Was it in college or high school that a teacher/professor advised us to master eating alone in a restaurant. Being alone should never be a scary thing. And we should learn to do these things for our own self improvement. The first time I tried eating alone was in a busy metro-Detroit Coney Island Restaurant. I was nervous. And didn't look around. And who was sitting at the table next to mine? My dad's best friend.

A few years ago I journaled that I wish I had a job that I had to travel for. As I work for myself, I realized that I needed to make such things happen. This became a personal goal as much as a professional goal. I married young and hadn't had very much opportunity for traveling alone. So, I started locally and small. I spent a night in Ann Arbor and then Detroit. Then I went a little further to Cleveland. In each of these cities I brought cameras and maps and ventured out to photograph and hope to see something that others had overlooked.

This personal preparation paid off when a client asked if I would come to San Francisco to photograph his family in 2013. I was ready.

This year I chose Chicago. I was able to line up a couple of portrait shoots along the way. I have friends in Chicago- and some of us met up for supper Saturday night. During that meal, my trip was questioned- was it business? What was I going to do? I answered that I see these trips as personal and professional retreats. I go and see and do- and think about my craft and challenge myself to do more. One of my friend's husbands is an architect. He showed me some (great) photos on his phone and asked if I would like to visit these places. 

Ummmm.... YES! Thank you to Kenneth DeMuth of Pappageorge Haymes Partners. Because of his willingness to show me around, I gained access to two fantastic buildings in the process of renovations. Possibly my favorite moment was standing on the rooftop of the Colony Building which promises to be some fantastic "student" housing when complete next summer. He answered my many questions. It was neat to see how something old and beautiful will become something new and beautiful once more!

CurvesChicago Sculpture What's Close?Chicago Water Front Blue PrintsInside the Old Colony Building Elevator ShaftInside the Old Colony Building Going Up?Inside the old Hyde Park Church Ne'er the Two Shall MeetInside the old Hyde Park Church Room With A ViewHancock Observatory- South.