The Wedding of Candice & Chuck 9-27-08

The clouds parted and the raining stopped but for only a moment today. Sometimes that is all you need in life is that one moment that you can make the most of. That one moment that you steal away and make your own whether it is to get those much wanted pictures outside or as the best man toast went...even to pursue the girl who you knew would one day be yours. I admire the way that Chuck and Candice just fit... Their personalities, taste, humor, and their love for each other... It just fits, fits like the final pieces of a puzzle coming together. I see it in their smiles and in their laughter (which they do often together!) Most importantly I see it in the way they interact when they think that no one is looking. Thank you both for being such a cool couple. You are fun and funky and cool and just so in love and have planned and executed an amazing party filled with such great details!


Candice loves the color orange! I love how she totally pulls off the look! She looked amazing in her Vera Wang gown!







I love how the flowers are strategically placed so that her getting ready images are PG =)
































They had the coolest photo booth! I love, love, love how much fun that everyone had with it!

9-20-08 The Wedding of Trish and Rob

They didn't have one dance, or two or even three... Dancing to songs chosen for the very special people in their lives, sharing smiles, laughter and tears in their arms, Trish and Rob in their ever gracious ways made sure everyone knew how much they loved and appreciated family. It's funny how things happen. It seems just like yesterday when I photographed Trish's brother's wedding. I remember distinctly how she couldn't wait to get out of her dress and into something more comfortable. She told me then that she would have to be comfortable when she got married but at the time she wasn't seeing anyone. Then one day Rob's dog took a fancy to her cat and it was decided by these animal match makers that the two kindred spirits should meet!




Staying true to herself and to comfort, Trish rocked the baseball socks and sneaks!


I just love her Mom and Dad's expressions. Seeing her for the first time wearing her wedding dress brought such smiles. She is the youngest of their children and the very last to get married so today would be sure to have many emotions swimming through it.


Umm yea... Can you say beautiful!














It must be so wonderful to look into the loving and smiling eyes of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and grandmothers just to see your own reflection in their happiness.

9-19-08 The Wedding of Jessica & David

****Oh Yeah, It's officially the next day (even though only an hour has passed.) So I'm on a roll 2 days = 2 blogs =)

I remember when she pulled up in the car outside of the country club, dress in tow, a slightly nervous look in her eyes because time was slipping by. I assured her we would be fine, after all, it was her day and weddings never start without the bride. I knew that the nervousness was laced with excitement since in just a few short minutes she would be seeing David so that they could share in their first glace and have a private moment before the ceremony. It's funny how you can sometimes feel when the tides shift.

As he traversed the patio to where she waited I knew that those nerves would settle and I was right as I saw the sweet and soft smiles erupt across both of their faces. It is in the arms of the ones that love you that you most often feel the safest! Jessica, you are truly a genuine, caring and sweet soul and David, your easy demeanor, quick wit and welcome grin won me over too! So on this mild September evening after all is said and done I take away with me the gratitude of having spent a few hours with an amazing couple and family who have traveled a distance to share in the beginning of your lives together. Thank you for making me feel so welcome!











I love how David's Dad has captured so many amazing moments in the lives of his family members. Every room in the house and most walls have these memories framed, beautiful candids, classic portraits and documentation of the generations... I am in awe.... So we captured a portrait amongst the portraits, another slice in time preserved =)

8-22-08 The Wedding of Ashley & Phil

So I received an email today from one of my lovely clients informing me that my blog hiatus has been missed and it was time to post some new stuff!!! Ha, ha. It's true, I've been a very bad blogger and it's not for lack of things to blog so I promise to be better =) Thanks Stephanie, xoxo I needed the reminder that I'm not the only one who reads this stuff. So I'm gonna try and blog something everyday even if it's just a few images. Here goes... One in row!

Last February I held a contest and gave away several free wedding packages as my way to give back. I ran the contest on the air via Wired 96.5 - Thank you Chio, G-N, Justice & Casey for plugging me, I heart you all! The rules were simple, you either had to write me an email or letter and let me know why you should get a Photography Package. Your story had to be true first and foremost nad second you either could not have been able to afford a photographer or have had some kind of hardship that you overcame. Basically you couldn't enter if you just wanted to win a contest. Stories poured into my in box throughout the months of December, January and February. Every time I read one I counted my blessings. I had a panel of judges who narrowed down the hundreds of entries to the top 10 and then I chose from those 10, 3 winners...

It was my pleasure to be able to give a package to Ashley and Phil. Through health hardships and struggles Ashley persevered and has endured more in her life than someone in her 20's should have had to... Phil has been by her side offering his continuing support. Your story and your strength touched me and I wish the best for you both and am happy to have been in a position to help. Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your lives!
xoxo- Cindy

Stay tuned everyone because the 2nd annual Photography give-a-away will be announced in December where I will choose 3 more lucky winners on February 14th 2009 so spread the
word =)

The Wedding of Heather and Robin 8-23-08

Often when we think of marriage we forget that you aren't just marrying the person that you love you are uniting families and merging them into a new and more complete circle. That is exactly the way I felt today witnessing the union of Heather and Rob. The beautiful candle lit church set the stage for a very tender and loving ceremony which incorporated Jason, Heather's son, into the moment. One of my favorite shots of the day occurred just moments after Heather and Rob and Jason lit the unity candle and then placing a medallion around Jason's neck. Jason and Rob locked eyes for a moment while Heather's hand touched Jason's arm. It was in this decisive moment that I felt they had completed their circle. This circle includes a wonderful and supportive family and friends, who from what I have witnessed are such a closely banded group that you might as well call them family as well.

The warm August sun shined brightly as billowous clouds dotted the horizon. As an added bonus we didn't even get locked up when we climbed through the stone wall to get to the fields that would be our backdrop for their portraits. Oh how I love when I'm allowed to choose the locations for pics and I love even more when enough time is set aside to capture the images but more than that I love, love, love when despite the craziness of the requests not a single bit of apprehension complicated the situation. Cooperation was through the roof =) We were able to make use of the harsh summer sun and capture some truly beautiful images. I know that Heather has been anxious to see these teasers. I hope that it was worth the wait! These are just a few of my favorites. Thank you so much Heather, Rob and Jason for letting me share in your special day! Much love to you all!!!

The Wedding of Chrissey & Mike 9-13-08

As she waited for him to enter the room so that they could see each other for the very first time on this their wedding day, she hears his familiar laughter carry through the doorway as he says hi and jokes with the bridesmaids exiting the room. I smile, having spent some time with Mike and Chrissey during their E-session I noticed then how Mike can make Chrissey laugh and how smiles are so easily coaxed. She turns towards him and this broad and gentle smile spreads across his face as he is beaming. I'm shooting and listening and shooting and listening and I hear, "you are so beautiful...", spoken in such a way that I get goosebumps. What a wonderful start to a day that was filled with many moments of love, adoration and kindness. You both Rock! For lack of better words, you just do.


Stunning, Stunning, Stunning!













I love the way they just laugh and interact






The police came and chased the skaters away so for a few brief moments we had Love Park all to ourselves.











As nightfall rapidly descends upon us they turn towards city hall walking off hand in hand as the amber light of archways guides us back to the reception. The light tonight is unbelievable, the breeze welcoming and the couple, well, they are perfectly matched and I couldn't have asked or conjured a more lovely day. These are the times that if could be would be bottled and then re-opened and sipped from each and every weekend.