Today I am eating my own words. "Don't put it off".... I'm constantly telling clients (especially mom's) to not put off getting that family photo because you never know what tomorrow might bring. But we tend to not want to schedule it because we think our kids are at an awkward stage, we'll lose a few pounds first, or we just simply are too busy. And then there is always the fact that photo sessions with kids can be rough. They cry, whine, don't cooperate. It's enough to make you want to scream as a parent!
So today it was my family's turn. And let me tell you, we are no different at a photo session than any other family. I have been putting this off and we haven't had a family portrait since my youngest had just started to walk. I've used all the same excuses as everyone else and was still using them today, even as I had the whole thing scheduled. But I finally took my own words of advice... we needed to do it. We needed to capture those memories. So, we proceeded to get ready. The evening included tears from my son, my husband not having the right shirt, tears from my daughter, my son's jeans not fitting right, tears from my son (oh, did I already mention that), and then it led to mommy wanting to cry, yell or just plain cancel the evening. But we went out. And at the end I'm still not the weight I wanted to be, my son's jeans still were too short, but guess what?? We were all laughing and enjoying eachother, and we even got a few good shots.
I've been told quite a few times that one of the benefits of coming to a photographer like me, rather than a studio, is the time I take with a family. From helping you pick the right outfits to capturing some sort of memory even through the tears, that is my job and that is why I hope I stand out to my clients. I take the time to make it work. It may be the last picture when you have given up that turns out to be the best. We're all people trying to get that awesome photo and it's my job to work through the typical photo day that we all have and get those great, creative portraits of a family that you will want to have hanging on your wall forever.
Angie
As Thanksgiving approaches I just want to say "thanks" to all my loyal customers and fans. I am thankful for you all. Fall Mini Sessions went great and I am now looking forward to Santa Photos. This weekend I photographed a beautiful wedding in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and then was able to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with my extended family. It's a busy, busy season and I'm working hard to get everyone their photos as soon as I can!
A great thing about taking pictures has been all the creative people I've met and connections I've made. The most recent being a great designer whose taken some of my photos and created awesome cards with them. I'm excited to give my clients this new option with their photos. I've posted a couple of samples for you to check out. If you'd like more information on purchasing her designs she will have a display with information at the Santa Photo Sessions at Lighthouse Academy and I'll also be posting some information on facebook in the future. 
These past few days have been a whirlwind of photo shoots. I've done a wedding, 17 mini shoots, a few engagement shoots, and several seniors all in 3 days. Wow! At the end of all that you start wondering if you can still pull something new out of your hat. Tonight I'm going through hundreds upon hundreds (okay, let's be honest, it's thousands) of photos sorting through it all. And what I'm finding is that through all that I did it again. I gave my clients new and different. And I like it! I hope they do too! For now I'll keep editing, because I can't wait to share the rest with you all.
Things haven't been slowing down these past few weeks. Lots of photo shoots with some great regular clients, as well as some great new faces lately too! Yorkville is starting to bloom with fall color and I'm getting so excited over some of the pictures I've been able to capture. I've also been working on a lot of great new ideas for my business which I hope all my clients are going to benefit from and enjoy. 
So, I just spent the last 2 hours in torture and pain at the dentist. It is one of my least favorite places. I wanted to find some crazy picture of someone in horrible horrible pain to post on here because that is what I was feeling. But instead, I'll post something happy in an attempt to bring up my spirit and because, for now, the pain is over!!!
About a week ago my baby started back into pre-school. This is her picture on her first day. She's got her own style and I love it!! In some ways it's hard to believe she's already 4 and this is her last year before kindergarten, and in other ways it's hard to believe she's only 4!! So now I have a pre-schooler and a 1st grader and a little bit of time completely on my own. For all you parents embarking on this same point in time, this bit of "freedom", I think you'll understand when I label it as "bittersweet". 
I know I just got started with blogging again, but I couldn't resist adding just one more for the night... This sweet new baby is the newest addition for a great family I photograph. It was such a joy to see them add their new baby girl to their family. And what a sweetie she was to take pictures of. Every time I work with an infant I try to come up with some new, creative way to get an awesome shot of them. This pose here might be pretty traditional for a newborn, but she worked it well and looks just gorgeous! 
After starting the blog back in June I hit a writing road block, but fall is here which means new beginnings and a new effort to keep up with this-fall also means beautiful leaves, mini-sessions, Santa being on his way and more- and with that, I'm back! I don't know about you all but my summer was crazy! My kids were off of school and we tried to pack in tons of fun, and my portrait sessions were continuous and great! I did senior sessions for Yorkville, Oswego and Sandwich, weddings in Morris, Elmhurst, Yorkville, Oakbrook, The Joliet Mansion & Dekalb, infant sessions with the new arrivals of summer, and lots of fun kids from all over who were having some fun in the sun! It all was great!.jpg)