The Ebert Experience

2011 Holiday Deadlines at Ebert Studio

2011-10-18T09:44:00.002-05:00

What an awesome fall season we have had! October's weather definitely made up for our late summer monsoons and unseasonable chill! As the wind picks up and we prepare for a new season, I am reminded of our approaching holiday deadlines.

The final date to be photographed and promised finished portraits before December 24 is November 19. The final date to place your order and have your portraits by December 24 is November 26. Call 708-386-6222 for your appointment today! We look forward to seeing you soon!

A Great Day for Green Lake!

2011-08-03T13:48:00.004-05:00

It's not too often that I get to spend an entire weekend away photographing a wedding, but if given the chance again, I'm all for it! I love shooting in unfamiliar places! It forces me to shoot outside the box and that we did for Tripp and Katie on July 16. An amazing summer home on an amazing lot on Green Lake in Wisconsin played host to this lavish wedding. Only a hint of rain made for ideal lighting conditions and enhanced the lush landscape surrounding their home.

A gorgeous, air conditioned tent covered the waterfront as guests could look on over the water and see a firework display in celebration of Tripp and Katie's Big Day! Congrats you two-you look awesome!

See some highlights of their day!

Autism Awareness Day

2011-03-23T21:56:00.001-05:00

Don't forget...Autism Awareness Day is April 1! Go out and get your blue light bulbs and let it shine!!

Jeff's Travel Photography Exhibit to Benefit Japan's Tsunami Disaster

2011-03-21T21:39:00.004-05:00

Friday, April 1, 2011 Jeff Ebert's Travel Collection will be on exhibit at Frame Warehouse of Evanston, 606 Dempster, Evanston, IL. 25% of all proceeds will benefit The American Red Cross for Japan's Tsunami disaster. Reception is 7pm until 9pm. All are welcome!

Ebert Studio, Oak Park Rehab 2011

2011-03-08T22:19:00.003-06:00

It seems like it has taken forever and it's just about complete-still need to hang the portraits on the walls, but that's the fun part! Here are some 'Before and After' shots of the second floor!

a Touch of The Blizzard of 2011

2011-02-05T14:02:00.001-06:00

What a gas! A Day off from the Daily Grind (in my case that means a break from Studio Construction!) and two days off for the kiddies. We definitely made the most of it! See the show. a Touch of The Blizzard of 2011

Outdoor (Winter) Photography Take One

2011-01-27T13:11:00.003-06:00

What as great sitting we had last week! 25 degrees and these kids were still pumped after an hour of snow! Check out some of the latest Ebert Outdoor photography from the Morsch sitting

Christmas Deadline

2010-11-11T09:47:00.002-06:00

The Holidays are rapidly approaching, though you might not believe it because of the warm weather we are having! We are all very much looking forward to all of the Holiday cheer and are starting to get in the spirit! Many of you have asked us if we have a holiday deadline- and we certainly do!

If you are interested in having portraits done for Christmas, you must place your order by appointment before Saturday 12:30pm on November 27th. If you are calling in or emailing an order- we must receive it by Friday November 26th at 5:00pm.

Jeff Ebert is designing custom Christmas cards this season, and we are happy to work with you on colors and style. The sooner you order the better- as there is a typical turn around time of 2 weeks for custom cards.

If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a session, give us a call at (708)386-6222

Happy Holidays!

The Eberts

The latest in awesome sittings...

2010-09-24T14:21:00.002-05:00

More reasons to love what I do! Tatiana came all the way from Riga, Latvia to get the works! Thanks for making it fun & easy, Tatiana!

http://video214.com/play/KWcMmni9ZDu8riLF42fygA/s/dark

Interesting find...

2010-08-06T13:11:00.003-05:00

Photographer Michele Geoga stopped by the Hinsdale proofing studio to bring us a little gift. She was shopping for antiques when she stumbled upon an old Ebert Studio portrait. She bought it and brought it over to us- what fun! We took it out of the folder to inspect the photograph for dates, but unfortunately there were none. It will take a little detective work on our part to see when the photograph might have been taken. What a fun little mystery and blast from Ebert Studio’s past. It is really incredible to think about how many groups and families have been photographed by Ebert Studio over 95 years of business, we often wonder what has happened in their lives. If anyone recognizes a family member from this portrait, let us know. We would love to share a little bit of history with all of you.

Art, Autism and My Family

2010-06-21T14:49:00.006-05:00

Due to our involvement in the Autism World, The Southtown Star's Donna Vickroy wrote an awesome Father's Day article about my family and autism!

Here is the link to the "Autism Says 1000 Words" project that she refers to as well.

Thank you Donna!

Tot With Toy 2010 begins today!

2010-06-01T13:35:00.004-05:00

We couldn't have asked for better weather to start off Tot With Toy 2010! We are having so much fun photographing in our Oak Park garden and studio, and look forward to seeing your little ones soon! Tot With Toy will continue through the month of June, but act quickly as slots are filling up. Kids under 10 bring in a new toy for charity, and you get a huge discount! Give us a call with questions and to schedule your child's session- (708)386-6222.

Autism Says 1000 Words

2010-05-31T20:27:00.004-05:00

Autism in my life:

My personal journey living with autism spans nearly three years. I remember the pain hearing the diagnosis when my son, Sasha, turned three years old. I remember the anxiety I felt when the doctor told us that the best chance of recovery or improvement would be over the next two years, before he would turn five. The doctor could not guarantee recovery, but he knew that Sasha’s mannerisms and habits could be more easily formed and molded before the fifth year. Our mission began immediately.

We had recovery on our minds. Through our research we came across therapies, supplements, herbs, drugs, special diets, oxygen tanks and all sorts of organizations to reach out to for support. We looked into it all and over two and a half years, we tried about half of them all in the name of recovery. We were obsessed.

In March of 2010, all of the pressure seemed to subside. My wife and I went to hear an expert in the field of autism speak about acceptance. She encouraged us to push Sasha’s strengths and also discussed the beauties of autism and showed a documentary of young adult autistic people and their individual experiences in society. The documentary was inspiring and optimistic and brought up all sorts of positive aspects of autism; in particular, their creative and innovative minds.

Since that day, we have let our guard down. We have loosened the reigns on Sasha and celebrate autism as a gift and not an unfortunate and inconvenient situation.

