Superstitions

I've just started a new series that documents superstitions.  Here are the first few photos in that series.  Enjoy!

Watch for more in the Superstition Series.

-Jess
 www.monarchtree.com

Birthday Girl

My niece, Isabella turns 3 years old today!

Since she lives 6 hours away, I took her some gifts earlier in month when we were down for a visit.

Of course, Aunt Jessica bought her very first camera!  Oh and did she ever love it!  She followed me around all weekend, mimicking everything I did.  When I squatted to take a photo, so did Bella.  It was way too cute.  Here are some pictures of the budding photographer.

She knew what to do right away:

Happy Birthday, beautiful girl!

-Jess

www.monarchtree.com

Sweet Home Chicago

There are many things in this city that make it distinguishable.   One of those things is the el...

For more Chicago photos, visit our website.

-Jess

www.monarchtree.com

Purple Coneflowers

These flowers make such beautiful subjects with their lovely textured orange center.

For more photos, visit my website.

-Jess

www.monarchtree.com

Garden of the Gods

While in Southern Illinois, my husband and I took a day trip out to Garden of the Gods, located in Shawnee National Forrest.  It is a beautiful place.

From the Shawnee National Forrest website: 

More than 320 million years ago, the wind and rain patiently started to chisel away at large deposits of sedimentary rock located in what is now, Shawnee National Forest . Over the years, the elements have sculpted some of the most stunning and extraordinary rock formations known to man. This garden of sandstone sculptures and vast untouched wilderness was fittingly named Garden of the Gods.

For the rest of the photos, visit my gallery.

-Jess

www.monarchtree.com

Southern Illinois

I grew up in Southern Illinois.  Sometimes when I'm away for too long, I forget just how much I love summer there.  Everything is blooming and growing.  It is simply beautiful.

For the rest of the photos, go here.

-Jess

www.monarchtree.com

Mattie

Over the weekend, I got to play with photograph Mattie, the Boston Terrier. She is very energetic and sweet.  The poor thing had a run in with a cat though, that gave her a permanent snake tongue (which always hangs out).

See all of Mattie's photos here.

-Jess 

www.monarchtree.com

Fireworks

My brother and my husband had such fun shooting off fireworks and I had fun photographing them (and playing with the sparklers).

Happy (belated) 4th of July!

-Jess

www.monarchtree.com