This Beautiful, Messy Life

In this age of Instagram-worthy images that portray perfect and mess-less lives, I’m here today to remind you that life is not perfect. We need to stop falling down the rabbit-hole of lies that it is, and stop comparing our lives to social media posts. Life - it’s messy, yet beautiful. It’s chaotic and loud, in between quiet and lonely. No matter where you’re at on your journey in this life, it’s never going to look like anyone else’s. And that’s ok! In fact, it’s amazing. It’s what makes your life unique, your story different. Embrace the mess and the moments that aren’t picture-perfect. I try to in my own life, and I definitely try to for client sessions as well. Especially if there are small kiddos involved! Oftentimes, my favorite moments when editing are the real-life ones like this. These two big sisters have so much personality, and so much love for their new little brother. But change is hard, all, especially when you’re young and a new little creature that never leaves is brought home! Embrace the chaos, friends, and look for the beauty in the mess that life can be. Happy New Year!

Cheers, Courtney

Sweet Baby D & Her Fur Brother - Chicago Lifestyle Newborn

“Can our dog be in family photos?” This is the question I’m asked the most in consultations and before you can finish asking the question I’m already smiling ear-to-ear and claiming “YESSSSSS” very dramatically. Please!

If you don’t have a dog, I promise I will still take photos of your newborn! But if you have a dog, or cat, my heart will explode with happiness before, during and after your session. Combine my two favorite subjects in one session and this girl is a happy person and an even happier photographer. If you have a dog or cat, you’re likely in the same camp as me that believes they’re your family members and must be in your photos. Especially when they’re as adorable and curious as Mr. Elliot. He is so protective of her, and his pawrents, it’s really heart-warming. The only problem with these sessions is when I get home and my own dog, before even greeting me, will take minutes to sniff over all of my gear and bags to determine that I was with other animals and not her. I then have a semi-pouty pooch for a bit! It’s ok, though, because I get to deliver images like these that will be treasured forever. It’s even more fun when I go back for sessions as your baby grows, and I get to see them playing with their best friend. Nothing sweeter in the world. Dog people, or any animal people for that matter, are my people.

I also love all of those newborn details. The noses, the toes, eyelashes, dimples, skin rolls, lips, fingers, hair, forehead wrinkles, cheeks and more. When grouped together, they make an adorable collage!

Connection - Chicago Lifestyle Newborn in Uptown Chicago

Connection. If there’s one that word that summarizes this session, it’s precisely that. It’s also what photography symbolizes to me, what it documents and what it celebrates. When I first started out in photography, I was all about “pretty” pictures. It started as a hobby for me, of nature, flowers, landscapes. A way to document what I saw as beautiful in this sometimes-bleak world. After I started photographing people, I was still honing my craft and wanting to make the pretty pictures, but it wasn’t until later on in my journey where I realized something more profound. Yes, I can take a photo of a person in a beautiful setting, but without the connection, it’s really just a snapshot. When I started to take a more lifestyle approach to my newborn sessions, and just watch the love unfold that I was surrounded among, it gave my purpose a whole new meaning. I still give direction and take the smiley looking-at-the-camera photos, but it’s the moments like these that really tell your story and make my heart soar.