Posts Tagged ‘chicago pregnancy’

chicago film photographer | sparkles.

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

A few weeks ago I woke up at 4 am to head off to this photography family photography session… Yes folks, you heard me right – four. a.m.  I know that this probably seems like no big deal to the average person but I go to bed at like 2 am every night (trust me it’s not as glamorous as it sounds.. lol). But despite feeling like a total zombie as I trudged out the door that morning, getting these scans back today I’m reminded why I would do anything to get these shots… probably hands-down these are among the most beautiful images I’ve taken to date and I am so excited to share them.

But why were we getting together for a session at the crack of dawn you ask? Well you will probably recognize this gorgeous family who I am so happy to announce that they are expecting another GIRL!  Those who follow my blog probably know already that I’ve been photographing this bunch since big sister Avery was just 6 months old, and I can’t believe we’re already at this point. For this session we decided to spend the first half freezing our tushes off at one of their favorite walking paths to catch that gorgeous light you can only get right at sunrise, and then hurried back home to warm up and enjoy Avery and mama’s ritual milk & tea in bed. Oh, and the best part is that I got to play ‘princesses’ with Avery (have no fear when the princesses are here – we hunted down the witch and defeated her with our magic spells!).

Anyway, please hurry up and take a look at these images because they are seriously.. amazing. And I like to hope that they reflect the bright, warm, beautiful amazingness that is this family and what I’ve come to know of them these past few years. Love you guys and so happy for you, can’t wait to come back once ‘princess Aurora’ arrives!! XOXO

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above: we got these gorgeous shoes (left) from Joyfolie, one of my favorite favorite kids’ shoe makers ever. They are gorgeous and just by looking at and touching them it is evident how much craftsmanship and love goes into each shoe. I was incredibly bummed that it was so cold and Avery couldn’t wear these, but I was touched that she tried really hard to wear them for a few minutes for me.  

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and the best part… :)

…the following few shots were inspired by an advertisement I saw of Calypso’s that said “Always believe that something wonderful will happen…”

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above: I definitely don’t often do staged or ‘themed’ shots but every now and again I’ll see something that inspires me and when I have a willing subject  it is pretty darn fun.  And besides, these ‘sparkle shots’ were a little reward for Avery being SO unbelievably good and cooperative for us despite how cold I know she was (and all other parents please know, this is a wonderful exception to the rule, but not the norm for kids of her age. It’s okay to have meltdowns in the cold, I would too if I had no understanding of self-restraint :) ). 

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 above: Avery is going to be such an amazing sister – she already shows so much nurturing love and care, whether it be for her mama’s belly or her baby dolls :)  

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chicago pregnancy photographers | simply beautiful.

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

I recently spent the afternoon with this family for a pregnancy session after returning home from our trip to Carbondale, IL.  I can’t think of a more perfect way to celebrate being home than making new friends and getting back to work. After a couple weeks of rain and rescheduling, we finally lucked out with a sunny day and spent it lounging around at home and then taking a stroll before the sun set at a nearby park.  In addition to the fact that these two are such warm and friendly people, clearly their little one is going to be inheriting both brains and beauty.. mom couldn’t have been more beautiful and they were in the midst of celebrating dad’s graduation with his Masters degree.  I can honestly say I fully understand how much blood, sweat and tears (okay maybe just lots of mental sweat and tears) goes into such an accomplishment, and I know your baby girl will be extra proud of you one day for it :)  Anyway, a big congrats to dad for his recent achievements and thanks again to both mom & dad for inviting me out to capture their journey to parenthood. Looking forward to seeing you all again soon! XO

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chicago pregnancy photographers | family.

Friday, July 22nd, 2011

I love all the sessions that we work on, but one of my absolute favorites are maternity sessions with older siblings where the focus is more on the growing family rather than just mom (though don’t get me wrong, I LOVE maternity sessions with first-time parents as well!). Older brothers and sisters always seem to make things fun and interesting, and to watch the dynamic between a family is absolutely priceless for me.  This bunch in particular had such a wonderful love and it made me realize… though I wish I could take credit, the love and emotion that you see in our images never comes from us or our cameras but rather from the people themselves.  When I first met with this mama she told me that the night before her three year-old said out of nowhere, “Mom, you’re my best friend.”  Ah be still, my beating heart :)

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Even from that first meeting I knew I didn’t want to do anything to take away from the amazing and truly authentic connections that this family had with each other so when I came back for our maternity session I just treated it like I was a friend coming over to hang out and I happened to bring my camera along (which is essentially what all of my sessions feel like anyway lol).  We read books, we played puppet theater, and there was endless hugs and laughter and kisses.. it was perfect.  Congrats to them on their newest addition, baby Amalia (whose newborn session I will be blogging shortly!), and looking forward to our next meet-up!

CLICK HERE to view the slideshow in full screen mode

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chicago family photojournalists | smiley rylee at 18 months

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

Now that Simply by Suzy has officially been in business for (almost) two years, I’m beginning to see so many kiddos and families grow..  This family in particular I’ve had the absolute pleasure of documenting now for 18 months, as I first met them while doing a newborn session for Rylee when she was just a few weeks old.  I returned to capture Rylee at 7 months, when she turned 1, and again now that she is 18 months but even more importantly.. now that her and her family are welcoming a new baby to the bunch!  This time we decided to try something different from our usual portrait session and document an afternoon in the life of Rylee (now that she is bursting with personality I can’t imagine making her sit still and say cheese anymore lol!).  We had story time as she woke up from her morning nap, ate snacks together and played with Moo before venturing out to the park for more fun.  From the very first time I touched her tiny forehead to now 18 months later.. she’s the same smiley, bubbly and curious baby Rylee I’ve always loved and known.. (and I imagine that little spud in her mama’s belly is smiling just as much already!) Thanks Rylee for making it a great afternoon, I can’t wait to come back and meet your new baby brother or sister! :)

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chicago maternity photographers | a jet setter and a hero

Sunday, March 6th, 2011

When J&J first contacted me about documenting their birth journey, I was already so excited because they were referred to me from my friends and most revered photographers, David & Nancy Wittig (who, by the way, do amazing fine art wedding photography here in Chicago if aren’t already familiar with their beautiful work).  In our initial email communication, J expressed her love of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s photojournalistic style as well as David & Nancy’s candid and moment capturing approach.  She wanted something timeless and romantic but different than the usual pregnancy shots that she’s seen, and loved the cool feel of a friend’s engagement session as done by David & Nancy.  I read this and fell in love immediately – the ideas just began pouring into my head and onto my pen and paper as I dreamt up a session capturing the realness of their life and love before baby S’s arrival.  Despite hitting a few bumps in the road and rescheduling, I am so happy that we were finally able to execute both of our artistic visions for this session (I even whipped out my old Nikon F5 and incorporated some film work!).  I’m also incredibly grateful to this family for allowing me to share their maternity session images, as I truly hope this gives you some inspiration to go in a different direction with your maternity photos as well (or family, baby, wedding, whatever!).  As I was once told by Joe Buissink, it’s not about capturing a perfect picture so much as it is about capturing that perfect moment.

Also I’d like to end this with sending some buenas vibras J&J’s way as they are due to have their baby girl this week!  To be continued… :)

 

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