Fall Mini-Sessions 2012 ~ Northern Illinois Custom Portraits

When I first began offering mini-sessions a few years ago, I wasn't sure if the concept would catch on or if I would want it to. Now, after completing year three of fall minis, I can conclusively say that I love mini-session weekend! It is insane and hectic and just gets my creative and adrenaline juices flowing like wowza! 

This year, I wanted to give my mini-session families, especially those who come see me every year (love you guys!), a little something different, so I decided to add a tent to the setup. I loved the result with the sweet filtered white light and a slightly whimsical twist.

Want to do your own tent session? This bad boy is in my garage just waiting for its next set of campers, so come on out!

High Five ~ Lake County Illinois Children's Photographer

This has been the year of five person families for me. So many beautiful families with three babies (of all ages), and man has it been great. Photographing five family members is a simultaneous challenge (keeping all those fast feet wrangled in one place!) and joy (so much love! so many laughs!).

Here's another family of five that came to see me this year, bringing all kinds of happy with them. We met up in Grayslake to get a little bit urban and then we headed for the woods to get our nature on. Enjoy!

Down on the Farm ~ Chicago North Suburbs Child Photographer

Although I live in Illinois and primarily shoot here in Lake County, I took a trip "home" to Florida this fall and while I was there I offered up a few fall mini-sessions. It was so lovely to be able to shoot in the warm Florida weather surrounded by lots of green grass and warm sunshine. I met up with sweet Ella and her family at Going Green Family Farm (coincidentally, in Lake County, Florida), so I had a little geek out moment when I saw Ella and her mom's awesome boots ready for some farm action. (Well, sort of. We didn't ride any tractors or horses or anything, but there were some curious chickens and a pony keeping an eye on us.)

p.s. I just *might* be headed back to Florida in 2013, so if you're interested in setting up your own Florida session, let me know and I'll update you when I have more deets.

Boys Just Wanna Have Fun ~ Lake County IL Family Photographer

When the mama of these three boys called me to book her session, she informed me that this would be their first "official" family pictures ever. EVER. Um. No pressure. I need not have worried, though, because these guys ROCKED IT. They were just the funnest. As the mama of two boys myself, I had a blast. Throwing rocks. Making poop jokes. Showing off my freaking AWESOME dance skills. For real. AWESOME. And the family? Oh yeah, they had fun, too. No, really. Check 'er out!