Midwest Family Photography

Beth + Mike // Chicago

in

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

in

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

in

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

in

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

Corner-Miller Family // Niles

in

I’ve been taking this family’s photos for some time, they are some of my favorite to work with because Candace really puts thought into the vibe she wants and we collaborate. Can you just look at these amazing fall outfits? Their children, Mari and Henry are so fun and each time I see them, their personalities are bigger than ever. Mari, who is a miracle baby, born at 26 weeks, gives me such hope. She is a little angel baby. I love the warmth from the sun in these photos and this family makes my job so easy and fun! Thanks for letting me capture you all Candace and Johnny!

xo

J

Wroblewski Family // Chicago

in

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

in

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

in

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

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!

Lefevour Family // Oakbrook

in

It had been almost 4 years since the last time I photographed this family. Mikey was barely crawling and Mae was still so little. They’re both so tall now and hilarious. I love their brotherly- sister love. He always wanted to do what she was doing. I love when little boys look up to their sisters, that’s my feminist bone coming out. JWe met on a warm summer night in Oakbrook, I had never been to the Graue Mill, a water-powered gristmill and it sits on the Dupage Country Forest Preserve. It had water, trees, paths, and gorgeous summer light. I just wish it was closer to the city so I could shoot here all the time! So much personality in this family, we even had a to take a few photos with thumbs up to appease Mikey, the youngest. Haha! I hope you enjoy!

J

Scholls Family // Olive Park

Last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting The Scholls. Abby, a long time friend of mine (we used to build forts and ride bikes) had asked me to shoot her family and I was thrilled. I loved meeting Matt and Sam. Sam is 2 and probably the smiliest child I have every encountered. I know, every kid has their moment of tantrum and just being tired but he was a dream. I also have a sweet spot for 2 year olds.

We met at Olive Park and strolled around Oak Street Beach. The weather was stunning for the end of October, we lucked out. I hope you enjoy these!

J

Hello, World! Baby Aurora // Evanston

in

Aurora “Rory,” was a great newborn subject, she was making eye contact, she was so alert! And so cooperative! Her older brother, Radley, was very excited to have her around. He wanted to kiss and hug and hold her all the time. It was a pleasure seeing this family again after taking his 1-year-old photos the previous summer. I went to their new home in Evanston, on a beautiful tree-lined street and made me think, hmm, maybe the suburbs aren’t so bad! It was lovely. I hope you enjoy these photos of this beautiful family.

J

VanMilligan Family // Willow Springs

in

I recently found this lush green area outside of Chicago as part of the Cook County Forest Preserves. You can fish, picnic, hike etc. It’s gorgeous! I had Kenny and his family meet me there one summer night in early June and it was perfect. The sun was warm and low and the magic hour really did us a favor. I’ve known Kenny since I was a girl. His family moved into my family neighborhood when I was probably 8 years old. Kenny used to bike me home sometimes after I was at their house playing with his sister. We actually had the same circle of friends in college and he’s always been one of the best, his smiles are contagious. I met his wife, Tyler, and their two beautiful girls at Saganashkee Slough Woods. So full of energy and sweet smiles, I knew this would be a good shoot. You can always tell within the first few minutes of a dynamic. Sometimes it’s off, one child had a bad day, or a meltdown in the car, but this wasn’t that day, everyone was excited. The Slough has a lot of water so there were ducks and geese and lots of curiosity from the girls. We had such  good time, just enough for a few shots of just Kenny and Tyler, so in love.

I love these and I hope you do too!

X

JB

Zalaznik Family // Iowa

in

Just a few short years ago, I had the privilege of shooting Madde and Ryan’s wedding, in the exact same spot! I remember because I was pregnant and it was summer, they had the most beautiful atmosphere. The property belongs to her father and it’s actually the house he grew up in. It’s a gorgeous old brick farmhouse with tall ceilings, giant windows and all the character you could expect in a house like that. The property is even more stunning. All the trees, the green and the background of the rolling hills of Iowa, you’d like it was out of a Grant Wood painting. Madde and Ryan were accompanied by their two children, both from previous relationships, and the same age! They were brother and sister and best friends, their dynamic is so fun, I think that you can tell by these photos. I hope you enjoy!

Cheers!

JB

The Glocks // A Snowy Lincoln Park Day

in

I had the pleasure of meeting this adorable family for the first time this day. It’s always a little funny, because it’s somewhat of a first blind date. I stand with my camera gear at a meeting point and await a family who is somewhat put together (everyone always has cute jackets and their hair done when I get to see them). But when we saw each other in the atrium of the Lincoln Park conservatory, we knew who each other was right away and we laughed because oh boy, the weather was something!

What a day this was! We scheduled our shoot later in the day because we wanted to warm sun to be low and amazing. We didn’t get sun at all! We got a heavy, snowstorm! It was the first of the season, December heavy, wet snow. So we went with it! It was actually quite beautiful, it just made for some more challenging scenes. Nevertheless, Gretchen and family were more than happy to go with the flow. So we tried under some trees, and then some winter hats and then we just went with it! If you can’t beat it, join it right? That was our motto that day. And the snow just kept coming, everything was laced with white, the trees, the benches, even our eyelashes. They turned out to be delightful, and will be amazing photos for their holiday Christmas card. Dreaming of a white snowy Christmas?  J

Thanks and I hope you enjoy these!

JoAnna