Latest newsletter and fall photo session updates
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Hey friends!
Now that back to school is in full swing (mostly), it's time to finalize all things fall.
Still need to book family, children, or high school senior photos? My calendar still has some availability.
Our classic photo session.
Up to 1-hour photo session during prime, golden hour at the location of your choice.
These are perfect for a high school senior portrait session or a family session.
These 30 minute sessions can take place at or near your home sidewalk, front porch, and/or backyard.
These sessions are perfect for anyone who prefers to stick close to home and avoid having to drag their family too far out of their comfort zone! It also makes it easier to include all family members like…pups, cats, and birds (I welcome any and all pets!).
These sessions have become a client favorite & I get it! They're quick & fun…and the results are almost always stunning and full of energy…these are becoming a favorite for me as well. I'll be scouting a few different locations for this year so we will likely be in another area of the city, though Wabash Arts Corridor is still a fave of mine!
Mini sessions are perfect for anyone who doesn’t need a full session and only needs a few updated images. We offer a few different versions of mini sessions…most mini session locations are chosen by me.
If you’d prefer a mini session but also want to choose your location, an Anywhere Mini is perfect! If you don’t mind a location being chosen by me, our Weekday or Weekend Mini sessions is the way to go!
While Sara Jean and I attempted to find dates for a summer happy hour, we (mostly I) just couldn't make it happen.
Don't worry though…we've got some options for fall! (see below)
In other news, I recently discovered a dozen emails that ended up in my junk/spam mailbox. The emails were somehow routed there via the contact link on my website so if you emailed and never heard back from me, that's probably why. I'm so sorry & what a nightmare for me. I have no clue how many potential emails I missed.
And that leads me to this…
I've spent a ridiculous amount of time attempting to clean up and refresh my website (and fix bugs). If you have a chance to peep it, please let me know if you come across any issues. I'm certain there will be snafus so if something doesn't seem right, please reach out!
So happy you’re here ❤️
xoxo, Joey
Back to school and headshot happy hour events!
Hey, friends!
Well…after a fairly uneventful summer break, we’re slowly slipping back into routines over here.
Our summers have always been pretty laid back and routine: pool passes and several days a week at the pool, quick road trip to Texas to visit family, trips to various ice cream shops, and we typically finish summer with a long weekend in Michigan and Warren Dunes.
This summer was different. Three of us got pool passes but we didn’t even make it to the pool enough times to pay for those passes. We did make a very quick trip to Texas and got to see a few family members but not everyone. Sadly, we didn’t make it Michigan at all…we usually make it there at least 2 times. We did hit some ice cream shops though…we aren’t complete monsters!
It feels like this is just a natural transition from having “little” kids to having tweens/teens and I’m not sure how I’m feeling about it.
Time is strange…
Anyway…back to your regularly scheduled programming.
If you’ve been thinking about scheduling that headshot…now is the time! I’ll be hosting happy hours in September and November (potentially December).
Pricing starts at $150. Details and links 👇
And…my gal Sara Jean Stevens will be back to enhance your gorgeous face*! (only 2 spots with the option to add professional makeup/hair remaining for both dates!)
Got questions? Let’s chat! joey@littlebittyproductions.com
*Limited spots available for hair and makeup, additional fees apply
Preschool Picture Day! (River Forest, Oak Park, Illinois)
“Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Will I ever tire of photographing these tiny, adorable humans? I can’t even imagine that happening…
Though I’ve cut back on the amount of preschools that I photograph each year, there are a few that I get to come back to year after year. I love documenting these growing kiddos and it’s especially fun when a sibling or 2 is in the mix.
I know that many parents & caregivers are hoping for the perfect smile…I do have some tricks to make that happen but there are no guarantees, ya know? I will never force a smile and I will never force a child in front of the camera if they are clearly distressed. I would never want to make photography a stressful or traumatic experience for anyone, but especially young children! If a smirk or a serious face is how your child is feeling on picture day, that’s great. Wouldn’t you prefer to document who they are in this moment?
They’re perfect…just as they are!
Headshot Happy Hour Booking is Live! {oak park, il headshot photographer}
Hey, y'all!
I’m working on my 2025 booking calendar…hoping to have it live by the end of January or early February!
