USHMM VIPs

The featured speaker for the event was Father Patrick Desbois, a man who has devoted many years of his life to uncovering mass graves, remnants of the Holocaust, in remote parts of the world, mainly in the Ukraine. He was a very warm man, most men in cloth make me feel very removed, but he spoke to everyone and prepared hard for the event. During the cocktail reception we get the word that Mayor Daley is arriving at the hotel, at a quiet entrance, and we bring Father Desbois downstairs with us to take some photographs. It's all very hurried and rush, rush, and over before I even know it. Daley has his own photographer who follows him around, it's always the same woman, I've seen her three times now, and we never have time to exchange a word, barely a glance. Still, it's a lot of fun and I enjoy shooting a Chicago personality like Richard Daley. Of course, how could I forget our now Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn. Last time I met him we were sweating it out at the Illinois State Fair, him, showing us the the way to the large items carved out of butter. He's a pretty funny guy.

Enjoy the pics!

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Luncheon

November marked the second year I was invited to shoot the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's Risa K. Lambert Luncheon (whew), with featured speaker father Patrick Debois(see link above). I spend my time during this 3,000 person luncheon shooting VIP's of the event with the event VIP herself. The people who attend this event are pretty fabulous. Character's and big energy everywhere as people hug and kiss, and work hard to keep the afternoon on track.
My mom is in the picture of the two women with short hair, one of the women in pearls.
Enjoy the pics!

Sammy's 6th Birthday at Navy Pier

For Sammy's 6th birthday he didn't really want a big party this year, or so I was told, which makes a lot of sense, since his mom throws 2 class parties a year. He got smart and asked for a big ticket day of birthday fun at Navy Pier and it was an absolute blast. Best friends, Evan and Ari, along with his little brother Tommy, Uncle Avi, Aunt Elisa, Mom, Dad, two nannies and of course, me, the family photographer. The day started with a ride on the Sea Dog, followed by another ride on the ferris wheel where I was in the car with the kids while everyone else rode on another car. Sammy and his buddies had tons of fun waving at the car full of loved ones while over looking the Chicago skyline. Then it was off to a delicious lunch with a very sophisticated dessert for a 6 year old, who completely enjoyed it!
The grand finale were matching t-shirts to commemorate their fabulous day!
Enjoy the pics!!

Birth of the Burke Twins

At the end of November my girlfriend Christina became my 3rd friend of 2008 to give birth to twins, but the only one who had them naturally. With a 2 year daughter already running the show, Christina knew that she had quite a rough road ahead of her. In the middle of all the Thanksgiving brew ha-ha, Craig and I ran to Northwestern to see the two boys, Lorenzo Ernesto and Archangelo Brendan, resting comfortably. The delivery of these two boys was something straight out of biblical times, both boys wanted to be the first one out of their mom's womb. Was their some sort of birthright awaiting them, Jacob & Esau anyone? Since they were fighting for the first born male title the delivery had to be stopped and Christina was given an emergency C-section. Lorenzo proved to be the bigger of the two boys, weighing almost 2 pounds more than his brother, Archangelo, who was the little one out of the womb. Enjoy the pics!