Storytelling George the Salon Chicago
I started as a client of George the Salon nearly 6 years ago. I think it goes without saying that I am one of their many happy clients. The salon location has a feeling of elegance and rejuvenation. Going to the salon is about self-care. I have taken a day to myself for breakfast, hair, brows, and shopping. All that pampering feels like a mini-vacation rejuvenating my spirit. I wanted to capture that feeling of refresh in my photos.
I have learned so much from George. He is truly an artist bringing out the best in his clients. In our corporate session, I hoped to showcase his work as an artist along with his photojournalism style photography designed to immerse the viewer in the experience of being in the chair at George the Salon I hoped to showcase his talented team of stylists; and the warmth and welcome of his salon culture.
Storytelling Lincoln Park Chicago Gym Practice
I want to put your client in the driver's seat of your story. These are not just photographs...they are not just headshots, and they are not just Instagram posts. This is the story of your business that the world gets to see. The story of the people, the clients, the hustle and bustle on a normal day. The story of who you are, and what drives you and your team. The story of how you interact with your clients, and your community. The way you show up to your industry. Are you telling your story?
Your corporate photography matters. I want to help you bring that story to life with quarterly content-driven photography sessions. Book your business storytelling session by contacting emily@tenlittlebluebirds.com.
📷 Check out Practice Chicago featured here. Their tagline is that it’s “Practice” not about perfection. I have never been the perfect athlete but their personal training style has always made me feel so comfortable. They have a holistic approach to fitness that also incorporates mindfulness and healthy eating. Truly if you are in the Lincoln Park area you need to check it out and if you are not in Chicago you can still use their online coaching services.
Faces of Local | Naperville Magazine Photography Shoot
I am thankful to partner as a photographer with community magazines like the incredible media team at Naperville magazine.
As a storyteller, I love that I get to help capture the vision of local businesses. Your brand is more than a logo, but getting in front of the camera is not everyone's favorite thing. I try to find fun and easy ways to make sure entrepreneurs and their teams are comfortable and confident throughout the shoot.
I worked with rep Patty Brand on a recent business feature in the May publication called Faces of 630. You can read the feature by picking up a copy of Naperville magazine and flipping to page 31 (or clicking this link)! The feature looks beautiful and includes Naperville's best business professionals like the team from Allegra Printing, Friedrich Jones & Overman Jones Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Grunyk Family Law, Law Offices of Edward P. Graham, Ltd., Coros-Mackey Group - Homes in Naperville and Surrounding Communities, The Comedy Shrine, FBC Remodel and more.
Need the perfect Mother's Day gift?
Are you still looking for the perfect Mother's Day gift? You can't go wrong with a gift card for a portrait session. This is the one gift you can give that will only get more valuable with time. Not to mention each session includes hair, makeup, and styling. Pamper mom, she deserves it! Head here to buy a gift card.
It is even hard for a photographer to get in the picture | Naperville Family Portrait Session
I totally get you. It can be so hard to get in front of the camera. Between "extra ten pounds," or the bad hair day, or the peanut butter on your shirt, there are plenty of excuses to avoid getting your picture taken.
What many of us fail to realize, is that especially to those that love us we are beautiful exactly as we are. There is nothing that needs to be fixed. Our love for our children is palpable. Twenty years from now when our kids are getting married or graduating college or curing cancer, we will be looking back at these photos and remembering the days when they wouldn’t let go of our hands. And we will be so glad that we had some pictures that captured that overwhelming, all-encompassing, unlimited love. Truly, photographs are investments that get more and more valuable with time. Let the world see how beautiful you are and how amazing motherhood is.
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Since I am always behind the camera so I know how important these pictures are for my family too. I also invest in portraiture so that my family will also have these memories captures. This fall I hired a colleague to come out to Naperville and capture images of our sweet family.
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This shoot also reminded me of how crazy it can feel to be prepared to be in front of a camera. This is why I now offer styling, hair, and makeup for every photo family session. Looking and feeling great in pictures doesn't need to be hard.
Storytelling Naperville Studio Sessions
Behind all of your stories, is your mother's story, because that is where your story begins. I am Emily and I want to be your storyteller this Mother's Day. Let me capture that overwhelming, all-encompassing, unlimited love in your family and help you preserve those family moments for years to come. Book your storytelling session!
