This shirt says it all. Though others who read/follow this blog may have never known him, most of you know how his life affected mine. He was a bright light that you couldn't help but watch what was coming next. Mike, or as I called him, Mikey was my cousin, but we were all so close in age he was like a brother to me. Mike lost his battle with Leukemia on June 20th, 2008 and that day, was more significant than I could have ever forseen. My cousin's life was full of joy, of helping others, of being present and making a difference in others lives. Most of the time it started with a smile, just a simple kind guesture that had this ripple effect on everyone he knew, Mike was just different. Special. We often think now, What would Mike do? So to this day, we try to strive to "Be Like Mike".
To this day, we miss him dearly, almost as if it was yesterday. However, it was so important to us to get together, celebrate his life, and talk about the great memories he left for us. So to Danbury, WI we went. We laughed, we cried, we enjoyed all his favorite activites in his favorite spot, we just enjoyed the connection we all had. So here are the pictures of that glorious day :)
Just think "I've got Friends in LOW places..."
To the tune of Tommy Boy, "Fat guy in a little boat!" This was the tune he was singing as we left the dock!
Something about putting the antique touch on Camryn's photos makes me treasure her pictures!
Have you ever seen a ladder as a diving board? I just had to photograph this one!
"Higher next time!" This girl just couldn't get enough!!!
I don't know what made her laugh, but I just had to catch this! It just brings a smile to my face!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Be Like Mike 2009
Jill and Joey
My first engagement Session, and it was a BLAST! Jill and Joey were fun to work with, were up for trying just about anything, and you could see the love between them everywhere they went! Jill's wedding is coming up in November and I can't wait to see Vegas through love's eyes! Jill has been a great friend of mine for years and Joey is so sweet! I am so happy for them, see you guys in VEGAS!!!!
Sneaking a kiss!!!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Some kids just love the camera...
Little Miss Hollywood
I can't stress how important color and lighting are. Sometimes when I want to capture the perfect picture as I am seeing it, it's not always how my camera sees it. Scheduling photo sessions at the right time is soooo important. Between 4-7:30 right now gets some great shots. I am sure that the morning has a window as well, but since I work during the week and try to get some sleep on the weekends I haven't learned that time frame.......... YET!
Action Stills...
Water totally facinates me these days, moreso, what this camera can catch water doing. I really love how I can freeze time without blur if I so choose, but I also love showing the speed of moving objects as well. Lately I just can't get enough of freezing water in time. Hubby of course thinks I am crazy, but for all those out there messing with a DSLR, you know that the shots you can get never looses it's thrill. Am I right???
Some shots of the family enjoying the beautiful weather we're already having!
Playing with sun flair...
Catching kids at the moments that make up who they are is exactly what I am all about. Look at this beauty!!!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Capturing people at that moment in time...
My favorite part of photography is capruting people as they are at a certain moment in time. I love the old photos of my family back in Cuba. They are real and honest, but I realized that photographers really had to push to capture wonderful moments of people smiling and sitting in just a way that you feel who that person is everytime you look at that picture. Today we can capture those moments with DSLRs and just use the photos we absolutely LOVE. Well I love this photo, and for reasons only known to me. But by editing this with some sharpening I remember how wonderful it felt that day to see her playing and exploring in the back yard on Mother's Day. this photo will remind me forever of how she got her life back from hospitals and proceedures :)
Like I said when I started this ramble, I love capturing that moment and making it last for years to come. I can't wait to do this for others and share my passion on a more regular basis :)
Landscape and backdrop mean everything...
This photo is cute because this is what he always does, walks away to someting bigger and better to absorb everything he can. However, it wouldn't be that cute to me if it weren't for the colors of the landscaping, and the textures in the background. I wonder how much it costs to turn your backyard into a photo wonderland?
Off to ponder!
