I met the Meyer family the weekend of the 4th of July. We had amazing weather and got to capture the family only the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Emily and Zack just moved to the area from Minnesota as he had a job transfer and wanted to capture their first summer at the lake as a family with their one and four year old little girls. I know that they will love this area as much as I do. There is something special about living in a small town and enjoying the slower pace of live. Grabbing groceries at a local outdoor market inside of shopping at a large grocery chain, jumping on a bike to the post office to be greeted by your first name, yup there is something charming about it all. I captured them at around 6pm (as the sun is still shining bright.) It’s been a while since I photographed on the beach in full sunlight but I love how true the blue skies look against the green tree line - not to mention these cute smiles enjoying it all!

50 years of marriage definitely calls for a celebration! This week we are all smiles for health and happiness. Weddings and events might have to wait a while but I am thrilled to be able to document other milestones in families lives. We gathered all the Goodman’s up in Lakeside, Michigan this past weekend. Having half the family in Florida - they decided that July would be a great time to have everyone come together at the families lake home (since Chicago entered Phase 4 for the Corona virus) The forecast looked if-y as Michigan had storms coming across lake - but GG (the matriarch of the family) said rain or shine we are going to make this work just come on over! Well, as luck would have it - the storms never hit and we had a beautiful early evening shoot with everyone!!! I have photographed these gorgeous grins for a few years now and can’t get over how big these kids are getting (pre-teens!!!) Well, as they say life is a gift and we must relish every moment of it. I found this anonymous quote that I would like to share as I think that it is so relevant for today

“ Love your life! Take pictures of everything. Tell people you love them. Talk to random strangers. Do things that you’re scared to do. Because so many of us die and no one remembers a thing we did. Take your life and make it the best story in the world. Don’t waste a single moment - because in a flash time goes by. ”