Springtime Chicago Area Maternity Session - Glen Ellyn, IL

There’s something about springtime maternity sessions that are so magical to me. The light after a long, dark winter seems extra beautiful and glow-y. The anticipation of my couples SO looking forward to meeting their littles. It all gets me right in the heart. Sarah & Tom were no exception & I had a blast with them! They were referred to me by Tom’s brother and sister-in-law and Tom looks so much like his brother Matt, whom I’ve photographed many times, that I kept calling Tom his brother’s name. It happened so many times, and I would catch myself immediately and they would laugh but boy did I feel bad! I typically do things to make a fool out of myself to get clients natural reactions, but this was unintentional and not quite the same as me horribly singing “Call Me Maybe” to high school seniors to get them to laugh! I’m so grateful for Sarah and Tom’s grace and I cannot wait to meet their little one and capture the start of their parenthood journey.

Also, does Sarah have a celebrity look-alike?! The whole time I kept thinking she looked like someone famous but couldn’t place who. She said she’s gotten Rachel McAdams before, and I can see that when she smiles and when she talks. But I don’t think that’s who I’m thinking of. Maybe a bit of a Jennie Garth? What I Like About You Jennie, not 90201 Jennie! If you think she looks like someone, let me know in the comments because it’s driving me crazy that I can’t place it!

My Number One Tip For Getting Your Child To Smile in a Photo! Hint: It’s not cheese!

Tips for photographing your child

Parents are always telling me that their child either won’t smile for a photo or will make the forced “cheese” smile and it drives them crazy. I hear you! Children have been trained to do that in photos, even when having their photo taken by a professional. I’m here to tell you that the “cheese” just looks forced. Because it is actually forced! Put yourself in their shoes… do you smile when someone tells you to smile?!

If you’ve ever had a session with me, you know that I get silly with kids! I do whatever it takes to get those real smiles. Do this at home too! You know your child better than anyone and know what will make them laugh. Laughing photos are way more genuine than the cheese! My mom used to make us say “Fuzzy Pickles” when we were young because it was silly. Actually, she still does :P I recommend changing it up every so often though. The shock value will eventually wear off!

Number One Tip:

Play with them and get silllllly! Threaten to tickle them. Actually tickle them. Make it a game. If all else fails, make silly animal noises and ask them to repeat. My go-to is the pig who teases and says it’s going to tickle them!

Kids are so used to having phones and cameras in their faces all of the time and when you ask them to smile, or ask them for the cheese, it becomes more of a chore the older they get. And when they start to form their own opinions, watch out! You have to make it fun!

Have multiple littles?! Luck ;) Getting more than one child to look at the camera AND a real smile is tough! Up your improv game!

Tell Jokes or Ask Silly Questions!

Engage their curiosity, then be ready to snap away.

Take Photos of Them Doing What They Do Best

Do they love to dance? Play with trains? Swing on the swings at the park?

Capturing them in the moment, having fun, will give you natural smiles, laughs and playfulness because they’re already doing something they love to do! And with you there to cheer them on, it’s sure to make a great photo for you without the tears flowing.

Get Down To Their Eye-Level

Makes for a much more interesting photo and is better for connecting with them.

Infants can be a bit easier to get to smile because they haven’t received a diploma in the cheese yet and they’re genuinely curious about everything! Get down to their level, capture them crawling and exploring. The hardest part with these kiddos is that you’re engaged with their attention and then a big phone/camera comes up and can ruin the engagement.

Still No Smile? Grab It Anyway!

I LOVE non-smiley photos too! Not every moment in life is all-smiles. Show real-life, even if you have to put aside your original vision for that photo.

Autumn - Class of 2021 {Chicago, IL and Port Washington, WI high school senior session}

I will be the first to admit that this pandemic has made me cry almost on-the-daily, but when I stop and think about how I haven’t had any of my own big life plans completely uprooted by it, I feel bad for feeling sad when so many others have had it worse. All of the people who had planned on getting married this year, all the babies born whose moms weren’t able to have the newborn photos they’d dreamt of. And high school seniors not getting to walk down that aisle for the biggest accomplishment they’d worked their entire lives thus far for. I live by Lane Tech High School here in Chicago, and happened to be walking by the school on the day of their drive-through graduation ceremony this summer. I’m so thankful I was wearing sunglasses and a mask so that the students and families I was passing couldn’t see my blubbery face behind it. They were still all smiles and so happy, and said Thank You when I would tell them Congratulations, but my heart was sad for them but also happy that they were still celebrating in this very strange way. I was proud of them and didn’t know a single one of them! It’s not at all the graduation they had planned, but they were making the most of it. This year is a doozy, folks. Oof.

I feel for all the students right now. And all the teachers. All of the unknowns are scary. Whether it be in-person or e-learning, this year is not going to be easy for anyone. I can only hope that the class of 2021 will get to have their graduation ceremonies by then.

I got to spend two afternoons in two different cities recently with this lovely grad-to-be! Autumn is the youngest of my 15 cousins and I was in my early 20’s and not living at home anymore when she was born. So I didn’t really see her except at Christmas time and I didn’t really know her that well. But I’m so glad I got to photograph her senior photos and really get the chance to know more about her. She loves reading and is an incredible bowler on the bowling team & she’s so excited for college! We spent an afternoon exploring ALL over Chicago - West Loop, Union Station, Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk, Old Town and Bucktown. We found all the great murals! I’ve been dying to photograph at the “Make No Little Plans” mural and the “You Are Beautiful” Chicago sticker mural for forever and we made it happen! A few days later I went to her favorite town in Wisconsin - Port Washington. Being a Wisconsin native, this was shockingly my first time in Port and it surprised me! The little downtown area is adorable and the marina is beautiful. We were there just in time for some sunset photos and it did not disappoint! Best of luck to you on your final year of high school, sweet Autumn :)

Here are just a few of my favorites from Autumn’s session!

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West Loop

Union Station

Nature Boardwalk - Lincoln Park Zoo

Make No Little Plans - Lincoln Park

I’m still booking seniors for the rest of the year! Come have some fun with me!

You Are Beautiful Chicago Sticker Mural - Bucktown

Downtown Port Washington - Wisconsin

Port Washington Harbor - Wisconsin