The Ebel Family :: Chicago area family photography

We sure love this family! Even with kiddos who hadn't napped, got cold, and were generally wiggly, I still love the images we made together. Here's just one:

Klaudyna & Kris :: Chicago area wedding photography

I almost didn't get this blog post squeezed in, since baby girl is about to make her appearance any day, now. But these images are too special not to share!

This was such a fun wedding to be a part of! There was a wonderful feeling of love and celebration surrounding Klaudyna and Kris. Friends and family were so obviously happy to be there with them - and they knew how to rock a dance floor!

And Klaudyna taught me something new on her wedding day. You know the expression "tying the knot?" I never really knew where it came from, but on this very rainy day, Klaudyna schooled me that historical brides and grooms would tie a literal knot, and it was good luck to have it tied so tightly it couldn't be undone. If the knot was wet, it made it even harder to untie. So this level-headed bride was unfazed by all the rain, and even counted it as good luck. I love that!

To see more of their beautiful day, watch their slideshow. Here are a few of my favs...


Congratulations Klaudyna and Kris!!! Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your special day.

Kathie & Chad

Oh, my! You all have waited so patiently for me to get this post up! I promise it was worth the wait.

This was one of the most special weddings I have ever had the privilege to photograph. Besides the fact that the groom and I went to preschool together (yes, preschool!), and that our families have vacationed together in Michigan every August for many years, the special chemistry between this bride and groom is what made it so magical. They are just P-E-R-F-E-C-T together. It was proof again that God is soverign and brings two people together in a very purposeful way. If I told you the story of how they met, you might not believe me. I'll just say it involved a kitchen remodel and Home Depot! :-)

So enjoy a few of my favorites (there were so many I love, it was hard to choose!), and be sure to check out their slideshow.

Kathie's brother passed away last year, and this car was his baby. I thought it was a sweet way to honor his memory and include him in the wedding.
A surprise appearance by the University of Cincinnati mascot. Can you tell these two are big UC fans?

At breakfast the next morning, I was chatting with Chad's dad about how what a perfect match Kathie is for Chad. "I've never seen him more content," his dad said. I think content is the perfect word, and this picture totally captures that feeling.

I don't normally take a photo with the bride and groom, but couldn't resist it this time. Kathie and Chad, I'm so happy for the two of you, and wish you all the best in the years to come!

The Rudolph Family :: Chicago area family photographer

Meet the Rudolphs! Growing up, David lived next door to me. And Mary lived just a few more doors away, at the end of the street. I love that our friendship has continued over the years, and I REALLY loved being able to capture some beautiful images of their sweet family. It was a whirlwind weekend trip to Cincinnati, so this session almost didn't happen, but boy am I glad we squeezed it in! It was fun to run around the park chasing after these two active little people, and the crisp autumn air and amazing fall color were so invigorating.




To see more of these adorable little boys, check out their slideshow.

Sneak Peek: Kathie + Chad

I can't wait to share the rest of this wedding with you! I've known Chad and his family for a very long time, so it was extra special to celebrate with them. Stay tuned... there's more to come.

2 years old : Aaron

I've been mentally planning this session for a long time. This 2-year-old isn't just any kid - he's mine. :-) Of course, not many things went the way I had planned, but Aaron knows how to strut his stuff in front of the camera, and I'm loving the images we made together. I really wanted photographs that captured his special 2-year-old energy, and I think these do it. To see more, check out the slideshow I put together.




Is someone in your family celebrating a special birthday? I'd love to create some special images to mark the occasion, so give me a call!

Picture Perfect Makeup

It's sometimes a lot of work to pull together a look for picture day. Whether it's a family portrait or your wedding day, here are some great tips for looking your best with makeup (thanks, Martha Stewart!):

A good professional photographer will be able to shoot you beautifully whether you are indoors or outdoors, but it's helpful to know how lighting will affect the appearance of your makeup. Here are some basic differences between daylight, flash, and black-and-white photography, and how to apply your makeup accordingly.

Daylight
Any flaws in your skin will be more apparent in natural light. That's why it is a good idea to even out your skin tone with foundation. "If some of your pictures will be taken outdoors, put your makeup on in front of a window so you won't be too light- or heavy-handed," says New York City makeup artist and salon owner Eva Scrivo.

