Z was busy as a bee! | Sycamore, IL photography and video

Z's parents went to high school with me and we were all in band together, so I jumped at the chance to see them again and their darling one year old, "Z". I LOVE the red hair that she inherited from her dad, and she's as sweet as can be, just like her mom!

This was my first shoot using my new external flash speedlite, and I am so glad I invested in it! It makes those darker, cloudy days so much easier to deal with (photography-wise!).

Here's a sneak peak!

Baby J ~ One Week Old! | Bartlett, IL photo and video services

I had the honor of videotaping this cutie the day he was born. What a great way to commemorate those first hours welcoming a new little miracle into a family than to have them professionally (and unobtrusively) captured! These moments are so fleeting and they grow so quickly...I wish I had thought of doing this when I had my two girls!

Last Friday I went back to visit the family when baby J was 7 days old. He was wide awake and exploring his world for the first hour, and then snuggled down to sleep in one of our cocoons so that we could get some adorable sleepy newborn pictures!

I tried my hand at designing a couple birth announcements for the family. The long one is actually an accordion tri-fold card that opens up to reveal one image at a time or all three at once.

Proud big brother!

(By the way, the knit cocoons and matching caps are hand made by my Mother-in-Law and are available for purchase. Please let me know if you're interested!)

Baby J is here! | Bartlett, IL newborn video and photo

Four years ago I videotaped David and Chara's wedding. One year ago I did 5 video sessions capturing their son's first year and created a video biography for them. Today I videotaped and photographed their new little miracle, Baby J!

I am honored and touched beyond words that they would trust me enough to ask me to come to the hospital hours after Baby J was born. This is a time for closest family and friends, and they wanted those moments captured as part of their new son's video biography. Thank you, David and Chara, for asking me to capture the most cherished moments through your life's journey together!

17 & 18 month old cuties!

I had the pleasure of booking two photo sessions a little over a week ago.  One family was a past wedding video client, and the other was a high school friend who saw my photos on Facebook!  (search Linnea Nowak on Facebook for my profile) :)

Both little girls were around the same age, and we found some great locations for outdoor portraits!  I've found that this age is the hardest to photograph, mainly because of lack of eye contact, but a little patience (and bribery with favorite snacks) will go a long way!  Some of my favorite photos from these sessions are candid shots; they're exploring the flowers or climbing the steps, and you can just see their minds taking in all the wonder and beauty.  I love my job!

Love Story Video & Engagement Photos!

I had the pleasure of videotaping Jessen and Ninon's Love Story last week.  They decided to do a tongue-in-cheek interview concept style that is being edited now, and is sure to be lots of fun at their 600-guest wedding reception later this month!!!

They also asked if I would do a quick photo of them at an Evanston beach.  They're going to blow the photo up and have a photo matte surrounding it for guests to sign at their reception.  Well, you know me...a quick photo turned into 284, and I looooved my first photography engagement shoot experience!  My kiddos have selective hearing when it comes to mommy asking them to pose, so it was soooo nice to pose adults who follow my direction! :)  The weather cooperated also, and it was a perfect blend of not too hot or cold, and just cloudy enough to produce perfect natural lighting!

Here is a sneak peak for Jessen and Ninon from our photo shoot:  Enjoy!