Laura's Sofia Session

I was super excited to bring Laura to this cool church in Naperville, because she has this cool Vanessa Carlton look to her and I felt like that was just fitting for the dress Laura was wearing, there is just something about stain glass and her whole combination, don't you agree. I was super happy with Laura's pictures, this week has been crazy busy but super rewarding as far as loving my pictures, I had such a blast editing today. So... so beautiful, I need another word for beautiful. Also, check out the pictures of Laura and Jacob, lately due to the volume of sessions I have started to piggy back models, meaning I have two people there, so when one is changing clothes I am shooting the other one, it works like clock work, but yesterday Jacob and Laura just looked so great together I had to get some of the two of them.

Referral Program :) and a bit of thanks!

When I first began my business, years ago all I had were business cards and my name, and the word of mouth spread through out Wheaton and people began calling. My business thrives on word of mouth, to this day. I find that once a client walks into my studio, takes a look at all their friend's pictures on my gallery walls & books, and experiences the star treatment from Anna and I, they just can't stop telling their friends about my work. It is truly a delight to me that my work has been so well received this year, and a huge blessing, I am so thankful for my wonderful clients that I get to know and invest in each day. This has been a huge year for me, Anna and I were just on the phone today and were talking about some new ideas, and looked back on what a season we have had with our '09 seniors, and to think this year began with our session with Lauren, the brave girl who laid on the ice in March for her senior pictures. I could not have done it with Anna, my make up artist, her work with me is truly a joy and her friendship is priceless. I also have to give a shoot out to my P's - who have been there for me each step of the way, yet just this week saw my new website and asked, are these all your pictures on your website, as if to say, wow you've been busy. Yes, they are all mine!

Ok, so let me give you all the low down on my referral program, for every person you refer you will receive a free 8x10! that's it I'll keep track and let you know how many prints are coming your way!

Thanks for the referrals everyone!

Jacob rocks the rocker Session!

Let me tell you how excited I am to photograph guys! One of the main reasons I changed my site, ( it used to be pink) was because I wanted to expand my client base and wanted to photograph guys in a really cool way just like I do for the girls. AND yes, the guys do get make up in my session, and I doubt you notice it right, the skin looks flawless and smooth. Jacob was super excited about his session, and he rocked it and did a great job. I love the last picture, on the bottom, what a cool way to use the plant. Also, just today I got a referral from Jacob - GO JACOB!!!! Because of his sweetness in passing along my name to his friend he earns a free 8x10 and his friend earns a 5x7 just for booking. 

Jessica's Sofia Session

Jessica, is beautiful girl with a unique look and style. Her mom kept mentioning that she didn't even need to smile to look amazing, which is true, and I feel pretty strongly that the eyes alone can communicate joy, peace, love on a way deeper level than a smile, so I really pushed myself to make something incredibly unique for Jessica. I love the symmetry of the first picture and the one below with the window too, super amazing!

Laurabeth Sofia Session

Laurabeth, was amazing at her Sofia Session.  I had the pleasure of meeting Laurabeth, when she came with Aubrey Adams to her viewing at my studio and after a couple minutes at my studio, she booked a session too! LB (as her mom calls her ) is an exceptional girl with great parents, a good head on her shoulders and a sweet spirit in her heart. The world is before her, and I know she will continue to shine in whatever she does, look her great smile :)

Make up Party before Homecoming!

A lot of girls have fallen in love with Anna's make up artistry over this summer and coming fall, and have said to me, I got to get Anna's number for her to do my make up for Homecoming! Yes, yes you do!! So here is the info. Get a group of your girl friends, five or more to plan to get ready together at one house, and have Anna join you to do everyone's make up. 

Call Anna to reserve your date, and get group rates and details! 630.209.7888

Fall Sessions are Goregous

For those of you who are a fan of my work but feel like the time has passed for senior pictures, think again. My Sessions in the Fall are just as Gorgeous as the ones in the Summer, but better because of the colors and the cooler weather. This October, I am have openings for Sofia and Gwen Sessions each Tuesday at 3:15 and 4:15, and Wednesdays I can fill with Audrey Sessions at 3:15, 4:15 & 5:15. Hurry because spaces are limited! Also, let me know if you have early dismissal, and I can fit you in earlier - which is great for the light! Please contact me by phone to book your session 630.788.7717 or email me with any questions you may have.

