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Professional Child and Family Photographer : Mom’s Day Picks 2009

Racking your brain for Mother’s Day? How about scheduling a fabulous Marmalade Photography Session!! Give us a call @ 815.603.8450 or click here to get in touch with us to get scheduled for a Marmalade Session! We have gift certificates for that special someone starting at $500 and we still have several May sessions available.

Already have a fabulous Marmalade Photography Session scheduled in the coming weeks? Here is the Mom’s Day gift guide and the May 2009 Things Marmalade Loves list.

1. LUSH my friend from Denver, incidentally nicknamed Lush, introduced me to their products about five years ago – I first went to the Lincoln Park store to experience LUSH and never looked back. Seriously if *I* received a bounty full of LUSH for Mom’s Day – I would be over the moon happy. Check out the highlighted Mom’s Day gift set for $39.95. Better yet, go to their stores in Woodfield or Lincoln Park and absorb some of the yummy, organic ingredients and take home a few (or dozen) bath bombs. My favorites: Butterball Bath Bomb, the Sex Bomb and Vanilla Fountain Bath Bomb.

2. Berries for Mom : I heard about this on the radio the other day when I was cruising through stations, they had a special offer that I dug up and linked to. Great yummy gift for that special mom with a bit of a sweet tooth. Nothing says love like a boatload of ginormous chocolate dipped strawberries! If I was to get, oh say a dozen assorted dipped strawberries, well let’s just say I wouldn’t complain!

3. Sundance Catalog : Protective Necklace I was lucky enough to receive a Sundance Jewelry catalog in the mail several months ago. To say I was smitten with it is an understatement. The organic feel of much of their collection is not only beautiful but sensible as well. Each piece of jewelry has a story. The Protective Necklace comes with the promise that TEN TREES will be planted for every necklace purchased.

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Anna-Karin - May 5, 2009 - 3:30 pm

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm on those chocolate covered berries. I think I am going to pass this blog post link onto my dh for some suggestions. Great ideas!!! What mom would not love any of these options, number 1 of course would be a photo session with Marmalade photography!
PamN - May 6, 2009 - 11:20 am

I would STILL take the Marmalade session anyday over these gifts!
Danna - May 9, 2009 - 3:19 pm

wanna do me a favor and email my husband this list?? lo, great picks!

Happy Mothers Day to you.
Kimberly Hill - May 10, 2009 - 6:56 am

If I couldn’t be Marm-blessed, I’d like anything on this list.

Sneak Peek for a Fun Family : Naperville Children’s Photographer

Sunday I had the good fortune to finally photograph E & B’s incredibly good looking bunch. We had a blast playing in the fields & forests, the kids looked simply angelic in their summer whites. It was an incredibly warm day (do we not have in between seasons any more in Chicagoland?), the sun came to visit us all during our late afternoon session. It was the quintessential day.

My umbrella find from 2008 finally made its’ first appearance, according to A here – it was a hit.

I love little L’s freckles! Super adorable.

I still maintain that E steals all the girls’ hearts in his 2nd grade class

Thanks to E & B for coming out to the Studio to have a Marmalade Location session. The day couldn’t have been any more beautiful!

Oh! And big happy birthday wishes to E who is turning the big se7en this week! Happy Birthday guy!

• • • • •

Ahhh, May light. I wax poetic about May light for good reason – it’s one of my favorite months of the year to photograph children & families. The weather is wonderful most of the time – the environment for nature shots is perfect – it’s not too buggy (yet) and the light is fantastic.

Marmalade Photography still has a couple of sessions available for May 2009. Book now before this incredible month gives way to June and the rest of the hot summer. 815.603.8450

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Amanda K - April 28, 2009 - 4:31 am

They are all lovely but omg Mare… that first one is divine.
Kimberly Hill - April 28, 2009 - 6:11 am

Beautiful children? check. Perfect wardrobe? check. Stunning location? check. Fitting accessories/props? check. Gorgeous light? check. Pure Marmaliciousness? Always. ::sigh:: I hope Mom has a whole wall ready for these. I can’t imaging what other gems you have that you didn’t share here on the blog!
Erin - April 28, 2009 - 1:18 pm

These are just gorgeous– thanks Marianne…we had a GREAT time too!!! Can’t wait to see the rest of them…your work is phenominal!!
elizabeth - April 28, 2009 - 5:00 pm

these are wonderful Mare
Anna-Karin - April 29, 2009 - 9:14 am

Gorgeous photographs and beautiful children!
PamN - April 29, 2009 - 11:42 am

These are going to look so fabulous on their walls! Custom, timeless art like this is such a wonderful statement when you enter a home – it says “family” is most important here!
Brandy - April 30, 2009 - 9:37 am

These are gorgeous, and that first one just blows me away!
corey civetta - April 30, 2009 - 10:26 am

beautiful captures, mare! love the umbrella shot!
Sherri W - May 1, 2009 - 7:17 pm

Oh what a beautiful session! I adore that first and last image. Such sweet children you had the opportunity to photograph. I always love the locations you choose!
Shellie - May 2, 2009 - 8:08 am

