Snow!!

I could have also titled this "The Day I Discovered I Cannot Handhold My Macro Lens at 1/80", but I figured more people would be interested in "Snow!"...

Last Thursday morning, I was very pleasantly surprised that it snowed for a little while. And when I say snowed, I mean the big, beautiful fat flakes that just make you happy!! So I decided to try to capture a few of these wonderful snowflakes with my macro lens and see what I could get.

I discovered that 90% of the shots I thought were OK... really weren't. Here is one of the best ones I got that day... unfortunately, it is not an award winner by any means. So let's chalk it up to experience and just say "wow, beautiful snowflake" because it sure was!!! I really didn't notice the texture on this fabric until after I took the photo... next time I will look for something a little smoother to showcase the snowflakes more...

So, what is the moral of the story? I now have a new item to add to my wish list: a new tripod, because the flimsy one I have really doesn't support my camera and any heavier lens well at all, and I obviously am WAAAAY too shaky to handhold! Lesson learned!!

Last Sneak Peek for 2010!

Sunday's session in Naperville (just down the street from my husband's childhood home - how's that for coincidence!) was Round 2! We tried a session with this 2-yr old at the end of October, but Miss K really wasn't having anything to do with pictures that day, so we decided to try again at a later date in her own surroundings.

Sunday, she still wasn't all that into a photo session, but we did get some nice shots anyway!

I really love this one, she looks so delicate and thoughtful.

Look at this adorable shot of Dad with the older sibs!

And finally, one of the (very few) smiles we got from her that day... isn't she a cutie?! Love that little wrinkled nose :)

So, L & B, I hope you enjoy your sneak peek! Even though Miss K wasn't as cooperative as we would have hoped, we really did get some cute photos. And like you said, you'll be able to look back at these pics as a memory of how she was at age 2... and she just wasn't into smiling big for the camera at that age :)

Oops...where did November go?! and last minute gift ideas...

I guess I have been more neglectful in my blogging than usual, seeing as I missed an ENTIRE MONTH! In my defense, our family did take a 3-night Disney Cruise and go to the parks in Orlando over Thanksgiving, so much of my month was taken up with that (the trip itself, getting orders finalized before the trip, and oh yeah - PACKING)!!

OK, so if anyone is looking for last-minute gift ideas (as if you're not all done shopping with the presents wrapped nicely under the tree)...

Think about one of these fun items...

• A mini-accordion book - these 3x3 cuties are held closed with a magnet so they don't flop around open in your purse! $35 each, or 3 of the same for $95.
• 1/2" square or round pewter charms - adorable! $35 each.
• A mini-gallery mount print - 5x5 or 5x7 with easel or magnet back. $35 each.
• Acrylic key ring - 1.75x2.5 inch with a double-sided metallic print. $12 each.
• Lead crystal ornaments - round, teardrop, heart, or bell shaped. $35 each.

ORDER BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10 TO RECEIVE IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS WITH NO RUSH FEE. Some orders may be placed as late as December 15, but may have rush fees added.

Call 815-354-7408 or email heidi@heidikreitzphotography.com for more info!

I'm loving this fall family session...

We wanted to do a session like this last year, but the leaves all fell and the fall colors disappeared too quickly, so we ended up in studio. This year, we were in luck! I went to their gorgeous home and found some amazing spots for photos!

Look at these two handsome boys...

... and this is what I got when I told them to give me "serious" faces. Hmmm.... may need to work on that for next time!! :)

What a beautiful family... love this one!

And my fave... love these two together! This may have been when I told them to give each other a great big smooch... they gave me an "are you crazy????" look and then burst out laughing. You've got to treasure that special bond between brothers :)

So thanks very much to the H family for inviting me out to your lovely home to photograph your family! I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I have editing them so far...

Mini Sessions at Birdhaven/Pilcher Park

I have gotten a bit behind on my blogging, since I've been spending all my time shooting and editing!! I just realized I still have two seniors that I've featured on Facebook but not here... I will get around to them eventually!

