The Gang's All Here!

Over a month ago, Deb Gossman called me to see if I'd like to come to Greenwood to photograph her family. The special occasion? Her Mom and Dad were celebrating their 50th anniversary!

The portrait session was a complete surprise to her parents, and they couldn't have asked for a better day for the celebration.

Here are a few previews!

The happy couple:



Deb and her husband:



The men together:



The ladies together:



And the grand-daughters!

Levi -- Rachel and John's newest addition

Introducing Levi, the new addition to John and Rachel's family!

I had lunch with Rachel and John and their children on Sunday, and afterwards had a mini-session to capture these sweet images of their sweet little Levi.

Just look!

Good News!

I am pleased to report that our dog Benny has returned home!

While I was fixing lunch for Emily and Ian today, I heard a familiar little squeak coming from the side door. I opened the door to find my little Benny pup bouncing around on the side steps!

It's so exciting to have him home again!

Thank you everyone who was hoping and praying for his safe return,

FireHouse Guitars

While I was in downtown Holland MI, I popped by Firehouse guitars to see if they still carried any of the yummy hand crafted instruments made by Del Langejans.

Sure enough, they had a number of them waiting on the wall for me to admire!



I have been a fan of these luscious instruments since the 1980's, and would love to have one some day. For now, I'll just enjoy looking at them!



See that decoration around the sound hole? That's not a decal, those little tiny bits of inlay are all placed individually!

They carry all kinds of electrical and acoustic guitars drums and other goodies at Firehouse, as well as accessories for whatever instrument you already have.



Everything they have is beautiful -- and the guys really know their stuff!



It was lovely just dropping by!

BriarCliffe B&B on Lake Michigan

I've just spent several days relaxing at my parents house in Michigan -- they own a Bed and Breakfast right on Lake Michigan just south of Saugatuck. I LOVE visiting there, because not only can I enjoy their company but there is always something beautiful to look at and old friends to catch up with.

On Wednesday morning, I took a walk along the shoreline, and of course took my camera to make a few pictures of the beauty that is the lake...



You'll want to check out the full slideshow to see more!

My Dog Is Missing

Benny, my AKC registered Schipperke, is missing from his home in Marion, Indiana.

He is black, male, about 25 - 30 pounds, with some white hairs on his chin. He is obedience trained, microchipped, and greatly missed at home.

This is an old picture -- he is chubbier now!

Call (765)437-7706 if you see him.

Beatnicks Coffee House

Beatnicks Coffee House has been on the square in Marion for at quite a long time now, and I'd been meaning to check it out with my camera for several years but until last night I'd never actually made it there.

So yesterday in the evening, I went downtown and popped in to the coffee house to see what it was all about.

Here's what I found:

Doug Boucher was there providing live music -- acoustic guitar style



RJ was playing flute and trombone



And behind the bar along with the soups and sandwiches were a lovely selection of mysterious colored liquids in lovely bottles!



A photographer I'd met at several local events was there, as were a group of writers from the local paper.

Live music is featured every weekend at Beatnicks, and they have Karaoke one night a week as well. Check it out if you're in town!

Emily and Mommy shoot out!

This afternoon, Emily and I decided to have a little friendly shoot-out in the livingroom.

Emily looks through the viewfinder, and focuses on her subject:



Then she checks the LCD on the back of the camera to see if the exposure is good...



Yeah, not bad at all.



After a while, Emily switches to shooting landscapes through the front windows:



I just love that Emily likes photography as much as I do!