Soundtrack backstory: a few years ago when this song first came out it was about this time of the year when I became seriously obsessed (as well as my children who would sing "do you do you do you wanna…" from the backseat).  I think that it’s only appropriate that this song is the song for today:

 ;

• • • • • • • • •

SAVE OUR STATE PARK (and all the others).  Please link here and follow the directions, send some mail to our good Governor and the State of Illinois to make your voice heard.  It is reprehensible (and the more I think about the more I am outraged) that any of our State Parks are being taken away from the good people of our state. 

There was a walk from Channahon State Park to Stratten State Park in Morris on Sunday.  We did a small part of the walk (I couldn’t imagine the girls making the 17 mile walk that day) and went to the rally.  Excuse the snapshotty nature of these, really quick photo grabs:

Save Our Parks Rally Sign

Back Signage

Petition Sign

 

Honest Abe

 

All readers that reside in Illinois: please please I beg you to give the Governors’ Office a call or drop them a letter.  PLEASE sign the petition at petition.org.  On behalf of over 30,000 people in the state that have already signed I thank you in advance.

 

• • • • • • • • •

More Sunday fun!  We spent some time at Dollinger’s Family Farm in Minooka.  I promise you if you go here for pumpkins and fun you will not regret the drive out to Minooka.  Dollinger’s is an amazing amazing place.  Best of all admission is free!!    There is also hayrides, corn maze (we did both, good times), face painting, haunted barn (which is housed in the historic I&M canal mule barn) and lots more.  Check it out if you can.  The kids love this place–honestly it’s a hard place to not love…

A few images:

bunny

 

vampires

garland

 

Owl

 

corn maze corn

 

corn sky

 

• • • • • • • • •

I’m so behind with the tagging blog.  So here goes!   To the wonderful Corey, thanks for the tag!  🙂  You must know I have that guilt trip thing that makes me HAVE to do these sort of things!  😉

The rules are:

The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 7 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag.

 

Seven random facts about me:

  1. My oldest sibling is 22 years my senior.  That makes him, ooooh, close to retirement age in a few years! 
  2. My youngest sibling is 17 years my senior, that’s my youngest.  I think it’s safe to say I’m an oops!  Hopefully a good oops!  🙂
  3. I grew up speaking Polish before English.  In fact, English being my second language as I started speaking English only after starting kindergarten.
  4. One of my oldest and dearest friends was in kindergarten with me and remembers me as "that Spanish girl" because of course, everyone who spoke a different language speaks Spanish!  😉
  5. My passion for Canon and photography began about the same time when my youngest brother (who was 20 something at the time) bought his first Canon film SLR, an AE-1 body.  I still remember him allowing me to hold it and look through the viewfinder.
  6. I love a good Bloody Mary and am fortunate to have my studio near one of the best places in the world (IMO) for one, Hayden’s Place.
  7. I had a very bad Bloody Mary episode in my early 20’s where I spilled one on a girl from high school in a very unfortunate mishap in which her beautiful black dress was ruined (I sort of lost my balance, go figure).  I still feel bad.  So if you catch me on a rare occasion where I have a drink in hand you may want to keep your distance.  😛  And Kendra, if you’re reading this…call me on my business line, I will totally make it up to you!!

So I am now tagging my buds and friends:  Sylvia, Paula, Cindy, Kimberly Ann, Angela, Connie, and June.

Ok, finally.  Done!  THanks for stopping by and please please please do NOT forget to stop by and sign the online petition and / or send some snail mail love to our governor about State Park and Historic Site closures.  TIme is running out to save the heritage, history and amazing recreational areas of our states!

 

 

 

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  • Terrilyn - October 6, 2008 - 6:24 pm

    Great post Mare!! I love that you are taking a stand to save your parks AND that you are teaching your children how to have their voices be heard. Loved learning a little more about YOU too!!

  • Paula - October 6, 2008 - 8:34 pm

    a ha! I have been tagged! Well I will write that up tomorrow morning!

    Great post – my fave shot is Lauren signing her name……. what an amazing capture! 🙂

  • Paula - October 7, 2008 - 8:43 am

    Ok, I have posted my 7 random facts….

  • corey civetta - October 7, 2008 - 10:02 am

    How cool you all are taking part in saving the park! I hope it remains open for you all!

    Love your 7 random facts, too! lol

  • Pammy - October 11, 2008 - 1:46 pm

    Okay so I posted to the wrong post. See my comments on the other regarding your tagged post.

    Love the fall images in the other posts.

Admittedly it has been a fantastic month for me (to get even better and better)…  I am so lucky really, lots of previous clients, lots of favorites to shoot.   Tuesday’s session…Miss AnnaB.  Oh Miss AnnaB was/is such a treat to shoot/talk about/hang out with/play dress up with…such a true joy.  I cannot believe she is TWO years old, such a wonderfully happy two! 

