Raise your hand if you are enjoying these cooler temps here in Chicago!!! Um…Yes.. I am! Now that the rain days have past and the cooler fall temps are setting in - I have been relishing every moment outside and love that I can photograph in such comfortable weather and not be so sticky and sweaty. Let alone, have my clients be super comfy wearing what they love with their hair down and not dripping after our sessions! This week we met such a cute family in Northbrook who wanted to get some photos in front of their home. Mom Lisa did such a great job matching each family member so they all look cool and casual in the front of their house. We shot this in the early evening when the kids where done with their zoom schooling and mom & dad were off of work. The session was 20 mins long and we got some really cute photos of everyone! If you want to schedule a session with me while I am in Chicago this September - feel free to contact me via our website.

Mini Session is where its at this month!!!! We had a fun time capturing the “R” family. Mom “S” dressed Logan and Leia is light blue and pink pastel - which was the perfect last time for summer outfits in Chicago. We gathered this family of four right outside their home. Since home schooling is now the norm I wanted to make sure that they also got portraits of each child at the start of the new school year. Also, I thought that it was so nice that they wanted to have this session so that their grandparents can keep and cherish these smiles this year as they know it will brighten up there day!!! If you and your family would like to schedule a mini session - I am in Chicago for the month of September!

They drove in from DC to see their family in Chicago for two special occasions. One, to see mom on her 70th Birthday and two to have the whole family meet the newest addition!!! Mom had baby Quinn the week before the pandemic started in March and since lock-down and quarantine the family couldn’t travel to see each other till now. It was so great meeting these cute little ones and having a mini session for them so that Grandma and Grandpa can keep these smiles with them as they leave town next week. If your family would like to schedule a mini session with me while I’m In Chicago this month feel free to contact me and we can capture your smiles!!!

He was practicing his scales while standing with his band mates on the field, when he noticed how beautiful her smile was while playing the clarinet. It was at that moment that Jeff knew who he wanted to ask Abby to Homecoming. He was shy at first but so sweet and those deep brown eyes were so warm and inviting Abby was so thrilled that her crush asked her to go!!! As they stood on the sidelines, they watched their Giants win at home at Highland Park High School. Fall soon faded into Winter and then into Spring and they held a long distance relationship as Abby went off to play in the marching band at The University of Michigan. A year later Jeff joined his cute wolverine and the two of them attend school in Ann Arbor. After undergrad Abby went off to finished her PHD and Jeff got a job working in iT. Long distance was inevitable with one living in Pittsburg and the other in Florida. They both focused on the task at hand. Thanked the tech gods for facetime and flew back and forth making sure the spark was always there. Finally this year they both made Florida their home, and were so excited to finally get married when boom - Covid hit and they had to change their plans from a larger wedding to a small intimate wedding ceremony this Sunday at the Highland Park Country Club. Leaving the large celebration for 2021. They drove in from Florida and I flew in from California and we met for the first time at Rosewood Beach in Highland Park. I was so excited to finally meet them as we have been in communication via emails and zoom calls. Since they both grew up in Highland Park they wanted to shoot on the beach and of course at Highland Park High School were they first met. I adore these two and yes their dog Baxter too!!! Here’s to wishing these two high school sweet hearts a symphony of love always and forever!!!

Wow!!! I can’t believe that its September 2020!!! I’m so glad to be back in Chicago my home town and offering Mini Sessions this whole month!!!! A year ago I had photographed the “P” Family as they had said good-bye to city living and moved into their new suburb home! Now a year later, we walked to Rosewood beach, in Highland Park (with face masks on practicing social distancing) for our photo session. It’s amazing to see how these two toddlers have grown this past year. Full sentences and yes…. personality up the wahzooo!!!! These are years are so crucial and show so much within a child’s life! I am so grateful that I can capture them for my clients because in a blink of an eye they grow up so fast. The first thing we talked about was, how gratefully they were living in the suburbs while raising a family during this pandemic. I can’t imagine having a two and four year old in the city, trying to keep them safe and away from others. Thankfully the “P” family has friends who also have kids the same age who practice social distancing near by which is super helpful - helllllo Quarantine Family Life!!! I loved this session on many accounts and really had a hard time picking out my favorites but here they are… so if you or anyone you know who would like to schedule a session with me while I am back in town this month feel free to (click here) to schedule your session with me in September!

