Today I had the opportunity to meet some extraordinary young people. An old college friend of mine, Gretchen Grad, is one of the founders of Hands of Peace, a rather remarkable organization dedicated to developing peace-making and leadership skills in Israeli, Palestinian and American teens through the power of dialogue and personal relationships. Each summer Hands of Peace brings a group of teenagers to the suburbs of Chicago for an intense two week program and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to photograph this year’s participants. I was moved, inspired, and encouraged — and will definitely be angling for an invitation to return next year!

Every year, despite the increasingly weird and wacky weather, I have always been lucky enough to have only a few photo sessions that require rescheduling due to rain (or snow, or hurricane-force gale winds, or whatever). However, I have noticed a strange phenomenon… it seems that every year there is one family who bears the brunt of the bad weather and experiences several bouts of inclement weather before their session is successfully completed. This delightful family is one of them, cheerfully enduring two mornings of doppler radar, last minute phone calls, and the final decision of “I think we should wait.” But the third time indeed was the charm, as we were met with a beautiful, sunny, dry, not too hot day. And I loved this little boy!!!!! He was sweet, charming, and confident, with a head full of amazing curls and the most interesting, eclectic taste in the arts. Have I ever before met a 3 year old with a passion for both Pearl Jam AND Buzz Lightyear? Afraid not

This session was spent running back and forth between the family’s beautifully landscaped backyard and their cozy courtyard out front. One of the highlights of the backyard was an overflowing salad garden filled with goodies. As a result, these kids know — and love — their veggies! How could I resist sharing these images?

And because there was much, much more to this session than perfectly ripe tomatoes…

Had a great time getting to know this delightfully laid back family of five at one of my favorite local parks…

Just yesterday you came into this world, a tiny baby with shockingly straight, black hair (I remember the pediatrician looking at me a little strangely when I asked her how old you’d be when your hair would start to curl. She replied “it may never be curly.” I countered “of course it will” and of course I was right. For the record, you were about 18 months old…)

Just yesterday, you were a sweet tempered baby with mildly challenging sleeping habits. You also had a sweet tempered father with mildly challenging sleeping habits. Some things never change…

Today you are twelve. It has been a pleasure and a privilege (and yes, sometimes a challenge) to watch you grow. I am sorry to inform you that although you are no longer a baby, you will always be MY baby. Despite that fact, there are very many un-baby-like things about you that I adore. For starters, I love your curiosity, your passion, your work ethic, your sense of justice, your slightly twisted sense of humor. Oh yeah, and your taste in socks…

Happy Birthday!!!! I love you!!!!

Last weekend, this family of 11 came to town to celebrate Grandpa’s special birthday, and I got to gather the troops for a multi-generational portrait in celebration of the occasion. I am still working on the proofs (I have been pulled slightly off-task by the endless preparation and packing of getting my own kids off to overnight camp), but in the mean time thought I would share of few images of the action from the sidelines. While taking a break between shots, and for a few minutes at the end, I especially enjoyed capturing how easily — and how lovingly — the “big” cousins embraced their distant, much younger cousins. Sometimes in photography, and in life, the in-between moments are the best of all….

This family is about to move halfway across the country in what is sure to be a new and exciting chapter in their lives. Photographing them at home in one of their final weeks, doing many of their their favorite things, was an extra-special (and extra-fun) assignment for me! I love the energy and spirit of these images so much…

I have been photographing these children quite literally for as long as I have held a camera in my hand as a professional. It’s been quite a ride documenting their growth from a couple of really little kids into vivacious teen and charming ‘tween, and really the biggest honor as well. Thank you!!!!

Have you ever tried to “squish” someone with your fingers? That’s what they were doing to me, their old photographer friend…

I first discovered this little gem of a forest preserve on a field trip with a bunch of third graders who were participating in the “wet prairie” (no, I had never heard that term before either) preservation program, and I knew right away it would also make a wonderful spot for morning mini sessions.

My own fine kid on her class trip..

Other people’s fine children at two of the mini sessions from last week…

I called this post “Evolution” because it evolved in the most fun kind of way. Over the course of an hour and a half or so, the magical powers of their favorite beach turned these well dressed, well groomed and very polite young children into sandy, wet, happy, barely dressed, extremely industrious, and (finally) very tired little sea sprites.