My quest for recovery has changed to a search for understanding and acceptance in society. As the rate of autism grows by the month (currently 1 out of 110 children nationwide are affected), I feel it is my mission to do my part in the autism awareness department.

I decided to use my livelihood, photography, to send a message. I created modern, vibrant, optimistic colored backgrounds to represent the energy of the kids. I wrote in a subtle graffiti-style, a word that would represent autism in a new light…or at least a more positive take than what most of society would consider autism to be. The reactions and expressions of the autistic subjects were ideal for my project: Without any direction at all, they each had in themselves a world of responses prompted by their own visions of the experience. They were alive, energetic, funny, curious and adorable.

This project opened up my eyes to a new kind of way of photographing children. It has forced me to shoot outside of the box with regards to the lighting and backgrounds and has made me more of an observer than a director behind the camera.

Here is a show of my subjects

Ebert's Kids With Cameras covered by ABC news!

2010-05-20T22:44:00.018-05:00

Our studio has close connections with the special needs world and we thought about how cool it would be to see how some special needs kids view the world, or, at least, through the lens of a camera. Furthermore, how perfect it would be for these kids to be able to give back and relieve some of the stigma that comes with societies labels of special needs people and to show their community that they have just as much to offer as anyone else, if not more?
Our Third Annual Ebert's Kids With Cameras will took place Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 4pm until 8pm. It was held at Ebert Studio of Hinsdale, 110 S. Washington St., Hinsdale, IL. This year were very proud to be working with Charlie's Gift, a non profit public charity dedicated to providing a uniquely integrated approach to supporting children and families facing Autism, Sensory Processing, and Related Disorders. Charlie's Gift is in association with The Community House of Hinsdale. A special shout out to The Frame Warehouse of Oak Park for donating frames for the project.
What an awesome evening we had! Ebert's Kids With Cameras was more energetic than ever, plus we had Theresa Gutierrez there to cover the story!! See ABC news story.
The raffle winner of the jewelry donated by Susan Lieber was Eldon, ticket number 460201! Congrats Eldon!
Most of the images that the kids were selling, sold! Between the jewelry raffle, images sold, DVD sales and donations we came in just shy of $ 2500 for Charlie's Gift! I'd say that was a great show! Special thanks to our 19 photographers for making it happen!

If anyone is still interested in purchasing any of the kid's images, feel free to check out the website and email jeff@ebertstudio.com with orders!

The images are sold as 8x10s without mats or frames. They are $15 each plus $5 for shipping. Credit Card by phone and checks payable to Ebert Studio are acceptable forms of payment.

All proceeds go to Charlie's Gift (of course!).

Tot With Toy 2010 is Now Booking!!

2010-04-13T14:42:00.004-05:00

Tot With Toy 2010!
For more than 23 years, Photography by Ebert has been proud to offer Tot With Toy, a toy drive benefitting the De LaSalle Institute of Chicago. Tot With Toy will be offered through the month June only! Throughout the month of June, children up to the age of 10 years old who bring in a new, unopened toy, can enjoy a complimentary sitting and up to 45% savings on your first 11x14 portrait or larger.
Call now for your June appointment! Restrictions apply, inquire within. 708-386-6222.

Gina and Matt, The Real Deal...

2010-04-08T15:52:00.002-05:00

Here is the real deal...check out the highlight slideshow for Matt and Gina:

View Slideshow

The sun was shining, the air was brisk but without tension as I entered The Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst. "What a perfect place for a wedding today." I thought. The lighting was perfect both inside and out...just enough window light to create both warmth and drama at the same time. The house was decorated from top to bottom as the caterers spread themselves out in preparation for a good guest list of about 150. Beyond Events did an amazing job catareing...they stretched out from corner to corner with serving stations and the most intricate hors d' oeuvres to be passed around. There was no shortage of food, and it was mighty tasty! Smiles filled the first floor foyer as Gina and Matt, arm in arm, gently tip-toed down the master staircase. It was a day that everybody couldn't wait for and would not be let down as they had planned, from a distance, the perfect wedding...and boy did they glow!

First Communion Portrait

2010-04-03T10:50:00.003-05:00

Book your child’s First Communion Portrait session for the month of April and get a chance to win a $300 gift certificate for a family portrait session! Call our Oak Park office for details (708)386-6222

Ebert's Kids With Cameras welcomes Children of Charlie's Gift

2010-03-31T22:37:00.010-05:00

Our studio has close connections with the special needs world and we thought about how cool it would be to see how some special needs kids view the world, or, at least, through the lens of a camera. Furthermore, how perfect it would be for these kids to be able to give back and relieve some of the stigma that comes with societies labels of special needs people and to show their community that they have just as much to offer as anyone else, if not more?
Our Third Annual Ebert's Kids With Cameras will take place Thursday, May 20, 2010 from 4pm until 8pm. It will be held at Ebert Studio of Hinsdale, 110 S. Washington St., Hinsdale, IL. This year we are very proud to be working with Charlie's Gift, a non profit public charity dedicated to providing a uniquely integrated approach to supporting children and families facing Autism, Sensory Processing, and Related Disorders. Charlie's Gift is in association with The Community House of Hinsdale. A special shout out to The Frame Warehouse of Oak Park for donating frames for the project. See attached image for details, or call Ebert Studio 708-386-6222 or see us on Facebook. See you there!

Christmas deadline

2009-10-22T10:35:00.002-05:00

A quick note to let you know our Holiday deadline, please plan your holiday cards accordingly.
If you need your portraits in time for Christmas, the last day to order is November 28th. If you have not been photographed yet, but need Christmas cards or holiday orders please note that the last day to be photographed is November 14th.
If you have questions, please feel free to call our Oak Park Office (708) 386-6222

Fall portraits and Holiday cards

2009-10-09T12:37:00.003-05:00

Hello to all! It has been too long since we have had a chance to blog here at Ebert Studio. Our summer was filled with the smiling faces of children and families being photographed in our garden and a flurry of senior portraits. Summer has wound down and the garden is in the midst of a season change. The garden is looking lovely and it is only a short time until the trees turn crimson and the grass will be sprinkled with leaves. This is the perfect time to schedule a family portrait with a fall theme and to start thinking about Christmas cards.