Their gift arrived on a very special day - Julia Elise was born to Katherine and Tom on July 15th, 2020 which happened to be on their third wedding Anniversary!!! This was a significant day as the two had a few hard storms of trying, and so… the dark clouds passed and brought baby Julia to these two love birds. They say that the greater the storm the brighter the rainbow and this little star just shines so bright and brought tears of joy and happiness to both mom and dad. The constellations must have worked their magic with Julia Elise. Mom Katy is one strong women to have carried all five + months during covid. No sushi or wine or coffee when in lock down - omg I would have gone out of my mind. But, Katy was patient and knew that she had to sail her ship to shore and to push on through! Bravo Katy for being so determined and for being such a great role model for your daughter who I am sure will follow right in your foot-steps. I wish you and Tom nothing but the best and can’t wait to watch your family grow!!!

50 years of marriage definitely calls for a celebration! This week we are all smiles for health and happiness. Weddings and events might have to wait a while but I am thrilled to be able to document other milestones in families lives. We gathered all the Goodman’s up in Lakeside, Michigan this past weekend. Having half the family in Florida - they decided that July would be a great time to have everyone come together at the families lake home (since Chicago entered Phase 4 for the Corona virus) The forecast looked if-y as Michigan had storms coming across lake - but GG (the matriarch of the family) said rain or shine we are going to make this work just come on over! Well, as luck would have it - the storms never hit and we had a beautiful early evening shoot with everyone!!! I have photographed these gorgeous grins for a few years now and can’t get over how big these kids are getting (pre-teens!!!) Well, as they say life is a gift and we must relish every moment of it. I found this anonymous quote that I would like to share as I think that it is so relevant for today

“ Love your life! Take pictures of everything. Tell people you love them. Talk to random strangers. Do things that you’re scared to do. Because so many of us die and no one remembers a thing we did. Take your life and make it the best story in the world. Don’t waste a single moment - because in a flash time goes by. ”

I’ve been photographing the “M” family for three years. Each year I have photographed them they had a new addition to the family!!! Well, back in April I got a text from Meg during the start of the pandemic that she just delivered a healthy baby girl named Hilde. I told her as soon as I can see them I’ll let her know - because I couldn’t wait to meet the new baby as well as her big brother Hart and big sister Hazel. Once Chicago got the okay to enter Phase 4 I texted Meg and let her know that I was going to be doing family session while wearing a mask and staying 6ft apart from clients - she said “Yes! We would love for you to document our family.” Last week, I arrived to their new house in Highland Park and it was so excited to see their cute faces. Its really amazing to see these kids grow up before my very eyes. Each year their personalities shine through and I get to see them in action. They say that children develop their personality by age three. Well, Hart who is the oldest is so caring and attentive to his little sisters. He is the protector of the bunch. Then there is Hazel, who is the middle and is entering the terrible twos! She can be shy at first but loves to play hide and seek and of course, getting tossed up in the air by her daddy. Next is Hilde who is just the sweetest baby ever - she loves being snuggled and kissed and it getting stronger each day doing her tummy time. I have to give credit to both mom and dad for having three kids under three during this pandemic and still working full time from home. I can’t imagine what the last few months were like but I know that the kids have gotten a whole lot closer and always had someone to play with - an instant quarantine best friend.

Welcome to this crazy world Aiden Jacob Ward. AJ was born on June 15th, 2020 and weighed 7lbs 7 oz. Mom Erica and dad Michael are over the moon to welcome their first child into their arms. Giving birth is one of the most challenging things women have to go through and I can’t even imagine what it was like to give birth during Covid-19. Thankfully Erica could have Michael in the room with her but I know many women who had to give birth on their own. I am so proud of her and all the mom’s that had to give birth during this time.

We all know that the real help is needed when coming home from the hospital, well during Covid new parents are taking extra steps to be cautious while handling a newborn as well as the health of their parents. I asked Erica how it was when she came home from the hospital and she said that of course she wishes that her family could have welcomed her son to his home right away, but they had asked both their parents to quarantine for 14 days before coming over to help with the baby. The day they came over was super helpful with feeds, groceries, making dinners and laundry. An extra hand, a hug and smile goes a long way when entering parenthood for the first time.

