Thunder & Lightning & Shopping, Oh MY!

I just found this adorable site for blankets...goodness this stuff is adorable: allyzabba.com I especially love the AllyZabba Aloha print. The raised plush fabric on the flip side looks so very soft...I wonder if I could get my 5'2" body under one of these bad boys! The site is adorable and there are gift sets if you want to gift someone something unique and special.

I've become addicted to Piperlime. It really is no secret that I'm sort of a shoe (and purse and lipstick) addict and LOVE the Gap....so what could be better than a shoestore run by Gap?

I so wish that I had little ones that could fit into these little maryjanes. Aren't they adorable? I love the metallic star detail. So stinking cute!!

Who knew that Converse All Stars were making a comeback? I sure as heck didn't until my husband was on a search for a pair. It felt like 1988 prom season again as we were scurrying through the mall stores looking for these metal grommeted vintage sneaks. Back then it was so cool for the rebellious guys to eschew the tuxedo shoes with the tux and wear Chucks instead!! But looky here (again at Piperlime), Chucks are back. Yay for cool retro footwear. Yay for the passing of way ugly (er uglier) spacey looking footwear!

Urban Chic - Marmalade Style

When I photographed J last year the session was mostly about her brother, to commemorate his first birthday. Of course I got a few images of this beautiful girl during the session...but not nearly enough.

Well, her mom, A, one of my funnest clients that gets "it" (a shout out to her because she loves color and texture and fun stuff) called several months ago to book a session "mostly about J." That session was tonight and I had really been looking forward to this session for the last few weeks. I had a ton of ideas and thoughts in mind. To top off my excitement, I was thrilled to pieces when A decided she wanted to try out the Urban Studio session. I'm not kidding you...as much ground as I've covered with these urban sessions...no two have even been REMOTELY the same. I am so in love with my new studio digs...if my previous Urban Studio sessions didn't show me that THIS one did.

Seriously, this session is like potato chips...I cannot stop proofing at just one. Enjoy the sneak peek and thanks for stopping in.


p.s. Altho D did not get pulled over we did get questioned by Wilmington's finest right about the time this image was taken. No arrests occured thankfully. LOL

Sure We Got A Little Wet...

Twice, in fact, although the second time...let's just say I was glad to be in the vicinity of the car!

Besides the rain, take two gorgeous parents, pair them with two just •stunning• little beauties and mix in some adorable, colorful dresses and mix (you didn't need to have to add the water because it was going to be a great session nonetheless). I want to thank S & R for bringing out I & S and themselves for a fun session with Marmalade Photography.

Oh...I forgot to wish S a Happy Father's Day tomorrow. We somehow missed saying goodbye because, well, buckets of water were falling on our heads!! LOL. So Happy Father's Day...I hope the girls, all three of them, let you have some R&R and fun.

Now on with the sneak peeks. Enjoy!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Wow. I almost forgot it is this weekend! Yikes. Good thing that my husband is easy and loves DVDs and pop culture sort of schtuff. Easy peasy to shop for!!

However I have compiled over the course of several weeks little ideas that I thought would make great Dad's Day Gifts. Here is my short list:

• Cuff links. These cufflinks are "off the cuff!" I like them because they are just a bit quirky (like me) and on sale at Macy's. I love the hourglasses...great for reminding him that "like the sands through the hourglass, these are the Days of Our Lives". LOL

• If your husband is anything like mine, he appreciates the finer end of things. One of my husband's favorite gifts from me ever is the Coach wallet I bought him for his first Father's Day. It's a classic, it's long lasting and it makes a statement that only the best will do for the best dad ever! (and while you're at it, check out this new favorite of *mine*, I love it but it isn't practical at this point in my life! But I love scarf prints, they make me happy!)


• Holy smokes. The first time I smelled this scent I said something obscene, in mixed company no less! This scent is TDF (to die for). A must have for your man (more for you than for him), you'll thank me later.

• Is the man in your life a gourmand? A gourmet? Check out Williams-Sonoma list of Father's Day gift suggestions. There is everything from prime beef (I kid you not) to grill top pizza stones (sounds interesting). Love love love Williams Sonoma.

• Again about my DH....he's a man who loves watches. Interestingly enough his favorite brand is Fossil (they have the most fabulous repair program and he's used it a couple of times). Inexpensive, they look good and take a beating. His faves are the silver chunky chronograph types.

