TO THE BLOG

Hello friends! I hope your summer is going swell! My family and I just returned from a magical Orlando vacay! We all had so much fun! Now that mid-July is here, we are going to soak up every last bit of summer break!

A few weeks back, I got a text from my high school friends – Jaime and Joe. (They are high school sweethearts -btw! So cute)

Their son has reached senior year and they wanted to get his photos taken. So many emotions ran through my head upon reading this text message!

-Wow, I miss these two so much. Life has taken us down different paths, our schedules jammed with activities to keep us busy and apart.
–How is their son a senior already?! I remember going to to his first birthday party!
-I am thrilled they trusted me to take Dylan’s photos! What an honor!

Session day arrives and the first few minutes are full of pure excitement! It had been a long time since we saw one another! We caught up, we laughed (of course) and I got to chat with their sons. They were so kind, funny and a real treat to get to know. No surprise here! Jaime and Joe are such wonderful people! I knew they had been raising two fine boys. As the session went on, it was kind of wild because Dylan reminds so much of Joe in high school- his mannerisms, the things the finds humor in etc. Yet, Dylan is like a really great Jaime-Joe combo pack. He looks like both of his parents! He is sweet, funny, passionate and full of great stories. He mentioned his sweet girlfriend several times during the session. Celebrating two years together! Fresh from his latest baseball tourney in TN, he utilized his newest souvenir in his session. New cowboy boots! HEEYAW! So fitting at St. James Farm!

Back in the day, Jaime, Joe, and I had so much fun together. Our friend group found joy in the simplest things—packing Joe’s minivan full of friends, listening to their band play, wandering all over River Grove (long before “van life”), and just enjoying life . Those days were simple, and life was all about making memories.

Thinking back filled my heart with all those good old high school moments. Go Eagles!

After graduation, we’d drive down to visit Jaime and Joe at the University of Illinois to keep the fun going. This was long before cell phones documented every memory. We simply lived in the moment.

Then came the weddings. Jaime and Joe’s was the very first. I honestly can’t count how many followed! We’d always hope to be seated at the same table, dance until our feet hurt, and sing every song at the top of our lungs.

Dylan was happy to hear that he can totally stay in touch with high school buds once they move on, those relationships remain through all the years! Life changes. People move away. Careers begin. Families grow. But the friendships that truly matter have a way of standing the test of time. The bond, not easily broken, even if life pulls you in different directions.

Dylan is such a fun guy! I can see how many great connections he shares amongst his family, friends and team mates. How much he respects his parents, how lucky he feels to have them in his corner.

His future is so bright. Such an exciting time in his life. So many options ahead. Make the most of the experiences that come your way. The world is your oyster, Dylan!

Time is really the greatest storyteller.

Until next time, friends!

Renèe

Hello friends! Summer is here, and I am loving it. I hope you are too! Sunshine and sandals… what more could we ask for?

Earlier this year, I was invited to a networking event. Of course, I hesitated. It was last minute, I would be attending alone, I hadn’t reprinted my business cards after I ran out… I was not prepared! But I knew this was something my business could benefit from. Plus, it was being held at a new, adorable floral shop I had been wanting to check out—Bev’s Blooms.

The pros outweighed the cons, so I went.

As a first-timer, I was a bit worried. Would I fit in? Would I feel awkward walking in alone? Happy to report… no regrets! The owner was incredibly sweet, I met a new potential client, and I connected with so many women who own their own businesses. It was inspiring, to say the least!

Side note: If you’re in the Wheaton area, you have to check out Bev’s Blooms!

Okay, back to Ariel.

She has a unique business, and ladies, you’re going to want to learn more about her and the incredible services she provides! Ariel is the owner of Core Bloom, whose mission is:

“Dedicated to restoring pelvic wellness and building lasting strength through expert physical therapy, evidence-based treatments, and mindful movement.”

Ariel is incredibly knowledgeable about women’s health. She helps women restore pelvic health while offering a variety of personalized treatment options. The best part? She travels to you.

From the moment you meet Ariel, you’ll immediately feel comfortable. Her bedside manner is warm, genuine, and compassionate. She is truly a joy to be around, and I am so grateful our paths crossed. Be sure to check out her website to learn more!

Even though I didn’t have business cards that day, Ariel reached out to schedule a brand photography session—and I am so glad she did. From our very first conversation, I felt connected to her energy and spirit. We met at her client’s beautiful home in Glen Ellyn. So I got to see treatment first hand.

Ariel was glowing. From the inside out.

Lesson learned: networking events are fun!

Every person I met that evening was welcoming, inspiring, and someone I’ll gladly keep in mind for future referrals. Ariel is an absolute gem, working in a truly unique niche—one that so many women could benefit from.

If you’re looking for compassionate, personalized pelvic health care, be sure to learn more about her services. I’m so grateful I stepped outside my comfort zone that evening because it led me to an incredible connection, a beautiful brand session, and the opportunity to share Ariel’s story with all of you.

Until next time, friends!

Hello, summer! It’s officially here, and I couldn’t be more excited. Outdoor events, meeting up with friends, dining al fresco—there is so much to love about this season.

