Bear on Oak Street Beach [Chicago Pet Photo Session at Oak Street Beach]

Have you ever seen a Bear on the beach in Chicago?! If you were at Oak Street Beach recently, you may have witnessed a spotting! This sweet pup Bear LOVES the water so of course we had to take his photos at the beach to show his love for Chicago and Lake Michigan. He ran on the beach with his mom and dad, chased the ball endlessly and loved on his parents. I was so impressed with his ability to find his ball in the crashing waves and his proud face every time he brought it back made my heart burst. I so enjoyed documenting this adorable family’s love for one another, and their love for Chicago.

Pet sessions are curated with your pet, and your family, in mind. We do what they/you all love doing at a spot they love. Sometimes it’s to celebrate a birthday, to announce a new family member or to document the city they love before they move. Or just because you love them so dang much your heart explodes every time you come home and you want to document that love. Every pet session is unique, just like your pet!

Happiest, Coziest Christmas Wishes To You & Your Loves!

All 2021 sessions have wrapped, Christmas is here, it's officially winter & I’m ready to hibernate ;) Well, except for newborn sessions and some head shots, I’ll be hibernating. I’m extra grateful for you all, in another year of a global pandemic. Every like or comment on my IG, every email response you send, cheering me on when I send out a newsletter, every referral you send my way, every session you have with me, every ounce of support. You all keep me going and I am so so very thankful for you.

While for many of us the holidays may not be (once again) what we planned, I hope you’re still able to find peace, joy and love in whatever you’re doing, and whomever you’re spending time with. And for those of you struggling to find the joy (🙋raises hand) this season - I see you and am sending hugs and love your way. I can't wait for the day when I can actually hug you and your littles again.

As I mentioned above, I’ll be mostly hibernating in January but will be doing so with my favorite girl. My dog Emmie Lou is finally moving to Chicago with me! When I first moved here 6 years ago, I moved into an apartment that didn’t allow dogs so she stayed back in WI with my parents. But this year I became a homeowner (still feels surreal to write that!) and I can call the shots on who’s allowed inside. So here comes Emmie! She can no longer hear, she’s 15, has a bit of a tough time with stairs and I’m removing her from the company of her best fur-friend/roommate Jersey so I’m a bit nervous that I’m wrecking her world. Wish us luck as we adjust together!

As always, thank you for opening, reading and sharing. I so appreciate you!

xoxo, 
Courtney

Here’s a photo of her from when she got to come stay with me for a month in lockdown of 2020. We checked out the tulips on an empty Michigan Avenue, which was one of the strangest Chicago experiences I’ve had.

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… ;)