•Last but not least...there's always the gift of a Marmalade Photography Mini Session to throw a long lasting, loving gift of memories your man's way. You can find the details here and there are still a few afternoon session available. Keep in mind, what you give on Sunday can last his whole life, I can think of nothing better than the gift of memories!

A Few Marmalade Must Buys/Must Do's for the Summer 2007

Yeah, I'm feeling chatty. I have a ton of image proofing and editing to do and as I'm sitting at the desk editing I started thinking about things and links to add to the blog that I thought would be fun. So, here you go... :)

Tonight my friend Beth (whose cuties I photographed last July) invited me to a Lia Sophia party. I am not a home party kind of gal but I saw some of Beth's jewelery pieces last week and was excited to get a good look at the home party tonite. I may just break my "no buy" rule at home parties for this one! I have recently reignited a passion for fun jewelery that doesn't really break the bank and am excited about what I'll buy!

A fellow photography buddy of mine suggested this Olympus waterproof, shock proof digital camera. Given the theme of the post beneath this, I guess this is an appropriate place to put the link. My first point and shoot digital camera was an Olympus 5050z and the optical quality that Olympus puts into their point & shoot line is bar none.

We're off to Yellowstone National Park later this summer and we'll be "roughing it" with no phones, tvs or computers. However for truly roughing it I've been contemplating getting a tent and starting a camping family tradition. I like the tips listed here at REI's website. I should probably make mention that I've never really gone camping in the traditional sense so perhaps renting a tent or borrowing one first should be my first course of action!

Anyone who knows me knows my love for the Red Bullseye ;); well here is just another reason to love Target...The Art Institute of Chicago's Target Free Evenings. General admission is free from 5-9 p.m. every Thursday during the summer season. How great is that? I love stores that give back!

Sleeping Bear Dunes is 35 miles of preserved lake front on the shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan. I have been dying to go here for several years since my friend Jen showed me the link one night during a long hospital night shift in my former life as a nurse. Here is a link with some information on this cool area. Perhaps a long weekend away for the Drenthe Family is in order. Heck, maybe THIS is the place we could camp out at!! Two birds, one stone...

Part 2 of Two Fer Wednesday

I cannot say enough nice things about this family. I really can't. Five kids...and it is less chaotic or perhaps equally chaotic to my two kid home! How does THAT math work out?

A & T welcomed me into their home last night to do part 1 of a two part session plan I have sort of specially created for them. I enjoy working with them and their five EXTREMELY photogenic kids (they are currently highlighted on the entrance slideshow when you open up the marmaladephotography.com flash web site). We played around with flowers, with clothes, with a piano and did some swimming and posing and having fun. I have a blast with them EVERY time and I feel grateful to see that the work that we collaborated on for last fall's portraits are proudly displayed in their home. THAT, to me, is worth the price of admission.

So flowery sentiments aside, here is the sneak peeks from the Summer 07 portion of their Marmalade fun!! The first image, to me, says it ALL! LOL. It cracks me up every time I look at it. Enjoy.

Part 1 of Two Fer Wednesday

I had the pleasure of photographing a "brand new" client and a set of clients that I have had the time of my life photographing in the past. However two sessions later I did feel like I was in my car all day (I was) thanks to the wonderful road planning by the Illinois Dept of Transportation. A word to the wise, avoid northbound I-294 from the hours of, well, almost always... The construction zone around O'Hare is, in a word, rough.

My clients however were a PLEASURE to get to know and photography. MK is a brand new baby girl, just a few weeks old. She's been having fun with "daddy watch" nights, keeping her daddy, R, up all night the night before our shoot. (On one hand HE probably was thankful for the additional naptime my O'Hare construction zone lateness resulted in!!) ((sigh)) I remember, almost all too well, those sleepless newborn nights.

MK is a doll, a sweet baby with a quiet disposition. She seemed extremely content. I also met MK's grandmother, whom I swear is the best looking and youngest grandmother EVER....and most of all, W, MK's mom...who has an enviable sense of family history. She was positively inspirtational in her decor of her home with family heirlooms. I love clients who have a tie to the past and she is truly the finest example of that.

Here are a few sneak peeks of Marmalade Photography's session with MK. Enjoy!

