Hittin' the Road!

Let me preface this with how I got the above photo....Drivin' down the gorgeous Arizona road on our way home from a photoshoot earlier this year. I thought it'd be a si

ck so I'm trying to take pics with my cell through the car dash when my friend turns to me and goes: "You know you have real cameras right? "

Ah... Yes... Yes I do. So we pull over and with my real gear snap a quick pic. LOVE traveling to new places for photos. And apparently there's many of you that wish that I would. So here's your chance....

Mini Sessions are comin' to AZ baby! 

I've heard rumors that people both on the west coast as well as the east want pics so let me state it now that if you get enough people together we'll make a couple days of it and I'll travel on out to you! To get a lot of people isn't hard by the way. It's already a killer deal plus if you get a friend to sign up your photo disc is free. So the word can spread pretty quick. Round up the troops, and I'll come to your state soon. (: 

Alright, all my friends & clients in the Tucson area I'm comin' to you Dec. 5th! Check out our facebook event page to see the details: And all you local Chicagoans... Holiday Mini Session Dec. 2nd. So check out the events page starting this Weekend. 

Here's to AZ! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/505058562846903/

My Cabbage Patch Doll...

Back in the day my friend had a Cabbage Patch kid doll. I didn't have too many "name-brand" toys growing up:  mine woulda said like "Baggage Batch doll" but the real deal ones were the cutest and I coveted them. I never did get one; that is till today... The pic on the right....That's the kid I had always wanted. Unreal blue eyes, perfect baby skin, even the knit hat. I'll have to change my expectations cuz my Greekness & my husband who's 50% Spanish & 50% Italian can't produce the blue eyed gem that I always have adored. The minute you see Zac's mom & dad, a previous bride & groom I had you'd say: "Yep, that makes sense..." They're gorgeous. 

They're incredibly patient and to be honest impressively laid back parents especially for it being their first. It was a tad bit chilly that day. Okay, most adults were complaining, it was full out cold and here we are runnin' around the property trying to stay one step ahead of the potential tears from the little man who is only 4 months old by the way. Most first-timers would be at home with their humidifier on sanitizing that hands that walk through the door. Zac... You've got cool parents, always remember that. No... For real, you do. 

Jason & Kristi, so stoked for you guys. Not surprised at all that you two would have a gorgeous kid. 

Congrats and maybe I'll see more cuties runnin' around in the future. (: 

Good As Gold...

When you first pull up in the lot it's a bit unassuming but it ain't foolin me. I know this place is photo gold. Historic mansion, rose gardens, a farm, pots of gold everywhere. Ok ok... Before I go all leprechaun on you (no there's nothing Irish about it) I'll just say its a contender for one of my top 3 spots to shoot in the country.

Back in the day, I shot today's couple Steven and Amy here for their wedding. So it's ultra sweet to be back here now with their two kids.

They have hearts of gold! Ok I swear I didn't mean to have that theme throughout this but it's true, these guys are just the sweetest! Steven even changed my flat tire in the frigid and i mean brutally cold weather one day when my husband was out of town and I was in a rush to get to my next shoot. Seriously, they're the best, and their kids are pretty adorable as well.

Reid, their oldest literally ran to me when I first saw him melted my heart!

So glad I got to reunite with this family! 

Instinct...

Our relationship started across a tiny table in a Starbucks near the location of a photoshoot I had just moments before. The future bride, Raquel & I casually asked questions to start to get to know each other. There was a slight pause when she leaned in on the small table, and almost said in a whisper: "Are you a Christian?"Before I could even finish "Ye..." she calls out "I knew it! I knew it! And after hearing she grew up in South America I figured she must be a MK (Missionary kid) which she was! 

Guess both of our instincts were right. (: 

Some of the best photos of a day are the ones where we follow our gut. You'd presume that thinking things through would make you prepared... Make one more confident...But the best days are ones where we pick a spot and just go on instincts from there. 

Today, we started where they first met. For them both not really thinking they were on a date to have it end with a kiss under a Chicago lamp post, to four months later being engaged, and will be married before the new year I'd say that was one gut-feeling they were glad they acted on. 

Excited to shoot their big day in December!

Sibling Adventures...

A photoshoot/blog from Nicee!

Some of my fondest memories growing up are of times I spent playing with my big brother. Whether we were playing cops & robbers, hide & seek, or having tea parties (Yes! I made my brother have tea parties occasionally) there was never a dull moment in our adventures.  From my brief time with Sammy & Charlie, I could tell that they too shared many many awesome adventures together.  Their joy and enthusiasm was contagious and for a moment, I felt like a kid again as I ran with them snapping candid’s along the way.  What was even more amazing was watching them be so gentle and nourishing to their new baby sister.  The warmth and love I felt with this family truly warmed my heart.  I know that Rose will have many fond memories with her big brothers someday!

-Nicee

Mini Shoot With Nicee...

The one word I’d use to describe the adorable siblings from this shoot is personality!  Whether it was sitting on pumpkins, walking down the street, or playing together in the grass, it didn’t matter, there were havin’ fun and lookin’ cute every step of the way.  They were super adorable, each of them displaying stunning features from their gorgeous mother, Tesia!  So glad I had the opportunity to hang out with this beautiful family for a bit.  Thanks for spending the day with me!

-Nicee

Yep... He's Adorable.

There's two things to gush over when I see these pics. For one... Those long lashes! Kardashians pay for lashes like those! Second, common now... The raccoon costume? HOW STINKIN' CUTE!!

 I'm sucha sucker for kids dressed as animals.

Jen & Ian were a bride & groom of mine a few years back and I've loved getting together every now and then to capture their little man Zach. Have I said how cute he is yet? 

Nicee & I tag-teamed this shoot which I was pretty stoked about because I just adore this family and knew she'd love em too! From sharing new music, them supporting our work in India, to random Facebook comments, I can say I'm grateful to have gained two friends (and a baby crush) with them.