Have you ever met people without kids and thought, "if only they had kids...they would  make such good parents?"  That is how I have felt about these new parents for SO long, that I sometimes forget there was a time when we were all young and crazy and kids were NO where on our radar.  I have known this baby's daddy for almost thirty years, and through it all, he has remained the same kind, funny, and grounded soul that he is today.  I have known this baby's mommy since high school.  She is fun, compassionate and strong.  This woman is going to be one helluva mom.  They both bring the best things to the parenting table.  Geez, in some ways, it feels like I've been waiting for this baby longer than they have :)

 And without further adieu, here he is!

I know.  Go ahead--I'll give you a minute to collect yourself.  Not only is he just perfect in pictures, but he was an angel to work with in real life.  (Also worth mentioning, the losing streak for the Cubs has turned around since he came into this world, and as die hard Cubs fans, this family will believe it has everything to do with their little cub and the good luck he brings with him).

Dear, sleepy, calm, pretty baby...thank you for being so kind to my camera.  You have just reminded me what is RIGHT with the world. Sleep tight, little one, you are incredibly loved :)

I had the privilege of photographing the most beautiful baby girl on Good Friday.  Her parents had to wait extra long for her to arrive, and this cutie did NOT want to leave the womb.  In fact, she even passed up our original session date in favor of the snuggly home she had made for herself.  I have to give a lot of credit to this momma, not only did she have to wait nearly two weeks longer than planned for baby N to arrive, but she also had to wait to see if baby N was a boy or a girl.  That is will power.  As someone who couldn't stand the suspense (of gender AND arrival), I really tip my hat to the moms who can contain their excitement and curiosity and wait to be surprised.  It was certainly worth the wait.  All that extra time in the womb really agreed with her--she was so perfectly gorgeous!  Thanks for letting me spend my Friday morning with you, B family!

It's no secret that I super-duper love to photograph this kid.  She is so sweet and so fun, and she reminds me very much of my own little girl, so naturally we get along just fine :)  Little E just turned 3, and was lucky enough to have a tea party-themed birthday party in which she received a brand new munchkin sized table and chairs set.  Of course that meant we had to have a tea party in our shoot, and who better to join her in the dress up fun than her best friend Mom. 

Little E got this adorable rain coat and boot set as a gift, but there was no rain to be seen on the day of our shoot.  We will absolutely not complain--it's been a LOOOONG and dreary winter in Chicago, and on a day with abundant sunshine and 60 degrees, we persevered with the umbrella in the sunshine!

Thanks again B family, I look forward to our next adventure together!

After taking a long break to recharge my batteries over the winter, I have officially kicked off my outdoor photo season with an absolutely perfect spring afternoon.  I was very lucky that my first kiddo after such a long hiatus was this charming little man.  Can you believe this head of curls?  I could seriously take photos of his hair all day.  Same with his eyes--my man A has one serious stare that will stop you in your tracks.  He is pensive, curious, sweet and perfectly silly.  He was right at home outside playing in the trees, exploring the forest and wielding his swords fashioned from various treacherous looking sticks!  Little A just turned two and has really embraced independence, daring himself to explore the dark woods (which he endearingly referred to as the jungle)--but was quick to make sure mom and dad were close behind. 

I especially enjoyed watching the relationship he has with his mom and dad.  He had a unique bond with each of his parents and though I might be biased (his mom is one of my favorite people ever), when you are in the presence of this family you can really feel how much they love each other.  A has inherited his mom's sense of humor and his dad's easygoing nature, but has a mystery all his own that I just know the girls are gonna swoon over :)  He won me over a long time ago!

Thanks again, A team.  It's always a pleasure!

