Maternity Photos

When I was expecting McBaby #1 (Cormac), Patrick and I were able to get some photos taken by a talented friend. It was a fun session, and the resulting photos were fantastic! I cherish them and love how they captured those sweet days before we welcomed our first child into our lives. Life does change a lot after you have children, and even more so with additional little ones, but these are good changes and I feel so blessed to be experiencing them. The childbearing and rearing years are relatively short, when viewed in the entire span of life, and I'm trying to really enjoy them while I'm in them!

I took several iPhone selfies when pregnant with McBaby #2 (Moira), but no professional shots. I managed to snap a few of myself with my tripod and remote, including our Christmas card photos for 2015. With McBaby #3, I wanted to get some professional shots done to capture this phase of life and, honestly, to give myself an ego boost! Mom life can wreak havoc on your appearance and mentality, but there's nothing like professionally shot and edited photos to make you feel good about yourself. Especially when very pregnant! ;) I'm so glad I had these done and will cherish the memory of carrying baby #3 thanks to these lovely photos.

Christmas Card Photo Outtakes

Because even the shots that don't make it on the Christmas card are still worth sharing... ;)

These were taken on Cormac's 3rd birthday -- a Tuesday, late afternoon after naptime, it was chilly but not too cold, no snow on the ground yet and the light was perfect. I dragged these two outside and forced a photo shoot that gave me just enough good shots to create our Christmas cards. I figured it was easier to shoot two than try to get all four of us in a photo with the remote shutter release like last year's snow shot... but maybe I'll try that again next year. I love looking through the "in between" shots that show their personalities. Cormac was being such a sweet big brother, coaxing Moira to sit with him and holding her gently. All she wanted to do was crawl around and try to eat grass! The star prop didn't end up being in the final shots, but it was a good temporary distraction. Good memories and precious shots of these two blue-eyed babes!

Family Photo Session Outtakes

The only snow we've had this winter (so far) was right before Thanksgiving... the same day we were scheduled for a family photo session with a local photographer! Unfortunately, we had to cancel our session (and reschedule for after baby #2 arrives in February), but I was determined to get some new photos for our Christmas cards so I rounded up the boys (and the dog) after church the next Sunday and set up my tripod to see what we could capture. Out of about 25 shots taken, we ended up with one that was suitable for the card (with a little editing) and the rest were a hodge-podge. I just kept pressing the remote button and hoping to capture something good... I'd say we got some pretty cute ones. ;)

Secret's Out... Baby Girl is Due!

I've been waiting to share our special baby news until we found out the gender -- and today is the day! My 22-week ultrasound confirmed that a little GIRL is on the way, due to arrive mid-February 2016. We are thrilled. :) I would have been thrilled with either boy or girl, of course, but there is something very special about being able to have at least one of each. My heart is very full that I am being given the opportunity and privilege to mother both a son and a daughter. Luke 2:19

And now, for the special photographic public service announcement (plus a few outtakes)...

Pretty Lady

I took some headshots of my lovely younger sister while visiting the fam in Georgia a couple weekends ago. She is currently working as a culinary professional, but is also a very talented singer. She will be performing a solo concert later this year and needed a few recent photos for the marketing materials. I was, of course, happy to oblige. Here are just a few samples of her smiling face! Ain't she a beauty?

Photography is still just a hobby for me, but I sure do enjoy it. If you live in the Chicago area (or nearby) and are interested in having some photos done, don't hesitate to give me a shout!