"Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here.” 
Sue Monk Kidd

Stories that matter

Erin & Tryce welcomed their sweet baby girl Nanyori Gene and they are properly smitten. Even after 4 kids I forget how tiny newborns are when they arrive. Capturing Erin & Tryce when they were eagerly awaiting their baby girl (and I knew she was a girl but had to SHHHHHH!) and then seeing them […]

Welcome Nanyori

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Dear friends are a gift. You have been through highs and lows, your best and your worst, your joys and your pain. You tell each other the truth and forgive one another. And you celebrate each other! I am so grateful for my friendship with Joy. She inspires me and challenges me and it is […]

Joy & Titus & their right now

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Dear Mama, I know you might feel insecure with your body. So many of you reach out and jokingly say, “you can make me look thinner right?” And I get it- I spent years looking at images of myself with disdain, picking apart the imperfections I saw. We live in a culture that constantly tells […]

Dear Mama, Here is why I won’t Photoshop you

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Laura reached out to invite me to capture her extended family. Their family ha been capturing this large group photo for years and it was awesome to be able to plan the images for this year. I just love the Grandkids with Robert & Carol especially the candids and the few images of just them […]

Family Tradition captured

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When Adina reached out she wanted family portraits that were different from the norm so we decided to keep it simple but very THEM- “loving, energetic, & fun.” We met at a park in their community and of course we included their brand new puppy Diesel (and pretty soon they won’t be able to pick […]

Loving, Energetic, & Fun

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It was such a joy to capture this family again! Building relationships with your family and knowing your kids and what makes them giggle is part of the joy of this work. When Maris and I chatted through location we decided on their community because she really wanted to capture “us in our community.” I […]

us in our community

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I first met Zina through my work with World Relief Dupage Aurora when she shared her powerful story at a Spotlight Event. Her family relocated to the U.S. 10 years ago from Iraq and wanted to capture and celebrate their family with their first portrait session as a family of 5. We had their Family […]

1st Family Portraits as a Family of 5

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Cole & Olivia’s Mom Meghan found this fabulous barn and we knew we had to update their images there. The kids had fun exploring and the unusually warm weather made for a gorgeous day. Sunset family images are my favorite – Thanks Pfanenstiel Family!

Cole & Olivia barn session

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I just could not believe how much Mike & Christine’s daughter has grown since our last session and it was a surprisingly unexpected, glorious, and warm November day in Chicago for our Family Lifestyle Session. We explored and even chased some geese while capturing their family. Blessings Evans Family!

a warm day in the city

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