bobbi+mike

January’s Jollies

bobbi — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:39:32 +0000

Wow, trying to find a word that started with J (you know, for the January alliteration) that also meant “relaxing” was nearly impossible. I just spent an embarrassingly long time trying to come up with the perfect word!

Anyway….

I am admittedly a workaholic, and not in a good way. I spend way too many hours at my desk. I’m obsessive and it’s not healthy. If I’m not working, I feel guilt. It’s a self-employment thing. I know that because I hear many other self employed people saying the exact same thing.

After putting together that year-end slideshow, it was crystal clear; we needed to take January a bit slower. You know… work on the house, go on dates, hang with friends, lounge on the couch, and cook real dinners; all the while completely guilt-free! While we definitely did work a bit, it was at a much slower pace. …and it was awesome!

By the way, those are all from my Instagram feed. They’re in chronological order, starting January 1st. Expect more images like those in the coming months.

Much love to you friends!

~Bobbi

PS. if you’d like to follow my Instragram feed, my handle is “bobbiandmike”

our 2011

bobbi — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:54:50 +0000

Our year.

Images from our point and shoot, our DSLR, Facebook tags and both of our iPhones.

(If for some reason the slideshow below isn’t showing up for you, refresh this browser window)

2011 in a nutshell

(in parenthesis, where we traveled)

January – Mike’s family in Indianapolis • Published in Rangefinder Magazine • RAIN, Beatles cover band concert

February – Made an offer on a gorgeous old house • Withdrew offer after it failed inspection miserably • WPPI Speakers • The Bobbi Shop announcement • (Las Vegas, Nev.)

March – One wedding • Family vacation • The Bobbi Shop release • Found an awesome newer house that wasn’t ready to fall over (Marathon, Fla • Treasure Island, Fla.)

April – Friend slumber party • Closed on our first home • Three bbmk workshops • Moved • Road trip for Maya Angelou • (West Virginia)

May – Two weddings • Traded in my VW Beetle • Replace it with a 2008 Volvo S40 • (Merrillville, Ind. • Chicago, Ill. • Cincinnatio, Ohio • St Louis, Mo.)

June – Three weddings • Tornado wedding • Mom in hospital • Surprise birthday trip • Turned 30 • Surprise birthday party • Another healthy train finale • (Kokomo, Ind. • New York City, NY • Chicago • Gainesville, Fla.)

July – Three weddings • 4th of July Party • Rapid-fire sessions • Air Conditioner stopped running, holy hot 90° tamales Batman! • (Terre Haute, Ind. • Bedford, Ind. • Bloomington, Ind.)

August – Three weddings • full Air Conditioner replacement • Paul McCartney with mom • St Louis Shot Party Speakers • Mom starts college • Mike’s 31st Birthday • Ms Pacman console table • (Bloomington, Ind. • Cincinnati, Ohio • St. Louis, Mo. • Chicago, Ill.)

September – Four weddings • Labor Day with family • goddaughter August Rose turned 1 • (Fort Wayne, Ind. • Toledo, Ohio. • Batimore, Md. • Grand Rapids, Mich.)

October – Two weddings • 8-Year Anniversary Mini Vacation • Rapid-fire sessions • Repainted house • (Sacramento, Calif. • Yosemite National Park, Calif. • San Francisco, Calif. • St. Louis, Mo.)

November – Her Conference Speaker • Two bbmk Workshops • Thanksgiving crab legs feast with friends • Surprised Kansas City family on Thanksgiving • (Grand Rapids, Mich. • Kansas City, Mo.)

December – Mike & Dad Vacation • Holiday card • Christmas with Mom • Christmas with our friend-family, AKA Framily • Christmas with Mike’s family • 2nd Annual Get Fancy New Year’s Eve Party • (Fort Meyers Beach, Fla.)

1 bobbi • 1 mike

10 states • 28 cities

18 weddings • dozens of sessions

5 workshops • 3 speaking engagements

375 Bobbi Shop templates

**and 1 perfecto house!**

WHAT A YEAR WE HAD! …a year full of lots of highs and a few lows… a year that was both exciting and exhausting… a year that we will never ever forget!

We have the most incredible friends and families that greatly contribute to making our lives what they are.

Thank you. Everyone…

Much love,

bobbi+mike +

our holiday card, 2011

bobbi — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:57:42 +0000

For those who are new to the bbmk blog this year… I’d like to formally introduce you all to our holiday card! We’ve been creating these since 2003, the year we got married. That year the card read, “Married Christmas!” I know… OH so witty! We’ve been trying to turn the creativity notch up every year since then.

