I met Nevena in a Mom's group on facebook.  She posted asking for help with her 2 year old.  She has Stage 4 Breast Cancer and is currently going through Chemo and is tired after treatments.  

My Mother is a breast cancer survivor, my Grandmother passed from breast cancer and I have an Aunt living with breast cancer.  I also have a 1, 3 and 5 year old, I know how exhausting my kiddos can be.  Her post spoke to me and I reached out to her and offered to take portraits of her daughter Natalie and her.

​In addition to photos, I enlisted my talented friend Kate Johnson to come do Nevena's makeup.  It was such a fun morning getting to know Nevena and her daughter as well as capturing these precious moments of this Mother and daughter.

The light was perfection, the views of the lake from her home calming and I adore that Nevena asked if she could have the photos taken without a wig (her head is perfect for a shaved head).  I took some candid photos of her and Natalie, of Kate working her magic and was tickled pink when Nevena came out wearing pink with a matching outfit for her little girl.

Kate did a gorgeous job as always and I am obsessed with these photos and had to share some.

#ChicagoPhotographer #Photographer #LincolnParkPhotographer #FamilyPhotographer #FamilyPhotography #Chicago #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancer #Empowering #Portraiture #Momlife 

It has been a busy, exciting, overwhelming, exhausting and joyous year that I can't believe we all survived!

My son Ansel James Ji-Woo Kim is officially a year old!

Ansel is so very sweet, he loves food, loves to laugh, dance (he does a mean chicken dance with only one arm), he sleeps through the night (finally), has 7 teeth, says Uh Oh so sweetly, is always smiling, and is taking steps like crazy.  He is obsessed with his older sisters, though they are more obsessed with him and love to pick him up and carry him everywhere.  He lights up any room and will go to you if Mom is near.

I photographed his sisters every month, but never had a theme.  Before Ansel was born, I bought a wooden toy camera from Windy City Bebe and a camera swaddle from Spearmint that I decided to use for his milestone photos.  I also bought a camera onesie at Wolfbait & B-Girls that I incorporated when it started to fit.

Here are all of his milestones, from 1 day old to 2 weeks before he turned 1.

(One thing I wish I had kept consistent was where I photographed him.  To be honest most months I forgot until the day he got older.... I felt a lot of pressure doing it, but am grateful to have this montage.)

Now for his cake smash, delicious and awesome cake by Chicago Custom Cakes.  We did his cake smash on Thanksgiving with my whole family watching him.  It was a great experience for me since we didn't do one for Viola and I was the only one present for Oona's.  Ansel ate his cake very politely and loved the attention he was given by all.

​Can't wait until later today to eat another one :)

#ChicagoPhotographer #Photographer  #FamilyPhotographer #BabyPhotographer #Baby #HappyBirthday #OneyearOld #CakeSmash #Chicago #LincolnParkPhotographer #LincolnPark #CakeSmashPhotos #Milestones #BabyBoy

I have a cousin who lived with epilepsy as a child, it was about 25 years ago and scary for all.  There wasn't much research and it wasn't really talked about.  My Aunt found a good doctor and they worked towards his care.  He outgrew his epilepsy and is now on his way to be a researching physician.  One of my nieces is currently living with epilepsy, her current meds keep her seizures at bay.

I met Kelly Cervantes and learned more about her daughter Adelaide and their journey with epilepsy (you can learn more about it HERE).  Since moving to Chicago, Kelly and Miguel have teamed up with CURE to bring awareness to epilepsy and raise funds for research.

Last weekend I got to hang out with the Cervantes family and celebrate Adelaide's 3rd birthday party at Aubergine Chicago.  It was such a beautiful time, so much love and fun had by all.  My highlight of the party was when her Dad, Miguel (who plays the title character in the Chicago production of "Hamilton,") was giving a speech thanking everyone for coming and Adelaide let out a massive yawn (priceless moment).  Adelaide got to test some of the yummy and awesome cake from Chicago Custom Cakes and everyone enjoyed the delicious food and gorgeous flowers from Marianos.

After an intermission of photographing other families, I headed over to the Jackson Junge Gallery where Kelly & Miguel were being honored at the Seventh Annual 1:26 The Art of Epilepsy.

"It was an evening of inspired artwork created by artists, who span the globe, linked by the common thread of epilepsy. The goal of the night was to provide a platform for this diverse population of individuals to let their voices be heard and their stories told. The art is a segment of their lives that they have complete control over. Something that is predictable. An achievement that can enable them to rise above this disorder. Although each of these artists stories’ are unique, their works become a collective force to combat the injustices, discrimination, and marginalization directed against these individuals, many who continue to live in the shadows of this diagnosis."

​I saw some beautiful art, heard some inspiring people talk and met some talented artists.  I had a connection with two of the artists showing, I share a mentor with one and I grew up near another.

I was honored to be asked to document this event and that day was exhausting, educational, enjoyable and memorable.

I have a lot of projects in the works for next month which is Epilepsy Awareness Month..... stay tuned to find out.  One thing I can share is the mini photo shoots I am offering on 11/4 at my new studio.... Profits will be going to CURE and you can schedule your shoot HERE!

#chicagophotographer #photographer #epilepsyawareness #epilepsy #epilepsysucks #Hamilton #chicagofamilyphotographer #chicago #CURE 

About a month ago my sister let us know she was getting married in Cape Cod... it was to be a small ceremony with a dinner that followed.  Booked a flight for my youngest and I and counted down the days.
They surprised their daughters the morning of with matching dresses, flowers and getting their hair done.  The weather was ideal, the location was perfect and the love was all around.... it was a perfect ceremony.
Congratulations Katie and Josh, we love you!  Here are some of my favorite photos from their beautiful day.

#weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #capecodweddingphotographer #capecodwedding #bostonwedding #bostonweddingphotographer #chicagoweddingphotographer #family #beach #bride #groom #photochicagowedding

Viola begged me to bring her to my new studio, ONLY HER for a photo shoot.  She picked out her outfit, told me how to do her hair and was excited to be without her younger sister and brother for a moment and have the attention solely on her.

She wanted a little direction, but pretty much what you see is all her..... now if her little sister would only cooperate for me I could actually get a family photo.

Here are some of my favorites from her shoot. 

I am so blessed to be included in this amazing story of this squishy newborn (2 days old) and her rockstar Momma!

Mom Hillary is a Birth & Postpartum Doula, Childbirth Educator at Heart, Birth & Baby and on the Board of Directors at Chicago Volunteer Doulas.  

Here is her birth story:
"I was ending the childbearing chapter, and had weaned my babes. I was focusing on self care. I had chosen a Paragard IUD after my second child’s birth, and found comfort knowing we had completed our family. However, after I weaned my youngest, I awaited my cycles to be normal. I got concerned and took a pregnancy test. Planned Parenthood confirmed that I was pregnant. They took my IUD out and dated my pregnancy at 17 weeks! I spent the rest of pregnancy processing and coming to terms with the news. Harlow Gold arrived at 39 weeks and 5 days, just like my other two. 3.5 hours of labor and she was born into water in our home at 6:39am, 21.5 in long, 11lbs 11oz! She was determined to be here from the beginning and now that she’s here I feel a literal weight lifted! She is perfect and I can’t wait to learn from her. She’s already taught me that anything is possible, and to savor all parts of the ride.”

She is gorgeous, I kept forgetting she was so new due to her size..... then I remembered how much I absolutely love babies within the first 48 hours of life.  I was hoping to get some newborn poses, but it wasn't quite working with this Reubenesqe beauty.

Her amazing Mom pushed this delicious little lady out at home!  In a tub!  She is forever my hero.  I wanted to share some of my favorite photos from her newborn shoot.

Pink and gold swaddle by Cloud Island for Target
Doughnut from Bennison's Bakery, Evanston

#honestcompany diapers #targetbaby #targetfinds #ShareMyTargetStyle #supportlocal #newborn #chicagonewborn #newbornphotographer #newbornphotography #iudbaby #familyphotography #familyphotographer #baby #Mom #Momlife #cloudisland #target #bennisonsbakery #breastfeeding

  Wow!  It's been almost 3 months since I've blogged..... well, today my youngest Ansel is 3 months old.  Being a Mom of 3 is no joke.  Also, being a Mom who owns a business with 3 kids (one being a newborn) is insanity.  No sleep, no time, trying to juggle attention is exhausting!

I love the DIY monthly milestones I see on facebook and instagram.  Some use the blanket, blocks, a chalkboard, a stuffed animal.  I knew all of that would somehow get lost or become a possession of one of my daughters.  

We named Ansel after Ansel Adams, who I have looked up to since I became a photographer 26 years ago.  When pregnant with him, I got a wooden toy camera and a camera swaddle and decided they would in be his monthly milestone photos to see how much he changes with a constant that is present in every shot.  It's going to be fun to compare these as he grows... I never did that with his sisters, since he's the last kid, I figured why not.

​My goal was to shoot these at my studio, as I would for one of my clients.  But... I have 3 kids, a business, am exhausted and realize the day before or on the day of that he is hitting a milestone.  (I am grateful I have kept one of my lights at home and that my camera is always here).  So, I grab whatever I can for the backdrop.  It's been either a sheet, a comforter, or a bath mat (as pictured in the photos below).

You do what speaks to you, what is on hand and works for you.... not many people will know (or need to know) what you used to get the shot.  Your kids will appreciate you even more as adults when they revisit the photos that embarrassed them in their youth.

Here are Ansel's 24 hour (shot with natural light, the flash was not his friend), 1, 2 and 3 month milestone shots:

Expectations..... I talk about this a lot.  My expectations in photographing my children, when reality is to let them be who they are and go with the flow..

Ansel was 11 days old (born on 12/5), I thought it would be a great idea to take the sibling photos for the first time while their Dad was sleeping.  The first fight began with doing my 2 year old Oona's hair.  She hates having her hair done.  A sloppy ponytail was my first small victory.  

Second fight was over which blanket they would lay on.  Of course they choose the oldest looking one.

Third fight, well..... the photos show it all.  They also show the love Viola and Oona have for their baby brother.  He is settling in to the madness nicely.

I'll try this again when Dad is awake ;) , in the meantime please check out some of my favorites of my 3 kids!

I'd like to introduce you all to my son Ansel James Jiwoo Kim, born on 12.5.17.

His older sisters Viola and Oona are over the moon in love with him.  He is pure perfection.  

I wanted to share some photos I took of him at 5 days old in between photographing some lovely families for the Holidays.

Ansel hung out in the studio with me over the weekend and was the perfect assistant.

Here I am again..... not following my own advice about letting my kids be kids.  I had a grand vision for their Holiday photos this year.  Last portraits of the two girls before their little brother arrives.  

My oldest Viola rocked it out, her sister Oona was marching to the beat of her own drum.  I did not get the cooperation I was hoping for to get that one perfect image.  I finally stopped stressing and let them do their own thing.  It's not worth the aggravation or the fight anymore.  I captured them and their personalities and love that I have these images to enjoy of this moment in time.

If you are looking to get your Holiday photos done, I have some dates left.  You may contact me for a full shoot or book your mini shoot HERE.

I look forward to working with you and capturi​ng beautiful memories to share with your family and friends.

Here are some of my favorites of my girls from their Holiday shoot (more of Viola since she was working it).