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! :)

Jeff and Laura are married! | Sycamore, IL wedding photography

It was a beautiful September day for Jeff and Laura's wedding. It's always nice to take a trip down memory lane, and I had quite a bit of nostalgia during their gorgeous wedding! They were married at Sycamore's Federated Church. A place I used to be a roving Madrigal musician around the holidays. The bride was in my graduating high school class, and I ran into several school mates I hadn't seen in ages. And their reception was at St. Mary's Church, where I had my ceremony 9 years ago! So lots of stars were in alignment for me to capture this wedding, but the brightest stars shone in Jeff and Laura's eyes when they gazed at one another! Congrats, and thank you for having me capture your beautiful day!

Laura wore a stunning dress, purchased from Crystal Bride in Geneva, IL.

First post-ceremony stop was to the Elwood House in DeKalb, IL.

Second stop was to Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, IL. I LOVE this location. Still thinking about having a 10-year anniversary party there next October.

And on to St. Mary's of Sycamore for a fun-filled reception!

Congrats, Laura and Jeff! Wishing you all the best!

Images to Adore FTW!

I'm sorry, I know I am mega-behind in new posts. I've been shooting people pretty nonstop since fall began, and now I am up to my ears in editing, but my new website and blog will be up very soon!

I am posting for an entirely selfish reason right now. I want to win. I want to win REAAAAAL bad! See there's this awesome lady, Laura Winslow. And she's giving away $10,000 worth of photography props, templates and other goodies that make me drool all over my keyboard! That makes her my favorite person in the world right about now. Here is the link to her fabulous giveaway. You don't have to do anything to help me win, I'm just posting about HOW MUCH I really want to win. I really do. Especially for the M4H actions and Oh Snap Boutique templates. There I go again...I'm drooling.

http://laurawinslowphotography.com/blog/2011/11/21/10000-holiday-bloggie-bash-laura-winslow-photography/

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! :)