TO THE BLOG

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

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

Hello & Happy Fall! It just snowed & it is early November! The snow has got me a little excited about the upcoming, festive season!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! It’s about giving thanks for all that you have & let’s be real…about some tasty food! Growing up in an Italian family, we go all out. Ravioli to start , turkey and stuffing in between, desserts  … you get the idea. 

Speaking of thankfulness, I can imagine how grateful Andrea was this entire year watching her beautiful baby girl grow before her eyes. All mothers can speak of how fast their babies become toddlers and so on. You look back at old pictures and some of those infant stages are a complete blur. Always reminded how time is a complete thief. One of the hardest parts of watching them grow up, is how fast it all goes. Each year becoming more independent. That is a blessing as well, but you can’t help but think, they don’t need you as much anymore, they don’t play with those toys any longer, their own opinions becoming more clear.

I normally wait until the day after Thanksgiving to decorate for the next merry season. But this year my desire has crept in early! I am holding back from decorating just yet, but I’d love to share with you, these images from last holiday! 

A wonderful reminder of that time in Andrea’s life. A new mom, a new routine, a growing family. 

A look back at what is in the distant past. Your baby girl, now almost one years old. A lot has changed, and perhaps so have you.

Cannot think of a better gift.

Until next time,

xoxo

Renée

Hello again! Nearing the end of September, another year is just flying by! Hope all is well in your world.

Maternity sessions are simply one of my favorite sessions to capture. Being pregnant is such an amazing experience. Whether you enjoy those 9 months or they were some of the toughest of your life, the glow that exists is pretty undeniable. And the life you create, the most extraordinary thing you will ever accomplish. So there is undeniable beauty involved. 

This is the second Maternity session I was able to capture for Christina and her husband Dan. (Always an honor to be asked back to capture your most precious memories!)

And as the last moments as a family of three, capturing these family pictures was even more special. Your first born, is now such a big part of the family dynamic!

Check out Big Bro Brandon!

It was just an amazing evening capturing this glowing momma! As your family grows, you realize just how precious time is, and that it slips thru your fingers faster than you wish.

Capturing both of Christina’s beautiful pregnancies is an honor beyond belief!

I hope the next chapter of the McKee family is one full of joy, laughter and eventually more sleep!

Until next time friends! Enjoy your week!

Renée

Hello again! Hope all is well! What about this fabulous weather we are experiencing?! It’s the perfect blend of I am not freezing and I am not sweating chasing my kids around! What more, can we ask for? I think it allows us to spend more time outdoors and reflect on the beauty of the season!

So here we are, in the “ember” months already. Another year is just flying by. I am going to go back to some amazing fall sessions from the year previous so we can start to embrace those gorgeous colors!

I introduce to you, the Washburn family! A stunning little crew if I may say. We met last October to take family photos. As they had recently become new parents of their adorable baby girl, I could see why they would want to capture this season of their lives!

It is hard to resist not loving this time of year. When all is golden. Autumn is a gentle hush, a season stitched with warm sweaters, crisp air, and the sweet crackle of crunchy leaves.

I’m so glad the Washburns were able to capture some sweet memories with their new family amougst the beauty of fall.

To think, they now have a one year old who will enjoy walking (or toddling) thru those crunchy leaves as well this year. Last year, she was safe, in your arms. Just a reminder to embrace the season, take in all the memories – time really flies folks.

With love,

Renée

Hello! Hope all is well in your world. 🌎

Life certainly has its twists and turns, sometimes the turbulence can get to be too much. It’s during those times, you are really tested and reminded to see what matters the most. It isn’t your house, your car(s), the miscellaneous things we buy to fill voids.

It’s the people. The people you love, the children you created. Your family.

“Family is not an important thing, it’s everything”  – Michael J. Fox

When your babies are small, you look into their beautiful eyes and wonder, how you got so lucky. And as they grow, you try to remember them as they were before. Small, innocent, carefree, exploring all that is new to them.

Sometimes you look back at a photo and it is hard to place that moment back in time. Luckily we have camera rolls full of images that remind us, just how fast time really travels.

