Thank you Amy Zellmer for your patience with my fussy cat!

Final 4 party is tomorrow. The basement is
finished, just waiting on a couple of prints
to arrive today.

Got word from Canon yesterday that my old
work horse, Canon 10D, is repaired, cleaned
and on it’s way. I still love that camera!
It’s a fabulous back up camera and vacation
camera…I seriously love it.
And “no.” I’m not going to marry it.

This is a very, tough thing, as you can imagine.
This isn’t for everyone or every photographer.
NILMDTS, after 3 years, is making their selection
process more defined. They are seeking professionals with
skills that perhaps that most hobbyists don’t possess.

I thank each and everyone of you that support me in my
efforts to serve these families. I feel that this has
become my life’s most important work. Not to make less of
MOMF because that has become quite it’s own little engine
that could in a short time too. They are just so very different.
I wouldn’t ever attempt to compare. Both foundations serve
families with devastation. My camera and I can somehow bridge
gaps for these folks and aid in healing. I love that.

Today I will meet with a family at, what has become know as,
“My Hilton”. A family with a little girl enduring a struggle
with cancer will check in, with her family for a weekend
of fun, shopping, exploring, swimming, playing.
A respite, a break, a departure from her new “normal”.
All compliments of the Airport Hilton and the MOMF!

Later I will meet up with Jenn Malone & Pedro Diaz of Bella
Pictures. Jenn is in town to shoot with me tomorrow and Pedro
is here shooting a wedding in Eden Prairie tomorrow as well.
So the 3 of us are going to meet up at Jenn’s hotel and
swap stories and talk shop! Can’t wait!

G…did ya get the package???

Boo liked Alison’s lap…

…a lot.

Do more than you thought you could do today.

I had the honor of spending the day and most of
the evening with Bob & Dawn Davis (la Storia).
They came to Minnesota to lecture on “Master Your
Craft” for my local photographer’s group, TCPPA.
I’ve been following Bob and his work and passions
for a little over 2 years and I’m so wowed by the
both of them. Bob is the ever sharing, ever professional
photographer and Dawn, Bob’s wife, is the ever sharing,
ever friendly photo editing wizz. What a fabulous
combo. I know it’s not easy to work along side a
spouse so KUDOS to you both for becoming your own
sort of dynamic duo!

Some of us hit Jake’s (Eden Prairie) and had a bump
& a bite before they headed off for the night.
Today they will be at GraphiStudios talking some
more but unfortunately my schedule wouldn’t allow
for me to attend that so I’ll have to hang my
hopes on meeting up with them in Chicago someday
soon…in the meantime, there’s always FACEBOOK!
Thank you so much Bob & Dawn for taking the time
out of your CRAZY schedule to come and see us!

Heather Lombardo has agreed to come along and
be a part of the festivities this week as is
Jason Stenvold. I hope they have as much fun
as I do!

Today, lots of hair and then perhaps one of
my last “official” PUG meetings.

I’m solidifying a deal with Urban Ventures here
in Minneapolis to work with them on some designs
for future media and publicity images…that’s cool!
Thanks to Jacquie Boyer, my great friend & neighbor
who also happens to be a board member at UV and hooked
me up! Their big deal is later this fall. And while
I don’t want to wish the summer away, they are
awaiting a response from Bill and Melinda Gates to
come and be the speakers so they can firm up a date.

Let’s see, what else, My next wedding is on the
21st and the bride & groom, Jennifer & Michael, are
flying in from Massachusetts next week. Jennifer
is originally from here but they are living and
working out east. She is in her residency phase.

Gary and I sat outside last night….it was gorgeous
and a perfect night for a fire, some wine and great
conversation.

Good to talk to Dean (Gary’s dad), down in Arizona too!

Anne & Pete had some fish delivered today for
their 120 gallon salt water tank. The first
batch of many. I went over to watch and took
some shots of the tank. They got 2 clown fish…
“nemo” fish…sooo darn cute. A crab, a star
fish, some snails and some live coral…very cool.

Gary’s got men’s league golf today…it’s not
very nice out…60, cloudy and a bit drizzly
at times..yuck.

I finally got my shootsac cover delivered that
I won last month…I just love it (SPLENDID is
the one I had them send out)! Thanks Vu Bui
for holding my hand through the process! And
Thanks Jessica Claire with Shootsac for selecting
me as a winner!

