See you guys soon for the big day!

See more of their great spring Saturday shoot here. Enjoy the springtime sunshine!

* * * UPDATE – See the Wedding Day Story here! * * *

And not a weekend too soon.

Madeline’s eyes looked hazel when she was born but I’m pretty sure they’re staying blue like her big brother and her Mama’s eyes are. She was rather content to wiggle by herself a bit while I played with Adrian – a welcome break from wanting to be constantly picked up – so I let her stretch out on the turquoise blanket a friend knitted (crocheted?) for Adrian.

Adrian has always been my camera ham. He didn’t want to be left out and hopped right up into the chair when I got Maddie back to her crib. He was behaving so well and sitting still (at the same time no less!) I got Madeline to sit with him for some surprise photos to give Sara when she got home from errands. Two sets of blue eyes melted their father’s heart with a huge smile.

And just like that, they went back to playing. Madeline discussed with her older brother Adrian the finer points of taking extended naps. I think he listened, too, and Daddy got a few minutes to make phone calls while the kiddies slept.

Beat the cabin fever – drop us a line or a call to set up a winter shoot for you, your family, your children or all of the above!

I love the LEGO recreation of famous photos. I love LEGO art.

Ever accidentally miss a birthday or anniversary? Feel like a complete blockhead? Preserve it in a photo – there’s a LEGO iPhone app for that! The LEGO Photo iPhone app brings some building block fun to camera phone photos.

Keep snappin.

Argus C4. C-4, C-Four 35mm

(Fans and friends on Facebook have probably read bits about this project along the way… join the fun)

Early last December a friend of mine posted photos of a classy Argus C-44R 35mm camera. Great 1950s design, shiny metal camera body, very clean looked like a fantastic find! It reminded me of a camera I had on a shelf, shutter not firing. I inherited my Argus C4 in early 1999 when my family’s shutterbug, my Grandpa, passed away. I loved photography since I got started snapping with a 35mm in high school, and Grandpa and I talked about camera news of the day like “APS film! Is it as good as 35mm?” The year before he passed away we had great shop talk while I helped provide in home care for him during the day. I’ll fondly remember times of us leafing through our copies of Popular Photography and talking about our favorite hobby.

I wanted to shoot with the Argus camera since I took it out of the box of camera oddities my uncle gave me. Seeing a friend’s photos of a very similar camera only reignited the desire to see it working again. The night I saw the photos I did what any self respecting Bucholtz male would do – I took it apart on the spot.

There’s something marvelous about opening a machine and seeing how it all works. I instantly knew what my dad found so intriguing about working on older cars that are more mechanical than computerized. I saw the problem instantly and began to find ways to repair it. With the camera now open there was no putting it back together without it working again. I wouldn’t do it, it felt unfair to know what needed to be repaired and forget it. (And maybe that’s why dad’s garage is also full of parts for various older cars.)

I decided that before the year was through I would have the camera working again, and this December I heard the shutters snap for the first time in 10 years. It is almost the same feeling of awe and mystery as when I got my first 35mm camera almost 15 years ago.

The day I got it working I posted this bit on facebook, and I have photos and more story to come. Enjoy.

I better understand the mystique and appreciation for restoring classic cars – today I got my Grandpa’s 1953 Argus C-Four 35mm camera snapping again, 10 years after I inherited it from the family’s orignal shutterbug. Shooting a test roll with this stylish mechanical, metal, all manual rangefinder camera feels incredibly nostagic using an early camera one of the people that first got me interested in photography used decades ago. This roll’s for you Gramps.

(Now where’s our snow for sledding and snowmen!?)

Mama Sara giving the “A-OK” sign while waiting to meet our daughter

Madeline Suzanne – November 21, 2009 – 5:19am, 8 pounds 2 ounces, 20 inches

Madeline and Mama’s first moments

Daddy and Maddie

Our hazel eyed baby girl is awake! Just checking out the world and wondering what that clicking thing is that dad’s holding.

I thought about it this morning, but I can’t count the friends, former schoolmates, and acquaintances I know that have served in the armed forces in the last decade. More names keep coming to mind. You know who each of you are, and your service and sacrifices have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for serving.

The veteran closest to my family is by far Grandpa “Joe” Bucholtz, United States Navy, USS Blue. He returned from Naval service in World War II to his sweetheart Eleanor start a family, serve in civil defense, work at Studebaker, and of course, find a free way to watch Notre Dame football home games by ushering in the stadium. (My dad and one uncle picked up that last tradition too!)

My Grandmother’s eyes light up to this day talking about him, even though he passed away when my dad was only 6 years old. His nephew’s family I met a few years ago through wedding photography had nothing but the best to say about him too. Our family would not be what it is today without his love for his family, country, and Fighting Irish football.

Thank you to all those who have served and who serve today. I cannot sing the National Anthem without thinking of all you have done for our country. May God bless and keep you and bring you home swiftly and safely to your loved ones.

Totally busted, totally cute.

We let him off with a warning laugh and a hug.

This little guy’s been one of the best bonuses of keeping up the home office work for the past 3 years. I got to be with Sara through her pregnancy, Adrian’s arrival and seeing him grow up into such a great little boy he that is. His little sister is due to arrive Thanksgiving week, lots to be thankful for this month!