We took this lifestyle newborn session outside their home to be safe on all ends. Luckily it was 88 degrees outside, so out little model Aiden was super comfortable in just a diaper. So without further ado I introduce to you the sweetest little, full of hair baby boy - Aiden Jacob Ward!!!

Wow what a crazy two weeks it has been for all of us! We witnessed rioting in major cities and saw protests for BLM. So where does judgement come from? Well, for starters it come from what is taught to us. It’s up to our generation to make sure that our kids know what quality for all means. From reading books, watching historical movies to showing a having a kind hand are some ways to start teaching children what it means to be excepting of all kinds of backgrounds whether that is race, religion and sexual orientation. We must build up not tear down.

Speaking of families, I got to photograph the “R” family in Mar Vista, California. Mom had sent me a message on IG - “Hey Naomi, its been forever since we last saw each other in College but are you available to photograph my family we have our one year anniversary of our new home and wanted to capture this time with a porch session” - I completely forgot that one of my old sorority sisters lived in LA and grew up here. We had so much fun reconnecting that day. I got to meet her two adorable kids and her amazing husband too! We captured them right outside their place on Federal St. Keeping a far distance with my long lens but still got to capture those cute moments and loving smiles. Thank you “R” family for such a fun trip down memory lane!!!

As America is in a state of crisis - I thought that we could all use a little cheering up. We need to show love and remember to educate our families to be loving and excepting of all. Speaking of educating, I got to meet the M Family in Agoura Hills, California. Both mom and dad are teachers at two different schools and during this crazy time, they were all about taking a pause at the end of the day away from zoom classes and screen time and spending it with their adorable little girls. Nora who is two and Eliana who is four. It was a fun afternoon for all of us! We took these photos of them at their new home and photographed the family on the lawn. I loved how these two sisters interacted with one another. Eliana always made sure her little sister Nora was looking at the camera and smiling. Thank you so much M Family for letting me take your porch session photos during this pandemic. I really enjoyed seeing you all smile!!!

Well, hello cuteness overload!!! With two boys and two girls - the “F” family always has something fun going on. Well, last Sunday these four fabulous faces all were in full smiles!!! It actually choked me up because their cute little faces reminded me of mom Sam and her siblings. For over a decade, Sam and I grew up going to camp together. I was even her youngest sister Brittany’s camp counselor my first year as staff and watched as her brother’s grew up and became unit leaders years later. Well, now Sam is a mother hen to four and it just blows me away! Her two eldest had their first summer at Camp Blue Star and as we were getting ready to take photos, I told Henry and Oliva that mommy and I were their age when we first met! Thanks to the power of Facebook, we’ve been connected ever since. We all had a fun afternoon as we spread our wings and explored the Arboretum in Deerfield Beach. It was a perfect day out and each little bird got a little sunshine spotlight to shine and be themselves. Brayden and Violet (the two youngest) were so cute and loved cooing and saying CHEEZZZE at the top of their lungs. While the twins Henry and Olivia each wanted time holding their little sister Vi. Even when Brayden would stand next to his brother Henry he always reached out for his hand. One thing that I loved watching is the bond that these brothers and sister have with each other. The love that they share is such a reflection of their parents! Matt and Sam, thank you for letting me capture this moment in time of these gorgeous glowing grins. Here’s to a very happy new year ahead! -xoxo-

Thanks to the power of social media aka Instagram - I had sent out a message that I was going to be shooting in Miami in December and - boom! I get a message saying lets do a family session together!!! I was so glad to reconnect with Erica and meet her lovely family. We literally haven’t seen each other since a trip we took together to Israel about 10 years ago!!! It was really so much fun to play catch up and meet her boys - who were the sweetest little ones ever! I mean I could just die looking into those baby blues of theirs. We had a great afternoon and got some fantastic photos in at Deerfield Beach. I have to say (Its nice trading in my winter coat and hat for some flip flops and dresses was the best decision ever!) Thank you “A” family for letting me capture you all.

This was a match made years ago but it wasn’t until November 24th 2019 that it was sealed with a loving kiss!!! Yep! He put a ring on it!!! This was such a fun session!!!! I love capturing love and all the little moments in between! Manan had planned his proposal to the love of his life Haleigh. He had picked a spot that was meaningful to the both of them. A spot that they loved walking to hand in hand and connect what was on their minds. Well for Manan he only had one thing on his and Haleigh was completely surprised! They laughed, cried and even got sprayed on from popping some bubbly! (yes is was a really windy day) These two are each others halves to their whole and it totally shows. Manan and Haleigh - I wish you a very happy new year ahead and know that there will be smiles all around the Thanksgiving table this week!

When you have two sweet kids with a gorgeous background, there is no doubt that you’ll get amazing photos! I was so excited when I got a message from their mom saying “what do you think about shooting on the lake?” (with a iPhone photo attached to the message) Duh it was a no brainer - I saw it and was so excited to have such an awesome environment to work with for our portrait session! We shot these gorgeous grins in early November and love that the trees are in Peek session here! Thank you “R” family for such a fun afternoon on the lake!!!

Welcome to the world baby girl Blake! Mom and Dad were counting down the days to see your ten little fingers and toes! Bella Blake Kissel arrival to the party on October 26th weighing in 8 pounds and 2 ounces! This little bundle of joy is so loved by all and will be the 2nd little turkey to this growing family as her brother Levi is in shock that he is now a big brother!

Tomorrow is veterans day and I just wanted to take a moment to honor those who have served our country. Veterans Day is an important day set aside to show appreciation for ALL who have served in the United States military—in wartime or peacetime, living, or deceased. I also want to honor not only those who serve our country but also to those families who had to move and relocate every few years. Well, this family just relocated to Chicago and I was so honored to see them. The “S” family were so lovely to work with and their southern charm got me smiling right away. The dressed to the nines and looked amazing! And we even got to shoot on mom and dad’s Anniversary and recreate one of their wedding day photos and make it look 100 times better - as they say real love ages us well. Thank you all for being so fabulous to work with and I hope you and all your families have a special Veterans Day.

Being a headshot photographer in Chicago and LA is such a fun job. I get to meet so many actors both big and small. Last week, I had the pleasure of shooting a brother and sister duo who know how to pose for the camera. These twins pack so much in these little bodies - I just adore them! Be sure to tune into NBC’s Chicago Fire as you will see two new guests on the show. I can’t wait to watch Cameron and Dylan light up the screen. If you are interested in shooting headshots with me please visit my other website and click contact.

I don’t know about you, but I just love fall. Apple crisp, brisk afternoon walks, warm clothing, soup making and of course latte sipping… what’s not to love? I want to capture every autumn sight, scent, and taste with my camera! In this session I really feel like I got so much color captured…. that you can somehow smell the fresh air right off the screen - ha! Well last week, we had a fun session with this family of five :) Having Hebrew as their first language, it really tested my skills and ability to communicate. Its been a while since I had photographed Israelis, actually its been three years ago to the date that I was photographing in Tel Aviv. So it was a challenge giving them directions in my broken hebrew - (which probably sounded like a 3 year olds speech) But it just reminded me that I need to brush up on language skill! We had an amazing day and the smiles just show how much fun we had under the canopy of colors. So come check out the Marom Family’s Session!

I can’t believe this little one is Six years old!!! Gosh time flies by so quickly! Well, Asher wanted to have some fall photos taken with his number one fan - Benny! (his big bro) Okay okay okay…mom was the one who really wanted the two of them photographed together before they get too big! We did a really quick mini session after the boys got out of school. I saw some amazing spots around the neighborhood and found some red Maples which I really wanted to shoot before the leaves fly off the trees. The boys were great and we got some fun smiles in but I have to say that my favorite shot of this session was the last one. I found an empty field off the highway that had all this prairie grass and natural hay around. I told the boys we are going on a outdoor adventure and had them climb threw the brush. Asher jumped and wasn’t into sitting on the hay but, Benny (as all older brothers do) was explaining that the sounds that they heard in the field was just crickets. Asher looked over to Benny and he told his younger brother not to worry cuz we’re bigger then the crickets- they laughed and it was such a sweet moment - It was so cute. Happy 6th Birthday Asher! Hope you have a great year ahead!