chicago photographer Archives - Page 4 of 6 - CHICAGO WEDDING & FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY

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.”

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August 25, 2020

WALK ALONG THE RIVER CHICAGO FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

Much of our adventures go undocumented nowadays since Im so busy with work and life, I have to make it a point to come back to this. My big boy will be 9 already at the end of the month. How on earth is that possible. It feels like just yesterday I was bringing him home. If you’re a new parent and or a new parent to be know that all the parent cliches are one thousand percent true! Every single one of them. I know I have a special chance to document their childhood and I should take more advantage of that. I can’t wait to have more freesom and explore the city of Chicago with these two more if we can’t venture out further. Life is changing but, it is also coming together at the same time.

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June 16, 2020

Chicago Self Portrait Artist | Tips for Movement in Photos

Hey guys! Today I am sharing some images from this spring. I took a little time to work as a Chicago self portrait artist, photographing myself and my kiddos enjoying one of our favorite things: our little outdoor swing. My son suggested the swing, and since then, I’ve added a rebozo swing as well.

What I wanted to achieve in these images was intentional movement. Fluidity doesn’t always come naturally in self-portraits because you are busy setting up the shot. Sometimes, anticipating the movement makes it feel forced. I knew I had to encourage the fun to keep us from looking stiff. If you’ve seen my recent Oak Park birth photography post, you know how much I value documenting raw, unposed energy.

A child and an adult walk along a pathway beside a house, surrounded by greenery and blooming trees.

Capturing Movement as a Chicago Self Portrait Artist

If you want more movement and fluidity in your own images, here are my top three tips:

Pick an easy and fun activity. Jump in there with the kids! If you use a timer like I do, you only have 10 seconds to set up the shot. While a remote might be easier, I always seem to lose them. Try doing the movement once or twice before you press the shutter to get into the flow. This creates a much more documentary lifestyle feel.
Say no to a shallow depth of field. Focus is much easier to maintain with movement at f/5.6 or even f/11. Seriously, try it! This allows you to capture yourself and your environment completely without losing sharpness. As a Chicago self portrait artist, I find that the environment tells just as much of the story as the subject.
Let go of perfection. This is my number one tip. When you are learning, your “failures” are actually your best teachers. If your mistakes push you to create more, it means being in your photographs is truly important to you. Don’t worry about every hair being in place; focus on the feeling.

A mother and her two children are enjoying time together on a swing in a garden setting. The mother is smiling down at her two kids, a boy sitting on the swing with no shirt and a girl in a black dress with white flowers. The scene is lively, capturing a moment of joy and family bonding.

Three children enjoying a fun moment outside, with one girl in a polka dot dress and two others playing under a flowering tree near a house.

A boy standing outdoors with no shirt, wearing blue jeans, and facing slightly sideways with a calm expression. In the background, there are green plants and a house.

A young girl in a polka dot dress laughing and playing on a sidewalk, surrounded by fallen petals, while a boy swings nearby. Chicago self portrait artist

A woman playfully interacts with a shirtless boy swinging from a tree adorned with red fabric, set against a backdrop of a house with flowers blooming in the tree. Chicago self portrait artist

A young woman in a pink dress is sitting on the ground beside a young boy in a blue shirt and jeans, who is swinging on a rope swing attached to a tree. They are outdoors, with a house and flowering tree in the background. Chicago self portrait artist

August 21, 2019

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.

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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.

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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.

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April 17, 2019

Chicago Photographer Self Love | North Carolina Alley

This Chicago photographer self love project started with an alley in North Carolina and a decision to stop making excuses. I spend so much of my time documenting other people’s most tender moments and this was my reminder to document my own.

The journey to strong self-love is hard. It reminds me of that one terrible Chicago street you know the one, riddled with potholes, the kind you navigate like MacGyver just to make it through. Self-love is like that. You brace yourself, you maneuver carefully, and sometimes you hit a rough patch anyway.

Chicago photographer self love seeing myself for what I am

Chicago photographer self love woman behind flowers

Why This Chicago Photographer Turned the Camera on Herself

Self-love gets sold to us constantly. Buy this, follow that routine, and you’ll have it. But nobody says out loud that you can’t fake it. It shows up in every action, every word you use about yourself. I hope it shows up in these images.

Turning the camera on myself keeps me honest. It reminds me what it feels like to be in front of the lens — the vulnerability, the in-between moments, the ones that end up being the most real. It makes me a better Chicago family photographer for my clients too.

Nearing 30, I found myself caring less and less about what others think. And somehow, a random alley in North Carolina became the place I put that on film. Imperfect, a little raw, completely mine.

Chicago photographer self love woman on the floor

Chicago Photographer Self Love — A Practice, Not a Destination

I don’t have it all figured out. But as a Chicago photographer self love is something I come back to again and again in my work, in my personal projects, and in the way I show up for myself and my clients. This alley in North Carolina was just one reminder of that. There will be more.Self portraiture has a long tradition in art — explore the history at The Guardian’s photography section.

March 5, 2019

Downtown Chicago Birth Story | Evangelista-The Adri Photo Co.

