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

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.❤️❤️

fall photo sessions are live!🍁 (and a few summer sessions remain!)-Oak Park, Il Family Photographer

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)

Take me to google!

As always, thank you for your continued support and trust in me. I look forward to better days ahead!

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.

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...).

If you haven’t previously, this would be a great time to leave a great Google review for my business.

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!

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.

october...{oak park, il family photo session}

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L. M. Montgomery

We are past the halfway mark for October and in the past few days, the colors have finally been poppin’! Do you have a favorite autumn ritual? Is it apple orchards or pumpkin farms or…just enjoying all the wonderful changes that take the world from bright green to warm reds, oranges, and yellows?

For me, it’s really about watching the green disappear. I’m just going to say it…photographing super green environments makes me bananas. I need a little variety to break it up…flowers, prairie grass…something besides ALL THE BRIGHT GREEN!

Don’t get me wrong, I love when everything is blooming and green. But I prefer to photograph in more urban environments when the world is blanketed in lush, green grass. Give me sidewalks & brick walls & pops of green…I could keep going but I won’t bore you with more color talk.

Instead, I’ll share a few images from tonight’s session.

Those colors though…amiright?

Hello Autumn...{oak park, il family photographer}

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
― Albert Camus

This is the time of year when my blog posts sort of disappear for a while…I try my best, I really do but…it is what it is, right?

Let’s be honest, I’m not the most prolific blogger but I do like to post some photos.

And with that…I’ll leave you with some fall photos.

Until next time…enjoy!

this is fall in the midwest...{oak park, il family photo sessions}

“Love the trees until their leaves fall off, then encourage them to try again next year.”
― Chad Sugg

Well, friends…here we are. We talk about it & wish it would arrive & then autumn is here & suddenly…we’re scrambling to do the things we’ve been so anxiously looking forward to.

Apple picking, pumpkin farms, sweater weather…all things I love about fall.

Rain, unpredictable weather shifts…not totally loving these things.

Today was especially tricky because we had wind gusts up to 22 mph. I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer not fight the wind during my family photo session.

Luckily, my clients are braver than I and and we took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and moderate temps.

It’s here, folks…welcome to fall in the midwest. Enjoy the sunshine when it comes out & invest in a cute sock hat (I like the Free People sock hats…they don’t pay me to say that).

fall is here...are you ready? {oak park, il family photographer}

“Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!”
― Humbert Wolfe

Did you book a fall photo session?

Yes? Then it looks like you're all set! You can sit back and worry about other things...

Did fall sneak up on you without giving you a chance to secure a date for your family photos? No need to worry about it...you have options!

Check out some of the sessions that are open for October-December!

Let me know if you have any questions...I hope to see you soon!

Happy Fall!
Joey

(I have a few outdoor sessions remaining so if you have your heart set on outdoors, you might jump on that soon...there aren't many to choose from...)

family dinner night {oak park, il family photo session}

“How often have the greatest thoughts and ideas come to light during conversations with the family over the evening dinner?”
― E.A. Bucchianeri

I can never say no to an invitation to family dinner night.

I’m not even talking about my family…I’ll bring my camera and be a fly on the wall at YOUR family dinner. I love to witness the rituals, hear stories, and just be there to document the moment.

Tonight I got to spend time with my friend (and client) and her family during their Sunday family dinner. I loved hearing her grandparents stories and being able to let the kids be silly for the camera…there’s a level of comfort for clients’ that comes with being in a space that’s familiar to them. Everyone can relax a little and just let things unfold.

How about you? What does your family session look like to you? Let’s chat & make it happen…

a month of mamas: day 24 {oak park family photo sessions}

“You don't have favourites among your children, but you do have allies. ” 
― Zadie Smith

To the mamas who love without condition, even on the days when it’s really hard (and we all have those days, right?)…

a month of mamas: day 23 {oak park family photo sessions}

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” 
― Marcel Proust

Wishing this beautiful mama a happy birthday!

a month of mamas: day 22 {oak park family photo sessions}

“The best way to keep children at home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant, and let the air out of the tires.” 
― Dorothy Parker

To the mamas who know the days are long but the years are short…

a month of mamas: day 21 {oak park family photographer}

“My mom smiled at me. Her smile kind of hugged me.” 
― R.J. Palacio

To this mama who does ALL THE THINGS but always has a smile, a hug, a shoulder, or a lap for her babies (and her friends!)…and she does it with very little sleep!

a month of mamas: day 20 {oak park family photo sessions}

“Mothers are all slightly insane.” 
― J. D. Salinger

To the mamas who are warriors…holding it all together…

a month of mamas: day 19 {oak park family photo sessions}

“Motherhood brings you to your knees in a way that doesn't leave room for you to judge others. It makes you see that there's no ideal - a constant struggle, constantly compromising, but ultimate love.”

- Maggie Gyllenhaal

To the beautiful mamas with smart mouths and a wicked sense of humor…(my favorite kind!)