Birthdays, Food, Friends & Family

I had the best day yesterday.
Well, one of the best. At least the weather
is beginning to take note of the calendar!
For Pete's sake, it's nearly June already
and the Crab Apple trees are just now in
full bloom! GORGEOUS!!! (how about painting
that, Lois!)



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!

Retraction.

I was informed by Nicki, yesterday, that Macy's
did inDEED step up in the "Operation Prom Dress".
Although it was the Palomino that picked up the
tab for the dress (still a phenomenal gesture on
their part!), Macy's did end up helping with last
minute alterations on the new dress to insure that
it fit just right. Nice job Macy's. You should add
another red star to your logo! :)

Okay, today I am off to photograph my good friends
and colleagues at a park in Minnetonka.
The Thon family. They have never done a family
portrait (so typical of us photographers to never
actually get in front of the camera...EVER!)
They asked me and I of course jumped at the opportunity.

Want to see the cutest little white kitten in the
world??? I thought so.



Oh, and it's official now...his name is "Boo".
It just stuck one day and so now I call him Boo Boo,
Boo Boo Bear, Boogaloo, Buggaboo and the list goes on.
He is a pile of purring, snuggly fluff! LOVE him.
Hobie and Katie can tolerate him for an entire day now!

Gary's golfing today and we will hook up later for
dinner out...we deserve it, I feel I haven't seen
him in a week!!

Tomorrow I am on call all day for NILMDTS and oh
my gosh, it's almost JUNE!!!

I HATE COMCAST

There. I said it.
I successfully have NO e-mail now.
Not on my phone, not on my Mac.
I spent an hour with them on the phone
yesterday (in my basement on the first
really nice day of the season) trying
to sort out the issue.

They changed something overnight on
Wednesday and now they tell me that it
is not compatible with my Leopard operating
system....WHAT!!!????

The drama will unfold soon, I can only pray.
I can access my mail remotely (thank goodness for
e-mailanywhere.com)

POP server, IMAP server, incoming, outgoing,
it's really all Greek to me but when it works
I'm in my happy place and when it's not,
well..I'm not.

Alright, now I know a lot of you are wondering
why all the personal stuff lately and not
so much photography...you are not alone.
That said, starting next weekend (Memorial Day
weekend) and running through into September
I am going full on into wedding season.
Every weekend (except for the Starkey Hearing
Foundation Gala the week of June 14th) I have
a wedding to shoot! I'm so excited! So watch
for some gorgeous weddings starting the week
after Memorial Day. It's going to be a crazy
summer!

Now, one last thing today before I sign off.
I have to give a huMONGus shout out to the
Palomino in Minneapolis.

See the cute blonde in the long red dress?



Okay, this is cool...
So this group of like 15 couples took this
fabulous limo to Palomino for dinner before
the prom at International Market Square.
G's date, Zach, accidentally spilled this girl's
drink ALL OVER HER DRESS! OMG!!!!!!!!
Someone from the Palomino (not sure if it was
the manager or the waiter or who) asked her where
she got her dress...she said "Macy's." So he went
to see if they could clean it or something
Macy's replied..."sorry, nothing we can do."
(SHOCKER!!..i hate macy's too!) and so he
bought her another red dress and brought it
back to the restaurant and gave it to her!!
Couldn't get the exact same one, but he got her
another red dress, in her size...can you stand it!?
how aMAzing is that. UnHEARD of customer service!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Palomino!

Gotta go!
2 Hilton Families today.
Sunny 77 today...GORgeous!

Small world.

So yesterday I decided to send an e-mail
out to my logo designer and friend, Jessica
Rodin, and let her know my plans for my
identity that she created. She checks it out,
clicks on the blog link and up pop all the photos
of Danza and her mom & dad. Not so noteworthy, right?
Well, it turns out that the other mom up in
ICC at Children's, Alicia (who I met while I was there
photographing Danza) and Christa have become
the best of friends as their daughters are about
2 weeks apart and have spent many days and nights
together. I even took a few shots of Alicia,
Christa and Danza together.
Guess what? Alicia is a really good friend of
Jessica's & Tom's ("Boat Tom" for those of you
who have heard about his gorgeous Yacht).
Alicia is also a hairdresser and has been doing
their hair for years and they have just become
great friends and I can tell you from experience
that it's hard for me to even call some of my
clients, "clients" because they have become such
wonderful friendships! WOW, right!?

