Happy Birthday to my one and only!!!

Today is a VERY special day...

It is the birthday of my one and only. (No, not Maddox! Ha!) It's my blonde haired, blue eyed, fun loving, husband Todd. I've been trying to find out what exactly to get him for the last month or so... he is extremely hard to buy for. I mean EXTREMELY.

So, the last month whenever I ask if he has any ideas on what he wants. He always says, "I just really want you to be nice to me, for just one day!"

REALLY?? That's it!!! That's not hard... considering I'm a NICE person. But really, that's all he wants?? Come on now! So after I found something, which I cannot disclose of that information until he opens it, but it's really fun, I decided I was going to do exactly what he wanted.

So today I got up REALLY early (1:30 am to be exact) to prepare a surprise breakfast for my lovely husband for his quarter of a century, yes you read that right, birthday. I was preparing some oh so lovely cinnamon rolls that needed 5 hours to rise. Pheww... that's a long time. I did this all without him knowing, how in the world is that possible, I'm not sure. But I got up again at 6 am to make sure all was looking good. So when his alarm went off at 7:30, I could run downstairs and finish just in time for him to come down to the sweet smelling fragrance of cinnamon and sugar before he had to go to work. I had the orange juice poured, sweet pineapple all cut up waiting to be ate with his rolls, I even started making his lunch, which he was very grateful of, except I was not doing it right so he took over.

I hope he feels extra special today since I have been EXTRA NICE to him so far today, as it is HIS special day! I'm really going to have to rethink what I ask for now come December when mine rolls around again...

Happy Birthday Honey... I hope you have a great day!

Yes I'm going to embarrass him by posting a young photo of him... he's just too cute! You can share your birthday wishes with him in the comments section below... I know he will be reading as well... Love you!!! Mwaaa....



I also want to say "Happy Birthday" to our friend's little boy Max, who we just took photos of over the weekend. How fun Todd gets to share it with someone else who is blonde hair, blue eyed, and cute as a button. Yes, both are very cute as a button!!!

Columbus Day

Not really Columbus Day and not really THAT Columbus, but more like Columbus, Ohio weekend... Ha!

Our good friends John & Rachel had us down to visit and to celebrate their son Eli's 1st birthday! We were thrilled to come and visit, as we always enjoy visiting them along with the rest of their VERY LARGE family. John and Todd roomed together in college and whenever they get back together it's like the good ol' days return. I do wish we lived close by, but visiting them is like vacation. It always seems to be nice weather when we go and there is always stuff going on so we never get bored! Not that we would ever allow ourselves to get bored, but it's like a mini-vacation.

Last time we saw Eli, he was only 4 months and now he's so big. He's almost walking and he's very vocal. He's super smiley and just a joy to be around. We also got to see our friends Luke & Bethany and their precious baby Claire, who was born a whole month early. She reminded me of how small my niece Isabella was when she was born. They weighed the same amount and both were super tiny. But just so cute and sweet. We also saw our friends Jeremy and Lydia, who Todd and I also went to college with. It was a great time and such a wonderful weekend. I had the privilege of taking four Costello kids sessions. All of which were just adorable.

It was a great time! It was also refreshing to know that no matter how far away we live to some of our good friends, that we still love them so dearly and we'll always be there for each other. To celebrate and share in the wonderful lives moments that will be cherished for a lifetime! As sappy as that sounds, it's so true!

Happy Birthday Eli & Max!

Thank you to the whole Costello family who made us feel like part of the bunch.

I'm including just a "sneak peak" of all four of the babies... and also the whole bunch who we went to visit!

What a fun bunch...



Here's Eli... Who just devoured his cake at the party...



Max... Who didn't want anything to do with his cake...



Shayden... who is 6 months old...



and Lil' Miss Claire... who is just a little over month old...



Lots more of these to come!!!

Have a great day!!!

Busy... even in the Rain!

Rain, Rain, please go away... and don't come back for a long time!

I'm so excited today is much nicer, but it seems it gets nice then rains and gets nice, then rains AGAIN! I just know any more rain and our backyard will be the neighborhood swimming pool opening for Memorial Day... Ha! So a lot has been going on lately, and I've been meeting up with some amazing vendors in the area. I just wanted to share a few of those with you, in case you are a bride or soon to be engaged, in the process of planning your wedding.

Jennie Weigand from Beautiful Day Planning is a great girl to talk to. She's got that perfect personality to help plan, organize, or just be the person who keeps things going smooth on your special day.

Nina Kelly from Nina Kelly's Cakes can do just about any kind of cake, cupcake, favor, etc... you can think of. She's super talented and super sweet! I am looking forward to working with her, as she is making the cupcakes for one of our August weddings.