So, before I show you 2011′s card, let’s make a quick trip down memory lane… here are the last three years…
My personal favorite. I thought we’d never top this. This was the first year I altered the bobbi+mike logo on the back to match the theme. I’ve been doing it since.

Mike’s all-time favorite… our Awkward Family Photo.

Without further ado… Our holiday card, 2011! …the year that our holiday card almost caused an accident! You see, we were shooting in front of our home (self timer style) when a gawker swerved into the oncoming lane… SCREEEECH, HONNNNNNNNK, WHOA!!!!!!!

Though, if I had seen this scene happening I’d probably stare too… ESPECIALLY with me running back and forth in a dress that was WAY too long (I fell twice!), while a reflector hoisted to a light stand kept flying away (it was SOOOO windy)! If only we’d had video of this. I’m telling you we looked like a live British comedy show!

Oh, by the way… many people said that they thought we looked super skinny… it’s an illusion. I stretched the photo so that it looked more like the original. ;)

Merry Everything friends!

Much love,

~bobbi+mike

abigail+collin

bobbi — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:47:21 +0000

Are you prepared to fall in love with a couple you’ve never met? Because that’s about to happen (unless of course you’ve met them… then of course you already adore them, duh)!

Collin, are you kidding me with those dimples?!SURPRISE! SHE’S A HOT TAMALE REDHEAD!!! Abigail and Collin were our models for our last workshop of 2011… and they couldn’t have been more perfect. I love this image! When I sneak peeked it on Facebook Abigail responded, “Oh my goodness!!! Love Love Love! It’s like you captured a secret moment!”I love how much you love her.“I ooooonly have eyes for youuuuuuu…” When I look at images of people, I always look at their hands… the hands say so much about a relationship. Just pay attention, you’ll see what I mean. …there’s nothing like a little stairwell romance!
My favorite! ….or stair romance for that matter! OHHH ABIGAIL!!!! You are so beautiful! You’re going to make such a gorgeous bride.

……………………………

Indianapolis, Ind.

Wedding :: Fall, 2012 :: Indianapolis, Ind.

Together :: 12.2.09

Engaged :: 8.26.11

Abigail :: student, Indiana University – seeking a career as a Child Life Specialist :: Hometown :: Carmel, Ind.

Collin :: student, Indiana University – seeking a career in publishing/marketing/writing :: Hometown :: Carmel, Ind.

How they met, as told by Abigail :: “We are both from Carmel Indiana. We didn’t know each other in high school, but we met playing euchre freshman year of college. When sophomore year rolled around, we started casually hanging out- a guitar lesson here, an episode of the office there, a nerf gun fight with couch cushion shields, etc. By the time Thanksgiving break came, we wound up head over heels for each other. And the rest is history.”

……………………………

…Mike humor. I’d call this dedicated! While I was taking this image….
….he was taking this one! I have no idea why I stand like I do. Really, no idea.While he was taking this…
I turned around and took THIS! I love everything about this image. Eleven awesome people excited to learn + my favorite person in the while world = the perfect end to our year.Workshop, round 5. Check out that trifecta of red hair!

For those who want to be among the first to know when the next workshops will be… be sure to add yourself to the announcement list here.

Much love friends!

~bobbi+mike

danielle+sheridan

bobbi — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:06:46 +0000

VIBRANT IMAGES COMIN’ ATCHYA!!!

Have you ever heard the name Sheridan as a first name? I know I haven’t but I’m in LOVE with it! For those of you who don’t know, that’s my last name… These two volunteered to be our workshop models :). We’re also photographing their wedding in June. BOOM! My view. Mike’s view.Three things. 1) HELLO GORGEOUS EYES! 2) Holy big muscles Batman! 3) Uhm, Christina Ricci? Confirmed… Abandoned blue car? Don’t mind if we do! GAH! Love this couple!!! F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. My view…
…and Mike’s. I won. BOOOOYAH!Then a quick outfit/location change to finish out the session. I’m telling you, once we were in this bucolic setting, Sheridan hit a whole new comfort level. He must be a country boy at heart!LOVE!When can we photograph you again? Oh yeah… June! :D

Danielle and Sheridan, thank you thank you THANK YOU for helping make our 4th workshop such a great experience for both us and the attendees. You two were PERFECTO!

……………………………

Indianapolis, Ind.

Wedding :: June 2, 2012 :: Columbus, Ind.

Together :: 06.04.08

Engaged :: 03.17.11

Danielle :: Grad Student, Indiana University :: Hometown :: Greensburg, Ind.

Sheridan :: Sales & Operations at Cook Medical :: Hometown :: Wisner, Neb.