Six month old babies are erupting with curiosity and are filled with determination to move (but usually not quite there yet, which means plenty of photo ops while they are sitting pretty and giving me lots of expression).  They have discovered the world outside their crib and high chair and can't wait to experience it for themselves.  Photographing babies at six months is an important job;  this is often one of the first opportunities in their young life to have their budding, unique personalities documented.  Translating that to images that will serve as keepsakes--as memories for the parents...it is something that gives me great joy and is one of the most uplifting things about being a photographer.  I know from experience the happiness that comes with looking back at images of my own children doing their signature thing, laughing or playing with their toys, and just being six months old where the world is huge and full of amazing things.  Every stage is different, but six months old is so uniquely wonderful.  It represents discovery and all the happiness, wonder, fear, and excitement to go with it.  Combine that with being able to photograph a baby in their natural environment, and it is magic!  I usually have photo sessions outside, but truthfully, I do a lot of personal photography with my kids in my own home, and when the opportunity to do a client home shoot arises, I love it!  I get the advantage of shooting their everyday LIFE, capturing what really is--and that is the best kind of memory to have, after all, isn't it?

I had a great time with baby E, who, I might add, smiled and giggled at everyone and everything.  He was so jubilant and laid back, which made our session fun and relaxed.  He was just learning to crawl and did the cutest topple-over-transition from sitting into crawling, just like a weeble.  I couldn't resist snapping a shot of him after he toppled and was able to hold the position for a while like some kind of crazy baby yoga master (I was most impressed!).  His big sis was very helpful in getting him into pose, playing with him, telling me what he liked and didn't like, and just being a very gracious hostess!  All in all, not a bad way to spend a cold and snowy February morning, I'd say! 

  "The only real friend I ever had was Katie Morris, and she was only my window friend.  I discovered her in the window of Mrs. Thomas' bookcase."

Of course, as soon as I put this image on Facebook, my favorite bosom friend asked me "is her name Katie Morris too?" 

I guess I love that this picture reminds me of Anne of Green Gables, of the imagination that it inspired in me, and of the kindred spirits that can see the same story in this image decades later.

I decided last fall that I needed to take some much needed time off in January and February.  I think every working photographer gets to a point when they feel they need to just put the camera down for a bit and let their vision relax, let their batteries recharge, and get all their loose ends tied up so that they can begin again rejuvenated.  I was at this point after a busy summer and fall, and I knew that I needed to take some personal time away from my camera.  However, what I learned was that my camera has become so much a part of me that in the absence of client photo shoots, I began to feel a little like I had a missing limb where my camera used to be.  I didn't expect the creative void to be so big and haunt me so soon after taking time off.  I decided that I would get involved in a 52 week photo project (similar to the 365 photo project, but MUCH less overwhelming).  Every week of the year I get a topic to photograph, and it's up to me how to shoot it.  I knew this was going to be good for me, not only because it would keep me shooting and fluent with my camera, but also because it would challenge my creativity, which is something that I felt in desperate need of.  After I began the project the first week of January, it  became apparent that the seemingly endless cold and snow that seems to have forced itself on Chicago was going to prevent me from easily shooting these things away from my house.  At first I was a little annoyed that I couldn't escape to grander views that would allow more opportunities for those "bigger and better images", but then something funny happened.  I realized that without the pressure of producing images for business, my brain was able to relax and see the things I was missing right here under my nose in my own house.  I spend a great deal of time shooting and editing images for clients that provide them with lovely memories, but sometimes that happens at the risk of losing the time to do so for my own family.  I forgot how much I LOVE and NEED to shoot things that seem mundane and make them beautiful.  I get so wrapped up in daily routines that I forget to stop and take it all in.  One day my routine will be very different, I won't have kids to look after, and I will have time to go after those bigger and better images.  But for the next 52 weeks, I have decided that not only will my own family be the primary focus of these images, but they will be taken in the context of our everyday life. 
 

Things like tea parties with my daughter and her best friend (above) and other things like:

self portraits that show a very real side of me (without makeup and hair done---which makes me cringe, but that is what is REAL):

Or a favorite item:

A candid moment

The list continues to grow, and though I won't be sharing them all on this blog, I know that this project will probably turn out some of my favorite images this year.  I am so glad I decided to do it, and I would recommend anyone interested in photography do it too.  It's a great way to get the creative juices flowing and it is so rewarding (not to mention thereputic) to have your life documented as you see it through your eyes. 

