This session is exactly why I love the golden hour. The streaming sunlight perfectly illuminated the B family as they had their first photos as a family of five! They made my job easy with smiles as warm as the setting sun.
Kelly & Jared - Engagement/Family Session
This soon-to-be family of three is very special to me. Kelly and I are “family” through marriage, and her son Bennett, and my son Vinny were born just 2 weeks apart. Kelly and I have bonded as we’ve grown into motherhood together, so I was thrilled when I learned of her engagement to Jared!
I met up with them in their new neighborhood at the community clubhouse (which was already flawlessly decorated for a nautical-themed Christmas) to take a few engagement and family shots to commemorate this special time in their lives. Jared gave Kelly a beautiful pearl engagement ring; classic like Kelly’s style, and timeless like their love. Bennett thoughtfully made his mama a bracelet to match, featuring a pearl at it’s center. Kelly wore both special pieces for these photos, which I thought was such a sentimental touch.
Holiday Mini Sessions 2020
Just a few of my favorites from the most wonderful time of the year! This year, I mixed it up for the first time in 3 years, and chose a different location and prop for my holiday mini sessions. These sessions were done at the log cabin in Blueberry Hill Park in Franklin Park. The festive red settee was rented from Old Souls Vintage Rentals. Thank you to all of the clients who came out for a quick holiday session!
Fall Mini Sessions 2020
Fall is notoriously a busy time for photography. I always feel like my head is spinning a bit at this time of year, as it runs right into holiday picture season. This was the first year I’ve offered Fall Mini Sessions, and I’m just now (one month later) getting around to sharing just a few of my favorite Fall shots! We were blessed with some really beautiful foliage this year, and paired with beautiful weather, the combination was gorgeous.
Charley Thomas - Newborn Session
Sweet Charley was absolutely perfect for his newborn session. It was a quiet, rainy morning, and he slept soundly the entire time. I can see on Charley’s face that he is so content. He must feel the love that his family has for him. His big brothers and sister absolutely adore him, as do his doting parents. Congratulations to the entire family on your perfect new addition!
The B Family - Family Portrait Session
I love it when clients come to me with a specific idea for a session. My dear friend Kristin wanted to capture her family in a care-free, candid way, and I was so happy and flattered to help! We used some fun prompts as well as natural props from the forest around us to create these fun images. The sun was setting through the Fall foliage to cast the perfect warm lighting on this beautiful family. These are some of my favorites from the session.
The S Family - Family Portrait Session
I was so honored to take these photos of my friends, The S Family, because it was their first session with their new addition, Baby Bennett! Bennett was born near the beginning of the pandemic, so getting newborn photos were understandably out of the question. Now that Bennett is thriving, it was the perfect time to get some family pictures taken outside.
The family chose Hartwood Acres as the backdrop, and it was my first time shooting there! I’ve already since been back with another client. As any local photographer will tell you, it is a popular place to shoot! You literally have to wait your turn to photograph in the popular spots in the garden and near the home, but it is worth the wait, as is getting a chance to photograph this beautiful family of four.
Welcome to the world, Bennett!
The D Family - Family Portrait Mini Session
The Fall colors are just about at peak, and I’m so excited for my Fall Mini Sessions next weekend! This past week, I got a lot of practice in with several family sessions held at Cranberry Woods, right where the Fall Minis will be. The D Family’s session had vibrant colors and smiles, all around. This time of year is definitely my favorite time to photograph!
The P Family - Family Portrait Session
The P Family chose to have their session at North Park because of all the family memories they’ve made there. Their mama requested some up-close, natural portraits of each child, which is my favorite style to do! A great way to fill the walls of their home with the sweet details of their children’s faces at this most precious time in their lives.
Lakyn & Luca are One! - First Birthday Session
These two never disappoint! They bring the cuteness and the smiles every time. It has been a joy to photograph their first year of life, from newborns to one-year-olds bursting with personality. Lakyn & Luca, I wish you the very best and most fun Mickey and Minnie 1st birthday party! And to mom and dad, congrats on surviving year one x 2!
Palmer Avery - Newborn Session
Sweet Baby Palmer melted my heart with her smiles, as did big sister Kinsley. She was a natural with her new baby sissy. This session had all the dreamy pastels and tender moments. I can’t wait to watch Palmer grow this year as I document her milestones.
