This anniversary has been different than ones in the past. It feels like a very big milestone. We live our lives in an open honest way, and we joke about how we’d like to strike year one off the record. Those who know me well, know that I am a big cheerleader for marriage. It is the only thing in life I have experienced that is guaranteed to get better with hard work and laughter. Other things in life just aren’t that way.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into five years ago except that I wanted it. I wanted to be married and live life together. The intent and dedication in the beginning from us both has brought us here. Now we stand two very different people yet way more in love than when we began.

Things about us you may or may not know…

We hold hands a lot.
His wedding ring is a tattoo with my initials.
He is into good beer, I’m into good red wine.
I love all things green.
We’re very honest.
His mind is always creating.
I always have nature around me.
He designs modern stuff.
I get carsick.
We take walks often.
He proposed with twine and not a diamond.
We both love coffee.
He has a patent.
Our kitties are spoiled.
He drove a plaid VW bus when we met.
He asked me out. I declined. Persistance wins.
He flies kites on our rooftop.
Our first apartment was $325 a month.
I am happiest when I am outside.
We believe in naps.
My diet consists of 75% beans. They are just so good!
We value people and their dreams.
I leave my shoes all over the house. Then can’t find them.
I loose my keys daily. He finds them.

We are in love and happy to be Mr. and Mrs. Stevens.

Thought you might enjoy some photos from the last 5 years. WARNING: not all are of professional quality!!

Wedding day – All of these photos were film and scanned in. Carson Studios Photography.

Year 1

Year 2 – We came to Chicago!!

Year 3- We lived on Lake Michigan.  Night time strolls on the beach.

.Our first office.

Year 4

Photo courtesy of Oijoy Photo

Here’s to Year 5 and many more happy years to come.  Yay  marriage!!

About four weeks ago Eric and I drove south to the town I grew up in, went to high school, and eventually met Eric and fell in love. It is home. We came from San Francisco, New York and Chicago to be together.  We stayed out in the woods for 3 days, with no iphone buzzing with emails, no tv, no phone calls, just home with my family.  No family is perfect, not everyone gets along 100% of the time, but my family holds deep deep love. It is one of my greatest gifts. One evening we all gathered and listened to Grandma talk about her life.  All her grandchildren and children sat around her listening…. she told us we could ask her anything, so we did.  Silly and serious alike.  We all laughed remembering Grandpa, and asked her what he was like before we all knew him.  She read us her favorite hymn.

On my birthday I went on a walk with my dad, my brother Josh and love Eric.  It is my favorite memory from the weekend. We probably only walked about a half a mile.  I looked ahead of me…. the three most important men in my life, all to myself for an hour in the woods.  I was trailing behind and had a big stupid grin on my face.  Surrounded by green, with the three men I love the most.

We went swimming in the creek every day we were there.

This is my brother Josh another talented photographer himself, with his VERY expensive camera in the creek!! This picture is hilarious to me.

I had forgotten what is was like to go home.

I thought you might enjoy seeing us in action.  Remember the secret wedding?   Each artist has their own voice, their own view of the world.   With two of us, our unique yet harmonious voices capture more of who you are and the unique love you share.  It also affects our own relationship. every. single. time.   We walk away from each couple inspired, deepened by their story and journey. Shooting solo for me doesn’t’ bring the deep joy compared to when we’re together. He knows me more than anyone else.  He knows what I see, what my strengths are, how I feel that day, my insecurities.  I know the things that catch his eye that make his heart sing and what he can do better than I.   We produce powerful images when we shoot together.  The stories we experience and write through the lens is then woven into our own love story, richening our lives with new thoughts and new experiences. Capturing YOUR story makes us fall more in love.

Bet you didn’t know that!

Want to see the images from this shoot?  Click here!

Lately Eric and I have been trying to play more.  Last week we  put on our walking shoes and  strolled down the block not sure where we would end up. We found ourselves at Montrose park on the swing set seeing who could go higher. The laughter and deep joy that bubbled out was almost unexpected.  I felt happy. It was so easy.  Instantly happy by two simple swings, my love, the setting sun and green grass.  We ended our stroll with a ridiculous game of two person tag.  I mean who plays two person tag? We do.  It was a moment I won’t ever forget.  We were racing by couples walking calmly hand in hand on the concrete path while Eric and I were zooming in and out creating a ridiculous scene.  We didn’t care.  We were laughing, running… playing.   I remember running at top speed and hearing Eric laughing like a kid behind me. It was magical.

We came home.  The laundry still there, the emails piled up, our obligations and bills present except we had laughed.  Together. Like children.

Go play.  Its good for you.

If you frequent her blog, spring is the best thing to happen to her. I smile knowing that she leaves home early to find a garden to wander through. Possibly before she makes her way to you. If so, expect her to have a blossom stowed in a pocket, or a seed riding along clinging to her bag. Try and ignore her squeaky shoes as they are just dew wet. But, do try and notice her smile and her heart a wonderful sigh of calm.

I am starting to realize the little green happy gardens might just be the secret in such a fast life. Thank you Jessie, for working so hard to build this business and our wonderful life, even when its too busy for us both.

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.  – Frank Lloyd Wright

photos courtesy of my iphone.

On Saturday Eric and I went to Starved Rock State Park for a day together in the newly warm air and sunshine.   I can not remember the last time I was outside for four hours consecutively.  We hiked and wandered around the woods through canyons and trails.  I don’t know if I’ve ever spent significant time in the woods during the early Spring.  We were surrounded with tiny new leaves popping out , and little cheerful flowers popping up on the forest floor yet the large canopy trees were still bare.  Everything was brand new and waking. It was breath taking.  We came around the bend in the trail to this breathtaking spot of sunlight through the trees with dreamy light and took time out of our hike to enjoy it and capture one another. All the other hikers passed on by but we lingered here.

Take some time with the ones you love and to really commit to living inspired whatever that may be for you. Believe in the power of its transformation both in your personal and professional life.

I’m a better wife, entrepreneur and photographer for my four hours in the woods.

My motto. “Let us come alive to the splendor that is all around us, and see the beauty in ordinary things”             [ Thomas Merton]

P.S.  Any fab couple want to drive 2 hours out of Chicago, hike 2 miles into the woods for a unique unbelievable love shoot?!!  Seriously it was some of the most incredible light e.v.e.r.

This was on my studio’s block yesterday!!

I’ve had many conversations with photographers about this delicate balance.  To succeed you must pull back on the business end to allow creative space for yourself.  It is so important to feed the creative in you and no one can tell you how that happens.  It is different for each artist.  For some it is being alone in the quiet to find rejuvenation and new flow of creativity.  For others its being among the hustle and bustle of others, watching and feeding on the energy of others.  For some its books, traveling,the outdoors, music, dinner with friends or reading the newspaper.

As I continue on this journey I realize how so very important it is to feed my creativity.  I am  learning how to give my self the space to grow, to change, to fail, to be inspired. If not, my business will fail and fade into the background as one of many.  Without allowing and feeding my passion I will tire and become mediocre.  I will stop pushing to be the best, to reach higher , to risk more for what I believe in, for my calling.  So put down the bank statements, the emails that don’t seem to have an end, the bills, the marketing, the phone calls and go read an inspiring book, see the others around you and to let your passion recharge.  Photographers, this is what your business is built on, and it is important!!

On that note, I’m going to take a walk. I mean come on, its 75 degrees in Chicago on April 1!!

Our studio.  We have work space with computers and paperwork out of ears, along with a sofa to sit , read, and chat it up with our clients.