It's not often that my youngest daughter gets her Daddy all to herself.  On this snowy night, she cuddled up to him for her favorite activity: reading.  She will read whatever, whenever, wherever.  I have even read a book with no pictures to her (showing her just the words) to get her to settle down when she's upset.  She will let anyone read to her, but there is just something special about her Daddy.  He has one of those deep, patient, soothing voices that will lull anyone into a trance (when my oldest was a baby, she would stop crying just at the sound of his voice).  I let them have their moment by doing what I do best--being the observer on the outside, looking in.

So, thanks, snow.  It's been a long time since I've seen a White Christmas.  Last year we came close with a white dusting...but this year we had a real white Christmas, complete with flurries.  For a brief moment today, I caught myself daydreaming while staring at the beautiful snow and realized how many things I overlooked this year while being stressed out, overwhelmed, mad, complaining and actually confessing I was looking forward to the year's end.  The list of things I overlooked is not as important as what they represented, which is that my life is full of so many little blessings that are often overlooked because I am too busy focusing on the negatives.  I'm not saying we shouldn't aknowledge the things that upset us, vent about them to relieve stress.  But I feel that if I had devoted as much energy to being thankful for the blessings, than the burdens wouldn't have been so heavy.  This will be my goal for the upcoming year.  In the meantime, tonight I am grateful for snow--for providing me with beauty, fun, diversity and nostalgia. 

Ahhh, young love.  A winter wedding complete with a snowy backdrop fit perfectly with the romantic nature these two share.  He might be a stern marine on the outside, but the look on his face when he saw her for the first time in her dress revealed the softy within.  He just smiled and shook his head in disbelief as she giggled sweetly.  Weddings may be a lot of work, but getting to witness little moments like this reminds me why I like to do it in the first place.  All that romance and swooning, the dancing and laughing, the smiles and kisses...it just doesn't get old.  Ever.  Congrats you two, I hope this new journey brings you many, many blessings and a lifetime of happiness!

This was the photo shoot that almost wasn't, and I am incredibly happy that we finally got the opportunity to get these shots.  Even though it was her birthday and he was still recovering from being sick, these two braved the early morning December cold (without jackets most of the time!) and we had a fun maternity shoot.  I'm just so happy that we got to sneak this shoot in before baby N shows up!

The weather held out just long enough for us to have a beautiful family session this afternoon (we were literally chased out of the forest preserve by sleet)!  I was so proud of this little girl for giving it her all, despite the 45 degree weather and mist that lurked all around us.  Sometimes the cold weather can dampen the spirit a little, but not this kiddo!  Although she was a little bit shy for me at times, I loved seeing how all of her anxiety melted away when she was playing with her mom and dad, as if they were the only people there.  This is the kind of thing I love to capture for parents.  Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life we miss those adoring glances and eager faces.  Family sessions always have traditional posed images, but it’s the stuff in between that warms my heart the most and keeps me inspired.  Whether it was playing in the leaves, pretending to be airplanes, stomping on bugs or trying her hardest to hold up her little brother,  they really loved eachother's company and I think that shone through effortlessly to my camera.   It certainly helps to have such a great looking family-complete with a brand new baby who is oozing with cuteness-to make it a successful photo session!  Thanks for a great afternoon, Warder family!

Tonight's engagement session had all the right elements for a successful shoot:  Beautiful light, gorgeous setting, a couple in love and a cute little pup named Guinness.  Once again I found my way back to Blackwell Forest Preserve to shoot this lovely little family and once again, it did not disappoint.  Lush meadows and dense forests exploding with fall colors had me reeling, and I found myself promising over and over again that we would move on to a new location after just one more shot, then just one more, then "I promise, just ONE more."  How lucky I am that they let me run with my ideas despite the ever encroaching chill that happens as the sun sets.  Though they never let on that they were slowly turning into popsicles, I'm pretty sure that they headed straight to their car to blast the heat, sighing with relief.  Though sunset shoots this time of year can leave you a little frosty, it's such a beautiful result!  Nothing a little Guinness can't fix post-photo session, right?

Meet Saylor and Rylie, two of the sweetest babies I've ever had the pleasure of photographing.  The babies were so incredibly cooperative and mild-mannered despite an extra long shoot!  I think that means they are cut out for the camera, so look out, Jamie and Pete, here are some future models in the making.  The most heartwarming thing about these two is how they immediately calmed  down and fell asleep once they were laying next to each other.

