Montrose Harbor Engagement Session with S & K {Chicago, IL}

When I first talked to Staci about her engagement session with her fiancé Kevin, she told me that they love to spend time outdoors & basically just be goofy and laugh together. All the time. She was not kidding - I witnessed this first-hand and got to document it for them & it was a blast! These two have the best time together, no matter what they’re doing. I was able to photograph their engagement session just a few days before their courthouse wedding last summer and I loved getting to know them. Staci even wore her wedding dress at the start of the session and then changed into a gorgeous jumpsuit. They love rock-climbing, hiking and being outside so they wanted to incorporate nature into their photos. Montrose Harbor is the perfect spot for that! It’s got a forest area at the bird sanctuary, it’s got the beach, the boats and it’s got that majestic view of the great Chicago skyline. We met just before sunset and the sun showed off that evening. The harbor photos are some of my favorite couple photos I’ve ever documented! Those colors, that sunset and this adorable couple - it all blew me away! Congratulations, you beautiful souls - I hope you’re loving newlywed life and enjoying your pups!

At the very end, they changed into their rock-climbing gear and we took a few more photos.

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?!

Happiest, Coziest Christmas Wishes To You & Your Loves!

All 2021 sessions have wrapped, Christmas is here, it's officially winter & I’m ready to hibernate ;) Well, except for newborn sessions and some head shots, I’ll be hibernating. I’m extra grateful for you all, in another year of a global pandemic. Every like or comment on my IG, every email response you send, cheering me on when I send out a newsletter, every referral you send my way, every session you have with me, every ounce of support. You all keep me going and I am so so very thankful for you.

While for many of us the holidays may not be (once again) what we planned, I hope you’re still able to find peace, joy and love in whatever you’re doing, and whomever you’re spending time with. And for those of you struggling to find the joy (🙋raises hand) this season - I see you and am sending hugs and love your way. I can't wait for the day when I can actually hug you and your littles again.

As I mentioned above, I’ll be mostly hibernating in January but will be doing so with my favorite girl. My dog Emmie Lou is finally moving to Chicago with me! When I first moved here 6 years ago, I moved into an apartment that didn’t allow dogs so she stayed back in WI with my parents. But this year I became a homeowner (still feels surreal to write that!) and I can call the shots on who’s allowed inside. So here comes Emmie! She can no longer hear, she’s 15, has a bit of a tough time with stairs and I’m removing her from the company of her best fur-friend/roommate Jersey so I’m a bit nervous that I’m wrecking her world. Wish us luck as we adjust together!

As always, thank you for opening, reading and sharing. I so appreciate you!

xoxo, 
Courtney

Here’s a photo of her from when she got to come stay with me for a month in lockdown of 2020. We checked out the tulips on an empty Michigan Avenue, which was one of the strangest Chicago experiences I’ve had.