!! Over the top scrumptious! See you all soon!

-Ann

Mini Sessions in August...

Our annual Mini-Sessions are taking place this August. Many of you have already called regarding the current mailer that went out last week and we thank you for being so quick about booking! I could have never anticipated that response.

Mama i beba has offered to complement those who spend $150. in their store with a mini session. You can shop up until August 20 and receive this gift. The only catch is that it's first-come first-serve. Mini Sessions sponsored by mama i beba will take place on August 23 and 24th at our new boutique studio. The girls at mama i beba have the schedule and can add you to the list! Stop in for more details.

Since last years mini-sessions were such a hit, we decided to add a few days to this once-a-year fun.
We'll be hosting them at our Munster location as well during the dates of Wed., August 6 and Sat., August 9.  Want to add yourself to the schedule? Give us a call at 219-629-2794. *Limited availablity

Here's a story for you...

Hello fellow bloggers. I had to write today to share this story with you. I'm a sap when it comes to the history of things.

When I was young and my parents divorced, my mother worked a lot, so my grandmother and her siblings watched us. As they grew older and eventually all passed away, I found I had more respect for their generation and the hard times that they'd worked through. I also found, having been passed along some of their more treasured trinkets (my Uncle's pipe, an Aunt's ring, a blanket my grandmother knit for my third son), that some things tell a story. Like photographs, some things can touch our hearts as well. 

As I have a fascination for capturing the essence of my subjects- and preserving that for the sake of history, I also feel this way about particular places and things. From the moment I found out we were moving into the space on Ridge Rd., I became interested in finding out the history of the building: who built it and so on.

So guess who just happened to stop by the new space today??? Emil and Ruby Duffala, the couple that built our new space on Ridge Rd. in 1950. It was an ice cream parlor called Duffy's. My husband and I were so excited to meet them as we've heard so much about them. I'd seen a photograph of the ice cream parlor in the book Munster, Indiana - A Centennial History (by Ken Schoon) but had no idea the Duffy's still lived in the area! All I can say is that it was such a delight for us to meet them.

The most amazing thing was that he'd shared that he originally dreamed of opening a photography studio in the space. Not sure whether or not to invest in the equipment (having a family to feed and after fighting in WW II) he opened the ice cream parlor instead. What an amazing life they've led. Did I mention they raised six boys in a home behind the parlor? The home is no longer there, but Emil said that when the boys were young an intercom system had been installed so that if the parlor got really busy they could call the boys over to help out. It's somewhat ironic that my boys were running around the space while we chatted with Emil and Ruby. Having three, I can't imagine how they did it all with six!

Ruby said they sold a Garden Burger: 35 cents and it came with all the fixin's.

I find it only fitting that Emil and Ruby be the first to be photographed in the new space. They agreed to it, and I can't wait to get them in front of the camera.

Also, thanks to Tim Shellberg for the article on ALP in the NWI Times today. Check it out- front page of the Arts and Entertainment section.

Calling all Seniors 09

Congrats AJ and many successes to come! Thanks to brother Marcus too for joining in the fun!

For M. and S.

No words can describe what a pleasure it's been working with this family so I'll let the work speak for itself. Oh, and M. and S.... wait until you see your album! It rocks. - Ann

Boutique Studio. Coming to Munster this July...

The fact that it's been a month since I last blogged says it all. We've been swamped.

So here's the scoop! We're moving into the MOST AWESOME space right next to South Shore Arts.  942 Ridge Road. I think it's fair to say I'm over the top excited.

Here's the scoop on some of the most asked questions we've received about the new space...

Will you still shoot in the city?  What if I want a session at my home, will you still come to me?
Of course. Yes. Absolutely.

Will you be shooting in your new space with studio lighting?
Yes, but on a very limited basis. I've been fortunate enough to have learned studio lighting from some of the best out there. Friend Brianna Graham has taught me SO MUCH, and I'll forever be grateful.

I want to schedule a session for Fall. When should I do that?
Now.  Although the calendar typically books one month in advance, Fall sessions fill quickly due to Holiday gift and card demand. Saturdays book quickly and we operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.

What are your hours?
We're open by appointment only. Give us a jingle at 219-629-2794. We are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

I'm looking forward to creating a lot of wonderful memories and works of art for my clients. Thanks to Michael for being my right hand man. Special shout out to Carla, Kisti, Holly and Steve- my behind the scene peeps at alp who help make it all happen. :) 

Baby, Baseball and Ice cream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had an amazing day, and amazing days should never be kept to oneself. 

I started off at a newborn shoot. I had done a maternity session for this family a few months ago and it's always fun meeting newborns, especially after I've photographed mom with baby in belly :)  Photographing this amazing time in peoples lives is such an honor and I love being a part of it. Babies are miracles, and I always ask the parents if I can take the baby home with me!  Ha ha!  Of course the answer is always no, but it's worth asking:) To K and M, your little miss could not be any more perfect. Precious and perfect in every way.

After the shoot I went to my FIRST Baseball game as a mom.  I don't know how to explain how awesome this was to me, as I never imagined I'd EVER be so excited over watching any sport. I'm not kidding, and some of you will think this is funny, but when I got there (I was late coming from my shoot) I got out of my car, grabbed my huge camera bag on wheels and RAN to the field like a crazy woman hoping to catch my Jam's last inning. I made it... and you know what, I couldn't have been any prouder of him. I think I rattled off the shutter a few hundred times in that last inning. I also might have been one of those moms that I would have thought was nuts before I exhibited such behavior myself this morning. I understand now.

Here's the kicker. After dinner we took the boys out for ice cream.  (we did drive through and they were going to eat it at home) On the way home my oldest said to me "Mom, don't forget we have our date night tonight". (My husband and I spend time with each of the boys one-on-one during the week and it's called date night) I was exhausted at this point and our date was supposed to be a long walk together (or I should say he rides his scooter and I chase him). So I said that since it was already late and he still had his ice cream to eat- could he wait until tomorrow for our date? His reply? No, he wanted the date, and would skip the ice cream tonight if he could eat it tomorrow and that he'd rather walk with me. Can you believe this kid? Needless to say, he got the walk of a lifetime, and for making such a kick ass decision, I let him eat the ice cream anyway.

Life is good.

Things are a changin'.

In honor of new things... and a new way of posting... turn up your volume and enjoy.

Dear G....

You know who you are. Thank you for such an amazing morning. What a great shoot- with a remarkable woman and her super duper sugar M.   I had to post this image of you because I love it. I seriously think I have the best job. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. Just a little sneak peek... and more to come when I see you soon.

Ann

P.S. everyone.. that's little man M. on his first BMW :)

Sugar and Spice...

and everything nice. That's what these two are made of.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               I had to post the image of little J. with her eyes closed because I loved this moment. I told her to just relax and she closed her eyes. I love when kids react in ways that are different than what I'm anticipating. Sometimes they know what will make for a good image.

If you saw the mama i beba notecard, you'll recognize these angels. Want to be on mama i beba's mailing list? Give them a call or stop in. mamaibeba 

I know I'm behind on posting. Things have been crazy here. Good crazy. For those of you that have ordered recently you might know what I'm talking about. The Botero album? Have you ordered any Wild Sorbet lately?  Do you want something totally unique and over the top stunning? These are the products for you. (and me, since I order them for myself as well :)   

Until next time- and more images to come soon-

Ann