Because sittings during this season tend to book up quickly, give us a call right away to schedule a portrait session. We need a few weeks turn around time to get those holiday cards into your hands, so book a session early and save yourself the headache of trying to get all those envelopes addressed at the last minute. We have a beautiful selection of cards available, we also offer 4x6 prints in bulk for your own cards.

We look forward to seeing your family soon and helping you to celebrate the holiday season in style. Farewell sunkissed faces, and hello to rosey cheeks!

Ebert Studio Staff

The First 'Big Day' of the Season!

2009-04-28T16:55:00.002-05:00

What a great, fun and energetic group we had on April 18! We started at the Four Seasons Hotel in preparation for Katie and Brian's wedding. The ceremony was at St. Clements in Lincoln Park and then a long and champagne-filled trolley ride through Chicago for the memories! We stopped at the chess pavilion at North Avenue Beach, across the street from the Drake Hotel at the gazebo, the Lincoln Park Zoo bridge and finally the plaza on Michigan Ave. across from the infamous Wrigley Building.
Then it was back to the Four Seasons for much drink and dance! Thanks to Lauren Lehman Carter from Lola Event Productions for helping make the day run smoothly!

Tot With Toy 2009 for May and June!

2009-04-05T21:17:00.002-05:00

Tot With Toy 2009!
For more than 20 years, Photography by Ebert has been proud to offer Tot With Toy, a toy drive benefitting the De LaSalle Institute in Chicago. For the first time ever, Tot With Toy will be offered throughout the months of May and June! Throughout the month of May, children up to the age of 10 years old who bring in a new, unopened toy, can enjoy a complimentary sitting and up to 65% savings on portraits. Appointments scheduled in June can take advantage of a portrait savings of up to 50%.
Call now for your May or June appointment! Restrictions apply, inquire within. 708-386-6222.

Ebert's Kids With Camera date is set

2009-04-05T21:02:00.008-05:00

We are excited to have our Ebert's Kids With Cameras show April 25, 2009 at the Oak Park Studio. The images have been taken and the decision making is underway as to which of the student's photographs will be used on the wall at the Big Show!
Here is the press release from last year's gig.

Reflection on 2008

2008-12-11T16:31:00.009-06:00

We are in the midst of our Holiday rush and we are pushing ourselves to the limit to get those gorgeous portraits into your hands in time for the holidays! Though we are exhausted and weary, it is really exciting to see so many familiar faces coming through our doors. We have so many wonderful memories of your families growing up through the years and look forward to many years to come!

One part of the holidays we at Ebert Studio look forward to is watching the fruit on the vine ripen. As many of you know every spring we donate studio time in exchange for a new unopened toy for charity. We call it “Tot with Toy” and have been doing it for 25+ years. Once Christmas time rolls around the toys get picked up for the kids! The toys are delivered to the Tolton Center at the DeLaSalle Institute on the west side of Chicago. We hope that making this small effort brings joy to the children on Christmas morning, it certainly brings us great joy to do it.

Once our holiday rush slows down we will start our annual “New Year, New Ideas” push.
Last year we developed two projects that we are very excited to bring back this year. The first is our “First Communion Donation Special”
Participating churches will receive 100% of your sitting fee ($100) when you bring your child in for a first communion portrait. We would like to get as many churches to participate as possible, if you want your church included in this donation please let us and them know you want to participate. Last year we had this special run through April, and will probably do the same this year.

The second project we want to bring back again this year is "Ebert's Kids With Cameras." Last Febuary we teamed up with a classroom of special needs children at Brooks Middle School, and created a photography project that really blew us away. The kids took pictures of people and things in their lives that were important to them. We chose a few images from each child and had the images enlarged and framed ( Frames generously donated from Frame Warehouse in Oak Park ) and then exhibited the peices in an artshow/ fundraiser. Many people in the community were able to buy a piece of original art for under $35 dollars. 100% of the proceeds were donated back to Brooks Middle School. This project was featured on the front page of the Wednesday Journal and we couldn't have been more excited about the enthusiasm the kids and community showed about it.

As some of you may know, two members of our staff have special needs children and we feel it is important to create projects that create awareness. This year we have a few projects up our sleeves that focus on Autism Awareness so stay tuned!

Ebert Studio is in many ways a vehicle for philanthropy, as we want to stay involved in the community and make it a better place for all of us. This year Ebert Studio was awarded the Oak Park "Human Relations Award" for all of the time, energy and resources donated by the studio for the last 30+ years to the Oak Park community. We were honored to accept the award and feel blessed that we can continue to give back. One of the ways we do that is by donating to auctions so that schools, hospitals, and non profit organizations can raise desperately needed funds. Keep your eyes peeled for Ebert Studio Gift Certificates when attending your next auction.

Our customers are our best friends! We appreciate the opportunity you have given us to photograph you through out the years, we love to create beautiful heirloom art for your family. Thank you for a wonderful year- You are what makes it possible for us to give back.
Happy Holidays From The Eberts

The Garden is Good to Go!

2008-05-09T22:19:00.002-05:00

Well, Spring is in the air and the garden at Oak Park's studio is lookin good! Tot With Toy started early this month and I am pleasantly surprised that we can shoot outside already! There are always plenty o new areas to be discovered and of course the color only becomes more full and vivid.

Terisa, on Cloud Nine!

2008-05-09T22:01:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to the happiest woman in the world...Terisa is engaged!
Ebert Studio's friendliest face will prepare to tie the knot later this year at Oak Park's Pleasant Home.

Happy to Share!!

2008-03-23T13:57:00.002-05:00

Thanks to the great response at the Africa Show Reception Sunday, March 16, I have been asked to present my "Travel Journal" photography to the parents and kids from Brooks Middle School and from a school in Little Village. The kids are in an intergenerational photo/essay program meeting at the Oak Park Library in early April to discuss their various projects. I am hoping to offer some inspiration through my travel slideshow and some Q&A after.

The Oak Park Camera Club has also asked me to partake in a slideshow /Q&A session on April 14th at the Oak Park Library. I will be more than happy to share any of my travel experiences/technical photography questions with them!
Thanks for the opportunities, everyone! Photography is awesome! I am so glad that there are so many interested artists and photography appreciators out there!

Great turnout for the "Africa" show Sunday!

