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
Hello, welcome back to the blog! Winter is slowing dragging itself, per usual. When it feels like the cold months will never end, it is nice to look back at some sessions from warmer seasons! The Pasia family reached out to me for a photo session. Jennifer has twins, she learned about my business from another twin mom. There is an awesome twin mom connection. I should know, I am one too! My oldest daughter had the spotlight for almost three years before her twin brothers entered the world. Now she just demands it! LOL!
Being a twin mom is such a wonderful experience. When you see other twins out in the wild, it is just neat to acknowledge it, you know what those other parents are experiencing or experienced. So the Pasia family had come to me just as their fraternal twins turned two. I always loved that age, it seems sweet and special. For me, it’s three that really shows its true colors.
We met at a gorgeous park and garden in Chicago. When kiddos are this age, you let them explore and capture the moments along the session.
I could tell, Jennifer was worried about the results, she was hoping for some great shots, but us mostly following the twins around the park didn’t exactly feel like we were getting anything.
I hope when they look at these images, they have fond memories of how special this time was in their lives. Jennifer reached out again for fall photos, that was a great feeling! This time we meet in Riverside, the colors were vibrant and the season was glowing with goodness.
The twins were definitely more used to me this time, following them along with my camera in hand, saying silly things for a smile! Just look at those cuties! It was an honor to capture their family photos and create lasting memories for all to cherish!
When clients call for another session, it means so much! Building these relationships along the way, even better! Thanks for following along! Until next time.
Fondly,
Renée
Welcome back to the blog, it is now mid January and freezing here in Chicagoland! Brrrr
I’d like to think about something that warms my heart, and let me just tell you, Jean and Rob will do that!
A little background on my client, Jean, she is the cousin of my best friend. I have personally known Jean and her family for many years. The sweetest bunch of people you could ever meet.
In October of 2023, Jean & Rob booked an engagement session. I was so happy to hear Jean had found her perfect match and they were mapping out their future together!
This session was so sweet, they are soulmates and you can feel that when are around the two of them. It was calm, loving and tender.
Wedding planning began for their intimate wedding for fall of October of 2024. I was so honored to get the call to capture their big day! I thought we connected at the engagement session. That became clear once they wanted to book again. (Repeat clients mean so much.)
Look at these two, just so happy to have each other.
Jean and Rob got ready at their venue, we were able to capture their couple photos before the ceremony which was scheduled for sunset (it was stunning.) Their event was small, but the love that filled their day was anything but. I personally love small weddings, they really focus on the couple and the most important people in their lives.
Jean’s daughter was in the get ready room. I love how Jean spoke of both her children. They have such a connection rooted in love and care. P. S. -Those pearls belonged to Jean’s grandmother!
Both Jean’s son and Rob’s son were also there to share these moments.
Who could make a better best man, than your son?!
Jean looked so beautiful! Just glowing with joy. They both the outdoors and their venue showcased that stunning time of year. Fall and full of splendor. When I saw the tears in Jean’s eyes as Rob recited his vows, I knew their love was based on unconditional love. The sun set as they were pronounced husband and wife. Their next chapter had now begun.
Jean and Rob, I wish you all the best as husband and wife. Thank you for allowing me to capture your romantic, heartfelt and meaningful wedding.
Cheers, 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
Hello! Hope all is going well during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I am going to jump to the holiday themed seasons I had this year. I am still posting summer and fall sessions, sigh… I will get back to those with time. That is the life of a busy photographer!
Just a few weeks ago I meet up with Tamika and her adorable twins for their holiday card photo session! They got all dressed up and looked fabulous (I always love that 😉!)
This was the second time Tamika booked a session this year, we originally met for my Mother’s Day sessions held back in May! The excitement to meet with clients more than once a year is real! It is a real honor to capture these precious memories of Tamika and her kiddos!
Dressed to the nines and looking fabulous, they were ready for their time in front of the camera. Just look at these adorable faces!
Time just flies so fast, one minute you have newborn baby twins and the next they are four, fun and so very jolly! They will always have these images to look back upon and share. I just love that so much.
Tamika is such a hardworking, fun loving mom, she does it all -just for them. It warms my heart.
Happy Holidays! Till next time!
