Tag: chicagofamilyphotographer

  • Chicago Lifestyle Family Photography | The Art of Childhood Muses

    Chicago Lifestyle Family Photography | The Art of Childhood Muses

    Summer is Back | Chicago Lifestyle Family Photography

    Summer is finally here. Soon enough, we’ll be complaining about the high temperatures, the relentless mosquitos, and the infamous traffic—but for now? We are basking in the honeymoon phase of Chicago lifestyle family photography weather.

    In Chicago, our spring is practically non-existent. We jump from one extreme to the other, so these first few days where it’s warm enough to get wet without freezing feel like a total gift. It’s that fleeting window where the air is soft, the sun is golden, and the kids are itching to get outside. Being their mom and chicago family photographer is everything to me.

    A young boy playing in shallow water at a grassy shoreline, smiling as he reaches for a red object while water splashes around him.

    Searching for Summer Muses

    We spent the afternoon exploring under the beautiful sun. As always, we were on a mission to find frogs. As usual, we caught zero. My son was a little heartbroken at first, but he recovered quickly once he was splashing in the water and spotting his other favorite bugs and birds.

    My littlest was just happy to be wherever her brother was, learning along the way (and, of course, trying to strip down and jump in right along with him).

    A young girl in a pink checkered romper sits on a log by a pond, holding a fishing net. In the background, another child leans over the water, surrounded by tall grass and trees.

    The Philosophy of the Muse

    Using my own children as muses allows me to refine my eye for my clients. I’ve learned that the best shots happen when I stop directing and start observing. Whether I’m shooting in Forest Park or the city, my goal is always to capture the “visual legacy” of a family.

    When I look at these photos of my son searching for frogs, I don’t just see a picture; I see his curiosity and his resilience. This is the same storytelling approach I bring to every session. I want you to look back at your photos and remember exactly how the sun felt on your skin and the sound of your children’s laughter.

    I can’t wait for more exploring and fulfilling our summer bucket list. Whether we’re catching frogs or just soaking up the sun, these are the stories I love to tell.

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    A black and white photo of a young boy and a toddler standing in a grassy field. The boy is shirtless and smiling while the girl stands close behind him, looking away. Chicago lifestyle family photography
    A young child wearing a green hat playing in a sunlit grassy field, with the sun setting in the background. Chicago lifestyle family photography
    Two children playing in a field during sunset, one child carries the other on their back.  Chicago lifestyle family photography
    Two children playing on a dirt path under a large tree, one crawling and the other standing nearby. Chicago lifestyle family photography

    These images are from a park in South Barrington IL a reminder that time is fleeting, go outside with your kids.

  • Chicago Storytelling Photography | The Raw Beauty of Parenting

    Chicago Storytelling Photography | The Raw Beauty of Parenting

    The Raw Beauty of Parenting | Chicago Family Storytelling Photography

    As a mother and an artist, my heart for Chicago family storytelling photography began with my own children. I’ve always believed that the most honest stories aren’t found in the “perfect” poses, but in the raw, messy, and beautiful reality of our daily lives. This parenting business is no joke, and documenting it authentically is my life’s work.

    Lucas: My Greatest Muse

    As long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a mom. When we got married, we got pregnant immediately. I was 21 and suddenly a mother to a little boy. It was wonderful, and it still is—but now life is so much more full. Life has changed, and so has my perspective.

    Lucas is currently 4 going on 14. He has opinions and ideas; he yells and he screams. He is passionate, he is smart, and sometimes, he is angry. He isn’t that tiny person who used to fit perfectly against my chest anymore. It is sometimes hard to remember that little version of him because he is growing into such a distinct individual right before my eyes. Being his mama and a chicago family photographer makes me so happy to preserve his childhood. My Personal portfolio is everything to me.

    A child playing on a sandy beach with city buildings in the background, illuminated by a setting sun. Chicago storytelling photography.

