{Lifestyle Portraiture} Sneak Peek - Two Mothers Food Catering event | Naperville Lifestyle Photographer

Do you know of Two Mothers Food in Naperville, IL? If not, check out their link. They have been getting rave reviews in the press and recently, were also interviewed on TV. If you have had a chance to meet them in person, you know what I am talking about. These women are amazing. They have a zero waste kitchen that cranks out the most amazing food. They also cater to special diets like vegans, gluten-free, vegetarian - you name it!.

I had a opportunity to interact with them while photographing Mary's Wholesome Living Holiday Cookie Class (check out that post here). I loved meeting them and sampling their food. It is really delicious and "feel good" food. Christy contacted me a couple of weeks back asking me if I would be willing to photograph an event they are catering - a wedding!. This was something new for them and they wanted to document their journey. I jumped at the chance and let me tell you - these women are impressive. They made it seems so easy and effortless. The food was incredibly delicious and the little touches that they added to the presentation was exceptional.

Ladies, here is your sneak peak! - you guys rocked the wedding and here's to wishing you great success in this new endeavour. You nailed it! :)

The appetizer table that greeted the guests as they walked into the reception/dinner area!

The ladies in action! - they made it seem so effortless!

The food does not need any introduction! - it was absolutely delicious. The little heart-shapped carrots in the salad and the yellow "shots" of soup! - see, I told you the presentation was phenomenal.

Drumroll please - the lovely ladies behind Two Mothers Foods - Christy and Nicky.

What a wonderful compliment when the bride comes back to the kitchen to thank you for all the wonderful food you have just served.

Check them out - you will not be disappointed!

{Lifestyle Portraiture} Baby Shower - Celebrating life! | Palatine Lifestyle Photographer

One of the best ways to celebrate life is to celebrate a baby! :) - A new baby brings so much with it - not just it's physical presence but a sense of purpose, a sense of calm, sense of beauty and awe for all that is precious about life. 

A few weeks back, a small group of us gathered to celebrate a mom-to-be and a dad-to-be as well a baby waiting to be born soon. We had a great time - shared some great laughs and stories about childbirth, baby names and baby antics. Everyone had some advise to share and it was wonderful watching mom-to-be take this all in - she had the sweetest smile on her face - the immense joy in her heart was so evident for all to see and feel.

Congratulations A & I - eagerly waiting to meet your baby boy :)

{Personal Expressions} Home made and finger licking delicious! | Naperville Lifestyle Photographer

What a wonderful way to spend an evening indoors - making home made pizza. We used store bought dough and sauce, added a whole bunch of cut vegetables, layered on some low fat mozerella cheese and 20 minutes later - home made pizza.

Next time we are going to try making the dough at home too and using grandma's secret recipie for pizza sauce. It cannot get more wholesome that this - Move over Papa Johns, there is a new pizza in town and it's right here in my kitchen!

{Lifestyle Portraiture} Sneak Peek - Mary's Wholesome Living | Naperville Lifestyle Photography

I had such an amazing opportunity this past week - I got to photograph Mary and her holiday cooking class while they met and cooked up a storm. The evening was so perfect - dinner made by Christy of Two Mothers Food using the freshest ingredients possible, triple ginger cookies and kolackies made from scratch, Mary's famous ginger beer and wonderful company of some amazing women.

Mary wanted to have pictures taken for her class and I was happy to oblige! - I tried not to get in the way of these serious bakers and absolutely loved it. The pictures speak for themselves - the atmosphere was so relaxed. Mary is such a wonderful teacher and you know she really loves doing this by just looking at her - her body language and her voice and tone were perfect!....I think this is the best way to learn to cook...have Mary teach you! :)

Enjoy your sneak peak, Mary and thank you for this wonderful opportunity!

I love this one - Mary not only shows you how but also passes along little tips and tricks on what to look out for when you make the cookies at home - on your own! AND she makes you practice in class!

How beautiful is this - go from a bunch of ingredients to perfect, moist ginger cookies!  yummy!!!

The culinary experience did not stop there - Christy and Mayome of Two Mothers Food prepared the most amazing pasta and salad right then and there. We feasted! (yes - that is truely the right word) on our dinner while the cookies baked!. 

Two Mothers is a zero waste kitchen. No plastics anywhere and we used real plates, silver ware and cloth napkins during our meal!!!!

{Personal Expressions} What do you see? - a photo is worth a thousand thoughts!

The great thing about being behind a camera is the creativity it sparkes. With an eye towards a good shot, you are constanting thinking about angles, lighting, subject, placement, emotion. The technical aspect of the shot are less interesting than the mood you want to capture, the emotion you want to evoke and the message you want to get across.

 

I am trying to tell you to imagine you are sitting in a quiant English cottage drinking a hot cuppa tea!