So now, I ask that you pray for Alicia and her
family as their little girl is still up in ICC
at Children's and they are missing their friends!
Pray for their daughter's continued success and
health so that they, too, someday soon can return
home and start their new normal!

Alicia is on the left...





Another fun thing...Alicia & Christa don't live
that far from one another either...cool, huh?!

Jessica wants to be in the homecoming photos
when Alicia's little girl goes home!! :)

Danza.

Yay! Danza went home yesterday! And I got
to be there for the send off!







Thank you Christa & Randy for allowing me this
wonderful, beautiful, happy opportunity! Danza is
just perfect! A tiny miracle...what joy she will
bring! I'm glad you are keeping that photo that you
had taped to her bed. She will cherish that someday!
You just tell Danza that I told you not to toss it! :)
Keep in touch when you can to all the goings on!
I'll get your images to you soon.

Today I am going to go and sit with a friend who
has recently endured back surgery to break up
her boredom and bring her lunch.

The City Tour that Here's Life Inner City was
putting on this Saturday was canceled. I'm so
bummed. I was looking forward to that. I may
just head down there anyway and shoot in that
now I have a Saturday open...my last free Saturday
for the next 3 months!! YIKES!

I had to miss my PUG meeting last night.
My schedule has been pretty tight. Gary went
down to the Twins game with my brother and I
sat with some cabernet on the porch and watched
American Idol & Dancing with the Stars! big night!
Thanks to TiVO! Quite relaxing. Rusty (who might
start going by the name of "Cheddar") sat with
me the whole time...so cute.

Hey, I have GOT to get going!

Danza is ready to come home.

I'm going to hit the gym and then run down
to Children's to photograph a homecoming session.
Danza's twin sister, Joely Joy passed away
at Children's in early January but Danza
has been a real fighter and is now ready to go
home and start her life. So exciting.
Thanks Chris Slater for switching around your
appointment with me so that I can fulfill a
request by this family.

Rusty is so funny. At night, when I put him
in the office he sticks his paw out from under
the door and rattles the door back and forth
just like Hobie did when he was a kitten.
It's pretty funny! Then in the morning when
I let him out he stops and it's like he doesn't
know where to go first..again...funny.
I have to get a video recorder!

I actually have a pretty big hair day today so
I'm going to get rolling.

Nicki, are you ready for the city tour this
weekend!? I'm so excited!

NILMDS update

I have decided to take on the role of NILMDTS
coordinator for Minneapolis Children's Hospital.
Our new system of affiliates selecting days that
they will be available throughout each month
will ease the phone calls to be made by each
coordinator. So if you or anyone you know is
in need of our services at Children's (next to
Abbott) in Minneapolis, I'll be the one in charge
of coordinating a photographer for sessions
being handled at that hospital.

I'm finishing up the Martin wedding today and
will have their proofs online in the next couple
of days.

Rusty had a big day out of the office yesterday
and has discovered new worlds beyond that door!



He still gets put in there from time to time and
sleeps there as well...he's doing great but Hobie
and Katie are continuing their campaign to have
him ousted.

We had a lovely day yesterday...no rain!
The Austin's came here for a yummy mixed grill
and mimosas! Gary is the grill master around here!

Then we each took a little nap and watched the
Players Championship at Sawgrass....pretty exciting
really. Sergio Garcia pulled off the victory in
a playoff.

Anne called and invited us to dinner at Outback.
Gary held down the porch and I went to meet them.
We laughed so hard and for so long I got sweaty!
Good times. Fun stories. Fond memories and great
food...Thanks Baker's & Mom for a bonus end to a
Fabulous day!

Well, another Monday with lots to do.

Happy Mother's Day!

Currently I am just a mom to my cats.
However, I am daughter # 1 of my FABulous mom!
I am wife to my handsome husband.
Only sister to my very sweet queen sister.
Sister to 3 pretty terrific brothers
and last but not least, Aunt to 5 gorgeous
nieces and 2 mighty cool nephews.

I think I'll celebrate today! That's quite
a list of accomplishments for me and most
of which I had no say in! ;)

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there!
Enjoy the feasts!

Gary and I are hosting his mother here at our
home today for a scrummy brunch. :)

Prom 2008

Enjoy....

23 cent pizza???

Check this out...
Makes me want to go to the gym!