Madeline's Gwen's Session is goregous

I loved Madeline's sophisticated style of beauty. I was super excited to photograph Madeline in my new studio, especially with the chandler sparkling above her. I had been dreaming of that shot! When Anna had finished her second look of makeup, and she got it in that dress, I took one look at her and it just all came together, she fit perfectly, a perfect shot. 

Caroline's Sofia Session

Caroline's session was beautiful. I love the blue dress by the water and the roses which is so perfectly matched with her amazing eyes. Caroline is such a sweet girl, it was so fun to hear that another one of my girls ( my clients ) is her cousin, after hearing that it was all the more special to photograph her and know that the two their photo's will compliment each other for years to come and hang nicely in their grandma's house :) It's fun to think I can impact a family. 

Stephanie rocked the classic

Doesn't this first pic look like a country album cover, the sun kissed look Stephanie and the glow of the field she's in all work perfectly. I love the barn shot, simple lines, and shadows to highlight Stephanie's style and classic beauty.

Julia Shines in her Gwen Session

When Julia glanced in the mirror, I knew that that very moment, was a split second in the life of any girl, and that makes this shot timeless. I love it when people look at my work, and not only see a portrait of a girl, but themselves, like that they too could place themselves in that spot and that they relate to it. To me, that speaks volumes to me of the impact of my work and is so rewarding. Julia, did an amazing job, she got the Gwen session so she was able to bring her darling boyfriend Joe. Then in addition to her girl next door look, we were able to do some high fashion shots, using some powerful lighting, and the sun. The Texan in me loves her cowboy hat shot in front of the water, it reminds me of an album cover. :)

Alexis has these striking eyes

Striking eyes are just bonus to all the things Alexis has going for her. I was super excited to get to photograph Alexis, because she googled photographers in Chicago and found me! I totally loved hanging out with her and her mom, they were super fun and sweet. I was so glad her mom took off work to hang out with us. In addition to her incredible eyes Alexis is really down to earth, and I enjoyed seeing her confidence bloosom before me. Her mom and I think she should model. :)

Katie is a super star

Katie might look familar to you because she was a lead in Le Mis, many posts ago. I had such a fun time with her and her mom Heather. Check out this beautiful and super talented girl in her red hot shoes and her red hot dress. What a girl. Despite a little rain, which was a actually fun cause we just hung out in the car and waited for it to pass, and talked. I love getting to know my clients, I love talking with them and learning from them, it is the best, and connection makes the world go round. Each of you, each of my special clients, has impacted my days...thank you, I love you all.

Super Hot Scott - can I say that?

Ok ladies, look at Scott, he is super super cute. I had such a blast with Scott, and I hope he had fun with me and Anna, because it had been a super crazy day for us and so we were a little more silly and fun. So I thought it would be great to mention that Scott is top of his class at Oswego, we weren't surprised, but man, he's got a lot going for him, super cute, fun, considerate, you name it, he's got it! Scott we had so much fun with you! Aren't his pictures amazing! Look at those eyes!

Samantha is super cute, and super fun

I had such a fun session with Samantha, and her fun dad and her sweet sister. Samantha and I started bonding in the car, when she drove with me to Cantigny because her dad was making her laugh too hard, her eyes were tearing and she didn't want to mess her make up. Ahh, we had so much fun. The money picture is the money she and I pulled together for her dad to get into Cantigny ( yes there is a $7 fee ) I had forgotten to tell him, and then they take credit, all this we had learned after we gathered all the cash. It was super funny. Ok, so Samantha is my girl, we laughed and talked, somehow we got to talking about her session and if she was nervous or excited and she said, oh yeah, "I've been so excited for weeks", and then she said, "I mean have you seen your pictures" It was super cute! I love my job! Look at how beautiful she is... and so sweet.

Alison - is beautiful

Alison had the first session since my recent studio move to Naperville two weeks ago. And since then Alison is now off to college - she did her senior pictures the summer after graduation - which is a great idea, and I find every year I have a couple of seniors that do that. I know that Alison's mom will be missing her so much now, so I know that this will be so nice for her mom to take a peek at the blog to see her beautiful girl. I love the brick, and the fun window light in these pictures, it perfectly went with her clothes. Also Alison had a fun trip to Paris this summer and so the scarf she is wearing is something special from her trip. The funnest thing about this session, was just grabbing that quick shot of Alison's lips, and seriously it made me do a double take -because for a minute there, it looked like my lips. It was super fun for us to be identical lips sisters. Alison, you are going to have a blast at school! You are awesome!