Champions rarely talk. They just perform and the world around them talks.
Champions rarely talk. They just perform and the world around them talks.
That quote basically sums up my meeting I had with this quiet young man at sunrise one morning. We exchanged introductions and a handshake, I told him what I wanted to start with, and then he set about getting his boat and things ready with a silent calm assurance. And he basically remained extremely quiet for the rest of our 2 hour session as I chitter chattered away.
Little did I know at the time,
but Ronnie Cantrell.. is a champion.
Ronnie has been rowing for Skyline High since his Freshman Year in high school. Now, as a Senior, he is the Captain of the team.
In his Sophomore year he won Regional Championships in the Junior Double and in his Junior year he won the Varsity Double.
Ronnie was also the first male at Skyline High to win a Regional Championship in the Varsity Single, which he accomplished his Junior year.
Setting yet another record, Ronnie was the first in his club team to make finals for the prestigious Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. The race is one of the biggest and fastest races in the world for a high-schooler. Not only did Ronnie make the finals, he came in 4th place in the U17 Single!
Then last year this young man took 4th at the Canadian Nationals in the Men's Varsity Double and he did it as a Junior racing against 19 year-olds.
Did I mention he also rows for Washtenaw Rowing Center, and that he rowed for the Junior National Team this past summer?
When I learned all this, days after our photo session, I told him I felt
like I should have at least bowed or something before leaving his presence--I was only half joking lol!
In all seriousness, what a list of wonderful achievements to have accomplished so early in his life. While some of us struggle with getting our teenage sons to get off video games and take out the garbage this young man is out there rocking the world around him.
Congratulations to you Ronnie for being head and shoulders above a vast majority of us out there, that simply settle for being average. What an inspiration you are. I know you have a lot of choices on the table for college but no matter where you decide to go after high school, and even later in life, I am quite sure you will continue to be the champion you are today.
It was a very real pleasure to meet you Ronnie, and I wish you all the success in the world, as you obviously deserve it and strive so diligently for it.
May your Senior year be filled with one bright spot after another; I have a feeling it will be :)
Lastly, as a mother myself, I would be amiss if I did not say congrats as well to Ronnie's mother, Erin Cantrell.
Good job mom, good job.
A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it...
A portrait is not made in the the camera but on either side of it.
Edward Steichen
I can't remember how far back I have been wanting to do a photo session inside a laundromat so I when I decided to do a modeling session with Chloe Burns-Krul and Lanie Desano-Smith I knew this was my chance.
These young beautiful girls both definitely brought their energy and sense of adventure to the session. I can definitely see both Chloe and Lanie in magazine ads like these! I am looking forward to seeing where their future modeling careers will take them as they start off on this new adventure.
Good luck girls--you are both AWESOME!
Special thanks to Arbor Laundromat at 5567 Carpenter Rd in Ypsilanti and to the manager Arlene for allowing us access to the location and for helping make the session even more awesome with her help!
Life is like a Ferris wheel..
"Life is like a Ferris wheel ..sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down. In the end you just have to learn how to enjoy the ride."
California natives, Cecilia Wong and Jeff To, are definitely enjoying the ride of their 5 year relationship and one of the many ups was their recent engagement this past February 15th, 2016. The Ferris wheel analogy is very fitting as Ferris wheels themselves have played a part in their relationship from the very beginning.
It was on a Ferris wheel in Long Beach, California that Jeff first knew he was in love with Cecilia. So it seemed only fitting, that when it came time to propose, he would do so on another Ferris wheel-this one in Paris.. I'm pretty sure you can't get much more romantic than that!
When Cecilia contacted me about taking some photos, while she and Jeff were in Chicago for the weekend, she knew she wanted it to be all about city landmarks and views. After going over our many options we chose Milton Lee Olive Park. Not only are the Chicago skyline views incredible from this little pocket park but it is also right next to Navy Pier and their well known Ferris wheel. So of course we HAD to include it in some of our images!