One of the best places to soak up summer is right in the heart of Chicago. From the stunning skyline to the endless possibilities for adventure, it’s a city that creates unforgettable memories.

Now imagine exchanging your vows with that iconic skyline as your backdrop. That’s exactly what made Sarah & Matt’s elopement so incredibly special.

Sarah & Matt used Simply Eloped to help create their dream day. Alongside Rebecca of Something Profound Weddings they (literally) tied the knot in front of their five favorite people; their children.

When they look back at their gallery, I hope they are able to relive it all, the emotions, the joy, the electricity the city provides. Strangers cheering them on as they rode their bikes and walked by the happy couple! Everyone in their vicinity was vibing!

Let’s discuss guests of honor…

Their children. They were the perfect witnesses. No better best man or maid of honor could have been chosen. They brought their love, excitement, and support to every moment of the ceremony, making an already beautiful day even more memorable.

This was a day, I will never forget. I loved capturing this beautiful ceremony blending two amazing families. A true honor.

Until next time,

xoxo

Renèe

Hello!!

I’m over here happy dancing because summertime is almost here! Schools are starting to let out, with some finishing up this week. The weather has been so enjoyable, and my family and I have fully embraced the summer kickoff this year.

There’s a term I keep hearing lately: Maytember — that season when all the things seem to happen in May. You know the feeling. End-of-school activities, concerts, field days, graduations, and summer sports suddenly take over the family calendar.

For our family, we also add three May birthdays into the mix!

As busy as it can be, I truly love this time of year because we get to celebrate all of my kiddos. Still, there are definitely days when it feels like a lot.

Last week, I took photos of my oldest daughter. It’s something I’ve always done—she was my very first client! Long before I photographed other families, I practiced with Z behind my lens.

She just turned 9 on the 28th. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I was simply doing what I’ve always done—snapping away, capturing another season of her life.

Later that night, I uploaded the images to my computer, and suddenly my eyes filled with tears.

How did my girl get so big?

As I clicked through the gallery, I saw something different. She looked older. More confident. More grown up. Before my eyes, my firstborn no longer seemed so small.

It was a quick reminder to embrace this season of life. To stop, slow down, and soak in the little moments, because one day those moments become your fondest memories.

And theirs.

This girl brings so much to the table. She loves to play, dance, learn, and spread kindness and joy wherever she goes. She’s the full package. I am so lucky to be her momma.

I’m grateful for all the photos in my gallery, too. They allow me to look back and see what time creates. The growth. The changes. The beautiful story unfolding one season at a time.

No doubt, she’s grown—and I think my photography has, too! LOL!

Growth is part of life, and honestly, it’s one of the best things about growing older. I don’t take that for granted.

I’m also grateful for my Maytember girl. Otherwise, we’d be stuck doing boring indoor sessions! You mean no floral backdrops? No way!

As we head into summer, I’m looking forward to all the sessions ahead and the memories waiting to be captured.

So enjoy the little moments. Celebrate the milestones. Take the photos. Hold your people close.

The days may feel long, but the years truly do fly by.

Until next time,

xoxo,

Renée

Can you imagine setting the table for twenty-nine guests? An entire family, gathering for a special event or holiday means the house is filled with love—in every corner.

This is the Rose family’s reality. The love story of Mr. and Mrs. Rose has blossomed into a garden. This July marks their 50th wedding anniversary! To think how much their family has grown since the beginning of this beautiful relationship. 🌹

I had the honor of documenting the Rose family this spring. The resemblance among the group was striking—siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins all woven together.

Impressively, each member knew their role: smile at the camera, then get ready for the big celebration afterward! They were troopers—and they were fun. It was such a pleasure getting to know the Roses.

Creating these memories for your family is my favorite part of the job—preserving time, capturing the essence of your people, and documenting your story. Your history. A moment where time can stand still, and your images are always there to take you back to that chapter of your life.

As the Roses look back on the last fifty years (a moment to honor you both—cheers to that 🥂), they can truly see how their love has grown into one big, beautiful family. What a blessing. Shout out to the twelve grandchildren!! Here’s to the next chapter!

Until next time,

Renée

Hello. Here we go again. W I N T E R 🥶
Ha, can you tell what my favorite seasons are?
Speaking of seasons, we all go through our own seasons of life. Single. Married. Married with Children. Each season brings its own set of sparkle, sadness, success.

Giovanna came to me as a client back in 2023 when her first child was born. (Another fabulous referral from a great client!) Baby Gianluca. A young couple just started their family. What a treasure. A season of firsts. Memories that fade faster than the diaper size increase.

I visited this new family at their home to capture this special session. A big house with a lot of love!

Gianluca was not the only child for long. Soon he became a big brother! Enter another season! Some time had passed since we had seen each other. Gianluca was a big boy! His lil bro, Nico admiring his every move. This season filled with new challenges and memories and more diapers! It won’t be long until these little guys are filling mom and dad’s days with play dates, games, school time activities.

New photos to fill the frames!

Two little built in buddies. This is such a wonderful time to enjoy. They are only this young, this precious so long.