    Building a Visual Legacy

    I’ve had moments where I’ve felt ashamed of my lack of patience. But he is so forgiving. He loves me unconditionally, and in that forgiveness, I find the inspiration for my work. Capturing these high-emotion, “unposed” moments is what drives my passion for Chicago family storytelling photography.

    I hope to build a relationship of trust where he knows that no matter what, I am here to listen, not to judge. For now, we’ll deal with the daily power struggles of a boy who wants it all—attention, love, time, toys, and ice cream.

    These daily struggles are exactly why I do what I do. I don’t just want to photograph the smiles. I want to document the “visual legacy” of your real life—the loud parts, the quiet parts, and everything in between. Because one day, these will be the moments you want to remember most. Were big fans of the south shore of chicago, glad we documented these moments here

    A child walking along a sandy beach with tall buildings in the background, seagulls flying nearby, captured in a contrasting black and white and color style.
    A child running along a beach at sunset, with silhouetted trees and buildings in the background. Chicago storytelling photography
    A split image featuring a clear blue sky with birds flying at the top and a black-and-white scene of a child playing in a sandy area with trees and buildings in the background at the bottom. Chicago storytelling photography
    A child walking along the shoreline at sunset, with seagulls flying above and waves gently lapping at the beach. Chicago storytelling photography
    A young child wearing a warm jacket stands on a sandy area, with the sun shining brightly behind them, creating a glowing effect.
    Close-up of a young child wearing a fur-lined hooded jacket, gazing downward with a serious expression, against a blurred outdoor background.
    A young child wearing a hooded jacket stands with eyes closed, facing the sunlight, on a sandy terrain.
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    A young boy in a dark jacket playing in the sand during sunset, focusing on the ground.
    A young child walking in a grassy park at sunset, with bare trees in the background.

  • Project 5for5 days

    More failures to add

    So here I am. Last month I attempted a P/30 and I will humbly say that it was not a success.  My heart just was not into it. The images I took were not my best, it was like a chore to me. It was dreadful. Maybe I’m just not a “project ” person. I just have to accept it and move on. I’m at a point in my life where realizations are so incredibly welcomed. I have stopped trying to be someone I’m not, and this is another step in the right direction. Will I try again? Who knows , maybe. It was a little disappointing  to not pull through for myself for a month alone. But alas, some friends on facebook. tagged me to join along this week and share 5 for 5 days, easy enough right? Well here we go.. wish me luck.

    5 FOR 5… DAY UNO WHIMSYHEARTPHOTOGRAPHYCHICAGO

  • Chicago Documentary and Story telling photographer – Short stories, crazy girl

    Last days of summer are seriously cherished around here. Chicago’s weather is volatile at best. Soon comes those deep winter days , where the sun sets a four pm and we get to stay indoors all the time , sadly. On this day we headed to the Taste of Melrose Pk . We rode cool rides and ate lots of tacos.  We shopped around, well window shopped really. Little miss Zoe fell in love with a baby doll , that I obviously was not going to buy, I mean we have like… 20 babies. I wish I would have photographed the fit she threw, because it was a big one. No one was going to separate her from her long lost baby doll , she was in tears. I was slowly pulling her away …when Abuelo  (my dad) stepped in as most grandfathers do, and bought it for her. The lady from the shop wanted twenty dollars, and of course my dad bartered with her down to ten, I believe. Zoe pushed that dolly out of there in spite of my objections. She was as happy as can be.

    At least I got to photograph her toting around this baby, and stopping traffic. I think she would call that day a success.
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  • Chicago documentary & storytelling family photography

    AT HOME SESSION – Lunde family 

    Love, so much love. You know when you walk into a home and you immediately feel comfortable, maybe its the warm inviting decor, or maybe it’s the amazing heart and souls occupying the home. I’m thinking it’s the latter  This family is so special to me, The mama is a photographer as well, and she trusted me to be able to take these for her. We are slowly becoming such great friends, and our kids love being together. So I knew it would be an effortless session for me, and it was. I did very minimal posing and just shot them being them. It might be one of my favorite sessions to date.

