authentic motherhood Archives - CHICAGO WEDDING & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Family Self Portraits Chicago | Weathering the Storm

Family Self Portraits Chicago: Weathering the Storm

Family self portraits Chicago sessions have always been a way for me to document our truth, and these days, life for us is mostly calm. We have finally arrived at the other side of one of the hardest years of our collective lives. I know that everyone is going through something, as the world is experiencing a massive shift. However, inside our little family, that shift felt like a big wave of so many things.

A mother and her son sharing a quiet moment during family self portraits Chicago.

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At the start of 2021, I didn’t know where I would be emotionally. I moved out of the home I shared with my ex and into a tiny apartment. While physically so many things have changed, emotionally it feels like I am still the same—in grief, but slightly stronger. I am a far better person now. Specifically, I am trying my hardest to be who I always believed myself to be. My life is centered around love for my children and myself, full of authenticity, and expanding in my “No’s.”

A young girl standing among tall trees looking toward the camera in natural light.

Family self portraits Chicago showing a mother giving her son a piggyback ride.

Finding Gratitude in the Grief

The thing that has grown the most since the start of this year has been my gratitude. In fact, that has remained a constant throughout our family self portraits Chicago journey. Being grateful for everything I’ve experienced has made my grief become more beautiful. I know now that I can handle whatever life has in store for me. Consequently, I have learned to let go of things out of my control. The storm that has been this year of our lives has served us well.

My kids are some of the best humans I know. To have been able to be here for them in their own grieving journey has been incredibly healing. They know we’re all still a work in progress and flawed. Nevertheless, they know that no matter how rough life gets, we have each other. Always.

A black and white image of family self portraits Chicago representing healing.

Building a Future Together

I have built that trust with them by showing up day in and day out. Furthermore, I can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for us. I am full of gratitude for my coparent as well. M is an incredible human, and I know he always has my back. Actually, I know I can count on him 200%. I love that we can still do these family self portraits Chicago for the kids.

As I step into 2022, I am nervous but excited. I am open to learning and making more mistakes if they lead to the growth I need. Ultimately, I have goals and dreams to start. If you’re in the middle of your own storm, my friend, I urge you to listen to yourself. Move forward one step at a time. Do the uncomfortable things that give you peace and leave you full, even though they are painful. May it be an amazing year for you! I will never tire of being a chicago family photographer and capture my loves.

Adri de la Cruz and her children for their family self portraits Chicago

Candid shot of a mother laughing while her children play around her in a park.

Family self portraits Chicago featuring a mother and daughter in a forest.

A woman holds a young girl in a natural setting, surrounded by trees. They are smiling and sharing a joyful moment outdoors.

Documentary-style family photography by Chicago artist Adri de la Cruz.

A father carrying his young daughter in the woods, while a smiling young boy rides on his back, surrounded by greenery.

a portrait of a divorced family, son, daughter and parents sitting on tall grass

A black and white photo of a father with two children playing in a natural setting, surrounded by trees and grass.

A smiling girl in a flowing dress twirls joyfully in a forest setting, surrounded by greenery and sunlight filtering through the trees.

A boy playfully kisses a girl on the cheek while she laughs in a lush outdoor setting. They are dressed in casual, stylish clothes, and the background features soft greenery.

Family self portraits Chicago featuring children playing among the trees.

A close-up black and white portrait of a smiling girl with curly hair, wearing a white top with lace detailing, sitting next to a man with a beard, partially visible, both enjoying a moment together.

Family self portraits Chicago captured during the golden hour in autumn.

A woman sitting on the ground in a grassy field, holding a young girl, while a boy stands beside them laughing. The scene is illuminated by soft sunlight against a backdrop of tall grasses and a clear sky.

A black and white image of a family sitting together in a grassy field, with a father and mother embracing their laughing child.

Family self portraits Chicago in a serene, wooded forest setting.

Two children running through a grassy field on a bright day, with one child smiling joyfully while the other follows closely behind.

A girl and a boy hugging each other playfully in a grassy field on a sunny day.

December 13, 2021

Lombard newborn photography | Baby Henry & Pugs at Home

The Heart of Lombard Newborn Photography

When the email said, “we have two pugs we’d love to include in the shoot,” I immediately became beyond excited. Not only am I a baby person, but I think there is nothing better than a pup and a new baby. Dogs are my jam. This whole session was beyond beautiful, and their home served as the perfect backdrop for this Lombard newborn photographysession.

Baby H was the calmest baby I’ve ever documented. I didn’t even hear a peep out of him the entire time! On their walls was a framed text exchange from his parents’ very first contact, which included a conversation about pugs and how they both already had one. As a Chicago Newborn Photographer I love that sometimes it all starts with a dog, and life is so beautiful that way.

