Proposal Photoshoot!

On Friday I had the very rare opportunity of witnessing and photographing a proposal!  

Steve recruited me last month to help surprise his girlfriend, Kathryn, with a ring in one of my favorite spots in Paris, IL -- Schwartz Park.  I pretended to be photographing flowers when they arrived so Kathryn wouldn't get suspicious :-)  She thought they were just at the park to give her little one an opportunity to run around in the summer sun, but before long, Steve was down on one knee and she was BEAMING!  I'm so lucky to have been a part of their incredible moment together.  Here are a few photos from the proposal -- 

Congratulations again to Kathryn and Steve!!! 

Thanks again to Steve and Kathryn for letting me be a part of such an important moment!  Congrats!

Photowalk Minneapolis!

Ok!  After 45 days, 9 photowalks, and SO MANY TRAINS, here are photos from the final America By Rail photowalk!  I'm going to continue posting photographs over the next few days, weeks, and months... but I'm going to save some for the book :-)  

Minneapolis is a gorgeous city filled with incredible architecture, patterns, colors, and textures.  I had an amazing time exploring last Saturday!

I just downloaded the new android app... TEST POST TIME!

Here's a shot of a pillow I made over the winter... great fabric :-)

Montana time!

Even though I finally returned home to Chicago on Sunday night, I still have two locations to finish posting about from America By Rail!  Today, I present more photos from my incredible time in Montana!

Over the course of 4 days I drove my rental car over 1,200 miles -- including a trip to the Canadian counterpart of Glacier National Park -- Waterton Lakes!  I saw loads of bears, elk, prairie dogs, horses, and moose.  After weeks of moving at an insane pace through soooo many cities, it was fantastic to slow things down, surround myself with nature, and enjoy the quiet.  :-)  I hope you enjoy the first few photos from Montana!

A sunrise from Going To The Sun Road

My new roadside friend -- lots of Montana is Open Range

A snowy day in June!

A shot from Going To The Sun Road, past Logan's Pass

My first bear sighting of the week!  I kinda want to hug it... although I'm not sure that would go over so well...

9:30pm and it's still light out!!!

Sunrise is GORGEOUS in Montana!

On the second day of snow, I drove east to the rolling prairie... 

New horse friends!

Amazing rolling hills!

Wildflowers with mountains in the distance.

SO FREAKING CUTE!

The Prince of Wales resort in Waterton Lakes.

Check back for photos from the Photowalk in Minneapolis!  

Montana Sunrise

I have been super preoccupied since I arrived in Montana on Monday morning... lets just say its been gorgeous here in the snow, sunshine, and rain.  I haven't wanted to waste a minute on my laptop or looking at photos!  Because this morning's sunrise was so gloriously amazing... I couldn't resist.  Here's a quick one before I grab some breakfast and drive up to Canada for the day!

Photowalk Portland!

Saturday was our Portland, Oregon Photowalk with Ben Latterell, and I had an AMAZING time.  We had a great turnout -- we even got some folks to join who just happened to be in the right place at the right time.  We started the day at Pioneer Square, took a nice walk through the parks of the city, crossed the river to get the industrial neighborhoods, and finished with dinner at Montage (where I was given leftovers in a very unique and exciting form).  After a bit of a rest, Ben and I hit the streets again for some night shots of the carnival along the river!  All in all it was an awesome day with so many fantastic photo ops.  Thanks again to Ben and everyone who made it out for the photowalk.  Portland was such a great time!!!

Group shot -- way to go Portland, with the being different!!!

A statue of Abraham Lincoln clutches a rose in the Rose City

Gorgeous details in the base of a fountain

Colorful graffiti

Looking mean with my Battle Axe -- leftovers from Montage

I'm a little behind schedule on blogging, but I'm in Glacier National Park in Montana right now... I'm lucky to be able to get online!  More posts soon!