NACE

I’ve joined NACE. What’s NACE you may ask…. it is the National Association of Catering Executives. Now what the heck is a photographer doing by joining a bunch of catering people. Learning and networking. This is an opportunity to meet the catering managers I interact with on wedding days. Unfortunately, at weddings, both the catering executives and I are too busy to really get a chance to talk and exchange ideas. Fortunately, there is NACE.

Each month’s meeting is at a different location. This month the meeting was held at Now We’re Cooking. Now We’re Cooking is a combination commercial, demonstration and instructional kitchen located in one facility. They can cater, you can rent the kitchen or host an event right there. We had an evening where we learned how to make some of the dishes found at a Tapas Bar. As you can see the best part was eating our class project!

Event Photograph from the Chicago chapter of NACE
Event Photograph from a NACE Chicago meeting
Event Photograph from a NACE Chicago meeting
Event Photograph from the Chicago chapter of NACE

Amanda and Joey’s Chicago Wedding

This week is starting out behind schedule. I photographed Amanda and Joey’s wedding last Saturday. I was there until after midnight. By the time I finished everything back in the studio, I did not get to bed until 4:00 AM and slept until 1:00 PM. Yet I was still dragging on Sunday. Sunday night, I went to be early (ok early for me) at midnight. So this morning I was surprised to see the clock said 11:00 by the time I got out of bed. Boy I must really be missing a lot of sleep over the last couple of weeks. Well a new baby will do that to you. Michah is still not sleeping through the night.

Today, is Columbus day and Meghan had a day off from school. I decided to play hooky from Magical Moments and took the kids to the zoo. It was a fun time. After spending time with the kids, we like to ask them what was their favorite part. Mathew’s answer was seeing the zebras. Meghan, melted my heart and let me know that taking the day off was the right thing to do. What did she say? “The best part of today, was spending it with daddy!” For me the best part of the day at the zoo was seeing my kids smiling and having fun.

Now I have to take a moment to say something about Amanda and Joey’s wedding last weekend. Most of the day was typical wedding. The weather was perfect. Who would have guessed we’d have such a nice day in October. We did get some great shots at the Shedd. But all in all, a typical wedding day. But when we arrived at Porrett’a, all of that changed. The food there was simply the best I’ve ever seen for a wedding. It was a culinary work of art. It started with an hors d’ouvres buffet with at least fifty different items to choose from. One could have made a meal from the hors d’ouvres. Next was the meal itself. Soup, salad, Chicken and Filet Mignon were served. By the time the main course arrived, I was filled. I was so filled I couldn’t even look at the desert table. It was a visual and culinary master piece. Petit fours, frest fruit and pastries were all included on the desert table.

Amanda and Joey were great hosts. Despite this being their big day, they were so concerned with making sure everybody had a good time. Even the videographers, DJs and myself. Every time I ran into the bride or groom they said to eat some more. Who is going to argue with a bride on her wedding day. Certainly not me!

I’m finally beginning to catch up. I have two weddings to process and post and then I can start working on the album backlog. Right now that is about 6 albums. But that could change at a moments notice. Maybe one day I will get totally caught up!

Michael Andretti and the Century Council

Did you know that 65% of underage drinkers obtain their alcohol from friends and family? I didn’t! As the parent of 3 kids, I never would have suspected this. However, as it has become more difficult for minors to buy beer, they turn to other sources.

Last week I received a call from the Century Council to see how much I would charge for a special event. As I did not have any plans for Friday morning, I asked what they needed. Just a photographer for a couple of hours to take some photos at a special event. After a little more conversation, I discovered the Century Council is a not-for-profit organization working to reduce underage drinking. Since I felt this was a worthwhile cause, I thought this would be a good opportunity to give back to the community and donated my photography services.

While one of the sponsor’s is the distillery industry another sponsor is Michael Andretti, the Indy Race Car Driver. This morning’s event was the start of a new awareness program aimed at making parents aware of where 65% of underage drinkers get their alcohol. Along with local dignitaries, Michael Andretti was there speaking and signing autographs.

Event Photograph from the Michael Andretti's Downtown Chicago Visit
This is one of less than 5 street legal Indy Race Cars.
Michael Andretti's Downtown Chicago Visit Event Photograph
Event Photograph from the Michael Andretti's Downtown Chicago Visit
Michael Andretti is on the left.
Michael Andretti's Downtown Chicago Visit Event Photograph
I think that Michael and I were the only ones who were not wearing a suit.