chicago affordable photographer Archives - CHICAGO WEDDING & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

Road trips with kids: My 31-hour California Adventure

31 Hours: Our Impulsive Road Trip to California

Last week, completely unplanned and stupidly so, I drove to California. If you don’t know, that is 31 damn hours from my home in Illinois. Road trips with kids can be daunting; however, this impulsive journey was exactly what my soul needed. Was it a bit wild? Probably. Consequently, I have no regrets about the decision.

THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND MY DAUUGHTER MONTERREY

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

Planning Impulsive Road Trips With Kids

On Wednesday my mom mentioned the idea, and by Thursday night, we were already out on the road. I drove through the night fueled by crappy gas station coffee and good music. While everyone else slept, it was just me and my thoughts. Lately, I haven’t allowed myself to just sit and be with myself. Additionally, 31 hours is a significant amount of thinking time. Usually, road trips with kids involve constant snacks and distractions, but the quiet of the night highway felt like a necessary reset.

I wish I had taken more photographs during the drive. Unfortunately, I always regret not taking enough. I did manage to get in the frame with my kids, which is getting harder to do as they grow. My brother helped capture some of our time at the beach once we arrived. Furthermore, even though I wish I had more to show, I tried my best to be present.

MY DAUGHTER BEING EXTRA Road trips with kids

ME AND MY KIDS NEAR THE SHORE Road trips with kids

FFinding Peace in the Chaos

We had so many deep conversations during the drive. As a result, we also had plenty of bickering fights. It was chaos and peace all at once. I truly can’t believe how much beauty is out there across this country. The route is incredible and it’s easy to get mesmerized by the open road.

If you are planning your own road trips with kids, my advice is to just go. Don’t wait for the perfect plan. The time alone, the music, and the shifting landscapes reminded me that wherever you are in life, you will be okay. Therefore, if you can’t cope with life right now, just go take a damn cross-country trip like I did.

May 28, 2021

Standing in the light | Chicago and west suburbs photographer

This post is a little departure from what I usually blog, beautiful families with tiny humans who bring so much joy. But I think throwing something different at you is something you can handle. May even be necessary. I’ve been exploring what my womanhood means to me. & I probably shoud have shared self portraits along with my words, but sharing women who inspire me seemed more fitting. I would say that unless I found myself on the path that I am on I would have never even questioned what I thought about womanhood. These images are from Austin, the last location for the last workshop I hosted. I had a conversation with my friend B via Facetime recently, in which we agreed that for both of us so much perspective and change came about leaving our nests for these workshops. I can’t speak for everyone who has ever ventured out of their comfort zones but for me, I can’t live without the challenge. If I get too comfortable it becomes this nagging feeling that I need to push myself. That’s what these workshops meant. Pushing myself and in the process discovering more about what it means to fail and to get comfortable with the unknown. Im evolving my thinking and have so much to uncover but for now I’ll leave it at this new discovery is beautiful. This new questioning is amazing. Womanhood is dope as hell. I’m so excited to grow more into myself.

Can I also say how important it is to sorround yourself with inspiring women who are living their life in their own way unapologetically. Both Britt and Angela have in so many silent ways encouraged me to live authentically. This ish is hard, I won’t lie. I remember when I first became aquainted with these two women. Their existence and the way they moved through the world made me so uncomfortable. I think it was because to me, they were living true to themselves and I didn’t know at the time how desperately I wanted that to be me. These days I am living and standing in my truth. I know without a shadow of a doubt what I want and I am persuing that passionately. I hope this post encourages you to do the same.

“This life is mine alone. So I have stopped asking people for directions to places they’ve never been.”

FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM

August 25, 2020

Itasca Maternity Photographer | Adri De La Cruz

Booking an Itasca maternity photographer on a sunny day after weeks of rain felt like a gift and this mama delivered. Even without that gorgeous golden hour light, we found something dreamier, softer, and honestly more her. No matter what the light does, mamas-to-be carry their own glow. Honest to god, they don’t even have to try.

Book Your Photographer

Instagram

Tiktok

Inspiring Maternity photos Itasca IL

This beautiful woman is welcoming her third baby boy, and life was doing what life does piling things on all at once. Her middle child had just gotten a long-awaited doctor’s appointment, landing right as she was preparing to bring a new baby into the world. Women are such warriors. I knew without a doubt she would rise to every single moment — advocating fiercely, loving fully, and somehow making it all look effortless.

