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).

I first met Aimi at a networking event and felt an immediate bond with her.  Not only is she adorable and British, her girls are close in age to mine and she is just brilliant.  When her oldest was little, Aimi found her calling and is now one of the top sleep consultants in the Chicagoland area... My Little Sleeper is a lifesaver. 

I photographed her for her business and when she contacted me to take photos of their new addition, I was over the moon with excitement.  Aimi and her husband didn't find out the sex until darling Olivia arrived.  They now have three adorable girls who I had such fun with on their shoot in their home.  Jessica and Lexi have so much love for their baby sister and she was an absolute doll during her shoot.... she of course also sleeps like a baby, thanks to her awesome Mum!

I wanted to share some of my favorites from the afternoon.

I first met Sara when she was pregnant with Maddie and won a photo shoot with me from an event at Building Blocks.

That was the first of many photo shoots I've done with Maddie and her family while she was in Momma's belly as well as in her first year.  I've gotten to know her and her family and love watching her grow in front of my camera.

Today is this sweet little lady's first Birthday!  Happy Birthday Maddie!!!!  You are surrounded by so much love and happiness, I hope you had an awesome day.

Here are some of my favorite pics of Miss M and her family.

I met today's lovely family through a referral from a family I also LOVED working with.  Today's family has a 19 month old daughter and a 2 week old son..... not only do they have their hands full, they were relaxed and adorable.

I remember the days when my oldest was 2 weeks old, we were sleep deprived, ragged and it was complete and utter chaos.  Having more than one kid, especially when both are under 2 is a challenge and Mom and Dad handled it like pros. 

I won over big sis with a dance party and held her while I photographer her parents and her little brother.  It took bribing of raisins and a lot of patience, and with Mom's help we were able to get a photo of the two of them at the end.

I love being around a family with a girl who then have a boy.... it's getting me excited for our little guy to arrive this Winter.

I wanted to share some of my favorite photos in today's sneak peek and love that the family pics aren't perfect (that's not real life with 2 kids under 2).  My favorite is where the little guy is looking at me all peacefully and the other three were living life.

They did awesome on their first family photo shoot and I loved that I got to be a part of it.

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I was contacted to photograph a baby shower at an adorable event space in Bucktown, Urban Icing.  It is bright, clean and the perfect space to celebrate the glowing Mom to be.

I was unaware going in that the sex of the baby was unknown... they did a beautiful job with the decor for that.  I always admire those who can wait to find out... I am not that Mom!

Her sisters, family and friends gathered around to celebrate, as well as this baby's oldest cousin.  I loved the way the presents were opened, a gift was given to each guest to open and they all shared what was inside.

I loved being a part of this sweet celebration and wanted to share some of the images from the party.

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Rosie and I have been friends for over 25 years and I love how close we still are.  Tomorrow is her due date for baby #4 which will make them a family of 6!

I made them come to my studio so we could document this moment before the new little guy arrives.  I'm hoping I can be there for his birth to photograph it, like I was for his soon to be oldest brother.

Can't wait to meet this little guy and see all of the love everyone has to share with him.  His siblings have such an amazing bond, I can't wait to see what he brings to the mix.

My outspoken, strong willed ray of sunshine is 2 today....  her smile brightens any moment and I can't imagine our life without her.  Her laughter is infectious and her determination is something I strive for.

People always say she resembles Lucy Who from Dr. Seuss, I saw this dress and knew I needed to photograph her in it for her 2 year Birthday photos.

Happy Birthday my little Squeakers, I love you so.

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It's true, this winter we will be a family of 5!  I announced yesterday on facebook after an amazing ultrasound in the morning.

I had a lot of anxiety during this pregnancy since we lost a baby last year and lucky baby #7 will be our second rainbow baby.  His or her older sister Oona (our original rainbow baby) turns 2 tomorrow.

