The Other Woman

Yes, this is the other female in Brian's life. We adopted Maggie last October. She is a miniature dachshund, a mix of long hair and smooth coat. Brian declares she is just the cutest dog ever!! And in case you didn't know it, today (June 25) is "Take your dog to work day". That is really no big deal for Maggie because she comes with us most days. It's a good thing my feelsings don't get hurt easily because lately more and more people come and and the first question is "Where's Maggie?" She is very good with children of all ages.

We took this picture when we had the set up for one of our babies. We hung Maggie's "puppy clothes", easter bunny, collar and her very favorite bedtime cuddler "Wormy" on the clothes line. Would we do this for customer's pets??? You bet! We had a ball and Maggie seemed to enjoy it too!

One small compensation we have made at the studio is putting up a small counter and gate to keep her away from the front door and people as they first come in. That way if someone has an allergy or isn't comfortable around dogs she can be moved to a back room.

The Buuck Family - Together Again

Things have been interesting with the Buuck Family over the years. I believe the first time we did pictures for them was when daughter Stephanie married Bruce Fuhrmann. How do you test the dedication of two great families? Plan your wedding for January and hope for a little snow - then pull it off in a snow storm at a little country church. That was one time we actually worried about making to the church. Thankfully God smiled down on the Decatur - Hoagland - Monroeville area that day and the road stayed open.

Since then son Jeff married Cristy, son Chris married Laurie and lots of grandkids have been added. It has been a pleasure to watch this family grow and we appreciate the faith they have in our ability to create memorable portraits for them.

Travis

Every year we meet graduating seniors who have never been to our studio, some have never been professionally photographed other than school pictures. And then there are those whom we have watched grow up, maybe even photographed their parent's wedding. Travis Wyss is one of those. It seems like such a few short years since Joe and Lucinda got married. Family weddings, baby pictures, family pictures have kept us in touch. Travis has two passions in his life - bowling and video games, and he is a master of both. However, personally the thing I will always remember about Travis growing up is his jokes. No matter where I would see him Travis always had some good jokes for me! Best of luck in all of your future endeavors, Travis!

Mark & Sadie

When it came time for engagment pictures Mark Baker and his fiancee, (Sadie Cooper of Garrett) chose to be photographed at Grandma Bonnie's. First they had to wait to finish school and get back to Decatur. Then we got rained out. Then we got rained out AGAIN! Finally we got good weather. Ask Mark who won the contest and what it was about. This was probably the first time the photographer and groom got in a competition during a portrait session!

Reader's Choice

We were surprised last week to hear we were nominated for the Fort Wayne Newspapers Reader's Choice of photography studios in the Fort Wayne area. We have been chosen every year by the readers of the Decatur Daily Democrat, but this is the first year to be a Fort Wayne nominee. This ad will appear in a special booklet to be distributed early July in the Journal Gazette and News Sentinal. Thanks for the nomination! And thanks to Kaylee Kolter for a great session. It is so much fun watching you, your brother and cousins grow!

Andrew's Story

This is probably one of the most time consuming images Brian has done. You see, he has only begun to create the image when he presses that little black button on the camera. Often times he has an image in his mind's eye of how it will end up, and it takes a considerable amount of time, knowledge and several computer programs, filters and plug-ins to bring it to life.

So, you wonder, what is this image about? Well, Andrew Bultemeier has been wrestling for years, probably since he was 3 or 4. His dad was a skilled member of the Bellmont wrestling team, as was his older brothers, Victor and Ben. Andrew's goal was to follow the long line of BHS wrestlers to a state victory. Unfortunately, a host of sports injuries kept this from happening. That is why we have this image of his injuries "haunting" him.

Class of 2011

Heather Kohne and Zach Stoppenhagen

Heather is one of our 2nd Generation weddings. She danced with my son at the receptions for some of her parents friends, and went to school with him kindergarten through high school. I have to admit it makes us a little sentimental.

Zach's family is a part of our military family. When Kyle graduated boot camp we were told we had a new family, our marine family. However, even though the different branches give each other a hard time, everyone is working for the same cause. And the families back home have the same apprehensions and concerns. Zach and his two brothers have all served and have deployed. Thanks for your sacrifice guys!

Chris & Marissa

Chris and Marissa got married last spring at the Cathedral in Fort Wayne. We made plans to photograph in the park before the wedding since time is limited at the Cathedral. God had other plans for us! Rained lightly in the morning, looked good. As we neared the Jefferson St. exit on 69 the rain picked up and got pretty hard. A couple of quick calls and we regrouped. Everyone was very cooperative and Chris and Marissa got all of the pictures they wanted, just with a rearranged schedule for pictures. AND they still made the reception on schedule! Chris considers himself one of the luckiest guys on earth. He got an absolutely beautiful bride who comes from a family as sweet as his is!

More tomorrow.......

I'm back!

The fall season got the best of me - but I'm back! New postings will be up tomorrow with wedding images, among other things. See you tomorrow!