Papa Johns 23-cent pizzas

Today I have a 75th birthday to attend
and I'm also going to do a fashion shoot
with some of the students attending the
Minnetonka High School prom..yummy!
Their big honkin' limo is coming at 7 to
pick them up so I should have some great
light to work with!

(I love coffee!)

Tomorrow I'm going to have the honor of
photographing the Thon family!
Jason & Stacey and their 2 darlings (Ian
& Lauren)..I can't wait!! :)
I'm sure we will go somewhere groovy!

Here are some shots from the Science Museum
the other night at my NACE event.
What a terrific venue!!!










FYI..I won again...a bottle of Cabernet! :)
Next month, NACE celebrates 50 years!
It's being held at the Chambers Hotel.
That's going to be a fun one!!

Rusty is doing grrrrreat! My little motor
boat, I should have named him "tug"...
I still might! :)

Melissa gets a tattoo!!

So, check this out (wow, I sound like
Randy Jackson!)...
Melissa Chepokas, sister to Mitchell of
The Miracles of Mitch Foundation, recently
turned 18 and decided it was time.
Click HERE...kind of makes me want to
get a tattoo now!
Oh, wait, can't...just got a kitten.
Oh but it could be a kitten paw!!
OMG!!

Today, Danza, the twin sister of a baby
girl who passed away early January is
having surgery. She's having a gastrostomy
feeding tube put in her stomach today (kind
of like Hobie's PEG tube)
and then can finally go home.
This is a family that I served with NILMDTS
and they have requested that I join them
for the homecoming. How awesome it that!!!
I'll keep you posted on Danza's journey.

okay...check THIS out!


The Honorable Norm Coleman
United States Senate
320 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2303
Re: For Photographers - Opens the Floodgates to Unauthorized Use

Dear Senator Coleman:

As a constituent, a photographer and a small business owner, I am writing to express my grave concern about The Orphan Works Act of 2008, as written in H.R.5889 and S.2913. I strongly oppose this legislation and cannot emphasize how devastating this will be to my business and to thousands of small business owners around the country if enacted in its current form.

First, I would like to make clear that I am not opposed to the use of orphan works by the cultural heritage sector for noncommercial purposes, or by museums and libraries for preservation and education. But this legislation, which is written so broadly, makes no limitations for these purposes, and instead, dangerously exposes my images to infringements while stripping me of any practical means to protect my work.

As a professional photographer, my work is my life.
My photos are reflections of my work. I love what I do and I currently have the protection of copyright.
I cannot imagine the loss I would incur if the Orphan Works
took hold. Please vote against this bill.

This legislation is the single worst development in the history of our medium and profession. I ask you to consider the very real harm this bill can do to existing businesses. Please vote against this bill unless it is amended to precisely define an orphan work as a copyright no longer managed by a rights holder.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit my concerns to you on the proposed Orphan Works legislation.

Sincerely,

Susan Austin

oh and lastly....

Four feet.

Yep. My family grew by 4 feet on Monday.
I'm actually still wrestling with his name
but at the moment, it's "Rusty".
He's a happy little guy...he purrs when you
make eye contact!
He's in the office and the elders of the
house are quite curious but I'm keeping
them apart for the time being.

I've not taken one single shot of him yet.
Why? I don't know. He is too cute.

I'm meeting Bjorn today for lunch, finally.
Bjorn is a photographer that belongs to my
PUG group. I'm sure we will solve all the
world's problems today. He and I plan to
work with one another soon...swap 2nd shooting
at an upcoming wedding.

G is coming over today to have me rock her
hair out for Friday's prom! WAIT 'til you see
her dress! It is aMAzing!!!



I can't wait to see this on her.
I'm going over near the Old Log Theatre
on Friday for photos!!


Jacquie, how's the chin? ;)

Seis de Maya

Yes, the lesser known Mexican holiday.
(kidding)
But I'm NOT kidding about our new family
member. His name is Rusty. He is a 9 week
old Birman and he is the most handsome
Birman kitten I know!
He came home with me yesterday from my
sister's and this morning Gary called and
said..."is he going home now?" I laughed!
Then he said..."I was just checking."
Boys. They are so stupid sometimes.

Rusty is staying in the office for now
with the door closed so that Katie & Hobie
can know of his presence, just not see him.
Then in a few days I'll open the door and
"expose" the little darling through a gate.
This is what the experts all say is the
best way to introduce a new pet to the
existing ones.

