Metropolitan Imageworks

I met up with Aiden and his parents at the beach in Evanston on Father’s Day.  It was an overcast morning and the fog rolled in during our session but it really gave the shoot an East Coast feeling!  The little birthday boy was shy at first and then warmed up, as is his usual MO.  Mom was smart enough to pack a soccer ball which elicited some smiles and giggles and of course running around in dad’s arms always get the laughing action. Dad just needs to work on a gentler touch-down and we’ll be all set for the next time!

I know I have said this time and time again, but it’s totally worth repeating.  My heart sings with joy when I get to photograph the newborn babies of former wedding clients.  Gwen and Jarret were married in 2008 and recently welcomed little Maddie to their family.  I was ecstatic that her birth coincided with one of my recent visits to Chicago and I was able to introduce Maddie to the wonderful world of Metimages portrait sessions.  Her older (fur)bro, Buddy, was very helpful in both his posing and gnawing on my baby basket between sets.  Totally ok, because he made up for it in snuggles!

This.  This is why I photograph people in their element.  It’s not just about the smiling faces, it’s also very much about the un-contrived moment. This is why I don’t put my camera down.

Check out the scrumptious baby hammock my awesome client, Amanda, knitted for me!

Their first “child” deserves a moment in front of the camera, too.

And, it’s a wrap!

Four outfits, 30 minutes and only one set of tears!  Let me say that Gemma and family have their Metimages portrait sessions down to a science!  I wouldn’t expect anything less since I have been photographing them since Momma was pregnant with Gemma, and then Gemma as a newborn and every three months thereafter.  Our sessions might be speedy but there is no shortage of scenery, cute Gemma-isms and of course some great family shots!  See you guys again in December!

Here’s just a sampling of what’s to come!  I am working on a couple new projects with some of my engaged couples . . . yes I am that possessive, they are MY couples.  Hilary and Wayne and I met up for a half day of fun a few weeks ago to work on sort of a Day in the Life.  I’ll be photographing their wedding in the fall and I wanted to do something different and creative with their engagement session.  Which means I have a lot more editing to do!  In the meantime check out some of the still images I captured.  Stay tuned for the finished piece!

Don’t they clean up so nicely?!

* And note to self, next time you are out in the woods photographing a client racing by on a single track and you ask him to jump a puddle and he warns you that you will get splashed with mud . . . you will indeed get splashed with mud.

I fit in a quick session of the young cuties in the Wagenknecht clan on the day prior to their aunt’s wedding.  We all met up at the Riverwalk walk and to all of our surprise it was in the mid-70′s and sunny!  This was after rescheduling from a weekend in May due to horrible weather.  I think this was a pretty good warm-up session to prepare some of the younger ones for my camera the following day.  The kids outnumbered the adults and while we had a good run of it, some of the little guys just weren’t feeling all warm and fuzzy. That’s ok, though, because I don’t promise smiles, I promise personality.

Catherine

Heather

Kenzie

Maddyn

Hallie

Tanner

Graham

The whole crew

And, that’s a wrap, the boys are DONE!

I love spending time photographing the Nasby family.  Sophie and Eliana are two sweet sisters and it doesn’t hurt that they are adorable as well!  In years past we have done portrait sessions in the forest preserve, on the beach and this time at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool in Lincoln Park.  I’ve already suggested that next we we plan a photo day around an activity such as swimming.  Fortunately the weather held out to our benefit on Friday morning for this session and the girls got to hang out in Lincoln Park Zoo afterwards.  Sophie asked me to join them but unfortunately for me I had more portrait sessions to head to that day.

Giving back is good for the heart.  I like to have one event each year where I combine my photography efforts with the talent of an organization to raise funds for a worthy cause.  This year I partnered with the Crystal Lake Jaycees to raise money for the Burleson Scholarship Fund.  If you are not familiar, the Burleson Family Scholarship is named in honor of Crystal Lake resident Thomas Burleson and his family.  In 1999, Thomas Burleson and his family were struck by a drunk driver.  Thomas survived the crash, but his wife Eva, 34, and their three children, Daniel, 14, Tiffany, 11, and Dallis, 7, were killed in the car accident.  The Burleson Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, will be awarded to a high school senior.

Together with the help of the Jaycees, we photographed eleven portrait sessions on the grounds of the historic Dole Mansion and raised $360.00 for the Burleson Scholarship Fund.  Many thanks to all who participated.  Here’s a sampling of some of my favorite shots from the day.

I’ve come full circle with Evelyn in the past four years and we revisited our original portrait location from when she was a year old.  Now she is five and younger sister, Katherine, is two and they are just the best of friends. In four years of portrait sessions this was by far the BEST shoot of these two gorgeous girls. (Ok, Cate was pretty easy and amicable at her six-month session but she couldn’t do much other than sit there and look cute!)  Both Evelyn and Cate were full of smiles and twirls and posing and running around. Seriously they were a photographer’s dream subjects this afternoon!  See you again next year!

You know the phrase “I could eat you up”?!  I understand it very well when I am around Ms. Zoe. With her cute little face and dainty little limbs and yummy personality, I just want to snuggle and love and well, eat her up!  Zoe has almost mastered sitting up all by herself and she was such a little model for me in her christening gown.  We were able to do a few more outfit changes and take pictures both inside and out and only got rained on once before the sun showed the sky who is boss.  Let this be a reminder, baby butt shots sure are cute but baby handler beware!

Hey now, don’t get mad at the photographer!

Yes that is a very cute dress you’re wearing!

These EYELASHES!

I knew you liked getting your photo taken!

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.