Best friends...

Last week, my neighbor "S" came over and begged for me to do a photo session with her and her best friend, who was visiting from out of state. "K" used to live here in town, but her family moved a couple years ago, and they were so excited to see each other again!! "S" even offered to pay me for the session and some prints, but we worked out a trade.... photo session and some prints in exchange for some free babysitting in the future... works for me :)

"S" has been over here several times already, saying that "K" keeps calling and wanting to know when they get to see the photos... they're a bit impatient :) So here are a couple for you... I'll get to the rest as soon as I can, I promise :)

These two were so goofy but sweet, and we had a great time taking these. It was nice to meet you, "K"!!

Adorable at two... even sweeter at three!

Miss "M" and her brother "I" are more repeat customers.... I photographed her last year when she turned two (you may recognize her from my website or the large canvas I had printed of her - the girl in the water!)

This year she was not as shy, but still as cute, even if her interest in getting her photo taken was somewhat limited. Her big brother was much more cooperative than last year, though! Here is "I", trying to demonstrate for his little sister how I wanted them to lay in the grass together...

Partway through the session, Miss M spied a bag of Tootsie Pops I had in the van for bribes, and wanted to know if she could have one. I explained that I keep those for kids who do a great job getting their picture taken, and then they get one at the end of the session. Here is a photo of her at the end of the session when I was trying to get her to smile by saying things that make her happy, like "Happy Birthday" or "Dora and Boots" - she came back with "Suckers!!!"

And Mom really wanted to get a hugging shot of the kids.... how's this?! I told you we got some great ones of them together this year.... I love it!!!

Hope you enjoy your sneak peek :)

Mr. "A" Turns Two!

Does anyone remember this cute little guy? "A" was one of my first clients last year - I photographed him when he was nine months old. He was such a ham at that age - so quick to smile and lots of fun!

Fast forward to 2008... "A" is now two!! I was so excited that his mom wanted me to come back and do another session with them. She had such wonderful things to say about the photos from last year... I feel like she really "gets" my style and that's such a great feeling!

"A" was even more fun (and funny!) now that he's talking a bit. We had a great time at the state park with these - we spent some time on the trails, in the "jungle," and on the rocks, then he and I took off together to pick some flowers for mom.

Finally we ended up down by the marina for some fishing!

And one more, just to show that this little guy still has those amazing eyes...

I hope I'm lucky enough to continue creating memories for this family as they grow through the years :)

Calling 2009 Seniors...

Do you attend high school in Wilmington, Coal City, Minooka, Channahon, Morris, Joliet, Plainfield, New Lenox, Bolingbrook, Kankakee, Bradley, or any of the surrounding communities? I'm looking for some outgoing, friendly seniors who would like to serve as my Senior Reps for the Class of 2009! And what is a Senior Rep, you may ask?

Well, a Senior Rep will receive a complimentary photo session during the summer of 2008, some images to post on MySpace or Facebook, and a spiral bound brag book. Then, I will print up some "Rep Cards" with photos from that session and info about Heidi Kreitz Photography for the Senior Rep to distribute to all their friends and classmates. For each senior who books and pays for a session with me, my Senior Rep will earn credits toward their photo purchase and other goodies. More details are available to those selected to be my Reps!

I'm looking for a couple of Reps per school (typically one male, one female)... so please be sure to email or call soon (815-354-7408) and find out if Rep positions are still available at your school!

Announcing a Special Summer Session in Wisconsin...

One of my very first clients was an adorable 9-month old baby who lives in WI (near my mom). I have been asked to come back to take his 2-year photos this summer... I can't believe how time flies!!

I thought it would be a great opportunity to take that time to offer some on-location portrait sessions in the Appleton area while I'm there that weekend... the date will be:

Saturday, June 21

with the location yet to be decided on... (feel free to make suggestions if anyone has any)!

I still have availability for later in the morning and late afternoon...

Sneak peek for the orthodontist's office!

Last week I had the opportunity to photograph a local orthodontist and his staff at a local forest preserve. Here is one of my favorites!

She's growing up so fast...

I've been busy lately editing the First Communion photos I took for our church (church lighting - ugh), but I can't post those b/c I don't have model releases for all the kids.

However, I CAN post a couple of my beautiful daughter... I actually cried when we put on her dress before the ceremony!! She thought I was joking about crying, but I really got emotional seeing her in her communion dress and veil. She looked just perfect, which would make me tear up anyway. but this really hit me that she is in 2nd grade!!! And it seems like just yesterday that she was wearing her baptism dress...

My baby is getting so old!!! Looking at her made me think that before I know it, I'll be doing her prom pictures.... ARGGGHH!!! I'm not ready for that. So for now, here's my baby in her communion dress :)

And my mom was a little nervous when I handed her my camera (a little different than her point and shoot!) to take a family photo for us (well, minus our son who couldn't be bothered to be in any pics with his sister), but she did a great job, didn't she?

First Communion Special

Spring is a special time of year for many children... it's time for their First Holy Communion!

In honor of those children (like my very own dear daughter E), I'm running a special First Communion Session through June 30, 2008.


The special session will take place at my home studio (temporarily located in my living room, as we work on the garage conversion/remodel)...

FIRST COMMUNION SESSION - $175

• You will be presented with 10-15 images from your session in an online gallery (hosted for two weeks)




• A 10x20 gallery-mounted storyboard showcasing three images from your session




• 8 wallets (same pose)




• 10% off any a la carte print purchases from this session

Please call Heidi Kreitz Photography at 815-354-7408, or email heidi@heidikreitzphotography.com to schedule your session today!

A quick glimpse of an in-studio E-Session

I was recently contacted by a couple who wanted an outdoor engagement session, but we couldn't seem to coordinate our schedules during daylight hours in time for their engagement party. So we decided to hold this session in my temporary studio (also known as my living room, until my garage studio is built!)...

Things seemed to work out just fine with K&J in the studio! I got some blank looks from K when I first told him I wanted them to "interact" with each other instead of all posed shots.... but after a while everyone relaxed and there was a little bit of everything going on - laughing, kissing, wrestling, biting (don't ask)!!!

So, J&K, enjoy your preview, and congratulations on your engagement!!

Sweet newborn girl...

Here are a couple preview shots from my session with sweet little "A" last Thursday. I had to laugh because her mom kept saying how big she was getting (at 2 1/2 weeks she was right around 8 pounds) but that seems so small to me - both of my kids were closer to 9 pounds when they were born!

Here is Miss A in her Easter dress... I love a baby in a basket :)

She was such a good girl... hardly cried at all. And once she went to sleep towards the end of the session, she pretty much let us put her wherever we wanted!

And a foot shot... just because I love them! Look at those tiny little toes!