It's a Nice Day for a White Wedding

There's just something about weddings, and I'm not 100% sure what it is that makes me love them so much. Could it be because it's one of the only times I get to witness my nearly 7 ft tall younger brother doing the worm across the dance floor? Possibly...but I don't think that's it. Honestly I think it might be because it's such a hopeful and exciting time for a couple as they declare their love in front of their friends and family, making a promise to stick by each other despite life's challenges. I also love weddings because they remind me of how I felt on my own wedding day three years ago. It was the most wonderful, perfect day...in a nutshell, one of the best days of my life.

Although I'm not exactly looking forward to the Chicken Dance (just wondering, does anyone really like that song or is just tradition at this point and people feel it's not a wedding reception without it?), I AM looking forward to witnessing my cousin Nicole and her fiance Jordan tying the knot tomorrow. It's going to be a beautiful day, and I'm hoping to grab a few photos in between getting teary eyed and busting a move.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Workshop: Jessica and Eric

I'd never been to Kent Park in the 8 years that I've lived in Iowa City, and the weather was supposed to be beautiful on Saturday afternoon. I didn't have a session scheduled, so I called up my good friend (more like sister from another mister) Jessica to ask her if she and her boyfriend would be willing to model for an hour or so. I guess you could say we had a private photographer's workshop, Josh and I, as this session wasn't for anything other than to give us the opportunity to try some new things in a relaxed setting.

Just to clarify, Jessica and Eric are NOT engaged, but don't they make a cute couple? They dated back in their high school days, and after over four years apart, they managed to reconnect this past winter.

Even though this session was more for practice, I ended up with some beautiful (and fun) shots that I wanted to share with all of my readers.

Jess joked that she was watching America's Next Top Model in preparation for her modeling debut. Not sure if it was Tyra that inspired this shot, but I love it.

And finally, a shot by Josh (so cute!!)...

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous??

I once read a book (I believe it was titled "What the Dog Did") that described what it was like to be a dog owner in the most interesting, and truthful way. The author comments that since becoming a dog owner, she now knows what it's like to be married to a celebrity (and I'm not talking about dual celebrity unions like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt...I'm talking about celebrity + regular person marriages like Matt Damon and his wife ...not sure what her name is...*and that just proves my point right there*). I find this quote to be SO TRUE, and when I read it I laughed out loud and could totally relate. Everyone in my neighborhood (and some people who aren't in my neighborhood) knows Einstein. Even people who have never met Einstein, will ask "is that Einstein??" when they come across him for the first time. It's hilarious! Everybody is all "oh, he's SO cute!" and "I love him!!" or even the occasional "I want to take him home with me!" (now go back and read those statements substituting Brad Pitt's name in for Einstein and you'll see exactly what I mean). He even gets heckled (as I'm sure some celebrities do) by people who can't resist the "where's the rest of your dog?" or "is he an ankle biter?".

The author goes on to explain that she knows what it's like because everyone seems to know who her dog is, yet no one knows her name. As a fellow dog owner, I can absolutely relate! There are often times when I'll be walking Einstein and people we've never met before will greet him by name, then ask for mine. Every time this happens, I remember that book and just have to laugh. Has anyone else out there experienced life as a "celebrity wife"?

So, to further add to the growing membership of the imaginary Einstein fan club, here's yet another cute pic of him living the pampered life of a celebrity, surrounded by his fuzzy blankets. This pic could so be in Doggie InStyle....