It’s been a hectic few weeks here in Marmaland!  The kids ending the school year and all the activities tied in with that plus a few reschedules because of the rain – it’s been something else trying to get anything done worth noting.  As a busy parent (likely) yourself, you have got to agree that May is for the birds!

Amongst all the insanity I had a chance to (finally) meet the L Family.  It was great fun visiting the waterfall with them.  The kids were such fun little souls, even little N who was probably pretty close to bed time made it a happy time!  Thank you to the L family for coming out to the studio and out for the waterfall session, I had a fantastic time hanging out with you all earlier this week.

On with the sneak peeks!

It’s no secret that I *love* quiet moments like this.

.

…and fun mom moments like this

…and being a mom of two little girls I never can resist a sweet image of daddy’s little girl with her favorite dad in the world!

It was a pleasure meeting you all – such a gorgeous gorgeous family!

Posted in Chicago Children's Photographer, chicago family photographer
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  • terri - June 9, 2011 - 5:24 pm

    Just beautiful, Mare. Your Black and Whites sing! On this hot day in Virginia today, seeing those waterfall images cooled me off instantly. I’d love to be dipping my toes in that water and wading ankle deep. 🙂

  • chris - November 11, 2011 - 7:33 am

    Very lovely pictures, the kids look so happy.

Once again I am honored to be part of a the Blog Carousel with a group of super talented photographers from all over the world.  This month’s entry is FRAMED.  I have been so very busy with end of school year/beginning of summer activities and some unfinished client work and I had to dig WAY back in the archives for this entry.

Several years ago I had the privilege of photographing this couple and their sweet pup Moonie for their engagement session (and wedding).  Just a week or so ago was the one year anniversary of Moonie’s passing away so I thought it would be fitting to place this entry into our FRAMED theme.  This is an all time Marmalade favorite and I’m pleased to showcase it here:

I love love the way the tree branches frame them within the image.   I couldn’t have created this amazing shot for a more amazing couple.  LOVE everything about it.

Make sure you travel to the next blog and continue on this carousel ride.  🙂  Up next is my lovely & talented friend with her lovely photo entry into the carousel.  Amanda Padgham, the photographer of choice for Pittsford, NY families and children

Posted in blog carousel, Chicago Relationship Photographer and Suburban Chicago Relationship Photography, Suburban & Chicago Wedding Photography
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  • alpana - June 5, 2011 - 9:34 pm

    Love this idyllic scene. The tree frames them perfectly!

  • Anna Mayer - June 5, 2011 - 10:00 pm

    Awww a sweet memory of their little pup. This photo looks so peaceful. I love it.

  • Simone Hanckel - June 5, 2011 - 10:42 pm

    So beautiful! I love that the dog makes the image a bit quirky 🙂

  • Marianne - June 5, 2011 - 10:51 pm

    <3 aw thank you. @Simone - you know I'm a huge fan of the quirky. :D

  • Je Neuhaus - June 6, 2011 - 1:52 am

    I had to just look and enjoy for a few moments. So peaceful and relaxing. A beautful illustration of our theme.

  • amanda padgham - June 6, 2011 - 5:44 am

    I love this! Beautiful tones and composition!

  • dawn sela - June 6, 2011 - 8:10 am

    so beautiful! I wish I could curl up under that tree for a few hours!

  • Corey Sewell - June 6, 2011 - 8:11 am

    What a gorgeous capture to remember Moonie. Love the tree too – it makes for such a beautiful scene!

  • Dena Robles - June 6, 2011 - 8:22 am

    Incredible composition and perfect use of the environment to frame the subjects. You know I sob at dog stories, what a lovely treasure for the couple to have this photograph.

  • lauri - June 6, 2011 - 8:33 am

    Beautiful composition, and lighting! And what a nice tribute to their pup.

  • Brandy Anderson - June 6, 2011 - 9:12 am

    So beautifully framed and so sad about the pup. You always do such beautiful work Mare!

  • Lisa M - June 6, 2011 - 10:00 am

    Wow…everything here, from the lighting to the framing, is AMAZING! I love love love the image. (I just wish it was my family in the frame!)
    🙂

  • Rebecca Mudrick - June 6, 2011 - 10:19 am

    Absolutely stunning! Your work is always to die for … sigh.