2021 featured artist - two photos selected from 100 in NAPCP
I was inspired by Chubby Cheek Photography underwater e-guide and very daringly attempted to photograph pool time at our Airbnb rental in Palm Springs California. This was my first time shooting underwater and I was so pleased by the results. I love the vibrant color contrasts and all those dreamy bubbles. These pictures were chosen for the 2021 Featured Artists Top 100 Inspired Gallery Event. They will be printed and hanging in a gallery in Atlanta this June as part of the Inspired Print Competition hosted by the National Association of Professional Child Photographers. Thank you NAPCP for the opportunity! I have truly enjoyed being a member of this group.
Client Showcase: George the Salon Chicago Gold Coast
It has been such a pleasure to get to know George and his team at George the Salon in the heart of the Chicago Gold Coast over the last five years. Recently we decided to join forces to photograph this amazing Chicago salon and the happy clients with the goal of sharing these stories on his website and Instagram. I have always loved the location of the salon in the heart of the Gold Coast neighborhood. Typically shooting in Chicago in the mid-day sun can be a challenge but luckily in Chicago, there are many shaded spots to take advantage of. For this shot, we ventured to the top of the Oak Street building during a quick overcast period for one of the coolest backdrops in Chicago (thank you Chicago Suit Supply for sharing your rooftop garden access). If I was a dude in need of a suit and haircut - I would never leave this building 😜. I ❤️the luxury 💎 urban flavor that you feel when you go to George the Salon and these images help showcase this. Great job Mo your work is incredible as always! 😍
Newborn Session - How to dress your baby
Not sure how to dress your newborn? Keep it super simple. My personal favorite is knits, textures, and a neutral palette to make things feel fresh. Simplicity is the key - let the connection be the focus, not the clothes. If you are planning to do some clothing-free shots make sure to choose simple diapers - plain white (or we can always photoshop off Elmo (sorry buddy). I love the stripes she chose for this session - they give a little pop and style without overwhelming.
Planning My Own Family Photoshoot Styling Perspectives from a Chicago and Naperville Family Photographer
It has been a couple of minutes since our last professional Chicago family photo shoot 🤭. Which essentially means a photo shoot that actually includes me (since I am after all a professional photographer and my kids and husband are well documented with professional photos). If you are a mom, I am sure that you can absolutely relate to not being in the pictures. So I am following my own good advice and getting in the picture with my family in a couple of weeks from now. This will also be a good reminder for me of what it is like to be on the other side of the camera.
In the shoot above, photographed by the lovely Chicago wedding and family photographer Maddie Blecha, I was going for a posh Christmas in Chicago feel. I actually found my daughter’s coat first from Little Goodall and styled the rest of the family’s clothing around this piece.
Typically, I recommend my clients put mom at the center of costume design for the group. Let’s be honest: kids look adorable in a potato sack, and most men will wear exactly what you lay out for them. Us ladies, if we don’t like how we look in the photo, even if everyone else has the most perfectly perfect smile they have ever given - we are not going to be happy. You know I speak the truth.
Styling a shoot is no easy task and the day of my Christmas in the City Chicago shoot was no exception. I felt like I was running a million directions pulling together outfits, getting my hair and make-up done (those lashes take a hot minute - unless you know Santos from Nordstrom’s Chanel - he is the BEST). About 30 minutes before our shoot it occurred to me that it would be super adorbs to buy carrots for the horses that pull the carriages downtown so we just HAD to stop at Wholefoods for those carrots that still had the leaves perfectly attached….creativity is not for the faint of heart. Despite the smiles in the photos above, the stress getting ready for that shoot led to some real changes in how I guide my own clients before a session. Pre-pandemic I formed the glam-squad to come to your home and bring the glam to you. I have also partnered with Style and Select to make clothing styling way easier for your photo shoot planning.
The shoot I am planning in the next few weeks is happening during a pandemic obviously - so the manicure, makeup and city environment are a no-go this time around. The shoot will take place early evening on a prairie and farm located in our new town of Naperville - Riverview Farmstead. I am hoping this means no crowds. Below are a few images I found (not mine all the credit goes to Timothy Whaley here) of the location we will be shooting in. Looking at the environment is the first step to choosing outfit styles for the session.
