I think we must have rescheduled this family portrait session at least 7 times due to rain, but we finally made it happen and got ourselves the perfect afternoon in Lincoln Park during golden hour. I’ve known this family (minus their toddler) for 4.5 years now! Kate was the first friend I made in Chicago […]

You don’t see many good, sturdy front porches anymore. There just doesn’t seem to be great use for them like there was, what with our world going and getting in a big hurry. A front porch won’t stand for that, it’s not what it was made to do, so it’s probably best not to have […]

This family portrait session in Lincoln Park was quintessential Chicago! These three were visiting Chicago for the July 4th holiday weekend, and just couldn’t leave without getting some classic portraits under the Honeycomb and along the Lincoln Park Boardwalk for some skyline views. While it was a really busy day in Lincoln Park, that didn’t […]

Let me start out by reminding everyone that I am not a landscape or a nature photographer. While on this trip, I actually did meet one, and he put these images to shame! As soon as you pull off to an overlook, there they are, with their expensive tripods and $25,000 lenses longer than the […]

Newborn sessions are easily becoming my favorite genre of lifestyle family photography. When families have multiple children, it gets all the more sweet. Incorporating the older kids into the pictures will make any mom heart melt, which is exactly what I’m in business to do! And even if you’re a family of 4 or 5 […]

It’s almost the holiday weekend, so there is still just enough time to plan and shop for a July 4th get together! The Fourth of July is one of my top three favorite holidays, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than to create a patriotic tablescape for your guests to enjoy! […]

My camera LOVED this family! Or maybe this family loved my camera, doesn’t matter. We had a gorgeous summer day at Montrose Bird Sanctuary, which helped also. I’ve now photographed here in every season and I’m never disappointed (but summer is probably my favorite). Where else can you find a random field full of tall […]

Where to begin….I’ve been following Katelyn’s blog for several years now, and I will admit that she is the reason I became a photographer. When I found out that she is exactly my age, she is from my home state and taught herself everything she knows (no degree in photography, no fancy certificate or higher […]

Just when you think you’ve shown up a tad early and the light seems too harsh, you find a little grove of trees that diffuses it beautifully and creates a glow around everyone. Every photo session I look for it, that one perfect spot that will create a halo around the little ones I’m photographing. […]

Beautiful family portraits are the goal, but how does one arrive at the final product? The things listed below are aspects of my portrait experience that I didn’t fully realize until I inquired about testimonials and saw some patterns. You know how after you take a personality test and you’re like, “Oh yeah, that’s me.” After reading […]