Annabelle | Bartlett, IL Newborn Photography

I have to admit, I was mighty nervous driving to this session. You see, Annabelle's mom is a professional photographer. We're from the same town and I videotaped her wedding several years ago. But to photograph another photographer's new baby when she has much more experience than I did? I won't lie; nails were gnawed on the way over as I reviewed my mental checklist for the gazillionth time. I did not want to screw this one up!

And then I saw Annabelle:

Cutest. Baby. Ever. The only way I could screw these photos up is if I dropped my camera and it stopped working. (I didn't).

So then I became very humbled and simply had fun with the session!

Mom Kelly now has as much as a newborn prop/accessory addiction as myself, so we had fun pairing my pink chair with her crocheted diaper cover and hat.

I saw a great antiqued white table with their engagement portrait in the background (photographed by the magnificent Jeff & Julia Woods) so I wanted to try a shot with Annabelle and these elements together.

I have to give a shout out to Kelly. Three weeks post partum, and she's wearing the same dress as in her engagement pictures. Doesn't she look fabulous?!

I'm a sucker for damask, so when I saw Kelly and Mike's chair we had to pair it with the pettiskirt and cutest headband ever!

And then we took a couple candids in Annabelle's beautiful nursery. Besides being a fantastic photographer, Kelly could also be an interior designer in her spare time! I think Annabelle will keep her busy for a while, though :)

It was hard to narrow down the images for this session! Kelly and Mike, I hope you enjoy the photos, and thanks for the honor of having me capture your little blessing! :)

If anyone is interested in a newborn session, please contact me at info@adorevideoproductions.com for a quote and scheduling. We also offer Baby Story newborn videos as well.

Here is a slideshow of some of my favorite shots from the session:

2010 Best Of Family Photos

Here's a little slideshow of some favorite photos I've taken over the past year. Thank you all for allowing me to capture your family's special moments, and I look forward to seeing you again in 2011!

McNamara Family Sneak Peek | Schaumburg Family Photography

Wow, time flies. It seems like only yesterday that I was pregnant with Clara and videotaping Anne and Tom's wedding. Fast-forward a couple years, and now they have two adorable kids of their own, and they are still as cute and in love as can be!

Wow, time flies. It seems like only yesterday that I was pregnant with Clara and videotaping Anne and Tom's wedding. Fast-forward a couple years, and now they have two adorable kids of their own, and they are still as cute and in love as can be!

Gabriella in Wonderland | Bartlett, IL Photography

A friend that I showed this photo to thought that it had a very Alice in Wonderland quality to it. I would have to agree. Taking photos with Gabriella is always an adventure. In the short hour that we spent together last week, she led me on quite the adventure!

Traipsing around Cantigny Park, we had a pretend tea party and searched for those illusive Cantigny fairies in the flower beds. It's pretty difficult to get eye contact from two-year-olds, so I just create a fun environment for them to explore, and then try to keep up and capture it as they take in the wonder of it all.

I did made the mistake of bringing out the parasol too early, and it was a wee bit difficult to distract her from playing with it the whole time, but I'm so glad I brought it with!

Beth Turns 5!!! | Bartlett, IL Party Photography

I can't believe that my baby is 5 already! The years have flown, even though I can't remember life without her!

We've never hosted a children's party before, and due to our rough winter with Beth's hospital stay, we wanted to make her birthday a little extra special. Fit for a princess, you might say.

So we contacted Susan at Royal Tea Parties and she ran the party flawlessly! I probably had just as much fun as the girls! Activities included: dressing up, getting nails and hair done, a bead bracelet project, wish granting with Princess Beth, storytime, Princess Pizza, cupcakes and tea. What fun! I was snapping pictures left and right and created a slideshow (see below) as a thank-you gift for all of Beth's princess pals. Being the mommy to two girls is the best!!!

"No Day But Today" | RENT musical videotaping | Sandwich, IL

I love the musical RENT. It's what I identified with all through high school. Granted, I wasn't in exactly the same situation as the characters in Jonathan Larson's musical, but I was a shy kid who hid behind the lens of a camera much like the main character Mark. Anyhow, I spent grades 9-12 with the lyrics always running through my head.

I literally BEGGED to videotape this musical when I found out that Indian Valley Theatre would be producing the show at Sandwich Opera House. I have seen (and videotaped) this group of kids perform in several different musicals over the past three years, but I was super excited to see their transformation and adaption of my favorite show. It did not disappoint. In fact, I recently rented Broadway's live last performance of RENT, and some of these guys outshone the actors on Broadway!!!

Here is a link to view highlights from the videotaping. Video by Linnea Nowak, Photos by Joe Nowak. Copyright Images to Adore.