Metropolitan Imageworks

Laura and Todd needed some head shots, they also wanted some updated pics of the girls and of course while we’re at it, why not get the holiday card photo out of the way too?!  They came to Chicago for the long weekend all the way from Minnesota, and as it so happened, I was in town too!  I photographed Laura and Todd’s wedding in 2004, Laura was one of my own bridesmaids in 2002 and we go way back to our high school days in the early 1990′s.  It was such fun to see Maddie and Sasha as little girls and their interactions as sisters are just so cute and sweet, mostly!  We were also very lucky with some great late summer weather in Chicago. Can’t wait for the next session and I hope it’s sooner than in seven more years!

Check out these two cutie- patooties!  Maddie and Lanie were such troopers during our very hot and humid portrait session!  I, for one, felt the trickle of sweat dripping down my back as we trekked around the gorgeous grounds of Cantigny.  I’ve had the pleasure of photographing both Maddie and Lanie as newborns and then again for a couple sessions in-between.  The girls are so much fun and do so well in front of my camera!  Mom and Dad requested a few shots of the two of them, something they haven’t done since their wedding!

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.

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!

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 spent Monday afternoon with two of my favorite subjects – Amara and Eliza – to photograph them for the holidays. Mom had planned carefully and was going to use a photo of the three of them for one of Dad’s Christmas presents for his new office. Amara did a great job keeping it a surprise, until she told her babysitter about the plan . . . while Dad was standing right there. I think he’ll still love the gift!  We had so much fun not only posing in front of my “tent” but also reading in Amara’s room, jumping on Mom’s bed and downstairs in the playroom. Since this is the second annual holiday photoshoot for the girls, I call dibs on the tradition. See you again next year!

Sophia, Eliana and their mom and dad joined me again for portraits last month. We did the actual shoot on Father’s Day. I highly recommend portrait sessions as gifts for the folks who have everything and as a fun way to spend an afternoon with the people you love!  Sophie is a seasoned pro when it comes to posing for pictures and taking direction. Eliana totally came out of her shell this time and shared lots of smiles and grins.  Again, making my job so rewarding.  See you all again next year!!!