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.

preschool photos {oak park river forest day school photos}

“Photography is the story I fail to put into words.”
Destin Sparks

This past fall, I was asked if I would be interested in taking school photographs for Milo's preschool, The Day Nursery. I immediately said yes & then I sort of panicked...

I'd never taken photographs of large groups of young children. They are definitely my demographic, but I needed to sort of figure out the logistics. I also had to make sure that everyone was on board with "non-traditional" school photos

There were a few hiccups, but all in all, it was a lovely experience. I learned a lot and the next time around, it will be a much smoother operation. 

I have to say...it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of work, but looking at those super cute faces for hours of editing was so worth it. 

I hope that I will be keeping The Day Nursery school pictures as part of my regular rotation and I would love to add a few more small schools! 

Here's a little snippet from the fall preschool photos...enjoy!

rain, rain...go away! {oak park family sessions}

“Do not be angry with the rain; it simply does not know how to fall upwards.” 
― Vladimir Nabokov

Fall weather has been elusive. It's mid-October and the midwest is still very green. 

We haven't even put our shorts away yet...but, it seems like autumnal weather is just around the corner. Last weekend, several sessions were a wash. LIterally...it rained so hard, that even after it was finished, the ground was so wet that I didn't even attempt to drag my clients out. 

This weekend, I kept my calendar clear so that I could do family stuff, including celebrating my husband's birthday. We were planning a trip to an apple/pumpkin farm and maybe a trip to the arboretum, but guess what? It's been raining since before we woke up. Non-stop, hard rain. 

The boys are making indoor obstacle courses & Jeff is playing baseball (on the xbox). The good news is, it's the perfect weather for me to stay in my pajamas & catch up on editing!

So, that's what I'm doing today...editing!

Here are a few peeks from galleries that I'm working on...more to come...enjoy!

a day at garfield park conservatory {k extended family session}

August seems to be the month for travel & family get-togethers. 

Since moving to Oak Park about 10 years ago, we travel back to Texas at least twice a year: during the holiday season & in August. It's during our August visit that we get to see many family members that aren't always around during the holidays. 

August is also the time when I get the most requests for extended family sessions. Coincidence? Maybe...but...probably not.

I love being able to photograph large families: cousins, grandparents with grandkids, grown siblings and their partners, etc., but since I am usually out of town in August, I typically have to refer these lovely families to other photographers.

Occasionally, the stars align for me...

We returned from Texas on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, I headed to Garfield Park Conservatory to spend some time with an awesome family of 13 (parents, grandparents, siblings, partners, cousins...). 

I say it all the time, but I'll say it again: I love my job.

It was a lovely day, with a beautiful family...

mother's day photo minis...now booking! UPDATES

UPDATE!

For those of you who saw the ad for our mother's day minis advertised in today's mom mail, our apologies. For some reason, that ad didn't run last week & appeared today, after the scheduled sessions. We do offer mini sessions as part of our regular packages & gift certificates are also available!

I'm excited to offer 2 days of photo mini sessions celebrating mamas! These sessions are not exclusive ONLY to mother's, but can extend to grandmothers, aunts, or any special person in your life that you want to celebrate on mother's day.

Each session will be 20 minutes. Sessions must be paid at the time of booking to hold your spot. The session fees include photography permit fees for Park District of Oak Park & Chicago Park District facility use.

There are 3 packages from which to choose: digital, digital plus, and deluxe.

Digital Package: password protected online proof gallery for you to choose up to 15 high resolution digital files with print release. $150

Digital Plus Package: password protected online proof gallery for you to choose up to 15 high resolution digital files with print release, 4x6 proof prints of the digital files chosen, and an 8x10 print. $175

Deluxe Package: password protected online proof gallery for you to choose up to 15 high resolution digital files with print release, 5x7 proof prints of digital files chosen, and an 11x14 print OR 8x10 gallery float wrap. $225

Dates for these sessions:

Session 1: April 30 at Cheney Mansion grounds (rain location: Cheney Mansion greenhouse) from 8am-12pm. Sessions will be scheduled every 30 minutes. 

Session 2: May 1 at Garfield Park Conservatory, various indoor locations from 12pm-4pm. Sessions will be scheduled every 30 minutes.

To schedule a session, send us an email.

We heart April

Even though April has just begun, my brain keeps jumping to May...

Maybe it's wishful thinking (we don't usually have sleet & snow in May) or maybe it's because the April session calendar is almost full and May bookings are in full swing! You've been cooped up too long and they are ready to be out & about. I feel ya! 

So, back to April...

If you haven't already booked a session & are hoping to, we are currently offering $25 off any hour or longer shoot PLUS 25% off any print orders. If you are looking for a quicker session, our mini session is 30 minutes for $150.

See full pricing details here: pricing/packages