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This daily practice has given me creative fuel

Posted in musings

My kids and I read poetry daily. They’ve come to love Shel Silverstein and A. A. Milne, and I have found myself taken to William Wordworth.

Over the last couple of years of delving into educational philosophies, I’ve been inspired by the beauty and practicality of exposing children to poetry. I didn’t know it would change me as well.

I don’t know that I would ever choose to sit and read poetry, and so in that way, the habit of reading with my kids is somewhat selfish. There is a bit of reclaiming what I never had for myself – the exposure and saturation of an art form that the right combination of words can make.

It’s the ripple effects of this practice that have been so transformative.

It has changed me because it has forced me to challenge my standard of measurement. If a 3 or 4 year old was not proficient in counting to twenty, or knowing their shapes or colors, some may be concerned. But what would we say if that same 3 or 4 year old loved poetry, or knew the birds in their neighborhood by name? What if they shouted with delight at the sight of a crescent moon or the recognition of a familiar painting?

What could I create if I challenged my own standards of measurements? The expectation of what I am and who I should be, how I should spend my time or invest in my work?

When I’ve challenged these measurements, I found freedom in rethinking what was required to be considered successful. For me, it has looked like changing directions with work after ten years to go after something new, because I know it’s right. Because I know I need to tell the story of family for others, and for myself.

It’s looked like continuing to chase that gut instinct, even when it seems a bit off or not like what anyone else is doing right now.

I want to know – what would that look like for you?

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    a peek at the products shop

    Posted in families

    Okay so you know I am all about getting your images off your hard drive and into your hands, in a tangible way, for you and your family to enjoy every day. I talk all about how much I have loved seeing our own images in my home here. Because, let’s be real. At the end of the day, the photos you remember and that preserve your legacy aren’t the ones that sat collecting dust on a thumb drive, but the ones that were visible for your family every day. It feels like almost backwards logic these days, in the digital world we are living in, to remember to print your photos. We have this almost false sense of security around our images because they are backed up digitally, and yet, what are some of the most prized ways we remember loved ones from generations past? Through photo albums, or framed prints. The tangibles.

    I do believe in this value of printing your images that with every family session you book with me, your collection purchase includes a substantial print credit good towards any item in my online shop. I want you to enjoy your images! Today I want to share with you what some of your options are for bringing those gorgeous images to life, when you book a family session with me.

    So I’m not going to even try to hide that one of my favorite ways to display images is through framed prints. I am so excited to offer such high quality custom framing through my shop. Custom framing is really something I consider a bit of a treat, which is why I think its the perfect item to use your print credit towards! When it comes to framed prints, I highly suggest going big in your display, whether that is a tryptic set of 8x10s across a wall, or something like a  larger 16×24. Rather than picking the images of everyone smiling directly at the camera, I suggest picking the photos that make you remember how you felt in that moment. I guarantee you those are the images that will make you stop and smile to yourself every time you pass them by.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In that same vain of wall display, deckled prints are a truly unique and beautiful way to show off images on your walls! Deckled prints are made from archival 100% cotton with a rick and textured finish, and carefully hand torn to create a soft feathered edge. Deckled prints look beautiful placed inside of a glass floating frame like this one here.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    If you find yourself with a bit of extra print credit and want to knock something off your to do list, I suggest taking a look at some of the beautiful minimalist holiday cards in the shop. The ordering process makes it super easy by directly allowing you to preview your images from your gallery into the card designs, and have them delivered straight to your door!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Okay are you itching for some beautiful art to fill your walls? Well you know I’d love to help you out there! Shoot me an email and let’s start the conversation on documenting your family in a totally real and not cheesy way. I want you to have images that fuel you for the hard days, and keep you smiling on the good days. Images that allow you to see yourself, and allow your kids to see you and to remember these days.

    Want to check out some other family sessions while you’re here? You might like this post or this one!

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      It’s been one year | Chicago Lifestyle Family Photographer

      Posted in families

      family photo playing in bed with one toddler in the air

      What’s on my mind lately is that it’s been one year. How do we even begin to measure this amount of time and all the paradoxes it held? How is it possible that we could have missed out on so much in this last year, but also lived so much life at the same time?