How they met, as told by Danielle :: ”We were both teaching in the same program in Italy and all the teachers had a training in a little town on the coast. After a day or two, Shay worked up the courage to talk to me. The next day, he went to the director of the program and asked her to place the two of us in the same city. Thankfully, she did.”

……………………………

Loved this group
I call this move, “the claw.” If I know me… and given the ornery face I’m making… I probably just said something ridiculously inappropriate.On the right… Mike’s setting up the self timer group shot. On the left, me… getting personal HERE WE ARE!

For those who want to be among the first to know when the next workshops will be… be sure to add yourself to the announcement list here.

Much love friends!

~bobbi+mike

Address please.

bobbi — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:59:08 +0000

…it’s that time again!

If you fit into one of these categories, please email me your address.

You’ve received a holiday card in the past and have since moved.
You attended one of our workshops.
We photographed your wedding or session this year and you now have a new address.

Email me at bobbi at bobbiandmike dot com.

YAHOOOO!

~bobbi

clary+travis+hughes+jettie

bobbi — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:10:17 +0000

Here is the last family session of 2011, and it couldn’t have ended more beautifully. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you already now this team… as this is the third time we’ve photo’d them. The first time was 3.5 years ago, then again 2 years ago. Now… here they are, still the perfect family.
These kids have grown a TON in the last two years… I was a little overwhelmed when they popped out of their car. My favorite thing about this image? Look at the way Travis and Hughes are standing. SAME/SAME!I’m absolutely in love with this family. How could I not be?!Clary and Travis, hang these next three on your wall, in a series. k? k. Or… just hang this one as a HUGE canvas in your living room. Either way will be fine. In the midst of processing these images I sent Clary a message, “I just got a little emotional while processing the images from your session… we’ve all come a long way in three years! Thanks for asking us to photograph your perfect family, it’s a huge honor. Huge!” I, from the bottom of my heart, could not be more honored that a photographer who is as talented as Clary asks us to photograph her family. It’s, to this day, one of my favorite accomplishments.
During the session, we were walking around an area we had never been as Clary is describing all of the things around. I jokingly respond, “It doesn’t matter to me, we could photograph your perfect little family in a parking lot!” And a few minutes later these next two images happened… in a parking lot… I sneak peeked this image on our Facebook page. Soon after I got an email from Clary, “I’m crying at my computer. One day she’ll be all grown up and as much as I can’t wait for that, on the other hand I want to keep her at this age where she fits in my lap and wants to leave carrots for Santa’s reindeer and randomly dances to songs anywhere we go. Now I have it captured. Thank you.” …and then I teared up too. It’s one of my favorite family photos of all time. I love you guys.

………………………

St Louis, Mo.

clary+travis :: married 7 years :: 1.31.04 together 14 years :: 1.31.97

Clary :: hometown: Edwardsville, Ill. :: Photographer

Travis :: hometown: Edwardsville, Ill. :: Civil Engineer

Hughes :: 6 years old :: 05.04.05

Jettie :: almost 4 years old :: 01.09.08

How they met, as told by Clary :: ”We met in Junior High while playing characters in ‘Tied to the Tracks.’ He told my best friend he liked me and when she let me know; my words were… ‘If I ever date Travis Pfeiffer shoot me!’ #humblepie”

………………………

The obligatory crazy self portrait on a reflective surface. Mike asked Hughes to be his big helper. He was happy to help and took that job (as you can clearly see) very seriously. Though, big helper or not… you still have to hold someone’s hand when crossing the street. Jettie requested a photo with me… and then my heart burst into a zillion pieces. “But of course, I’d love a photo with you!” Photo taken by Clary.Right after taking that photo with the arrow, I look behind me and see THIS happening!
…which is a far cry from the same scenario 3 years ago! Regardless of his awkwardness back then you can tell how much she’s always adored him…

Much love friends!

~bobbi+mike

ali+charles+james+isabella+evie

bobbi — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:49:51 +0000

I’ve heard many people say that their favorite blog entries of ours are family sessions. Not many things bring me more fulfillment than the end result of a session like this. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to shoot as many as we have in the past because of our crazy year. We’re really hoping to change that in 2012! Luckily for us, we were able to get our fill right at the end of the season with some really awesome families… and this one is certainly no exception!
My view.…and Mike’s view. By the way… Ali’s pregnant… with TWINS! Oh, and she’s Australian! Her accent is so charming. With an Australian accent, my name is usually pronounced, “Boobi.” A very nice farmer let us photograph on his property… and boy oh boy were we thankful. Are you kidding me with this truck? Awesome… One of our goals when we shoot any kind of session is we want to photograph your “living room self.” By that we mean, the person/family/couple you are, when you’re in your living room when no one is looking. You know, the real you. This image, I think, is exactly that. Our favorite + GAH!!! I LOVE THIS!!!! Evie’s Donald Trump wind blown hair is just icing on the cake!