I cannot wait to meet this new little one.

If you’re expecting and looking for a maternity photographer serving Itasca and the Chicago west suburbs, I would love to document this season for you.

For this session I did a lot of cool experimenting with textures, the clear plastic created this hazy halo effect, I also did over exposures as well. I also loved playing with hard light. Using the light directionally to create interesting visual composition within our frames. Lastly I love a blue sky. I think clouds are my favorite but the blue and green contrast made these so beautiful. This is what im talking about. When I photograph you as your Chicago Maternity Photographer expect to kool beautiful, yes. But also to look inspiring and to have your eye be challenged.

The wind really was another paid actor here. I love the texture flowy hair and dresses add to maternity photography. It is whimsical Af to see so much beauty in the frame.

May 24, 2019

Batavia IL Baby Photographer | Six Month Session

As a Batavia IL baby photographer, I get a front row seat to some of the most fleeting, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments in a child’s life. Six months have already gone by since her newborn shoot and the difference is wild. The cheeks, the chubby thighs, the way she’s suddenly holding her own head up like she owns the room. Every single day brings a new change, and babies wear time in the most beautiful, pronounced way. I also photographed the first year of her brothers life, and I think that’s such a beautiful thing to be a part of. A family’s growth.

This sweet little lady was mostly all smiles. She’s learning to find her balance when she sits, and she is so aware of her big brother glancing over at him every chance she got, like he’s the most fascinating thing in her whole world. Honestly? She’s not wrong.

Book your baby’s milestone session

Instagram

tiktok

Why Hire a Batavia IL Baby Photographer?

This is exactly why I always tell families: don’t wait. Don’t blink. Babyhood is short and your camera roll of blurry phone pics is not the same as having it truly documented. The chubby thighs don’t last. The wobbly sit doesn’t last. Even the way they look at their siblings in pure adoration — it changes faster than you expect.

Experts agree that the first year of a baby’s development is the most rapid period of growth in a child’s life which is exactly why documenting each milestone matters so much. As a Chicago Family Photographer and Batavia IL baby photographer milestone sessions from newborn through first birthday are some of my most treasured work. You can see more on my portfolio .

If you’ve been thinking about a session — this is your sign. These babies don’t keep as much as we try.

Home » chicago affordable photographer

April 17, 2019

Love on the beach | Adri De La Cruz Chicago and West suburbs intimate wedding photographer

Earlier this year I hosted my first ever workshop. I was as sick as a dog. I think my body loves to mess with me the most when stress is high. The only constant during stressful times is knowing that there will be so much out of your control. I might as well surrender to it. I wanted to share these images from that day because I was so insanely in awe of B. Brittany De Jesus that is. She’s the real deal. Just a genuine, vibrant soul. Full of that spark that so many in this industry seem to just let go off at a certain point. I hope she never loses that shine. Check out these incredible images, taken by me, instructed and posed by her. I learned so damn much. I’m beyond grateful for her.

Follow more shenanigans on instagram

Couples on a beach Adri de la cruz Chicago intimate wedding photographer (2)

Couples on a beach Adri de la cruz Chicago intimate wedding photographer (3)

Couples on a beach Adri de la cruz Chicago intimate wedding photographer (4)

Couples on a beach Adri de la cruz Chicago intimate wedding photographer (5)

Couples on a beach Adri de la cruz Chicago intimate wedding photographer (8)

Couples on a beach Adri de la cruz Chicago intimate wedding photographer (7)

Couples on a beach Adri de la cruz Chicago intimate wedding photographer (6)

Couples on a beach Adri de la cruz Chicago intimate wedding photographer (1)

November 14, 2018

Geneva IL Baby Photographer | H’s First Birthday

I love capturing those fleeting, fading baby features. As a Geneva IL baby photographer, I know how quickly these tiny details shift. Before long, Mr. H will no longer be a baby. He will be a full-on toddler. Those sweet curls in his tiny baby hairs will grow straight. Those chubby cheeks will lean out. Even that sweet baby waddle will turn into a strong, refined walk.

This family is even adding a second addition next year! Mr. H will step into his role as a big brother just as he exits babyhood. We reached the end of the line for this sweet boy’s first-year photographs. It was a joy to document this milestone.

