Memorial Pet Sessions

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve had them, saying goodbye is never easy, and there isn’t any amount of time with them that’s ever long enough. This I know to be true.

Oof. These are hard. I know they can’t stay forever, but it’s still never easy to let them go. The number of end-of-life/memorial sessions I’ve done this past year, and had inquiries for, breaks my heart. Especially as a mom to a 16-year old geriatric pooch, knowing that my time left with her is limited purely based on her age. It’s given me a greater appreciation for every second I get with Emmie Lou. So much so that I’ll stop what I’m doing at home, SO many times during the day, to go in and peek under the covers to say hi & give some love. She spends most of her days lately under the covers in my bed, and is extremely annoyed when I do this to her but I need her to know how loved she is. It’s quite morbid, but I’ve been dreading the second she goes from the moment I picked her puppy body up in my arms and instantly fell in love. I have a hard time with goodbyes in general, but when it’s someone I love so deeply, it’s hard for me not to think of them being gone. It’s just how I’m wired. But I think that makes me appreciate deeper, and take things less for granted.

Watching these dog parents love on their dogs, often times on their pet’s last day on Earth, never gets easy. Especially as a highly sensitive person that feels everything deeeeeeply. But I truly appreciate the fact that I’m able to give these moments to fellow dog parents. My hope is that the photos will comfort you after they’re gone, helping to heal the giant hole they leave behind. I’ll love on your fur baby hard, I’ll hug you tight when I leave, and check in on you afterward. Your pets will squeeze their way into my heart, just like yours, and I’ll tell their story of love and joy. They were here. They were loved. They are your family. They will always be remembered. They make our lives better just by existing. Telling their story through photos is the best way to honor them.

Happiest, Coziest Christmas Wishes To You & Your Loves!

All 2021 sessions have wrapped, Christmas is here, it's officially winter & I’m ready to hibernate ;) Well, except for newborn sessions and some head shots, I’ll be hibernating. I’m extra grateful for you all, in another year of a global pandemic. Every like or comment on my IG, every email response you send, cheering me on when I send out a newsletter, every referral you send my way, every session you have with me, every ounce of support. You all keep me going and I am so so very thankful for you.

While for many of us the holidays may not be (once again) what we planned, I hope you’re still able to find peace, joy and love in whatever you’re doing, and whomever you’re spending time with. And for those of you struggling to find the joy (🙋raises hand) this season - I see you and am sending hugs and love your way. I can't wait for the day when I can actually hug you and your littles again.

As I mentioned above, I’ll be mostly hibernating in January but will be doing so with my favorite girl. My dog Emmie Lou is finally moving to Chicago with me! When I first moved here 6 years ago, I moved into an apartment that didn’t allow dogs so she stayed back in WI with my parents. But this year I became a homeowner (still feels surreal to write that!) and I can call the shots on who’s allowed inside. So here comes Emmie! She can no longer hear, she’s 15, has a bit of a tough time with stairs and I’m removing her from the company of her best fur-friend/roommate Jersey so I’m a bit nervous that I’m wrecking her world. Wish us luck as we adjust together!

As always, thank you for opening, reading and sharing. I so appreciate you!

xoxo, 
Courtney

Here’s a photo of her from when she got to come stay with me for a month in lockdown of 2020. We checked out the tulips on an empty Michigan Avenue, which was one of the strangest Chicago experiences I’ve had.

Help Alive Rescue AND Name a Rescue Pup? TWELVE Rescue Puppies {Chicago, IL}

I'm back - with the most adorable group I've ever photographed in over 10 years! I photographed TWELVE one-week-new puppies and their sweet mama, Mamba, for Alive Rescue recently and I no longer have a heart because these puppies & Mamba stole it.

I must be getting old because all I could think about, aside from how damn cute they are, is.... how on earth do they get any sleep like this when they're all squirming around, piled on top of one another, and making constant puppy squeals! However.... it made me super envious that they all got to be this close without a care in the world. #imisshugs

I fell in love with all of these pups and I love working with Alive, my favorite animal rescue in Chicago. They're going to need help with all of these pups - you can help if you’d like! You can name one of Mamba's puppies! Head to the link below to find more info.

In the meantime, just look at their sweet faces & let them hypnotize you with love. No one has ever been harmed just from looking at the sweet faces of teeny tiny rescue puppies… ;)