TO THE BLOG

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

Hello, happy New Year! Wishing you all the best in 2025! 🥂

My next blog will feature my cousin’s wedding back in October of 2024. I was lucky enough to book two fabulous weddings last October, they were both amazing. Very grateful for both opportunities indeed!

I love history, so here is a little history about my cousin Vinny, LOL! I had to throw that one in there. Ok, Vince Bukowski. Our mothers are sisters and for most of my young life we would see each other at the holidays and family get togethers. Vince is older so he was off on adventures before I even entered junior high school.

One of my first major memories of Vince was his big return to American soil once the Gulf War ended. All of our family joined together at the airport to give him a huge WELCOME HOME! And thank him for his service. I remember the hot summer day in 1991, we were all so proud and feeling lucky he made it back. We made signs and cheered as he walked into the airport! I was just 9 years old, and by then he had done so much in life.

Another fun memory was when Vince and his young family had come back home for Christmas. He shared this amazing video of his job at the time. As Vince describes it, he “flew military helicopters that prevented migrants from entering the US and flew armed counter narcotics that severely affected the maritime delivery chain of transporting illegal drugs distributed by the cartels from eventually making their way onto US cities. ” The video he showed us was like an action movie, but it was real and this was our cousin! I was proud of him! I also always enjoyed listening to his stories. Vince currently transports critical patients to hospitals via helicopter. He has had some very impactful careers post the military.

Flash forward to 2024, I get a message from Vince asking me to give him a call. Ok, we had not talked in long time, but I am always happy to connect. Vince met a really nice woman named Kimberly by this time. His young kids were now grown and he was starting a new chapter in his life. Vince and Kimberly were going to get married….wow!! In Chicago!! Awesome!! They asked me to be their wedding photographer! I was soooo excited to be considered. AND their wedding venue would be at the Beaknik on the River!! This venue is an epic Chicago location, that alone was an amazing opportunity. I said YES immediately ! Here are some highlights from their big day.

I had not met Kimberly in person until August of 2024 at my sister’s wedding. I spoke with her over the summer a couple of times to discuss photo details. The first time I ever spoke to Kimberly, I KNEW, she was the woman Vince needed in his life. She softens his edges and sweetens his ‘tude. He is her knight in shining armor and they were lucky to find each other! October 19,2024 was a perfect fall day in Chicago-even more perfect that you can imagine! An amazing day to celebrate this beautiful couple and unite two families!

Kimberly is just stunning, her wedding dress actually got lost in transit and she bought a new gown just before the wedding day! She rocked it, with jaw dropping pink Jimmy Choos. Kimberly is a gem, she is a nurse practitioner with a heart of gold filled with Southern hospitality. My cousin, he is a lucky guy.

Kimberly is also blessed to have a special group of gals in her life, called the Giggle Girls! They were so cute and such a great group of ladies to have by your side on one of your biggest days!

Thank you Kimberly and Vince for asking me to capture your special day! I wish you nothing but happiness as you both enter this next chapter of your lives. Cheers!

xoxo
Renée