After a few days in the sun on weekends we sprayed Ron to enhance his tan.  Excessive time in the sun or tanning bed often has serious consequences.

Tuna tartar.. let’s talk about it a little.  You can tell it is fresh by its beautiful purple color. Now don’t freak out about eating raw fish.  I am not a fan generally speaking of fish that tastes like fish. Translate that to mean I like lobster, shrimp, crab, and scallops.  BUT I love tuna tartar at Bix Bistro because I have every confidence in its freshness and how it is prepared at Bix Bistro!  You have got to try it if you haven’t yet!

Bix Bistro has some incredible new offerings on their menu!

Saturday I was in Hotel Blackhawk waiting for a wedding party.  Guyla looked at me. I raised the camera joking around. She gave me a pouty pucker.  Perfect.  She is without a doubt one of the nicest people which makes her twice as pretty on the outside.

Last night at Connections in Davenport the community came together to say good bye to a friend and fellow entertainer Morgan St Claire.  Twenty One female impersonators brought their talents to the Connections stage. Many of them were dear friends of Morgan St Claire, and they often expressed how they were nurtured and helped enter this field of entertainment by Morgan.

The evening was all about saying goodbye and raising funds for the family.  I had the privilege to photograph the evening and listen to Morgan’s friends and fellow entertainers express their love.

More images to follow. This is just a sneak preview.  There is only one Tara…….one of her many images throughout the night.

Slideshow of the Renwick …  Studio D has a love affair going with this grand old lady.  She’s still very beautiful. All it takes is a bride or party planner to see her out of the box.

We get really excited when we hear it is Milan Flower & Gift Shop. Damian rocks! Unique. Fresh. Unexpected. Innovative. All are words I would use to describe their florals.

Hundreds and thousands go into weddings with a huge enormous chunk going into the Reception.  With that thought in mind let me ask, “Why on earth locate the cake you spent a good sum of money on be placed in an awkward place with a less than thrilling background”?    As a photographer we get the lovely job of making you, the cake and your surroundings look wonderful.   Is it impossible with an ugly background? No! Is it optimal?  NO!

Poor lighting…. why on earth would you want this confectionary creation to sit in the dark?

Bride’s gown is too large to get behind the table or at least in a good position to get a great shot of the cake cutting.  Why does the table get shoved in a corner, under an exit sign, or near an entrance?   Move the cake!  It is art and a beautiful creation.  Move it where it gets the attention it deserves.

Another thing we see.   The cake is placed in the center of a 60 inch round table. The bride in in a strapless dress.  Stretching across a table can have some interesting outcomes.  Neither is it flattering to the bride.

It would be nice if more reception halls would give some thought to this as well.  Our brides are doing the planning and decision making for the very first time.   They trust their wedding vendors to guide them in situations like this.

Be assured, every photographer is going to find the very best angle, and utilize lighting to give you the best possible images.  Why not give them a little help, and create a lovely cake table and place it where it is in a great place for photos?

Just a thought.

This is for Alex and Claudia

I’ve been passing this house and yard for years watching and thinking, “One day I need to stop and grab a snap.”   Yesterday I did it!  Drizzle, chilly, there I was snapping the yard with the most holiday spirit you can imagine.  ALL OF THE HOLIDAYS.   I didn’t intrude.  I stayed across the street.   It simply boggles my mind and causes me to wonder the budget it required to get it decorated this way.

I’d truly love to hear the back story on how it all came about.  Are there children that love to dream and play in this fantasy land?