Chicago Family and Child Photographer

Two For One : Chicago Area Children’s Photographer

Before I get going let’s turn on a soundtrack. My good friend & brother Paula (aka Crushaholic) set up this YouTube on her blog. And since we are always "borrowing" from one another I thought it only fair to borrow this almost Modest Mouseish virtually unknown in the States band that she is currently crushing on. I totally agree with her assessment that Coparck is completely crushworthy! Before hitting play, note there is some gratuitous nudity in the middle….close your eyes if that bugs you… LOL

Ok, now that we have the music taken care of…

Yesterday was a busy day in Marmaland. First off the D family came out for part II of their session. Part I was cut short and we opted to finish up yesterday morning. The light was fabulous and the urban studio portion of our session had beautiful morning light. A big thanks to Mike & Keri for making the drive out to Wilmington from the North Side of Chicago not once but twice to allow me the pleasure of hanging out and capturing their beautiful young family. And a big thank you to the W family who sent the love my way.

from part i

mom & baby

from part ii

• • • • •

Part II of yesterday was a session with two of the funnest cutest well dressed little people I’ve had come into my studio in a long long time. These characters were amazing and so was their very awesome mom, Suzanne. She had them dressed to the 9’s, I am still astounded at the number of wardrobe changes they allowed us to get in!!

Meet A & B who drove out to the Wilmington Studio for Northwest Indiana to have a session with Marmalade. We did a mix up of urban, finally ending with a twist in the field where good ole Lady got a chance to hang out with the kids…a big thank you Suzanne for allowing me to capture your little spitfires!!

Thank you for stopping in and seeing what is up. Apologies for the lack of updates for awhile…it’s been a busy few weeks on this end.

Namaste.

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Paula - August 4, 2008 - 7:55 am

haha! it is good good stuff! I just linked ya back! 🙂
corey civetta - August 4, 2008 - 10:03 am

Beautiful work – I LOVE them all! Their outfits are so great, too!
Heather Cheatham - August 4, 2008 - 11:26 am

I love the richness and depth in your images – definitely your signature. A&B were definitely dressed adorably for their session and the little one from the W family is so naturally adorable. You bring out the best.
PamN - August 4, 2008 - 11:37 am

These kids are all gorgeous, and your style is just perfect for their look! How lucky are their parents to have art like this of their children!
Suzanne - August 4, 2008 - 12:00 pm

THANK YOU so much for such a fun session! I can’t wait to see the rest! It will definately be a difficult decision! Thanks again!
Suzanne - August 4, 2008 - 12:03 pm

THANK YOU for such a fun session. I can’t wait to see the rest. It will definately be a difficult decision! Thanks Again! 😀
Holli - August 4, 2008 - 2:35 pm

These are adorable. LOVE the one of the two in front of the doorway.
Jana Kunz - August 4, 2008 - 4:36 pm

I love that song! The pics are not too bad either, LOL. :o) Beautiful job as always.
Terrilyn - August 5, 2008 - 10:05 am

Oh Mare, these are just STUNNING!! Such peaceful colors and beautiful compositions. Lovely work girl!
Jennifer - August 6, 2008 - 8:01 am

these are absolutely beautiful, great stuff!
Marie - August 6, 2008 - 5:42 pm

love the processing on these…fun session
Grandma Kathy - August 11, 2008 - 9:38 am

🙂 Absolutely capture of A & B from the D family. Of course biased as these are grandchildren. Can’t wait to place my order and see other shots. A beautiful job done from location, to position, to care in working with these kids. Thanks a lot for the unique capture of the grandkids.
Kristina Provinsal - August 19, 2008 - 1:09 pm

Very very nice!
Mom did great with the clothes and you rocked the session with great captures of personality, light, and composition! WTG!

Personal Musings : Chicago and Suburban Children’s Photographer

Strength: how do you define it?

Is it in your abiity to get up and walk around unassisted?

Is it purely in your personal faith, strength of beliefs, strength that the unknown is a place of peace & comfort?

Is it strength in the bonds you feel for the young children who share your blood?

My father is the strongest man I know, even now as age is slowly weeping his physical strength away. It is bittersweet to go visit him and my mom these days. I cannot help but leave their home with the knowledge that the sands of time will be running out sooner vs. later…

• • • • •

So my mind needs some cheer. Please bear with me as I try to bring some colour and happiness into my life.

