AURORA WEDDING || MARIA & JEREMY

I’ve known Jeremy since he was in elementary school, I met his mom, Janet, when I first moved to Chicago in 2001 and she has become a lifetime friend. In fact, her family gave me adoption papers one year for Christmas, so I’m officially a sister. We are so excited for Maria and Jeremy and […]

read more

Families

ARE YOU SCARED THAT YOUR CHILDREN WON’T DO WHAT YOU WANT FOR FAMILY PHOTOS? I have this feeling EVERY time I get kids ready for pictures!! Maybe you have a session booked with me this fall, or maybe you have a session with another fellow photographer, but either way, there is a good chance you […]

read more

Children, Education, Families, Lifestyle, Style Guide

parents holding blanket above kids as they run underneath it

HOW TO PREP YOUR CHILDREN ||FAMILY PHOTOS

PARENTS SURVIVAL GUIDE || FAMILY PHOTOS

It’s FALL!! And that means FAMILY PHOTOS!! Does it stress you out? I know it stresses me out and not just because I’m a photographer!!! I know you WANT to do it, you feel like you SHOULD do it, but it’s SOOOOO much work to get your family all ready, to figure out outfits, find […]

read more

Children, Couples, Education, Families, Lifestyle, Style Guide

I am so honored that Krista and Miguel asked me to take their maternity photos at the swinging bridge in Riverside, IL. It’s become a family tradition that all of their most important events are captured at the swinging bridge. They did their first look for their wedding here, and came back for their 2 […]

read more

Baby Bumps, Couples, Families, Special Events

BABY ARRIAGA || IT’S TRADITION

SOUTH HAVEN, MI || GRAND-BABIES

A few years ago I would have NEVER dreamed that I would be saying that I was going to have grand-babies, or that you could call me Meemaw – and it has still taken me since December to be able to say it – I’m not even old enough to have grand-babies, I mean technically […]

read more

Baby Bumps, Children, Families, Travel

I’ve been approached MANY times by friends who have recently learned someone in their lives has been diagnosed with cancer. I have been asked many questions about how they should react, what they can do, how they can help, what kinds of things helped me the most. I’ve been asked how to help during treatment, […]

read more

Education, Families, Photo Books, Special Events, Travel

IT’S CANCER || NOW WHAT?

BEAUTIFUL RENO WEDDING || KENZIE & TYLER

It was such an honor to get to fly to Reno for Kenzie and Tyler’s wedding in the Reno, NV Temple. The mountains,  trees and scenery were GORGEOUS!! I wish I could take every set of bridal photos there!! The forecast all week had been looking like it was going to rain, and at the […]

read more

Families, Special Events, Travel, Wedding

Last week was my birthday and I turned 43!! A few years ago it might have just been another day in the life, another sunrise to sunset without any fanfare or celebration, but I’ve learned a few things about myself in the last 3 years that make me appreciate my birthday more than ever….and dang […]

read more

About Me, Special Events

ANOTHER YEAR OLDER || AND MAYBE WISER TOO