Mare – your work is incredible and deserves to only be printed on big huge canvases to decorate your clients homes with beautiful art!
christine - May 4, 2009 - 1:34 am

wow, fantastic photos!!! the lighting is amazing, as are the children! 🙂 i adore the location!
Julie - May 4, 2009 - 7:52 am

These are fantastic! Gorgeous kiddos! I do especially love the first one…everything about it is just perfect!
Kristie Chadwick - May 4, 2009 - 2:36 pm

These are all great but I just love the first one.
Dulce - May 4, 2009 - 8:39 pm

love all of these but that last one is just delicious! That little guy is going to break hearts for sure!
Terrilyn - May 5, 2009 - 5:28 pm

Oh Mare, these are just…STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL!! Wow. Mom is going to FLIP!!
Lisa Kelly - May 6, 2009 - 1:10 am

Just gorgeous kiddos. The first image is just so timeless and sweet. I adore it. I love the wardrobe choices mum made, stylish yet simple, keeping the main focus on the kids. Great images.
MaryAnn T - May 6, 2009 - 10:55 am

Mare, that first one is to die for!!! OMG, I have no words, I just love it! These are all so beautiful, what a lucky family.
Heather Barone Brown - May 7, 2009 - 7:37 pm

These are gorgeous, Mare! I could not love that first one more if it were my own daughter. Beautiful work!
Danna - May 9, 2009 - 3:18 pm

utter perfection! your work is always so wonderful…and you!
Whitney - May 11, 2009 - 9:28 pm

JEALOUSY! That first pic is amazing!!!

Gorgeous Mom & Dad 2 Be : Chicago Maternity and Newborn Photographer

I had such a fun time with this couple this past Saturday. They came out to the studio and we had a mixed mostly indoor/some outdoor maternity session. It was a weird day with the on & off rain and ridiculous afternoon humidity but no matter – this couple looked gorgeous no matter the weather!

Thank you L & A for coming out to see me! It was a pleasure to photograph you two and I can’t wait to meet the bebé!! Here’s a couple of sneak peeks of gorgeous love:

I absolutely adore how this one turned out, good call L!

Such fun & happy clients!

Pretty L, doesn’t she look radiant?

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Janine Memon - April 26, 2009 - 11:27 am

Gorgeous work and gorgeous mama — I can’t believe what a tiny belly she has!
MaryAnn - April 26, 2009 - 12:01 pm

Your portraits perfectly captured the happiness inside this beautiful Mom to be! Beautiful!
Danna - April 26, 2009 - 1:41 pm

wow she looks so good!! and so very happy. Great image Mare.
Melissa Mullinax - April 26, 2009 - 1:58 pm

Sooo beautiful!! I totally love the second one…great smile!!
Terrilyn - April 26, 2009 - 2:53 pm

Oh she does look radiant Mare. Lovely images, I’m especially fond of the that last one where she is laughing out loud, she looks so happy and that red top is SO flattering!
Kimberly Hill - April 27, 2009 - 6:22 am

The emotional connection in the first is a heartstopper. You can reach out and touch the love these parents have for their child. The sass in #2 – wow! Love it!
jen - April 27, 2009 - 11:43 am

These are great! She just looks so sassy and happy – you caught some great expressions!
Ruthi David - April 27, 2009 - 8:18 pm

OH these are great! I love the laughter in the last one, especially!
Sara - April 28, 2009 - 2:52 pm

Love the pics of my sis!!
Brandy - April 30, 2009 - 9:39 am

What a beautiful mom-to-be! I love that last one, it’s so happy.
Tammy Lacey - May 1, 2009 - 12:49 pm

these photos show the love that these 2 parents will be giving to their child…..very nice
lauri - May 3, 2009 - 5:53 pm

I love how you captured her laughing. I don’t know why, but I always try to make the pregnant moms laugh.
Fashionista Friday and a Newborn Photography Sneak Peek | Children's Photographer for Chicago Area Children and Families : Marmalade Photography Blog: News and Previews for Chicago and Suburban Fine Art Photography for Kids, Families, Babies, Maternity an - June 5, 2009 - 8:27 am

[…] may remember the beautiful maternity session from several weeks ago that was featured on the blog here. A & L came to the studio yesterday with their adorable Sebastian and we photographed his […]

Inspiration : What to wear to your photography session

It’s been several months since I last posted a shopping blog post, that post was focused on dressing your family for your session. Please take a look at it here if you need some inspiration. In this post we are going to take a look at some trends and fun things to dress your little ones up in for our session together.

It’s no secret that I love music (it’s partly why I do the whole Baby Loves Disco Chicago gig), while working with Baby Loves Disco I discovered the cutest, funnest trend a few years ago…BABY LEGS! Baby Legs are essentially legwarmers but not ordinary leg warmers – nope! They are stylish, fun & colorful bits of happiness on sweet chubby baby legs. My daughters, who are far beyond having baby legs, are totally into using them as arm warmers – my oldest is a fashionista and loves these adorable bits of fun! And while I know Mardi Gras is long over – seriously how can you not love a company that has a product specifically dedicated to the coolest party ever?