Hello! Welcome back to the blog! I am excited to share a beautiful, intimate wedding shower I photographed this summer! Way back in 2004 (ish) I met a wonderful woman by the name of Alisa Coghill. While in college I worked at a real estate firm and she was a realtor there. Her energy is infectious, she is always happy, smiling from ear to ear. You can tell, she just enjoys life! I like being around Alisa for many reasons. One of the things that made Alisa smile the most was her young niece, Stephanie.
Flash forward to 2024, that little girl that made Alisa smile from ear to ear is now getting married!! You bet Alisa hosted the most incredible and stunning shower for her girl! She called and asked me to photograph the event, I was absolutely honored to do so. I know first hand how much Stephanie means Alisa and I wanted to provide her long last memories of this joyous day!
Stephanie is getting married this month, (December) so there were some touches to honor their wedding date. All of the details were just so beautiful! I am excited to share some of the pics with you!
A few more details shots to share…
So bright & beautiful! Great job Auntie A!! Stephanie and her bridal party were all coming in from out of town. So we did fun quick session with the ladies! Alisa made sure that these memories were also captured for Stephanie to look back at!
Aunt Alisa is Spectacular! I wish Stephanie, Mark and their entire families the best day ever! This event was intimate and small, but the love their families have for them both was bursting from the seams.
Hello there! Welcome back to my photography blog! Today, I’d love to share Beth Franken’s branded session with you.
Beth is a real estate broker in Oak Park, Illinois. She works at BHHS Chicago. She is a lovely person and has so many talents. Previously, Beth was a professional writer. She has worked in both the advertising and journalism fields. She then decided to take a chance and flip a house, and subsequently determined she had a knack for real estate! Of course she wrote about the experience and those articles were featured in the “Chicago Tribune.”
Beth has an eye for design, she is also fantastic with numbers. Beth always puts her clients’ need first, making her a wonderful asset to any real estate transaction.
During Covid 19, Beth bought a new property in Oak Park, restyling it and finishing the attic. It is where we met for her branding session. I was just in awe as I walked through her beautiful property! As an HGTV fanatic, it was so fun to see what you can do with an empty space. She enhanced an already lovely property by adding her beautiful design ideas.
Here is Beth. Isn’t she cute?! And check out this bright, beautiful reading nook!
Did you need a book, for the nook? Curated to perfection, this staircase to the third floor (formerly the attic) is jaw dropping!
The wall paper, the decor, the colors. Everything was Beth’s personal touch. She has got it, she really does!
It was an honor to be invited into Beth’s home in Oak Park and to photograph her newest masterpiece. I hope you enjoyed the sneak peek of her lovely home! Maybe some inspo for your next project! 😉
Click Here to Get to Know Beth and learn more about her real estate expertise.
As always, I thank you for reading. Until next time, take care!
xo
Renée
Hello everyone, happy fall! It feels like we are inching closer and closer to brisker weather and glorious foliage! I keep thinking about my cousin’s family session from last fall. She always waits until my busiest schedule clears so she gets great color with her outdoor photos! The longer into the season, the better mix of red, orange and gold tones.
My cousin Maria is like another sister! I feel lucky to have her. She has twins too, Kyle and Mia, so she is a great resource for kid questions! (I am a twin momma if you are new here)! It is fun to be able to raise your kids together, and reminisce about our old family memories. Not everyone can relate to first generation, strick, Italian parents!
Maria loves her family with all her heart, she is an amazing mother and wife plus she always has a good outlook on life! The Mizutowich family is always fun to shoot. Her husband Tim is one of my favorite people. He is so funny and and kind! His energy is the best around. Here are a few more from this lovely session in Wheaton.
They are a real picture perfect family! I have been shooting them for many years. And when I look back at their family pics, it is hard to believe how fast time goes. Next year, the twins will be freshman in high school! Cue the tears….
And just for fun, a few photos from sessions past…and a real reminder that family will stick around while you learn photography! LOL! They were one of my very first families to be behind my lens.
Cherish each season, even when the season is tough. Your kids will never this be young again. You will never have this time back.
Cheers to a fantastic fall to you and your family. Hope you get to create some great memories!
Take Care-
Renée