Metropolitan Imageworks

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!

Last Wednesday in Phoenix dawned bright and early and warm.  I met up with the Klem family for a portrait session with the entire clan.  Barb & Steve rented a lovely house for a couple months and during the final week their two children, spouses and three grandchildren made themselves at home.  The grandkids were such troopers during the group photos and individual family photos and they were rewarded with pool time afterwards.  I couldn’t help but stay and hang out on the deck while photographing their antics and splashing.

It’s like Christmas or Hanukkah for me when I receive a jump drive of portrait images that one of the Metimages associate photographers has captured.  I find myself smiling and giggling with delight, just like a kid during a holiday, as I go through the images and get a sense of the subjects’ personalities.  Katie has been photographed by myself and Metimages associates since she was a year old. Now she is four and a big sister to boot!  Elle apparently charmed Elizabeth throughout the portrait session and Katie kept Elizabeth on her toes with her boundless energy.

Sisterly love!!

An artiste in the making

I am of the opinion that a portrait does not require the subject to sit still and smile for the camera. Of course a couple of those are very nice, but I am so in love with this image that totally and completely captures the essence of Katie’s antics and joy of being a little girl that day. Talk about truth in photos and such a sweet and special moment, from the grin on her face, her closed eyes to the motion in her feet as they try to catch up with her body.

It wouldn’t be Metimages session without the traditional NY Yankees baseball shot of the whole family.  I’m personally crossing all my crossables, and planting the seed, that I get to photograph the whole family at a game someday!!! Although I cannot promise I will sport a Yankees hat at this time . . . of course not because I am a Cubs fan . . . because the bill gets in the way with my camera!

I can’t even begin to describe how lucky I feel to have been Gemma’s photographer for the first year of her young life. I saw the laughter and tears, the fabulous outfits her mom always put together for the portrait sessions, tummy time love and hate, sitting up by herself, standing with a little help and her emerging personality with each and every shoot.  Thank for you for allowing me to document her milestones!

Love these little guys. Arvin especially melted my heart by addressing me as Rachael Auntie!  I went to high school with their mom and it was so fun to be asked to photograph her family portraits.  Her parents have since moved farther from Skokie, but it was well worth the jaunt to spend a fun morning with Nisha, Arvin and Nithin, her parents and her brother. Arvin did so well as my little assistant and helped me with test shots and breaking down and packing up the portable studio. Nithin pulled out some moves and actually came up with his own poses just for me. I can’t wait until we schedule a summer session and take advantage of some outdoor portraits.

Arvin

Nithin

Mom and her boys.

Proud Apu and Amma!

The whole family.

Apu and his boys.

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!

If you have followed my blog for the past two years you have probably seen the lovable Toni make appearances time and time again.  She’s now a beautiful two year old and still quite comfy in front of my camera, but boy is she fast!  This session also introduces her cute-pie younger sister, Bianca.  Check back every three months to share in Bianca’s milestones!

See you again in February!

I have been photographing AJ and Adam for the past three years and I was delighted to be invited to photographed their extended family in Arizona right before Thanksgiving.  The entire crew of 12 met up with me at the Scottsdale Civic Center. It was a fantastic location and about 6 other photographers and families had the same idea that afternoon. Thankfully we were able to spread out and I only had to engage in a small rumble to get a desired spot. I kid, I kid, no punches or offensive comments were made.

The grandparents and the ones responsible for the entire bunch!

Their offspring.

The grandkids – aren’t they cute!?

The entire group of 12!!!

Just a few more of the fun and shenanigans of the rest of our session.

Happy Holidays to your entire family!

Beth Bernstein of SQN Events invited me out to photograph her family along with a few head shots and office shots for her as well. I’m not sure if I had more fun or if the kids had more fun based on their giggles and antics. Thankfully the weather held out and we were able to get outside for some pictures as well.

Kami, Michael, Ethan, Beckett and the family furry friend, Cooper, braved the weather and met me in Lincoln Park Saturday morning for an early portrait session. We had almost a full hour cavorting around the gardens before the rain really started to come down. No worries, it was a successful outdoor session and we had just enough time for a lot of variety.