lifestyle newborn session // Northbrook, IL

I revisited Amanda and Mike to capture the arrival of their sweet little Ivy! I absolutely love the images we made together and all the stories we told through their photos. Ivy was gorgeous!! Here’s a bunch of shots from their session.

lifestyle maternity session // Northbrook, IL

I got back to work after a nice break over Christmas and in January with this beautiful and connected maternity session. Amanda and Mike were totally on board for creating a natural-flowing and authentic lifestyle experience. They we so receptive to me setting up a scenario for them and then taking it from there, relaxing and being themselves openly and honestly in front of the camera. My favorite way to shoot a maternity session is to capture the love between a couple—the kind when it’s just them, before embarking on the journey that is parenthood. This experience is one that I can promise everyone want to look back on and revel in. These shots truly represent this magic. Maternity sessions (pre any other kids) are dreamy and quiet. They had music playing, they lit a fire, they made coffee, they worked on an ongoing puzzle that sat on their kitchen table. It’s such a time of kinship, love and waiting for the unknown because we don’t know what it is to be parents until we are. In a way, just being real here, it’s the last time in a person’s life when your partner comes before anything else. It’s SUCH a beautiful time—one of my favorite stories to tell. I can’t wait to visit them again when their sweet little “Nug” arrives to capture the evolution of their journey.

lifestyle newborn session // Uptown, Chicago, IL

Every once in a while someone amazing gifts a photo session, and I honestly think there couldn’t be a better gift especially to a new mom. There’s so much to think about in those first days home with a baby—if a newborn session isn’t already booked before having the baby, it’s highly likely that it won’t happen at all (speaking from experience, and I totally regret it!).

One of my good friends gifted her best friend a Lifestyle Newborn Session; she’s a doctor and she knew her friend was having a baby that would need immediate open heart surgery upon delivery. I was so honored to be the one she chose to capture this time for her friend’s family, and meeting baby Noah who was the most delightful and sweet guy was incredible. He was such a trooper for his surgery and he completely nailed his photoshoot as well. This was a very special session. Sharing some of my faves from their gallery.