Oh how I love cake smash sessions! They are sooo much fun and unique from any other session. It's a much more relaxed and laid back session because there is no posing involved or trying to bribe the kiddo to look at the camera. Just place baby next to cake and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! Harrison was a hoot! We started by taking some individual portraits of him with his toothy grin and then mom and dad joined in for the fun. Finally, we stripped him down to his adorable jeans and let him go at the cake. He was so gentle with the cake and delicately grabbed small bite size pieces! He has a very advanced palmar and lateral pinch for his age (oops, sorry that's the OT in me coming out). He may or may not have gagged a few times because of how sweet the cake was haha. Happy 1st birthday, Harrison!

What a fun afternoon this was shooting this adorable family. Craig and I have missed spending time with our dear friends Jenny and Joel and their sweet baby girl. They live in the city and sadly we don't get to see them often since we moved out to Wheaton. It was fun getting to catch up with them and felt like no time had passed at all. I love when you have such great friends that you can just pick up right where you left off. In addition to taking some family shots, I got to take some head shots for Jenny's website as she is starting her own counseling business in the city and will be taking clients starting in January. Congrats Jenny! We are sooo excited for you and will be praying for you on your new journey! If anyone is in need of some counseling, support, or encouragement be sure to check her out http://www.jenniferavilacounseling.com/ 

But seriously, is Miss E not the cutest thing you ever did see?! Cheeks for days!

Introducing the Tibble twins--Addie and Charlie! I will never get tired of saying "TIBBLE TWINS"--it's just sooo cute and rolls right off the tongue. These two were the first set of twins to visit my studio. Christina and I work together, and I will never forget how shocked I was when she told me at work that she was pregnant with twins! I couldn't be happier for Christina and Jim. Addie and Charlie are sooo incredibly blessed to be born into such an amazing family. It was awesome to watch Jim and Christina love them and take such good care of them when they came to the studio. I am so honored that she had me take their newborn photos. It was a lot of fun (and a LOT of work), twins take things to a whole new level with photography! I hope ya'll enjoy their newborn photos!

Rachel V. Photography has been in full swing these last few weeks and so I apologize for the delayed blog posts. On Saturday alone I had a Bar Mitzvah in the morning, cake smash in the afternoon, and 3 Fall Mini sessions in the evening---phew!! Nonetheless, I am excited to FINALLY share this precious family with you all! Little Harvey (LOVE his name) recently turned one and he couldn't have been any cuter. He made the cutest and funniest little baby faces and also looked at the camera more than any one year old I have ever had! He has the biggest bluest eyes of any one year old I have ever met. Such a sweetie. 

Enjoy!

Family sessions are sooo much fun but even more fun are LARGE family sessions! I loved getting to take the Palko's family portraits--6 adults, 2 babies, and 2 fur babies! There was never a dull moment, that's for sure! And I'm not sure if I ever successfully got everyone to look at the camera all at once (thank goodness for face swapping in photoshop). Either way, this family was so incredibly sweet. There were too many photos to share, so here are just a few of my favorites. Also can we just talk about how amazing grandma and grandpa look?! They make being a grandparent look soooo good! Love the photos with them and the kiddos. 

Enjoy!