Your baby turns one and those babbles and bottles become part of their history.

Just a simple reminder, to embrace each day, cherish all the memories, and snap pics along the way of course! Hold their little hands as long as you can. Kiss those scrum-shish cheeks. Be grateful you can tuck your kids in a warm bed each night. Be present, be free, make memories.

Thank you to the Brzozowski for being brave enough to brace the August temps and for allowing me to capture, a little slice of your heaven. They really are a picture perfect family. And it was super fun to get to know their little loves.

Best part of my job is taking photos of the entire family that my clients will adore, a gallery that include mom and dad too! Having fun while doing it. I am here for all of it!

Cheers to you, parents! You are the light of their lives.

Sometimes, things are just meant to be. You know that feeling, like it all worked out the way it was supposed to.

It was a random Wednesday in early October. I received a text message about possibly booking a fall senior session. It was already fall, so my schedule was pretty booked up. BUT I had an opening for the coming Sunday & it worked for the client too! I was going to be in Wheaton for other sessions. The weather seemed pretty perfect, the colors still present. Let’s do it!

So I met Jackson and his lovely mother at Hurley Gardens. One of my favorite photography locations. I must say quickly upon meeting Jackson, I was impressed! He was kind, polite and while speaking to him I learned he was also very smart! Favorite subject, Chemistry. Jackson mentioned PRE MED ! Plus a complete soccer star! Impressive kid!

His mom just really wanted to capture him at this very moment of his life. Paula, I could not agree with you more!

I am excited he was up for the opportunity as well! It is not always the senior fellas who want to hang out in front of my camera, of course, they totally should! LOOK at these amazing results!

Remember folks, take the photos! Soon Jackson will be graduating from Wheaton North and heading off to college. Likely feels like he was just starting Kindergarten to mom. Big things ahead for Jackson! Congrats on graduation and best of luck in the next chapter!

Until next time, friends!

Renèe

Hello! Marching right into Summer!! We are approaching temps in the high 70s as we move into mid March! Summer months and weather will be here before we know it, we will have survived another Midwest winter! Can you tell, that excites me?!

Today, I am showcasing a very special client. I met her when she was just 6 months old!

Precious as could be, Mya touched my heart. She is such a sweet child. She has an infectious smile. When you look into her eyes, you can see the happiness that fills her days. There is a reason for that happiness, and her name is Lindsey.

Last October I saw Lindsey and Mya for their fourth photo session together. It is always my pleasure to capture the love these two share.

As Mya was approaching two, you could clearly see how much she was enjoying her next chapter. She was no longer a baby, it is her life and she is going to enjoy all the exciting, independent things about it!

As each year goes by, Mya steps into her new phase with confidence and joy.

Thank you for the opportunity to watch Mya grow. She has a special place in my heart. I am so grateful to know both Lindsey and Mya.

Until next time.

Renée

Hello! Welcome back to the blog! I hope you are enjoying longer days and sunshine! I sure have.

Today we have a new family session feature- the Malcom Family! Brooke reached out to me as a referral from a past client, always love when that happens! As I was getting to know Brooke over the phone, I found out, she has twins (too!) It is wild to think how many of my clients have twins. The Malcom twins are teenagers! Considering my twins are approaching five, this was fun to witness. Kids grow up, they turn into teenagers. And also on the verge of becoming a teenager is Luke! Their younger brother.

Our days get so busy, plans for weeks and months in advance. Everyone going a different direction, it can be hard to plan a family photo session. Then you realize, like Brooke, it has been too long, and you’d love to capture your kids ( or teens) and your family as it is, right here, right now.

And don’t forget Logan, the precious pooch!

The Malcom family is so adorable! Soon the girls will be looking into schools or their next chapters after graduation. It could just be Luke at home. Hard to imagine that, but time really ticks faster and faster with each year.

I will say, this family was just as perfect as shown here. They were simply charming, kind and friendly.

Mr. & Mrs. Malcom have done a great job. I know they are proud of their kids, and they should be! They are something to be proud, of.

Thank you for allowing me to capture your picture perfect family!

Until next time,

Warmly,
Renée