LOVE this Birthday Party Idea

Oh to be in Southern California, enjoying the (what I assume anyway) year round beautiful weather. My girls, who have winter birthdays (December and March) would be able to have a birthday party as featured on Southern California Photographer, Jessica Claire's blog. As I was doing my weekly blog stalk I came across this beautiful party scene and was blown away by the work and detail put into this shin dig. It puts all of my really good previous martha stewart birthday party attempts to shame. It is *stunning*. If I could only host a shin dig like this for my little darlings...I'd be in heaven!!


(on a side note, can you imagine the clean up?) :)

Just had to share. Thanks for stopping in.

Big Brother, L'il Sister


I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I ever
saw such a doting sweet sibling relationship!! I mean, I have seen plenty of fun, wonderful and poignant sibling interaction but the way N acted with S during tonight's session was nothing short of touching! It moved me so much that I am having a devil of a time stopping from proofing to many at once!!

Thanks to their mom, S, who brought them out for a Marmalade Location session in the forest this evening. I had a wonderful time getting to know you and the children, hanging out at one of my most favorite places in the entire world and just enjoying a wonderful June afternoon in Illinois. A bit of insider information, S and her family are recent transplants (for lack of a better word) from Florida and sound like they are enjoying their newfound home and just enjoying the seasons here in the Midwest.

So S and family, enjoy your image previews. I promise promise promise that there is so much more!!! Let me know what you think!

BTW, I receive the BEST client emails from the BEST clients. I want to thank all of my clients and those who read my blog regularly for all the wonderful, kind and heartfelt words towards my work. It makes me feel giddy that my passion touches other people's hearts so deeply.

Oh and S, the MILKMAN is actually Oberweis Dairy. We love their milk delivery service and to boot one of my clients works for them. Of course I'm going to give their milk delivery service a shout out. Click on the Oberweis link to go directly to their site for home delivery or go here to see the general info about their site.

Gotta love the Marmalade Blog for the diverse amount of information to be found! :)

Just some musings...

Today, Monday, will be the start of a long stretch of a week (or two or three!) for me. I want to put it out that the Studio and Office will be closed July 3 and 4 for the Independence Day Holiday as well as starting July 6 until July 25. We, as a family, are going on a much anticipated road trip. This self described "Nature Girl" is eager to see the beauty and splendor in for our family trip to Yellowstone, it's been a good nine months in the making. I realize, with the full mid to early July session booked schedule that I may forget to make this little announcement. Old Faithful, we'll be heading on over soon enough.

There are still a scattering of June 22 mini session afternoon slots available. Please view the link in the sidebar to be directed to the details. For those who have booked, I am still in process of creating a mini pamphlet (for the mini sessions! How appropos!) and get it sent out later this week. I was hoping to do one big send out and get it completed in that manner.

Saturday was the big recital for my daughters dance school at the famed Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.




And these last couple because I am so in love with them and they *are* sort of dance related...I promised someone I'd post these and frankly, in the coming weeks I am probably not going to see much of my darlings with the kick off of summer activities, session activities and other commitments. Currently I'm contemplating offering a true true urban session type to add to the Marm Locations (no nature stuff for you non nature lovers (GASP! Yes, there are people that aren't nature types! Who knew? :) ). These were taken in a spot where there is plenty more urban architecture and funky aesthetic to be had...I'm dwelling on that thought. I also promised one of my clients for late June that I would post these for her contemplation on the Urban Session vs. Nature-y Session types. Ok, "C", I hope this is enough variety of one wall (LOL) to allow you to make the decision and I apologize for not having done so earlier Sunday as I told you I would. (please also scroll down to see the other session type offered that is a mixed nature-urban type)






One last thought, I have some family members travelling to Europe later today and I want to wish them a happy & safe trip to the Motherland.

Site is down

By all fault of my own, the Marmalade Photography site is temporarily down for (hopefully) no more than 24 hours. Let's just say it's a mix up of email addresses changing and way too much information to keep track of at this time. :) Eh, even web sites need a day off once in awhile. Check back on us later, I'm sure we'll be back up soon. Thanks for checking in.

Ahhh, the life of a photographers' child...

To be taken to exotic locales to be scoped out for potential Marmalade Location future shoots. To have new equipment tested out on you and to have the oh-so-glamorous job of being the daughter of a photographer. Of course they are always so very cooperative. LOL.

