Puppy Cuteness - "Newborn" Photo Session with a Puppy in Lincoln Park!

This summer I’ve been photographing more passion projects for myself. (More to come later on them as one is big and I’m not ready to share, or in what format yet!) After several tough years in a row personally, I’ve been feeling burned out for a while, and the business sucks the soul out of me most days. This summer I decided to photograph more for myself than anything, to try to bring some life back to my soul. A friend was getting a puppy after losing her sweet old man this past winter and I asked if I could take some “newborn” photos of her pup just for fun!

If you think human newborn photo sessions may be challenging, and they definitely can be, a puppy is 100 times more difficult! Human newborns sleep SO much when they’re brand new, and while puppies do also, it takes much less effort and time to get a human baby back to sleep than a puppy. It’s almost as though puppies come installed with an IV of coffee dripping into their veins! They play, play, play and then PLOP quickly. I was able to get one little setup/outfit with Mr B here and then he was awake for the rest of the session, playing with his toy that looks like him. Totally fine, as this was a project just for fun. It was a learning experience for sure and while the photos of him in his little newborn get-up were cute as heck, I think I prefer the other ones that show off his natural beauty. He’s quite the stunner; going to be a heart-breaker for sure.

Shortly after our photos, I got to spend some time watching him while my friend was out of town and phew, let me tell you that my puppy days are long behind me! I haven’t had extensive time with a puppy since Emmie Lou was a newbie, TWENTY years ago and I was much younger and more resilient! I also had a TON of help! It was definitely re-affirming for me to know that if/when it’s time for another dog in my life, it will not be a puppy!

It makes me wish I had real photos of Em as a pup. I got Em in 2006, well before cell phones had decent cameras and I only have a few from those early days that were saved on a phone. And they’re literally the size of a postage stamp! The printed photos (from Walgreens, barf, before I knew what I was doing) are starting to fade. A good lesson in the value of professional photos, and professional prints.

Help Alive Rescue AND Name a Rescue Pup? TWELVE Rescue Puppies {Chicago, IL}

I'm back - with the most adorable group I've ever photographed in over 10 years! I photographed TWELVE one-week-new puppies and their sweet mama, Mamba, for Alive Rescue recently and I no longer have a heart because these puppies & Mamba stole it.

I must be getting old because all I could think about, aside from how damn cute they are, is.... how on earth do they get any sleep like this when they're all squirming around, piled on top of one another, and making constant puppy squeals! However.... it made me super envious that they all got to be this close without a care in the world. #imisshugs

I fell in love with all of these pups and I love working with Alive, my favorite animal rescue in Chicago. They're going to need help with all of these pups - you can help if you’d like! You can name one of Mamba's puppies! Head to the link below to find more info.

In the meantime, just look at their sweet faces & let them hypnotize you with love. No one has ever been harmed just from looking at the sweet faces of teeny tiny rescue puppies… ;)

Soap Distillery - Handmade Soap & Bath Products from Chicago, IL - Passion Project

A while ago I started a Passion Project that involved photographing my favorite local female-owned businesses in Chicago whose products or services I was obsessed with. I wanted to showcase these amazing women, their work environment, their products/art and how they operate in a day-to-day basis. I wanted to do this because I love photography, obviously, but I love shooting for me when there is no pressure and I can do my thing and document exactly how I see. It keeps my creative juices flowing and helps me get out of a rut. It’s also a way for me to give back to the female business community of Chicago, and to let you all know about these wonderful souls. However - life, business & client sessions crept in and I couldn’t do as many as I physically wanted to… Yet! Thank goodness slow season is approaching :)

Introducing Soap Distillery

My list of business owners and places is long and I’ve only been able to do two of these projects so far! If you like cocktails, liquor, beer or spirits, you’re in luck! The first up is Soap Distillery and I think you must check them out. Their products are insanely smell-able, make you feel great & want a cocktail and are SO fun to read. Danielle Martin is the face behind Soap Distillery, and was inspired by booze, to make her creations. The first time I encountered her was at the Show of Hands show last November in Chicago. The first item I saw was a soap called Beer & Cigarettes and I wanted to gag because it sounded awful! But, alas, it intrigued the hell out of me and I picked it up and was blown away! The smell was insane, as were all of the items I smelled that evening. I was laughing at all of the names of the products and the descriptions. This chick is talented in her product-making, yes, but her copywriting is clever, witty and so fun. Never will you be bored reading a body wash bottle again!

Small Batches - No Hangovers (And great copywriting!)

Her products are hand-made in small batches and use real and natural ingredients. And they’re so pretty! The soaps that have flower petals in them are my favorite to shoot because of their beauty. I’m so excited to introduce you to Soap Distillery.

Seriously, go check them out now! Get a jump on your holiday shopping or get yourself some bath salts to soak away the stress from the upcoming holiday shopping season! The Rosé is my favorite! Or scrub the day away with the Iced Coffee scrub - it smells like a jacked-up Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie! It’s my favorite thing in the SD world! I also can’t live without the Lavender Paloma lip balm. And guys, they just launched their fall scents and the Pumpkin IPA is the bomb dot com! I normally don’t hop on the pumpkin train in the fall with PSL’s and all the other overly-sweet junk, but this is so good!

Want to be a part of the project or have a product/service that you HIGHLY recommend? Give me a shout!