Christmas with my Family
Like many, I was inspired to pick up my camera after the birth of my eldest. Seven years later, I am blessed with a wonderful husband, two beautiful children, and two jobs that I love. Every year, during the holiday bustle, I watch the joyful anticipation of the season through my children's eyes as our family traditions unfold, the inspiration strikes. I take plenty of personal pictures but often they sit untouched. No longer....
I hate the cold of January, but I LOVE the feeling of starting fresh. I am making it a goal for 2017 to remind myself why I picked up this camera and to no longer leave my digital images untouched on my hard drive - but to take the time for myself, my husband and children to edit and share my personal work. Let the fun begin!
Fall is in the Air|Chicago Children, Baby and Family Photographer
Oh this is my favorite season. I love the crisp air, the colorful leaves, warm sweaters and anything pumpkin...but most of all I love that I get to connect with families old and new. This fall has been particularly busy already but it has been chocked-full of loving moments caught on camera.
Secret Garden - Styled shoot| Chicago children's, baby and family photographer
“If you look the right way, you can see the whole world as a garden””
Whenever I shoot at an unfamiliar location I always try to do a prep shoot on-location beforehand. This summer, I was asked to photograph a sweet little family with whom I've worked with over the last few years. This time they were really excited to have the shoot at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The week prior, my husband and I piled the family into the car and headed north to Glencoe for a morning of fun.
I was in awe of these beautiful gardens. Having lived in Japan, London and of course now the Midwest I am so inspired by the wonders that the Chicago Botanic Garden has to offer: Japanese gardens, the Prairie-lands and of course the high-walled English Gardens. As a little girl, I loved Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden. I was immediately transported back to my middle school years - when I devoured this masterpiece.
The minute I stepped into the Chicago Botanic Garden, I felt a rush of creativity! I had always wanted to try my hand at a styled shoot, and this felt like the perfect opportunity. The minute I got home I pulled out my computer and put together a family style board (see below). I then rented a gorgeous Nellystella dress and a flower crown and pulled out my copy of the Secret Garden from the bookshelf that I have had waiting for my daughter since she was only 3 months old. The results of my first styled shoot are below. I can't wait to be inspired by the next concept!
The original concept board created for my styled shoot.
Don't Be Afraid to Dress Up! | Chicago Children, Family and Baby Photographer
When I was growing up and not feeling super hot (whether it be a bad cold or high-school heartbreak), my mom always pushed a warm shower, hot rollers, and a little lipstick. As I begrudgingly applied my Maybelline at the time, I didn't realize that (once again) my mom was right. More than that, she revealed a secret to confidence and just plain feeling better. I recently read an article in the UK's Daily Mail about research that shows wearing specific clothing - like something as simple as superhero T-shirts - can cause people to feel more confident and even stronger. Maybe that's why my newly-potty-trained super-confident 3-year-old feels the need to throw off his shorts and show off his Batman undies!
I bring this up because what you wear in family pictures can not only affect your confidence during the session but can also enhance your pictures from an everyday snapshot to a piece of art on your wall. This is one reason why I prefer to book my sessions a month in advance so that there is plenty of time to consider clothing choices! For most, picking out clothes is the fun part! (Do I see a shopping spree in your future?!?)
This blog series will provide some of my favorite client style tips for the perfect family photography session!
Don't Be Afraid to Dress Up!
Have fun with this! I love Rent the Runway for fabulous frocks that don't require a huge monetary commitment. Dresses and skirts can be flattering for every body-type . Full-length dresses with lots of flow and movement (chiffon or tulle) can look amazing in photographs. Longer skirts and dresses definitely work better when you have little family members being photographed with you. I definitely recommend floor-length maxi dresses for expectant mothers because it can create a beautiful silhouette. Heels can make those legs look so long but can be a real pain trekking through the woods. So bring a pair of easy shoes to slip on and off and - I promise you - your feet will thank me!
You are welcome to bring more than one dress - maybe something exciting and fun - a "WOW" dress and then one a bit more casual. But if the just the idea of bringing two outfits while dealing with children causes you the slightest stress - one dress will do just fine!
Keep it light!
As for colors, I truly love a more muted palette. This will allow the focus to be on your family and interactions with each other and not the bold outfit. Think pinks, light blues, sophisticated neutrals like heather gray, cream, leather browns and whites. These colors look especially gorgeous against the backdrop of our dreary November - March Midwestern days. Who doesn't love a good pop of color? Just keep it to a few pieces or even layers that you can bring in and out of photos.
Playful Family Photo Shoot in Bemis Woods Western Springs | Chicago Baby, Child and Family Photographer
What a lovely afternoon with this playful crew in the Chicago suburb of Western Springs. I had not been to this forest preserve since I was in high school. It seems like eons ago when my friends and I used to ride the Salt Creek Trail to the Brookfield Zoo. I was delighted when this family suggested a visit to my old stomping grounds and was quickly reminded of how gorgeous this location is for a photo shoot. What I love about this particular location is that there opportunities to take pictures in the gorgeous forest and the expanse of fields to catch the sun setting through the trees - I just love how the sun rays peek through.
A Summer Morning in Lincoln Park | Chicago Baby, Child and Family Photographer
We had a beautiful summer morning to enjoy the sunshine with this sweet family. This little guy just turned one and we wanted to capture a morning in their neighborhood. Lifestyle sessions at home or in familiar and favorite spots around the city are always a great way to keep little ones comfortable and engaged. I love to peek in and capture the family moments and emotions unfold. This shoot was full of those moments and lots of laughter and I was thrilled to be able to capture it all on my camera.
I suggested we start early in order to capture the beautiful summer morning light and keep things cool before the temperatures start to rise. The early morning is also a great option for a photo shoot because it is a little quieter out on the town. The best part about an early morning photo shoot is that little ones tend to be bright and cheerful after a night of sleep and a full belly from breakfast. This makes everyone more relaxed! Keeping it close to home also gave us an opportunity to pop back into the house and grab a few pictures just hanging out together.
Baby Love in River North | Chicago Children's and Family Photographer
This sunrise session took place bright and early in River North. We decided to shoot around the stomping grounds of this adorable crew so that someday they could look back at these pictures and remember long walks along the river and cozying up on a blanket in the park.
Happy 4th of July!
Welcome to my new home on the internet! I am so happy you are here. I have been busy prepping the new site, closing down the school year and taking lots and lots of pictures. Keep an eye out for a special I plan to launch next week celebrating the launch of my site. I am excited to share the details shortly and tell you about some exciting new details about Ten Little Bluebirds photography!
In the meanwhile, I thought I would start off my new blog sharing a few pictures from our July 4th celebrations. O was finally old enough to use sparklers so I thought we would give it a try. Since they don't sell them in the city I had a friend pick up the 'contraband' on her drive out from Michigan. We had loads of fun.
I mainly shoot during the golden hour but I have been watching this ivy over the last few days. I love the shadows during the blue hour so I thought I would try something a little different. I am so glad I did because it really helped make the golden sparklers stand out.
