The Cutler Family – Expecting #3 {Rockford, IL Maternity & Family Photographer}August 19th, 2011This week I got to photograph Traci and her beautiful family. What a gorgeous pregnant mama, she is! Her cute little guys will soon be welcoming a baby sister. They were so funny during the session: the eldest exclaiming “I want to wiggle!” (I’ve never met a little boy who didn’t.) Traci was just taking [...] |
This week I got to photograph Traci and her beautiful family. What a gorgeous pregnant mama, she is! Her cute little guys will soon be welcoming a baby sister. They were so funny during the session: the eldest exclaiming “I want to wiggle!” (I’ve never met a little boy who didn’t.) Traci was just taking everything in stride and smiling despite the swarm of mosquitoes. This baby girl is so blessed to be joining such a good family!
Lindell Family {Rockford, IL – Machesney Park, IL Family Photographer}August 16th, 2011Amy was the winner of my mini session giveaway on Facebook (if you are not a fan, you should become one, I do giveaways every once in a while). Her family is beautiful and I had fun with them. We had to reschedule this shoot because of bad weather, so we were really glad to [...] |
Amy was the winner of my mini session giveaway on Facebook (if you are not a fan, you should become one, I do giveaways every once in a while). Her family is beautiful and I had fun with them. We had to reschedule this shoot because of bad weather, so we were really glad to finally have some beautiful weather!
Hill Family {Rockford, IL – Elkhorn, WI Family Photographer}August 11th, 2011This week I got to travel to my hometown of Elkhorn, WI for a family session. I had so much fun with the Hill family, who was enjoying a family vacation/reunion on the lake. I think they set the record for the biggest family portrait that I have done so far (though the record is [...] |
This week I got to travel to my hometown of Elkhorn, WI for a family session. I had so much fun with the Hill family, who was enjoying a family vacation/reunion on the lake. I think they set the record for the biggest family portrait that I have done so far (though the record is soon to be broken in a few weeks by an even larger family). For the group portrait, I ended up combining three separate images to make sure everyone was looking and smiling (and I had taken about 40… whatever it takes!)
The Wilson’s {Freeport, IL Family Photographer}July 27th, 2011People are always asking me, who is this Heather you are always talking about? Is she extremely good looking? Is she super talented? Is she really pregnant with twins? The answer to all of these questions is “yes.” If I bring a photographer with me to a wedding or a newborn session, is is Heather [...] |
People are always asking me, who is this Heather you are always talking about? Is she extremely good looking? Is she super talented? Is she really pregnant with twins? The answer to all of these questions is “yes.” If I bring a photographer with me to a wedding or a newborn session, is is Heather 90% of the time (except for the next few months, as she is expecting twins in October!). If I am drinking a McDonald’s caramel frappe, Heather is probably with me, drinking one too (and we’re probably in Walmart). Our toddlers are BFFs. You can bet your snickers I will be at her house multiple days a week holding these cute baby boys she is about to have. I am so excited! I was pretty excited to take her maternity/family photos last night. I love taking everyone’s photos, but this is HEATHER!
How do you know when a photo session is over? This is a clue… 
Newlyweds Jack & Mary {Rockford, IL Family Photographer}July 19th, 2011Yesterday I took some newlywed portraits of Jack & Mary. Yes, I said newlywed! The couple met at their retirement home and wed this past May. They are a very cute couple! Their community center provided the perfect setting. We did stop outside for 2 minutes, but one photo was all we could get in [...] |
Yesterday I took some newlywed portraits of Jack & Mary. Yes, I said newlywed! The couple met at their retirement home and wed this past May. They are a very cute couple! Their community center provided the perfect setting. We did stop outside for 2 minutes, but one photo was all we could get in the sweltering heat. My lens was fogging up in the high humidity!
