Jeans & Hoodies

This shoot was so much fun! This year mom decided to go casual and let the kids show of their vacation hoodies and we just let them giggle and play (you may remember their gorgeous red velvet dresses & sweaters last year) (it is part of her Christmas card, so only a sneak peek here).


I love his laid back stance, he just looks like one of the guys in this.Don't you just love this? We grabbed the bench that is in their foyer for this one and I just let her do what felt fun. And I love her new glasses--such the big Sis'!
Ah, and a private moment to play in the mulch. I think we can all learn something from this one. Funny how it is usually the simplest things that make us the happy.

Nicole you're the best, thanks for another chance to play with your kids!!

We Sisters Three

Although I've known these girls for a long while, I saw them in a whole new light during this session. Previously I've only seen them individually, but the way interacted together was just very special. We went nearby the house, but to a park they hadn't been to before and just let them explore.
I had so many favorites from this session it was hard to pick what to post, so here's just a few and then it looks like mom and I are going to work on a mini album later on so I'll keep you posted.

I love love love this one. The repetition of the semi-circle with the land and water...it played right into my lens!

All the little treasures they found exploring




Thanks guys for letting us play!

Beautiful Dancer-Part Two

So when this mother daughter team approached me this summer about a senior session we went over the ideas for the 'typical' session for my seniors. But then, mom REALLY wanted a dance shot since her daughter has been dancing since she was a little one. However, all her daughter could think of was all those dance poses she's done in the studio, in costume, with staged smiles and she said 'NO!'
I said give me some time to think of something that can work for us both and WOW!! look what we came up with. I had so much fun scouting for this one, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted and scoured all over to find a location that would suit our needs.
Here are the individual shots and the storyboard we printed in the end.





Thanks Karen & Paige for a wonderful session experience!

Breathing Room

I am finally at a point where I can catch-up on whats been going on around here. Keep an eye out today and tomorrow as I am planning on a huge post-o-rama!
ready??....

Two Big Announcements!!

So things have been crazy around here, but I didn't want to forget to tell you about this:And I'll be there with all of this:
Lynda from Greenstar will be there with lots of really cool vendors she's come across the past few years. It should be a fun night and I'll have lots of new things for you to check out. Oh, and I'll have fine art jewelry pieces for sale as well!
Hope to see you there!!

Firsts of Spring

I met these little darlings earlier this year as part of a volunteer project. I joined the student photographers at College of Dupage for their 9th annual partnership project with Easter Seals. The title of this years show was "The Book of Firsts" and it showcased first events for the students of the school.
It was a truly rewarding experience and I wanted to thank my family, Mike and Lynne, for allowing me into their home and sharing their children with me.

Hooray for Greenstar!!

Daily Candy loves Greenstar Creative--Yay for Lynda!!
Today DC came out with its Fall Wedding Guide and is featuring her luscious custom stationary. They only write their witty prose for the hippest companies and products in Chicago so it's a big deal!! Check out the story at http://www.dailycandy.com/chicago/

Isn't she lovely

This started as a belly session, but she arrived when she was ready. We spent a beautiful morning together and she was just precious.




Gina and Brad thank you for sharing your beautiful daughter with me and Congratulations!

Beautiful Dancer-Part One

This one took a bit to happen but we had a great time once we finally got together. The original date was the weekend we had torrential rain for 3 days. Not good, for more reasons than you can imagine. But, after my trip out west, we got lucky with the most beautiful day.

It is a 'Part One' because P. is a dancer and we did some really cool shots at the end of this session to show off her talent in a very artistic way. I'm still working on some unique items with the dance shots and will share soon.

These however were taken at a great old building with beautiful fall color changing ivy.
enjoy!

I can totally see this on on an announcement of her Graduationhello Gap? we have a new model!

Going to Scarecrow

Real quick. Today I am heading out to St. Charles to see my friends at Eliza Jane. The towns annual Scarecrow fest starts today and we'll be behind the store showing off all the latest and greatest.
I'll have those fabulous photo purses plus new sterling silver photo jewelery-my samples seriously just came yesterday! Also, I have a gorgeous photo albums that can be custom designed with luscious leather covers.
Plus for all you who stop by to say hello, I'll have special gift certificates for prints.
I'll post some pix later today. (Already did keep reading!)
Scarecrow runs today through Sunday and I'll be there today until 1 and tomorrow from 1-9. Hope to see you there!

here are some quick Snapshots from today. AND they had a huge 50% off sale!!

Owners Nicole and Megan

California Girl

Well it certainly wasn't easy, but I picked a few fav's from this session out in CA. As a graduating senior she was excited to have her 'real' pictures taken. She was so much fun to work with and really up for anything. We did all these AFTER she sat with the family for those shots (see previous post). I think the only reason we stopped is because she had to go to a soccer game.
enjoy!




love this!!
Thanks K, I had a great time!

The family that plays together...

So, I knew they were going to be fun from the get go! Without giving up too many incriminating details...let's just say we made the shoot work for what we needed and had a blast!
It was such a pleasure working with a family that genuinely loves each other and loves to have a good time together.
I know what you're thinking, two dogs in posts in a row?? But I said we'd try it and Harley is definitely part of the family and such the guard dog, don't ya think?
Doesn't this totally capture what every teenager thinks of their parents?? Love it!
One of the quieter moments.
A bit of explanation here, we wanted to try a shot of bother and sister 'sparing' (it's a football/soccer rivalry thing--I'll show later) but while she was getting ready we played around with the light and thought we'd try a 'cover shot' pose. I thought it was a fun look with the strong pose and beautiful sky.
No I didn't forget about the fun HS Senior shoot we did too. Still working on those, hope to put up in the next day or two. But just look at her--She is gorgeous and it shows in every frame-I'm having a hard time narrowing them down!
On a personal note...Brenda, thank you so much for sharing your family with me. It truly made a wonderful start to my vacation!!

Happy Birthday Sista!

Well, her birthday was last week but I went out to California to see her and her new place. We had a great time together and just the right balance of fun and work (more posts coming about sessions out there!)
Here are just a few from our time together--SNAPSHOT WARNING!! My point and shoot is broken so these were with hers and even from my phone--yes I use mine in a pinch.

She's in purple and I'm in the green-total Mardis Gras thing going on. She looks great for 22, huh?
Ok, so we have farmers markets too, but I am always amazed at the quantity and colors of the offerings here. I ate all my strawberries before I even got home and the grapes, plouts & plums were just divine!


We went out to Rollins lake one day with some friends and what a beautiful site!
I don't do pet photography, but couldn't pass this one up of her dog Grover. And yes he did jump in and ugh, what a muddy mess!
Ok, next up will be from the sessions I had there. An incredibly fun family and their HS Senior daughter--give me a sec....