One year down, forever to go
One year down, forever to go.
Mike and Megan Wadowski were married last year on July 2nd, 2016 and next month marks their 6th year together as a couple. So they wanted to get together for a photo session to celebrate their anniversary.
I am notoriously awful with remembering names but as soon as our session got under way Megan helped me out by telling me that all of their friends call them M&M.
Not only did that make their names stick in my mind but it also made perfect sense, because Megan and Mike could not have been any sweeter than if they were actually made from chocolate!
Some people are just easy to love off the bat and they are two of those people.
Of course we got pretty close, pretty quick, when about 10 minutes into the session, while walking backwards and framing my shot, I tripped over a rather large tree root and hit the ground hard and fast like I planned the darn thing. Without missing a beat I jumped back up and kept shooting. No one was hurt, except for maybe Mike from laughing so hard!!
Now you know why I don't photograph on the edge of cliffs!
At any rate, after that I am pretty sure it was easy for them to feel comfortable with me. And whenever Mike was in danger of giving me a forced smile I would remind him of the time I fell flat on my backside and that would bring an instant gleam to his eye and a smile to his face.
Hey, you do what you got to do. Like I said. I planned that ;)
Happy Anniversary to these two awesome people. I meant it when I told them I hope to see them again and again.
Some of my friends become clients, and some of my clients become friends. And that is one of the best things about what I do.
Much love to you both M&M.
We'll always have Paris
"We'll always have Paris"
Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca
Thirty five years ago this month Paris Freeman came into the world; a few days after her birth her mother Pamela celebrated her own 33rd birthday by taking her new baby girl home.
After putting a trip off to Paris,France multiple times, Pamela had to once again put off her trip when she learned she was expecting a child. And that is how Paris Freeman got her name.
I love that story. And if you met Pamela in person you would know that she surely must have given her child a reminder moniker out of love and sarcastic wit.
At 68 years young, Pamela is full of pep and vinegar, and to see her and her equally fun daughter, Paris, interact is truly awesome to watch.
If there is anything I admire, it is a strong mother/daughter bond.
And these two wonderful ladies do not disappoint.
Happy Birthday to you both and here is to always having Paris!
Quiet People Have the Loudest Minds-Rodriguez Family and Senior Siblings
Quiet People have the Loudest Minds
“I’ve always liked quiet people: You never know if they’re dancing in a daydream or if they’re carrying the weight of the world.”
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Alaynna and Leighton Rodriguez are definitely on the reserved side. During our photo session I never knew if they were enjoying themselves or secretly plotting my demise haha! 😛
That's okay though, I have always liked quiet people. Maybe because it gives me more of an opportunity to do all the talking lol!
But the similarities don't end there with Alaynna and Leighton. Just 10 and a half months apart, they are both Seniors at New Prairie High School and have been actively involved in sports for years.
Alaynna, the oldest, is a catcher and has played softball for over 12 years now; her dad Mike helps coach her travel team. Alaynna is also in national honor society and maintains over a 4.0 GPA.
Leighton is an offensive lineman for his school's football team which is currently leading the state in rushing for 4A schools. Leighton has played football for over 9 years and made second team all conference.
He also wrestles and made it to semi state for his weight class this past year as well as honorable mention at all conference for wrestling.
Anyone with the quiet determination and steadfast dedication, required to participate and excel in sports for as long as these two have, surely have success in store for them in whatever they decide to do.
Good Luck Alaynna and Leighton and I hope you have a great Senior year!
While we were making plans for this Senior photo session we decided to do a few family shots with mom and dad, Heather and Mike, and youngest son Mikey as well.
The Rodriguez's take a lot of photos but have not had any done professionally since before Mikey was born 14 years ago.
It was definitely time!
Thanks to Heather for corralling everyone together and to Mike for patiently suffering through 😉
Life is a Beach-Couple session with Guncha and Sanchit
Life is a Beach
On Guncha and Sanchit's first date Sanchit asked Guncha what her idea of a perfect vacation would be. Guncha responded that she would want to relax at the beach with a good book and a glass of wine.
That may have seemed like the wrong answer since Sanchit's idea of going to the beach involved water sports and LOTS of activities, nothing close to quiet time in the sand.
But a year, 9 months, 13 days, and a marriage proposal later and it turns out that not only do opposites attract but sometimes they can even learn to want different things when enveloped in a haze of love and devotion.
Now Sanchit tells Guncha that if they ever vacation at the beach he wants nothing more than to sit next to her while she reads her book, with his head on her shoulder, and watch the sunset together.
Now that's an 'awwwww' moment!!
That sentiment is about as adorable as they are.
Best of luck to these two lovebirds as they began to make plans for their life together and that day at the beach :)
Men are what their mother made them--Senior Session with Hana Koilpillai
"Men are what their mother made them."
Of course there are exceptions to every rule but in most cases, when you see a good man, somewhere behind him is a mother who raised him to be that way.
Today's Senior, Hana Koilpillai, would like to dedicate her Senior session to her grandmother and to the wonderful son her grandmother raised, Hana's father.
Hana had not initially planned on wearing a sari for her session. But according to her mother Kim, the night before the photo shoot Hana came across some of her grandmother's jewelry and was overcome with emotion and memories. And though she normally does not elect to dress in the Indian style that is representative of her rich heritage from her paternal side, Hana decided to incorporate the beautiful sari that her grandmother had given to Hana's mother.
In preparing this blog I contacted Hana and her mother to make sure it was okay to include the images with the beautifully vibrant gown. I had been told that Hana wanted to surprise her father, who had no idea she would be wearing the dress.
In response Hana sent me this message and ask that I include it so that everyone would know that these images are in memory of her dear grandmother..
"I had some pictures taken in the sari, which my dad's mom dressed my mom in for her wedding rehearsal dinner, to honor my beautiful grandmother, my Paaty. I'm so thankful for my Paaty raising her son to be the man that he is, because he's an amazing father. I wanted to surprise my dad with this and let him know how much I wish with my entire heart that she could be here to share my senior year with us."
Hana Koilpillai
Reading Hana's sweet words of love for her grandmother and father made me teary eyed! She is definitely a beautiful girl inside and out.
I am sure her father will love and cherish these special images from his only daughter.
And I know that Hana's Paaty must be looking down with a smile in her heart for her sweet and lovely granddaughter as Hana embarks on her final year in the Northville school system.
Attending Northville schools since Kindergarten, Hana is a third year varsity Lacrosse player for Northville High School. She keeps busy during the summers by working as a day camp children's counselor for Springhill Camps.
"I love having my summer centered on Jesus and kids and seeing God work in my life and through me to help kids grow in their relationships with Him"
Next up for Hana is college in Florida to study Marine Biology.
Between her family, and her faith, and her beauty in strength and character, Hana surely has nothing but good things on her horizon as she moves towards the next step in her life's journey.
And no matter where her path may take her, or how far from home she may roam, I leave her with this quote to light her way and bring her comfort.
'A life that touches others, goes on forever.'
Best wishes Hana!