In the meantime, if you’ve been thinking about scheduling that headshot…now is the time! I’ll be hosting happy hours in February, March, and April (more to come but these are live now!). Details and links 👇
And…my gal Sara Jean Stevens will be back to fix yo’ face/hair*!
Got questions? Let’s chat! joey@littlebittyproductions.com
*Limited spots available for hair and makeup, additional fees apply
“There are no bad pictures; that’s just how your face looks sometimes.”
(but I think you’re gorgeous!😘)
Hope to see you soon!
it's been a minute...{oak park, illinois portrait photographer}
I am often asked if I photograph high school seniors. The answer is YES! Am I a senior photographer? Not specifically but I am a portrait photographer.
What’s the difference? I guess it depends on who you ask…
For me, it just means that high school seniors are part of my clientele but aren’t my only clientele. I don’t have packages geared solely toward senior sessions…any of my portrait sessions can be a senior session!
Is your senior a minimalist who doesn’t want a big to-do when it comes to photographs? A fine art session or Anywhere Mini might be a good fit.
Does your senior want at least one outfit change & a little more time in front of the camera? An hour-long session is probably the way to go. This session also works if your senior is a minimalist but you’d also like to spend part of the time capturing sibling or family photos.
Maybe your senior is interested in multiple outfits and locations…an extended portrait session or Day in the Life session is perfect!
If you’re looking for a portrait photographer to capture your senior and any of these scenarios sound good, give me a shout. If you don’t see a scenario that fits your needs, reach out, and let’s chat about it!
I can’t wait to hear from you!
-Joey
too cool for school (photos)? studio portrait session booking is live... {oak park, il photographer}
“There are no bad pictures; that’s just how your face looks sometimes” – Abraham Lincoln
School picture day…the day when kids are forced into awkward poses, wear clothes they'd never choose, and smile as if they're being tortured. I suppose it’s a right of passage but if you find yourself wondering why they never quite look “normal”, maybe a studio session is the answer.
Skip the school picture order & bring your kiddos into the studio for a quick, updated yearly portrait. I promise not to force anyone to smile & I can almost guarantee that the photos will actually look like your kid. Wild, right?
There are 2 types of sessions to choose from: Tiny Studio Sessions and Fine Art Portrait Sessions.
Fine Art Portrait Sessions: 1 Child | Fine Art Portrait Sessions: Up to 3 Children
What is the best session for you? So happy you asked… as always, if you have further questions or concerns, send me a message! joey@littlebittyproductions.com
it's september, y'all...time to think about fall photo sessions {oak park, il family photo sessions}
“I never put off till tomorrow what I can possibly do - the day after.”
― Oscar Wilde
Hey, friends!
Whether or not we care to admit it, another summer is wrapping up. Soon we will be pulling out our fall necessities: sweaters, warm socks…snow boots (I know…I know.).
It also means that fall photo sessions are beginning to fill up…have you booked yours or have you been putting it off?
(tick, tock…)
Maybe you’re a planner and you’ve already booked your session. I tip my hat to you! Maybe you like to fly by the seat of your pants & wait until fall is a little closer before you can even THINK about scheduling. I think you’re fantastic (and I relate)!
If you’re still thinking about booking something this fall, now is the time.
I look forward to seeing you soon❤️
Joey
happy belated new year...
“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential.”
― Ellen Goodman
Just a quick note to say thank you so much for another great year! I'm so grateful for all of my amazing clients, past and present.
I know that the new year usually brings talk of “new year, new me!” or any number of proclamations focusing on improving ourselves somehow. If that’s your thing, I will enthusiastically cheer you on! If you’re like me & have decided that resolutions aren’t your thing, I will applaud you with the same enthusiasm…and maybe we can grab a slice of pie? The point is…y’all are all great❤️
2022 Highlight Reel
…and now that we’ve established how amazing you all are, let’s talk shop (I mean…this is my business blog so I’m gonna talk about business, ya know?)!
Have you been thinking about updating your headshot? What’s holding you back from doing so? Is it nerves, lack of time/inconvenient session times, or cost? I’d love to hear your feedback!
If you’re ready to get a session on the books, I’ve got several options for the new year.
