The Huetson's Pack
(click to enlarge)

All in the Family

"I saw Kathryn and Roy Wilkes' family portraits (done by David Sutton) and I thought it would be a dream come true to have something like that for our family."

That's what Jeannette Huetson, Executive Director of On Angels' Wings, Inc., had to say when asked what prompted her to have a family portrait done.

"It's been more than ten years since we had a family photo, and that one was without our four-legged family members! When I won the silent auction at On Angels Wings' Grand Opening Celebration, I was overjoyed. Our children are in their late teens and our next portrait would most likely include spouses and grandchildren. We wanted a picture to remember us the way we are now." 
 
The Huetson family portrait includes four humans and four animals. Did they have concerns that this portrait might not come together

"Yes! It's easy to hug, hold and pet, but remembering to smile naturally, not blink and keep from laughing hysterically….well, that's much more difficult. We were amazed that the dogs sat still, particularly Chief, our German Shepherd rescue who is always on patrol. He trembles at the sight of unknown people, especially men.  David Sutton is the ONLY stranger in Chief's four years with us that has been able to get Chief to not only come close, but eat out of his hand!

Buster, our foster dog was the biggest ham during the photos. He posed-first one side, then the other. It was hilarious and Molly kept cocking her head to everything David said."
 
"We had so much fun, laughing about it all the way home. The portrait will be a lasting tribute to our family and we will cherish it always. I plan to hang it in the Thrift Store we operate, which funds our animal rescue. We get lots of customers, so I hope the phone isn't ringing off the wall at Sutton Studios after the portrait is hung!"

Thanks Jeanette. We sincerely hope it is ringing off the hook.
 
The mission of On Angels' Wings, Inc. is to rescue abandoned domestic animals and provide a safe haven while they are rehabilitated and retrained to lead full and productive lives. Their plans also include building a green animal center in McHenry County to house abandoned pets. To help build the Animal Center and support its daily operations, On Angels' Wings, Inc. operates a charitable Thrift Store.  They sell gently used and new merchandise including clothes, furniture, home decor and pet supplies.  The Thrift Store is located at 5186 Northwest Highway.

Visit www.onangelswingsinc.org for additional information.

Our framing partners

Tips for photographing your pets this holiday season!

Does Bowser look bemused in his reindeer antlers? Is Felix fixated on the Christmas tree? Then chances are you'd love to capture some photographs of your pets this holiday season! Here are a few tips from David for success:

Set the scene.
Find a place with a clean background to take the photos. Before you trip the shutter, scan the corners of the frame - don't just look into Fifi's beautiful eyes. Whatever is in the background will be in your picture and could draw attention away from the subject. Don't be afraid to move things, or your pet (or yourself!) to create a clean look.

Find your light.
Avoid using your on-camera flash, if you can. Your pet's eyes will reflect the light and come out looking like big green saucers. Avail yourself of natural light, near a window or outside. You'll find the best outdoor lighting early in the day or in late afternoon. Indoors, use a high ISO film or digital camera setting. If you have to use your flash, shoot from one side of your pet, so he's not looking directly at you, and you can avoid the retinal reflection.

Get down!
Get down on the floor and inhabit your pet's world. Or, raise your pet to your level on a stool or table. For more compelling photos, you'll want the camera eye-to-eye with your subject.

Be fascinating.
Capture your pet's attention with unexpected noises, toys, familiar phrases ("Do you want to go - - "), or treats to get her to look at the camera. Be sure you have your shot framed and your camera focused, then grab her attention. You can often use the same trick 3 or 4 times before it stops working. Take a break after 15 minutes or so, to let everyone run around and restore their attention spans, then you can try again.

Take a lot of pictures!
Don't expect perfect results after just one try. Take dozens of photos, then EDIT! If you're using a digital camera, extra frames won't cost anything but your time. Then don't be afraid to hit DELETE and keep only the strongest images. You can pick the best of the lot to enlarge or put on your iPhone.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Sutton Studios!

Do you want to feel as good about buying your coffee as you feel about drinking it? Set your sights on a couple of pounds of organic, fair-trade beans from the Mirembe Kawomerma coffee cooperative in Uganda. Mirembe Kawomera means “delicious peace” in the Luganda language of Uganda, and that's an apt name for a product produced by Jewish, Muslim and Christian farmers working side-by-side to feed their families and please your palate.

You can get your shade-grown Mirembe Kawomera coffee through one of three Evanston establishments. You might have to make a phone call or two, as providing this coffee to American consumers is a sideline for all three organizations, but it will be well worth the effort - and the $10 a bag.

Organic. Fair trade. Shade-grown. Delicious. Sounds like a winning idea for some holiday gifts, too, doesn't it?

Want to know more? Watch a movie!

Evanston Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation
303 South Dodge, Evanston, IL
Phone 847-328-7678
Fax 847-328-2298
info@jrc-evanston.org
As long as Religious School is in session, Mirembe Kawomera will be available in the lobby on Sundays from 9:30 to noon.

Top of the Tracks
1826 Central Street
847-869-7080

Art and Science Hair Salon
811 Church St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-4247

H. Marion Framing Opens Edens Plaza Store

Our friends and framing partners H. Marion Framing have opened a new store in the Edens Plaza Shopping complex, located at the corner of Lake Ave. & Skokie Blvd. (just off the Edens expressway). The gallery can be found by the Carson’s entrance, right across from Starbucks.

Pam Rosenberg, ASID, IIDA, will be heading up the new Wilmette showroom. Her extensive design experience makes her a tremendous asset. Her design expertise makes her an indispensable asset to your next art consulting or framing project! Whether you are framing a timeless family hierloom, or your child’s latest masterpiece, you can be confident that our designers will give you and your artwork the attention and level of service you deserve and have come to expect from H. Marion Framing Studio.

H. Marion Framing Studios are second to none in customer service and satisfaction- they now offer you twice the convenience when checking off your “to do” list this holiday season!