Flash
One advantage of flash is that it can help hide imperfections. "Flash will camouflage certain problem areas by making them brighter, so any blemishes, dark circles, or redness won't be as noticeable," says New York City photographer Michael S. Barr. But there are disadvantages: "The main thing to watch out for when using direct flash photography on hot days is shine and reflection, "says Chicago photographer Tricia Koning. Carry a pressed-powder compact or blotting papers (to absorb oil without smudging your makeup) with you, and use them to minimize shine throughout the night. And be sure to use shimmery eye shadow and lip gloss sparingly. Shimmer can reflect back in photos, showing any fine lines or making your face look oily.

Black-and-White
Black-and-white photography is often more forgiving to the skin. "The contrast is intense, so you may not see as many flaws," says San Francisco photographer Kurt Prasse. Keep in mind that soft colors appear muted on film, while dark hues can look almost black. If your photographer will be taking mostly black-and-white pictures, be sure to create enough differentiation between your lips and skin by choosing a richer color of lipstick rather than a shade that's too neutral. If red is your everyday lip color, choose a softer red; a tone that's too bright can seem much darker on film.

Picture Perfect Makeup

From Martha Stewart Weddings, Summer 2004

Jessica & Marcus : Wedding

You might remember their fantastic engagement session. Now just wait till you see the wedding! The weather was perfect, and I have truly never seen a more stunning bride and groom.

Do you see the shoes Jess is wearing? These made her one very tall lady (and Marcus is 6'5"!), so I spent a lot of time climbing up onto chairs, steps, ladders... anything I could find to boost my 5'3". Her blue shoes also gave us something unique in common, since I also wore blue heels on my wedding day. Jess, you've got great style! :-)


Here are a few more of my favorites. For more, be sure to check out their slideshow.

Meet Sabrina

Sometimes I forget how tiny new babies are! Little Sabrina was just nine days old on the day of her session, and weighed in at 6lbs 1 oz. She just looked SO TINY. After photographing so many little boys lately, I had a lot of fun with all the pink. :-)

To see more of this sweet little face, check out her slideshow or her session previews at www.imagesbysharp.com.

Klaudyna + Kris: Engaged

I always get excited about a new location, and the Lightology store's rooftop was one of the best new locations I've found in a long time. Who knew such a quiet green space was nestled four stories above Chicago Avenue? The skyline views, blue skies, and hip furniture made a perfect setting for Klaudyna and Kris's engagement photos.


Klaudyna and Kris, I LOVE the images we made together! I'm really looking forward to your October wedding!!!

To see more, check out the slideshow.

Hello, Dane!

Oooh! Babies are so very sweet when they are this teeny tiny. Week-old baby Dane was a very good little boy, and slept through almost his entire session, only waking when he needed a little snack. The best part were the snuggles I got after the picture taking was finished. :-)

His slideshow is here. It's a beauty, if I do say so myself!

And here's a peek at his precious face:

Happy Birthday Dane!

I had the huge privilege last week to help support (and, of course, photograph) my dear friend LeAnn as she birthed her second son. There are just no words for what a sacred moment it is when a new life enters the world. I am REALLY looking forward to a newborn session with this little guy, but in the mean time, thought I'd share the slideshow I put together of his birthday. Welcome to the world, little guy!

Hello, Oliver

Oliver is a boy who knows what he wants. And pretty much all he wants is his mama to be holding and rocking him. I don't blame him one bit, since this little guy spent his first weeks in the NICU, being poked and prodded. To read Oliver's amazing story, check out his family's CaringBridge page here.

Despite a lot of fussing and fighting sleep, we had a wonderful afternoon making these photographs. Oliver's family is really special to me, and being able to meet him for the first time and catch up with these dear friends just made my day. My favorite moment came when we heard Oliver's dad and big sister playing in the basement, making all kinds of funny noises. "Does life get any better than this," I asked his mama, "having babies and growing families?" She and I agreed that our wonderful husbands and healthy children are precious blessings.

Oliver, you are an amazing little guy, and you've had to fight hard for these first several weeks. I know that God has special plans for you, so just keep doing your thing, getting bigger and stronger every day. I'm so excited to watch you grow!

Here's a peek at a few of my favorite images from his session:


And here's Oliver's slideshow. Enjoy!

Jessica & Marcus: Engaged

Two beautiful Calvin grads, a gorgeous sunset, and one of my favorite locations... Yep, it was one of those nights when I really loved my job. Jessica and Marcus were so alive and so in the moment that I couldn't help but capture their great smiles, their love for each other, and their general fabulousness. :-)

Take a look, and I think you'll agree that they are FABULOUS!