Oh, my sister and I hit all the garage sales
in her neighborhood, I was looking for some
props…I found this really great toboggan.
It feels like it could snow so I thought, why
not..it was only 5 bucks and it is in fabulous
shape…an LLBean. Nice.
I’d like to take Owen & Reese’s photos on it
this winter!!

Well, keep praying that the rain holds off for
Saturday for Amber & John…We’d all appreciate it!

One last thing…I had a visitor yesterday, her
name is Molly. She’s a Shi-tzu…a very BIG girl too!

Boo-wanting to get at the yellow finch!

So, I go and meet Jason & Stacey and their
2 little darlings for family session yesterday.
Had a great time. Here’s a couple of my
absolute favorites…I just love the “real life”
in the two shots below.

Jason’s boots stand alone because
he is standing behind me trying to get
Ian & Lauren to engage the camera…not happenin’!

Lauren’s sparkling shoes looked so great
against the dandelions (Lauren calls them
“mysteries”…so cute).

Thanks for lunch Thon family!!

***********************************

On to Kathryn’s 7th Birthday Tea Party!

OMG! I love to photograph kids….I love to
photograph food…what better assignment than
to be invited to cover a little girls tea party!

Oh, and I love Kathryn. She calls me Aunt Sue.

Happy Birthday Kathryn! We’ll do your Birthday
photos very soon!

Last night I finally got to say hello to
Sandy (Sam) Puc’ (pronounced “puch”).
Heather Lombardo and I recruited photographers
all evening from all over the country.
It was amazing and I was so proud to be
a part of such a fabulous organization
representing a priceless, selfless gift.

Sam’s presentation was flawless (aside from
the sound issue which they corrected).
She and her team worked fast and furious to
set up & deliver some crazy great ideas,
marketing, posing, equipment, props…it
was all perfect! My mind never wandered and
altho’ I was in the front row (with Jason
Thon & Heather…I saved us great seats!),
this went until after 11 and with little
breaks. It was easily one of my top 5 photo
lectures I’ve ever attended. Seriously!

I have a new friend in my life and her
name is Sam Puc’.

Thanks.

Today I get to meet Sandy (Sam) Puc’.
She is the photographer that started
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep 3 years ago.
She is in town for her “Bellies & Babies”
tour and will be at the Airport Hilton
(I just call it “my Hilton” now!) from
5-11 tonight. I can’t wait to meet her!

Heather called me last night to see if
I would join her in the NILMDTS booth
at the show tonight so I will be in
the booth to answer questions and encourage
other photographers to sign on as affiliates
here in Minnesota.
I’ll go in and get a seat up front and
then head to the booth until Sam’s
program starts and then I’ll head out
during the breaks too. I love the
organization, I love Heather, I can’t
wait to meet Sam, I love the Hilton….
I’m just going to be filled with JOY
tonight surrounded by fabulous folks!!

Shocker, it’s supposed to be nice tomorrow
and I’ll be inside at the Metrodome for
a Twins baseball game! AARRGG!

From the 95th floor of the Hancock building to the
Billy Goat burger joint under Michigan Ave…”No Pepsi, Coke!”

We just had the best time…
some of the shots that Megan took, I’ll get from her later.

My bag arrived at about 9:30 last night. We sat on the stoop
and talked until it arrived. Thank you Northwest Airlines!!

We’re going to head out for a late breakfast.
And then, who knows.
The seminar/lecture is this evening so we’ll just play
a bit today.

Here’s some shots from yesterday.

Megan’s cute brownstone…

Sawyer (or “the bear” as he is affectionately called)

Healy (She’s the princess of this castle!)

The view from atop the Hancock building’s 95th floor!

Megan’s other job….well, not jumping but she works for the trib!

As usual, I plopped down in the front row
and listened to him talk about how he
got started and what he’s done to get
where he is now…and quite successfully,
I must add.

I won a CD of “Totally Rad” actions for
being the only one in attendance that
uses a Mark III…lucky me! I’m going to
have fun with those! (Victor shoot with
a Canon Mark 3)..Oh, the value on the
actions $149! Altho’ I feel it’s priceless!

It was really great to meet him and when
he asked if anyone had any questions,
I raised my hand and said..”I’m wondering
if you will need another person with a
Mark 3 to go along with you in August to
shoot the wedding in Tokyo?!
Victor said…”Ya never know!”
hmmmmm..I say, “kanpai!”
I HAD to ask!!

Thanks Victor, for coming out and
enlightening our group of local photographers!
And for the record, I’ll pay my way to LA
for the August Tokyo wedding!