Since January's weekend headshot date seemed to be a hit, I'm opening up another weekend date for Social Media Headshots. If you missed out on the January date, you can grab a weekend session in February! I’ve also added headshot dates for March and April, including some evening hours for those who can’t make it during the day…
The Social Media sessions are short & sweet (15 minutes)! If you are uncomfortable or need time to get comfortable in front of the camera, our regular session might be a better fit.
Up to 15 minutes in the studio | One look/One location | Includes 1 low-resolution, edited digital file* | $100/150
Question: What's the difference between Social Media 1 and Social Media Plus?
I'm glad you asked!
Social Media 1 includes one file, delivered in color and Social Media Plus includes 1 file, delivered in color AND b/w. Each session will include a gallery of images in which you will choose your favorite shot!
Find your session here:
Social Media Headshot 1: https://bit.ly/socialheadshot1
Social Media Headshot Plus: https://bit.ly/socialheadshotplus
Regular Headshot session: https://bit.ly/lbpheadshots
If you’re not quite ready to book but are looking for ways to support me right now, I’d love for you to leave me a google review…these go a long way in helping clients find me! (link below)
I look forward to the year ahead and seeing you in front of my camera soon!
fall updates, y'all!🍁 {oak park, il family photographer}
“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”
― Lauren DeStefano, Wither
Happy fall, y'all!
Outdoor photo sessions are in full swing & the busy fall season is upon me.
I wanted to take a minute to send out an update on the remaining sessions for 2022.
Here's a quick breakdown of the remaining October sessions:
Weekday Mini Sessions - 4 sessions (10/24 & 26)
Sidewalk Mini Sessions - 2 sessions (10/11 & 18)
Weekday One-Hour Sessions - 4 sessions (10/20, 21, 27, and 28)
There's also a handful of outdoor dates for November...
By popular demand, I've added two days of children's studio sessions. Two options are available this year...these sessions are perfect for updated children's portraits!
Find all available sessions here: Fall Bookings
I'm excited to see returning clients & meeting new clients in the coming weeks!
See you soon!
Be well.❤️❤️
social media headshot sessions are back! (oak park, il headshot photographer)
Ok, y'all...
You've been asking for it...Social Media Headshot Sessions, formerly Headshot Happy Hours (we're not quite ready for crowds just yet...sad trombone), are back!
Is it time to freshen up your professional profile? Grab a session here: https://bit.ly/socialheadshot
These sessions are short and sweet. I don't recommend them if you typically find that you need a lot of time to warm up to the camera but I can usually accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Just saying! I'm not magic but I do my best to put everyone at ease.
Good to know...
location: my Oak Park studio
length of sessions: 15 minutes
cost: $150
What's included? I'm glad you asked!
Each session includes 1 final, low-resolution image file. Clients always have the option to purchase additional files, including B&W color conversions and high-res files.
Questions? Give me a shout: joey@littlebittyproductions.com
fall photo sessions are live!🍁 (and a few summer sessions remain!)-Oak Park, Il Family Photographer
“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”
Hey, y'all!
It's that time again...fall session dates are live!
*For those of you who prefer a warmer session, I also have a limited number of summer sessions in June and July...beach sesh? city sesh? Let's mix it up!
Heads up-There are only a few weekend dates remaining but there are plenty of weekday sessions!
As always, I'm grateful for your continued support and trust.
Be well.
1-hour Session
Up to 1-hour session outdoors
20 hand-edited, high-resolution image files
4x6 prints of your chosen image files
print release with rights to make prints for personal use
Option to purchase additional files, print products, and full gallery upgrade.
$600 weekdays
$700 weekends
Sidewalk Sessions
Up to 30-minute session on the sidewalks in your neighborhood, your front porch, or backyard*
10 hand-edited, high-resolution image files
4x6 prints of your chosen image files
print release with rights to make prints for personal use
Option to purchase additional files, print products, and full gallery upgrade.
$425
*due to time constraints, sidewalk sessions must be in or very near Oak Park
Headshot Sessions
Headshot sessions take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the package
Pricing is for one person only
Additional files & prints are available for an additional fee
Location: our Oak Park Studio*
Pricing starts at $250
*We can also come to you! For non-studio location headshots or office events, please reach out to plan your session
Want to be the first to know when we have openings? Join our mailing list! We promise not to send too many emails…we usually only send 2-4 newsletters a year. That’s not so bad, right?
new year...