Jess & Marcus, I absolutely can't wait for your wedding in August! To see more from their session, check out their slideshow.

slideshow link should work now!

Okay... it's been a little trial and error in getting our web slideshows to work just right. I'm sorry if you tried to view it yesterday and it wasn't working. I think we've worked out the bugs, so give it another try. Mel and Zach's slideshow is here!

Melanie & Zach

Melanie is a little shy and sweet. Zach is a laid back but totally in charge kind of guy. And their wedding on Saturday was one of the most romantic we've been to in a long time. I can't remember the last time I met two people so very much in love!

Every detail of this wedding was absolutely beautiful, and a lot of TLC was evident: the hand-sewn flower girl dresses (5 of them!!!), the floral arrangements put together by Mel's mom and friends, the custom programs and escort cards... Melanie even choose unique vintage brooches for her bridesmaids to wear with their super cute dresses. When I asked her what three words she wanted to describe her wedding, she choose Vintage, Sweet, and Romantic. As I look back on their perfect day, I couldn't have picked better words to describe their celebration.

Congratulations, Melanie and Zach! Here's a sneak peek of some of my favorite images. To see more, check out your slideshow. Just a note that if you've linked to the blog from our website, remember to turn the website music off so you can hear the slideshow music. :-) Enjoy!

Keeping my fingers crossed...

One of the things I love most about the photography world is how much there is to learn. Just when I think I'm mastering one aspect of my art, something new comes along and gets me super excited (and sometimes a little frustrated as I struggle to grasp the new concept). One of my biggest sources of new inspiration this year has been fellow photographer Me Ra Koh, and her blog. Based in Portland, OR, she and her husband travel the country giving workshops to women just like me who are excited to learn and grow their talents.

When yesterday's blog post arrived in my inbox, I could hardly contain myself. She's giving away three scholarships to her Discovery Workshop in San Fransisco! So I took a big bold step and nominated myself. :-) So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be making the trip next month to this fabulous workshop. I've been reading the entries, and the competition is stiff! There's just so many fabulous women out there who get excited about learning. :-)

Do you know a woman who would benefit from this learning opportunity? Nominate her here. Entries must be in by 6am Pacific tomorrow morning, so if you're feeling inspired, better hurry!

Lookin' Good!

A new look for Sharp Images has been in the works for some time. It's been a lot of late nights and html frustration, but I'm so proud to announce that our website has a brand new look today. :-) Check it out, and let me know what you think!

We're also really excited about this weekend's event at Best Brands Resale. Come visit our table to get a great discount on our regular session fee, and enter our drawing for a FREE session. If you watch carefully, you'll also probably spot me hunting the racks to find some cute Gymboree bargains. If you can make it, email me (sarah@imagesbysharp.com) and I'll send you a coupon for free admission to the sale.

Happy Thursday, friends!

Maryville Academy Gala

I'm a little slow on getting images of this oh-so-glam event out, but we've had some exciting things happening at our house this week, so I hope you'll forgive me. :-)

I had only been to the Drake Hotel once before, when some friends and I decided to dress up and hit the town for the evening. I remember being struck by the opulence of the historic building - crystal chandeliers, ornately carved pillars, lush floral arrangements everywhere. So when Mary called and invited me to photograph their Gala event there, I was THRILLED! And believe me, this party did not disappoint. Guests arrived to this black tie event dressed to the nines, and a lot of $$$ was raised for a very worth cause.

Check out the main dining room:


There were a lot of hugs, handshakes, and laughter during the cocktail reception:


And I mean it when I say every detail was attended to. Right down to the custom napkins. This group really knew how to pull together an elegant event.


The program part of the evening was, for me, the most interesting part. I didn't know much about Maryville or what they do, but I quickly learned that they are a haven for Chicago's children. The focus of the evening was on their crisis nursery program, where parents can leave their children in a safe and caring environment while they navigate employment, health, or relationship obstacles. What a wonderful service these staff and volunteers provide, and the families in the program attested to its positive impact in their lives. Even Cardinal George made an appearance to thank those involved in supporting and running this special service. It was clear that his presence was a big deal, and he graciously took time to talk with many of the party goers.


After all the speeches, thank-yous, and video presentations, these folks were ready to party! So the dance floor was opened, and the energy hit a super high. I couldn't help but smile as I watched so many show off their best moves. :-)


Thank you, Maryville, for inviting me to be part of such a special night!