Country girl vs. City girl…

Thanks for stopping in…Namaste

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Heather Cheatham - July 28, 2008 - 11:26 am

These are so moving and special. I just love the first one. Their beautifully aged hands are amazing.
Your country girl/city girl shots are great – look at that awesome wall! She did perfect, and so did you. Love them all.
Caitlin Domanico - July 28, 2008 - 12:29 pm

What an amazing tribute…
Amy - July 28, 2008 - 12:59 pm

BEAUTIFUL photos Marm…I esp love that last one of your father 🙂
TonyaMarie - July 28, 2008 - 1:27 pm

Those are some powerful images of your father. Wow.
And I have to say I love the country girl and her chickens.
ChelleL - July 28, 2008 - 2:45 pm

The first photo is just stunning, very powerful. Beautiful photos.
Jeni Bernatz - July 28, 2008 - 3:55 pm

wow, those are such powerful images of your dad, I really love that first image and the thoughts you shared as well.
kristina - July 28, 2008 - 5:39 pm

Wow, gorgeous images and heart-wrenching post. Beautifully written AND photographed.
Jennifer N - July 28, 2008 - 8:15 pm

Beautiful, emotional shots. I love them all.

The country girl vs. citry girl are awesome too.
Cindy - July 29, 2008 - 12:45 am

The series of your dad is especially moving and emotionally provoking. Wonderful work!
PamN - July 30, 2008 - 6:08 am

You will treasure these forever!
Tobi - July 30, 2008 - 7:23 am

These are so powerful Mare!! Wow…beautiful work as always!
Jessica - July 30, 2008 - 12:12 pm

what a beautiful post. My grandma is 84 years old and her strength amazes me everyday. Beautiful work!
Jen Lane - July 30, 2008 - 6:27 pm

omgosh Mare, those images of your dad are amazingly touching. Wow. Really moving and so tender.
And of course, city girl vs country girl is too darn cute. ha. I don’t know which I like better, I’ll just pick both as winners. hee hee. Beautiful work as always.
Lori L - July 31, 2008 - 8:23 am

Oh Mare, the first set got me right in the gut. What a treasure.

Also love the second set — color on that last one is surreal.
Ms Laurie - July 31, 2008 - 10:31 am

😆 Hey gorgeous! The art is amazing and I thought a lot about what you said about your Dad as my Dad is older too. Beautiful pics!VIVE BEAUTE
Desiree - July 31, 2008 - 2:53 pm

WOW mare! These are just stunning. That first one is just sooo emotional!
Danna Bowes - July 31, 2008 - 3:06 pm

oh Marianne…really there are no words to describe the ABSOLUTE talent you have. These images move me in a way I can’t even describe! thank you for sharing your talent with all of us 🙂
teri mason - August 2, 2008 - 10:45 am

These are very moving. I know what you mean about parents aging. I need to do something like this. Thanks for the inspiration.
Paula - August 4, 2008 - 7:56 am

wow. stunning. utterly speechless, my bro
Susan Braswell - August 5, 2008 - 6:55 pm

that hands shot is so moving.
Nichol Krupp - August 5, 2008 - 11:58 pm

Mare,

These are all stunning as always. You brought me to tears with the ones of your parents. The hands say SO SO MUCH! Oh how you will always cherish those photos. Amazing!!!

Workshop Weekend…Chicagoland Child Photography

I want to send out a big thank you to the parents who allowed the attendees of the second See The Light Workshop to photograph their cuties in/around the studio Saturday/yesterday afternoon. These kids were troopers, I’m not kidding. It felt 1000ºF in the shade yesterday (ok, so I slightly exaggerate but it was nasty hot and humid after all the rain we had in the morning and early afternoon). Honestly these kids rocked it. Thanks to DJ & Miss K (who I think has an innate ability to "show" for the camera, never seen anyone light up like she did in front of the lens) who primped, modeled, acted ‘natural’ and seemed to have fun with the entire process…

Here’s part of a sneak peek for their parents and for the attendees (if they are surviving this a.m.’s wake up calls and checking in before heading out the door for part II). More later…

Thanks for stopping in, ’til next time.

Oh, I found this little thing by wordie on another photographer’s/design blog. Thought it was pretty cool:

It’d look pretty cool printed up and customized in a children’s room, wouldn’t it? I think I’ll be doing one for my oldest in her room colors with words she chooses about herself on some nice metallic paper…

Namaste.

