Just another cold winter day, this time with two adorable little boys who had no desire to leave the warmth and coziness of their light-filled home. So we did one of my favorite types of sessions: the “hang around and play and get to know one another” session. A good time was had by all!!

And just for good measure…

All slots have been filled (thank you!!!!!) but please let me know if you would like to be added to the wait list or if you would like to be notified if we create additional openings.

For the second year in a row, Principessa Children’s Boutique and I will be joining forces to help stock the shelves of the Moraine Township Food Pantry, which serves those in need within the communities of Highwood, Highland Park, Deerfield and Lake Forest.

We will be offering ten minute mini photo sessions on Saturday March 20th* from 10am to noon. The sessions will take place in the fabulously funky alley behind the boutique, which is located in Highland Park’s historic Ravinia business district. Each participant is asked to bring a bag of non-expired, non-perishable groceries for donation and in return will receive a “thank you” 5×7 print.

Six random winners will receive Principessa gift certificates (3-$25, and 3-$10), and all participants will receive a 15% discount on all non-sale items purchased on the day of the session.

Additional prints will be available to purchase “a la carte” at regular print prices or as part of several Special Event collections.

Come join us, and feel free to invite your friends. Please note, however, that advance registration is required and space is limited. Please email me with any questions or to book your 10 minute session.

*rain date is Sunday March 21.

How do you dress a big family for photographs and project a sense of cohesiveness without being matchy-matchy? Be like these fine folks: select a color palette (in this case, blues and grays) and then let everyone choose clothes that make them comfortable and happy, and are reflective of their personal style. Then, for an extra bit of “oomph,” a little accessorizing can go a long way. See how a last minute trip to The Gap for scarves and gloves added color, texture and interest to this family’s already excellent wardrobe selection.

But what’s even more important than selecting outfits when gathering the cousins for a family portrait? Having fun, and lots of it!!

In order to get this..

…you first have to encourage some of this:

Is it even possible to look at this kid without smiling? This 7 month old little dude is sweet, happy, and adorably squishy — and I was one lucky lady to spend the morning aiming my camera at him!!

This super-cool model airplane was just about the only thing that didn’t take flight during the session. These three sibs were almost perpetual motion machines: running, scooting, jumping, lifting, climbing and even occasionally being tossed into the air. Even so, we had ample time to chit chat and to play, and I was happy to discover that all three are as delightful as they are busy…

Welcome to the world, baby boy. Only a week old, this little bundle of sweetness is happiest attached to his mom and indeed, that’s how he spent most of our session…

Guess who’s home from preschool…

This 9 month old is blessed with many things: a terrific disposition, a warm & wonderful family, and — as you can see below — the biggest, bluest eyes.

And a behind-the-scene outtake of the funniest staring contest ever:

I’m greeting this new year by posting my last session of 2009. It’s not every day that I get to photograph a family of four boys, and what fun it was! They were no more rambunctious than the brood of females that I call my own, and their warmth, spirit and sense of humor made me feel right at home!!

We start the morning by being rather refined…

And end up by letting it all hang out!!

Happy Birthday Baby J!! Or should I say Toddler J?

And with his doting big sister…