forty

Today I am forty. Seems forty is an age where everyone asks you the big questions - Are you happy? Are you freaking out about turning forty? What will you do with the next forty? I say fu*k forty! It's just a number. I have never been one to get all upset about turning another year older. I mean, why do it? You cannot stop it. You cannot go back. So, I say own it.

I have been incredibly fortunate in my forty years. I have a small, but lovely family - I knew all four of my grandparents and one great grandmother. They provided me with a childhood that was simple and happy. They helped me become who I am today by giving me the power to make choices and supporting me weather they were right or wrong.

I have been able to fly. Near and far ... The big apple. Stonehenge. Paris. The canals of Venice. The Charles Bridge in Prague. Bourbon Street. Vegas. Hawaii ... and so much more.

I have had fun. A lot of fun! I have amazing friends that have provided me with some of the best moments in my life. Final Fours. Spring Breaks. Weddings. Children. Festivals. Concerts.

I fell into a job that challenges me each and ever day and I don't know what could beat that! Do I have bad days? Sure. But in the end, I make a difference. I am helping people.

So how do I feel about the first forty? Fabulous. Fun. Fortunate.

Here's to the next forty!

sunrise to sunset

Spent the day in the city at a workshop for work. Snapped a few pics during my commute. Isn't Chicago beautiful?

oh snow

Oh snow, you are so pretty ... I think today's snow finally got us to our normal snow total in Chicago for the year. Let's hope it's the last one of the season! I worked from home today and took a quick trip to Starbucks up the block and snapped this little gem with SmugMug's Camera Awesome. It's by far my favorite camera app for taking photos. It gives great DOF!

boone

During my last trip to Charleston, SC I finally got to visit one of those old plantations you always hear about. Boone Hall Plantation, my friend Laura's favorite. The property is huge! I loved the house interior - and our guide was super cute in her period outfit and calming demeanor. The weather didn't really cooperate for us - very cold and rainy - but we managed to make our way to the house, slave quarters and this beautiful old bar and dock - that has apparently been in a lot of movies! Recognize that dock from The Notebook?

Haen wedding

What a beautiful day! I shot my first wedding in ages for my dear friend Barbara and her husband Steve. I have the utmost respect for wedding photographers - this is seriously hard work! I took over 2400 photos - many burst shots, so lots to cut with eyes closed and folks looking the other way and such - and paired it down to just over 500 I felt best captured the day. I think there are some keepers for sure. Hands down my biggest photo challenge to date. I shot with three lenses - 24-70, 50mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.4. I am rather surprised at my gravitation toward primes ... LOVE the 50mm! Here are a few of my favorite photos from a beautiful wedding day in January! Thanks to Barbara and Steve for including me in such a special day and trusting me to capture some of the most important moments as you begin your journey together.

Charleston : take two

Spent the weekend with my friend Laura - a cold beach walk, rainy plantation visit and lots of food and drink with friends new and old.

And I had to grab a little video on Vine of the bubbles along the shore. I was a little bit on the fence about Vine, but it's actually kind of fun.

beauty from tragedy

via instacanv.as

I ran across an article on ABC News about the woman that was killed in Turkey. She was apparently into phtography and her sister has decided to sell her photos on Instacanv.as as a way to raise money for her two boys. I cannot think of a better idea! And she's got some wonderful images too. The one above is my favorite.

happy new year

Happy New Year! 2013 is off to a pretty good start for me! Let's hope it keeps up that way!

I spotted this grouping of trees a few days ago and had to go back with the camera before the weather changed how they look. They are kind of tucked back behind a bunch of houses, you'd never know they were there if you didn't get a peek at just the right moment while driving. Loved how they looked with the snow.

snow!

snow branch, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

It was so great to wake up Christmas morning to snow. Is it silly that I still get a little excited when that happens? It was just a dusting, but in the last couple of days we've gotten a few more inches - that really wet variety that sticks to trees and bushes and that looks super pretty. { love }

50mm 1.4 dream

look away, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

Testing my new lens today after work and I am really loving it. I was never a fan of the 'nifty fifty' but the 1.4 is so fast and just soaks in light ... it's dreamy!