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...

A family session at the waterfall!

This session was on a hot, hot, day in July (imagine that, a hot July day in Chicagoland!), but it was OK, because it was a special session... for a couple reasons. First, the D family are friends of ours - my daughter has been friends with R since kindergarten (hard to believe it's 5 years already)! Second, this family purchased this session through a silent auction. Back in the spring, I donated a gift certificate to my son's Cub Scout troop, and the D family won the auction! Talk about a win-win situation - the Cub Scouts made some money, the D family gets some great family photos, and I have fun creating those photos! Yay all around :)

Here is a quick preview from the session... a cute photo of R&C alone...

And one of the 3 kids together... love it!

And finally, one of the D family, including Aunt K. The waterfall was pretty crowded with people visiting and exploring when we first arrived, so I was very happy we were able to get some photos after all. I don't think you can really beat this spot for a family photo!

Thanks for a fun session, and I hope you enjoy your little sneak peek... and thanks again for bidding so diligently at the silent auction!

Lovely family session!

Before we went on vacation (some fun vacation photos to come when I get to them!!), I had a chance to take a few quick family photos. Isn't this family gorgeous?! I may be biased, because they are my brother-in-law and his family, but I honestly think they are great :) They came up to IL to visit for a few days from TN, and I was really excited we were able to squeeze in a few photos amongst all the family craziness!!

Here is one of B&A together... love it!!

Here is one of the whole family together... you'd never guess by their smiles that we were all in the middle of one of the largest swarms of mosquitoes you've ever seen...

And one of the kids alone... tried a little different feel on the processing here, and I think I like it! See how nicely they smile for their favorite (well, at least I like to think so!!) Aunt Heidi :)

And finally, one of my adorable niece M and her American Girl Doll - what trip to visit Chicago is complete without a stop at the American Girl Store?!

If only I could let you all (or should I say "Ya'll") hear them speak... they have the cutest little southern accents ever!!!

Little K is Turning 1...

I was very happy to get to see Miss K and her family again... we had just done an outdoor family session the week before, so I knew just how cute she was going to be!

How can you not smile when you see that little face... not to mention her ponytail!!

Who doesn't just LOVE a baby in a basket?! I even got to try out my newest blanket, which I thought worked lovely here :)

And finally a shot with her parents... I just love how happy they all look here!

Thanks so much for making the drive to my studio from Naperville... it was so much fun to see all of you again, and capture these moments as K turns one!

A family session in studio...

Well, this was my first chance to use my new smoke grey seamless paper (LOVE IT!!) and it was for a special family... my mother-, father-, and sister-in-law! They haven't had photos taken in many, many years, and asked me to do the honors. Luckily, they were willing to brave the chaos that is my garage studio in the midst of painting and other remodeling,

Here is one of my sister-in-law, who made me laugh with her crazy expressions and poses - she was quite the model :) We did get some nice ones though, including this one...

My kids were happy to see such a nice photo of "Nana and Papa"...

And one of the three of them together...

Thanks for coming to my studio (and the kids' soccer games!) and I hope you're happy with your photos!!!