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Kelli - July 21, 2008 - 6:18 pm

That second one is insanely beautiful!
Emily - July 21, 2008 - 9:06 pm

Wow, they came out amazing! Thank you so much for this opportunity. Kayla really enjoyed herself and made some new friends with your daughters(their adorablably sweet!) I can’t wait to see more and Kay said everyone was so nice!
Daveen - July 23, 2008 - 9:54 pm

Lovely images!
Cindy - July 24, 2008 - 4:24 pm

Ooooh you always have the BEST locations, and the cutest little models. That coupled with your beautiful work and it’s just masterpiece after masterpiece. I think I might be your biggest fan!
Heidi - July 24, 2008 - 5:24 pm

i always love your lighting.
that word thing is so cool! i’m off to check this out, too!
Janine - July 24, 2008 - 5:47 pm

Visiting your blog is always a treat and that last one especially is wonderful! Love your post processing!
Terrilyn - July 24, 2008 - 7:21 pm

Beautiful!! I wish I lived closer Mare, I’d be at one of your workshops in a heartbeat!!!
jen wilson - July 24, 2008 - 11:18 pm

so great! that second photo is absolutly lovely 🙂

jen 🙂
wendy b. - July 25, 2008 - 6:03 am

Oh, just beautiful photos! Your are AMAZING!!!!! I hope you can shoot with my family for the holidays!
Heather - July 25, 2008 - 8:16 am

Lurrvveeeee these to pieces!!! So so gorgeous! Word thing is really cool to! 😛
Jennifer S - July 25, 2008 - 12:08 pm

These are beautiful!!
Sandy - July 25, 2008 - 12:35 pm

WOW!!! Your work always amazes me. The tones are awesome. Each picture is like a work of art!!
Lisa - July 25, 2008 - 1:03 pm

oooh, those pictures are just DIVINE!! I am getting workshop fever and am dying to go to more!! I’m sure it was warm, but it sounds like everyone had a blast!
Jennifer Nahm - July 25, 2008 - 4:06 pm

aw… the doorway shots are great. I love the second one.
Paula - August 4, 2008 - 7:57 am

gorgeous work. so wish i could go to allllll your workshops to keep the glow bright!

In the Heat of Summer…Suburban Chicago Children’s Photographer

First, let’s go ahead and soundtrack this entry. Ahhhh, English Beat today. This song reminds me 100% of Gross Pointe Blank (and geez, it’s been 11 years since that movie? oh gosh…where is time going…), I could’ve imbeded the You Tube clip of John Cusack’s character having that bloody fight in his highschool by his old locker but we’re family friendly here. Instead you get a bit of 1980’sish video glamour:

Now that we have established a theme song for today’s entry let’s get onto the business of sneak peeks…

Jessica and her son K came out from Mokena for a Marmalade Location session a couple of weeks back and we ended up with a reschedule due to torrential downpours. Buckets of water falling from the sky didn’t stop K though, nope, he had a grande time living it up in the world of wet….

Luckily the remainder of our session from earlier this week gave us much nicer weather to shoot in. So what if it was a bit muggy, the forest was amazing with color. We explored a bit, played with sticks and some of us even pretended to be a cat fish…

…my fave images of all time typically include a mom and child. Perhaps because I know (personal experience) that sometimes we, as moms, are often the last to be photographed…especially with our kids. This is why I think the occasional family session is a GREAT thing, include mom in some pictures. It’s only fair.

Thanks for stopping in & seeing what I’m up to.

Namaste.

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PamN - July 18, 2008 - 4:35 am

Oh, the one of the two of them is divine!
Sherri - July 18, 2008 - 6:42 am

Oh!! That image of the boy with his cheeks is priceless and either 1) so the age or 2) so him! I love that.

Then, you were able to capture the LOVE and CONNECTION with his Mom. Now THAT is what being a great Photographer for your clients is ALL ABOUT!
CarmenM - July 18, 2008 - 11:18 am

The mom shot is beautiful. I 100% agree about mom’s being last to be photographed. I have to get some done of myself and my family.
Frank Panaro Photography - July 18, 2008 - 1:39 pm

Way to make the best of the situation! I think the rain photos turned out just great!
elizabeth - July 18, 2008 - 6:04 pm

LOVE Grosse Point Blank.. ( ok I will admit it I love pretty much anything John Cusak is in who doesnt love a guy who loves the clash.. ) and the English Beat.. Love them too.. ahhh the good ol’ days.. sure miss them. what a great session too this little boy is adorable
MaryAnn T - July 18, 2008 - 9:18 pm

Mare, as usual, I am blown away by that Mom and child portrait!
Heather Gibb - July 19, 2008 - 9:10 am