2008-03-20T16:58:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone for their support on my "Essence of Africa" exhibit at the Oak Park Library Gallery. I have heard from a lot of people that have meandered through the gallery, and I really appreciate the feedback. Sunday (March 16) we had a great time hangin out at the "reception" and viewed the slideshow of my travels over the last five years in an adjacent meeting room. I really enjoyed putting that together, and it seemed most of the guests liked kicking back on a Sunday afternoon checking out some images and listening to music. A great article was written about the show in the Pioneer Press (Oak Leaves) this last Wednesday, March 19. Check it out!.
Thanks again for your support!

A Successful Kids with Cameras!

2008-03-20T16:49:00.002-05:00

It was awesome, on Saturday, to see the kid's expressions when they saw their art work on the walls of our front gallery. That was the part I was most anxious to experience and it was priceless!
The donations were a flyin as the "SOLD" stickers colored the walls bringing more money to the cause! I am so proud of these kids. They really seemed to enjoy the project and I am so excited to host it again next year! Thank you students...thanks for the great fun and experience!

Ebert's Kids With Cameras Fundraiser, March 15

2008-03-13T10:28:00.013-05:00

We are so excited about our EKWC (Ebert's Kids with Cameras) event this Saturday, March 15!
Check it out on thhe cover of the March12 Wednesday Journal! We also owe a special thank you to The Frame Warehouse of Oak Park for donating mats and frames for our open house Saturday!

We've provided a visual sampling of the images. (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

View the Wednesday Journal article.

First Communicants Give Back in April

2008-02-27T22:33:00.006-06:00

This April bring your First Communicant to our studio for a portrait session and 100% of your sitting fee goes directly back to your church! We have had a huge response from local city and suburban parishes and we are expecting a busy April, so call and schedule your April appointment now!
This program applies to participating parishes only. Call for details, 708-386-6222.

Tot With Toy 2008 is in May!

2008-02-27T22:06:00.010-06:00

Mark your calendars...this May we will hold our 26th annual Tot With Toy program! Throughout the month of May if you bring in a new toy, we will waive your sitting fee. Also, any portrait order of 11x14 and larger will receive $150 off of your total order. The toys are taken to Chicago's De La Salle Institute where many of the less fortunate children in the community can share in the joy of your toy! The toys are distributed annually during the holiday season. We book very fast as this program has been the hottest thing to come into the studio, so call for your May appointment! A word to the wise... we have limited the sittings to children age 10 years and under with a maximum of two kids together. Other restrictions apply, please call for details 708-386-6222.

Ebert's Kids With Cameras

2008-02-27T21:38:00.003-06:00

We got to thinking (again) about our close connections with the special needs world and had lengthy discussions about how cool it would be to see how some special needs kids view the world, or, at least, through a digital camera. Furthermore we discussed how perfect it would be for these kids to be able to give back and relieve some of the stigma that comes with societies labels of special needs people and to show their community that they have just as much to offer as anyone else.
We have invited a group of students in the Special Education Department at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park, IL to express themselves creatively and photograph aspects of life as they see it. An Art Show and Fundraiser will be held at Ebert Studio Saturday, March 15 from 1-4pm. All images will be available for purchase and 100% of all proceeds will be donated to Brooks Middle School. We would like to thank Frame Warehouse of Oak Park for their generous donation of frames for this project. We look forward to seeing you there!
The attached photograph was taken by Geno.

Ebert Studio opening in Hinsdale!

2008-02-24T21:34:00.010-06:00

I am so excited to announce the opening of our second studio. April 1 our doors open at 110 South Washington St in the village of Hinsdale. We found this great location near the middle of town and the plan is to create a gallery look for locals to visit, browse the galleries and book appointments. The area is perfectly suitable for portrait sessions too, especially photographing out of people's beautiful homes!

Jeff's Art Show in March presents Africa

2008-02-15T09:03:00.010-06:00

A couple of years ago, when we were young and childless, Steph and I went to South Africa for a couple of weeks. We flew into Capetown and drove around the southern coast through the infamous yummy wine country toward the East coast and then up to Kruger National Park for a safari. It was one of the most incredible experiences we have ever had-up there with New Zealand, where we went for our honeymoon the year before. The nature throughout South Africa and, of course, into the wild was breathtaking! The safari was just like we had imagined...full of education, energy and beauty (with a touch of danger!)...just like National Geographic!
On our latest trip to Africa we were on a mission to bring home our soon-to-be-adopted-son, Zelalem. We decided to leave a week early to go on a safari on the Masai Mara in Kenya. For a more journalistic version of this trip, see the Inside Scoop while we were in Kenya and Ethiopia throughout our mission to bring home our son. The experience was again, incredible! Both countries blew us away with impressive displays of beauty, hospitality, and smiles! When we arrived home with our newest addition to the family all I could think of was what a wonderful place this child came from-so rich in culture, history and love. I found that I became teary-eyed whenever I tried to explain this amazing place to people. I really wanted them to see what I saw and to feel how I felt. I really wanted to share my experiences with those that may never get the opportunity to go and see for themselves.
I decided to have an Art Show. I spent endless hours going through all of the thousands of images taken throughout Africa and selected the ones that best described the many emotions and sites and textures that exist. I enlarged them to a scale that would offer more impact when viewed from various distances. I used the best quality photographic papers and processing to bring out the richness in color and dimension of the landscapes and the people. I am very excited to present "The Essence of Africa", the latest in my Lifestyle Photography. The exhibit will feature photographs from the Masai Mara in Kenya, images taken in South Africa and, of course, Ethiopia. The exhibit will be in the Gallery of the Oak Park Public Library from March 1 to March 30. The Oak Park Public Library in located at 834 Lake St. and is open to the public.
A reception will be held Sunday, March 16 from 3-5pm and a special audio/visual display will be presented at 4:15. I look forward to seeing you there!

At Last!

