Lost in thought...

I was able to snap this of my neighbor, Miss "M", while I was actually taking photos of a newborn. "M" was watching the baby, and had no idea I turned my camera on her for a couple frames!

I converted the photo to B&W, added this fabulous scratchy border/blend (thanks, BobbieA on ILP), and this is the result :)

I just love it!!

Finally... Photos from My 2nd Maternity and Newborn Shoots

I'm a bit behind in posting the maternity photos from my friend M, but figured I might as well wait and post the newborn photos too - kind of a before and after! So, here we go....

BEFORE:

I think this is such a neat shot. I love how all the hands are such a contrast.... the sweet, soft little girl hands as compared to the dad's rough, tanned working man's hands.

This is one of my favorite shots to date... just love it to death! I'm so happy I was able to capture the silhouette with just enough light to show the joy on sweet little N's face...

and AFTER:

This little girl, Baby "R," is SOOOOO sweet! She was awake for part of the session, then mom fed her and she slept for a while, and then woke back up again. She was just perfect, and the family was great too...

Love this one of daddy with baby R...

And one quick collage with some of the towel shots... she curled up and slept so nice through all of these!

Some collages and storyboards

I've had a request to put some samples of collages and storyboards that I've done on my blog... so here are a few!

2 beautiful little sweeties... look at the eyes on these girls!

I've known Miss "J" for a while now, because she ice skates with my daughter. I was so excited when her mom agreed to bring her and her little sister over for some photos! She is turning 5, and Miss "H" just turned 2.

I was so lucky to photograph these two... you can't ask for more photogenic little sweethearts! Of course, it doesn't hurt that J has done some modeling, so she really knew how to pose!!

Beach Photos from Mother's Day

We went into Chicago on Mother's Day - it was so fun! Went to Lincoln Park Zoo, walked on the beach for a bit, and had dinner at the Rainforest Cafe. What a wonderful day!

I had fun taking photos of the kids walking and playing on the beach... here are a couple of my faves.

My first newborn session!

I'm a bit behind in my posting... I have another maternity session to post (but she just had her baby, so I may combine those into one post after I take the newborn portraits), a senior in her cap and gown, a session with two ADORABLE sisters, and some really fun beach shots of my kids from Mother's Day. Stay tuned for more to come in the next few days...

Anyway, I am so excited to post photos from my first newborn session... this sweet girl's mother is showcased in my earlier post about my first maternity session!!

This little doll was so fun to photograph. It was nice that she couldn't run away, like those toddlers can! I was hoping she would go to sleep so we could get some good shots of her all curled up, but she had a mind of her own as far as that went! I did get some of her curled up, and she may look like she was asleep, but she wasn't!

Hope everyone enjoys the photos of sweet Miss "B" as much as I enjoyed photographing her...

It's spring... and that means Prom!!

This past Saturday, I was able to take some pre-prom photos of a group of kids in my neighborhood. I also took some of my neighbor, "M," before the rest of the group came over. She looked so pretty - I'm glad she posed for me!

My first maternity session!

I had the opportunity to do my first maternity session a couple weeks ago - I was so excited! We wanted to do some with the couple's almost-2 yr old son, but he was less than cooperative, to say the least. But we got a lot of great images of mom!!

Here are a few that I liked from that day...

A sweet and innocent moment...

Here is Miss "E" with her new stuffed dog, Fluffy! I just love the expression on her face... I was glad to capture this sweet moment, since they are getting fewer as she grows so quickly.

Handsome little man... so smiley, yet so fast!!

This little guy was a challenge to shoot - not because he wouldn't smile, but because he wanted to crawl away every time his parents set him down! I was lucky to get off one or two shots and then he was off like a rocket - we all got a workout that day!!! He was very fun to photograph - these few shots are just a preview of his adorable personality shining through...

Here are a couple cute ones of sweet little "A"!