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In: Families, Newborns, Portraiture

He kept us on our toes in the beginning, but he settled in eventually. Meet Nathan, 12 days old. Mama’s nickname for him is wiggly. Allison and Michael make a great couple, Allison whom I have known for years. I’m so happy for them to be growing their family, and grateful to have been asked to document these earliest days! We shot on-site at Nathan’s home in Hanover Park, Illinois. I brought with me a backdrop stand, off-camera speed lights, pockets wizards, and several fabric options for backdrops. Allison collected some sweet and simple swaddling and basket options. Of course, Nathan owned his shoot, lookingRead More →

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In: Families, Newborns, Portraiture

In November, I did a holiday photography session for Nicole and Robert, a fantastic couple that I met and worked with last year shortly after they moved to Chicago. They wanted to celebrate their first year in this great city together with an iconic skyline shoot. However, this year when Nicole called she shared the wonderful news that she and Robert had started their family! Little Elly would be joining our holiday session. And she was adorable-just look at her playing with those huge ruffles in her holiday skirt, and you’ve gotta love capturing a little baby yawn! We began the session downtown at the Chicago Cultural Center,Read More →

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In: Families, Portraiture

Well, I certainly let the busy holiday season get the better of me when it came to blogging. But after a wonderful holiday season with family and friends, I am getting back on the horse and with what a fitting family session post to begin. Sandy called me this fall to do a family portrait session for the holidays. I knew Sandy from grade-school and she and her children had just moved back to the Chicago-area from Tulsa. She was very excited to be near her family again, and so we included the whole clan-siblings and parents too. Wanting to celebrate Chicago in their first holiday portrait session back, we choseRead More →

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In: Families, Portraiture

Moving into the holiday season once again, the time of year that often sparks that need for a new family portrait for holiday cards and gift giving.  Recently I had the great honor to meet and photograph the family of one of my college professors. Among other activities with the communication department, I served as a department secretary and am still fairly active as an alum with the department. His grandaughter made me chuckle when she asked why I kept calling him Dr. Hemmer. For as long as I know him, I’m not quite sure I could address him any other way. Being the unpredictable fall season we hoped for good weather, but we were prepared for theRead More →

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In: Families, Portraiture, Travel

Earlier this month I had the privilege of traveling to Colorado Springs to shoot family portraits. Sirkant was stationed overseas with the Air Force for six months. KC and I are already old friends (think preschool friends), so while her husband was away, we decided it was a good time for a girls visit and photo session with the kids. Genesis (8), Sela (5), and Solomon (3) are all very smart, very funny little kids. Each with these big, but unique personalities. And of course in Colorado you are never far from spectacular backdrops. Every time I am out in the mountains I wonder why I don’t live there yet, and swear thatRead More →

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In: Portraiture

Most of the couples I work with are celebrating their engagement or wedding, and then later the beginning of their family. These are all wonderful milestones in a shared life, and that my job allows me to get to know these couples during these moments is a gift. But often couples forget to continue celebrating their relationship between the milestones. This month I had the opportunity to work with a couple who wanted to do just that, and what a gift that was to share. Nicole and Robert,  I hope you love your photography, and enjoy sharing these images with your friends and family through the holiday season and beyond.Read More →

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In: Newborns, Portraiture

It’s an amazing experience when the people you know and love start growing their families. Can hardly believe sometimes that we are starting to raise our own little people. When did we become adults? I’m looking forward to documenting this little guy as he grows into a trouble maker, and of course feeding him some trouble maker tips. View the slideshow for photos from the newborn shoot with Cooper Stanley.Read More →

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In: Portraiture, Seniors

On a recent trip to the beautiful upper peninsula of Michigan I had the opportunity to do some shooting with family. My cousin, Adam, is graduating high school next year. We shot in the last two hours leading into sunset around the lake and on the lakefront property of our grandparents. I captured these primarily using the sun as a hair light, and pocket wizards to fire two off-camera strobes (side keylight and on axis fill). What’s great about what we did for his location is that not only does it mean something to him personally, but it also will be a unique location to those in his graduating class. View the slideshow from Adam’s shoot below.Read More →

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In: Families, Portraiture

Families are the topic of the month… from documenting tradition, to new blessings, to precious and passing moments. In April, I made a special trip this year to visit my best friend in Oklahoma and meet her son for the first time, sans womb. Unfortunately, circumstances had kept us from visiting since she sat for a few quick maternity photos shortly before Maceo was born. Being his first birthday, I wasn’t about to let any more time pass. Shianna cautioned me that Maceo doesn’t take well to strangers right away, but the second he saw me he reacted like he knew me already. I have always thought babies could smell fear on you, like bees. I think children have an innate sixth sense now too;Read More →

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In: Maternity, Portraiture

One of the beautiful things about working with my clients is the relationship we build that often transcends the wedding or portrait event and sometimes allows me a window to share in and document the many family milestones… new babies, new puppies, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, engagements and weddings again. Last month I had the opportunity to photographically celebrate with a couple expecting in July. I have known Lauren and George for years and their brand of playfulness as a couple is precisely what will make them an unbeatable parenting team. It’s also what makes shooting with them so much fun! They are comfortable with each other in frontRead More →