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Creating an Authentic Home Story in Lombard

As a lifestyle storyteller in Lombard, my goal is to document the real, unscripted moments that make your family unique. In Lombard newborn photography, we don’t worry about stiff poses or perfect silence. Instead, we focus on the connection between siblings—whether they have two legs or four! Furthermore, this relaxed approach allows everyone to feel at ease in their own space. As a result, you get a gallery that feels like a true reflection of your first days at home.

If you are looking for an inclusive photographer in the Chicago area, I would love to help you tell your family’s story. Whether it involves your fur babies or just quiet moments in the nursery, my focus is on honesty over perfection. You can see more of my newborn portfolio here.

The Beauty of Lombard Newborn Photography at Home

Choosing a familiar setting is what makes Lombard newborn photography so successful. When a family is in their own space, the resulting images feel more like a memory and less like a production. This session with Baby H and his pug siblings perfectly captures that sentiment. Furthermore, the inclusion of pets adds a layer of honest chaos that defines real life. As a result, these photographs become a cherished record of the very first days of a new family dynamic.

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September 26, 2018

Toddler Lifestyle Photos Chicago | She’s Two

Doing this Toddler Lifestyle Photos Chicago style was such an experience. Despite my efforts to keep her a little as possible. she turned 2. I know I am so happy to have the loveliest girl as my daughter.

I am so incredibly proud of her, everyday she amazes us. Specially since We were thinking about speech therapy. I guess, she just needed her own time to blossom. As big as she looks here, I am so thankful that I am still needed so much by her. I will miss the day when my children turn my comfort and love away for some alone time, I hope that never happens. But just in case it does, I am hugging them and cuddling both of my children more these days. Here are some unconventional 2yr old photos of my girl. She is the best of me. I love being her mama so much. She inspires me to be my whole self. Always.

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A young child in a floral dress playfully walks down a grassy hillside under a blue sky with fluffy clouds. Toddler Lifestyle Photos Chicago

Capturing Toddler Lifestyle Photos Near Chicago and Itasca

When planning these toddler lifestyle photos in Chicago, I knew I didn’t want a ‘sit and smile’ session. At two years old, children are explorers. They are full of big emotions and new words. By choosing an at-home documentary style, I was able to capture her exactly as she is: curious, cuddly, and independent.

Whether we are navigating speech therapy milestones or simply enjoying a quiet morning, these images tell a deeper story than a backdrop ever could. If you are looking for an authentic way to remember this age, consider a session that lets your child lead the way.

A young child with short brown hair, wearing a floral dress, smiles happily while playing outdoors on a sunny day. Toddler Lifestyle Photos Chicago

One of my absolute favorite spots for a session is a hidden gem in Itasca—a beautiful, rolling hill that catches the golden hour light perfectly. There is something so nostalgic about watching a two-year-old run freely through the tall grass on that hill. It’s the perfect backdrop for toddler lifestyle photos near Chicago because it allows kids to be exactly who they are: wild, curious, and unposed.

When we are on the ‘big hill’ in Itasca, I’m not looking for perfect poses. I’m looking for the way she reaches for her mom’s hand or the tiny, determined steps she takes through the clover. These are the details that matter most. If you’re looking for a location that feels like a breath of fresh air, this Itasca spot is always at the top of my list for family and toddler sessions.

A child in a floral dress walking up a grassy hill, surrounded by leafless trees and a cloudy sky, with a bench visible in the background.

A young child in a floral dress playing outdoors near a large tree, with sunlight shining through the leaves.

April 5, 2016

Lincoln Square Family Photographer | The Wentworths

Wentworth Family: A Lincoln Square Family Photographer Story

The first time we tried to schedule this session, the Chicago weather had other plans, and we lost our light before we could even begin. Thankfully, our second attempt was gifted with one of those incredibly warm, golden fall days. That makes being a Lincoln Square family photographer the best job in the world.

Initially, we hadn’t planned on shooting indoors. However, I am so incredibly thankful the Wentworths invited me into their beautiful home. Some of my favorite images from this entire session happened right inside their “little home.” When I stepped through the door, Dad was busy getting baby S ready, and she was already beaming with smiles.

The Beauty of At-Home Documentary Photography

From the moment I entered, you could see and feel the love in every corner. As a documentary-style photographer, I am always drawn to the personal details. They tell a family’s history. I especially loved the framed heart artwork on their walls—a piece created at their wedding that now hangs as a backdrop to their new life as a family of three.

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Why I Love Being a Lincoln Square Family Photographer

After we soaked up the indoor light, we headed out to explore. Lincoln Square has a distinct, nostalgic charm. I love the local shops near Giddings Plaza and the quiet, tree-lined streets. We eventually made our way to the nearby park so baby S could play in her favorite place.

Documentary photography avoids stiff poses or forced smiles. Instead, I capture the “favorite places” and the small,everyday connections. If you enjoyed this peek into their day, you might like this at-home newborn session in Chicago. It uses the same unposed approach.

I want to tell your story exactly as it is. We can hang out in your living room or wander through the heart of Lincoln Square together.