Back in the day, when I worked as a nurse (we’re talking a LIFETIME ago at this point 🙂 ) , I had the pleasure of working for several years with Rachel – I loved getting to know her in the wee hours of the night on 12 hour night shifts in the intensive care setting.   Time passed, I became a photographer and left the nursing life behind but Rachel and I kept in touch.  I happened to photograph Rachel & Paul’s engagement and wedding a few years back, again it doesn’t feel that long ago but it is in fact about five years now and created, what I still believe, are some of the most beautiful wedding photos I’ve ever captured.

Recently I heard from Rachel again, she had some happy news!  She was expecting and I was thrilled to be able to fit them in during this season of chaos (aka the fall “busy” season) to get photographs of their darling, brand new, M.  What a sweetie – he was asleep in no time flat – easily making him one of the fastest and dreamiest of newborn sleepers that my studio has ever seen!

Congrats to Rachel and Paul – I cannot imagine two more beautiful and wonderful people to be parents.  They are going to be remarkable!  Welcome to the world sweet little guy – you are very lucky to be born into such a beautiful family.  Enjoy the sneak peeks!

newborn-photography-illinois chicago-newborn-photography chicago-baby-photographySweet little baby boy.  Gosh I adore them when they’re sleeping!  🙂

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I am a fan of this next family.  HUGE fan in fact.  This is our third session together and I wouldn’t have believed it but it keeps getting better!!

The D family came out from Chicago’s Wicker Park this past weekend for a nature session – we chose a session in the woods.  It’s an amazing time of year to photograph there – still green but with hints of the season change in full swing.  I absolutely adored little E’s outfits – she played the part of a butterfly princess AND a prairie girl.  The day was pure loveliness.  The company was wonderful.  It truly was a perfect afternoon.

Thanks to Deb, Thad and beautiful E who made this such an incredible session.  I so enjoy seeing my little clients grow – in E’s case she seems to have grown by leaps and bounds this past year!!

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She is one of the most beautiful butterfly princess fairies that has ever come our way!  Her costume came from one of my favorite children’s clothing catalogs – Chasing Fireflies – stunning costumes that never fail to take my breath away.   🙂  Thank you D Family, hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek!

• • • • • •

October also happens to be Family Portrait Month and I happen to have ONE MORE SESSION AVAILABLE this month to capture the fall colors (and splendid light!)  It’s unusual for this time of year to still have some bookings available during the October season – you can thank me for my scheduling snafu!  If you’re interested call: 815.603.8450 to book it!

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  • Aunt Stephanie - October 12, 2011 - 8:45 pm

    Wow! What a beautiful butterfly princess fairy! Three wonderful things in one 🙂 I love you very much Emerson.

  • Aunt Stephanie - October 12, 2011 - 8:46 pm

    Wow! What a beautiful butterfly princess fairy! Three wonderful things in one 🙂 I love you very much E.

Last month I took part in the premiere of an incredible fine art photography project with some fellow photographers who do incredible fine art work, I am both honored & humbled to be part of such an incredible group of artists, women who take not only their photography businesses seriously but believe the art of photography is as special as the business of photography.

This month we continue on our journey of exploration.  October – as always is an incredibly insane time of year – this year seems doubly so.  I am behind on sneak peeks and gallery edits but I felt it necessary to take time out of my really busy schedule to go ahead and blast back to the past to participate in the Elevate blog circle.

The roots of my love for children’s photography date back long before I became a mom – I remember taking my 126 film camera to the carnival oh-so-long ago (circa 1980) and snapping photos of the incredible photo op laden land that is known as the annual town fair.  A part of me wishes I could get my hands on those images now, I’m certain they were out of focus and blurry but I would cherish them because I recognize that those images helped fuel the spark that was my love of photography.   For this exercise I must to settle for going back a few years to 2009 when I took my dSLR to the carnival to capture the spectacular sights and lights at the fair.

This first image is a technique I sort of made up a few years ago.  I hadn’t really played with any images in this manner since so I thought it’d be a nice way to premiere the technique on my blog with a fun image.  I may print it to see how it turns out.  The texture is one of my own that I created awhile ago so this entire image/project is truly my own.

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The next two images are images I dug out of my archives.  Because we are harkening back to the roots of WHY I love photography I have to also include my greatest loves.  Both of these are from several years ago.  The one of my youngest with the chickens is especially sad, my mom had a brood of chickens for years and finally she has lost her last single hen – it’s a sad transition but it’s necessary as her days are filled with caretaking of my sick father.

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This last image is of my oldest, right before she hit a huge growth spurt (she is now taller than I!  Crazy.).  This was just a few summers ago – it feels like a lifetime ago:

southwest-suburban-photographer-kidsThank you for journeying down memory lane with me and for allowing me to explore some older images in a more arty way.  Wishes for much love & beauty in your day today – here’s a terrific continuation of that wish: go visit my incredibly talented friend Nichole Van who owns Nichole Van Photography | Utah Portrait and Wedding Photographer

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  • wendy vonsosen - October 10, 2011 - 8:49 am

    These are just beautiful! Timeless. That first one is amazing! That would be such a unique piece for your wall.

  • Tamara - October 10, 2011 - 9:58 am

    gorgeous!! The tones are rich, deep and vintage….everything I love about your work!!

  • Jennifer N - October 10, 2011 - 10:33 am

    WOW! I wish I knew you were from Chicago when I was there. I would have loved to meet you. These images are awesome. I love that you took us down memory lane and that you were able to do that. You must be so happy you got this project done.

  • crave photography - October 10, 2011 - 12:01 pm

    Love your use of textures. Very beautiful!

  • kamee june - October 10, 2011 - 12:24 pm

    your images are so rich in story telling, so textured (on all levels ;)) and detailed. i love how one image can translate so much meaning! you transported me today to a higher level of feeling and thought; thank you!!!

  • martha schuster - October 10, 2011 - 8:02 pm

    absolutely beautiful. i am especially drawn to the chicken photo. it’s photos like that – true keepsakes and solid memories – that remind me of why i am a photographer. all of your images are beautiful – as they always are. 🙂

  • Brandie - October 11, 2011 - 10:50 am

    Gorgeous! Love the tones in your images. Timeless.

  • Nichole Van - October 15, 2011 - 2:31 pm

    Sigh. I always **puffy-heart** love your work. No one can equal the creaminess of your BW tones, seriously. So.in.love.

  • jules - October 15, 2011 - 3:51 pm

    the processing on the first one is gorgeous! love the depth and texture in it. and the other two … simply perfect!

This Wilmette family wanted a photography session that was fun, reflective of their twin girls’ vibrant personalities and that encorporated some of their favorite spots in Chicago’s growing (and beautiful) South Loop.  We did a bit of a photo safari session at some of their favorite spots – had an amazing time getting to know one another and capturing the girls amidst all the amazing sites this side of Grant Park.

These girls were funny, fun and beautiful, the apples didn’t fall far from the tree!

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Thank you K Family for being such awesome sports!!

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Two days of Forest/Field Sessions for the Fall 2011 Season (perfect for Holiday gifts & cards!) – Joliet Area

$275 includes:

– 20 minute mini sessions for up to 3 subjects

– 8-10 images to choose from

– choice of two options:

• 2 digital images (with reproduction rights) + 2 4×6 photos of same image files

• 1 digital image (with reproduction rights) + 1 11×14 of that image (mounted and sprayed)

– additional items available for purchase

WEDNESDAY, September 28 (morning & afternoon sessions)

SATURDAY, October 8 (morning sessions only)  only 4 remain

Call 815.603.8450 to book

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