Gone Fishin'

Last weekend my little brother came to hang out with us while my parents attended the graduation ceremony at the University of Iowa. After a delicious breakfast at Hamburg Inn, Josh took Sam fishing at the lake across from our house. I joined them to snap a few photos (fishing really isn't my thing) and although I was out there for about 45 minutes, I still managed to miss him catching an actual fish! Despite not having documentation of his catch, I did get some photos that I love and wanted to share with you all. (By the way, all of these were taken with the Canon 85 mm 1.8 which I bought several months ago. To be honest, at first I wasn't sure I liked it but now I am IN LOVE.)

I adore his tiny little freckles. So cute.

Showing off what he caught most of the morning...weeds!

The photo below is my absolute favorite one of the day...I couldn't believe how smooth the lake was, I don't think I've ever seen it so still.

When I was taking these photos I was thinking something like this would make a great session idea for children or families. Is there something (fishing, camping, mini golfing) you and your family do in the summer months that you'd like to make into a photo shoot? Send me an email at madiganphotography@gmail.com to discuss your ideas and book a session!

I am...

I am...

• a daughter
• a wife
• a sister
• a friend
• a nanny
• a fashion blogger
• a photographer
• Einstein's adopted mom

Like most women (well, people in general), I am a lot of things. One thing that I always was, until recently, was healthy (about 99% of the time). However, after having strange joint pain and swelling that jumped around my body for two months, leaving me in constant pain and feeling frustrated because I didn't know why it kept happening, I finally got my answer from my doctors. At the end of March, I was diagnosed with lupus. I feel lucky because I was diagnosed quickly (some people go years before being diagnosed!) and the medication seems to be helping reduce my symptoms. Although lupus isn't curable at this time, it is treatable, so I am hopeful that the medication will keep me from having too many major issues in the future.

I wasn't sure whether to share this on here, as it's a blog about my business, but as a photographer - my business is also about me as a person. Plus, I wanted to mention it because until I was diagnosed, I didn't even really know what lupus WAS (according to lupus.org's website I wasn't the only one - it's estimated that 80% of people know little to nothing about the disease) - and May has been designated Lupus Awareness Month. If you have a minute, it would mean a lot to me if you'd click here to sign the petition to help raise awareness of lupus.

I also wanted to take a minute to say thank you to everyone for their support of my photography (and my friends/family/husband for their support of me, especially recently), it really means a lot. Thank you for reading my blog, for allowing me to document your lives, and for supporting me as I chase my dreams. I appreciate it more than you know.

Happy Birthday Josh!

"In this crazy life, and in these crazy times, it's you, it's you. You make me sing. You're every line, you're every word, you're everything." - Michael Buble

Josh and I met because of a chain of seemingly random events. All of these little things led to a blind date, which led to three years of dating (adding a dog to the mix along the way), an engagement, and 4 1/2 years after that first date - a marriage. All in all, we've been together for 7 years, and will be celebrating our 3 year wedding anniversary in July. But enough about all that - today is Josh's 28th birthday and I wanted to take a moment to share just how special he is to me.

Josh, thank you for all that you do. For always taking Einstein out in the mornings (in rain, snow, sleet, whatever) because you know once I'm awake I can't fall back asleep. For letting me hog the remote. For vacuuming the house every Friday. Thank you for making me smile when I'm in a bad mood. For supporting my dreams. For your patience, love, and understanding every single day. You are my rock, my safe haven, and I wouldn't know what to do without you. Being your wife is the best part of my life and I love you.

Happy Birthday Josh, I hope your 28th year is as wonderful as you are.