TO THE BLOG

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

Senior year, what a time of your life. Flashbacks appear when I think of it. The friends, the fun, the excitement of a new chapter ahead. Classroom memories, maybe, but more the experiences created during that time.

Kaitlyn’s mom reached out to me in the fall of 2024. Her daughter was not pleased with her original class photos and was eager to retake them. Kaitlyn wished for a forest like location. Challenge Accepted! ✅

I was so excited to provide an exceptional experience for Kaitlyn! And to create beautiful memories for she and her family to look back at.

Kaitlyn accepted the challenge to dress to impress! We decided on an outfit and location change as well. Starting off in beautiful Riverside, IL.

It was fun getting to know Kaitlyn during her session. A smart little cookie, she was also completing her cosmology certification along with her senior year workload. She plans to study business in college and open her own salon one day! Love the goals she has created for her future! You go girl!

Next, we moved over to Brookfield to capture whatever was left of the color in early November.

Kaitlyn, just a beautiful soul inside and out! I wish you nothing but the best! Congrats on your 2025 graduation & best of luck in your next ventures!!

Until next time friends!

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

Hello, and welcome back to the blog! It has been sunny & warm (ish) in Chicagoland and that makes my heart so very happy! It is almost like spring is in the air! I hope you are happy & well as we move closer to March and April!

There is nothing better than a notification that has just arrived from a potential new client via your website! It is sooo exciting (to me!) 🎉

A referral from a past client (whom I just adore) had come in! Maggie was looking for a family photo session in Chicago. We were able to find a date, time location that worked just before busy season was going to pop off in the fall. Maggie and Sam were enjoying life with their baby boy Owen and wanted to capture their adorable family. My pleasure!!

After all that hard work of fitting them in, the morning we planned for our session, Mother Nature wanted to bring some rainfall over Chicago. I NEVER want to cancel a session, I will wait…it … out…. So we all agreed, we would let Mother Nature do her thing, wait in our cars and meet once the weather cleared. I was so happy the Pranckus family was willing to go with that plan- it all worked out!

I could clearly see, Maggie & Sam are the kind of parents who were warm and kind, radiating love and patience, while their little one was full of giggles and curiosity. Watching them interact was heartwarming; every smile, every gentle touch, spoke of a deep, unbreakable connection. They were the kind of family that made you believe in the beauty of simple, everyday moments.

Owen is now one years old. That little baby face that once existed is changing and it will bring back tears when you look back at photos. He will never be this young again. And all those “firsts” are all just so fun and exciting with your first born.

Thank you Pranckus family, for allowing me to capture these moments for you, for waiting in the car until the rain was finished and bringing sunshine to our session.

Until next time friends,

Warmly,
Renée

Hello friends! Welcome back to the blog. Today’s story is all about Antonia Mia! She is going to be ONE year old this month! Time flies! Her mom reached out to me for an in-home family session. Antonia Mia was going to be celebrating her half birthday at the time!! 🎉

Antonia is their first born, so you know all those milestones are just so exciting. First Christmas, first smile, first laugh, first steps. You really gotta soak it all in! A photo session is a great way to capture those memories.

Look at that adorable face! She was so precious, the apple of both of her parents’ eye!

I enjoyed meeting Dave, Maria and Antonia so much! I just captured some shots as they played and sang to Antonia. She was enjoying her family time as well.

Then my tiny client got tired and drifted off to sleep. Her tiny fingers curled up, and for a moment, the whole world felt softer. It was the sweetest thing—pure, unfiltered trust and calm. Moments like these make my work even more special.

Calm and still. Quiet and peaceful. Antonia’s parents watched her with a tenderness that filled the room, their eyes soft with love. It was a magical moment.

Dave & Maria, thank you for inviting me into your home to capture your beautiful family! I know you will be feeling so many emotions as your baby turns from days, months to a year old. I hope these images bring you back to these special moments. The laughter will get a little louder, and little steps will replace crawling. The memories will get grander and each year simply passes quicker than you can ever imagine.

Until next time.

Renée