2007-11-15T09:48:00.000-06:00

They finally made it official! Kristyn and Courtney, having met nearly 10 years ago in high school, tied the knot on November 10 an exquisitely beautiful fall day. The ladies gathered at Kristyn's home to prepare for the big day, and were swept away to the church in a Hummer limo. Soon afterwards, the gentlemen pulled up to the church in a Dodge Charger stretch limo as the guests were streaming in. The spirited ceremony was filled with song and inspirational words from the pastor. After the ceremony concluded and thanks to Daylight Saving Time, we were forced to photograph all of the portraits inside the church which is a big switch from what we are accustomed to and what the studio is known for. Always ready for a challenge, we ended up being thrilled with the results! We dashed off to the Sheraton Four Points to dig into the reception, where a slideshow of snapshots of Kristyn and Courtney as each was growing up was running throughout the duration of the cocktail hour and dinner. Highlights also included the couple enjoying a serenade as they cut their cake and the tossing of 2 garters!

We've provided a visual sampling of the day's events. (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Make sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Blackmon" to be notified of when the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Wedd at The Shedd

2007-11-05T16:31:00.000-06:00

Well, we have done it! We have finally photographed a wedding at Chicago's infamous Shedd Aquarium!
Scott and Diane (Zimmer) coudn't have asked for a better day or place to host their Big Day...even the dolphins were jumping for joy at the scene!
The ceremony was held along poolside of the Oceanarium's Dolphin Pool and every so often they would make themselves known by poking their heads or fins out of the surface of the water as if curious. The Belugas floated about in an adjacent pool chanting verses to the exchange of the vows. In another room, America's one and only Komodo Dragon joins an Amazon Anaconda with a cymbal-like hissing in the background. The beat of a Croc's tail drums from the Reptile Cave. The Tetra glowed, the clown fish laughed and the Pirahna sang...the ceremony was lovely and then there were "The Elements". Pretty little colorful cocktails, each representing elements (bitter, sweet, sour, etc). It is an African tradition that was both lovely and humorous at the same time! You should have seen the looks on their faces after each tasting!
It was off to the Carribean Tank near the Shedd's Main Entrance for the reception. The music was nothing short of lively and energetic-perfectly appropriate for a Diane and Scott Union. The domed entrance echoed over the dance floor and the tables circled the giant fish tank full of sharks and eels and turtles from the Carribean. It was a great distraction...and so were the cupcakes!
The dancing carried the party through the evening to the very end where invitations, made up of press pass looking necklaces, were distributed to the late night thrill seekers who were to take a bus full of Halloween clad costumes to Chicago's Excalibur Night Club.
A never ending story to say the least!
How appropriate indeed!

We've provided a visual sampling of the days events. (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Make sure to register at collages.net, with the username "ZimmerWedding" to be notified of when the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Ethiopian Mission Accomplished!

2007-10-19T23:01:00.000-05:00

Yes, we have been back from Ethiopia since August and we are going on our third month of parenting two boys, two and three years old...oh, the stories! I could go on forever, but this is more to keep you up to snuff on the adventure itself.
P.S. There will be an Africa Art Show coming soon!
Check out the website that we created while we were there.

Marion and Kevin- Here's to 100 Years!

2007-10-04T16:44:00.000-05:00

The exquisite day kicked off at Marion's family Lakeview home, which a' buzz with family and 10 bridesmaids preparing for the ceremony. The vintage architecture provided beautiful backgrounds for a Marion's portraits before the Rolls arrived to whisk her away to St. Vincent DePaul where Kevin and the guests were anxiously awaiting her arrival.

The ceremony proceeded without a hitch, and had a number of special touches such as the parade of young relatives reading the Prayers of the Faithful, and other young family members singing from choir loft. As Kennedy tradition has it, we gathered Kevin's parents, siblings and their families around the altar for a intimate family portrait (it's in the slideshow and you can't miss it!) before we headed over to the Lincoln Park Conservatory where the groomsmen showed everyone that group portraits CAN have some real personality (again, you can't miss it in the slideshow).

The Chicago Club on Michigan Avenue hosted the reception. After we all had a good laugh with Kevin's best man's speech, Kevin balanced things out with a toast to Marion that opened the floodgates and sent everyone rushing for their stash of Kleenex- cheers Kevin! Following dinner, everyone was treated to a brief video recap of the day's events thanks to the videographer's quick editing skills, and then the dancing commenced!

We've provided a visual sampling of the days events. (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Make sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Kennedy" to be notified of when the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Kim and Craig - Coming in for a landing

2007-10-04T11:04:00.000-05:00

Talk about a high flyin' first date: Craig treated Kim to a plane ride, and they've been on Cloud 9 ever since! On September 22, they landed softly at Sacred Heart Church in Melrose Park to exchange vows in front of family and friends. The church is significant to much of Kim's family who has seen many baptisms and weddings occur there over the years.

We made our way out to Kim and Craig's home in Carol Stream by their willow tree overlooking a lake for a phenomenal portrait session with assembled bridal party and family!

But the ride wasn't over yet! We ambled out to the historic Hotel Baker, situated on the Fox River, a favorite place for a night out on the town for Kim and Craig. Following more portraits by the riverfront, the party was on inside- complete with an electric dance floor- and we're not kidding!

A visual sampling of the days events, you ask? (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Be sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Graaff" to view the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Rob and Katie - A Match made at Dominican

2007-09-22T09:14:00.000-05:00

When we arrived, Katie's home was overflowing with family and assorted Italian cookies waiting for consumption. In addition to our standard portrait session with Katie and her family and bridesmaids, Katie was game for some playful posing in front of a brightly colored wall, where we were ready to catch her hamming it up.

St. Cyprian, made for the perfect ceremony location with it's amazing stained glass in the background while Katie and Rob exchanged wedding vows.

The bridal party followed us over to Dominican University for portraits. We had a great time photographing by a contemporary, brushed steel sculpture.

The reception was in Rosemont, where the guests were treated to a special performance of a group of Irish dancers, sumptuous dinner, and an overflowing sweets table.

A visual sampling of the days events, you ask? (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Be sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Tarpey" to view the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

2 Families...1 Football Rivalry

2007-08-10T16:44:00.000-05:00

In one corner, the Seckers, a dyed-in-the-wool Notre Dame family; and in the opposing corner, Aaron Markos, University of Nebraska alum. Julia and Aaron decided that not even a football rivalry as fierce as that between their alma maters would get in the way of true love.

