Late this past week I had the pleasure of meeting A and her beautiful mom, Barkha.  They came out to the studio for a mixed indoor studio session + urban outdoor session.  The light was gorgeous and while the day was SUPER windy (SUPER!) we found shelter in between the buildings so it was pretty bearable.  Little A was an amazing subject, she handled the wardrobe changes with ease and only having one little cry at the VERY VERY end.

I loved meeting A and her beautiful mom.  Thank you for entrusting me with your memories.  Enjoy this little peek into your session:

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This adorable outfit made me SWOON!  I loved the frilly silver skirt/tutu and the ruffles on the shirt (coupled with this gorgeous baby girl – WHAT is not to love?)

chicago-photographer-babiesA more relaxed moment.  The bodice of A’s little dress is texture heaven.

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A was happiest when in her mom’s arms.  I love love this moment.

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  • Jim - October 21, 2011 - 10:53 am

    The first image is by far my favorite. Check out your blog from time to time. Beautiful images as usual.

This past week couldn’t have been timed any better.  The gorgeous weather coupled with the newly changing tree color made for some SPECTACULAR sessions!!  I still have an October date available if you’re interested (as of this writing) – something to think about as you gaze at the beautiful sneak peek family images up next.

I was honored, and I don’t say this lightly, to be selected as this family’s photographer.  Steve knows his photography and his kind words about my work made me feel like a million bucks – he really made my week.  So thank you to him, his gorgeous wife Kim and their beautiful girls for helping me achieve some stunning images on a beautiful day in one of my most enchanting (and favorite) settings.  Enjoy your sneak peek!!

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Hope you enjoyed your sneak peeks!

• • • • • • •

As of this writing we still have a couple fall sessions available – some (coveted) weekend dates are still available!  Hurry to book your BEAUTIFUL fall session – call: 815.603.8450 to book!

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  • Faith - October 14, 2011 - 8:23 am

    What a gorgeous family…I love your fall pictures Mare..once again stunning!

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!