The Scoop...

Who told them to grow so fast?

and just as sweet as the last time...

Teaser...

Here's for you Z. and M.  Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Want to Hustle...

94 flights up the Hancock?

I'm suddenly having that feeling again that I had the moment I told Jed I'd do this detox. I'm a little excited and a whole lot freaked out that I just made this commitment.

As part of doing the detox, I'm required to sit in a sauna for 15 minutes every day. So, I go to the gym and do this- six nights a week. I've been surprised that it's not the sweating that makes me feel better- but the quiet time. Sometimes I sit and have to force myself not to think. I'm really trying to use this time to meditate and pray. As I was sitting there tonight I was thinking about how good I'm feeling and that I'm really committed to this new journey. Then I asked myself- but what are you going to do when the enthusiasm fades. What are you going to do when you're bored with brown rice? Then I had this idea. Commit to something to keep motivated.

Before having kids, it seems like my husband and I had a very active lifestyle. I've really lost that side of myself somewhere over the past few years.  I was remembering tonight the time that we did the "Hustle Up the Hancock." We lived a few minutes away at the time and we walked on over and hustled. I can't image doing that today, and chances are I couldn't. BUT, I told myself in the sauna that I could do it in 6 months.

So here's the scoop. I'm going to do the Hustle Up the Hancock on February 22, 2009. I signed up about 10 minutes ago. Here's the link: Hustle Up the Hancock  

Hustle Up the Hancock is the largest fundraising event for the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, and this year marks the 11th anniversary of the event.

Who wants to Hustle with me?  Let me know.

What's your perfect day?

I found myself in a few conversations this week where people were talking about what their "perfect day" would be like. Someone said theirs would be lying on a beach somewhere sipping fancy drinks. Another person said theirs would be a day at the spa followed by dinner with Kenny Chesney. I get what everyone's talking about- it's like saying if I could be ANYWHERE in the world doing ANYTHING, what would it be?

Here's my two cents and as always take it or leave it.

It's ironic that I'm writing this, because anyone that knows me knows that I'm a perfectionist. Let me be the first to say that being a perfectionist does not insure by any means that things get done perfectly all the time. I make mistakes like anyone else, and sometimes, there just aren't enough hours in a day. Bottom line, life isn't perfect. I was thinking about all of this for two reasons. 1. The above mentioned conversations. 2. I had a newborn shoot the other day and I was telling my husband about it. He replied "You know, that's the third time you've mentioned how much you loved that shoot. I'm glad you're so happy at work!"

When he said that, I realized that I'd been feeling like it was a perfect day. I started the day off like any other of late- the kids waking me up way too early, a cup of coffee and fruit on my detox. I spent some time with my boys and went to work. I came home later in the day and was back with my family of 5. Here's the thing. I love to dream, and in a perfect world my kids might get up at a normal hour. In a perfect world, I could eat whatever I wanted. In a perfect world I could fly to Rome for a day, and someday I just might.

I'm writing this, because what if our days are just as they should be- filled with ups and downs.  What if all we can do is our best, leave it at that and call it a perfect day?  Not all days feel perfect to me- but I'm grateful for the ones that do, and I'll bet more are better than I already realize.  I  had a day full of mini-sessions yesterday, and I had that feeling again- so happy to be doing what I was doing. Happy to return to my kittens (that's what I call the kids as a collective) and to spend the evening "on a date" with them. When I came home from the studio, this (see image below ) is what was waiting for me and indeed I realized, it had been another perfect day...

-Ann

P.S. Yes, that is a 10x10' wrestling mat on my family room floor. That's what life brings with three,  er' four, perfect boys :)

Senior 09....

Talk about an awesome Senior... Ms. S. was a lot of fun to photograph in-studio and on-location... here's a sneak peak S... can't wait to see you and yours at the viewing session.

-Ann

Michael Phelps, Vanity Fair and ALP

My husband was reading Michael Phelp's "diet" to me today.  His daily intake consists of 12,000 calories. Yeah, you read that right.  12,000.  

Speaking of diets, the detox I'm doing is going great. I won't say how much I've lost on the blog, 1. because the number is high, and I can't believe how far I STILL have to go, but 2. because right before I began the detox, I also starting taking a pill for hypothyroidism. So, between the new medicine and the detox, the answer is yes, I'm losing weight. I'll say that the detox is by far the hardest thing I've ever done. We just came back from vacation and it's the first time in my life that I came back from vacation minus a few pounds. My goal is to get to pre-pregnancy weight... pre-pregnancy with first child that is, year 1999.  This is it, the time is now. I'm telling you fellow bloggers, I won't be turning back.

Vanity Fair. September 2008. Get it yet? I'm writing about this, because it features one of my favorite photographers-  Mark Seliger. I've always loved Vanity Fair because the photography is fresh, outside of the box and I always leave inspired.  If you get it, look at the photography for Nordstrom designer collections. No, it's not my style, but I love it none the less. I love the simplicity of the Gap ads. I love the color in Juicy Couture's track suit line. How about Chanel's ad? Love it. And hello... can you believe the image on page 359!  and yes.. the writing in VF is good too.

Here's the funny thing about this issue- I opened it up and immediately saw a photograph that I'd remembered from a previous issue; September 1991! How crazy is that. It was shot by Peter Lindbergh for Vogue in 1991. I spent 1992-93 living in Rome and I remember  looking out the window from a museum, and feeling like the lighting from my view mimicked the lighting from that one photograph. This is how my brain works. I didn't have my camera on me, and remember that moment only wishing I'd been able to photograph that view.  

 

ALP.  Over the next few days, I'll be shooting on-location everywhere between Michigan City, IN and South Barrington, IL.   I'll also be spending some time photographing girls who donated their hair to Locks of Love through the charity event sponsored between Active Art Salon and ALP.  We'll also be updating our display at mama i beba in Munster.

I had the opportunity today to meet some wonderful people through the Munster Chamber of Commerce.  Thanks for the warm welcome.  I was excited to see some familiar faces and to meet new ones as well.

Here's to a great weekend- good times, good stuff... brown rice, eggs, chicken, lots of fruit and veggies :)

Ann

Seriously...

Really. How much fun were Wednesday's mini-sessions? Here's one since I haven't posted in a while- lots more to come I promise.

Having fun-

Ann

 

Let's talk Super Sugar.

I kept thinking as I was proofing these images "I want one!" (meaning a little baby girl). Since chances of me having a baby girl any time soon are next to nil, I'll settle for photographing them. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I feel so blessed to be a part of capturing such a special time in people's lives. Thanks for having me L and T. Congrats to you on the birth of your little baby girl with the biggest beautiful eyes :)

-Ann