The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings. -- Okakura Kakuzo
Well, hello. Here we are again…
Another year is behind us. So many things were supposed to be better by now and yet, so much is still upside down.
Don’t get me wrong…I’ve got plenty for which to be thankful. I really try to focus on the good things, the positive stuff…but, damn…some days it is a challenge.
2021 tested me in new and “exciting” ways.
In my personal life, the biggest challenges were the unknowns surrounding school, lack of after-school care, and not putting the boys in some sort of summer camp which left me very little time to have a normal workload from June-August. On the plus side, I spent a lot of time at the pool with my boys & we even took a couple of quick trips to Michigan.
In business, the challenges were…well…I’m not even sure where to begin. Let’s just say that there were good days and there were awful days.
As always, my clients continue to be the highlight of my work. My clients keep me focused when I want to pack it all in and call it a day.
The normal struggles of running a small business will always exist. Now add in the uncertainty of a pandemic, mix in unexpected damages to my work studio, sprinkle increased prices from every single vendor I use, and the cherry on top…studio rent increase.
That’s right. After months of waiting for our landlord to repair an ongoing leak from the ceiling & then dealing with a couple of months of terrible communication (avoidance) & delayed repairs after a car drove through the front of the building, our rent increased. During a pandemic. Cool, right? I mean…it is what it is but it sort of felt like a punch in the gut ya know?
But we must roll with the punches, right? We readjust. If we get knocked down, we pick ourselves up & figure out our next steps.
That’s what I’m working on, friends. Next steps.
I got knocked down a lot in the fall of 2021 & it’s forcing me to take a step back and readjust some things. I know that change can be hard but growth is often uncomfortable…and necessary.
So…I hope you’ll come along & stick with me through some necessary changes and adjustments. I understand that not everybody will and that’s okay.
If you are a current client, you’ll be receiving an important update regarding booking for 2022. You should have an email by the end of the month❤️
If you’re looking for ways to support me right now, I’d love for you to leave me a google review…these go a long way in helping clients find me! (link below)
As always, thank you for your continued support and trust in me. I look forward to better days ahead!
spring is coming...are you ready?
“That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs.”
― L.M. Montgomery
Hi friends.
How are you?
Today is the day.
On this day last year, our lives were about to change in a way that I don't think many of us could have possibly imagined.
On this day last year, I spent the morning photographing a preschool full of beautiful children.
On this day last year, I walked into Costco for my normal supply run & was taken aback by the crowds of people who were filling up their carts with toilet paper and bottled water (still haven't figured out why folks were hoarding water but you do you...).
On this day last year, I picked my boys up from their afterschool program and was told that they had been advised to take home ALL of their belongings and anything they might need for the foreseeable future.
It's hard to imagine that a year has passed since this all began and yet...here we are.
Like many of you, I’ve spent the past 12 months navigating strange and unfamiliar waters. I've learned to be flexible with my time and energy even when I desperately want to give up from the exhaustion of trying to manage ALL THE THINGS.
But I'm still here, y'all. There are days when it feels like I'm hanging on by a thread but I am still hanging on!
My amazing clients (that's y'all!) have helped me get through this and I'm so thankful and grateful.
And because you all are the absolute best...you get first dibs on prime Fall 2021 session dates! These sessions fall during what is typically peak Autumn colors in Chicagoland.*
*I obviously cannot promise or predict the future...I have no personal intel on the comings and goings of Mother Nature but based on many years of shooting, these are the dates when colors tend to be the most beautiful.
Not ready to commit? No worries...my normal fall dates will roll out sometime in July/August & you'll be the first to know!
In addition to sharing these prime Autumn sessions, I have a few Spring sessions available including more Tiny Session School Portrait and Social Media Headshot sessions. Oh...don't forget about Motherhood sessions! I have a few openings for those as well
Don't see what you're looking for? Give me a shout (email, yo!) & we'll set something up!
I hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe and remaining hopeful…❤️
Find Your Fall Session
Find Your Tiny Session
Find Your Social Media Headshot Session
Find Your Motherhood Session
wrapping up 2020...{oak park, il photographer}
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
I really try to wake up each day without the heaviness of past missteps on my shoulders. I fail quite often but life goes on, as the saying goes.