Last week at our session with Brianna my daughters were in their typical half cooperative, half ooooh! shiny object!! distraction mode (as they typically are) and she & I had a long discussion on the life of a photographers' child. I thought of that discussion yesterday as I was attempting to photograph a trial of my newest location (I posted about it in the Winter/Spring newsletter and am finally just getting around to experimenting a bit there). This location really does have it all! REALLY urban, nature, flowers, tall grasses, stone walls, brick walls, ruins, funky graffiti across the way. It's industrial going back to nature and as anyone who knows me knows...it's my favorite type of setting. A mix of contrasts. And I love the testament that nature eventually DOES take back over. This spot is truly a testimony to that theory. It's truly perfect...I am so so in love. Now my goal is just to get a few cooperative subjects to hang out and be photographed there--my ultimate dream.

My most favorite part of all of these shots is that most of them consist of their eyes shielded from the camera. I kept thinking about the stories they'll tell to the psychiatrist of their mother's camera torture on these little jaunts with me!! A little psychological scarring never hurt anyone! ;)

Wow. Just Wow.

There are some sessions that just make me happy creatively. This is partly why I enjoy going to location shoots, I simply just never know what I'll find. Today's session, well, it was just one of those fun sort of sessions where I felt inspired at every turn. I can't stop proofing images even though I should as I have other stuff to attend to. I feel so lucky as I am having a run of fabulous fun subjects to photograph!!

Today's session made me feel truly blessed to do what I do. I had a blast getting to know J & J and their kids M & C. What a great time, what a great spot to photograph. I had so much fun.

So without further adieu, here is a sneak peek for M & C's session with Marmalade Photography. I'd like to thank J & J once again for allowing me into their lives for this brief span of time to tell part of their story.

Practicing What I Preach

Last summer as I was in the midst of photographing the many families and children who have entrusted me with their memories over the course of time I got busy and started thinking about booking a photographer. For us, my family. My girls are not getting smaller, they are at a totally fun stage (5 & 7 years old) and while I have a MILLION images of the kids, I really don't have any of us as a family other than the hastily snapped "self timer" images that I have taken over the years (often time with my husband with a disgruntled look because quite frankly, on the beaches of Destin, watching me run back and forth while trying to balance my camera precariously upon the sand, run and snap the image in enough time to make it with a smile upon my face and with my children looking appropriate, well, not so good! LOL).

So, back in August last year(how's that for thinking in advance) I booked a family session for us with the fabulous Brianna Graham. Tomorrow is the big day and I am so nervous/excited/worried. How about if we aren't photogenic (just because I photograph doesn't mean I "photograph")? How about if the height difference between my DH and I is too great and we look lopsided (he's 6'2" and I'm 5'2")? How about if all those fabulous outfits aren't so fabulous (I am wearing something exquisite, something casual and bringing a whole bunch of other stuff)? How about if....

Oh now I HAVE to stop. I am sure my clients feel so much the same way and in many ways my going through a similar experience will help me be more empathetic towards my clients and their presession worries. Although I should add that I booked that far in advance in hopes that I'd lose a few...pounds that is. (I try to make this whole experience as stress free as possible but this is truly eye opening in terms of feeling my clients presession pain.) Guess what? My kids'll still love the images and cherish these images, so will we and that's the point. Not that *I* look great, nope, I want these images for me to remember us by. And I know that God knows what can happen tomorrow or the next and we aren't getting younger or better looking!! And even if I weigh a bit more than I'd like and I have a few more wrinkles than yesterday, well it's about capturing the moment here & now, not about being model thin nor Angelina Jolie poreless in the images.

So please check out Brianna Graham's work if you are so inclined her work is amazing and I truly am very excited.

And yeah, for our next beach vacation I already have my photographer picked out...so hopefully my DH looks much less disgruntled in future family beach pictures!!

Mini Session Availability

There is still some afternoon availability for our Limited Edition Mini Sessions, detailed here. Mini session date is June 22, a Friday and it is truly a wonderful way of diving into the Marmalade Photography experience. If you have dreamt and coveted a Marmalade Session but do not want to go the full session route the Limited Edition Session is truly an opportunity you DO NOT want to miss.
Clothing Choices

I will be sending out online packets of information for clients who book starting early to late next week. So be on the look out. However here are some fantastic ideas for you if you aren't sure what your child should wear. All these are courtesy of past clients who have thought "outside the box".

Tutus and other dress up fare are always a splendid way to have fun during your Marmalade Photography session. Dress up clothes, crowns, fairy wings, magic wands are all welcome!