………………………

Indianapolis, Ind.

ali+charles :: married 9 years :: 10.12.02

Ali :: Sydney, Australia :: Kid Herder/Mummy/Photographer

Charles :: West Lafayette, Ind. :: President, Mansfield-King

Where they live now :: Zionsville, Ind.

James :: 8 years old :: 8.23.03

Isabella :: 6 years old :: 5.13.05

Evie :: almost 1 :: 12.29.10

Twins on the way :: Spring, 2012

How they met, as told by Ali :: ”We were both lawyers at a big firm in Chicago and started out as good friends. We were the ‘Three Musketeers’ with our friend Marisol. Marisol was sent to Japan on a deal for several months. Once it was just the two of us, well, one thing lead to another…”

………………………

…I know this isn’t the best photo of Mike, but I just LOVE how smitten she is with him. Evie, I’m with you…!

Much love friends!

~bobbi+mike

robin+peter+thomas

bobbi — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:08:02 +0000

Remember Robin and Peter? (hint: they saved their first kiss for their wedding day) But of course you do! We photographed their wedding nearly three years ago.

Starting things off with my favorite! This, in my oh so humble opinion, is the perfect family picture. Every one of us deserves this image of ourselves with our beloved parents. …and now they have Thomas… …who is, just like his parents, a smiler! Robin, you look like your sister in this one. Hi Karla! LOVE! Robin & Peter, you’re such awesome parents… Robin and Peter are two of the most kind-hearted, caring, loving, awesome people on the planet. And for that reason, Thomas is guaranteed to be a walking representation of a rainbow. HAHA! Mike’s favorite Have I mentioned that I love the Fall here in the Midwest??? Robin, your dress was PERFECTO for the season!The sun came out for just a few minutes… we took full advantage!
How can you NOT smile at this?!

………………………

Indianapolis, Ind.

Robin + Peter :: married (almost) 3 years :: 12.28.08

Robin :: hometown • Hillsboro, Ill. :: amazing mother to Thomas

Peter :: hometown • South Point, Ohio :: family physician

Where they live now :: Indianapolis, Ind.

Thomas :: 11 months :: 12.16.10 (same as Peter’s!)

How they met, as told by Robin :: ”We met through friends at church. Peter asked me out for coffee, and I said yes (even though I don’t drink coffee, but hey, Starbucks serves tea and steamers, too! Eight months later he got down on one knee on top of the Empire State Building, and we’re continuing to live the fairy tale out to this day. “

………………………

We may look ridiculous, but if you take a closer look at Thomas… our ridiculous was clearly working!

Much love friends!

~bobbi+mike

ashley+casey

bobbi — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:12:21 +0000

Are you prepared for some beauty? No? Close this page and come back later. However, if you are ready… brace yourself!

Here it is… our final wedding of 2011. We went out with a bang! Such an incredible day…Ashley’s first view of herself as a bride. That’s her mom to the right. Oh, and that’s me in the middle. Damn mirrors. Hello hot tamale. How you doin’?
Oh yes… your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. Not one, but TWO hot tamales… IDENTICAL! If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I love identical twins!
GAGAGAGORGEOUS! It’s obvious that Ashley only likes beautiful people… hence why she hired us to photograph her wedding.

BRING IT IN TIGHT!Here are Ashley’s sisters… AYKM?! I told you to brace yourself for all of this beauty… so if you’re blown away right now, it’s your fault… you were warned! Oh and those gorgeous sisters… not married yet! On that note, consider this our formal application to photograph both of your future weddings, k? K. Whew, glad that’s checkmarked! Sometime this last summer, I officially named 2011 as the year of huge BBMK wedding parties and this wedding was certainly not an exception… 25! How have we not talked about her dress yet? Okay, let’s do that. I’ll start… ASHLEY’S DRESS WAS INCREDIBLE! Perfectly detailed, elegant, timeless, and DAMN to those curves! Did I just go too far? Probably. Oh well. Ashley worked out like a mad woman before the wedding so, she’s earned that compliment! …and then the sun set. It’s getting married time! I’m in love with this image. Mike’s favorite Officiating the ceremony was Kris Kringle’s younger, more handsome brother. Mike’s view.…and mine. GAH! LOVE THESE! This couple comes from two fantastic families…Best garter removal in the history of garter removals! My view.…and Mike’s As the night was coming to an end Arvell, the band leader, referred to Ashley as the “dancingest bride he’d ever seen.” Now, he’s been in the industry for more than 30 years… so coming from a guy who’s seen ~1000 brides, I’d say that’s quite the compliment! I’ll back him, up… she rocked that dance floor! My favorite reception photo I’ve ever taken…EVER! This was literally my final click of the night. OH how I adore you two!!!