      Having had a baby myself in the middle of all that was 2020, I feel these photos so much. Because the truth is, life didn’t stop for us in the pandemic. Sure, it shifted, in cataclysmic ways even, but we found new ways of being. Babies continued to be born. Home took on new meaning. We tried our best to have hope, and find our own rays of sunshine, and often, that was by seeking joy in the mundane every day.

      mom holding baby upright with daughter hugging from behind family smiling gathered around dad playing piano

       

      Hey, if you want photos of you and your family that capture you all in a way that doesn’t just remind you what you look like, but what your family feels like, send me an email. I’d love to chat with you! In the mean time, if you want to see some more lovely family sessions, you might enjoy this post or this one.

      One more thing, if just the thought of prepping your whole family for a photo session stresses you out, download my free guide to getting the whole family photo ready!

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      How have I never noticed this before?

      Posted in musings, wander

      nature image of plants in snow and grass

      As couple of years ago, a friend introduced me to 19th century British educator, Charlotte Mason. I was immediately intrigued by much of her philosophy which placed heavy emphasis on good literature and plenty of time outdoors for children.

      This past year, as my interest continued to grow, I decided to dive into her original writings. Between all of our time spent outside, and reading through her works, I honestly felt changed. I know…it sounds really dramatic. But hear me out.

      nature image dried plant in the fall chicago nature preserve

      One of my many favorite quotes of Mason’s regarding time spent outside says

      “An observant child should be put in the way of things worth observing”

      What happened though, with all of our newfound time spent outside in what sometimes felt like the most mundane places, was that it wasn’t just my kids who began to observe more.

      I noticed for the first time last summer that of all the trees planted on our block, no two were alike. It occurred to me that, somebody planted these. They thought about what trees should take root here. How have I never noticed this before?

      nature image of lily pad in lagoon on 35mm film

      This week on our walk, and multiple times this winter, I couldn’t stop staring at all the dried branches peeking out of the snow. I used to think everything was just dead in the winter. Now I saw seeds tucked away, waiting for their chance, buds sleeping, nests uncovered by bare trees. How have I never noticed this before?

      I’ve been learning, right along side my kids, what it means to slow down and pay attention. Going for walks and noticing the small changes around me have helped me to realize how small I am, and this can be such a source of calm when the world around me feels so chaotic.

      I hope you find time this week to slow down and take some notice of what’s around you. There really is so much to see, if we just allow ourselves to.

       

      Like this post? You may also be interested in some of my film diaries images here or here.

      And hey, thinking about having that beautiful family of yours documented by me? I’d love to chat with you and share all the details! Get the conversation started here. Look forward to hearing from you.

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        I finally get to share what I’ve been working on these last couple months!

        Posted in Chicago, families, musings

        Hey! How are you? What’s new in your life!

        Do you feel like you’re going to make it through the lat few weeks of winter here in Chicago? Or are you actually like, “Oh my goodness we are thriving, I love it.” Because if you are the latter, I wanna know your secret!

        Are there any recipes you’re making lately that you have to share? Let me know because I’m always looking for something new.

        We are somewhere in the middle of staying cozy with books and hot drinks, but have also found our groove with nature outings. My three year old saw his first deer this month, and I think it made his life! I am also prepping for spring (wishful thinking? sure…but it helps!). I purchased some new seeds online and after learning from some rookie mistakes planting starters last year, I am excited to try something new. I’m trying these peat pellets, in case you’re interested.

        I also bought strawberry and watermelon seeds this year, because why the heck not!

         

        Okay…so about that big announcement!

         

        I am SO SO SO pumped to share that I’ll be hosting a Motherhood Session event on May 1st. I have been working on the details of this event for months and am so excited to finally be sharing it with you!

        The truth it, motherhood is messy, often invisible, and barely glorious, and yet, it inspires me. And getting to document mothers is a privilege.

        So especially after the year we’ve all had, I truly am so excited to be able to do this–to photograph you in person–and to celebrate the moms for all they have been doing.

         

        Are you interested in getting all the booking details? Sign up for slots will be exclusively through my mailing list, so sign up here if you want to be in the know!

        And, hey, if you want photos of you and your family that capture you in a way that doesn’t just remind you what you look like, but what family feels like, send me an email. I’d love to chat with you!

        If you’re interested in staying in touch– being the first to get access to exclusive photo offers, or just want more pretty in your inbox, join my mailing list! It’s fun, promise :)

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