Alabama Baby Shower ends with a Bang
My sister, Amanda and my dear friend, Dee Dee hosted a Baby Shower for me in Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. They went all out. Everything was so adorable. The colors they used are the same colors as the bedding that I had registered for the baby. They let everyone know that large sized items would be better shipped. They encouraged people to bring books. They had a ton of great food. They invited so many people that I know and love. I had so much fun!!!! I can’t begin to tell you what a good time I had.
We actually arrived in town on Thursday morning. We had Thursday and Friday to spend with family and show Glenn even more of my hometown. Saturday morning we cheered on my dad’s favorite football team (Go Bama). Saturday afternoon was the baby shower. (Christian, Phillip and Jamey…. thank you for keeping Glenn entertained. I love y’all.) Saturday night we cheered on MY team (War Eagle!!!!!) Sunday was my niece, Rayne’s second birthday. Two year old birthday parties are always a blast. More good food… I believe baby must have gained 2 pounds this weekend. Then came the trip back to Chicagoland….
Some of you may realize what awful storms there were last night from Alabama, through Tennesee, Kentucky, Indiana… all the way to Illinois. Record flooding… strong winds… terrible storms where people died. Some are still missing. Glenn and I were travelling through that mess to get back here. We had to stop a few times due to visibility. When we were moving it was 35 to 40 mph on the interstate… for hours. But, we made it back to Illinois safe and sound.
Now comes the part that Baby will hear forever. It will the the … “when I was 6 months pregnant with you” story. We were travelling on I80W/294N headed home. Right at the junction when they split we were in an accident. A silver suv took the 80 ramp and we stayed on 294… the suv changed it’s mind.. whipped in front of us.. spun out of control… careened head first into the wall going at least 70 miles an hour.. I would guess more.. bounced off the wall and into us.
We could see it coming. Glenn was driving and did everything he could to get us stopped and away from it. I’m so thankful for the Lord’s protection and the things He led Glenn to do to protect me and the baby or I wouldn’t be here now to tell you what happened.
The SUVs airbags deployed and it’s passenger back door is where it impacted us. We were hit on the right front corner. Bumper, right front quarter panel, the whole wheel well basically, the front axel…. all toast. We are still waiting to hear the extent of the damage.
When it was happening… all I can remember thinking was “No, No, No, No”.. over and over… I covered my arms around baby doing what I could to try to protect him/her. Glenn says that I screamed his name and then just screamed like I was being mauled. (Poor Glenn) He managed to get us off the freeway. The suv was still covering the right two lanes of traffic. The two guys got out of the suv… one decided to stroll along the freeway right into traffic as an 18 wheeler was barrelling down on all of us. Glenn got him out of the road. Both were drunk as skunks.
As they were standing behind the HHR all of us on the same side of the freeway now, Glenn was trying to control his temper… when the driver of the suv went back across the road to move his suv out of traffic. (I was still in the HHR on the phone with the State Police.) He moved his suv out of traffic… and kept on going. Leaving his passenger with us. Not smart dude… now you’ve added fleeing the scene of an accident to the list.
When the officer arrived and found out I was pregant he called in the troops… Fire and Rescue.. the local fire department.. Local ambulance…. there was an army of men in uniform to make sure that I was ok. I tried to thank them for coming… but let’s face it… I’m pregnant… emotional… had the shakes and only wanted Glenn. They made sure I was ok (gave me a blanket to keep warm… it was still raining and in the mid 60s). They ended up taking the other guy to the hospital… his nose was a mess from where the airbag smashed it. Glenn is ok… he was hurt more than I was. He has bruises and scraps where the seatbelt cut into him. He has pulled muscles and it going to feel like poo for the next few days. But, we are both alive, Praise God!!!
The officer helped us do everything we needed to do… move all the baby shower presents from the HHR into the toll booth office… until the cab could get there to take us home.
We managed to get home a little over 4 hours after the accident. The accident happened around 11.5 hours after we left Alabama. We left Alabama after a full day of family fun. We were able to take a 4 hour nap after we got home before we had to start dealing with everything. I think you can tell that I’m trying to say that exhausted doesn’t begin to cover how we are feeling right now. We are both going back to work tomorrow. I don’t know how much good either of us will be, but it needs to be done.
We’re ok… y’all please pardon us if we seem out of it and can’t express how much fun our trip was. We will snap back into shape in a few days and show some of our wonderful presents for Baby.
***Edit***
Glenn reminded me that I needed to tell you that they got the guy. He was found and arrested 2 miles down the freeway where his car (which I can’t believe was drivable in the first place) finally stopped.
Maternity Leave
Just a quick update: I am offically on maternity leave. Two jobs was just too exhausting while expecting. I will, of course, complete all scheduled appointments. Until next Spring I will not be scheduling any new appointments. Also, next Spring you will see some restructuring of the business. Keep checking back as I will still be posting current clients and personal images.
