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

is it autumn yet? {oak park, il photographer}

“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile."

[Indian Summer]”
― John Howard Bryant

Forgive me for overusing that quote, but it is so, so true…

We haven’t quite hit that autumnal feeling, unless you count several days without the sun, but it’s here. Now we wait for everything to change colors…tick tock.

In the meantime, I’m wrapping up the last of the warm shooting days.

In the past couple of weeks, I’ve reunited with several families. As much as I enjoy & appreciate getting new clients, I love my returning families. Over time, clients feel more like friends…some even become best friends and feel more like family.

There’s a certain comfort in that and I am so grateful for all the amazing people that I meet & who like me enough to put their trust in me, time and again.

So, thank you! Here’s a sampling of September and some of my amazing clients!

summertime...{oak park, il photographer}

"We know that in September, we will wander through the warm winds of summer's wreckage. We will welcome summer's ghost."

-Henry Rollins

19 family sessions, 11 headshot sessions, 220 hours of editing (this is part time, summer hours, by the way), about 70 hours spent at a swimming pool, various hours exploring our city, 1 camping trip, road trip to for weekend trip to Iowa, road trip for weeklong visit to Texas...how did you spend your summer "vacation"?

Now that it's September, it seems like a good time to post some snippets of summer. I wish that I was better about blogging as I go, but apparently this is who I am. I have the best of intentions but my execution is typically lacking.

For me, summer is not the easy, laid back affair that I remember it being when I was a child. It's a struggle to fit in any & all fun things for my kids, while still working full time, from home. It's a rush to the finish line...and I always breath a deep sigh of relief when it's over.

So, now that school is back in session (holla!), here's what I've been doing all summer (client-wise)...

Enjoy! And...happy end of summer!

it's time for another giving partnership! {riverside, il photo sessions}

On July 14, I will be partnering with RJWC for a day of micro photo sessions. This is my 3rd year offering these sessions & I always have such a lovely time!

Here's the lowdown: 15 minute photo session | 5 edited image files | $150

Find your session: Book it!

All sessions will be held in Riverside, at an outdoor location near Swinging Bridge (exact location to be determined as the session date approaches).

What is a micro session? I'm glad you asked! A micro session is a quick, 15 minute session. It's a great way to get an updated portrait, without the commitment of a full photo session.

Here's the best part...twenty percent of the session profits from this event will go to Riverside Junior Woman's Charity.

Because these sessions are quick, it's important to keep them as uncomplicated as possible. Babies being photographed should be able to sit up on their own or be in a group photo with someone able to hold them or prop them up. Groups should be no larger than 5 or 6 people. Here are a few fun ideas for these sessions:

For small children, toddlers & young kids: updated portrait (alone or with siblings/cousin/friend), superhero/dress-up portrait, lovey/favorite stuffed animal portrait

For tweens & teens: updated portrait, best friends portrait, all about me portrait (what is your kid passionate about right now? skateboarding? dance? the list is endless...)

For adults/families: updated family portrait, updated couples portrait, best friend portrait

To find a time and book your session: Giving Partnership Micro Session

If you have questions: joey@littlebittyproductions.com

As always...here's the fine print! Sessions must be paid in full to book and hold your spot. Because this is a charitable event, the fee is non-refundable. Should you need to cancel, you can transfer your session fee to a friend or family. Please plan to arrive at least 5-10 minutes prior to your session time and be dressed and ready for your portrait session. No refunds will be given for no-shows or late arrivals. In the event of a late arrival, we will do everything in our power to fit you in, if time allows. In the event of rain or other inclement weather, sessions will be rescheduled on July 15 or July 21.

riverside family photo sessions {riverside, illinois}

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

[Notebook, Oct. 10, 1842]”
― Nathaniel Hawthorne, The American Notebooks

Today is the first day that has actually felt autumn-like and it is heavenly...

This year, I made a promise to my family that I would make at least 1 weekend a month work-free. No clients, no editing.

The coming weekend is one of those work-free weekends. But, guess what? Everyone else has plans. Milo has 2 birthday parties and Oliver has 1 birthday party.

So...my big plans for the weekend will involve weeding, planting bulbs, and moving at a slow & relaxing pace. Maybe we'll go pick apples on Sunday, but we have no serious plans, which is lovely...

I'll get back to editing client work on Monday, but in the meantime, I'll share a few favorites from last weekend's family sessions.

Have a lovely weekend!

sunday sunset {riverside sibling photo session}

It's May 1...I think that we can safely say that winter is behind us.

{slow clap}

And so...since it's a new month, I'm working on wrapping up all client work from April, including a lovely Riverside sunset session.

Here's a sneak peek at these sweet & silly siblings...

sneak peek {cousins photo session, riverside, il}

For the past few days, the weather has been amazing!

I was lucky to get the boys out of the house, go for several long walks to playgrounds and parks & I even snuck in some time with clients. It was a great (extended) weekend!