Oh, and just so you don't think that Gary
is against this...When I finally came to
bed last night, Gary had Rusty up in the bed
with him and he wanted him to sleep with us.
That lasted about 10 minutes!
He is just too cute.

I have way too much work to catch up on.
I have to go.....Here are some random shots
from the weekend...

Cinco de Mayo.

Cinco de Mayo~
In English..May 5th/5th of May.

This date will always be a day that I
celebrate and not because I love
Mexico (I do) but rather because it
will forever mark the day that I
decided to save my life.

This is actually the 5th anniversary
of the day that I quit smoking. Yay me!
I know I mention it each year but it's
significant to me and I would like to
let others know that there IS life
(no pun intended) after smoking.

Now, I'll admit, I've given myself
plenty of liberties over the past
5 years and as a result I've put on
nearly 25 pounds (not real happy with
that), it just creeps up on you.
but today that all changes.
I've decided that today I am committing
to taking my body back!!
I'll be posting my progress in bits
and pieces as not to bore you or scare
you away from my blog!

My first goal: Lose 10-12 pounds by the
Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala (June 14th).
There. I said it. Now it's out there.

(My mom just sent me an e-mail that
reads..."Felize Quitidad!" she's funny!

I'm supposed to go and pick up my kitten
today. I'll let you know how that goes.

Kind of a me day today although I have
reserved it for Nancy & Rick Martin's
wedding images..still going through those.

Have a great day!

Minnesota Twins Baseball.

Today will mark my 4th annual event with
my buddy, Jim Werdin and his Access Insurance
Agency. He puts together a day of Fun, Family,
Baseball, Food, Silent Auction and a Live
Auction to throw out the first pitch to the
highest bidder with the proceeds going to
the Miracles of Mitch Foundation!
Great people, great cause!

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.

Finishing up

s..l..o..w.. warm up.

As many of you twincitians know,
we had rain of biblical proportions
yesterday. UNbelievable, really.
I'm certain that the lake levels are
up and there are rivers where streams
used to be this morning.
Yesterday was hideous, painful and yes,
soggy. I wore my bright yellow wellies
all day with my jeans tucked in and
I got stopped everywhere I went!
"great boots!"..."I LOVE your boots!"
It was my way of taking a dreadfully
yucky day by the throat and making
it a little brighter....for everyone!

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!

Basillica of Saint Mary

Or simply mary.org will be the site of my next
wedding, May 24th, Memorial Day weekend.
This has got to be one of the most prestigious
venues for a wedding ceremony in Minneapolis.
The Basillica (as it is referred to here) is
a very sought after Catholic Church and is
booked years in advance. I must also say
that the structure itself makes for some
mighty phenomenal images. I am so looking
forward to photographing this wedding.
Afterwards we will work our way over to the
Walker Art Center across the highway
for our photo walk (just the bride & groom)
I'm going to be praying for stellar weather
for the 24th over the next several weeks!
Won't you join me?!


"Insist upon yourself. Be original."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Return of Rip Van Winkle...

Gary came in and wiggled my toe at 10:30
this morning. Woops! I was out cold.
The Casino session with my clients ran
really late and the only thing I could do
was stay to the end for the big awards.
I felt a little like the folks at the
Oscars...what are ya gonna do, leave?
I just wish I would have warned my mom
that running late was possibility.
She was up 500 bucks at one point and
walked away up about 200...sorry mom! :)
Thanks for dinner and gas tho'. You're
the best! It was fun anyway.

I'm catching up with everything today
which is such an amazing feeling.
I have yet to get to Nancy and Rick's
proofs from the 19th, however.
That is my very next task.

I have a ton going on in the next few days.
3 families checking into the Hilton
tomorrow, Sam Puc's "Bellies & Babies" tour
on Saturday at the very same Hilton and
my buddy, Jim Werdin is holding his annual
Family & Friends Day with the Minnesota
Twins on Sunday. I love that one. I get
to go through the tunnel, see the players
and photograph the winner of the live
auction for throwing out the first pitch.
It's a cool gig!






Oh, and I'm meeting Bjorn Meisner for lunch
tomorrow...a colleague of mine. We intend to
talk shop. Bjorn recently let go of his
"day job" and I have to say "kudos"..
I am jealous.

See you tomorrow Bjorn!