I know that we won’t wake up to a problem-free world on January 1, 2021, but something about a new beginning feels very different than it has in past years. I would actually love to skip past all the holiday hubbub and go straight to 2021.
2020 has tested me in ways I never could have imagined. I know I’m not alone in this.
As a small business owner, the uncertainty of what lies ahead has been a lot to manage. Trying to plan for tomorrow when tomorrows limitations are not known can feel impossible. There are a lot of “what ifs” and “maybes” but the truth is, I’m not sure when I’ll be able to work again in any “normal” capacity.
So I take it day by day. What option do I have? Every day is a new day.
I’m grateful for the health of my family and friends.
I’m grateful for a business that will crawl across the finish line this year. It isn’t the year I expected but I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
So…as I wrap up the year and prepare to take some time off, I just want to say thanks.
Thank you to everyone who supported my small business. I am so grateful to all of you!
I look forward to better days in 2021!
it's time...{oak park, il family photographer}
“Life is at its best when everything has fallen out of place, and you decide that you're going to fight to get them right, not when everything is going your way and everyone is praising you.”
― Thisuri Wanniarachchi
Hi friends.
It’s been a minute.
Like many of you, I’ve spent the past 6 months navigating strange and unfamiliar waters. I can’t say that it’s been great but since I’m still here and my family remains healthy, I can say that we are doing our best to remain positive and forward-moving. Is it easy? Nope.
School started this past Tuesday and our school district is fully remote. We are juggling our work schedules while being home with our boys and assisting with e-learning. My husband and I take turns (sort of) working from home…It’s going to be an interesting time and I’m hopeful that the coming months are not as hard as I imagine they will be.
Hopeful.
It’s become my go-to adjective.
With hope in mind, I’m ready to open up some fall session dates. October is partially booked but I’m hopeful that I’m able to offer enough options to fit most schedules.
I’ve had several inquiries about school photos & I’m working out details to offer studio and outdoor options.
At this time, I’m unsure of holiday studio sessions but I will revisit the idea by the end of October.
I hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe and remaining hopeful…❤️
click on the photos to find and book sessions
To find and book a session, check my full booking calendar here.
Questions or just want to drop me a line? Send me an email: joey@littlebittyproductions.com
one for one {oak park, il family photographer}
“What you do with your time daily is essential for spiritual and physical growth”
― Sunday Adelaja
Hi. How are you? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise? Have you picked up a new hobby or language?
Yeah, I haven’t really been doing any of those things either…
In these past 35 days, I’ve had a lot of time to think. On the best days and on the worst days, my thoughts turn to those who are putting themselves and their health at risk by continuing to work. “Essential” workers who are keeping us safe, fed, healthy, etc. The list is long…it includes everyone from medical professionals to grocery store workers to janitorial staff, many of whom are low wage earners.
I think about ways that I can help. What can I do? Like many others, our income has been greatly reduced and we are struggling to tighten our budget. But we are incredibly grateful to be healthy and have a home to stay safe in.
Besides the obvious, which is staying home, I’ve made small donations to a few organizations. I’ve made purchases from local, small businesses for the occasional dinner, Easter gifts, and most importantly, coffee. Shout out to Big Guys Sausage for feeding my family, Hilary’s Soapbox for filling my kids’ Easter baskets, and Dark Matter Coffee for keeping me sufficiently caffeinated.
But…I want to do more.
I try not to jump on photo “bandwagon” ideas…Glitter sessions? Not gonna happen. Porch sessions? Nope. However, I’ve seen a couple of other photographers who came up with a plan to donate sessions to first responders and essential workers…and this is a trend that I’m happy to get behind.
So, I’m offering a limited amount of “One for One” gift card purchases. When you purchase a gift card for a future session, you can nominate an essential worker who will be given a gift card for a future session. If you don’t have someone in mind, we will happily nominate and donate a session in your name.
If you are able to purchase a gift card now, follow this link for the “One for One” offer:
One for One 1-hour Session Gift Certificate
One for One Mini Session Gift Certificate
When you make your purchase, you can include the name and email of the person you’d like to nominate in the notes section of checkout.
I can’t wait to see you all again!
Be well, friends.
storytelling {oak park, il documentary photographer}
“We tell ourselves stories in order to live.”
― Joan Didion
We are living in very strange times.
