Bridgeport Lifestyle Newborn Session {Chicago, IL}

Lately I’ve been discovering that my most favorite sessions are the ones where I’m mostly just a fly on the wall. I will give direction when needed, but generally I just hang back and observe. I love watching how people interact naturally, without me telling them what to do. And then I go from there. I might have you look at each other or bring your noses or foreheads together occasionally but otherwise I follow your lead and just photograph it. Pure lifestyle nature, which isn’t what I was trained in so doesn’t always come naturally for me. This newborn lifestyle session in Bridgeport was just like that. Beautiful family with the sweeeeeetest dog, PLANTS and lots of natural light. All of my favorite things - It was a magical dream come true. They sat in their sun-filled living room and had coffee, laughed together at my obsession with their pup and snuggled the newest member of their family. Sweet baby A would get a little fussy now and then & dad knew just how to hold him to calm him down. It’s the moments like these, especially in those blurry first few weeks, that I want you to remember the most. It’s real. It’s raw. Full of love. It’s those small moments that make up a beautiful life. How lucky am I that I get to witness those moments and document them so you so you’ll never forget. I do not take that for granted and I appreciate each and every one of you.

Springtime Chicago Area Maternity Session - Glen Ellyn, IL

There’s something about springtime maternity sessions that are so magical to me. The light after a long, dark winter seems extra beautiful and glow-y. The anticipation of my couples SO looking forward to meeting their littles. It all gets me right in the heart. Sarah & Tom were no exception & I had a blast with them! They were referred to me by Tom’s brother and sister-in-law and Tom looks so much like his brother Matt, whom I’ve photographed many times, that I kept calling Tom his brother’s name. It happened so many times, and I would catch myself immediately and they would laugh but boy did I feel bad! I typically do things to make a fool out of myself to get clients natural reactions, but this was unintentional and not quite the same as me horribly singing “Call Me Maybe” to high school seniors to get them to laugh! I’m so grateful for Sarah and Tom’s grace and I cannot wait to meet their little one and capture the start of their parenthood journey.

Also, does Sarah have a celebrity look-alike?! The whole time I kept thinking she looked like someone famous but couldn’t place who. She said she’s gotten Rachel McAdams before, and I can see that when she smiles and when she talks. But I don’t think that’s who I’m thinking of. Maybe a bit of a Jennie Garth? What I Like About You Jennie, not 90201 Jennie! If you think she looks like someone, let me know in the comments because it’s driving me crazy that I can’t place it!

One Year Old Chicago Birthday Smash Cake

This sweet girl was born just before Covid-19 was declared a pandemic last year, and she was the last newborn I photographed prior to Chicago going into lockdown. I had a surge of newborn sessions in early 2020, and I’ll be forever grateful that I was able to get the majority of them photographed before the world shut down. Those babes are all turning one now, after living their entire first year under the weight of a global pandemic. I know they have no idea the magnitude of this burden, but I assure you their parents do. Phew, what a year!

Nonetheless, this little lady LOVES Elmo and was able to have some photos taken for her first birthday to celebrate her big milestone. I love her so, and I love how full of joy she is. Her smile makes my day every time I see her and it has helped me get through this year many times. I adore you, little A, and I love watching you grow!