We started the day at the Secker home, where we had the honor of capturing Julia and Aaron meeting for the first time that day. It was the most touching moment of the day. The families and bridal party made their way over to Dominican for their portraits before we trucked it on down to the home of the biggest block party: Old St. Pat's. We were fortunate to capture Father Jack Wall's final wedding ceremony at OSP's. Following the ceremony, we headed back out to Oakbrook Hills to the big tent on the lawn, where the party was underway. Julia and Aaron gave the crowd a show with their perfectly choreographed dance to Keith Urban's "Somebody Like You". Shortly after, Julia presented Aaron with his groom's cake: a University of Nebraska football field, complete with goalposts!

A visual sampling of the days events, you ask? (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Be sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Markos" to view the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Mike and Katie "Cicada" Ferraro

2007-06-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

The Morton Arboretum was the perfect location for finding cicadas flying and crawling about, as well as Katie and Mike's memorable wedding among the Ginkgo trees and their non-insect guests. Katie and Mike agreed to meet prior to the ceremony so that we had the opportunity to capture their teary meeting on camera. We swept them away in to several locations throughout the park for their portraits for a variety of backgrounds and to keep our eyes fresh.

The ceremony was officiated by Katie's uncle, whose youth and energy kept the proceedings lighthearted and more personable than the average wedding ceremony! We beat the heat to the Ginkgo Restaurant located inside the Visitor Center for cocktail hour where the guests relaxed with refreshments and appetizers. The room was amazing, with a view of the arboretum along the back wall which consisted of nothing but windows.

The djs kept the dance floor packed, and even the grandparents were spotted a few times shaking their tailfeathers! And as for the cicadas, well they were left outside to watch the party through the glass, but we could hear them singing along as we departed.

We've provided a visual sampling of the days events. (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Make sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Ferraro" to be notified of when the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Mike and Beth "Mc"Nelson

2007-06-16T10:32:00.000-05:00

It was a hot one out at The Lodge grounds in Oak Brook. For those not familiar with "The Lodge", it is the hotel on the grounds of McDonald's University in Oakbrook, IL. It is a phenomenal facility for more than training those people climbing the McDonald's corporate ladder. The grounds are lush and are a perfect setting for a celebration like Mike and Beth's wedding on May 19th!

Beth made a dramatic entrance by walking across a long bridge, before reaching the ceremony grounds escorted by her father. The ceremony was smoothly, and everyone got a good laugh when the wind tried to get in the way of Mike and Beth lighting their unity candle. Ahh, the great outdoors!

The cocktail hour was a welcome relief from the heat. Soon after the guests were seated in the dining room, they were treated to chocolate dipped, wedding-themed strawberries, and a slideshow of Beth and Mike through the years. Toasts were made, dancing ensued, and the chocolate fountain was switched on for the guests to dip into following their meal. The highlight of the evening, of course, was the final course of the meal- the arrival of McDonald's cheeseburgers for all of the guests.

A visual sampling of the days events, you ask? (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Be sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Nelson" to view the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Going back to Africa

2007-06-16T10:23:00.000-05:00

Steph and I finally got the phone call that we have been waiting for: our long awaited journey to adopt our next child is within reach! We are almost certain that we will be going to Ethiopia this August to bring back home a 23 month old boy! Sasha (Beck, our son), can't wait to have a brother to share his backyard with-he has lots of stories to tell his brother about the American ways!
Our latest addition is named Zelalem. We will keep his name, but like most of my friends and family members, he will have a shortened version or a nick-name. Call him "Z" for short!
Can't wait to post some of the Ethiopian adventure shots and a peek into the history of Z's life.

Personalized Wedding Web Pages - Kristyn and Courtney

2007-02-16T10:48:00.000-06:00

There are so many resources and tools available for brides and grooms to help them stay organized and make smart and informed decisions for their wedding day. Some turn to an event planner to pull it all together. Others DIYers turn to one of the most popular resources available on the net, theknot.com .

After photographing Kristyn and Courtney for their engagement portrait, we provided a copy of one of their selections for a personalized wedding website that they designed through theknot.com . For a small fee, theknot.com offers a template that brides and grooms can load up with wedding date details, pictures of bridal party members, family members, and themselves, as well as invite guests to take a quiz and test their familiarity with the bride and groom.

So click above and get to know Kristyn and Courtney, or get busy designing your own site for your upcoming big day!

At The Top With Chicago Magazine's Best

2007-02-06T15:31:00.000-06:00

We were thrilled when The Advanced Cosmetic and Laser Surgery Center called us up and asked us to photograph the top Cosmetic Surgeons in Chicagoland for Chicago Magazines January Edition.
We scooted out to their hip, modern Naperville office where we used available light mixed with strobe to get some colorful, dramatic effects with the doctors and the red glass background.
They were so much like a family in the way that they enjoyed each other's company, as if they had worked together for years!
What a pleasureable session!

The search for the perfect Wedding Dress...as told by our fearless bride, Kerry Flanagan

2007-01-25T17:40:00.000-06:00

We had the honor of photographing Kerry Flanagan and Bobby John's wedding in May of last year. Little did we know that Kerry's search for her perfect dress had so many false starts. Read her article at Brides.com for an unusual story of scoring that perfect dress!

Portrait of a Cardinal

2007-01-10T17:27:00.000-06:00

In recognition of Cardinal Francis George's 10 years of service to the Chicago Catholic community, the Archdiocese wanted a new portrait of the Cardinal. We were honored to be selected as his official portrait photographer for the occassion.

December 7th: The big day arrived, and although Jeff photographs Archdiocese events several times throughout the year, he looked a tad nervous to work with His Emminence one-on-one. In the end, just as he does with so many other subjects who grace our studio, Jeff was able to capture his true spirit through a variety of portraits.

Belle-a-Notte: A Beautiful Night with the Belle Center of Chicago

2006-11-13T10:16:00.000-06:00

Ebert Studio proudly participates in charity auctions around the Chicagoland area. Most recently, in addtion to our standard donation we were asked to photograph the third annual Belle-a-Notte, a gala benefitting the Belle Center Chicago . The Belle Center advocates and provides support and advocacy services to children with special education needs and thier families.

Emceeing the event was Channel 2 CBS Chicago anchor, Rob Johnson, whose personal experience has led him to advocacy work for with persons with developmental disabilities.