When it comes to deciding what to be for Halloween, my daughter is about as fickle as they come.  Every day I am inundated with costume requests, and I suspect that after Halloween passes, we will be rifling through the discounted costume bin just to add (even more) variety to our dress-up box.  While I do get a little exhausted trying to keep up with her ever changing mind, I admit that her vivid imagination is my absolute favorite thing about her.  She is no ordinary three year old girl pigeon-holed into daydreams of princesses and fairies (though she does love those too).  She is the girl who reaches first for her pirate costume just so she can talk like a pirate and jig (because apparently it’s only acceptable to do so when in costume).  She is the girl who jumps off the bed, fist in the air, proclaiming that she is a super hero.  AND, she is the girl who stares at her reflection vainly in the mirror while desperately tugging at her hair trying to get it to Rapunzel’s length—and then frustrated, yells at her reflection “it’s not working!”  Yes, this girl has wanted to be just about everything for Halloween.  However, when Red Riding Hood made her way through the wheel of ideas, I immediately envisioned a great way to execute her three year milestone pictures.  We are so very fortunate that her grandma indulged my vision and made her a custom frock so she would look authentic.  When we went to the “forest” to take some pictures, she had a great time playing the part, and all I had to do was sit back and wait for the images to happen.  We had so much fun with this that I am already thinking of more ways we can re-create her imagination on camera.  The possibilities are endless!

It's hard to believe that I've only been doing this mom thing for three years.  It feels like it's been ages, and at the same time, I am having difficulty with the quickness in which (all of the sudden it feels like) it passed.  I still remember the incredible anticipation, happiness, anxiety, fear, and love that continued to build and build the entire pregnancy until I finally got to hold her in my arms.  There is just no way to describe or measure that feeling.  Nor is there a way to describe how bittersweet it is to see your baby growing up.  Even though I sometimes wish she could stay little forever, we have so much fun with her growing independence and her BIG personality.  Happy birthday, sweet girl.  You keep getting bigger but you will always be our first born baby!

She’s back, and better than ever!  There is never a shortage of sass when I take this munchkin out on a shoot.  She always delivers.  I love her cute outfits and her genuine curiosity for life.  Me and Lil’ E go way back, but no matter how cool I am, I will never compare to her two best friends: Mommy and Auntie.  How lucky she was to have them both at today’s shoot, and how lucky for me to be able to make beautiful pictures of this trio!

I could have a billion bath toys and she would be content with just this one blue duck.  Normally bath time in this house is a rushed evening chore, but today we took an afternoon bath with some aromatherapy for stuffy noses.  She got to play for an extra long time, which meant I had time to get the camera.

My oldest daughter loves to play with her shadow.  Although she has found many ways to play with her shadow before, this was the first time she ever made a “big scary shadow” and she had quite a bit of fun pretending it was a monster that was dancing with her.  She has more toys than I can count, but this kept her entertained for the better part of thirty minutes.

Once she figured out the formula for big scary shadow, she tried to get her little sis in on the action.  Alas, Skylar was more interested in the neighborhood outside.  She loves to just sit in the window and quietly watch the world.

My baby is one.  Not sure how that happened so fast, but suddenly she is a walking, dancing, babbling toddler.  She was right at home in the great outdoors for these shots.  She kept inspecting the grass, the flowers, the weeds, and even decided to pop an acorn in her mouth just to see how it would taste.  After I rushed over to her in a panic and forcefully removed it from mouth, I decided it was time to call it a day.  Note to self, toddlers WILL eat anything.

Later that day we got to play princess dress up with her big sis.  She is learning how to walk and loves to give herself applause whenever she takes a few steps.  If she doesn’t hear fanfare from the rest of us, she will stand there and wait for it like a little diva.  Thankfully we never hold back, and her big sis gives her all the encouragement she needs to do it all over again and again and again!

