Chicago VSCO Photographer

Beth + Mike // Chicago

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Beth and Mike’s love is so inspiring. The way Mike looks at Beth and reassured her throughout the day was heartwarming. These two were the real deal. We had some rain that day that would. not. let. up. and Beth’s dress was the kind where you couldn’t really let touch or drag on top of wet concrete. So here comes the thinking cap on my head.

We definitely wanted to get outside, the hotel in the West Loop was dark and didn’t have many beautiful spaces worth shooting. So off we went, umbrellas overhead, to The Civic Opera House along the Chicago River. I’ve shot here before, it’s a wide hallway with an overhang and lots of Corinthian columns which separate the storefront and the Wacker Drive sidewalk. It was the perfect spot! When we arrived, we started to notice a lot of people. Why? OHHHHH! Of course, the opera just got out! OF COURSE. So here it goes, droves of people. Pouring rain and the only place to shoot was this area. So we went with it, embracing the crowd and their enthusiasm for the bride and groom actually created an amazing energy!

The ceremony and reception was held above Bad Hunter and Au Cheval on the corner of Halsted and Randolph, The Herbarium. It was so beautiful watching Mike and Beth exchange vows. The tears rolled and everyone was captivated. Some of the best vows I’ve ever heard. Someone mentioned to them, “Even your photographer was crying!”

Guilty.

The night was lovely and the food was impeccable – plant based and the carnivores didn’t even really notice. The band was gracious, the speeches were hilarious. Thank you Mike and Beth for allowing me to capture your special day. I enjoyed every minute!

x

J

Lyden Family // Chicago

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I’ve been photographing this family in their home for a few years now, skipped last year because I was gigantically pregnant but so happy they asked me to come back around this year especially because I got to meet, Gogo, their newest addition. Gogo is short for Margot, how cute?! We shot in the house and then decided to brave the cold but whoever had the idea to do a little scrimmage was genius. I’m not sure if it was dad’s or Finnbar’s idea but good work! Little Tess played the best game! I got their holiday card in the mail and just thought these turned out so cute. Simple family photos at home, love it.

x

J

Regneir Family // Chicago

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I met this family for the first time this day in Lincoln Park. They braved the heavy Chicago traffic on a Friday to meet me on a drizzling fall day. It was at least semi-warm! For a year where it snowed on Halloween, I’d take it. Josie, the younger daughter had a hard time with the camera, at first I thought she didn’t like me and then she warmed to some pretty killer laughs. :) Can you just check out the style on these girls? I actually love the moody drizzling day that this turned out to be. Gave them all an opportunity to get nice and cozy. :)

x

J

Barnes Family 2019 // Chicago

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Last year I shot Kate and Dan and their beautiful and bright daughter, Allison, and this year they have some exciting news because their next baby is on the way! Here is a loving family shoot, in Humboldt Park. Such great landscapes for the city. We can actually get some green in the photos! Love this family! Congratulations to you all Barnes Family!

xo

J

Wroblewski Family // Chicago

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And then they were four! Welcome to the crew baby Samantha! love this family so much. I photographed their wedding, their newborn photos with Brody, their lakeside family photos and now this intimate family shoot with baby number two. So grateful for friends and clients like these! love!

x

j

Scholl Family // Chicago

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Grateful for clients who go with the flow and can laugh with me. Abby has been one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. She and I grew up in the same neighborhood in Iowa and be now both live in Chicago. I’m so grateful I get to check in with her growing family here every once in awhile and take their photos. In this case, she and I had to laugh a lot because Dillon, her youngest son, would not smile, would only scowl. He. Just. Wasn’t. Into. It. So we went with it and the results are adorable but hilarious. It’s almost comical that we couldn’t get one photo, but hey, it was chilly and he was hungry. Not a great combo for a toddler. lol.

x

J

Barnes Family // Lincoln Park // Chicago

Love this family! We met at Lincoln Park, South Pond, one of my favorite places to shoot in the city. It’s obviously a choice amongst other photographers too because there are always one or two other shoots going on at the same time. :) Ally is the sweetest child, hopefully you can see her personality come through in some of these photos!

x

J

Corner-Miller Family // Chicago

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This family holds a special place in my heart but this little girl is very special. Mari June was born about a year ago, these photos were taken to mark her first year of life. She was born extremely early and the NICU was a place of home for her in her first months of life. There were pulmonary hemorrhages, oxygen tubes, waiting, unknowing, doctors, blood transfusions, PICC lines, brain bleeds, brain surgeries, scans, ventilators, blood clots, and ultimately a diagnosis of Hydrocephalus - a buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain. Luckily, Mari will be ok and her life will be fulfilled to the max, plus she has this great family so we all know that smile of hers is a miracle. 

I met Candace, Mari and Henry’s mom at my first day as a Sr. Graphic Designer at ULTA Beauty Corporate in the burbs of Chicago. It was her orientation too, where she was the social media manager. I liked her from the get go. She was confident, smiley and had a cool sense about her that I gravitated to. Maybe it was that she was the young one amongst some IT folks in orientation or maybe it was because we both shared the love of our nose studs. We became friends over time and even managed to get into our own version of a supper club together. Supper club sounds dated but it was really a girl’s date night, where a few of ULTA girls who lived in the city and had to commute to Bolingbrook, bitched about the traffic and laughed about “those” co-workers. 

