On Saturday I had the great pleasure to do eight photo sessions with people, horses and dogs at Frontenac Farm in West Dundee, Illinois. One session included a surprise proposal. Luke Mclean got down on bended knee and asked Lisbeth Schwartz to marry him, and she said “yes”.

One of my favorite, most dramatic images:

Since I’m out of town on assignment, thought I’d share a recent photo:

Wow, it’s two months since my last post.  Bad me, bad.

My excuse?  Busy.  I’m doing a lot of photography.  Not just portrait sessions, but I’m working with the Jo Daviess County Farm Bureau documenting old barns and farm buildings.  Autumn is a great time of year to photograph ’cause of the warm, softer light.  Not only am I photographing the structures, Peter, my husband is meeting with the owners so we can include a history.

Here’s one of an abandoned corn crib:

One of the greatest reasons to live in the Midwest is autumn’s color.  Because there was a lot of rain the colors are vibrant:

Tomorrow I have eight portrait sessions with horses at Frontenac Farm in West Dundee.  I’m so delighted they called ME to do the sessions.  There are many photographers out there, many who are much closer, but they asked me!!!!  We’re going to work hard and have fun.  I’ll share the results.

I’m going to do my very best to post more often.  Hopefully, the topics will be of interest to you.  I’ll be sharing photos from past portrait sessions, what’s new at my gallery, the new artists I’m representing, tips on using Lightroom (my favorite program ever!), links to interesting photography websites and, of course, pictures.

Please, come back soon ~ Judy

Several weeks ago I attended the world premier performance of “Dust and Dreams” by the Prairie Players in Galesburg, Illinois, birthplace of Carl Sandburg. The production highlights life in Galesburg and life on the prairie - pieces of their own history, and that of their ancestors, played out in song.

Dust & Dreams, inspired by the poetry of Carl Sandburg, is a musical by Dave Hudson & Paul Libman, where original songs are interwoven with poems from Carl Sandburg’s 1918 collection “Cornhuskers”. The music is an extension of the poems with each song individually capturing the beauty of Sandburg’s poetry. Each song is presented in an entertaining way along with the poem that inspired its creation. From the song “All Aboard” through a variety of musical styles, you’re taken on a journey.

“The most enjoyable aspect of working on this has been discovering all of the new music by Hudson and Libman that is positively wonderful,” Kurt Killam, the director said. “This music so illuminates the poetry of Carl Sandburg, and at the same time it is beautiful, haunting, fun, rhythmic and moving.”

Hudson called it the “closest you’ll get to seeing a volume of poetry staged.” The musical won the prestigious Richard Rodgers Development Award for New Musicals in 2005.

It’s been a busy month! Here are some of my favorite pictures taken at the Apple River Fort. My favorite software program to organize, process and preview photos is Adobe Lightroom. I love the ease of processing to achieve different ‘looks’. Hope you like them!

Many of you may know Terri Miller, the dressage photographer. For many years she was the official photographer at Devon and her work appears in many publications. Did you know she is also an accomplished painter? Terri started a blog prompted by Tinto, her wonder terrier. I subscribed just to follow his adventures, but lo and behold Terri starts posting about her paintings. Well, I knew she painted, but I thought it was mainly commission work. Through her blog I learned she does it for fun and enjoyment too!

As a former horse show photographer, I appreciate the beauty and details of the facility and competition. Check out Terri’s paintings to see these details in another media. Here’s her painting of the week “Three Ribbons” Don’t you just love the colors and composition? Here are some watercolors from her recent trip to France, my favorite being “The Judges Boxes at Vierzon”.

Did you know my husband Peter is a writer? He has 6-7 completed novels which he’s been pitching to publishing houses. Do you know how hard it is to get published? Well, one of his books, The Show Photographer, was available through Lulu.com. Another publisher is taking it over; so the books is temporarily off the market while it is being edited and whatever else they do to it. I let you know when it’s re-released!

Hopefully, you will be seeing a couple of his other novels in print soon too!

I love photographing kids. They have so many expressions - here’s a few I captured recently. Enjoy these slideshows:

The Many Moods of Addison

The Many Moods of Addison - Part II

Hummin’ Around

Sometimes it’s hard for me to think about things to write. So I’ll share a session I just did:

Aidan, Colin, Madeline, Kathryn & Evelyn were a fun bunch to work with, and very photogenic! Here’s a selection from the session:

Aren’t they gorgeous?

Heartbreakers!

All together - what a great bunch of kids!

Isn’t she adorable?

Awwwwwww!

Play time

What a delightful group to work with. I look forward to photographing these kids again!