“My mother groaned, my father wept, / into the dangerous world I leapt.” William Blake. The power of women never ceases to amaze me. I especially feel this when documenting a downtown Chicago birth as intense as this one. This session was the longest in my portfolio. It was full of beautiful drama and a baby boy who truly made an entrance.

mother birthing at home Emotional documentary photography of a downtown Chicago birth.

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The Setting: A Downtown Hospital Story

There is a specific energy that comes with a Chicago birth. Outside the hospital windows, the city continues its frantic pace—sirens, traffic, and the hum of the Loop. But inside the labor and delivery suite, time seems to stand still. I watched as the light shifted over the skyscrapers, casting long shadows across the room while this mama worked through each surge. Capturing a birth as a Chicago birth photographer allows me to juxtapose the massive scale of the city with the intimate, quiet strength of a woman bringing life into the world.

The Emotion: Strength and Surrender

She had a plan, and she fulfilled it with such grace. As a photographer, I am often struck by the moment of “the shift”—when the room goes from intense focus to an overwhelming wave of relief. This downtown Chicago birth ended with tears of joy that felt like a huge wave of love washing over everyone present. Every hour of that long journey was worth it the moment he arrived. It was a reminder of why I love documentary birth photography; these are the stories that deserve to be told exactly as they happened.

husband watching mom Emotional documentary photography of a downtown Chicago birth.

Planning Your Downtown Chicago Birth

Preparing for a downtown Chicago birth often involves a lot of logistics, but the photography shouldn’t be one of them. Whether you are delivering at Prentice, Rush, or University of Chicago, my goal is to remain a “fly on the wall,” documenting the strength and quiet moments that often go unnoticed in the whirlwind of labor. This session took place at Prentice Women’s Hospital, one of my favorite spots for a Chicago birth photographer story because of the incredible natural light.”

doing stairs Emotional documentary photography of a downtown Chicago birth.

doing more stairs Emotional documentary photography of a downtown Chicago birth.

early labor Emotional documentary photography of a downtown Chicago birth.

Emotional documentary photography of a downtown Chicago birth.

February 27, 2019

Aurora IL Newborn Session | At-Home Documentary

Doing this Aurora IL Newborn Session was magical. I am so happy to be back again with this beautiful family for another . When I first met K, she was a mom of two and so was I. While I am still a mom of two, she has since added two more beautiful boys to her crew. Documenting a family of six is a beautiful challenge, and I am honored to tell their story as it evolves.

Lifestyle photography from an Aurora IL newborn session

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The Magic of an Aurora IL Newborn Session

There is a specific energy that comes with a growing family. In this newborn session, we didn’t focus on perfect poses or matching outfits. Instead, we leaned into the real, unscripted moments that happen when four brothers are in one room. choosing an at-home setting meant the older boys could play and be themselves while I captured the quiet snuggles with the newest baby boy.

Why At-Home Storytelling Works

For families in the Aurora IL area, staying home for a newborn session is often the most relaxed choice. It allows me to use the natural light of your own living room to create a timeless gallery. As a result, these images feel like a true reflection of your life in this season. If you are looking for a similar experience, feel free to explore my full newborn portfolio or check out this recent session in Geneva. This session as a Chicago Newborn photographer who loves their friends was so special. I always feel so welcomed by this lovely family .

Every newborn session is a reminder of how quickly these early days pass. My goal is to capture the messy, beautiful reality of your family exactly as it is right now. If you are looking for a storyteller to document your own growing family in the Western Suburbs, please reach out via my contact page.

February 19, 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.

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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

Elk Grove Newborn Photographer | Baby Gemma’s At-Home Story

Oh sweet baby! Looking back at this session makes my heart so full. As an Elk Grove newborn photographer, I feel incredibly lucky. Meeting Sarah and her family was a highlight for me. They make me so excited to document their growth. Every time they hire me, I see so much love. This is the specific kind of “realness” I look for. I am so passionate about documentary photography. I was honored to capture sweet Gemma’s birth. Seeing her again at home was a dream come true.

I met up with them for Ms. Gemma’s sweet newborn session a few weeks later. It was important to Sarah to capture these moments early. Babies change at “seconds speed.” Honestly, I remember this with my own children. I would wake up and realize they were changing day to day.

Chicago _-west suburbs- newborn -family -photographer

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The Beauty of an Elk Grove Newborn Photographer Session

For this session, we focused on the first bath. We also captured quiet time with her adorable big brother. Mostly, we focused on the little details. Being an Elk Grove newborn photographer is a privilege. It allows me to step into these private, sacred spaces. I love to document the moments that usually go unseen. These are the memories that carry the most weight as the years pass. I look for tiny, peeling newborn toes and quiet family cuddles.

Honest Connection in the West Suburbs

I hope I get to see Ms. Gemma again soon. I can’t even imagine how much she has grown. If you are preparing for your own arrival, I have a recommendation. Check out Motherly’s guide to the first weeks at home. It is a wonderful resource for those early, beautiful days.est, unposed imagery. I love this part of my job as Chicago Newborn Photographer.