The Tessen Family {Rockford, IL Family Photographer}July 17th, 2011I always have a blast when I get to photograph families, but I really loved everything about this session. It’s awesome when I get the chance to meet a family that is so genuinely happy to be together – they make my job easy! I was also getting a big kick out of their son, [...] |
I always have a blast when I get to photograph families, but I really loved everything about this session. It’s awesome when I get the chance to meet a family that is so genuinely happy to be together – they make my job easy! I was also getting a big kick out of their son, who like my own little guy, has very serious eyebrows! It was funny trying to get him to smile – I think it was a tie between the bubbles and pretending to sniff stinkweed (and making a huge deal about how stinky it was).
Also, a big thank you to Angela’s mom who let me borrow her beautiful settee – I love it!
The Schulze Family {Forest Park, IL Family Photographer}June 25th, 2011Forest Park? Yep, I travel! If I can drive there and back on one tank of gas, I’ll go. There is something exciting about going to a new city, site unseen, and having to come up with locations on the fly. A year ago, even, I would have been nervous, but I’m at the point [...] |
Forest Park? Yep, I travel! If I can drive there and back on one tank of gas, I’ll go. There is something exciting about going to a new city, site unseen, and having to come up with locations on the fly. A year ago, even, I would have been nervous, but I’m at the point now where I feel confident I can find a good spot and good light just about anywhere. I always tell people, I don’t need a whole field of gorgeous scenery, I only need about 8 or 9 feet of it.
This family was just about to move out of state, so it’s a good thing that the forecast for thunderstorms held off until I was driving home – there would have been no time to reschedule! Their 3-month-old baby girl was just the cutest thing, ever! And I loved her white embroidered dress!
We’re Back!June 8th, 2011This past Saturday, after I wrapped up a senior portrait session, I hit the road with my son to visit family out in Ohio. We just got home very late last night. On the way back from Cincinnati yesterday, we stopped near Toledo to visit some friends of mine. Sarah is my “internet friend” – [...] |
This past Saturday, after I wrapped up a senior portrait session, I hit the road with my son to visit family out in Ohio. We just got home very late last night. On the way back from Cincinnati yesterday, we stopped near Toledo to visit some friends of mine. Sarah is my “internet friend” – as our husbands joke – we met online through blogging years back and have met up on a few occasions. It was fun to catch up again with her and her family for a few hours. We swung by a park for a super quick mini family session, as in 15 minutes or less. It was about 100 degrees outside! Part of that time was spent by my husband and hers trying to break down some dead branches that were “ruining” by perfect archway in the last shot.
Aren’t her kids adorable?
Because I Said So! {Chicago Family Photographer}June 1st, 2011A few months ago I was reading one of my favorite blogs – Because I Said So – which is written by Dawn Meehan. She is the author of this hilarious book (among others) about pregnancy called “You’ll Lose the Baby Weight.” I’ve read it and it made me laugh out loud in my doctor’s [...] |
A few months ago I was reading one of my favorite blogs – Because I Said So – which is written by Dawn Meehan. She is the author of this hilarious book (among others) about pregnancy called “You’ll Lose the Baby Weight.” I’ve read it and it made me laugh out loud in my doctor’s office. <– sign of a good book! To make a long story short, amidst some pretty awful circumstances, which you can read about on her blog, her readers showered her with encouragement & gifts. I saw such a huge response to her hardship and I wanted to do something as well. I noticed that her family photos in the header of her blog were outdated. The wheels in my head started turning. I thought, “I wonder if she would think I was some weirdo if I offered a free session?” Luckily, she saw that I was indeed 80% normal and agreed. I was super excited to meet her. And yes, she is funny in person, too. Although…. Austin, her eldest, has a whole slew of corny jokes of his own.
The session was a blast – it was totally off the cuff. I had never been to her town before, let alone the forest preserve we went to. The kids had so much energy, which made it even more fun, and I tried to capture that energy. I think I smiled the whole time I was editing these. It was so fun to be around this family – and they have good things ahead of them, I’m sure (besides the Florida sun!)
Enjoy this preview! (Dawn, your photos will be in the mail soon!)
