Dogs and Newborns and Love and Hope

Life is a lot lately. Almost 9 months of this dismal year that is 2025 and it’s felt like a thousand awful years. My mental health, like so many of yours, is not well. In order to stay in the game, in the fight, I have to not read the constant “breaking news” emails that are flooding my inbox all day every day. I can’t look at Instagram anymore. I’m exhausted. I hate it here and I’m feeling hopeless, which is what they want.

PS. The only hell/war-zone-ness about Chicago is ICE terrorizing innocent people and peaceful protestors. If you believe what they’re saying about our democratic cities, come visit and see yourself. I’ve never been more proud to be a Chicagoan.

In order to keep going, I have to try to find even the smallest moments of joy in this saturated darkness. My photography and dogs are what I’m gravitating to. I get to photograph moments of joy, love, hope and sometimes sorrow in end-of-life pet sessions. The highs and the lows of this life. It’s made my heart full, even more compassionate and most importantly a way to give back & to see the good that’s still in this world in spite of the hate thrown at us every day.

Here’s a little love, joy and hope to help brighten your day. Mr. O became a big fur brother and is slightly in love with his little sister. I adore this family so so much.

Keep going,

Courtney

Lincoln Park Family Welcomes Third Baby!

I’ve had the privilege of photographing this beautiful family several times over the years! Two newborn sessions and family sessions mixed in. This tiny little peanut was SO smiley. We rolled with the punches on this session. We had a mix-up in scheduling and I showed up when Mom wasn’t expecting me until the next week! Note to moms: reconsider emailing from the hospital in the early morning hours just after having your baby to schedule things! 😆 They rallied and got the older kiddos ready while I started with this little lady and she put on a show with all the smiles and sleepiness. She was the sleepiest baby I’d had in quite a while. Even though it was chaos at the very beginning since they weren’t expecting me, it all worked out and we made some beautiful photos for this family that I love and appreciate so much. They say adding a third is easier than adding a second and you’re seasoned pros by the time #3 arrives - has that the case for you?! This family made it look like it this day for sure!

I’m crazy behind on blogging so this little lady is actually well over a year old now and I can’t wait to see them all for their family session this fall and see how much she’s grown! My favorite part about photographing your families over the years is watching your family grow up. It makes me feel like an extended auntie!

The People We're Meant to Meet in This Life

People come into our lives for a reason. I wholeheartedly believe this and while I won’t go into the personal details, I was meant to meet this family. I met them a handful of years ago when I photographed their first-born. They had me back this year to photograph baby brother and in between we’ve both lost our fur babies. I adored them when I met them years ago, but this session was full of more hugs than ever, good conversation, some tears and an impromptu lunch after their session. My heart was so full from this one and I’ll be forever grateful to the S fam for having me back to photograph their family. It was such a perfect day!