My immediate family has been homebound since March 12. Today is April 5.
I haven’t stepped foot in a public building (grocery store, retail shop, restaurant, etc) since March 11.
In the past 25 days I have:
- Had massive anxiety and panic attacks and trouble sleeping.
- Spent a lot of time watching movies with my family.
- Told my confused 7 year old to “carry the 1” while helping him with math.
- Had moments of pure hope & vision for what will eventually come and moments of pure terror for what is currently happening.
- Spent hours listening to music with the boys while they fall asleep (Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, and Fleetwood Mac are favs).
- Walked to my studio 3 times to water plants and do a general check to make sure that everything is ok. Since my business is not considered essential, the studio is closed for business and I am essentially unemployed (temporarily).
- Gone for (almost) daily walks with the dog, the boys, and the husband. On my walks, I typically stay pretty close to home and I am hyper aware of keeping my distance and the distance of my boys far from other people.
Another thing that I do on my walks is carry my camera. Yes, I do. This is absolutely nothing new. Anybody who knows me will tell you that I almost always carry my camera…on walks, visits to friends homes, a night out, etc…
I say this because during this unimaginable time in our lives, you will see me continue to post photos. Some of them may be from months ago. Some may be from yesterday. Many will be of my children. Some may include neighbors…on their porches or inside their homes, who I encounter on my walks.
About 4 weeks ago, when we found out that our state was advising the public to self-distance and stay home, I started imagining what daily life would look like. A friend reached out and pitched an idea about taking photos during this time & I admitted to her that I had already sort of been planning something but needed to work on the details.
I sent an email to clients and friends and pitched my idea to gauge interest & there was a lot of interest. I even started getting inquiries from people who I didn’t know. I was excited by the idea of having a project to keep my mind busy…
Less than a week after I sent my email, the state ordered all non-essential people to “shelter in place”, restaurants were ordered to close dine-in options (allowing delivery & pick up only), and eventually, the mayor shut down parks and the lakefront in Chicago. (Side note: Lori Lightfoot’s disappointment in the people of her city and the memes that followed have been a high point during this shit sandwich)
So, why am I posting this? I wanted to share with everyone what is going on (or, you know…the few people who read my blog posts…LOL) and why I haven’t followed up regarding my photo project.
For the safety and well-being of everyone:
I am not currently able to work. I am not currently able to book sessions. I am not currently able to take new clients. I am not currently able to move forward with this project.
Many people have asked me why I can’t move forward…assuming that if I keep my distance then it’s technically ok & I tend to lean in that direction myself. But. I do not want to risk my business on a technicality.
If you’ve been watching the news, then you are probably aware that porch sessions are a huge trend that is currently happening: The Front Steps Project or Front Porch Project or other similar names. Many photographers have been participating in this project. They have gotten news coverage & raised money for great causes & I do not wish to say anything negative to or about these people.
If you’re a photographer, then you also probably know that MANY photographers are upset about this project, to the point that it is being mentioned repeatedly in post after post in Facebook groups and blogs. Many of the posts are trying to “educate” others on all the reasons why it’s a bad idea but a lot of the posts I’m seeing seem to devolve into bullying and condescension. What started as an effort to help others understand all the ways they might be hurting their business and the photo community has turned into passive-aggressive shaming and I’m not interested in being part of it.
At this time, we are still allowed (and encouraged) to go outdoors for exercise and fresh air. As someone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder and with anxiety, getting outside is crucial for my well being. As long as I am still safely able to do so, I will continue to go on walks with my family and I will probably have my camera with me…and if I see you out and about, I will probably offer an overly enthusiastic wave and I might turn my camera on you for a hot second…
During these incredibly uncertain and scary times, I prefer to look for the helpers and the good things that are happening around me.
I don’t know what tomorrow or next week or next month will look like for my family or my business and I appreciate everyone who has reached out to me and continues to support me.
Be well, friends.
be well {oak park, il family photographer}
“A good half of the art of living is resilience.”
― Alain de Botton
Good morning, friends!
I've had several people reach out to ask how they could help during this uncertain time of social distancing and I'm so grateful to every one of you! I know that so many people are dealing with drastic changes to their daily life right now & we will all need to do everything we can to power through... together❤️
So...how can you help?