However and I know I said it in my previous post but seriously WHERE is time flying?  I remember her when…(if you’ve been to the studio you totally know this image 🙂 )

baby anna b

and…

 

anna b 2

and…

anna b 3

(i love messy kids!  i had to show it!)

 

So yesterday when Beth brought her out to the studio I was excited to see how much more adorable she has gotten in the past year since I saw her last.  I didn’t think it was possible but I really do think she got even cuter!!

 

annab 2008

 

annab 2008 2

 

Isn’t she absolutely beautiful?

Thanks to Beth for coming out from Highland Park to hang out with little ole me for a bit to get some beautiful imagery of your gorgeous girl…I know it’s a really busy week for you and appreciate your taking the time to come out and hang and get pictures…  Send your mom my love.  I hope she has a great visit with her gorgeous gal!  🙂 

On that note, until we meet again….

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  • PamN - October 1, 2008 - 9:19 am

    Oh wow, I’m lucky if I can get a blur of a busy two-year-old in focus, let alone beautiful shots like these! Mom must be thrilled!

  • Jana Kunz - October 1, 2008 - 10:00 am

    That last image is just stunning, wow!

  • diana simpson - October 1, 2008 - 10:47 am

    wonderful!! all of them

  • Lisa Kelly - October 1, 2008 - 3:12 pm

    That last image is just stunning, I adore it and can only imagine how mum will feel when she sees it. Lots of amazing images you’ve captured for this family over the years, I’m sure the family will be thrilled.

  • Rachelle - October 2, 2008 - 7:36 am

    the wisps of hair and her expression are breathtaking!

  • Stefanie W. - October 2, 2008 - 11:05 am

    everything about that last shot is perfect–her expression, her hair blowing, the texture, and the delicious tones of your b/w.

  • corey civetta - October 3, 2008 - 8:24 am

    What a doll! I absolutely love that last one! Beautiful work, as always. :]

  • corey civetta - October 3, 2008 - 9:40 am

    ps – you’ve been tagged 😉

  • Terrilyn - October 3, 2008 - 7:05 pm

    Oh Mare how completely adorable!! Yes she IS sweet and just as beautiful as can be! I guess I’m not the only one who wanted to hear some juicy Mare gossip, I was coming over here to tag you too! ha ha ha Now you HAVE to answer the questions right? 😉

I was thrilled several months ago when I got the call for this session!!  Backstory: a couple of years ago I had the fortune of meeting B and his parents, Gretchen & Brian  in Lincoln Park for an on location session.  At the time B was not even a year old, happy and sweet and adorable!  Fast forward (seriously it feels that way for me) and I cannot believe how two years passes so quickly and babies become little boys in (what seems like) the blink of an eye.

on the path

kisses

over the shoulder smile

 

Thanks to B’s p’s 🙂 , Gretchen & Brian for making their way out to mosquito country the studio for a Marmalade Location : Waterfall Session.  I loved seeing how big our guy has gotten…I love his big personality, his obsession with ants and his sweet smile.  Thank you for allowing me to capture B at age 2+ and your relationship with him.

(and now a blast from the past)

lp 2006

lp2 2006

Thanks for stopping in!

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  • Jana kunz - September 30, 2008 - 4:56 am

    These are great, but I LOVE the one with mom on the bench – perfect! 🙂

  • Melissa M - September 30, 2008 - 6:21 am

    The bokeh is totally sick on those first ones!! So cool!! Can you tell me what lens you used? Fan-tab-ulous, Mare!!

  • elizabeth - September 30, 2008 - 7:11 am

    Love these Mar.. great stuff..

  • gretchen - September 30, 2008 - 8:34 am

    Amazing, again! Thank you! When I showed them to B, he wanted to see pictures of Marianne, too! I’m glad you have a photo of yourself up above. He had a great time and is still talking about you. Thanks again, and can’t wait to see the rest!

  • Ritz Rivera - September 30, 2008 - 9:39 am

    W O N D E R F U L, that first one is soooooo canvas worthy, just gorgeous!!!

  • SherriW - September 30, 2008 - 2:57 pm

    Those last three images of this family are divine!

  • Lisa Kelly - September 30, 2008 - 4:09 pm

    These are gorgeous. I am so in love with the one of mum and dad kissing his cheeks, it’s so perfect. He certainly has grown and I love all of these images capturing how much.

  • Jennifer - September 30, 2008 - 4:22 pm

    I love that first shot, wow, stunning photograph!

  • PamN - September 30, 2008 - 5:08 pm

    Isn’t it great that you have clients that truly are aware of how time passes so quickly and children grow so fast? Wonderful treasures for them!

  • TaraMc - September 30, 2008 - 6:21 pm

    Love this session, beautiful work.

  • Marianne - September 30, 2008 - 8:33 pm

    Gretchen, I LOVE that he wondered where I was! He is beyond words adorable!

    Melissa, the ole 85/1.2L 😀 Is there any other?