I met Candace and Johnny at Montrose Beach one August morning and the light was beautiful, perfect in my opinion. The sky was slightly overcast but rays of light peaked through various holes in the clouds. Both kids were smiley and hilarious, and I even got a rendition of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” by Henry and Candace. He knew every word! For a three-year-old, I am impressed! These photos are soft and gentle, and I think their outfits are just the cutest, not surprised by the woman who puts all us moms to shame when it comes to Halloween! 

They love these images and I hope they’re cherished for years to come. Thanks Candace and Johnny for allowing me to capture these special moments.

XO

J

Torres Maternity // Chicago

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These two were a dream to photograph. Not only were they dressed impeccably, they were down for whatever, even my idea of getting into the water. :) It was a beautiful Sunday night and because I just figured that since it was a Sunday night in the summer at 7pm, that the swimmers wouldn’t be around. I showed up about 20 minutes before the shoot was supposed to start and oh boy, it was PACKED.  They wanted beach photos and with how crowded the small beach was, I needed to think fast. Luckily the man-made concrete peninsula wasn’t crowded. So, when they got there, off we went. The only tricky part about shooting on the concrete that has waves constantly coming in and out is the algae. Me, being the photographer I am, I like to get down low, climb high up, just to get the right angles for the shot, and I biffed so hard. My camera slammed into the concrete, got wet, I bounced off my elbow before my hip hit down and there I was, pregnant little me all wet and laughing. This would of course happen to me. I mostly felt bad because of the looks on their faces. I shook it off and we kept going, these things happen, right? ☺We circled back onto the beach and by this time the sun was just a sliver before setting and we grabbed a few shots (which are my favorite) of Lauren bathing in the water with her dress on. I actually did this for my first maternity shoot with my daughter Penelope and loved it. Just glad she was such a trooper! Hope you enjoy these, they were definitely worth the bruises!

Xo

Davis Family // Humboldt Park // Chicago

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The landscape might fool you because we were neither lakeside nor in the suburbs, just a quick hop, skip and a jump to Humboldt Park in Chicago and you get everything - beach, pond, prairie and open field. Katie and her family were so great to work with. They found me through a past client and we met up on a beautiful summer evening. I was forewarned that their daughter, Hannah was 1) sick and 2) the shoot was close to her bedtime. Ha! I know what that means! Luckily, she was an angel, even smiley. I just love the warm light in these photos and you can really feel the love between them. I especially loved when Hannah kept kissing her mama, full chin suck and all. Enjoy these sweet moments with the Davis Family. <3

xo

J

Wroblewski Family // Promontory Point Chicago

It wasn't too long ago that I had shot Brody's newborn photos, but now a year later, here we are celebrating his walking and big boy smile. I'm always amazed at kids who are just so good and smiley, he was it! It's like he's taken modeling classes before?! Promontory Point is one of my favorite places to shoot in the city, you get the green and the blue from the lake with the faded Chicago skyline in the back. Hope you love these photos with one of the best families! Happy Birthday Brody!

Liz + Mickey // Chicago

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I got to meet Liz and Mickey over a Skype call last fall as they were interested in meeting me but were living in Minneapolis. We got along right away and I loved their energy. I was actually a referral from Jackie, my fall bride and event coordinator at their reception and wedding space, shout out to Homestead on the Roof! Another amazing thing about this wedding location is that it’s hop, skip and a jump from my house. Three blocks to be exact! It was a mild winter day, it hadn't snowed much so nothing on the ground but we were all hoping for a bit of  real life snow globe for photos.

We met at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel and walked over to Millennium Park for some shots in the garden before heading back to the hotel room for a quick champagne toast with close family. From there, we headed to West Town so they could sign their Ketubah, created by artist friends. From their reaction, you can notice how much they loved it (tears!). 

The ceremony was done in the main area of Homestead on the Roof and everyone just turned their chairs around from the dimming tables to watch in the marriage ceremony. They created a chuppah out of birch trees and an heirloom fabric. Liz’s family is from the former Soviet Union and they had lots of amazing traditions and everything was full of laughter. Her sisters wouldn't let Liz forget how lucky she was that she never had to attend kindergarten there. Their Russian was a bit rusty but they came through giving Mickey and Liz their wedding blessings. The food was incredible, the dancing was epic and then SNOW! I hope you love these as much as me, and congratulations to Liz and Mickey! I loved your wedding!

 

XO

 

J

 

The Bernardos // Chicago

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Can't you just hear the laughter and feel the love in these? These types of shoots, at home, no agenda, just hanging out  are some of my favorites. 1) it totally takes the pressure off of getting a perfect shot and allows things to happen more naturally and 2) they are hilarious! Three kids six and under love giggling and egging each other on. I fit right in. Hope you love these as much as I do!