One of my favorite parts of photographing weddings is what comes after. The babies. The growing families. The Christmas cards. The “we need updated photos because life just changed in the best way” texts. In comes this sweet family, who are actually part of the friend group that all traces back to Shannon and Dan (our very first Chicago wedding). We first met another couple Anna and Michael (Hawaii Wedding ahhh) through them, and from there this circle has just continued to grow. I’ve realized I don’t have their weddings on this site yet and will definitely get those on here in the future (they are both amazing and so fun). Anyways, we photographed this family’s wedding you can view here, and now here we are documenting them again with their new baby girl.
This sweet family actually signed up for my Chicago fall sessions just one week before I came into town. They realized they needed family photos and reached out, hoping maybe there was an opening. As fate would have it, there was exactly one spot left! It truly felt meant to be. They were so excited and honestly so was I!
We met inside the Chicago Garfield Park Conservatory, which is such a dream location for fall and winter sessions (especially with the ever changing weather, hello rain). All that gorgeous greenery, soft filtered light, and warmth even when Chicago is doing its windy thing outside. It is the perfect little escape.
Their baby girl was only about seven weeks old. That sweet in between stage where they are still tiny but starting to look around and take everything in. She was absolutely adorable, just a doll!
Somehow, even in the middle of newborn life, these new parents looked like actual models. You would never guess they were running on broken sleep. They were calm, connected, and so clearly in love with their girl! It was such a sweet session. Soft snuggles. Quiet smiles. That gentle way new parents hold their baby just a little closer. Oh that newborn bliss. Watching our past wedding couples step into parenthood is something I will never take lightly. It feels like being invited back into such a sacred season of their story.
To this sweet family, thank you for grabbing that last minute spot and trusting me again. Getting to photograph your growing family in Chicago will always be so special to me.
If you are in that newborn haze and wondering if you should book the photos, this is your sign. Even if you feel tired. Even if it is last minute. These are the days you will want to remember.
