Elizabeth's

Can you tell I have been sick? Sorry for not posting for the last couple of days.

Well, Elizabeth from Elizabeth's Cakes dropped another beautiful cake by recently. They are always so much fun to shoot, but ouch. I always get so hungry and my sweet tooth goes nuts.

Enjoy the photos and go easy on the sweets.

Marissa & Will

Marissa and Will got married last summer and have worked with us to make a beautiful album layout. We just finished up the revisions and wanted to share her words with everyone:

"I absolutely loved the second edition-it's perfect!!! :) That is exactly what Will and I were looking for. . .

Thank you soooo much, this is the wedding album of our dreams!!

~Marisa"

Our album design is always custom made for each client, and we are very proud that we treat each and every client as the unique soul they are.

Please take a look at this beautiful and album and we would love to hear your thoughts.

Erin and Gabe

Andrea & Dan

As spring is slowly coming, so is the season for shooting for Front Room. With this anticipation, I am finding that I am falling in love with my couples more and more.

I met Dan and Andrea at a new park for me. With great smiles they met me and began their engagement session.

What I like about them so much is their love for each other. She was so cute, when she said that when they are so close together, they cannot "but kiss"; and that is just fantastic. For people to be so in love that they are just drawn to kiss, makes me find the beauty of their relationship so easily.

So go kiss the one you love and say that Andrea and Dan sent ya. . .

Kari & Errol

It was such a pleasure spending the day getting to know Kara and Errol's entire families. I blended so far into this family that by the end of the night, I had a little girl clinging to my back I shot the toasts. I really had a great time.

Thanks to the coordination of the unflappable Linda Pickens, the day went off with only one hitch, the good kind. And, I have to say, with a family so dedicated to doing things right, I couldn't imagine it any other way.

One of my favorite aspects of shooting weddings is being exposed to so many different people's takes on love and life, as many people are wan to wane poetic at weddings. At the reception, we were honored with a dose of wisdom from many of the elder generation. One topic that came up a lot was hard work. It was clear that Kara's dad, for instance, believes that if you work hard, you can get what you want. You simply work toward it.

The words I heard at Kara and Errol's wedding resonated with me, as did everyone there.

Thanks for having me along. Enjoy the photos.

Elizabeth & Cory

Well this was a great way to kick off the season of weddings for myself. The start of the day was relaxed and the rest followed suite. The groom and his groomsmen wore some old school vans. Even Elizabeth’s mom got in on the fun and she changed into purple sneakers before the night was over.
After a the sweet and simple ceremony the reception was held at the South Shore Pavilion and Louise's catered with pasta and a well indulged in coffee bar. Four Sisters Floral did a wonderful job of creating spring table decorations.

Cory not being a big fan of dancing wrangled up a few fun activities of his own for the reception, black jack tables. They were a hit, "pun intended" everyone was trying their luck and having a good laugh at it.

I really enjoyed taking a few minutes at sun set to go outside and make some beautiful images of the newlyweds, Elizabeth and Cory. They really are a great pair... I wish them a life of fun and comic laughter...

Celestine

As many of you may know of, but few had met Celestine Weston. She was a beautiful loving woman that was my second mom. Today we are laying her to rest to be with God. I wish all of you could have met this shining soul.

People often wonder why I love my work and family so much. It is because of my wonderful family and this beautiful woman. She loved me as a son from the moment I met her. She reminds me everyday of how important our family is and how much they always love us.

Her son and my "brother" Che wrote a poem to be read today. It was because of these thoughts, that I wanted to share these thoughts with everyone:

She Will Be Called Mother

She will be called Mother
Now, we call her daughter, sister, friend and lover
In all names and roles she opens her arms
Embraces you with warmth and compassion, she prepares herself

Children adore her
Flocking to her feet, they wait for her soft voice
And gentle smile
Hoping and praying that they will be next
To find security in her, she helps all

Love surrounds her
Like celestial bodies shining down light
Or clouds that pour, her love showers
Down in cascades or warmth and splendor
Free and abundant so all that receive are
Fortunate and thankful, she loves

She cries as a strong woman must
Weeping for one’s pain and celebrating others happiness
Some day a small child will cry into the night
And she will come, arms outstretched
Answering the cry that calls her mother.

So, with that I give my little speech to call your family, spend time with them, tell them every time you see them, that you love them.

On a slight side note. This photo was taken at Che and Karissa's wedding. Eron took this photo and I remember why our art is so precious. These moments that captured are not just of the wedding, but of your heart. All the joy of people that you love and love you, are forever kept. So in 2 months or 20 years, you will always have them with you. I cannot thank Eron enough for creating a beautiful photo of this special woman. All of Front Room, my family, and clients have supported me so much through this. Thank you. Without your love I would not be able to always see her smile and feel her love.

Smiles and Peace,

Neil

La Tulipe

Vicki from La Tulipe brightens our studio every week with beautiful flowers. She has brought spring into our studio. I cannot say enough goods things about her work. I would not hesitate giving her a call and have her bring some spring into your life.

Sebastian

Erin & Gabe

As their wedding is Saturday, we do not have a lot of time to congratulate Erin and Gabe. Well not that they just got engaged, but that we have finally had the pleasure of photographing them.

This is a beautiful couple that compliments each other in a very special way. One will laugh to make the other smile, chooses dinner when the other is indecisive, makes sure the other is warm, so they can both sleep at night.

We spent some time on Brady Street, between snow showers in April. Do not be fooled, we were cold, but they both worked through the cold.

Thank you to both Erin and Gabe. We are honored to be a part of your wedding. We will see you on Saturday. . .

Lucy is pregnant

You slowly might see and understand the whole Front Room Family on the BLOG. Well, Risha our Studio Manager has 2 beautiful Irish Wolfhounds and in about a month she will have 7 more. Lucy is pregnant with 7 pups and is due in May. Check back as we will have a puppy-watch. We are all so excited to have more babies in our family.

We have Designers. . .

As you know we are moving Front Room, but not far from we are currently. This summer we are taking over a building form 1890 that is just beautiful.Well we are lucky enough to have two top designers working on the project. We have hired Maria Cieslik and Sharon Celek of Cieslik Celek to take the space to a new dimension. They have worked on some of the coolest stores (Broadway Paper, Freckle Face) coolest restaurant (the social) coolest shop around (Cranston) and the office of the best daily magazine (OnMilwaukee.com).

So we are super excited to see their ideas come to life. Please check out their website and give them a ring if you are need of an interior designer.

Welcome Ruby

Front Room has a hard year with dogs. Eron lost Moses, Risha lost Maeve, and Calfa lost Asia. But with a great smile we welcome Ruby home. Calfa and Tony adopted Ruby last week and are enjoying the beauty of being new parents. Ruby and Luther are relaxing together. Already best friends.


She is so cute and sweet. Expect to see a lot more photos of her, as the weather warms up.

Smiles.

Caroline

I had an awful sinus infection a couple of weeks ago and was unable to photograph this great family. Luckily Eron stepped in and did a great job. I am so jealous that Eron had such a great little lady to photograph. She was just beaming was laughter and emotion.

Wedpix Magazine

I was interviewed today for Wedpix Magazine for their May issue. This is a really cool publication because they go way beyond asking the basic questions of photographers. They were interested in how we can get into such tender moments. The photo that sparked the article is one that we took last summer at the Pilot House.

This was a great moment during the Ketubah signing, in which the groom's sister began to cry and mom and dad came over to comfort her. This photo shows off the power of the family and why I am so blessed to have this wonderful life.