Clare is One! - First Birthday Session
The last time I saw Clare, she was sound asleep in a bucket of pumpkins, a few days new. She has blossomed into such a sweet, charming one-year-old. I mean, look at that personality just shining right through! She was a joy to photograph. I wish her a very Happy 1st Birthday!
Devin - Senior Portrait Session
It is rare that I do senior sessions, but I always enjoy them so much. The chance to collaborate directly with the subject doesn’t happen when I’m shooting babies and toddlers. I was excited to learn that Devin already had a vision in mind for his shoot; he wanted to do the session at his grandfather’s farm and feature his love of cars. The farm was a perfect location! Not only did it have incredible views and a big slate gray barn as a perfect backdrop, but it also had an old, vintage gas pump - perfect for the car theme! Devin even had his outfits planned out!
It was a lot of fun working with him and his mom Lisa. I wish Devin all the best this year and beyond!
Mabel Irene - Newborn Session
I first met this sweet family just a month ago for their maternity family session. They didn’t know what they were having, but they did know that the baby was to come any day. I waited to hear news, expecting it within the next week or two, but instead I didn’t hear from them for a little while. As it turns out, little Miss Mabel was overdue, which is often uncommon when the child is not the first in the family. She came when she was good and ready, and I was relieved to hear that she came into the world safe and healthy.
Her name is one you don’t hear often. It’s a nod to relatives on both sides of the family, and perfectly vintage. I love the old-fashioned names that are coming back in style! Little Mabel is so loved by her parents and big brother Sam. I can’t wait to see her again in six short months!
The G Family - Family Maternity Session
I love working with this beautiful family, and I’m so excited for them that they are growing by another baby boy this Fall! This soon-to-be mama-of-two was as glowing as the gorgeous sunset behind her. It was a lovely shoot combining both family and maternity shots.
The C Family - Family Maternity Session
It was a pleasure to meet the C family for their family mini session, with a special feature on mom’s baby bump. They are such a lovely family, and big-brother-to-be Sam was so photogenic and well-behaved, that his excitement for his baby sibling showed right through his sweet smile.
The family doesn’t know what they’re having, so I’m extra excited to hear from them to schedule their newborn session. Blue or pink…what do you think!?
The M Family - Family Photography Mini Session
This sweet little guy was constantly on the move, but it was worth the chase to capture his smiles! What a sweet boy Nicholas is! These pictures come just ahead of his 2nd birthday.
I offer mini-sessions year-round. They are exactly half of a full session in time, edited images, and price, so they are a great option for families with toddlers who, let’s face it, just can’t hang for a full hour-long session. I get it - I’m in that stage of life too! If you have questions, check out the Pricing page on the website for more info, or reach out!
The Q Family - Family Photography Session
There are so many little gifts that nature gives us in each season. During the late summer, I am absolutely in love with the flower fields in our area. The grass is high, and many of the plants (like this patch of some kind of milkweed) are starting to shed their seeds. The days are still long and warm, and the sun is still casting gold on all of the magical, floating pods that drift like angel feathers in the summer breeze. It is poetry in a picture, and I am so glad the Q kids decided to play in these milkweeds!
Candid shots are always my favorite, and the Q family gave me some gorgeous ones, along with perfect poses, as well.
Adrian is One! - First Birthday Photography
It was so fun working with Adrian and his family over the past year as I’ve documented his first year of life. We had an absolutely dreamy golden sunset in the forest to capture his First Birthday pictures. His family wanted this setting to reflect their love of the outdoors, as they often hike together bringing Adrian along, and his birthday theme of “Wild One”. He was a champ, and so well behaved the entire time. His sweet little babbles and coos were melting my heart.
Happy 1st Birthday, Adrian!
Luca & Laken Are Six Months! - Baby Photography Session
After pushing their 6 month photos back two months due to quarantine, I was so excited to finally photograph the adorable Luca and Laken for their Six Month (but really almost Eight Month) session. It was so fun to see how they have grown since their newborn session this past fall. They were so sweet, smiley, and playful. I was happy to see that they weren’t afraid of me in my mask!
They hung in there for the entire session in good spirits. Can’t wait to see this duo again for their First Birthday!