This is a catch-all post from my day of mini-sessions at the Pilcher Park (Birdhaven Greenhouse) from October 17. I am so grateful to one of my clients for suggesting the location... it was perfect. What gorgeous flowers still in bloom in mid-October... who would have guessed?

So here are a few images from that day... love the lighting and fun colors!!

Yes, I occasionally resort to bribery... and the reward :)

And what could be more fitting... three brothers in a tree!

Thanks again to all who participated in the mini-sessions... we had a gorgeous day and ended up with some fantastic shots!

New Seniors on the Blog - Twins from Kaneland High School!

At the risk of sounding REALLY old, these two are my husband's cousin's kids... and I remember when they were babies!! Wow, how the years and flown by, and now they are seniors. They sure have grown up... look how gorgeous Miss A is now!!! I love this one in the grass...

And this one in the field is great too!!!

We can't forget N... who, as a typical guy, wasn't over-the-top about getting a whole bunch of pics taken!! He was a good sport about it though... look how handsome :)

And we got to do some football pics too... those were fun!

MY FAVORITE!!! It turned out so cool... thanks for working with my "vision" (even though he probably had no idea what I had in mind for this one)!!!

Thanks so much for coming all the way out here - I hope you enjoyed your session (at least a little) and love your preview!!

CANVAS SALE!!

I have never run a special like this before, but I just received notice that my canvas supplier has certain sizes on sale. Why not pass on savings to my clients?!

Here is the deal:

11x14 or 12x12 canvas: $150 (savings of $50!)

16x20 or 16x24 canvas: $200 (savings of $75!!)

These are 1.5" gallery-wrapped canvas - just gorgeous! The promotion runs through Friday, October 15.

Past clients - wishing you had ordered a canvas? Wishing you had gotten something a little larger than an 8x10 of that adorable shot? Use this promotion to fill your walls at incredible savings!

Sneak Peek for the L family!

I apologize to the L family... I just now realized I hadn't blogged this earlier in the week like I thought I did!! This is a family I have photographed a few times so far, and I was happy to get to see them all again. The two older kids are so polite and sweet, and little K has grown so much in the past year!

Isn't this family photo adorable?

They were all such good sports, considering it was a cloudy, cold and windy day. They faked it well, don't you think?

And this is probably my favorite... I just LOVE this one!!

So I am sorry this preview took me so long, but the good news is your whole gallery will be ready in the next day or two! Hope you enjoyed these for now :)

Adorable Family at Cantigny!

Sunday afternoon I had a long-awaited session... this was with a family that I hadn't seen in nearly 2 years, when I took their youngest son E's newborn pics! This session was supposed to take place last fall, and then in the spring, and then earlier in the summer... but sick children, uncooperative weather, and life in general just seemed to get in the way. So FINALLY we were able to meet up at Cantigny Gardens in Wheaton. What a fantastic location!

We found so many wonderful spots for family photos... look at this fabulous reflecting pond with a little dock. The boys would have stayed there all day if they could.

Here's one of T&E just hanging out together... love how big brother is so sweet to the little guy. He was so cute, leading him around by the hand and chasing him through the flowers to make him laugh!

I love this family shot... too cute for words!!

Thanks so much, J&P, for letting me capture your family memories! The boys are just adorable, and it was great to see how quickly they have grown. Hope you enjoy your sneak peek :)

Redheaded Beauty!

Lacey is my final 2011 Senior Rep... and did her photos ever turn out fantastic!!

We had some fun with some outdoor, urban-type photos first...

then headed to the state park for some OUTSTANDING shots by (and in) the river. We had an interesting time on the banks of that river - discovering a creepy "worm/snake/caterpillar" that found a new home on her bag, Lacey using her eagle-eyes to spot my reflector floating down the stream after "Assistant Kate" (good thing I wasn't paying her!) lost it - all good times!! LOL

(Isn't her hair AMAZING??!!)

Finally, we did some in studio as well. I just love her smile, and she was so sweet too!! I was extremely fortunate to have such beautiful, fun, and photogenic Senior Reps this year!

Be sure to tell Lacey how much you love her senior photos, and get a card for $25 off your session from her!