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… ;)

Iconic Chicago Photo Locations

I’ve been updating things on the back end here and finally put together a location guide with some of my clients’ favorite spots to photograph at here in Chicago. This guide is ever-changing and I will try to update a couple times a year when more locations are added. But here we start with Adler Planetarium, Montrose Harbor, Milton Lee Olive Park, Lincoln Park (conservatory, zoo, nature boardwalk, honeycomb structure), West Loop area, North Avenue Beach, Chicago Theatre, Downtown/Loop area (Lyric Opera, Union Station, Michigan Avenue), Humboldt Park and Ping Tom Memorial Park. I ended with a section on fun murals and unique backdrops, which Chicago has oodles of!

If you’re having trouble deciding where you want your session, and are looking for Chicago-esque, here is a start! This is also not an exhaustive list, nor are they required for your session, there are many places to photograph but these are the most common spaces. I always recommend going to a location that has meaning to you!

Some of these places do require permits, which are the client’s responsibility. Some of these places are also closed currently, due to the pandemic.

Great Skyline Views and A Wonderful Spot to Catch the Sunset

A Mix of Both Skyline View AND Nature

Lovely Skyline View With a Fun Perspective

Nothing Says Chicago Like The Chicago Theatre!

Tied with North Ave Beach, my personal favorite view of that gorgeous Chicago skyline

Rounding Out 2020 With a Lifestyle Newborn Session {Roscoe Village - Chicago, IL}

Ending 2020 on a High With A Sweet Newborn & Family!

If you had told me back in March that I would have the busiest and best year of my career, I would’ve nervously laughed or even cried hysterically. Seriously. Like so many of you, I was terrified in the beginning of the year, when Chicago shut down and my work was labeled non-essential. For two months I couldn’t work at all and since I specialize in newborns, I really couldn’t photograph because it’s hard to photograph newborns outdoors. Especially in the cold. Events that I photographed regularly were canceled. It was looking bleak. But in the newness of summer, things started to slowly reopen and I was able to photograph again. The inquiries came in quickly and my fall season was insane, in a good way! With the majority of people not going places, it opened up schedules and people prioritizing moments together and getting them documented.

I’ll leave you with the final newborn of 2020 for CMP and let me tell you, it’s full of so much cute. A sweet December babe, snuggly parents and an adorable mini golden doodle big brother! You wouldn’t even guess that Mr. L was having a fussy day when I was with him!

Tears of joy and gratefulness are filling my eyes as we round out 2020, a year full of pain and sorrow. While I know that a New Year doesn't wave a wand and magically make everything better, I am hopeful that we'll emerge stronger from this year full of lessons, loss and heartache. Whatever you're going through, I am thinking of you and hoping you and your family are safe and well.

Thank you for being here with me, contributing to my best year yet, and trusting me to document your most treasured moments. Thank you for allowing me in your inbox. Thank you for the social media love, and any other support - I feel it all. I hope your New Year is filled with health, love, laughter and memories.

xoxo,
Courtney

PS. If you're into Schitt's Creek, their 2020 recap pretty much sums up how I feel and most importantly makes me laugh. Check it out here.

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Newborn Babies