Tag: Photography Mentor

  • Maternity Photography Education | Hosting the Portland Workshop

    Maternity Photography Education | Hosting the Portland Workshop

    Maternity Photography Education: Hosting the Portland Workshop

    This new decade has already proven to be a challenge. I am being pulled in many amazing directions. To take a breath, I am diving into my archives. I want to refine my vision for maternity photography education in 2026. Specifically, I am sharing an incredible session from the workshop I hosted in Portland, Oregon. During my time as a lead blogger, I produced events that brought the industry’s best together.

    A pregnant woman in a flowing white dress standing amidst lush green foliage, gently cradling her belly.

    Curating a Motherhood Masterclass with Kerlyn Van Gelder

    I acted as the host and teacher for this workshop. My goal was to create a space where artists could flourish. Consequently, I was honored to hire the talented Kerlyn Van Gelder. She led this specific session for our group. While she taught the students how to see light, I documented the magic through my own lens. In fact, watching other creatives find their voice was a huge highlight for me.

    A pregnant woman in a flowing white dress stands in a lush green forest, with her eyes closed and a serene expression. Maternity Photography Education

    The Heart of My Maternity Photography Education

    I want to continue adding these raw, unscripted motherhood images to my work and sharing the “why” behind them. Furthermore, providing maternity photography education is about more than just technical skill; it’s about the curation of energy and honest storytelling. Whether I am teaching a class myself or hosting a world-class artist like Kerlyn, my mission remains the same: a visual legacy. As a result, the gallery becomes a true reflection of the strength and surrender found in birth.

    Pregnant woman standing by a river, wearing a flowing white dress and holding her belly, surrounded by lush greenery.

    Leading the Next Generation of Artists

    In 2026, my goal is to continue bridging the gap between being a photographer and a mentor. If you are a fellow creative looking for maternity photography education or a client looking for an artist with a national reputation for excellence, I am here to tell your story. Please feel free to explore my full portfolio to see how these educational principles come to life in my professional work. These sessions make me proud to be a Chicago Maternity Photographer.

    A pregnant woman standing in a river, wearing a flowing white dress, surrounded by lush greenery and trees in a misty atmosphere. Maternity Photography Education
    Pregnant woman sitting on a log near a river, surrounded by lush greenery, wearing a flowing white dress.
    A pregnant woman with curly hair wearing a white robe, sitting on a rocky surface with her eyes closed, appearing serene and contemplative. Maternity Photography Education
    A woman sitting on rocky ground by a river, wearing a flowing white garment. The image is in black and white, showcasing a serene natural setting with trees in the background.
    A woman sitting on the rocky shore of a creek, wearing a white blouse, with a natural landscape of trees and rocky cliffs in the background. Maternity Photography Education
    A pregnant woman sitting on a rocky surface with her eyes closed, wearing a white shirt and a serene expression. Maternity Photography Education
    A silhouette of a pregnant woman standing in a dimly lit forest, partially covered and cradling her belly.
    A pregnant woman stands in a dark forest, surrounded by lush greenery, captured in black and white. Maternity Photography Education
    A pregnant woman standing in a forest clearing, surrounded by tall trees and greenery, with a misty atmosphere. Maternity Photography Education
    A pregnant woman stands in a lush green forest, gently holding her belly while looking up, surrounded by trees and foliage.
    A pregnant woman standing outdoors, gently holding her belly surrounded by greenery, with a soft focus and natural lighting.

  • Traveling Family Photographer Chicago | Teaching & Mentoring

    Traveling Family Photographer Chicago | Teaching & Mentoring

    I taught for the first time! I photographed a real family in their actual home in front of over 20 other photographers. To say I felt nervous is an understatement. As a traveling family photographer from Chicago, I usually work in intimate settings. However, having a crowd of peers watching my every move added a new level of pressure. I even gave the mama, Cate, the wrong date!

    Specifically, this mistake could have caused a catastrophe. Cate had cleaners over to prepare for the next day. Despite my error, she handled the situation with incredible grace. Ultimately, mistakes happen in life. I pride myself on rolling with the punches. As fate would have it, my snafu worked out perfectly. Cate’s grandfather fell ill that weekend. By shooting early, she gained the freedom to be with her family during a tough time. I feel beyond grateful for the time they gave us.

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    The Heart of a Traveling Family Photographer from Chicago

    During this session, I kept calling my work “hybrid”—a mix of documentary and lifestyle. However, I have since officially added the title of Rhythmic Storytelling to my work. Because I need my images to make sense to me, I look for the natural cadence of a family’s love. Whether I am teaching a workshop or working as a traveling family photographer from Chicago, that rhythm is what I’m sticking to.

    Consequently, even when the light is “all over the place” and the ISO is set to 5000, the soul of the session remains intact. It was chaos, and I probably forgot a million things I wanted to say as a teacher, but it was an enlightening experience. They were beautiful, and their love could be felt in every corner of their home. Such a beautiful example about what it means to be a Chicago Family photographer who travels.

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    Mentoring and Traveling for Storytelling

    Basically, choosing to have your session at home allows for a level of honesty that a studio simply cannot replicate. As a result, the images become a visual legacy of your actual daily life. If you are looking for a traveling family photographer from Chicago to capture your family’s unique rhythm—or if you are a photographer looking for mentoring and education—I would love to chat.

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