Love, love, love the umbrella shot! Way to be brave and face the rain! The shot of mom and son are priceless!
Paula - July 19, 2008 - 3:27 pm

dang. i have to read your blog to find out what is going on with you these days. i feel so out of touch since you left for vacation!! ((((((((((hugs!))))))))))) 😈 😈 😈
Danna Bowes - July 20, 2008 - 12:51 am

ack!!! that 2nd image just kills me!! seriously I am laughing at that expression…..he is so so sweet. LOL the one with mom is so touching, and makes me tear up just a little….it really makes me really ache for my son who is away right now visiting relatives, how I wish I could hug him like that right this second, and it really makes me realize more than ever how important it is to have someone capture such moments as these.
Connie - July 20, 2008 - 10:22 pm

Oh I love the mother/son moment and completely agree with you that it is so important and valuable to capture these images. Beautiful.
Amy - July 24, 2008 - 6:07 pm

Oh I just love that last one with his momma…..sooooo sweet 🙂

BTW- HUGE John Cusack fan – so that made me smile 🙂
Lisa - July 25, 2008 - 1:05 pm

Wow, these are just gorgeous!! Kids won’t melt in the rain like us adults hehehe 🙂 Beautiful as usual!
Teri Mason - July 25, 2008 - 2:15 pm

Love the umbrella shot!! Great color!

Photographing the Photographer: Tales from a Chicago Family Photographer

Photographing another photographer (and more importantly the children of said photographer). Sounds like an easy feat, doesn’t it? In theory the children of photographers are used to having their pictures taken. Used to seeing their mom or dad’s face transformed into a black box with a circular piece of glass. Right? Easy peasy…Ha. As I will prove to you right here.

Well, as many photogs reading this will attest, photographing your own child is an exercise in frustration. So, armed with my knowledge of this I approached yesterday’s session with a sense of challenge. You know what tho? I hadn’t needed to worry because I had these boys under my spell (even tho, after three frames the youngest turned to me and asked: "are we done yet?" LOL. Not even close, little grasshopper). We had fun, we played and we got some really amazing images.

Regardless of the level of ease for which it was to photograph I enjoyed working with Wisconsin’s Nanette Gerrits, her wonderful (and funny) husband and her two gorgeous boys. A big thank you to her for venturing out up to the Chicago area for an Urban Decay session. I loved meeting you guys, I had a blast (and more importantly I hope you guys did too) and I think you are going to be VERY happy with the images from your session. There is nothing like the spark of creativity I get when met with a new place and a family that *gets* the process. So thank you on that level. And also, thank you for entrusting me with your confidence in obtaining something truly special and remarkable for your family. It means the world to me that you allowed me to capture this time in your lives.

So, enough blabbering. Go. Enjoy the sneak peeks…

Thanks for stopping in.

Namaste.

Ooooh, P.S. as I almost forgot. Thanks to my wonderful husband who drove out to help us out with the sofa. Thanks D! Love you much.

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Paula - July 15, 2008 - 10:57 am

gorgeous, Mare. 😉
Susan Braswell - July 15, 2008 - 11:05 am

Beautiful family – love the location and aura.
Kimberly Hill - July 15, 2008 - 12:10 pm

So lucious! More! More! My favorite is the mom snuggle.
PamN - July 15, 2008 - 1:54 pm

WOW! She has to be so happy!
chantelle bliss - July 15, 2008 - 4:00 pm

these are so beautiful! you rock!
Kudzu Fire - July 16, 2008 - 4:47 am

nice feel to this collection of imagery
Angela - July 16, 2008 - 12:04 pm

She’s going to love these!!!!
Pammy - July 16, 2008 - 7:14 pm

If I was her, I would be thrilled. They look beautiful so far.
Sherri - July 16, 2008 - 7:58 pm

😀 Beautiful session! I love that Mother/Son image!
Danna Bowes - July 17, 2008 - 1:02 pm

ohhhhhhhh Marianne….these are so so so good!! when can you come photograph my family :-D..or maybe we need to make a trip to Chicago, never been there.
Michelle Miller - July 17, 2008 - 8:16 pm

Gorgeous work! The little boy has a gorgeous smile and it’s easy to see how wonderfully you interacted with this family 🙂
Anna-Karin - July 18, 2008 - 12:14 am

As a mom to boys , the one with the boy snuggled up with his mom is my favorite.You really captured them at that moment, where it shows that the boy still needs his mom’s love and reasurance. The same for the one with both boys on the sofa with their mom.
June - July 19, 2008 - 8:49 am

Gorgeous, gorgeous. Works of art. Fantastic relationship captures.
Jana Kunz - July 24, 2008 - 8:55 pm

I love that last shot, beautiful!
TaraMc - July 26, 2008 - 9:24 pm

What beautiful images. Your work is so artful and unique. I love your style.