My too-cute nieces & nephew!

So when your sister (who has nearly single-handedly clothed your two children with hand-me-downs for 4 years) calls you at 10 AM and asks you to fit her in for a session around 11:45 AM, you pretty much say ok without considering if it’s really possible. Such was my life this lovely Sunday AM. I figure if my sister (Jenny) is brave enough to attempt to dress her 4 kiddos (ages 8, 7, 6 & 4) for photos, I should be willing to document the fiasco. And surprisingly, a fiasco it was NOT. It was shockingly chilly, so the session was super fast, but we got everything we needed! What a dream! [We should buy lottery tickets.]

Grace, future President, no doubt.

Holly, never met an animal that didn’t “need” her… future vet, I suspect.

Erin, youngest girl, so look out.

Ben, as much boy as you can handle.

This was accomplished without bribery or begging, because I’m a professional. And the favorite aunt as long as Lisa’s not around.

This too was accomplished without trickery. I love everyone’s expression, so fitting of each personality.

Sis, thanks for the fun! The kids were ridiculously well-behaved, I hope the rest of the day was just as fabulous! Call when you’re ready to view the rest. Love you – ie

Sue, Jeff, Mandi, Mason & Danica!

Ahhhh, reunions! What fun they can be! Sue dated my older brother in high school (in the 80s, and I thought she was SO cool), everybody grew up, years passed and then Facebook led our paths to cross. And yesterday I photographed her family!! So fun! 

Very first frame! (AYKM? No!)

Kiddos! Danica & Mason were SO fun and funny!!

Those curls (sigh)…

Mason is cool, seriously.

 

Siblings…. .

He tolerated the affection well, what a good big brother.

A new favorite location.

Sue!! Thank you so much for sharing your family with me!! I hope you absolutely love these images! Best! ie

1886th

Today I photographed the deployment ceremony for the 1886th Neurosurgery Medical Team. This Army Reserve team is going to Iraq. I learned about their deployment through one of my bridal clients (he’s in the unit). Every time I hear about soldiers returning home injured (or worse) my first thought is always “I hope they got family photos before he / she left.” So when I heard Wayne was going to be deployed, I offered to photograph the deployment and family photos for all of the soldiers. Here are a few photos from the day. 

I like their Unit’s insignia.

Each solider was given an award. The colonial on the left is Colonel Wisdom – great last name.

And then we did family photos. Here are (really) just a few….

When the Captain of the Unit came in for his family photos, he brought me a certificate of appreciation because they give certificates to anybody who helps / supports the Unit. AYMK? I feel like I should give every soldier I meet a certificate of appreciation! I’ve never served in the military (and believe me, you don’t want me handling a gun) but I’ve always wanted to support soldiers in some way. I’m so happy I’ve found a meaningful way to do just that! And I hope to photograph other deployments from this area in the future. Thanks to 2Lt. Janell Averbeck for allowing me to photograph the event. And HUGE thanks to Diversified Lab (www.divlab.com) for printing this order so quickly AND donating the prints. The soldiers will be deployed for 9 – 18 months, please pray for them and their families. Best, ie

Mitchell & Dean!

Yesterday I got to photograph two of the cutest boys I know (2nd & 3rd to my own son!). Their parents, Justine & Jeff, are great friends of ours. It’s a special honor to photograph a friend’s family. So before I get sappy, let’s get to the boys…

Mitchell is 4 and Dean (below) will be 2 next month. Where has the time gone?

The heat was so bad we knew we wouldn’t have much time outside, so we did some shooting in the studio as well. I’m glad we did, got some nice moments.

 

I love when kids are comfortable enough to show me how they really feel.

And then we went outside…

Justine, thanks for your time! I not only love shooting the boys, but I love seeing you parent – you rock! Best, ie

Father Chrismer’s First Mass

Round two of Ordination coverage was this afternoon. Fr. Chrismer’s first Mass was at St. Robert Ballarmine in St. Charles. Here are just a few images.

I love finding images…

Mark’s brother (Rich) and sister (Sister Peter Marie) presented the gifts.

Chrismers – thanks again for sharing such a wonderful time with me. It is truly an honor. Best, ie

Ordination 2009

What a great day! Today I photographed the Ordination of 4 priests. While I did photograph all the priests, I concentrated on the Mark Chrismer. This was my second year covering the Ordination and I truly love covering this event. Surprisingly, it’s not the big beautiful Cathedral that makes the day for me – it’s really the service. the fact that I’m not only witnessing such an event but also documenting it really enriches the experience for me. I love photographing events for people, for families — sharing in their day is so incredible. I really do have an awesome job. Ok, before I get weepy on you, I’ll move on to photos.

I’m photographing Fr. Chrismer’s first Mass tomorrow. Will post after! Hope you’re all enjoying your Memorial Day Weekend. Chrismer family – thank you so much for letting me share this time with you! Best, ie

More AFQ!

Ok, I’m behind on getting this up and I do apologize for that. Here are a few wine images and a handful of the Chef! Enjoy!!

I love these colors. The corks are from the restaurant, they’ve kept every cork they’ve popped. 

A shot of the majority of the dining room.

For those of you who know the restaurant… we opened the outside dining room doors to light these shots. As we were shooting, people running, biking and driving by would holler / whistle to Andy. It was funny.

Again, thanks for your time Andy, this has been a fun project! Best, ie

New AFQ Food!

I spent most of Monday at my brother’s restaurant (Andrew’s French Quarter, yep, Andrew is my brother) shooting food for his new website. Below is a small portion of what I shot. We had so much to shoot that we did not stop to eat, we didn’t even eat our “model” food. Trust me, it was painful.

Of course, we started with spring rolls.

And shrimp & crab cake. 

I think I really like this shrimp shot.

Fish with gnocchi and vegetables.

Chicken and vegetable risotto. I think this is the most beautiful piece of chicken I’ve ever seen. And the colors, perfect.

We shot the steak with asparagus and green beans… we couldn’t decide which shade of green we prefer. 

Then we moved on to wine. This is the first frame I shot. I didn’t expect to like it but I think I do.

Later this week I hope to post more wine photos and several portraits of the chef! Andy, thanks for your time, shooting with you is always fun and funny!! But I think I’m going to write a “must be fed” clause into our next contract! Best, ie

My Griffin

And now it’s my son’s turn. After I shot Jane last weekend, I knew grandparents would want “matching” Griffin portraits. So I made a mental note to get him in the studio sometime this week. We made it happen Thursday evening. It wasn’t *too* painful… enjoy. 

This is pretty much how we usually see him, cuddling his bear & his blankie. What a lover.

And this would be the other way… that’s my boy.

Daddy time.

I love, love, LOVE this photo.

I like this one too…. and these two of Jane. I know, I know, it was suppose to be Griffin’s time, but it’s hard to not shoot her too when she’s so darn cute! And I didn’t ask her to pose in any way, honest!

Lucky for you I only have two kids! No more of my own family, promise! Thanks for visiting. Best, ie

My Janie

Ok, I can’t help myself. Last weekend before Harry & Roberta’s session, Jane “helped” me get the lights set… These are some of the sweetest photos!! I’m only sharing a few… 

There is a fine line between blank and captivating; this has me…

This is Jane’s real, genuine smile. Love it.

Only a 3 year old could get away with a green sweater and pink socks!

Eventually Denny came and shot a few images of Jane & I. I’m glad he did, I don’t have many. I didn’t really look great, but sometimes you gotta take what you can get.

This one is my favorite… of the images of us together.

Ok, that’s it. Enough about me, let’s talk about you!! I’m going to be running a spring special, look for that post this weekend! Best, ie