    P & baby O are just as sweet as they photograph. I look forward to seeing them grow .

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  • Chicago Documentary & Storytelling Photographer-JRP headshots

    H E A D S H O T S

    I had so much fun exchanging Head shots with this beautiful lady. She is the owner of Jessica Rassmusen Photography. Jessica was amazing! It was,I believe an awkward experience for the both of us. I still had so much fun. She is one of those wild spirits, who flows freely and goes where her heart dictates. At least that is what I got from speaking to her. She is currently in Illlinois, but close to moving her whole family of four to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. I am so excited for her, and I can’t wait to read and see where the journey takes her. Can you believe she has two kiddos. Nope, I can’t either.
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  • Chicago documentary and storytelling photography-Pond mini sessions

    POND MINI SESSION

    I photographed this sweet family back almost two years ago. I am so glad, Gina called last minute for my availability. It is really, truly an honor to see the children of your clients grow up before your eyes. I met sweet baby P and her brother at her newborn session. I can say he is still as doting as he was , when he was swooning over that new bundle of joy.
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  • Chicago family Documentary & storytelling Photography – Short stories- change and turning 4

    Change is scary. Then again, change is good. In the past recent months, we have moved to a new place and we are still getting used to it. Although we do miss our old neighborhood,Our new one is jammed packed with tiny families like ours. Soon Lucas will begin Prek, which will bring more change onto our routines. I want to add that I am a self- proclaimed change queen. I attended over 10 schools in my lifetime. Considering most kids go to 4 or 5 schools. That a whole bunch of new.

    This past month Lucas also turned 4. He is considered a child now (sadly to my mama heart) . I’m not sure who made these guidelines up ; Baby, toddler, child, preteen…ect. They are kinda silly, and of course he is still my baby, but there is no denying he is loosing all of the things that made him my once chubby baby. For one, He has really embraced his role of big brother.He adores that girl to death.  He is taller and much faster, super strong. Also that brain is just insanely filled with his own ideas. He has opinions and judgments on activities. Its just a crazy explosion of learning. I know he is resilient, and he will embrace his new environment like a champ.

    I can’t say kids are immune to change, but I do know that they are probably better at adjusting than us adults.
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  • Chicago family documentary and storytelling photography- short -stories

    H e l l o

    I recently joined the team for @thealbumsco on instagram. My first post was about daydreaming. I really got flashbacks of my daydreams, and what I have done so far to accomplish them. I said that ” I used to daydream about the life I am currently living” and it was so true. I am blissfully happy. God could not have blessed me with a better life. I am so thankful. While our future is a work in progress, and we have bills to pay and children to raise, I have the ability to look at my life and say that I love it. I get to stay home with my kiddos, and go on adventures daily if I wanted to. We are not rich, nor do I think we will ever be, but We are doing well and that’s all I could ever ask for. I am surrounded with the most amazing people. I have also learn to let go of those people that I have outgrown. I think that is one of the tougher challenges of growing up, learning to let go. Even with loosing some people, my community is growing, and I feel a sense of belonging, specially within the photography community.

    Anyway, this life is good. This life is the one I wished for, and I am teaching my children to enjoy it. To savor the moments and not care about acquiring things. To see this borrowed time as an opportunity to do something special. I have finaly understood, “You reap what you sow”.
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  • Siblings //Chicago documentary photography

    Two of  you. 

    Just another day in June.Out and about with these two.  Playing together will come later, I’m assuming. For now they both fight over that one object that a minute ago no one thought about and now is a gold trophy. I can’t wait to see the friendship build. Lucas is already a crazy protector. Zoe, only cares about copying everything he does. Oh, I so believe in my heart Lucas was born to be a big brother. I am happy for this crazy girl that we brought into his life. 

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