There will be hand-me-downs and ups and downs. But there will always be love. Love for two little guys who blossomed from the love story of Giovanna and Greg. A love that you haven’t experienced before. An incredible kind of love.

Until next time,

Renèe

Spring is in the air!! Finally!  Us midwesterners must press on through what feels like an endless winter.

Today’s blog is all Dayna and her precious girls. Documenting Dayna’s daughters is important to her. Dayna came to me as a referral in early 2025! (Shout out to my amazing clients who refer their family and friends!) 

An early spring session was a great way to meet the girls without the hectic pace of fall. Everyone wants their fall photos! 😉

These girls are so sweet and our session was fun and playful .

We met up for another session in September. A simple reminder that your child will never be this young again. The girls appeared older and more confident. As we all know each year blends into the next. The days move quicker than ever. Time goes so fast. Dayna was sure to capture all the changes in 2025.

The colors popped, the girls brought it. Cuteness captured and reserved for mom to keep for a lifetime. Making my  job- easy when it comes to showcasing her family. Natural emotions pouring through. Nothing was forced.  

Dayna, I thank you for choosing me to photograph your memories. A true honor. 

I heard winter will return by the end of the week! Enjoy the sunshine friends!

Until next time,

Renèe

Hello!! Here we are, another year has flown by. I hope your holiday season was filled with love and joy and all of the good things. As I close out 2025 with this final blog, I’m holding a bittersweet gratitude for the clients who made this year so meaningful. Most I knew, some I just met, all I just adore! So cheers to another wonderful year capturing your greatest treasures and memories. I could not be more honored to be the person you selected to do so.

Now imagine you move to Chicago. New city, new apartment, new chapter. Not knowing, your fate has been decided. Your soul mate lives in that exact building. Your future awaits. He spies you in the elevator and he knows you’re the one. The courage, to knock on your door. Do you believe in destiny, I know Kelly & Rony do! They just tied the knot in an incredible, intimate ceremony and reception.

A knock on your door from a stranger turns into a real, love, story. It is what romcoms are made of! And it was a true honor to capture the love story of Kelly & Rony this month! They are a true match indeed.

I have had the great pleasure getting to know Kelly and Rony throughout the duration of the year! They planned their elopement alongside Simply Eloped back in February. We chatted about their plans and visions for their special day. They were so excited about all that was to come! The most important thing to them was celebrating their love, their way, with their closest family and friends. The venue, an unique wedding location- a former firehouse.

Everything they envisioned, came to life. All the out of town family, friends, present. The atmosphere, perfect. I mean, look at Kelly’s smile! Congrats to Mr. & Mrs Youkhana! Wishing you a life time of happiness together!

Well, that is a wrap for 2025. Wishing you the best for 2026!

xoxo

Renée

Happy Holidays! Hope your season has been bright & merry so far! We have certainly seen a lot of snow, and it is not even winter yet!

Back in the fall, I had the pleasure of shooting Matthew’s senior session at Danada House. The weather was perfect, the leaves crisp and full of autumn colors.

Meeting Matthew was also such a joy. He was kind, sweet, and simply adorable!

I was thinking about how life has changed since I was in high school. We now live in an age of instant gratification—music, movies, and communication all at our fingertips. Folks Matthew’s age do not have to wait for photos to develop, wait in line for a new record, wait for a letter from a long-distance friend to arrive in the mail, or carry heavy book bags! LOL.

Our phones have music, photos, emails, and schedules, which is great—but you can also expect a lot more from your daily life. I enjoyed Matthew’s session so much because he seemed so happy to be there. He realized all of the memories senior year would provide. He is living it; he appreciates it. His last year as a soccer player at Wheaton North. His last homecoming dance. His last year—it is here, and he is embracing it all.

Time is ticking by, but there is so much to look forward to. The future is here. Kentucky is waiting for another Garza!

Matthew was joined by his wonderful parents and charming girlfriend. Everyone’s love and affection clear as day. JOY, simple and pure joy. Their last child off to college. Certainly a milestone for his parents.

Matthew, I wish you all the best in your final chapter of high school! And all that awaits you in your exciting future!

Until next time,

Renèe

Sending holiday greetings as we enter the last portion of 2025! It has been an amazing year meeting new clients, catching up with old. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

When I think of my friend, Michele, there are some words that come to mind. Generous, selfless, caring, empathetic, kind-hearted, compassionate.

Michele was our dog walker from many years ago. We met her before we even had children. She is such a wonderful friend to have in your life. Michele loves animals and her fur babies. She always ensures to book a session with her little family. And it has been a honor to capture them for her.

There comes a time, when those pets, can no longer be held, loved in person or taken for walk. The lifespan of our furry friends is far too short. Sometimes their lives are even taken tragically. Making it even harder to cope with that reality that they are gone too soon.

This year, at Michele’s photo session, there was one less snuggly pup to capture. Beau had crossed the rainbow bridge. Making my job feel more important than ever. I am so sorry for your loss, Michele. He will be forever in your heart.

Our pets give us so much joy and although their time here is short, we must ensure to enjoy each minute. Even the muddy paws, barking at the neighbors, and scratching our floors. Give those fur babies a hug & cherish the time you have together.

Until next time,

xoxo

Renée