I hope that Cecilia and Jeff's upcoming wedding on July 15, 2017 is just as sweet and romantic as they are. Thank you to both of you for including me on one leg of the trip on the Ferris wheel of your life's incredible journey.
Nancy Roxanne
My first grandchild turns two years old!
Felicity Shay
Two years ago on August 29th, 2014 at 10:12 a.m Felicity Shay Adams came in to the world at St. Anthony's Hospital in Crown Point. She was the first child for my daughter Mallory and her husband Scott, and the first grandchild for all three sets of her grandparents. She has been surrounded by love and attention from the very beginning including from her doting Auntie 'Tel' (Shelby) who actually got to witness her coming into the world.
From the very beginning she has had a strong personality and there seems to be no sign of that changing haha!
At 10 weeks she was already showing signs of her sweet self...
10 weeks old
First Birthday
First Birthday
It has been so awesome to see her develop into a little person...these images from her 1st birthday seem like just yesterday!
And then exactly 5 months ago she seemed to grow up even more when she became a big sister to her little brother Dawson Avery.
Despite my trepidation of what would happen when she had to share her parent's loving and devoted attention, she has been quite taken with her little brother and is always very concerned about him. We all believe they will grow up to be the very best of friends.
Another close bond is the one she has with my youngest daughter who is only 5 years older than she. She always wants to know where "Na-na-na" (Savanah) is :)
I believe they will always have a special bond as well---not to mention plenty of photo ops haha!!
What a blessing Felicity Shay Adams has been to us all... including her Uncle Mikey, and her surrogate uncles, Uncle Louie and Uncle Kurt who she is very close to. She definitely has the 'strong male figures' category on lock down!
And speaking of male figures, watch out sports world because, I am quite sure, if her daddy/coach Scott has anything to say about it, she will be a champion on the basketball court! He has had her in training since she could hold a miniature basketball and she is even joining a basketball league next month!
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Of course she is a champion off the court too! Full of personality and spirit, and we wouldn't have her any other way.
And even though not all her loved ones live close by I'd be amiss if I didn't mention her Aunt Natalie in Alaska, her Uncle Wyatt and great Aunt Jacquetta in Arizona, her great Granny and PaPa in Virginia, and her surrogate Uncle Phil in Wisconsin. They may not be right in her backyard but they all love her very much just the same!
HAPPY SECOND BIRTHDAY FELICITY SHAY ADAMS! YOUR NAN LOVES YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK!!
She is showing Nan the purple drawing, her favorite color!
Sweetest little face!
Of course I spent most of the session chasing after her!
Peek a boo Nan!
And she's off to explore the next phase of her little life as a big 2 year old!
I'm gonna marry that girl some day...
Eight years ago Bo Speichert spotted Chaunah Macewicz at the Buddy and Pals in Crown Point where she worked. The second time he saw her there he turned to his friend and said 'I'm going to marry that girl some day.' On July 30th,2016, after 2 years of dating, he made good his word.
I have known Chaunah's family since I was a teenager..her uncle Keith was one of my brother's closest friends and her Aunt Denean, who helped raise her, as been my dear friend since we were 17 years old.
So I have been wanting to get this beautiful young woman in front of my camera for many many years. I was especially happy when Chaunah wanted to do a fun conceptual session and include her new, equally good looking husband, Bo!
When I arrived at Bo and Chaunah's beautiful home, they were ready for me-- they had the backyard set up like a photographer's playland! Multiple vintage vehicles, including the green one I spotted out behind the pole barn in the weeds...hello lovvvverrrr!
But first I got to step inside the lovely house that the newlyweds call home.
To see the couple together, so obviously in love, was a wonderful thing.
I am so glad that Bo and Chaunah have found their happy ever after and I wish them many, many, years of beautiful, joyful memories.
And to start them off on their journey, here are some awesome and fun images from their session. Enjoy!
Mr. & Mrs
And they walked off into the setting sun to their Happy Ever After..