I believe that a photo shoot is the perfect excuse to go shopping - especially during a pandemic when I don’t want to head into stores and my very best sweat pants now have holes. Enter, stage right: Style and Select. This online styling program is a fabulous tool that helps my clients style their shoots in a painless way. I decided to use this tool for my own shoot and below is a video if you would like to see how it’s done! If you are a photographer checking out here is a code for 10% off BLUEBIRD10. You can thank me later 😜.
We are starting our outfit styling with the two dresses below from Rent the Runway. I also now have this available for my clients’ use so please reach out if you are interested in accessing from this cool service which also has clothing for girls now. My dress is on the right as I definitely recommend some shape for the ladies and my daughter’s is to the left.
Preparing for your Headshot | Chicago and Naperville Headshot Photographer
The Top Ten Secrets for a Perfect Headshot
When it comes to your headshots, my goal is to capture your best natural features, your strength, and your essence. My approach to photography is natural and relationship-oriented; I love to get to know my clients before putting them in front of the lens. I want to hear about your story - both personal and professional so that I can tell it in light and color. My goal is to create a portrait that says something meaningful about you. Are you an actor? A business professional? A model? With over 10 years of photography experience in Chicago and Naperville, I feel confident in my ability to craft a series of images that truly say something about who you are and your goals in life. So to help here is a list I have compiled of the Top Ten Secrets for a Perfect Headshot.
Chicago Newborn Session | Chicago and Naperville Newborn Photographer
I loved our session with this adorable family. They have the sweetest little girl and as an added bonus I was able to photograph the grandmother that happened to be in town for our shoot. I always love the opportunity to include grandparents in our sessions. Capturing these moments with grandparents will be cherished as these little ones grow.
Chicago Family Session in Michigan| Naperville and Chicago Family Photographer
I am always so inspired when I have the opportunity to travel for a family portrait session. This shoot was no exception. Michigan is an easy jaunt from the city but it feels worlds away when shooting in the woods and along the lakefront with this beautiful family. I take full advantage of the laughs that ensue when I tell my older kiddos to wrap their arms around each other or snuggle up - they may feel awkward at first but they secretly love it and I get the most genuine smiles. Being able to capture these moments with families that I love, is at the core of why I am a photographer. Enjoy!
Chicago Family Newborn Session | Chicago Family Photographer
I am so glad to be working with families again! I had my very last studio session with this sweet family before the world shut down. They were blessed with a beautiful little boy and I was thrilled to be able to capture images of them as soon as it was safe to do so (masked and 6 feet away of course). This little guy is super lucky to have such a loving big sister - she was to introduce me to her little brother.
I often have clients ask me about what to wear and after booking my own session and I got a dose of reality when planning my own family photos shoot after just having had a baby! So, I came up with a solution. I found an online stylist that can help guide my clients plan the perfect outfits for their shoot. There is a quick questionnaire that helps you choose the type of session (urban? whimsical?) and asks you to choose your favorite colors. Then it scours the far reaches of the internet to help you pull together clothing for the whole family to ensure that our sessions look polished and coordinated. Gone are the days of matching khakis and white shirts! We are creating art that I want my clients to be excited to hang on their walls.
In addition to helping you pick out clothing for your session, we meet (virtually now), and do a walkthrough so that I can help you think about where we will be photographing our session in your home. We try to plan this at the same time as our session so I can get a true understanding of the lighting in your home.
Planning out these details in advance alleviates much of the stress that can surround getting ready for a newborn portrait session. Trust me, you have enough on your plate! I do whatever I can to make your life easier.
When your gallery is ready, no need to hire a sitter for an in person meeting, we will hop on webex to share the video from your sessions and review your gallery and framing options. Then you can take the time to look through the gallery on your own time and choose the collection that works best for your needs. My goal is to save you time and stress, all while providing you with artistic, high-end, beautiful art for your home.
Chicago Family Session | Chicago Family and Children Photographer
It seems that there have been much interest in family sessions before moving. With so many beautiful memories attached to our homes, it makes sense to photograph here before leaving.