Each year, the Belle Center Chicago honors persons or organizations who have made notable contributions to the field of social and educational inclusion. This year's Bridge Builder Honorees included Sister Barbara Jane Ciszek, Principal of Cardinal Bernardin Early Chidhood Center and Paula Kluth , Inclusion Specialist. Congratulations to this year's honorees, and to the Belle Center for a successful event and growing accomplishments in the inclusion field!

We will miss you, Katie!

2006-10-31T11:42:00.000-06:00

Sad news came to us on a cold, mid-October morning. One of our own, (recently) past co-workers had passed away.

Katie Tomaso was a very dedicated member of the Ebert team for five years. She was a retoucher, a printer, she was customer service and she was an assistant photographer here at our studio. Most of all, she was a smiler, and a laugher. She had such a hearty, joyful laugh! I could always count on her to make my stupid sense of humor seem funny, and when the mood was serious-she was good for a joke of her own!

Katie died after struggling with a terminal illness October 22, 2006. She was just 38 years young.

Katie has a large family and I was so happy to hear that they were at her side in her final moments. She would have had it no other way. She always loved to talk about her family...in particular, her nieces and nephews!

I am proud to have been a part of Katie's life. We had a lot in common, especially our love for photography.

Laura and Shyam - Match made in Manassas (Virginia)

2006-10-19T17:11:00.000-05:00

We love to travel for weddings! This time, it was out to the East Coast to photograph an Indian wedding extravaganza in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The festivities began Saturday, with the Mendhi party hosted by one of the bridesmaids. All the ladies of the bridal party were decorated with henna tattoo, while a group of the female wedding guests sipped wine and watched the henna artist's progress.

The wedding day itself was canopied by a brilliant blue skiy, which served as a perfect compliment to the rich palatte of saris and mandap (Indian wedding canopy). The ceremony was a unique blend of East meets West; the Hindu rituals were performed by two priests, and a close friend served as officiant who guided Laura and Shyam through their English exhcange of vows and rings.

The reception highlights included a sea of savory Indian food, and performances by friends and family (a serenade, or Salsa and Bollywood dancing anyone?). The guests were also treated to a memorable performance by Shyam's band, Metropolitan who kicked off their set with U2's "All I Want is You".

Yet again, we've provided a visual sampling of the days events. (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Make sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Lundin" to be notified of when the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Lauren and Nick - Singin' in the Rain

2006-10-07T09:06:00.000-05:00

Rain wasn't going to stand in Lauren and Nick's way on September 23rd as they exchanged vows at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish. Lauren arrived in style in a vintage white Rolls Royce, which also whisked the happy couple over to Dominican University for a unforgettable (and damp) portrait session. A big thanks to Andrea, Lauren's sister and Matron of Honor, for assuring Lauren's dress stayed pristine whilst we made a dash through a literal downpour! Props to the rest of the Bridal Party for joining the couple for a group shot, complete with umbrellas. And as luck would have it, as we wrapped up and headed over to the reception, the skies cleared!

The reception was well attended, the sweet table was beautiful, and the music of R Gang kept everyone on the dance floor all night.

Of course, we've provided a visual sampling of the days events. (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Make sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Ruggio" to be notified of when the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Joell and Marc - A triumphant return to St. Ignatius!

2006-09-14T14:21:00.000-05:00

Pinnacle of wedding day romance? How about being whisked away to the church in a horse-drawn carriage? Guests were awestruck as the bride was helped down from her carriage and made her way inside St. Mary's for the wedding mass. Although we were banking on portraits at the venerable St. Ignatius High School campus, with threatening skies looming we opted for portraits across the street which yielded some gorgeous results. And once again, with Ebert on wedding photography patrol, the rain stayed away.

St. Ignatius (Joell and her father's alma mater) courtyard was buzzing with guests enjoying cocktails and nibbles while we finished off a few portraits and the caterers and florist put the spectacular finishing touches on the dining room. The reception was filled with memorable toasts, a first dance to Your Song ala Moulin Rouge, and music by Indigo.

Of course, we've provided a visual sampling of the days events. (Please allow a few minutes for the movie to load to your computer. You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage. )

Make sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Zahr" to be notified of when the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Thank you, Tot With Toy participants!

2006-09-07T18:49:00.000-05:00

This June we did awesome with our annual toy drive, Tot With Toy! Much thanks to you all for participating!
The DeLaSalle Institute in Chicago is very grateful to be the lucky recipients of the toys donated and will be given to children at the Christmas holidays this year.
Of course, the little dumplings to be photographed were our gift, as always...we love those priceless faces!
Take a look for yourself. (You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow (it's free!). To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage.)
An early, friendly reminder for next year's participants; Tot With Toy will be held in the early Spring (Aprilish)!!! We'll keep you posted!

Break a Leg, Teddy!

2006-09-07T17:12:00.000-05:00

We are proud to be the official photographers of local bass extraordinaire, Teddy Swenson.
Teddy has been playing bass since she was 10 years old. She is better known for her experiences within the Oak Park River Forest Honors Jazz Band, The Merit School of Music, and has even played with jazz great, Ramsey Lewis! Various other combinations include sessions with "Keltera".
Teddy is currently on a semester trip to India to study and play bass.
Of course, she played a few notes for us too!
Take a look for yourself. (You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage.)
Good Luck, Teddy, Break a Leg!

Vince and Nikki, Congratulazioni!

2006-09-01T12:01:00.000-05:00

A spectacular day for a wedding! The rain passed through during the ceremony at St. Giles, leaving behind perfect lighting and dramatic skies for the portraits at the church, Dominican, and Butterfield Country Club. Even Donny, Nikki's dog, was dressed for the occassion!

One of the most vivid memories of the day was the video montage of Nikki and Vince. It featured photos from thier infancy, hanging out family and friends, cheerleading and a variety of other sports, video of Vince's proposal to Nikki (yes, he was down on one knee), and even highlights from the wedding day. The bride and groom entered the dining area at the conclusion of the video. There wasn't a dry eye at Butterfield. Family and guests were treated to 2 chocolate fountains, and were a big hit!

Take a lookfor yourself. (You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage.)

Make sure to register at collages.net, with the username "Bertuca" to be notified of when the rest of the day's images are ready for viewing (the password will be available from the bride and groom). Enjoy!

