There's a Reason Babies are So Cute…

/

I’ll preface this blog post by stating that I am not a mom so I have no first-hand experience with motherhood, just auntie-hood. But most of my friends and family are moms and I know how hard it can be. I’ve seen it first-hand watching my sisters become moms. And I’ve photographed a lot of babies at this stage. The newborn stage is especially tough on moms! The lack of sleep, the navigating of finding out who this little person is and what they need. It’s all a process. But I’m convinced that’s why babies are so cute! I mean, those every-two-hour-feedings in the middle of the night… you gotta have a cute baby to look at at 3 in the morning or one might go mad from never sleeping. I am certain I would! But then again, I need a looooot of sleep!

I always try to photograph mom & dad/family first at newborn sessions so that mom and dad can relax after while I photograph baby. I tell them they’re welcome to take a nap, or just rest in a comfy chair for a bit while I take their baby’s photos. I do this for two reasons. 1. I genuinely want them to rest while they can and 2. if baby can smell mom nearby, this might make it a bit more difficult for photos as they may want to eat & eat & eat! If this isn’t baby number one, then they usually end up chasing their other babies around ;)

Mr. J’s mom ended up having an emergency C-section so her recovery was much more difficult than anticipated. But you’d never know it in their adorable family photos. I have so much respect and awe for moms of all kinds. And while Mr. J was just under two weeks new for his debut photos, he wanted to be sure he didn’t miss a thing in his new world! No sleeping for this guy! Not until the last 15 minutes of his session. But he wasn’t fussy, either. Just alert, making sure he didn’t miss anything. I loved that so much, and I loved spending time with this tiny little human. So I can only imagine how his mama feels at those 2am feedings. I think we’re all going to be great friends!

Congrats, W family! I adore you all ❤️

Baby boy wrapped in a grey swaddle is held by his mom while his dad hugs both of them while they all smile at baby boy during his in-home lifestyle newborn photo session in Chicago, IL.
Dad snuggles noses with his newborn baby boy while mom watches behind them at their lifestyle newborn session in Chicago, IL.
Mom holds her newborn baby boy and smiles at him during their in-home lifestyle newborn session in Chicago.
Newborn baby boy lies in his crib, looking at the camera, during his newborn lifestyle session in Chicago. A sign with his birth stats is behind him.
Newborn baby boy lies in his crib looking at the camera, on sheets that look like watercolor mountains, during his lifestyle in-home newborn photo session with Courtney Laper.

Baby Close-Up Details - A Must!

Close-up details of newborn baby’s nose and lips during his lifestyle newborn session.
Newborn baby boy profile close-up.
Newborn baby boy snuggles with his stuffed animal during his newborn session in Chicago.
Close-up photo of newborn baby boy’s hair while he lays in a bear basket during his lifestyle newborn session in Chicago, IL.
Newborn baby boy snuggles on a faux fur rug in his nursery during his lifestyle newborn photo session in Chicago, IL.
baby boy in white swaddle laying in a bear basket during his in-home newborn photo session in Chicago

Get a Baby to Smile in Pandemic Photos While Wearing a Mask?! {Logan Square/Avondale Chicago Family Photo Session}

/

My usual tricks don’t work in a pandemic for getting littles to smile or laugh! I rely so much on facial expressions, games and tickling while photographing kids but that doesn’t work when my face is covered and I can’t get close enough to play. It’s been a challenging year in every aspect for all of us, so this seems trivial in the grand scheme of things. And I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I do still appreciate a child’s natural expression over a forced smile anyway.

Miss O was not impressed with any of my antics! Peek-a-boo and her favorite songs weren’t working. Then again, she wasn’t falling for any of it from her parents or grandma either! I got lucky for a few photos with their help but most of the time, she really showed her disdain for having to perform in front of a camera! And we all laughed a lot! Her dad said he was so proud of her for not giving in ;P We think she may have started teething that day and just wasn’t feeling the smiles. Of course, Murphy’s Law. And it’s 2020. What can go wrong, will go wrong. Still, a lot of the mean-mugs and so-over-it photos were priceless gems for her family and they really make me smile!

We took some photos on their porch and then took a stroll through their neighborhood during the peak fall colors on a gorgeous afternoon here in Chicago. I had so much fun trying to get this girl to giggle, even though I worked up a sweat like it was a hot summer day!

Much love, friends!

Baby girl sits on mom’s lap in between her parents on their front porch in Chicago, IL.
Smiling baby girl sits between her parents feet on their front porch in Chicago, IL.
A family walks among the fall leaves in their Chicago neighborhood.
Mom and dad play a game with their baby girl while she’s on dad’s shoulders.
Mom and dad hug while dad holds & kisses baby girl on the forehead while on a walk in their Chicago neighborhood.
Smiling family photo in Logan Square among fall flowers and foliage.
Mom and dad hug and laugh together during their fall family photo session in Logan Square, Chicago.

Portage Park Lifestyle Couples Session With The Most Adorable Dog [Chicago, IL]

/

I’m going to preface this blog post with a warning that this may make you want to adopt a rescue pup.

Lifestyle session with a cute couple and their adorable dog? Yes, please! I met Mindy and Alex at their lovely home in the Portage Park neighborhood of Chicago for a fall session recently. We took some photos on their front porch with their Mr. Personality (Elliot!) and then headed to the back yard where Elliot ran and ran and ran in the leaves, playing games with his humans. He LOVES playing with Alex and he never leaves Mindy’s side. I think they’re all so lucky to have one another, especially this year. After playing outside, we went inside for some beers and doggy snugs for a few minutes. Elliot enjoyed his perch on the couch while his mom and dad enjoyed their beers. I love sessions like these sooooooo very much!

After their session, we all had a beer outside, in masks, on the most perfect fall evening in Chicago. Here’s to clients that turn friends, good beer and 70 degree fall evenings.

Mr. Elliot now has a furever spot in my heart and I love him so much. This may happen to you also. While we can’t have him, there are so many other pups searching for their forever homes. Adopt a rescue. If you need a Chicago recommendation, Alive is wonderful!

Couple in Portage Park Chicago sits on their front steps at home with their terrier rescue dog.
Couple in Portage Park Chicago is laying together on a blanket on the ground when their dog comes up and licks their faces while they laugh.
Terrier rescue dog at home playing in the fall leaves in his yard.
Lifestyle couples home session in Portage Park Chicago. Couple’s dog sits on their laps and gazes at the camera with the couples’ beer in the foreground.
Lifestyle couple session at home in Portage Park Chicago. Couple sits on the couch drinking beer together, and petting their rescue dog who is perched on the top of the couch.