It's been a crazy 5 years, 5 pregnancies and this is the 7th baby I've carried in those pregnancies.  As soon as I found out I was pregnant, this was the shot I thought of to announce our joy.

Thank you so much to Iron Chef Stephanie Izard who allowed me to shoot in my favorite restaurant, Duck Duck Goat, and to Nicki for creating these adorable and delicious dumplings for me.  I am so happy with how this turned out.

Thank you also to my talented friend Tony for assisting me on this shoot.

Your photographer will work with you to help bring your vision to life, just ask :)

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I first met the bride Katie while I was a vendor at Indie Wed last year.  We immediately hit it off and she told me she was going to have an Old Hollywood themed wedding.  I told her she had to contact Olivia Hwang for her bridal gown.

When Katie followed up with me a bit later, she had met with Olivia and was having the dress of her dreams made.  She then requested we meet and over some coffee we agreed to work together.  I loved her vision and knew exactly who her beauty team should be.  Suzy of Hairspray Revolution and Leatrice and Mollie of Gemini Bride.

I got to meet the groom Craig at their engagement photo shoot.  Katie warned me that he hates having his photo taken.... challenge accepted!  We went near their condo to the Riverwalk, on some bridges and by the Chicago Theater.  Craig is awesome and I know he secretly loves having his photo taken ;)

When Katie and I met at Stan Mansion to go over the details and plan the shots, I knew her wedding was going to be everything she dreamed it to be.  She was worried about weather, so we came up with a rain delay plan just in case.

We could not have asked for better weather on April 1 and we were able to ditch the back up plan.  My second shooter Tony and I arrived to the venue and we fell in love with the bridal suite.  If every place every bride gets ready in has that quality of light, I would be in Heaven. 

The guys started to arrive and Tony made sure they were ready for the celebration!  I photographed Katie and the ladies and was in awe of what the beauty team did as always.  I sent everyone away so I could capture Katie and Craig's adorable first look.... Craig followed directions perfectly and I loved being a part of that sweet moment. 

We hopped on a trolley, hit Giordanos for some pizza and made our way to the museum campus for some photos with the skyline in the background.  The light was insane on their big day! 

Their ceremony was short, sweet and meaningful with their dog serving as one of the ring bearers.  An April Fool's Day joke played by Craig's Dad who was also a Best Man when it came to finding the rings.  I even fell for that one.

The bridal party and immediate family met in the bar for a champagne tower.  Craig popped open a bottle of champagne celebrating the Cubs World Series win and Katie had a blast pouring it onto the tower.

The decor was gorgeous, the food was delicious, the music was perfect. 

It was such a pleasure being a part of their special day and I was so happy Tony and I were able to capture the moments throughout the day.  Katie and Craig, your family and friends are welcoming and fun.  They made us feel like we were part of the crew.

I wanted to share some of my favorite images I took on their day.

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I always attempt to photograph my children for every Holiday, I go in with an idea and it rarely ends up the way I want it to.
2 years ago I photographed my friend Sydney's son Lincoln for Valentine's Day and brought along my oldest Viola.  Lincoln did awesome and they even tried to have an adorable kiss which didn't turn out the way Viola planned.

Here is the video and here are the images from Lincoln's shoot as well as my daughters' and other cutie's Valentine's Day in the past.... I didn't get what I wanted, but I was very happy with what I was able to capture.

The unexpected kiss
Sibling cuties
My daughters Valentine's Day 2015
Baby Valentine's Day party in my studio
Viola and Lincoln for Valentine's Day
Attempt #2 for Photographing my oldest for Valentine's Day
Attempt #1 for Photographing my oldest for Valentine's Day

This year I didn't have the energy to photograph both of the girls, so I chose to photograph Oona while Viola was in school.  The shoot lasted less than 2 minutes and I got the images I wanted. 

Here is Oona's Valentine's Day portrait and I also have some time left for my Valentine's Day minis on 2/4 & 2/5, you may schedule your shoot HERE!