Maria, Tim and Lollapalooza: A Love Story

2006-08-28T16:43:00.000-05:00

When Maria and Tim first came to discuss their wedding with us, they were a bit concerned about the crowds attending the Tall Ships Festival since their wedding reception was downtown; little did we know Lollapalooza was the same weekend. So, the Tall Ships crowds were dwarfed by the swarming Lollapalooza crowd which we overlooked from the reception perch of the Plaza Club. It made for an awesome view, particularly those family and guests who were visiting Chicago for the first time. Take a lookfor yourself. (You must have Quicktime to view the slideshow. To download the software visit the Quicktime homepage.)

To view more of the day's images, visit collages.net, and be ready with the username and password, available from the bride and groom!

Scott and Kristen

2006-06-23T17:14:00.000-05:00

Congratulations Scott and Kristen! Threatening skies didn't prevent Scott, Kristen, their families and friends from celebrating this wonderful day filled with joy and love. Their beautiful ceremony took place at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest with Pastor Leuking coming out of retirement to perform the ceremony! After a dash over to Dominican for a quick portrait session with the bride and groom, we headed out to the Oakbrook Marriott, where everyone was treated to a coctail hour complete with a harpist to warm up the crowd. Take a peek at the slideshow for a taste of the celebration.

The images are now viewable for your enjoyment at Collages!

Liz and Mike - Cajun Style!

2006-06-17T11:40:00.000-05:00

Liz, originally from Oak Park, and Mike originally from New Orleans, celebrated their wedding day complete with Mardi Gras beads, a white parasol, washboards, and delicious Hubig's pies! Starting out at the landmark church, Old St. Pat's in the West Loop, they moved the party over to the University Club across the street from Millenium Park. The large number of guests from all over the country, including a significant New Orleans contigent, kept the party rocking all afternoon. When the band (complete with a squeezebox) struck up, "When the Saints Go Marching In", it brought down the house and sent the napkins flying everywhere! Take a peek at the slideshow for a taste of the celebration.

The images are now viewable for your enjoyment at Collages!

Shaking The Hand of God

2006-06-13T14:58:00.000-05:00

Allelujah!! Praise the Lord.
Jeff completed his 12th event photographing Cardinal Francis George. Four times a year Jeff photographs events with the Archdiocese at the Cardinal's homes in Chicago and Mundelein.

Bob Goes Out With a Bang!

2006-06-06T23:40:00.000-05:00

An unbelievable finish to a great 41 years of success! Bob's (Dad's) retirement party was on June 3 and it was a doosie! Yes, it was stressful hoping and praying that the renovations would come to a close in time, but they did (with the exception of one toilet paper holder) and the new studio was christened with love, laughter, tears and, of course, colorful Samba Dancers!!
150 people gathered around the gardens at Ebert Studio and celebrated Bob. Some nice words were exchanged, the Sambuca was poured and the torch was officially passed along to the fourth generation of Ebert Photographers-me! Thanks for an amazing learning experience, Dad! You are the best!
Love, Jeff

Joe and Stephanie Whitney

2006-05-23T10:30:00.000-05:00

Photographing Joe and Stephanie's wedding at the University Club overlooking Millenium Park was the awesome!! The dress! The Bagpiper! And yes, The KILTS! We had a great time photographing on the 12th floor terrace and restaurant where we were towered above the gleaming "Bean" and Frank Gehry's bandshell. Event planner, Georgina Tegart and her assistant made the day run smoother than smooth (thank you!!), from preparations to the portraits through the stylish party.

The images are now viewable for your enjoyment at Collages!

Kerry and Bobby John

2006-05-15T18:35:00.000-05:00

Despite the overcast weather, it was a perfect day for photographing Kerry and Bobby John's wedding at St. Edmunds right here in Oak Park. The images are now viewable for your enjoyment at Collages!

Pardon Our Dust

2006-05-09T17:08:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't noticed or heard, we've been under construction. Subsequently, the studio has been closed sporadically to let the dust settle and the fumes escape! We apologize for any inconvenience it has caused any of our customers, but we believe you'll agree it was worth the wait when you get a glimpse of the changes.

After several months of planning, the outdoor studio is near completion. Riverside landscaping company, Pottering Around, has created several stunning new locations for outdoor portraits. They planted over 3000 perennials, a few small truckloads of shrubs or trees, and laid hundreds of stones for paths leading to tranquil portrait settings. The results are breathtaking, and we can't wait to start the summer season with a myriad of new outdoor backgrounds.

Another major renovation is the updating of our interior. We ripped out the carpet and refinished the wood floors. The new furniture is on order, and should be arriving by the middle of June. We have a few more surprises coming, but in the meantime, see the most recent transformation in our Construction Slideshow.

Visit us this summer to see all of the updates!

In Memoriam: Mike Finnegan 1942-2006

2006-04-28T14:09:00.000-05:00

Mike Finnegan, father of 30 year employee Ginny Rialmo and longtime friend of the Studio, passed away Monday. Mike was a retired firefighter, and served as a deacon at his local parish.

As we all attended the wake last night, we realized how many lives he touched - the line to pay last respects was out the door. We were honored that we had the opportunity to photograph Mike with his family over the years, and that they were included in the photographic tribute at the wake. One of our favorite images is Mike with his sons and son-in-law, all dressed in their firefighter uniforms. He is beaming with pride!

We extend our deepest condolences to the family; he will be missed by many.

2006-04-14T15:27:00.000-05:00

The Wonderful World of Blogging

2006-04-13T15:57:00.000-05:00

Jeff and I have decided to get current and join the blog-o-sphere.

We'll be sharing our most up-to-date news, and looking forward to seeing our friends and customers sharing their thoughts and ideas with us via the blog.

We just returned from our annual pilgramage to Wedding and Portrait Photographers International Conference where we reconnected with photographer friends from around the country, and learned about the latest trends from the industry leaders like Gary Fong, David Beckstead, Mike Colon and Vicki Taufer, among others. We also learned about some amazing new products that we will be introducing at the studio over the next year.

With the new year, we have a lot of new things happening at the studio:

Website: Be on the lookout for a new ebertstudio.com coming to a internet browser near you soon.
Outdoor Studio: Just in time for our annual Tot with Toy benefit, we will be offering a completely relandscaped yard.
Studio Interior: We are working with a interior design team to spruce up the interior of the studio common areas.
We'll be posting images of the changes as they happen, so keep checking in for these exciting changes.