Joseph from Christopher and Company, their flowers are just amazing! We have worked with them recently and the flowers were gorgeous. You can check them out from Paul & Sabrina's Wedding.

Also a big shout out to my girl, Jenn Webber with Jenn Webber Photography. She's worked with Todd and I a few times last year and is a total sweetheart! She's super talented and I am excited to see where her business goes!

Here we are cheesing it for the point and shoot camera... I seriously need to get a new one. Hmm... that's on my list this year!

Happy Earth Day!

I remember when I was young, and on one special day we would gather around a spot outside of school and we would plant a tree to celebrate a day we called "Earth Day". As the years went on, we would gather around the same time of year and plant that ONE tree to celebrate the Earth. As the years went on, it was not recognized as it was when we were young and we never planted that ONE tree... How sad! I feel the older we get, the more important it is so we still have a safe place to live with our children and children's children, and so on.

I am proud to say that I celebrated Earth Day today. I went to the Earth Day Expo out in Rochester, MI with a couple girlfriends. It was interesting to see all the products available now a days to live an eco-friendly life. I was amazed by some of the products, like a lawn mower that mows the lawn itself and mulches the grass to keep nutrients in the lawn itself. Amazing! Also, being an avid Clean Eater, they had a lot of food products that were all natural that I have not seen before. It makes me really excited for summer to get here so I can start shopping at the farmer's market. AND... the weather was AWESOME! I think that made the day so great... and so nice! Wooo... I can't think of a more perfect day... saving the earth on a very beautiful day! We even had lunch at the yummy Mind, Body, & Spirits restaurant in downtown Rochester. If you have never been there... I HIGHLY recommend it!

Last but not least, I planted my ONE tree (well basil plant) to remind myself of when I was little and what good we were doing for our planet. I hope everyone else not only enjoyed the weather today, but thought of ways that they could help save the Earth. If you are not sure what things you could do, I'm listing just a few things that doesn't take much to help...

1. Recycle! Recycle! Recycle! If your not sure what can be recycled... here is a quick list of household items that you might think twice about when opening your trash can.

2. Use totes bags instead of plastic bags. Look for the tote bags just about anywhere you go now a days, and maybe offer up your old plastic bags to dog walkers or some supermarkets do accept plastic bags for recycling. But just remember, waste prevention is the key.

3. Ride your bicycle, esp now that the weather is getting nicer out.

4. Use drying racks or clothes lines instead of an energy sucking dryer; it's easier on your clothes, your energy bill, and our fragile planet.

5. Use rechargable batteries instead of single-use batteries. It'll save you some bucks and the hassle of trying to recycle spent alkalines.

6. Compost your garbage instead of throwing it all away; over 60% of solid household waste is fit for the compost pile, heap or bin.

6. Turn off your lights, computers, TV's, etc... when you are not in the room or using them.

7. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. They're more energy efficient, last longer, and can even help clean the air in your home.

8. Instead of buying bottled water, use a water filter instead.

9. Draft excluders at the base of your doors can save vast amounts of cold air from getting in and heat from getting out.

10. Cut flowers are pretty and smell good, but are ultimately disposable after just a few days. The next time you're in the market for some, go for a potted version instead. They last longer, improve indoor air quality and can even be self-watering.

Happy Earth Day!

That's us with a cow from a local farm. Mooo....

Chris & Lindsey :: Engagement

I was so excited to meet them... as I have never have gotten the chance due to the distance between us. They live in South Carolina, which I'm pretty jealous about, and I live up here in Michigan, which I sometimes and pretty bummed about (esp in the winter). But Chris & Lindsey were the nicest and sweetest and funniest couple. I had such a great time getting to know them better and hearing how great South Carolina is... I'm thinking if we ever move, I would totally consider that state. I am glad they were able to make the trip before their wedding here in June for a quick engagement session. I know I'm pretty excited... best of luck finishing the last minute touches for your big day and Chris, I hope your back starts to feel better!

Thanks guys for a great time!

Here's some of my favorites from our session.













These next two crack me up... you can tell they have a blast together...





I love this one...





It got pretty windy, and they were about blown away... Haha!

My Secret is Revealed...

Hey Everyone...

I know I've been keeping it a little secret from you all, but I wanted to share with you, now that I am completely finished.

I have been working on a new website, and it is up and running! (It's still the same address) As I have done some MINOR changes to give us a fresh new look, yet keeping it sweet and simple! Let me know what you all think, I would love to hear!




Thank you for all your support... and keep spreading the Veldman Photo Love!!!!

He won me over...

Denis Reggie... who is that you might ask?! Well for those of you who don't know he's one of the most AMAZING photographers in the world right now. He has done weddings for Arnold Schwarzenegger, JFK Jr, Mariah Carey, and so many more. I got the chance to hear him speak tonight, and personally met him. He's so kind and so smart! He really won me over! He had some really good information to share and it was so worth the effort to make it to hear him talk. I was inspired beyond words... I can't wait to get out and apply some of the things I've learned tonight! Wooo Hooo....