The tutu that my friend Sophia (left) is wearing is from Prissy Poofs. Other tutu styles that I love are the petticoat tutus, some online vendors that sell these fantastic tutu styles are: Kaiya Eve and Sugar Baby. Sugar Baby also makes a cool little Rose Petal Tutu that is quite cute too! My friend, Michelle Walker who owns Little Girls Are Made Of, makes great tutus as well.

Alec (right) is wearing some cool cowboy gear that his mom had lying around the house. Sometimes we neglect to think that boys like to dress up too, and do they ever!! Many of my clients love the creativity that my work inspires, they go out of their way to truly showcase their child's personality.

Alec's session with his sister and brother was fantastic in terms of creativity. Their mom (a truly artsy type) got my style and brought armloads and armloads of clothing to our session as well as meaningful vintage items. The time it takes for a mini session is short so obviously there won't be tons of clothing changes, however you should think a little outside the box in terms of creativity so that we can partner up to create fun, whimsical images that showcase your child's personality. That is something we can definitely tackle in a short time span. So if your child has a real 'personality' I would love to see it showcased in our fun time together.

"Bare feet always welcome", no joke. My session with little Madeline and her sister last week really showcased the fun of contrasts. Dress up clothing mixed in with a bit of rustic style. You can scroll down to see some images from their session in the forest in the next post or two.


HATS!!! Love them.

Again to my session with Madeline as mentioned above...she wore this brown straw cowboy hat (left) from Gymboree at our session together, if you do a quick search for hats on the Gymboree site you'll come up with no less than half a dozen adorable sun hat styles!

This shot (right) was quickly snapped at one of my most sought after locales, the Garden. The beautiful red jumper and white peter pan collared blouse are by Ralph Lauren, the outfit was even more spectacular when the three sisters in matching outfits played ring around the rosy in the wide open field behind the Garden. This hat isn't an instant favorite until paired with the delicate nature of the outfit and it looks right at home in the midst of the Garden filled with lavendar, salvia and heather. Just looking at this image takes me back to that moment and the sweet smell in the humid evening in July air. Great places to purchase knit hats can be found at Etsy where there are TONS of crafty items for sale (once you go there you just can't stop looking). The Red Balloon Co. sells adorable knit hats by Lafolie (check out their site for beautiful items galore) that are, in a word, GORGEOUS. My pals Annabel and Julia shop at The Red Balloon Co. and every time I see them for a session I am blown away by the cuteness factor in their outfits!!

So it's really all about texture, color, style and fun. Tattered blue jeans, frilly skirts, cotton prairie skirts, capes, play swords, balloons...all are welcome.

You are not like everyone else, don't you want the images and memories of your family and children's childhood to reflect your fun unique style?

Back to the Forest!

Admittedly, by the end of the Fall 2006 season I was forest burned out. Considering I did a high number of sessions there in a small amount of time, I guess I was entitled to being a *bit* sick of it.

However, tonite's session rejuvenated my love for one of my favorite of all locations! Goodness, little M & L were china doll beautiful. Just absolutely stunning little girls...and the best part? Their mom totally was excited about their session (which I love) and *got* what I was saying about bringing pieces of their lives and things with meaning to our session together.

I can't say enought nice things about M & L's parents...and I promise PROMISE that you will be absolutely TAKEN with the images from this session. They are stunning. :)

Enjoy the blog preview images from Miss M & her l'il sis' Miss L's Marmalade Session. See these colors? THIS is why I LOVE May!!

Spring 2007 Newsletter and Some Other Stuff...

First off, my apologies to anyone who may have received more than one copy of the newsletter in their inbox, I am trying to streamline the process by which I do business and part of that streamlining is utilizing a very complicated program to manage the business. This program allows me to send emails to my clients and the click of a button, HOWEVER, it resulted in some of my clients receiving a few copies of that email. I am SO sorry for spamming y'all. TOTALLY not my intention.

Secondly, the Limited Edition Sessions are filling up...please scroll down for more information, everything you might want to know is in found two posts down from this post. :)

Third, my apologies to both Joe & Lori for whatever reason all the images did not show up in their preview of their wedding and I feel horrid. I had been DOWN with some nasty virus this past few days since the weekend and we also had a bit of family drama on Sunday. That being said...I am going to repost because I suspect Lori is chomping at the bit to see MORE!! ;) And I don't blame her...Lori in a few days time I promise you'll have more to sneak peek!!









:) Lori, I hope this helps!