……………………………

St. Louis, Mo.

wedding coordinator • Josie Littlepage, Cosmopolitan Events
hair/makeup • Christy Parson
florist • Artistry
ceremony •  Graham Chapel
reception venue •  The Coronado Ballroom
band • Arvell & Company
dress • Kenneth Pool
bridesmaid dresses •  Watters
stationary • Cheree Berry Paper

……………………………

the songs

bridal processional • “Sabrina (End Credits)” –John Williams
unity candle • “Clair de Lune” –Claude Dubussy
necklace presentation to Merritt • “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
recessional • “The Wedding March” –Mendelssohn
introductions • “Fly Me to the Moon” –Frank Sinatra
cake cutting • “The Best is Yet to Come” –Frank Sinatra
first dance • “Night & Day” –Frank Sinatra
father/daughter • “Unforgettable” –Nat King Cole
mother/son • “The Way You Look Tonight” –Frank Sinatra
daughter/mother • “The Time (Dirty Bit)” –The Black Eyed Peas (Watching them dance was one of the highlights of my day…)

ashley+casey

What was the most memorable moment of your day?

Ashley: It was honestly all so memorable – but I would have to say there were a few big ones: We did a first sight meeting before the wedding, I was so nervous…like old school butterflies in the belly as I was waiting behind the corner to see Casey for the first time…man did I marry myself a “hot tamale!!” The other one was when we were at the church and I was waiting behind the doors with my dad. He asked me, “So are you ready?” and I said, “Yes!!” The warmth and love in the church was overwhelmingly beautiful. Everyone we loved was there rooting us on…it was pretty awesome, knowing I was walking down the aisle to the man of my dreams! The other big one: was sitting at our head table, breathing in the smell of the flowers and just in awe of how beautiful it all was. I kept thinking – This is our wedding!!!

Casey: really enjoyed hanging out with all my buddies getting ready for the wedding. My brother and my dad helping me get ready for the big day. The first time I saw Ashley in the hotel at the first sight…and when the doors opened at the church and I saw Ashley. And having my brother standing up there with me.

Any advice for future bride/grooms?

Ashley: 1. Hire Bobbi+Mike (This is a must!) Thanks Ashley! 2. If you can, get a wedding planner to help – ours was fantastic. She took care of everything so on the big day all I had to worry about was not tripping on my wedding dress when I was walking down the aisle! 3. Have fun with it! In the beginning of the planning I was a little stressed out – but on the big day I was just so happy. All the stupid things I was worried about didn’t matter. All I wanted to do on our special day was just take it all in…so there may have been a few things that happened – but I didn’t even notice because I was just so happy! 4. Cherish every moment and try to take it all in! It goes by too fast! 5. Be happy! This is your wedding day!!!

Casey: The only thing I can think of is doing the first sight…I would have been a mess if I waited until Ashley walked down the aisle to see her for the first time.

Funniest memory from your wedding day?

Ashley: We decided to have our dog, Chewy and my sister’s dog, Mr. B come to the photo session in the park. Mr. B was so excited to see me he jumped up on me and just missed my dress. (My sister freaked out more than I did!) Chewy has arthritis and Casey was trying to get him to sit down…Chewy got upset when his leg got touched and almost bit Casey (Bobbi, it was like the devil coming out!)…two almost disasters that make us laugh now Another one was when I put my veil on for the first time and started weeping and I said, “I’m so happy!” I was a leaker that day for sure

Casey: Being up in the room getting ready with my buddies and Tommy Adams telling stories.

If you could do it all over, would you change anything?

Ashley: Nope! It was beyond perfect. Maybe get a few more hours stuffed into a day? It goes by fast! Oh…and I would have gotten more pics with my buds in the Photo Booth! Almost forgot about it until the end of the night!

Casey: Make it longer!

Where did you go on your honeymoon?

Bora Bora! Then Hawaii Perfection!!!!!

You all know I love me some symmetry…

justin+mike+bobbi+ashley+caseyAshley and Casey, thanks for putting a big ol’ exclamation point on 2011 for us. You’re one in a million!

Much love friends!

~bobbi+mike