that's gets me jazzed. I'm sitting at my desk, waiting for disks to burn and an hour to pass before my next appointment. No, that's not the exciting part- it's everything that's going on around me that I'm over elated about. My better half just left with the moving truck and all the things I've been collecting for the additional space at The Loft  are on their way! It's official- our Loft space has more than doubled :) I'm so excited about this on so many levels. It's finally a space that I think can handle all that I need. That's saying a lot. Secondly, it's like finding a home you know you're destined to live in-  a space that just says "you". I'm surrounded by an amazing community and one that I'm proud to be a part of.

 I also have to admit, I've always been spoiled when it's come to studio space. My first real studio was in undergraduate at Tyler,. My second was in Rome overlooking the Tiber river. Third came my space at The Art Institute, on Michigan Ave., overlooking the lake. While these were all amazing spaces, they were still mine as a student.

As an artist, I've always wondered what kind of space I'd finally end up in. What would it look like? Where would it be. I've had visions of it-  just didn't know where it was. Over the past ten years, I've worked in some additionally wonderful spaces, yet finally I feel like I've found my artistic home where I can play- have fun- and welcome anyone that wants to have fun too.

So, dear readers, cheers to today and cheers to all good things to come-

Ann

I was thinking yesterday about why someone should invest in good photography- and not just good photography, but my photography.  If I needed a sales pitch what would it be? Do I need a sales pitch?

When I was in graduate school,  I took a class regarding the aspect of selling of art. We read about "marketing" and how to present ourselves in the real world where the practice of purchasing art isn't an every day practice.

In thinking about why someone should invest in the fine art of modern portraiture, I kept thinking about those credit card commercials- you know the ones, where they say "Sunglasses: $19.99; 5 towels, 5 swimsuits $199.00; A trip to the Bahamas with your entire family: PRICELESS!"

That one word: Priceless. Priceless. I couldn't get it out of my head. People ask me all the time if I have a ton of images of my own children hanging around my house and the answer is yes, I do. There's one image in fact, that always comes to mind when people ask me that. I may have even blogged about it before. It's an image that was made a few weeks after my first son was born. He was very colicky/had reflux and cried A LOT. I set up the shot so that my husband and I were on each side of him and -baby crying and all-  we kissed him- loved him with all our hearts and click, the shutter snapped.

You guessed it: PRICELESS.

With that in mind, I don't know how to better express what photography means to me. If I've photographed you before, then I'm guessing you know I'm passionate about what I do and I hope that your images grace the walls of your home and that they are as priceless to you as they are to me.

Having three boys of my own, I find it difficult to capture ALL of the moments, but I do capture many of them. In fact, the next post will have to be about that- because as a family, we just had our photograph taken, and it was an experience to remember!

I have more thoughts on this subject and will blog soon. It's busy season and the juggling has begun. I love it though, and despite the new growth of gray hair, it keeps me young :) 

Cheers!

Ann

Thanks for the many e-mails from those of you that saw me yesterday on ABC Chicago. I had an amazing morning to say the least. Special thanks to the ABC team that made it such!

Truly, there just aren't.  If only I had a team of about 100 people to follow me around, fixing the things I break, taking on the new projects my mind wonders up, building the many things I think I need, on and on, well then, life might be perfect :)  

Because it seems like a fantasy!

I've had some exciting news to share and as of yesterday, it's final so I can blab about it now! We have a new Chicago space and from here on we'll refer to it as The Loft!

It's an amazing space and pretty soon we'll have a new gallery up so if you're scheduling a loft session, you'll see the awesomeness  ( awe·some·ness noun; meaning territic, extraordinary) that you're in for. My excitement level has been over the top. The new space holds an opportunity for me to utilize more indoor space, which is something I've really been craving.Of course The Boutique is Munster is my haven away from home, but The Loft offers a more urban feel for those looking for a truly UNIQUE studio experience. Trust me on this one. 

So, beginning March 15, 2009, you'll be able to schedule a Modern Lifestyle Session or A Loft session. Not sure which one you should book? Give us a jingle. It's all good.