Thank You!
I just wanted to say THANK YOU for allowing me to invade your home and yard for a whole weekend.
Other Days…
I realize that I LOVE taking portraits of people. I remember the smell of the chemicals. I remember the cost of EVERY image that I captured in camera. I think about the “instant gratification” of digital. I look at all the scrapbook type effects that I can and do add to images. I remember all the trips to the lab to drop off film when I just simply didn’t have time to process the film myself. I know that I wouldn’t go back given the chance.
Some Days…
I really miss the darkroom. I miss all the tones in black & white images captured on film.
I miss the red glow. I miss the quiet. I even miss touching up dust spots on prints from spots I missed when exposing the images.
I miss the magic of watching an image appear on a piece of paper.
On those days, I take my copy of Edward Steichen’s “The Family of Man” exhibit off the bookshelf. I slowly flip through the pages. I consider selling all my digital equipment and setting up my black & white darkroom once again. I consider becoming a photo journalist instead of a portrait photographer…
Just another day…
I know that you just consider it another day. But, Dad, I hope that your birthday was everything you wanted it to be. Love you!
Road Trip anyone?
I am ready for a road trip. The winter season here really gets me down. I’m generally ok through December; but once January is here, I am so over it. It’s not the pretty picture postcard white winters that I always imagined when I lived down South. It’s COLD, gray sludge type snow, COLD, hazardous driving conditions, COLD, overcast dreary days… did I mention that it’s cold here in the winter. I’ve completed my fifth winter here and my body still hasn’t adjusted. I shake so hard, my teeth chatter so badly I’m always afraid I’m going to shatter my teeth.
Spring is lovely. It’s not the same as a Southern spring. It is lovely nonetheless. I’m looking forward to my road trip in a month. I can’t wait to see wisteria, magnolia and even kudzu. Someone remind me to capture the essence of Spring down South. Oh, wait, it’s the first weekend in June… make that Summer in the South.
Anyone else ready for a road trip?
The Alabama Trip in June
My thanks to everyone who booked a session in June. I am so excited!!! This is the first trip that has booked solid. I couldn’t be happier about it!!! If you missed out for this trip, please let me know you were interested. I will schedule you for the next trip down in September.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone!
Amy
A Lovely Spring Day
Glenn and I decided to take advantage of the lovely spring day, yesterday. We visited one of the local forest preserves for a hike.
Rainy Day and The Little Gourmet
Today is a dreary rainy day here in Chicagoland. My sweetheart worked this morning until he was completely soaked. He ran errands with me this afternoon. Well, to be honest, he ran the errands and had me stay in the car so I wouldn’t get wet and chilled making my cold worse.
Since we were out and about, he took me to lunch at one of the local spots that I have been wanting to visit. The Little Gourmet is one my favorite stops during the Taste of Roselle each year. The fruit kabobs they serve at the Taste are incredible! They are one of the items on their Catering Menu.
Glenn ordered the “Little Gourmet Special” sandwich, with turkey. He let me try a bite and it was delicious! I ate a three cheese (not Italian) grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of chicken noodle soup, the special of the day. YUM!
I admit I am not a root beer fan. Glenn, however, loves it! He declared that this was the best root beer he’s ever had. I had a really good Black Cherry soft drink.
15 Minutes & a Chicken Sandwich
At the day job today, I managed to take a 15 minute break for a quick lunch. Went downstairs and bought an unremarkable chicken sandwich. Here are the two interesting views from where I was sitting.
100 Things about Photography – My List
After reading Martin Gommel’s list and posting about it, I said I’d make my own “100 things about Photography I have learned” list and here it is in no particular order…
(I didn’t go back and check his list. I hope I don’t have a lot of repeats!)
1. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
2. Develop your own style of photography.
3. Keep a scrapbook of ideas.
4. Scout new locations weekly.
5. Wear layers (don’t forget your sunscreen).
6. If you have a blog, use your blog.
7. Do what you say you’ll do. (Great customer service)
8. You don’t have to own everything today.
9. Learn about marketing.
10. Attend as many seminars as you can.
11. Learn construction, painting, sewing, and comedy you’ll need those skills.
12. Network with other photographers.
13. Share your knowledge with people starting out in the business.
14. Photograph, Photograph, Photograph – in one word, practice
15. You are in every image you take.
16. People like to work with people they like. Let people get to know you.
17. Enjoy what you are doing, or better yet, be passionate.
18. Wear comfortable, arch supporting shoes.
19. Try different perspectives, lay on the ground, climb a tree (or ladder).
20. There is nothing wrong with simple.
21. Learn Adobe Photoshop.
22. Have good phone skills and if you don’t, learn them.
23. Develop a brand.
24. It is not the equipment, it is the photographer.
25. Always be aware of your surroundings.
26. Check your equipment and keep it in good shape.
27. Make sure you have backup equipment. (Including batteries)
28. Be prepared for inclement weather, for yourself, your client and your equipment.
29. Provide maps for your clients if you expect them to be there on time.
30. Think outside the box (I hate that expression but, you know what I mean. I prefer conceptual thinking.).
31. The client is always right, even when they are wrong. (See #57)
32. Always carry a camera with you, even if it is a point and shoot.
33. Read, Study, Learn… not only about photography
34. Patience
35. If you wouldn’t put it on your wall, don’t think your client will.
36. Bring water and a snack with you on location.
37. If your family didn’t ask to be models, don’t treat them like they did.
38. Join the PPA, WPPI or NAPP (or any other organization that will teach you more!)
39. Go exploring. You never know what gem you will find.
40. Remember that the eye is drawn to the place of the highest contrast.
41. Have a website. (or blog-site)
42. Learn composition.
43. Keep your product line and pricing simple, yet effective.
44. Get over being embarrassed by things you need to do in order to be effective.
45. Find something that inspires you.
46. Back up your work, then back it up again.
47. When you hear a good idea, implement it.
48. Don’t price your business according to competition. Price your business according to your costs.
49. Take the best possible image IN CAMERA. Don’t rely on fixing it later.
50. Be adaptable.
51. Don’t give up.
52. Learn appealing posing techniques.
53. Community exposure, get your name out there.
54. Have a family portrait created. If you aren’t buying portraits, why should anyone else?
55. Don’t put off buying a new computer when you know you need one.
56. Trust your instincts.
57. You run your business. If you allow your clients to run it, you will not break even, and will never make a profit.
58. Photograph for yourself, to stay inspired. (Self assignments)
59. Calibration
60. Consistency
61. Network with professionals in other fields, you can complement each other.
62. ALWAYS carry business cards.
63. Get organized and Stay organized.
64. Study your market.
65. Your brand: Live it, Breathe it, Be it.
66. Find a good accountant.
67. Remember to take time for yourself and your family. (Work to live, not live to work.)
68. Like a writer should write what they know. Photograph what you know. Revisit the past.
69. Try something new.
70. If your clients like what you do, and you like what you do, does it matter if you win a competition?
71. Give back, when you can.
72. Listen
73. Develop an online presence. (Be professional)
74. Ask questions.
75. If you use a template for a site, change it so it doesn’t look like everyone else.
76. The little things matter.
77. Learn to see the light.
78. The photographic world is ever changing. If you don’t want to study forever, choose a different career.
79. Do your research before every session.
80. Everyone has bad days.
81. Learn to see the world through new eyes.
82. Find a work flow that works for you.
83. Find someone to give you an honest critique.
84. Use negative space.
85. Study what people have done before you. You don’t have to learn everything the hard way.
86. If you don’t have a light meter, please, buy one. Then, learn how to use it.
87. Get closer.
88. Find the emotion in any subject.
89. Use a tripod.
90. Read your manual.
91. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
92. Dress the part. Don’t wear a business suit if you are dealing with high school seniors. Don’t wear jeans to a wedding.
93. Break the rules
94. Be memorable.
95. Have good time management skills, or learn them.
96. You don’t have to do everything yourself.
97. Everyone had to start somewhere, you WILL improve.
98. Competition is good.
99. The only thing that can cause you to fail is you.
100. Give God the glory.
Now make your own list!
Alabama Trip Part Two
Here are the images from the trip back. There is a gasoline shortage in the South, hence the pumps that are not working. Again, they were taken at random by pointing the camera and hitting the shutter release. Enjoy!
Alabama Trip Part One
I made the drive from Chicago to Alabama by myself this time. To alleviate boredom, I kept my camera handy. I would hold it up to my left shoulder and photograph out the driver side window. I would hold it up to the windshield, or straight out to my side and photograph out the passenger window. I was driving so I could not frame or even aim appropriately. There were tons of the inside of the car, blurry trees and solid blue sky images. These are some that I like from the trip down. See part two for the trip back.
Flooding in the ‘Burbs
Here are a few snapshots captured from the car.
September’s Alabama Trip
The trip to Alabama has completely booked. Thanks everyone who inquired about a session!
The next trip is going to be over the Christmas Holiday. It’s going to be a short one and most of it filled with family. If you are interested, however, let me know by no later than November so that I can make adjustments to the schedule.
The trip after that is going to be up to you… let me know when you are interested in a session and I will plan my next trip around you!
Taste of Roselle
Glenn and I go to the “Taste of Roselle” every year. We have only missed one since we moved to Chicagoland, which was the first year as we didn’t know it existed at the time. It’s a baby version of the “Taste of Chicago” which takes place downtown in Grant Park every July.
The point, of course, is the food. Glenn had a kabob and flat bread from the Greek stand. I had a pulled pork sandwich from Pina’s. We would recommend both.
