"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

Roxanne Engstrom

Mikayla is a senior at Westmont High School and she works so hard in academics and athletics. She shares, “I love hiking and doing active things- I love visiting new places and spending time in nature.” She is a student leader in Cross Country and Track where my oldest daughter has the privilege of running […]

adventurous, excited, & competitive

creative-portraits

World Relief Chicagoland held their first in person Global Gala in 2 years this past weekend. Staff, volunteers, clients, and community members gathered to connect and hear stories of World Relief’s work as well as updates from Ukraine, personal stories from clients, and staff experiences from welcoming newly arriving refugees and immigrants. Master of Ceremonies […]

“A Vibrant Welcoming Community”: Global Gala 2022 with World Relief

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I had the privilege of photographing Megan’s older sister’s Senior Portraits and now it was Megan’s turn. She wanted images that showed her confident, joyful spirit with no “diva poses.” I love that she wanted to celebrate her right now and she trusted me and leaned into the experience and the result was a fun […]

fun, confident, & joyful

creative-portraits

It was such a joy to be invited to photograph Alex, Brian, Carter, and the newest addition to their family Nolan. The first time I was able to photograph them it was the first time they had formal images of their son Carter born in March 2020. He was the sweetest and this time both […]

Chaotic, fun, & loving

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“You can find Kye everyday playing music in the band room and Kye plans to study Music Education in college,” Dawn, Kye’s Mom shared that she wanted to photograph “Kye in the moment.” It is so clear that Kye is passionate about music, especially playing the marimba. It was a perfect opportunity to work with […]

“Kye in the moment”

creative-portraits

Usually Westmont High School’s afternoon assemblies are a bit more hyped and light but the mood last week matched the seriousness of the situation. Westmont High School planned an Assembly to raise awareness about the crisis in Ukraine and many students wore blue and yellow in support. Larissa Zelisko, a counselor at Westmont High School […]

The Crisis in Ukraine close to home at WHS

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“We have walked with each other through so much hard. We are committed to journeying together through it and supporting each other. We have helped each other find joy and moments of happiness through it.” Leah and Tyler are newly engaged and after so much hard in their lives they are finding new joy and […]

helping each other find moments of joy

love stories

“She Free to Explore To change and grow With new seeds to sow So let her be Not for you But for me” -Jamie My dear friend Jamie invited me to photograph her in her season right now. We had a Family Session a few months ago but this session was just for her- to […]

“Free to Explore”

creative-portraits

West Suburban Community Pantry celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a Culinary Challenge Event on Sunday night. The event was in person this year and people came up to celebrate and support the good work WSCP does in the community. At West Suburban Community Pantry, all are welcome. We strive to eliminate barriers to food […]

WSCP Culinary Challenge 2022

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