Under the Sea Nursery Newborn Photo Session [Chicago Newborn Photo Session]

Every time I type the “under the sea” theme for this blog post, and every time I look at these images, I get the song from “The Little Mermaid” in my head! The one where Sebastian sings to Ariel; is it actually called “Under the Sea”?! We got no troubles, life is the bubbles - under the sea! It’s in my head now, and maybe even in yours too! Sorry! This session was wonderful and I am in love with this nursery. So much thought went into every detail of this room, and I never wanted to leave! This little guy is so lucky! I hope Mom and Dad are spending all of their time in this chair yet, soaking up the baby snuggles and being surrounded by so much color & fun. Dad hung the wallpaper himself, a true labor of love, and I was impressed. Baby even received a handmade quilt, sea-themed of course, so we had to take some photos on it.

Of course you don’t even need a nursery, or a finished one at that, to have a great newborn session. However, if you do, I highly recommend taking photos in it since you’ve likely spent so much time planning the room where your baby will call home. Personal touches like handmade quilts/blankets are great too. I bring blankets and swaddles with me, but when you have your own items to incorporate it makes your photos that much more special and unique to you.

Welcome to the world, sweet baby J. You are so loved.

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!