Baby J | Bartlett, IL Newborn Photography & Video

Congrats to the Reed family for their latest addition: Baby J! This is baby boy #3 for them, and I think they just make the most beautiful babies! I've been videotaping/photographing their family for the past 6 years now, I have to say that I feel so blessed to be able to capture another special milestone, and that they feel comfortable enough to ask me to be with them just hours after giving birth!

I also captured video which will be incorporated into a 1st birthday video of Baby J's growth!

A few days later I visited their house, and Baby J looked so different already! Huge changes happen in newborn in those first few weeks. Even if you don't have a professional photographer, make sure to document their growth with pictures and video often!

I love this pose! I saw it on Pinterest a while back, and luckily mom saw it too and loved it! Mom's hand was right by the baby in case one of the big brothers got a case of the wiggles. They did a fantastic job. Mom had them practice without the baby for a day or two before the photo shoot! I just love how all the colors pull together!

Is this not the most precious moment ever?!?!

...closely followed by this shot. Mom didn't want to be in the photos because...well, she just had a baby! But I couldn't resist snapping this shot of her sitting on the floor and calming Baby J. You don't have to have your hair or nails perfect. You just need to love and that will shine through the image until nothing else is visible!

Hugs and kisses to Baby J's family. May the boys sleep well for you so that you can match their energy each day! :)

CarLeigh and William Engaged! | Bartlett, IL Engagement Photography

I have known CarLeigh's family for several years through videotaping community theater performances that they've either directed or starred in (or both), and last year I also videotaped CarLeigh's big brother's beach wedding. I was thrilled when her mom contacted me again to say there would be another wedding coming up soon! I mentioned that we recently expanded into wedding photography as well, so Images to Adore will be both photographing AND videotaping their wedding next month!

We met at Cantigny park in Wheaton on a hot sunny day in July, and kept cool by taking photos in the shade and exploring the park's beautiful grounds! William is a sweet guy and totally in love with his fiance. It's so fun to watch young love; it reminds me of way back in the day when Mike and I couldn't take our eyes off each other.

Here are a couple of my favorite photos from their e-session. Congratulations, CarLeigh and Will; we'll see you next month! :)

Baby Everett | Bartlett, IL Newborn Photography

One of my high school BFF's recently gave birth to her second son, and I did a mini session while visiting the latest addition to our growing playgroup.

Meet Everett. He's beautiful, tiny and strong all at the same time! He wanted to be wide awake the entire session, so no scrunched up newborn shots for this guy! Well...except for this one. The pose lasted about 30 seconds...

(PS: how do you like the Very Hungry Caterpillar cocoon my mother-in-law made?

We did, however, capture him finding and sucking his thumb for the first time....

...And his resulting surprised reaction. Too cute!

Brotherly love :)

And a little candid of the proud big brother!

Toddler J | 18-month photo Session

I love the inquisitive nature of toddlers, and my favorite part of photographing the 1-2 year-old crowd is to try to capture the wonder and excitement in their eyes. I think J has some of the most gorgeous, expressive and soulful eyes, don't you think?

Peek-a-boo!

And a huge thank you to J's parents! We've already booked both a fall and winter photo session for later this year, and they are earning print credits by telling their friends and family about our services. Want to earn free prints also? Find out more about our Referral Rewards when you book a session with us!

Moonlight Petal | Product Photography

A past client asked me to help her take some photos of her new and/or gently used upscale children's clothes for sale on her website-in-progress: www.MoonlightPetal.com Check it out...it should be running soon! Here is just a sneak peak of one of the outfits I photographed for her site:

Best of luck on your new business venture, Erica!

Tacy and Zach | Chicago Wedding Videography by Images to Adore

Tacy and Zach were married in a gorgeous downtown reception at the River East Arts Center. In eight years of videotaping weddings, I have NEVER been rained out of a post-ceremony photo/video shoot. NEVER. I actually boasted about this to brides who were worried about the forecast a few days before their wedding. "No worries, I never get rained out!" I must have gotten a little too cocky because I was eating my words at this wedding.

It was cloudy after their ceremony as we walked towards the beach, but then out of nowhere there was a torrential downpour to deal with. And I do mean torrential. We dove for cover at a hot dog stand, but the rain was so strong it was coming in sideways and even hid the camera under my shirt to protect it :) Then we ran to an underpass and waited out the rain until we could grab a cab and go back to the Arts Center for the reception. Luckily there was beautiful galleries that the curators opened up to us to catch some shots before dinner.

The weather cleared up shortly afterwards, and we ventured outside that evening to enjoy the downtown fireworks display.

All in all, a gorgeous wedding. And even though we didn't get the beach shots we were hoping for, it was still one of the most gorgeous and stylish weddings I've ever had the privilege to capture.

Congrats Zach and Tacy! And may the downpour on your wedding day be the worst that your marriage ever has to weather!

Terrific 2's! | Bartlett, IL Child and Family Photographer

There are a magical couple days every year in late April or early May when the crab apple trees blossom and produce gorgeous and fleeting photo opportunities. The day after these photos were taken, a storm washed all the blossoms off the trees.

I was so worried about this session; if the weather was going to be rainy our backup plan was to take backdrop photos at my messy, poorly lit house. SO Glad that Mother Nature cooperated, and, in fact, was pretty spectacular for this photo shoot! It actually resulted in one of my all-time favorite photos I've ever taken.

For two-year-olds especially, it's my opinion that giving them a session location with a wide open place to explore is the best way to capture their curiosity and keep them entertained. Cantigny is my favorite go-to place, and this is exactly why! Brandon was an adorable two-year old with lots of smiles and laughs. He also loved playing with the little path pebbles. A lot. :)

A more natural edit vs the vintage edit in the first photo. I can't decide which I like better!

Thanks for such a fun day to run around outside and enjoy the weather. I hope you enjoy viewing the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!