First wedding of 2008!

There is nothing more wonderful for a wedding photographer than a bride and groom and entire wedding party who are on time, ready and cooperative. Of course it helps to be friends with the bride, but I didn't know any of the others prior to yesterday. They were a piece of cake, and how nice that was to start off 2008! Heather and I agreed that we've never had such a good day with formals and they had a wedding party of 24!! (Holy cow!)

Unfortunately, even though it was above freezing outside, we still were not able to shoot any outdoor shots except for one or two (assuming they even came out -- the lighting was really overcast and dark even at 3:00) because it was hazy and raining all day long. But you kind of expect that going into a wedding in January in Illinois.

We started the day at 10:00 and walked back in my door last night at midnight. It was a 12-hour day for Heather and I, and I am really feeling it today! My legs, arms and feet really ache. That's kinda what you get when you wear heels, so I think I probably asked for sore feet, but on the positive side of soreness, I love having a 10-lb camera to lug around all day long because it really gives me nice work out resulting in toneage :c) (Is toneage/tonage even a word?)

Katheryne, the bride, works with my husband. She's went on 7-hour car trips having plenty of heart-to-hearts with him (heart-to-hearts?! Neil?? Yeah right!). Of course, Neil knows most of the people in her "group" at ADM and so I knew a big handful of them.

My good friend, Heidi, is also a friend of Katheryne, so she and Jase were there. Katheryne sat Heather and I at one of the the "ADM" tables, so that was really nice getting to not just shoot a wedding but enjoy the reception with good friends and drinky-drinks. It's usually Heather and I sitting at a table alone or with people who don't speak 2 words to us. (Which actually can be nice because it means we get to converse with each other all night and we don't have to make small-talk with people we'll never see again!)

The reception was tight . . . 400 guests! . . . but it was one of the best receptions I've ever been a part of. The people were genuinely happy and excited for Katheryne and Aaron. Their love just radiates for one another and so does the love that their friends and family have for them. The party was STILL going on strong when we left at 11:30, but we were exhausted and had to leave. It was a really fantastic wedding and it makes me really excited for the dozen I have this year.

Here's a few pictures from last night . . .

Heidi and Jase look over pictures on their cam
(How totally retro does Heidi look?! Stunning, I know!)

The cute couple, Heidi and Jase
(he rarely ever smiles for the camera showing teeth -- it's usually look-at-me-I-was-on-Big-Brother head shots -- which he would totally agree w/ me on! :c) but Val tends to have magical power with people and got the whites to show :c) hehe)

Heather and Heidi take on the dance floor!

Me and Heids

And, last but not least, the beautiful couple, Katheryne and Aaron
during their 1st dance.

My tiny tribute to Bill's legacy at ADM

Last night I had the opportunity, with Neil and my family, to honor a very accomplished man in our family, Neil's father. After more than 20 years at ADM (Archer Daniels Midland Company), he officially retired last Friday. Last night was the retirement party hosted by Pat W, the President and CEO of ADM. It was a really extraordinary night.

I'm so glad I was able to attend and be a part of such history at this company. Neil's father worked harder than any person I have ever seen in my life to get to where he was at the top.

Last night was a really emotional time for the family, Bill's colleagues and especially for Bill. Unfortunately Brad, Neil's brother, could not be there, but I know he was there in spirit (he's loading up the trucks for Oklahoma's bowl game!). I know Bill thought of him many a times last night. When Neil spoke in honor of his dad in front of the ADM executives, I know the thoughts going through Bill's head was how proud he is of his sons. How could he not be?

Likewise, we are so very proud of Bill and what he has accomplished for ADM, Decatur and all over the world. He has been an amazing mentor for hundreds, and maybe thousands, but especially for his children, showing them that working as hard as he did will get you very far in life.

Wishing you the best, Bill, in your blissful years of retirement.

Here's a couple pictures. The rest you will shortly be able to see on flickr.



And a really cool article on Bill:

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) announced that William (Bill) Camp, executive vice president, has elected to retire by year end.

In August 2007, Camp took on a special assignment to advance the Company’s business strategy for Asian investments and operations. That strategy work now transitions to the Company’s strategic planning group, under the direction of Steve Mills, senior vice president, Strategic Planning. John Rice, executive vice president, Commercial and Production, will replace Bill Camp as director, Wilmar International, Ltd.

“Bill has served as a valued member of the ADM leadership team for more than 20 years,” said ADM Chairman and CEO Patricia Woertz. “During that time, his extensive business knowledge and sound judgment have significantly contributed to our leadership in agricultural processing and BioEnergy.”

Bill Camp joined ADM in 1985. During his tenure, he managed the Company’s rail, trucking and barge operations, South American division, North American Oilseed Processing division, and the Global Oilseeds, Cocoa and Wheat Milling operations. He also served on the boards of directors for several ADM affiliates. He was named senior vice president, Global Oilseeds, Cocoa and Milling in 2002. In 2005, he was named executive vice president with responsibility for ADM’s global manufacturing, grain handling and transportation operations. He also served on ADM’s Strategic Planning Committee since its inception in 2006.

Camp received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining ADM, he also held manufacturing management positions at A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company.

Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is the world leader in BioEnergy and has a premier position in the agricultural processing value chain. ADM is one of the world’s largest processors of soybeans, corn, wheat and cocoa. ADM is a leading manufacturer of biodiesel, ethanol, soybean oil and meal, corn sweeteners, flour and other value-added food and feed ingredients. Headquartered in Decatur, Illinois, ADM has over 27,000 employees, more than 240 processing plants and net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 of $44 billion. Additional information can be found on ADM’s Web site at http://www.admworld.com/.

New Job!

I am full of blog posts today!

Neil has a new job! Here's the memo that went through to all of ADM today!

Yayyy hubby!! Way to go! Congrats!

Morning!

On behalf of Mike L and Kevin B, they are pleased to announce the following personnel changes:

Mike Z will assume a new role as Manager-Sauces and Dressings for the Packaged Oils Division. Mike will report to Chet B, National Sales Manager-Sauces and Dressings.

Neil C will assume Mike's former position, as North American Sales Manager-Glycerine, reporting to Mike L.

Please join them in congratulating both Mike and Neil in their new roles.