  • Mary Beth - June 6, 2011 - 12:01 pm

    Beautiful! The dog just *makes* it. 🙂

  • Julie - June 6, 2011 - 12:16 pm

    this is a lovely image and I am sure they are so happy to have this wonderful portrait of them and their Moonie.

  • Danna - June 6, 2011 - 2:29 pm

    aww Mare, this is stunning!

  • TaraMc - June 6, 2011 - 9:20 pm

    What a gorgeous image. Love the framing here. Such a beautiful way to remember Moonie.

  • Samara - June 7, 2011 - 2:34 pm

    Ok first words from my mouth (and yes out loud) oh my gosh how beautiful. xo

  • Heather Rivlin - June 7, 2011 - 4:41 pm

    Beautiful everything Mare! The light, the setting, the serenity of their position and comfort shines through. You do beautiful work, and your use of the tree frames them perfectly!

  • Marianne - June 9, 2011 - 4:58 pm

    Thank you everyone!

  • Jim - June 18, 2011 - 11:14 pm

    This is great. I see why you pulled this one out for FRAMED.

My talented friend Pam of Casual Moments Photography posted this great blog article on displaying large portraits several months ago.  Coincidentally I had a chance to see her beautiful home and all the amazing LARGE prints on display in person this past summer, when I saw her article I immediately thought “DUH!  I should share this.”

Pam really did such an amazing job with decorating her home ESPECIALLY by creating the feeling of family within the four walls of where she and her husband call “home”.  It’s apparent that family is her number one treasure and has chosen to showcase her favorite people as art.  I absolutely love that!

Since many of my clients have these large spaces -great rooms (family rooms, if you will) -to fill up with art work I thought it would help to visualize how a photographer has chosen to fill her amazing & beautiful space with family art.  I hope you enjoy Pam’s article as much as I did.  Enjoy!  DISPLAYING PORTRAITS IN YOUR HOME

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pet photographyKim Basinger once said (of Alec Baldwin): “That was the first time I knew I loved him.” when he saved a boxer from potentially being hit by car by rescuing (and then keeping) the dog.  While we know how THAT love story panned out-the point is true.  We tend to love those that share our same passion and affinity for animals.

That’s not my quote today but I think it speaks volumes about whom we choose to bring into our lives: both people and animals.  Alec may have not been Kim’s forever love (and again we know how THAT turned out) but he endeared himself to her by his gentle and kind nature towards animals.

My daughter has a new best friend.  For this I am grateful for.  She grieved heavily (and still does) for our old dogs that we had put to rest this past winter.  It was brutal on all of us, but especially on her, the kind, gentle animal lover that she is.  I am so glad our new addition has been so well received, so well loved.  I am happy (more than you can imagine!) that they are bonding – as a parent one worries about these things (especially when said pet seemed to like others in our family a bit more in those early days! 🙂  )

This was taken on one of the nicest days this spring, yesterday.  I am thankful for warm weather, long walks with best friends + daughters and beautiful scenery.  I am thankful for like minded relationships and the companionship of animals.  I am thankful for life and the little pleasures of the day to day.

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.  -Samuel Butler

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  • Sylvia - May 9, 2011 - 10:38 pm

    Beautiful Mare.

  • Brandy Anderson - May 26, 2011 - 10:52 am

    Love love love!!!!

  • tangie - June 1, 2011 - 12:43 pm

    so very sweet!!

A huge thank you to the L Family, a Marmalade Favorite Family from a few years back.  They came out from Vernon Hills to one of my nature locations last weekend – the day seemed to match up our last session, overcast and the threat of dark clouds but we still made some magic happen!!

Since I last saw the L Family they’ve added another little member, the sweet & beautiful Little A.

Aren’t they adorable??  I was so happy to catch up with them and hang out with the whole family for a couple of hours.  What a fun, sweet and happy set of siblings!!

Posted in Chicago Professional Photographer and Suburban Chicago Professional Photography, Chicago Relationship Photographer and Suburban Chicago Relationship Photography
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  • Jill Smith - May 8, 2011 - 12:49 am

    Gorgeous children! The picture of the little one is so expressive!

  • PamN - May 10, 2011 - 9:48 am

    Now THIS is what a portrait should be – artful, natural images of your precious children that will never look dated or trendy. These children are so beautiful! They deserve to be photographed well, not by a chain studio next to a giant rubber ducky, lol!

  • Lisa Kelly - May 10, 2011 - 4:37 pm

    These images are so natural and happy. Love them.

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