Having just moved myself, I know that moving is such a bittersweet time for many families. I’d love to help you capture memories of your home with a family portrait session in your home before you move. The timing couldn't be more perfect as your home probably is looking better than ever due to those real estate showings.
Every session comes with prints and you can add in frames as well, so you will have incredible art for your new walls. I also include a video (check out the one above) and my collections include gorgeous linen albums that you can look at over and over to reminisce about this special time with your family.
If you are a realtor I am also now offering a Home Sweet Home package to provide your client with a meaningful gift of a family portrait session in their old or new home!
Moving from Chicago | Chicago Family and Children Photographer
There are so many beautiful memories attached to our homes, memories of bringing your sweet babies home from the hospital, memories of lively family dinners, memories of just being home, and connecting as a family (we sure have had a lot of that as of late).
Moving is a bittersweet time for many families. I’d love to help you capture memories of your home with a family portrait session in your home before you move. The timing couldn't be more perfect as your home probably is looking the best it ever has thanks to all of those real estate showings.
As an added bonus with each session, I include a video (check out the one above) and my collections include gorgeous linen albums that you can look at over and over to reminisce about this special time with your family.
If you are a realtor I am also now offering a Home Sweet Home package to provide your client with a meaningful gift of a family portrait session in their old or new home!
First Communion Mini-Sessions April 25th and May 30th| Chicago and Naperville Children's Photography
Collect the beautiful moments with First Communion Mini Sessions
I can hardly believe it has been almost 2 years since my daughter made her own First Communion. Each week as I watch her walk confidently up to the altar to receive Communion, my mind goes back to that perfect May day. I am so proud to see the girl she is growing up to be.
As a Chicago children’s photographer, I had so much fun playing in the studio and capturing images of her in her white dress. I treasure the beautiful moments we captured from this special time: the dress, the flower wreath, the church filled with little girls and boys making the sacrament of their First Holy Communion, the friends, and family that came to help her celebrate. Two years have gone by in the blink an eye and so this year I decided to introduce Chicago First Communion Mini Sessions. It is a sweet and simple way to provide beautiful images of this special time in your child’s life.
These limited mini-sessions will take place in my Chicago Lakeview Studio on March 25th and May 30th.
Sisters in the studio| Chicago Children and Family Photographer
I have known these sweet sisters for many years and it is always such a pleasure to take their yearly portraits. My they have grown and how close they have become. Interested in a boutique mini-session before the holidays? Contact me at emily@tenlittlebluebirds.com
It all came together|Chicago children’s and baby photographer
I had been perusing Instagram when I stumbled upon the most gorgeous portrait of a mother and her son at a beautiful airy greenhouse. I was so mesmerized I took a deep her look to find that the photograph took place somewhere near chicago. After mailing my dearest photography friends - begging to find out where this beautiful spot was located I finally came upon Elmhurst’s Wilder Mansion and Conservatory. The funny thing is, I used to cater here as a high school job. This was well before I saw the world and its possibilities with my photographer eyes.
When planning the clothing for this session, I also came across a new photography clothing styling site called Style and Select. Styling for a session has never been easier. We literally typed in whimsical shoot, we like pinks and greens and voila Style and Select helped us pick two gorgeous little girl dresses that would be perfect for the feminine and airy look of this session.
We were so excited for our August session. We had hair and makeup ready to go but as the days inched forward the forecast was looking rather glum. So at the last minute we canceled…sigh. We did get a beautiful few studio shots on the blog but we did need to reschedule our Wilder Mansion session. We were so fortunate that our rescheduled date turned out to be the most gorgeous September afternoon and we arrived at the conservatory 15 minutes before close. Which meant that we had the conservatory to ourselves. The light was more incredible than I could have even imagined. Wilder Mansion conservatory and grounds had so much variety that it almost looks like we had four different sessions.
Finally, and most importantly, the love between these three ladies is palpable in each and every picture. The way they play and laugh together was such a pleasure to capture on my camera. Simply put, this is why I do what I do.
I am excited to share the session that came together so perfectly.
Maternity Session - Chicago Maternity and Newborn Photographer
I have been having so much fun this summer and couldn’t wait to share these beautiful maternity photos from my brand new cozy Lakeview studio space and gorgeous Montrose Beach.
