Geneva Photographer: The Winner!

I was so excited that this family won a gift certificate to my studio! It was such perfect timing too...their twin daughters were just getting ready to turn one so we definitely had some celebrating to capture!

It was such an interesting day...not sure if you remember the wild fire that happened in Minnesota, but ironically our area in Illinois was affected. All day I wondered why everything smelled so smokey! Even at this photo shoot I was amazed at how the light seemed to really really be streaming through the trees and I could actually see the sun rays. So after I found out about the fire and started editing these photos I realized that the smoke from the fires really made the light so beautiful in these shots. I guess there was one perk to dealing with some smoggy air!

So here are some of my favorite of this gorgeous family!

Geneva Photographer: A Little Time with the Baby!

I thought that it was so sweet that these parents wanted to get portraits taken with only their youngest child (of four...all girls!!!) for her 1st birthday. What a nice way to spend a little time focused on just one child! I love it! This photo shoot was all about her, and that is how it should be on your 1st birthday!

I think she was loving having us all to herself...such a cutie!

Here are a couple I love!

St. Charles Photographer: Moving On...

I have a really lovely history with this family, and I was so happy to get the chance to photograph them again. I met Erica a few years ago at church. She was the pastor until her recent move to the city. The first time I photographed her family it was her amazing idea to capture some amazing moments with the four generations of women in her family: her mother, daughter, grandmother and herself.

After the passing of her grandmother earlier this year, I was felt so blessed to have been able to photograph her grandmother at a time when she felt great and looked beautiful! I know her whole family loved that they had some beautiful photographs to remember this incredible woman by! Also, what a wonderful thing to be able to pass down to her daughter.

So my newest experience photographing her family was inspired by her idea that she wanted to have family portraits taken in St. Charles and at the places where they spent the most time as a family...they wanted it as a memento since they were moving away.

So here are a few of my favorites that really show what a beautiful, fun, eclectic family they are! Thank you again Erica for allowing me to spend this time with you and your family!!

Batavia Photographer: 6 months sure flies by!

Whenever I am hired by a family to photograph their baby as a newborn, 6 months and then 1 year, I am always shocked when that time goes by and it is time for me to photograph the baby again! The difference that 6 months has on a baby is incredible!

This little girl had the same effect on me! She was so tiny as a newborn (as they all are) and had just a teensy bit of peach fuzz on her head. Now she has this beautiful red hair growing in...and she is a beauty! She has the kind of red hair we all wish for, not too red, not too blonde, not too brown...but a lovely combination that will for sure make her the envy of all her friends!

These parents sure make cute kids! Their son is pretty darn cute too...and he always has some good smiles ready for me!

Enjoy a few of my favorites!

St. Charles Photographer: My Favorite Twins Turn 2!

I have photographed this hilarious duo many times and was so excited to celebrate their 2nd birthday with them at the park...and with some whirly pops! These two were on the move and pretty much not wanting to stand still for any photos until I brought out my bribes. I handed them these whirly pops and didn't even take off the plastic (I didn't want to ruin their little outfits so soon!!)...and they were in HEAVEN! I have never seen anything like it. They bit right through the plastic and sucked out as much sugar as they could. It made for some adorable (and sticky) moments that I was so happy to capture!

So another year down and many many more happy years to come! Happy birthday girls!

Here's a couple of my favorites!

Batavia Photographer: I will not smile...

This little cutie was not going to back down. She was not going to smile. The funniest part is her grumpy face is the cutest expression EVER. A little independence, a little bit of a pouty smirk, and every once in awhile eye contact with a grin!

She was not going to make it easy for me, but the shots I got of her are adorable and I can't wait for her mom to see them all! I am sure she will be thrilled!

Here is a couple that really show off her personality!

Geneva Photographer: Sisters!

This was such a sweet group to photograph! Alyssa wanted portraits of her daughter for her 1st birthday, but it just happened that her sister and nephew would also be in town from California at the same time. So I thought it would be great to photograph all of them together! I have a sister and I can't think of a moment we have been photographed together with our kids and I love the idea!

The day of our photo session happened to be one of the crazy hot days here in Chicagoland, but luckily we met early and worked fast! The kids were great and so cute together. And (of course) Alyssa and her sister were beautiful!

So, Happy 1st Birthday Emelie and I hope your visit with your sister was wonderful, Alyssa!

Here are some of my favorites from our morning together...