Metropolitan Imageworks

I kept promising Ezra and Zora’s parents that each portrait session would get better with less squirming and less wailing and less meltdowns.  It finally happened during their nine-month portrait session, the kiddos welcomed me with big smiles and we packed up and headed to the lakefront to take advantage of the good weather.  While there, Ezra and Zora showed me their smiles and hammed it up for the camera the entire time!

Carolyn and Jason are getting married next April at the Chicago History Museum, one of my favorite Chicago venues!  We spent some time Sunday morning doing a “warm-up” session aka engagement session! It’s a great way to get used to each other and for my brides and grooms to experience what it’s like to be in front of the camera. Although we’ll be doing a lot less posing on the actual wedding day.

Eileen and I actually met two years ago at a mutual friends bachelorette party in Savannah, GA.  We had just completed my website redesign and I was excited to show it off to the girls.  Eileen asked for a card and kept it tucked away in her desk for years, until she got engaged and began her own wedding planning. Suffice it to say my images struck a chord with her and she didn’t have to look anywhere else for a photographer!

I love it when a bride minds some tradition and has blue in her ensemble. Eileen strutted down the path in towards James in fabulous blue shoes! Her ensemble also included  vintage details such as a party dress, a retro hairstyle complete with pin curls and a stunning headpiece.  Erie Park was the perfect city setting for their nuptials and their friends and family. Afterwards, the entire group walked up the street to Reza’s for dinner and dancing. In all, a perfect day!

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Ceremony: Erie Park, Chicago, IL

Reception: Reza’s, Chicago, IL

Hair:  Carrie Gough, Bombshell Salon, Chicago, IL. 773-816-9200

Makeup:  Olga, Laura Mercier, Old Orchard Nordstrom, Skokie, IL  630-571-2121

Dress:  Eva’s Bridal of Oaklawn, Oak Lawn, IL

Flowers:  Susan Corrigan Mark, 773-206-8650, Chicago, IL

Linens: Amy at M & M Special Events, Carol Stream, IL

Croquembouche (Cake):  Bittersweet, Chicago, IL

Photobooth:  312 Photobooth, Chicago, IL

Day of Coordinator:  Shella Bella Events, 312-371-7226, Chicago, IL

Happy babies are the best!!! Cate and her mom met up with me last week for Cate’s six-month portraits (I have previously photographed her sister for her one, two and three year portraits and met Cate when she was a few weeks old in May.)  Now it was Cate’s turn for the limelight and she performed perfectly!  How cute are her curls?!

I am so glad to have the opportunity to capture your beautiful children at these precious moments in their lives. I am also very glad I do not have to choose the winner for this contest!!!

I do want to remind clients of a simple fact: though I provide you with a photo release, Metropolitan Imageworks retains full copyright of all work. I am happy to provide you with a digital copy of the images so that you may make gifts for friends and family, prints for personal use, and on your personal websites. However, you may not enter my images in contests such as the GAP Casting Call.

Oftentimes these contests include a small clause in the fine print that says the company may use all submissions in any way they see fit, without notice or compensation to the creator. That means that a company such as the Gap can take the image and use it in a multi-million dollar marketing campaign without giving me credit or compensation!

I would love to see your child’s face in a GAP ad, but please do not use my images for the contest entry!

My job is very special in that I get to photograph so many newborn babies. They are just the most precious gift.  Bryce was born on September 12th and I was invited to take his pictures just a couple weeks later.  He slept for some, he wiggled for some, he looked straight into the camera for some, and he let his big, furry brother, Foster, snuggle up close.

And here is Bryce’s birth announcement. I have mentioned we are full service around here haven’t I?

Sweet little Maddie was an absolute joy to photograph! She giggled and smiled and posed her little heart out!  Usually I find that two-year-old portrait sessions entail a lot of chasing the subject and hearing the word “No” over and over. But not Maddie, she was a perfect subject!

Tuesdays are my Naperville Area Humane Society, NAHS, days when I spend time photographing the lovelies that need forever homes.  You can contact the NAHS if you see a cat or dog that peeks your interest. Also they often ask for donated items on their sign out front, this week they’re in need of clay cat litter and postage stamps.

Marmoset: (And yes she IS posing on my camera bag!)

Pookah:

Bettie:

Ben:

Baskin:

Robbin:

Jersey:

Zach & Cody:

Skippy:

Pickles:

Felix:

Tiffany:

Ellie – What a cutie and she has the sweetest temperament. She is 9 years old and she looks like a wookie with the long hair on her legs, I giggled as she shuffled into my photo studio, I mean the kitchen at NAHS. If I knew my husband wouldn’t grumble and tell me all the reasons why now is not a good time to add another furry friend, I would love to add to her to our family.

Eva:

Harley: This little guy is also a sweetheart, but he is completely blind and walked into the cabinets and my legs during our session. He is mellow and needs a caring Seeing-Eye-Person to take care of him.