Happy Tuesday!

Happy Easter!

I remember when I was little and my dad would take my sister and I out to my grandpa's house every year for an easter egg hunt. They would hide all the brightly colorful eggs all over the yard and then my sister and I, and a couple of our cousins, would go run around and chase each other to see who could get more eggs in our baskets. I loved opening those eggs to find a special gift inside, usually candy or coins. I was always happy if it was the change because I was not and still not much of a chocolate girl, I'm more of a jelly bean girl. But many years later, I still remember how fun it was and although Easter has a much different meaning to me now, it is a day to celebrate and a day to be with family and friends.

I hope whatever you are doing today, whether it be an easter egg hunt or just being with family and friends, that you are able to celebrate life... and enjoy life!

Happy Easter!

Maddox is very festive today!!!

Happy 2009!

Happy New Year!

Really???... I thought that was like 4 months ago, right?! Well, I feel like I just have to restart the year. I'm doing terrible at my resolution, which I guess I didn't really have one, but I wanted to. So I am starting over. Today is sort of like midnight Jan 1 and I'm starting again. I really wanted to get my business rolling this year, and although it is "rolling" I have not set goals that I want to attain as far as how it grows. I absolutely LOVE taking photos, and I could probably do it all day, well maybe have a couple 15 min breaks so I can eat because I do eat often... ha! But if I needed to skip eating, I totally would! But I want to allow myself to achieve things that I feel I am succeeding and doing the work I am called to do.

So all in all... I am setting new goals for my business and ONE of those goals is to blog more. I know I've been terrible and inconsistent, but how is anyone going to know who I am & Veldman Photo is if I don't tell them, right?! So check back more often as I'm going to find many things to chat about, whether it be photography related or just something fun. So tell your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, hair dressers, trainers, nanny's, waiters, pets to go ahead and check us out (You know Maddox is a follower!) I love it when people tell me they keep up on us through our blog, that makes me feel like what I'm writing is actually being read. Also... every 50th comment will receive a special gift from me so don't be scared to give feedback. So here's to more posts and more comments... Cheers!

I am leaving you with a "first look" at an engagement session I had today out in Rochester... super fun couple all the way from South Carolina! I wish I was shooting the wedding there! Ha!

Miss Kate :: 2 weeks old

Look at that hair! That is exactly what I said when I met Miss Kate. She's the cutest little baby! Plus she did really good despite she was hungry at first... poor thing just wanted to eat! Ha! I don't blame her, I get cranky too when I'm hungry. Well it was fun to capture Kate when she was so tiny, and I can't wait to see how she grows.

Congrads you guys... she's adorable!


A little fussy at first...



but she came around once mommy fed her a bit more...





Gotta love those tiny toes!



She was "almost" asleep... but did not want to budge...





She was moving her arms overhead like a natural-born model...



Look at that tooshie! Ha!

My Bestest being all Pregnant

I can't believe baby is ALMOST here!

My best friend, Stephanie, is about 3-4 weeks away to giving birth to either a baby boy or girl. I still can't believe she's even pregnant. It seems like just yesterday she was calling me telling me she thought she might be, and me telling her "Just wait a few days, and then go get a test". But here it is almost 8 months later, and sure enough there is one growing inside of her.

She is absolutely gorgeous, and I think she's one of the best pregnant women ever. I might be biased because of how much I love her, but she really is calm and collected. She's going to be such a wonderful mama, and I know that baby is going to be such a huge blessing to her and Ethan.

We only had, literally, like 10 mins to do some photos, as it was the end of the shower. It was also raining all weekend, so we had no time to get any done earlier. Ehhh! But I was glad that I was able to get just a few for them to remember this, as it is such a pivotal point in their lives to remember.

I love you both more than words can express and could not be happier for this baby to come! Thank you for always being there for me and being who you are and what you mean to me! I can't wait to meet this baby!

She's stunning!



And that belly... so cute!



So happy...



They love him/her so much...



The mom and dad-to-be... wonder what baby is going to come out looking like... probably gorgeous!



I love her smile she has on her face... so sweet...

Aiden :: 1 year old

Aiden was a doll... a bit tired during our session, but cute as they come! He's also came from Georgia, so they must have brought the good weather with them on Thursday! Thanks guys!!! But as you can see that nice weather did not last long... but we had a fun session and even got his personality to shine!

He was just a little tired... can't tell huh?



Such a cutie...



I think he's thinking "I really just want to get this over with so I can sleep" here...Ha!!!



And Yes... he's walking...



Just adorable...





Love these next two... sooo cute!!