Book your Photographer

Tiktok

Instagram

The Heart of a Geneva IL Baby Photographer Session

There is something so special about at home newborn photography and first-year milestones. Being in your own space allows for those unposed, documentary moments that I live for. His demeanor is so gentle, and he is incredibly attached to his mama. I truly love witnessing that bond because I also have a son who was attached to my hip; these days, it happens less often, but I still cherish those moments when they come.

Serving Geneva, IL and the West Suburbs

Whether we are doing a session in Geneva or another one of the beautiful West Suburbs, my goal is always the same: to preserve your visual legacy. I didn’t have many photos of my own childhood, which is why I am so passionate about making sure your children have these stories to look back on.

It was an honor to be the Geneva IL baby photographer for this milestone. I wish this growing family nothing but the very best! If you are looking for an infant session
that prioritizes heart over posing, I would love to chat.

geneva Il family photographer | cute baby H is one

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (26)

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (9)

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (34)

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (37)

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (30)

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (29)

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (31)

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (32)

Chicago and west suburbs family photographer Hudson is one (16)

April 27, 2018

Candid Childhood Photography Chicago | A Spring Story

We are so over winter. I know how whiny that sounds, but I’m ready for the light to change. I’ve found myself looking back at old images of warmth and sunshine. I am currently sharing these favorites because I am so deeply drawn to candid childhood photography Chicago. It isn’t just about a pretty picture. It is about freezing a season of life that disappears too fast.

I especially miss that cute little dress. It felt like we wore it every single day two years ago. Looking at these reminds me why I love my job. These “throwback” moments are the ones that carry the most weight as the years pass.

Book Your Photographer

Instagram

Tiktok

The Magic of Candid Childhood Photography Chicago

I am currently in the midst of some “inner feeling dealings.” There is something about the transition from winter to spring that I find hard to navigate. Yet, I am always so grateful for these two. They keep me grounded even when the days feel long.

Motherhood is a wild gig. It somehow keeps getting tougher, but it also keeps getting more beautiful. These unposed moments of my own children are my most prized possessions. If you are looking for Chicago Family Photographer that capture the heart of your home, you are in the right place.

Honest Storytelling in the West Suburbs

Whether we are exploring local parks or staying cozy at home, my goal is to document the honesty of your family. If you are planning your next session, It helps ensure your portraits feel editorial yet real.

I am so looking forward to the warmth. Spring, please hurry up! If you’re ready to book your own session for candid childhood photography Chicago, let’s connect. It was an honor to revisit these memories today. I can’t wait to create new ones with you soon.

Adri de la cruz photographer Chicago family photographer (6)

April 19, 2018

Colorado Photography Mentoring Trip | Education & Adventure

There is something about the mountains that shifts your perspective. Last year, I headed out for a Colorado photography mentoring trip that was about so much more than just pretty landscapes. It was about deep-diving into the “why” behind our work. Education is the heartbeat of growth, and sometimes you have to leave your usual surroundings to find your voice again.

I’ve always believed that the best learning happens in the field, not behind a screen. During this time in Colorado, we focused on the technical side of things, like mastering light in high-altitude environments. But more importantly, we talked about the soul of our business. We explored how to move from “taking pictures” to “telling stories” that actually resonate with our clients I love this part of the job as a Chicago Family Photographer.

Book your family photographer

Tiktok

Instagram

Elevating Your Craft During a Colorado Photography Mentoring Trip

A Colorado photography mentoring trip offers a unique space to experiment without the pressure of a typical gallery deadline. We spent our days chasing the sun across the Rockies and our nights talking about branding, consistency, and the honesty over poses philosophy. If you are looking for photographer education that pushes you creatively, these destination sessions are unmatched.

Investing in Your Creative Future

Education is an investment that pays off in every single frame you deliver. Whether we are in the West Suburbs or the mountains of Colorado, my goal as a mentor is to help you find your unique “eye.” For those looking for further inspiration on building a sustainable creative business, I highly recommend checking out CreativeLive’s photography resources. They offer incredible insights into the professional side of our craft.

It was an honor to mentor such talented souls during this Colorado photography mentoring trip. If you are ready to take your business to the next level through one-on-one education, let’s connect.