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!

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.

Tiny 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

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?