Courtney & Mark

Courtney!!!

This post is for you:)

It was so nice to finally meet you! I had a total blast with you and Mark. I cannot wait for your wedding...... I know it's going to be a great day.

WOW!!! Gorgeous blue eyes!

This goes out to my dear friend Melissa...

Music can be so powerful in times of sorrow. I thought of this song on my way home tonight, it was very special to me and I want to share it with you. I cannot take away your pain, but I can offer you a hand to hold, an ear to listen. Fill your heart with happy memories, I'm here to tell you that it will carry you though this difficult time. Love ya, Tracy

Blush Boudoir...

I know I've said it before but I absolutely love shooting boudoir. It's such an honor to help my clients truly embrace their own natural beauty and to feel confidence and sexy. Thank you girls so much for your emails and allowing me to post these images.


Tracy,

I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful opportunity to do something out of the ordinary to wow my fiancé. I felt absolutely beautiful and sexy and I know I wouldn't have achieved that feeling without you or Michelle. I'm still on that high of "I can't believe I just did that…I had so much fun!" My only regret is that I wished I had opened up more and sooner in the shoot. As far as the process of the coffee table book, do you just create all on your own? Do I get to take a peek at it before it is printed? I was just wondering because like any other client, I am super excited to see how the shoot turned out! Thanks again Tracy for such a great experience and helping me look and feel my best during my boudoir pictures!

Note from Dawn:

Tracy,

Our July 26th wedding was wonderful, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in St. Lucia. I gave Kenny the b-pic album on the night of our wedding. He totally flipped and LOVED every-single-picture! He looks at the album all the time, and he has watched the DVD slideshow many, many times already! Thank you SO much for making me look so great and for taking such incredible photos! We are both so appreciative :) :) :) I can't wait to work with you again in the future... maybe a first anniversary photo shoot or some Christmas shots??? Thanks again SO SO much!

Ginette & Jason's Slideshow

Meet Victoria:

Victoria is my sweet little helper here at PicturesbyTracy:) I just adore her! She is only 14 and has already started her own photography business, going to Sinclair College and works with me. WOW! Wish I was this much ahead of the game when I was only 14;) I recently helped her put together a new blog & header, check it out here!!!! Leave her some sweet blog love {comments}

Ginette & Jason

This may sound crazy but I have been looking forward to posting Ginette and Jason's wedding before I even shot it! It was the most beautiful backyard wedding I've seen...so sweet, so simple, so personal and relaxed.

the beautiful bride

Love....love...love all the amazing details. Ginette (my fab DIY bride) , you took on a huge project, and you did it...with style, grace, savvy and flair!
cheers...

Just Because....

I have not posted an engagement slideshow in years so this is just because...no reason...just felt like it...

The Next Thing...

I'm always a little reluctant about posting personal things on my blog but I must say I'm so glad I shared "the next thing". Today I received another wonderful email about this post and she is allowing me to share. Thank you Ginette.

Hi Tracy!
I was just reading your blog and wow! Talk about timing… Thanks for the message about “the next thing”. I definitely think it is something that as women we can all relate to (especially those just married ;o). I needed to hear that message again.

Over a year ago Jason and I were planning our wedding. We were excited to be planning a wedding in our favorite city, Chicago and to share it with all of our friends. Then life took a turn…I had a fire at my townhouse. I lost so much (my beloved dog was the worst). But I was happy Nick and I were safe. Life showed me what was important. We were blessed to have supportive family and friends to help. We rebuilt our life, got a new house with Jason and began planning a new wedding. This time we decided in town and smaller.

Again we felt blessed….we had a gorgeous day, loving friends & relatives, and great vendors (like an awesome photographer ;o) around us. After an even better honeymoon we have come back to “regular life” and the daily grind. As I have sat at my desk this week trying to get back in work mode, I felt a bit sad. I realized it was because all of the planning was over. Everything was done. I didn’t have my “next thing” to look forward to or obsess about…ha!

Then I saw your blog and got really choked up…my next thing is right now. The next breath, smile, hug, and joy are to be had right now. Life is good and I am blessed. So thanks again! You are such a wonderful person.

Massage Therapy

I had the most amazing message yesterday with my new friend Cindy:) She is so darn good at what she does!! If your looking for a highly professional, fabulous & relaxing experience email me for Cindy's info.

There are many health benefits to receiving massage therapy on a regular basis:

Relieves stress:) Need that!
Encourages relaxation
Improves circulation Improves posture
Lowers blood pressure
Helps manage pain Relaxes muscles
Improves flexibility Improves breathing
Relieves tension headaches Strengthens immune system
Decreases depression
A good massage is an exhilarating experience:)

Thank you Cindy!!! I feel like a new girl and I have a new friend for life.

The Next Thing: email

Thanks for all the comments on my last post! I received the sweetest email from Beth about my post: The Next Thing

Thank you for posting your thoughts about living in the moment...a very good reminder of the way you should live your life! For some reason, I have been keeping the towels we got as a wedding gift in boxes because we have old towels we can still use (even if they don't match the new bathrooms). And as much as I LOVE candles, I always wait until someone is coming over or I have a special reason to use them. Why on earth would I keep fluffy new towels in a box and why don't I just use my candles all the time candles if I love them so much??? Needless to say, last night I put our new towels on the rack and burned my cucumber and cantaloupe candle to the bottom! Silly little things, but those silly little things make life more fun!!

I asked Beth if she minded if I shared this and she said... Of course you can post my e-mail...you are the reason my house smelled like cucumber and cantaloupe last night :)
Awwww I love it!!!!

The Next Thing....

I was talking to my good friend Shell the other day and the conversation turned to how I feel like I'm always living for the next thing, she was sharing her own struggles with this same issue. She said something that really hit me....."one day we are gonna miss where life is right now." This chat with my friend has changed me, I want to live for today. Thank you my friend.

A must read.... You're Gonna Miss This...



August 12th my little Skyler turned 8 years old...

Skyler & Payton... they fight like cats and dogs but in the end they would be lost without each other. I'm so glad we have two children.

He wanted an electric scooter or to skydive more than anything... well he has 10 more years to wait on the skydive;)

Sky said that this was his best birthday he ever had in his life!! :0) It was a good day.

Beth & Greg's Slideshow

The One Who Loves You the Most

A big thanks to Stacy for turning me on to this great artist!

Brittany & Mike

Brittany and Mike are both so darn cute, Brit is the all American girl & Mike with his one dimple...adorable! Can’t wait for the big day in November :o) Here are a few sneak peeks...