Who's the BOSS??

Bossy Dog.  that's who!  This is a Chicago-area cover band and they ROCKED the Greek Odyssey Tavern in Lombard, IL when I went to capture their show.  Even with the small performance area, people were packed in and DANCING!  Great show guys!

The Lonely Co-Op...

Through my day job, I've made a wonderful connection with the ONLY cooperative grocery store in the ENTIRE City of Chicago (yes, this is true & sad...)  Dill Pickle is a great little co-op currently on Fullerton/Sacramento in the Logan Square Neighborhood.  You should seriously check them out.
Anyways...we did a little Ugly X-Mas Sweater FAMILY SESSION for the Holidays.  It was a 10 min. shoot, but sooooo fun!  The 10 employees are just hilarious!  See for yourself:

Birthday Time! Suburban Indianapolis Style...

I went down to Indianapolis to photograph a Wedding.  I did that.  Then I ended up at some suburban bar, watching a cover band.  This is a true story.
There was a group of women who were celebrating the birthday of one of the women in the group, so they were drinking and having a merry time, which always makes for the most excellent of antics!  The proceeded to get up on stage and sing some Katy Perry (if I'm remembering correctly...).  There was also a friend of the owner who got up and played drums and then sang a song or two... Needless to say, it made for some GREAT pictures (as drunkards usually do!)....

The Paige DeChausse Band DOES Joliet...

and the did.  and it was AWESOME!  a bit of a different line up for this show, but still just as great as they always are.  The regular drummer and keyboard player were away with a different band, but you would never know it.  The Chicago Street Pub was rockin' HARD and the crowd stayed until the last note had been played...another GREAT SHOW!

H Family Session

Morris, IL.  wow.  I had never been to Morris, despite knowing people from that general area.  It's only about 1.25 hours outside of Chicago, so it's not too bad of a ride, and it's beautiful!  Open fields and clear sky.  yep.
I went out to Morris to do a family session recently.  It was initially raining and the session had been planned for indoors anyway, but as I drove I noticed the rain was tapering off.  As I arrived at the house, the rain had completely stopped and it was SUNNY!   We did do a few pictures inside, so bringing the lighting wasn't completely in vain...but eventually we all went outside.  :-)
The boys are 10 & 11 years old.  WOW!  natural models.  seriously.

"Bad Is Beautiful" - a reunion show

If you're from the Midwest (Chicago-land in particular) OR if you're from Holland (they toured there a few times...), you've probably heard of them.  If you were around on the rock/alt scene in the late 80's or early 90's, you've probably heard of them.  If you ever watched "Ralph's World", you've seen at least one member and probably heard all of them.
Yes...that's right.  It's THE BAD EXAMPLES!   They recently played a hometown show in celebration of the 20th yr. release of their "Bad is Beautiful" album.  Fitzgerald's was PACKED (for all 3 sets!) and the whole album was played, along with many tunes that everyone was singing to.  Old managers and sound techs showed up, a crock pot cooked homemade food in the green room (really the office of Fitzgerald's, tucked away behind the stage), and it was a good time for all.  Amazing show, Amazing guests, Amazing band....JUST AMAZING!

Statehouse Lovin'

OK.  so....with all due respect to ALL of the AMAZING venues I've been privileged enough to shoot Weddings at this year....ummmm....this location is my FAVORITE! (to date...)
The Indiana State House.  The hidden gem of Ceremony Venues down in Indianapolis, IN.  seriously people.  People from all over the country should start traveling to Indy just for this venue.  3 floors of marble and wood.  Stained glass domes.  Impeccable landscaping (hey, it's the tax dollars hard at work!).  I mean seriously... a non-religious CATHEDRAL!   and for $750 you get - 4 hrs. of time. set-up/break-down of chairs, stage, podium.  Wireless mic system. and you're the ONLY ones in the building.  You can't get a better deal than that kids!

Anyway, I had the PLEASURE of capturing a Wedding here and it was stunning! (obviously.  see above rant/rave.)  E & O.  What a couple!  LOVE THEM!  I just do.  Check out some of their pics: