Last night this gorgeous little girlie came to see me for a newborn session, and she brought along her entire entourage including mom, dad, 14 month old big brother and some of the proudest grandparents I’ve ever seen!  The entire family was incredibly sweet and a pleasure to get to know better, and no one could get big brother to grin like his Grandpa (he had the coolest app on his phone that changed his voice to a cat voice– he had us all cracking up with that one!).  Grandma and Grandpa took big brother home for bed after we finished the sibling photographs, and it was probably a good thing they did since we didn’t wrap up until pretty late!  {A} was probably the most alert little newborn I’ve seen in a while– wide eyed, calmly taking it all in. Even though it was tough to get the sleepy poses I didn’t mind cuddling her a little extra to try to help her doze off– the feisty ones give me a chance to get some extra snuggles in :)  Newborn photography sessions are so unpredictable–  everything is up to the littlest one in the room!  Once she conked out everything was smooth sailing– we ended the session with some gorgeous photographs (although they couldn’t be anything but with such a beautiful little subject)!

If you would like to schedule a newborn photography session in the Chicago area, please visit my website or go ahead and fill out a Chicago newborn photography client profile.  You can find out how to prepare and what to expect during your newborn session in my previous posts “Using a newborn photographer in Chicago?  How to prepare for your newborn session” and “Ready to see your Chicago newborn photographer?  What to expect at the session”

I had the pleasure of photographing this little princess recently– she was absolutely adorable!  Toddlers are never predictable during a  photography session, so of course she kept me on my toes, but I loved seeing her little personality come out as the session progressed!  We made animal sounds, read books, played with my puppets, and of course dug into the dress-up bin… and she fell in love with my rocking horse :)  {E} was absolutely gorgeous, with big blue eyes that showed every bit of that sparkling personality– and those lashes?  Oh my goodness, she will be wrapping her daddy around her finger with those for years to come! .  She has so much spunk for such a little one, I have the feeling she will keep her entire family on their toes as she grows!

If you would like to schedule a session for your toddler, please visit my Chicago custom photographer website for more information, or feel free to fill out a Chicago photography client profile :)

Tomorrow is the last day to enter!  All details for the Chicago newborn photography session giveaway can be found here

If you would like to go ahead and schedule a newborn photography session in the Chicago area for your little one, please fill out a Chicago newborn photography client profile

Photographing twins can be a bit more challenging than a single newborn (it can be difficult to position one newborn to photograph, but having to get multiple newborns comfortable at the same time to photograph can be a twice as tricky!), but seeing the connection between two people so tiny is amazing!  These two were wonderful and slept so well throughout our session I had a hard time letting them go home!  They were positively gorgeous :)

If you are ready to schedule a newborn photography session for your twins on the way, please visit my Chicago newborn photography website for more information, or feel free to go ahead and fill out a Chicago newborn photography client profile

Yesterday I talked about preparing for your appointment with your Chicago newborn photographer, so naturally today is about what to expect when you arrive for your session!  I can only give insight about newborn photography sessions with me, since I’m not in the know about how other photographers handle their newborns.

Once you arrive, I will help you bring in anything you need for your little one from the car– after all, if you have a poo ninja like my youngest you may travel with quite an arsenal of spare clothes and multiple packages of wipes and hand sanitizer–  if daddy had to work or decided to hang at home to watch a football game, you may need some extra hands to make it inside without a second trip to the car!  Once you are inside, I have a super comfy Lazy-boy recliner for my mamas to relax in (and a nursing support pillow if needed)– sorry dads, you get a stool or dining chair– mom delivered that baby and deserves the most comfy place to sit!  I offer bottled water to all my newborn parents, with the option for coffee as well (let me know prior to your session if you want coffee so my husband can make some before leaving with the kids– otherwise excuse me while I you tube how to make coffee with our coffee pot!).  Once you’re all settled we’ll get started!

I have a changing table in my studio sanitized and with a freshly washed cover for every session.  I will squirt on some hand sanitizer (my hands can never be too sanitized when handling your newborn), remove your little one from the car seat, pull off the sleeper and diaper and wrap her in a nice warm blanket to keep her cozy while we go over to the set I have prepared to start with.  I work very slowly with your little one– each movement is tiny and not rushed, making sure she stays as comfortable as possible throughout our time together.  If she isn’t happy with a position (or getting into a position), we simply move on to another one!  The tiniest little grunt or squeak may prompt temporary abandonment of a pose– if she is uncomfortable it’s not worth forcing the position (On that note however, please make sure you bring the pacifier you left the hospital with.  Even if you do not plan to introduce a pacifier, a couple of hours with it available will not interfere with nursing or cause paci attachment– sometimes it is invaluable for returning your little one to deep sleep after shifting positions and it will only be used for a few seconds as a last resort)!  I am always within reach in case she begins to shift or stir while I am photographing and I take all precautions to make everything safe as possible.  There are some images that require a second set of hands to make sure they are done safely, and in that case if I do not have an assistant that day I may ask for mom or dad to lend a hand (quite literally!).  I typically have all headbands, hats, wraps and other props within arms reach of my photographing position prior to your session, however if I do need to step away from your little one I will also ask mom or dad to come place a hand on your newborn while I am out of reach.

Typically dad starts to grow tired of watching after a bit (after all, mom is in the comfy chair!), so I invite one or both you to move to the family room and watch television, catch a catnap on the sofa, read a book or escape the toasty warm studio (Dress in layers!  The studio is warmed significantly to keep your little one comfortable) for a few minutes.  I have had many dads (and a few moms) fall asleep during the session and that’s perfectly okay– you have a newborn at home, you have to take it when you can get it!  If you were unable to find childcare for an older sibling (or siblings), they are welcome to spend the session time in the playroom– the younger ones enjoy all the toys and the older ones have a hard time pulling themselves away from the xbox kinect when our session ends!

Depending on the baby and her tolerance level, I will use up to 3 different fabric backgrounds and a variety of headbands, hats or (for the little boys) neckties.  We may add on a prop at the end of the session (bucket, basket, etc), but that is only if your little one is still happy to be here.  If you have a vision of your little one in a prop hanging on your wall in the family room, please let me know prior to your session so I can get that set prepared to use first.  Also, if you have color preferences for my fabric backdrops, please indicate those on your Chicago newborn photographer client information form.

If your little one grows hungry during our session, I will happily take a feeding break!  If your newborn has an “accident” on my fabrics, don’t worry!  Everything is washable, and every item used is laundered (with free & clear detergent) after your session — we simply clean the mess up and move on!

Your time with me should be considered a time to relax– bring a good book you have started reading 3.8 million times and haven’t gotten to finish, or those thank you cards you keep meaning to send for shower gifts.  You will have approximately 2 hours to fill, so come prepared!

The next step for you is to go home, snuggle your baby and hit refresh about 347 times a day on my blog watching for your sneak peek to pop up… just kidding– I always email you once it’s up :)

If you need to schedule your newborn, please email me at Amy@FunFreshYou.com — or you are welcome to go ahead and fill out my newborn photography client profile form and I’ll contact you!

Part 1:  How to prepare to go see your Chicago area newborn photographer

Need to schedule a newborn photography session in Chicago?  You can find more information on my website, or go ahead and fill out a newborn client profile form!  Remember to enter the drawing for a free newborn photography session!

You have a sweet, squishy newborn laying in the bassinet nearby.  She opened her eyes and saw the outside world for the first time just hours ago and unknowingly changed your world forever.  Whether this is your first time parenting a newborn or your fifth (or more!), the little details of those first few weeks should be captured.  The wrinkles in her back.  The baby fuzz on his arms.  The wonderful way they still curl up like they were when inside you just days ago.  Around 2 weeks of age, all those indicators of their journey into the world begin to vanish.  He begins to stretch out whenever he gets a chance.  She loses all those baby wrinkles as her appetite fills them in.  He decides the world is a really interesting place and wants to stay awake to watch every little color and flash of light go by (or the ceiling fan like my youngest!).  She flips her days and nights the right way and sleeps much less during the day (and parents love sleeping newborn images– later they remind you that she really did sleep during those early weeks!) making the session a bit trickier for everyone involved.  The rapid development is exactly why it’s so important to have their newborn features captured as soon as possible after your baby’s entry into the world!

I always recommend that your photographer for your newborn is chosen before your pregnancy reaches the eighth month– I pencil in your baby’s due date and once your little one arrives we will finalize the session date.  Because labor isn’t known for being predictable, I always keep a few different times available for my newborns so we can get your little one in during the first 12 days.  If you haven’t scheduled your newborn photographer yet and you find yourself staring at that brand new gorgeous little one beside you, don’t panic!  Like I said– I keep select session slots available for newborns (I set aside a few for each due date, and a few extras for last minute babies), and chances are I can find one that works for you!  Contact your photographer from the hospital– after all, you have so much adrenaline running through you, there isn’t much hope for sleep anyway (and generally the snoring daddy in the chair beside you and the nurses that come in every 2 hours tend to interrupt any chance of sleep you do get… not to mention the little person you brought into the world– during my deliveries it seemed like the nurses had a little sensor that told them when I fell asleep so they can run in, turn on the light and strap a blood pressure cuff on my arm!).  Contacting your photographer from the hospital ensures that you will be able to get your newborn portraits done within that first 2 weeks at a time that works well for everyone.

The day of your session… if this is your first newborn, plan to leave plenty of time to get you and baby out of the house!  Most new moms are surprised by how much preparation it can take to leave the house for that first outing– and usually the first outing is either the doctor’s office for a weight check or to the newborn photographer!  I know no one likes to keep a sleepy baby awake, but before leaving try to keep your baby up as much as possible– it’s the perfect time to give him a bath and take a picture of him in each outfit gifted at your shower to send to the gift givers!  The bath will wake him up nicely, and the constant outfit changes will fight off that deep stage of sleep we are aiming for when you arrive to my studio!  When you’re finished keeping him up, put him in an outfit that will not go on over his head for the short trip to my studio– a footie sleeper is perfect… bonus points if it’s the zip up variety for super simple removal when you get here!  Feed feed feed the baby before getting in the car– it’s better than feeding her when you get to my studio for a few reasons:  hiccups, spit-up and the “straight through” digestion of most newborns.  If you feed her before you get in the car, all those things should be out of her system of by the time you arrive for your session, the car ride will put her nicely to sleep, and we can get started as soon as you walk in the door!

Coming up tomorrow– what to expect during your newborn photography session!

Valentine Mini-Sessions are here!  I have a few remaining session slots available in the Palatine area for Saturday the 28th, so please email Amy@FunFreshYou.com if you would like to snag one before they’re gone!

*Additional wallets can be purchased in sets of 8 for $15 each and all wallets will be delivered in a silver wallet tin :)  The included digital file will be the one selected to use in the valentines and include a print release as well as a version optimized for facebook and web-viewing.  Payment is due within 48 hours of reserving your time slot or the session time will be released to others.  A template selection guide will be emailed after session time has been reserved and payment has processed so you may select your design(s) in advance– allowing me to have the valentines at your door within 1 week of image selection.  Online proofing will be available within 24 hours of session to finalize image and wallet design — selection must be made by Wednesday February 1st to guarantee delivery by February 9th.

Are you expecting a new little one in February?  Do you know someone who is?  To celebrate my February baby’s 2nd birthday I am giving away 2 newborn sessions (taking place in the first 12 days after birth) to be held in my Rolling Meadows, IL studio! Winners will be selected using random.org and notified via email January 29th!

(2) winners will receive a newborn session in my Rolling Meadows studio and (1) digital image file (selected by you!) with a print release– a total value of $300!

If there are more than 50 entries, the prize will increase to my “handful” collection for each of the (2) winners: (5) digital image files with a print release– a total value of $650!

You can increase your odds and gain a second entry by finding me on facebook and clicking that little “like” button over there– just mention in your second email that you “liked” me!

For a third entry, visit my Chicago newborn photography website and tell me where you found the image below!  I need specifics– if it’s found on a specific category (FAQs, Investment, etc) I need to know the category–  if found in a portfolio gallery, tell me what number in the gallery order the image is!

Please email amy@funfreshyou.com by 11:59pm January 27th to enter!

*Prize is non-transferable and only valid for a Chicago-area newborn photography session.  Winner must be willing to travel to my Rolling Meadows, IL studio (near Palatine and Schaumburg) for a custom newborn photography session within  12 days of the baby’s birth.  I retain the legal copyright to all images taken during the newborn session.
I reserve the right to use images from your session on my website, in promotional or advertising materials and any other purposes I see fit.  I will never sell your images to a 3rd party without your written permission.  Under no circumstances can a client use these images for profit, commercial endeavors, in competitions or for professional display.

I was honored to attend {A}’s baptism last weekend– the amount of love surrounding this little girl is amazing! She and her parents live in Hawaii and took the opportunity to have her Christening in mom’s hometown of Lowell, IN while visiting for the holidays (thankfully with this weird Chicagoland winter we’re having, they haven’t suffered too terribly with the weather! It could be colder and snowier, right?). When my sorority sister (this gorgeous girl’s mama!) asked me to capture this day for her family, I was honored. I am not typically an event photographer (but I love being a newborn photographer!), but I loved seeing her family through my lens (and watching this first grandbaby turn her grandpas to mush!) and I hope I have done this memorable day justice for them :)

J & J: Thank you for trusting me to capture these moments for you — safe travels home, and I can’t wait to see how she’s grown next time you’re out this way!

Right after my little guy’s birthday (#3 in the line-up) on December 10th, we really get into full-blown Christmas mode in our house!  Sure, the tree has been up for a couple of weeks (purchased from a wonderful family-run tree farm in Antioch, IL– absolutely worth the drive from the Palatine-Rolling Meadows area!), stockings were hung by the chimney with care, the wreath was placed in its spot on the door and “Pinky” (our resident light-up pink flamingo) was placed outside to help complete our outdoor lights– but December 11th is the first morning sighting of Jingles– our “Elf on the Shelf”.  This year he brought along a friend (because 4 eyes are better than 2 when watching the behavior of 4 kids!) that the kids promplty named Snowflake after finding her chillin’ with Jingles on top of our Christmas paper wrapped tree :)

Our elves pull pranks (which is why the tree was wrapped– the arrival prank involves the tree at our house!)– not only is it fun for the kids to see what kind of mischief the elves get into, but it is seriously fun for mommy and daddy too!

This is our second year with the elf/elves, so we have to keep coming up with new pranks to pull– a few of last years favorites will be repeated or reinvented (last year’s gingerbread house built by Jingles– along with the spare kit left for the kids– will probably become a gingerbread train this year), but I have the feeling last night’s will be hard to top :)

After everyone was asleep, the elves decided they would test out my studio space– even dragging out some of the blankets and hats I use for newborn photography sessions!  When they grew bored with my props they collected some of the kids’ toys to pose with!  The images they took will be arriving from my lab later this week to be used in another prank– replacing all of the family pictures around the house with the results of their crazy photo shoot :)

Thank goodness the elves paid attention to detail– this morning when our 7 year old came down for school she stopped by the tripod to make sure they remembered to remove the lens cap!
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