  • chantelle - October 1, 2008 - 3:55 am

    beautiful as always! the first one needs to be printed huge!!

  • Melissa M - October 1, 2008 - 6:28 am

    Dang-it….I knew it!! Thanks! I’m so getting that lens. I use the 85 1.8 almost exclusively…me thinks an upgrade is due!

  • Justin Pearson - July 16, 2010 - 8:48 am

    I lived for a number of years off Lincoln Park and you made me miss it all over again!

Happy, Happy Birthday….I can’t help but sing this version of the old favorite at every birthday party I go to (well at least in my head…)

 

 

I had the pleasure of finally meeting JP’s family this past weekend while photographing his first birthday party at Brookfield Zoo.  Last year I was unable to photograph his beautiful (cake sneaky) sister’s birthday party and was overjoyed to be contacted to shoot this celebration for them this year.  A big Happy Birthday to the handsome b-day boy…I hope you are feeling better little guy…and a big thank you to his gracious and lovely family for allowing me to capture these fun, sweet moments for them in celebration of JP’s first year of life….

 

Even though he wasn’t feeling 100% there is no denying that this guy is one gorgeous boy!

 

bday boy 1

 

There was fun & games…

 

bouncy house 1

crazy sunglass guys

bouncy house 2

 

Face painting…

Face Paint

 

Snake Boy

There was great food…

bday boy 2

hotdog!

Of course there was cake…

and icing thievery!  😀

icing thievery

icing thievery2

And fun was had by all…

Beautiful Sister

table 2

Mom & Baby

Happy Birthday JP!!

JL & Mom

 

Thanks for stopping in…tomorrow there’s another sneak peek from the weekend to be had!

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  • Jana kunz - September 29, 2008 - 5:32 pm

    What a fun looking party. Your photos look great!!

  • Stefanie W. - September 29, 2008 - 6:43 pm

    how lucky to have these wonderful photographs to document JP’s birthday. looks like a fun time!

  • Lisa Slotsve - September 29, 2008 - 9:27 pm

    Oh what a lucky family, to have Mare capture this special day. Beautiful work, as usual!

  • elizabeth - September 30, 2008 - 7:12 am

    ALTERED IMAGES.. I loved them.. thanks for the reminder.. Beautiful Photos too.

  • TaraMc - September 30, 2008 - 6:28 pm

    Oh my goodness, that song takes me waaaaaay back. LOL

    Great job on the party images. Looks like a fun shindig.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing the W family.  Extremely sweet, extremely fun…we spent the morning hanging out at the gardens and the zoo.  Thanks to them for being so patient this past few days before I could get the sneak peeks up.  🙂 

L O V E

 

funny guy

 

sweetie

 

and finally, I am so behind…but anyway.  Baby Loves Disco from the 16th, not bad for the nonexistent light at the Metro.  LOL

bld1

my L with the awesome girls from Sweet & Sassy:

bld2

 

bld3

and i don’t think this next one is reflecting the fun she was having not a few moments before!

 

 

A huge thank you to Tiffanie Sperling, our host and owner of Big Belly Fitness and the BLD team once again. 

Thanks for stopping in…

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  • Bonnie - September 23, 2008 - 8:43 pm

    Wow, these pictures are fabulous! Thanks for sharing the sneak peaks. We had so much fun during the shoot. Can’t wait to see the rest.

  • chantelle - September 23, 2008 - 9:01 pm

    awww love the first sibling image, so gorgeous!

  • Jana kunz - September 23, 2008 - 9:19 pm

    That first image is sooo adorable!!

  • PamN - September 24, 2008 - 6:03 am

    The first one just melts my heart!

  • diana - September 24, 2008 - 1:26 pm

    love that first one…

  • Terrilyn - September 24, 2008 - 8:53 pm

    Oh Mare that family session is just melting my heart!! Seriously. Those kids are adorable but that first shot, oh now I would have to have that as a huge canvas over my mantel. What a perfect sibling moment captured forever. When are you coming to Florida?? I ::::need:::: you!!

  • Jen - September 24, 2008 - 10:03 pm

    Oh how darling are those! LOVE the kissy shot and the one right below it.Beautiful kids, beautiful photographs!

  • Anna-Karin - September 26, 2008 - 8:41 pm

    The first one is so sweet. Love how she has her eyes closed when big brother is giving her a little kiss. So sweet and innocent.

  • Holli - September 29, 2008 - 12:16 am

    Oh my goodness – love the sibling shot. It’s so sweet. Your color is so lovely.

  • Julie - September 29, 2008 - 8:01 am

    Oh wow…that first one is such a sweet image! I just love it!

  • corey civetta - September 29, 2008 - 10:17 am

    Aaaawww! Love that first kissy one – too cute!

  • Kristina Provinsal - September 30, 2008 - 1:23 pm

    omgosh what sweetness, that first shot is adorable!
    Love your images!