Now is the time to book your Spring session and if you book by the end of February, I've got a few promo deals to offer (spring mini promo). You can find all spring session dates & times here: calendar

Or, send me an email & we can chat: joey@littlebittproductions.com

Here's a little sneak peek from some of my favorite clients...they never fail to bring great energy!

catching up on family sessions! {oak park & riverside}

I hope that everyone has been enjoying the unseasonably warm weather...I certainly have & I think my clients can appreciate November outdoor photo sessions that don't require layers & blankets. It can't last forever, but let's soak it in while we can!

Here's a few sneak peeks from recent sessions...enjoy!

sunset photo sessions {riverside, il}

I'm finalizing my galleries from the weekend of October 22 & 23, including 2 lovely family sessions in beautiful Riverside. I'm excited to get caught up on editing and looking forward to delivering so many wonderful family galleries!

in search of fall...mini photo sessions {oak park & riverside, il}

We're 17 days into October and the high is supposed to be 80 today. Where is fall? I'm not one to complain about mild weather and I'm definitely not ready for winter, but I am having a heck of a time finding those lovely, warm fall colors.

Fall colors notwithstanding, I'm having a lovely time meeting with new clients and reuniting with return clients.

Fall is still the most wonderful time of the year, in my opinion...I'll keep searching for the elusive colors. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek from a few recent sessions...

a few sneak peeks: fall mini photo sessions

In the midst of wedding edits, I'm also working on all the editing that comes with fall photo sessions...Here's a quick look from this past weekend.

Happy Fall, y'all!

three day weekend

I hope that everyone is surviving back to school and maybe even had a relaxing, long weekend?

The first week of school was a little hectic, but we are finding our stride. It seems that Jeff & I are busier than ever, in regards to workload. Luckily, since I work for myself, I can say "Self...put your work aside for a few hours. Tend to all the things that are necessary to keep functioning (food, clothes, love *in no particular order/equally necessary*)...work will be waiting for you.

I had 4 sessions this week and 2 parties over the weekend. As you might imagine, my house is gross but my heart (and belly) are full. As it should be.

Here's hoping that everyone is getting back in the groove of schedules, bedtimes, and the looming end of summer...ignore those dust bunnies and get outside while it's 90 degrees this week! If you can find a swimming pool that's still open, even better!

But first, enjoy these sneak peeks from the past week!

last taste from the weekend!

Phew!

I've completed the initial editing/culling of images from the weekend. This might be a record (for me)...

Now I get to move on to the fine tuning & tweaking so that I can get galleries uploaded & mailed out. Enjoy the last round of sneak peeks from the Riverside Junior Women's Giving Partnership Event! I hope that everyone had a lovely time & will love their final images...galleries will be going out over the next several days. Keep an eye out and thanks again for being part of this event!

a few more from the weekend...

I'm getting there...slowly, but surely. I've been editing in the weirdest places this week: a laundromat, school playground, and while getting a pedicure. It's all about multi-tasking this week!!

I have a few images to share from Sunday's sessions. If you don't see yours here, never fear...they are coming soon!

giving partnership event

Riverside Junior Woman's Charity has been very good to me...so it makes sense to give some good back, right? (The answer is yes!)

On June 4 & 5, I will be partnering with RJWC for a weekend of micro photo sessions. All sessions will be held in Riverside, at an outdoor location near Swinging Bridge (exact location to be determined as the session date approaches).

What is a micro session? I'm glad you asked! A micro session is a quick, 15 minute session. It's a great way to get an updated portrait, without the commitment of a full photo session.

Here's the best part...fifty percent of the session profits from this event will go to Riverside Junior Woman's Charity.

Because these sessions are quick, it's important to keep them as uncomplicated as possible. Babies being photographed should be able to sit up on their own or be in a group photo with someone able to hold them or prop them up. Groups should be no larger than 5 or 6 people. Here are a few fun ideas for these sessions:

For small children, toddlers & young kids: updated portrait (alone or with siblings/cousin/friend), superhero/dress-up portrait, lovey/favorite stuffed animal portrait

For tweens & teens: updated portrait, best friends portrait, all about me portrait (what is your kid passionate about right now? skateboarding? dance? the list is endless...)

For adults/families: updated family portrait, updated couples portrait, best friend portrait

To book your session or ask a question, email: RJWCgivingpartnership@gmail.com

As always...here's the fine print! Sessions must be paid in full to book and hold your spot. Because this is a charitable event, the fee is non-refundable. Should you need to cancel, you can transfer your session fee to a friend or family. Please plan to arrive at least 5-10 minutes prior to your session time and be dressed and ready for your portrait session. No refunds will be given for no-shows or late arrivals. In the event of a late arrival, we will do everything in our power to fit you in, if time allows. In the event of rain or other inclement weather, sessions will be rescheduled on June 11 or 12.