Metropolitan Imageworks

Aly & Cael are back on the blog again!  Their mom just reminded me that I began working with their family four years ago when Ashlyn was just an itty-bitty newborn! And now she is a young lady and the little music man Caelan is a whole year old – and he is speedy!!!  Time sure does fly when you’re having fun!  Aly was such a rock-star, she even let me do all her outfit changes and whipped out her own camera for a few pics at the end.  I think I have a new little help to begin grooming!

Check out another cutie-patootie baby boy of former Metimages wedding clients!  Mom and Dad were married in 2008 and I am delighted to continue working with them as their family photographer!  Will is a little stud, check out that flipped collar!  He was a little serious in the beginning but soon warmed up. And I have to admit, we timed the fall photos wonderfully – the colors were phenomenal and the Indian Summer temps were just perfect!

Anytime I make it up to Madison for wedding related work I also make sure to stop in and visit with Sasha and Ethan who have been fixtures on my blog since each of their births!  This time Sasha is a vibrant and spunky three-year old with a penchant for dramatic flair. Truly a little girl after my own heart!  Ethan was hamming it for the camera, after a quick power nap, and delighting me with all of his numerous faces.  It doesn’t hurt that these kiddos are my family so I know we share some of the same cuteness genes. This portrait session was made even more special by the fact that Buscia recently moved from New Jersey to Madison and now gets to spend more time with Sasha and Ethan and watch them grow.

It only took me 6 months to meet little Caelan but it was totally worth the wait! He is definitely a little charmer.  And his little guy giggles melted my heart from the get go.  Big sis’ Ashlyn is now three-and a half years old, and to think I photographed her every three months since she was a teeny, tiny newborn and now she is a little lady and so polite! She is a big help with her little bro and waited patiently for her turn in front of the camera and even played for a bit in her room while we did yet another costume change for Cael and some more solo shots of him.  Princess Aly even made an appearance and I didn’t mind being one of her subjects as she waved her wand and turned me into a puppy! Even better was walking into different rooms in their home and seeing amazing photo displays filled with framed images I have captured over the years, reminding me again what a very important job I have!

This was by far one of the most challenging shoots I have had with my little buddy Aiden. Every time I sat down in position to photograph him in action he would walk over and sit in my lap while giving me a hug! Have you ever tried shooting your subject while he was inches away sitting in your lap? Trust me it isn’t easy! I hope his mom at least got some good ones of our snuggles with her point and shoot! Despite his affectionate and lovable antics, I captured some fantastic moments of his giggles and smiles and time with mom and dad and a cameo appearance with grandpa!

Oh mom baked . . . let me try one of those!

Many moons ago I met my friend Niki. We worked together in the insurance industry in starting 2001 and over the years became good friends. I remember my first photo shoot with her and her then boyfriend, Peter, in the basement of my Naperville home where we worked on promo photos for Peter’s DJ website.  I also took some cute portraits of both of them during that session and you can imagine my delight in seeing one of the images in a frame in Sebastian’s nursery. It really does warm my heart to see my photos on display in clients’ and friends’ homes.

Three years ago I invited Niki to join forces during the Intimate Moment Marathons and she is responsibly for polishing all of the beauties that grace us with their presence. Now I cannot imagine doing these sessions any other way.  Two years ago I photographed Niki and Peter’s wedding.

Now Niki and Peter are the proud parents of this darling little guy – Sebastian. I know first impressions leave a permanent mark so I only have two words to sum up our first meeting – giant booger.

I spent a couple hours with Sebastian and his parents last weekend and it was so incredible to see them with their baby boy. He charmed me with his funny faces and his patience during all of the costume changes.  I can tell already, he is a natural in front of the camera!

Time out chair from Auntie Elena! I think she is already predicting a little trouble-maker!

Cutest baby boy jumper from Auntie Leta.

The best baby booties from Auntie Rina.

With all thses doting Aunties and a fantastic mom and dad, Sebastian is already a very rich little man.

Visiting Chicago in the midst of a winter storm is never a problem as long as I can pack my week with fantastic clients!  Pat, Erin and Keeley made a repeat appearance in front of my camera – I previously photographed their wedding in St. Louis in 2008 and now they have introduced a delightful son, Liam, to the mix.  Liam is almost two years old and he ran the show! From smiles to serious to performing for chocolate, he is just a sweet little boy! Big sister Keeley is a budding supermodel and I am totally claiming a stake on the finders fee for this beautiful girl.

Hamming it up

Doing his version of “Blue Steel”

Why yes, I’ll perform for a pretzel!

The original Mr. and Mrs .Nugent were in town and joined in for a few family photos too.

All the boys.

You want me to sit here and smile, like this?

Of course sometimes you get a little bit of this.

But with enough patience you also get a bit of this.

All the pretty ladies!

This is what I’m talking about! I met Keeley when she was a seven-year old flower girl. Now she is 10, going on 22!

Even Lance and Wallace wanted in on the picture action.

Dad and son time.

The end!

Meet James, he is seven months old and an absolutely delightful subject.  I have previously photographed his cousins in Illinois and his mom to this day still oohs and ahhs over their six-month portraits and was super excited to book me for her own son as he hit that milestone. It took us a couple weeks to work out matching schedules and I hoofed it from Yuma to Tucson to spend a little time with James.

Smitten with mommy!

Whole family!

Proud Dad!

Thanks for having me out, see you all again next year!