Sweet Baby Camille - Chicago Lifestyle Newborn Photo Session

Ever want to know how to rock your newborn photo session? Just follow this family’s lead! Get the whole fam in, including both dogs! Give me a newborn and a dog & I’m in love. Two dogs and a newborn, though? I’m obsessed. All the heart eyes over here!

It took a while for me to actually get to meet sweet baby Camille but I was so glad when I did! I was supposed to photograph her birth, but wasn’t able to because she ended up being breach so her Mama had to have an unplanned C-section. Shortly after birth she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and it was a scary time for her mom and dad. After a NICU stay, this sweet girl was finally able to come home. Here, she is about a month old and doing fantastic - just ask her pup siblings! Welcome to the world, beautiful girl. You’re already such a fighter and a true inspiration!

Welcome, Camille, I can’t wait to see who you become. Much love!

Diogi - Chicago's Cutest 4-Legged Cub Fan! Southport Chicago Pup Session - Wrigley Dog

Wow, I’ve been a little behind on the blog this summer - oops! I moved at the beginning of July and it took up weeks of my time, pre-and-post-move, but I’m back with a cute session to show you. I met Diogi at Hotel Zachary’s Yappy Hour event earlier this spring and her pawrents booked a session to document her sweetness. She is a lovable almost-3 little teacup goldendoodle who very much took to the camera. We photographed Diogi in her home where she loves to lounge atop pillows and play with her tennis ball on the roof. We then strolled around Southport Corridor in Chicago, stopped outside of Candyality for a couple quick photos, stopped by an amazing mural on Southport and ended at Bentley’s Pet Store for a special treat. She sure is a fun little pooch and I loved following her around for her photo session!

Homemade Granola - Recipe from Courtney's Kitchen - Chicago Food Photographer - Chicago, IL

It’s no secret that I love pretty photos, especially of food. My dream is to photograph a cookbook in the future. Or to work as a freelancer for a travel magazine. *Anyone want to hook a girl up with her dream job?* When I’m cooking or baking, though, it’s usually so I can photograph it! I’ll obviously eat it too, because I can’t turn down a delicious snack, drink or meal! But the end goal of my kitchen artistry is to document it. And now to share with you!

Full disclosure: I don’t always measure things when I’m creating something and I will often wing it!

Homemade Granola from Courtney’s Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups old-fashioned oats

½ cup nuts, chopped (pecans, almonds, cashews, etc)

¼ cup raw seeds (pumpkin, flax or sunflower are my favorites)

2 tablespoons maple syrup or raw honey (or a combo of both)

2 tablespoons coconut oil

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 large pinch fine sea salt

2 tablespoons grated orange zest

1/2 cup coconut chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 300º F.

Combine all ingredients except coconut chips in a mixing bowl. Use your hands to mix well and toss to coat. If your coconut oil is solid, melt it in the microwave a few seconds or your hands will warm it up and melt it into the mixture.

Spread the mixture in a thin layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes, until very lightly toasted.

Stir the mixture while baking, and add the coconut chips. Continue to bake an extra 10-ish min.

Cool before serving or storing.

This granola can be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. I keep mine in a mason jar in the refrigerator. Get Creative! My granola is never the same and depends on what I’m in the mood for. I might add dried fruit, many types of nuts and different seeds. Experiment with different flavors and combinations!

This granola is awesome on its own, with milk or yogurt and fresh fruit. Enjoy and be sure to comment below with your favorite renditions of this treat!

Much love!