Metropolitan Imageworks

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.

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 spent Tuesday morning with new arrival, Micah.  I love photographing his family’s portrait sessions as they live so close to me I could walk there. (And I have before!)  Micah was joined by his mom, dad and big brother Asher for a Metimages portrait session documenting him in all his newborn soft, smooshy, and bendy glory. Of course we also squeezed in some big brother/little brother and family shots as well.

Little Taylor was very anxious to greet the world and made her entrance a few days earlier than expected! Mom, dad, big sis’ Mikayla and Taylor happily posed for me last week during Taylor’s very first professional portrait session. (OK, OK it is technically her 2nd as I had the pleasure of photographing her mom’s maternity session last month!)  I think Taylor is a natural in front of my camera and I am excited to watch her grow up!

I carted along my awesome husband and silly dog for this shoot and Taylor’s dad whipped up some incredible enchiladas and we all stuffed ourselves silly after we were done with portraits. I think I just might make meals a requirement in my payment terms.

Blake was just a few weeks old by the time he had his very first professional portrait session with Metropolitan Imageworks! He was a very good newborn baby and posed very well on the bed, in the basket, on the ottoman and on the couch.  We only needed to stop 3 times for feedings during his session which is pretty par for the course.  I included a crying teaser image just because the faces he made to show his dislike were so insanely cute!

How awesome are his checkerboard Vans footies?!?

And world, meet Ella Rei! It’s very heartwarming to work with wedding clients on the most exciting day of their lives (up to that point) and then just a few years later, be invited to photograph the even more exciting happening in their lives – a newborn baby!  I had a blast working with Lee and Marianne on their wedding day in 2007 and was honored to be asked to photograph their new daughter at just a couple weeks old.  Ella Rei performed smashingly for the camera and allowed quite a few costume changes as well as going along with mom and dad dressing her up in some whimsical knits. We also lucked out as although it was a typical grey January day in Chicago, the natural light in their home was just perfect for the portrait session.

Jacob had his very first Metropolitan Imageworks portrait session at just one week old!  He didn’t quite catch on that he was supposed to look cute and aware and smile the entire time. We settled for him just looking cute.

This was as close to a smile as we saw . . .

We had so much fun during Jurgita’s maternity shoot in August that her and her husband just had to have me back for Jacob’s newborn portraits (and 3, 6, 9-month and one year so there will be lots of Jacob to come on the Metimages blog over the course of the next year.) Mom did a great job with the wardrobe and dad knocked the calming affects out of the park! We even got a few smiles in between Jacob’s feedings, naps and Blue Steels.

See you guys again in January!

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?

Thomas celebrated turning one week old during his first portrait session with Metropolitan Imageworks, but his ease in front of the camera made it seem like he had been doing this forever.  We captured faces and smiles and lots of hand movements. And of course snuggles from his older sister, Lucy the beagle.