I love photographing newborns in their homes rather than in my studio. I know that seems weird when the light in my studio is easier to predict and manage… but hey, where’s the fun in that! To me, the small elements of a baby’s home that are included helps to make the portraits special.

The kind of family that makes you think, “ya know, I’m going to try and be a better person”.

For me, they were a magical combination of kids that get along even though they have different interests, engaging parents, peace, togetherness and open-mindedness. I know it sounds a bit poetic, but I really felt honored to have met them.

We hung around The Art Institute and Millennium Park for our session, not only because it’s a beautiful spot, but because it is meaningful to this family. The oldest is off to study art at college next year. Together we soaked up the city atmosphere, brisk spring air, a rambling saxophone tune in the distance, tourists passing by, busses steaming past, quiet sections of the Lurie Garden and with the Michigan Avenue skyline hanging unboastfully over the whole scene. See what effect they had on me?

Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.

In our email correspondence about her aspirations for the session, Waylon’s mom had mentioned… “I was thinking of bringing along the 1970′s era old-school baby pram that my mom used with me. I am not usually one for props, but this thing is kind of awesome I think.”

It is at this point that every photographer asks themselves “kind of awesome?” Oh yeah, baby! I immediately responded to her beautifully crafted and well thought-out email with “BRING THE PRAM.”

(ps. I love my clients! You guys are the best!)

1. Arriving at their home to discover they have a pier on a lake in the backyard. (yes!)
2. The reflection of light on Allison’s face from her husband’s white shirt. (yes!)
3. Her husband’s willingness to set up a hammock specifically for these pictures. (yes!)
4. The tulips and daffodils that bloomed just in time to be picked. (yes!)
5. The way they doted on each other. Simply too sweet.

Here’s a little glimpse of the amazing kids I photographed that day. And please note that the only remaining GIMME 5 time slots for 2012 are on April 14th. (May is reserved for First Communion sessions, June is fully booked). Click here to snag a spot.

It shows 3 1/2 days last July condensed into just one minute! You’ll see there are some gaps in time. That’s because I found I had to change the battery in the camera every few hours — tricky during the summer when I was trying to take the kids away from the construction for long stretches of time.

The camera was located in the top level of our garage on a tripod. Every time I had to change the battery it meant stumbling past the dumpster, a mountain of building supplies, rubble, the workmen, and their collection of sacred lunch coolers. The contractor kindly ran an electric line up to the top of the garage for me, but I never did figure out how to power the camera off mains electricity. If anybody knows how to constantly power an old D200 please give me a shout!

Thanks to Adam (an actual, true-life video editor) for compiling this movie from my stills. I know this was ridiculously easy for you, but it saved me a world of frustration. And thanks to Dorrie for the Oscar-quality soundtrack.

Each maternity session is bittersweet — I have very few images of myself pregnant — you can count them on one hand. And they are definitely not pretty. How much I would cherish just one beautifully lit, peaceful portrait. It is so rewarding to create these for other moms.

Can’t wait to meet her new baby in just a few weeks and capture the whole family together!

Armed with a bag of animal crackers (or as his parents insist, “Animal crack. He is addicted to them.”) we diverted Dominic’s negative vibes by heading straight out the door and over to the woods. A few minutes of a new environment was all we needed before we were smiling away.

Thanks and kudos to Dominic and Genevieve’s parents for being calm and flexible. I cannot stress enough that parents really do set the tone for a family session.

I’m so glad to document this time your family — thanks!