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.

In-Home Lifestyle Newborn Session in Chicago With Sweetest Big Sister

Prepare yourself! I’m about to show you the most adorable newborn session with the sweetest big sister. I adore this family and was so honored to document their new addition last year. I photographed big sister, Miss Olivia, last fall & winter and she was so not into either of her sessions. I couldn’t get that girl to smile using any of my tricks, and it didn’t help that I was wearing a mask so she couldn’t really see me. Fast forward about 8 months and she was all smiles for this session, mostly! She couldn’t wait to show off her baby brother and her and I became besties ;) I didn’t want to leave this session! This family is pure sunshine to me and I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do. Especially the melt-down photo when both kids are crying! I used to not photograph these kinds of moments, or would delete them in my culling process, but now I think they’re pure gold! It’s real-life, especially with a toddler and a newborn. They’re often my favorite moments :) Life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows so we can’t just show that, right?!

The Smiliest Newborn I've Ever Photographed [Chicago, IL]

Little Miss I smiled almost nonstop during her newborn session this summer and I loved every second with her and her family! Born on the 4th of July, I can already tell she’s going to be a little firecracker, full of personality & I’m so honored I was chosen to document her first big photo session. She slept through most of her session, but when she showed her eyes it was so beautiful. Her big brother was so helpful, and so in love with his little sister; it was very sweet to watch. And the dog! Her big fur brother is the most gentle giant, protector of the family. The 3 of these “kiddos” are all going to be best friends.

Their sweet dog Scout is the reason this family found me! A few years ago I was photographing some holiday mini pet fundraiser sessions for Alive Rescue here in Chicago & they brought Scout in (pre-kiddos!) to be photographed. A few years down the road they remembered I did newborn photos and reached out for a session of their own. All of the seeds I’ve been planting over the past few years are starting to germinate and while it’s been a slow build since I moved here, it’s all coming together. I don’t advertise and the introvert in me has a hard time networking and talking about my business. So 98% of what I do is from word of mouth and referrals you send my way. It makes me so grateful every day that I get to do this, and that you spread the word about me. Trust the timing, friends. Life takes you where you need to go and teaches you what you need to learn in the moment. Be well and be kind.

xoxo, Courtney