I have known L and her family for a couple of years and on today’s shoot I was reminded why I liked them in the first place. They are really such a loving, sweet and FUN family. L is one of those people who has an infectious laugh and zest for life. She and her family were so great and I really had a fun shoot with them today. We have talked about doing a family shoot on a beach for some time and we found the perfect spot at Fort Sheridan Beach in Highland Park, IL. For those who have never been, I wholeheartedly recommend making the trek out there. The vast beauty and lush nature will NOT disappoint! The temperature, however, will leave you a bit chilled so remember to bring a coat. Don’t let those vibrant smiles fool you, by the end of our shoot my subjects were ready for a winter coat and a hot latte!

I had the pleasure of doing a photo shoot for my best friend and her beautiful family.  The weather was perfect, the kids were perfect, and the company was perfect.  I really love being a photographer and consider it such a privilege to be “let in” to people’s lives so intimately to capture memories and personalities unfolding before me.  When the subjects are so near and dear to your heart it just sweetens the deal!  On top of just loving Brandy to pieces, our daughters are the same age and love being with each other just like their mommies!  It was bring your daughter to work day for me on this shoot, and I even snuck in a picture of the future besties.  I hope they grow up to love each other as much as their moms do!

From “America The  Beautiful”  by Katharine Lee Bates

1) 3 nice portraits of the couple together (more posed- you may need to just get someone to come over and take these with a decent camera, please change clothing)
2) 2 portraits of wife (same as above)
3) 2 portraits of husband (same as above)

This seemed easy enough to me, so I told her I’d swing  by one Friday night and we’d knock a few pictures out right there in their backyard.  When I got there, I was waiting for my friend to finish getting dressed and I began to chat with her husband.  I wondered why they were so particular in their request to get photos with different outfits, and that’s when he explained that they were in the beginning of their adoption process and the pictures would be put into a catalog of sorts for pregnant mothers to look through (I’m paraphrasing here, but you get the idea).  Immediately I realized that these were no ordinary pictures they were looking for, but something that would sell them as acceptable parents to the women looking through this catalog.  Someone would actually be parent shopping, and could potentially base their decision on how the couple looked in these pictures.  Now, I set out on every photo shoot to make people look their best and try my hardest to put forth the best quality photos that I can.  But this was quite honestly a responsibility I have never had before, and I had to up the ante a bit to make absolutely sure that this picture would sing.  Everyone who knows my friend could attest that she is oozing sweetness and was made to be a mom, but I needed to make that translate on camera.    As sunset progressed, we filled all the requirements the agency asked for, and saved this couple shot for last.  I hope that whoever is shopping in that catalog stops at this photo and sees exactly what those of us on the other side of the camera see, two amazing parents.

His sweetness still makes my heart sing

My daughter has learned by now that it’s not unusual to see me scramble for my camera when moments such as these arise.  In fact, she thought I was there to take pictures of her new-found spoon skills:

I’m sure one day she’ll be so thankful I shared these pictures with the internet world…

Last year I bought my daughter one of those outdoor swings you tie to a tree.  She had never shown any interest in swinging when we were at the park, but LOVED being swung around like a monkey by any poor sap who would take pity on her.  I set out to get a swing for our backyard convinced that she would love it, or at the very least, slowy learn to love it.  Much to my dismay, she was absolutely terrified of it and wouldn’t even consent to let me strap her in it just to sit.  Lonely and unused, the swing got packed away at the end of summer in our shed, in hopes to see brighter days the next season.  Sometime this spring I hung it up again and didn’t ask her to sit in it.  I thought I would just casually leave it hanging where she would see it in hopes that it would pique here interest.  Just like last season, the swing was passed over many times without even a glance, but I didn’t have the heart to force her to try it.   How could a rambunctious, fearless toddler such as my own be afraid of a swing?  I began to organize Mission: “do not fear the swing” in my head, but quickly had to put it on the back burner when Michael and I had to go out of town to shoot a wedding one weekend.  When I called my in-laws to check in Sunday morning, I was informed that my daughter was “outside on the swing with Papa, and has been for about 45 minutes.”  I had to see it to believe it, but she was indeed over her fear of the big, bad swing.  I’m not sure I want to know how he did it, but thanks to Papa Trigg for getting us over that hump!