At a price tag of less than $20 a pop I think all my bebé clients should come to a session with fun little Baby Legs on!

Now for something fun for the girls. Hannah Banana! Not sure if it’s a play on names on a certain famous teen idol (if I say it the hits will come – Hannah Montana) or if it’s just a happy coincidence…these clothes are ADORABLE!!

You can find this beautiful dress and so much more at BabyMe. Being a big fan of hippie chic – I love the feel and look of the Hannah Banana line. Count me in as a huge fan!

Spring *has* sprung – what happens if you need to dress a boy for rainy weather? You want amazing dancing in the rain pics but don’t know what to dress your little guy in? Well the Swedish Invasion has hit! Polarn O. Pyret recently made its’ U.S. debut – they have tons of cool stuff for kids to wear and look at the adorable rainy weather gear spotted there for boys:

What says rainy day happiness more than these adorable striped wellies? Not much I say!

And I know for a fact (because y’all have told me at your sessions) that boy clothes are so hard to find. What makes it even tougher is that little boys sometimes don’t want to dress up (I know! Hard one to swallow! 🙂 ) Have I got the solution for you…BABYSUSU. Check out the cool boy styles like this cashmere hoodie (now on sale!)

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PamN - April 24, 2009 - 3:59 pm

You always find the best stuff for your clients – no wonder they love you!
Anna-Karin - April 24, 2009 - 4:15 pm

Ohhh this is so great. Love all the options here. My absolute favorite is the polarn o pyret boots. I grew up with their clothing and the stripes is so typical for them. I wore their “trademarked” striped clothing as a child in the 70’s. Thrilled to see that they now are available here in the US. the quality is the best and holds up well to pass onto others once your kids has outgrown them.
lauri - April 25, 2009 - 10:28 pm

Great ideas! I love babylegs!

Teens + Almost Teen = Too Much Fun : New Lenox Photographer

Do you know how sometimes you can just LOOK at someone and see the person they are becoming? You can see this phenomenon in a person of any age, however in my line of work it’s much more specific to children, young adults. Looking back at some of the photos from this session as I was getting a few prettified for blog preview, I completely saw the remarkable adults these kids were (quickly) becoming.

Thank you to Michelle & Mike for coming out to the studio this past week and allowing me to capture there three remarkable, fun, gorgeous kids. I had more fun than a photographer ought to and I really enjoyed photographing your beautiful family. Thank you for allowing me into your busy lives to capture this time (because times they are a changin!) for you.

Just a couple sneaks from your R O C K I N G session. I could editeditedit these all day but since I have to stop – I’ll share only a few.

K is such a sweetheart. If I told you her age you’d not believe me! Her poor daddy is going to have to have her under lock & key.

These two had me in stitches – seriously you’d think they lived for being in front of the camera. I couldn’t stop cracking up at their antics. Adorable & funny. Watch out ladies!

Finally a quick fun shot of the gorgeous and funny & funky fam. Thanks guys – you topped off an amazing week for the Marm.

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Sylvia Laughrin - April 18, 2009 - 8:10 pm

Wow, these are all so gorgeous! Love the style they have… very cool.
Janine Memon - April 19, 2009 - 4:22 am

What great style they had! I love the family shot — it looks like so much fun!
Danna - April 19, 2009 - 8:54 am

gorgeous images! Love the family one. so fun!
Lisa Kelly - April 19, 2009 - 3:43 pm

They truly are gorgeous young adults. I love their clothing choices and the family image just made me smile.
Kimberly Hill - April 19, 2009 - 5:43 pm

Are they MarmStyle or what?!? They look like so much fun and I bet they already have the perfect place in mind to hang that family portrait.
Dulce - April 19, 2009 - 7:39 pm

What a good looking family! These are so fun they just make me smile! I definitely see some wall portraits in mom’s future! 🙂
Susan D'Arcy - April 19, 2009 - 10:07 pm

Mare, these are gorgeous and yes I see what you are saying! You can see the ‘grown up’ in each of them.
Connie - April 20, 2009 - 7:51 am

Love the attitude in that first shot- perfection! Looks like a fun family!
elizabeth - April 20, 2009 - 9:16 am

These are awesome.. so so fun..
Ruthi David - April 22, 2009 - 3:45 pm

Great work as always. Love these.
Brandy - April 23, 2009 - 2:28 pm

What stunning images, and I absolutely love their clothes!
teri - April 23, 2009 - 6:38 pm

What a fun family! you really seemed to capture their style and their closeness. Looks like a fun session!
MaryAnn T - April 24, 2009 - 12:42 pm

WOW! You’ve created some fantastic portraits at an age where most kids feel the most uncomfortable. They are so open and spirited, really capturing their personality. Wonderful!!
Terrilyn - April 25, 2009 - 9:52 am

Simply stunning Mare! I love them all but that last shot, oh wow, I would have to have that HUGE. I love it!!
Sheila - April 25, 2009 - 9:30 pm

Love the last one!!
CarrieS - April 25, 2009 - 9:35 pm

LOVE these, and love their style!
meggan - April 26, 2009 - 9:38 am

Oh, I LOVE that family image! How perfect!