1. Continue to be the amazing and concerned clients and friends that you are! This is more than enough right now. We are all blindly navigating this “new normal." This is huge & gives me hope that you will be here when life gets back to "normal"(whatever that may be...).
2. Book a session! (you can book & hold your session by paying only the deposit or full session fee, whatever is most comfortable for you).
I've added a handful of sessions to my booking calendar, including much-coveted October sidewalk session dates that usually aren't released until late summer & typically sell out pretty quickly. I've also added a week of discounted sunset mini sessions in July.
For the next 2 weeks, any booked non-commercial sessions will receive a $75 print credit.
To receive the credit, enter promo code SOCIAL when filling in your online questionnaire at booking.
Summer Mini Sessions: http://bit.ly/summersunsetmini
October Sidewalk Sessions: http://bit.ly/sidewalksessions
Full Sessions, including October dates: http://bit.ly/photosession2019lbp
2. Purchase gift cards for future print or session use.
http://bit.ly/2020gclbp
3. Place print orders. Maybe you plan to spend some of this quarantined time cleaning out your house or organizing things. Now would be a great time to organize photo files and order those prints you've been meaning to purchase.
I am happy to re-load past galleries if you'd like to place print orders.
Being a small business owner is tough under the best of circumstances so when the shit actually hits the fan...let's just say that things get real...and it happens pretty quickly.
As previously posted, I'm postponing all sessions/events until at least April 1. As this situation changes by the minute, plans will very possibly change. All I can do is watch and wait. It's a very uneasy holding pattern to be in but I will remain optimistic and hopeful.
Thank you for your continued support. Be well!
portraits of motherhood {oak park portrait photographer, family photos oak park, il}
“Motherhood is a choice you make every day, to put someone else's happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you're not sure what the right thing is...and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.”
― Donna Ball
Do me a favor and stop what you're doing (I know you just started reading this blog & now I'm asking you to stop reading...stick with me...or not?).
Take a look around your home and your Facebook/Instagram pages.
When you look through the images that tell your story, how do they make you feel?
Here's a better question: When your kids are older and they look back on these same photos (I hope you printed them...), how will it make them feel? Will the story make sense or will there be huge gaps?
For somebody who takes up so much space in our hearts and lives, moms are suspiciously absent from our photos.
When you look through the photos in your home and on your social media accounts, how many include mom? My hope is that mom is in a lot of photos, but realistically, mom doesn't make too many appearances. I'm sure there are a million reasons why, including the fact that mom is usually the one behind the camera.
"So when all is said and done, if I can’t do it for myself, I want to do it for my kids. I want to be in the picture, to give them that visual memory of me. I want them to see how much I am here, how my body looks wrapped around them in a hug, how loved they are."-Allison Tate
I think that quote pretty much sums up how I feel about mamas getting in the frame. Do yourself a favor and read the whole piece. It's a quick read, but maybe it will help give you the nudge you've been needing!
The Mom Stays in the Picture
I always try to make sure that my sessions include a few frames with just mom & kids, but I also offer a few mini sessions during the year that are only for mothers & kids. Any of the portrait sessions I offer can be Motherhood sessions, but since mom's tend to prioritize everyone but themselves, I like to give you the option to do something that is only for YOU. It's in the title, so it's just for MOM! Maybe you hadn't considered it before or maybe you just needed "permission"...
Whatever reason you've been using for not being in photos, can we agree that there is a huge reason why you need to put that aside & get in the frame?
Our kids need to be able to see that we were there...we are/were part of the story. Part of their story.
So, whether you want to book a session that's especially for you or you want to book a regular session, just make sure that you grab a few frames with just you and the kids or just YOU. Why not?
*this blog post was originally posted March 25, 2019. All images and session dates have been updated for 2020*
welcome to the world, baby girl! {oak park, il newborn photographer, oak park documentary photographer}
“What strange creatures brothers are!”
― Jane Austen
This lovely family recently moved from California to Oak Park & I had the pleasure of being invited into their home as they welcomed their sweet, baby girl into the world.
This sweet girl is lucky enough to have 2 big brothers who are ready to jump in and help out…well…right now they have shenanigans to attend to but I believe that in time, they will be her biggest champions!
It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to document these moments for people. I recognize the trust that is being extended to me and I do not take that lightly.
