What’s better than photographing a fun family on a gorgeous day?  Photographing a fun family on a gorgeous day in film 🙂

And if you’re a new or expecting parent in the Chicago land area you might even recognize this family since mom, Lindsay Pinchuk, is the founder of Bump Club Chicago.  It feels like ages since Lindsay and I last hung out, so we decided to get together for catching up and photos of course one beautiful sunny Saturday morning (wait, sunny? beautiful? in Chicago.. in spring? I know, it’s hard to believe for me too).  I asked her if she’d mind me using film since we’re starting to now incorporate this into our work for clients and without hesitation she said yes.  Though in addition to working with my film camera, I have to be honest that part of me also wanted the chance to capture her sweet little J now that she was 17 months old as this is a particularly difficult age to photograph.  I actually often advise parents that after 1 year of age they should wait until 2 or even 3 years old to schedule a professional shoot (unless there are older or younger siblings involved).  And this recommendation of mine simply comes from the fact that this time frame is when kids are finally understanding what it means to be independent…  to inspect a flower on their own, to  pull out their books and toys all by themselves, to run free without any restrictions.. and that beautiful curiosity and longing for autonomy, that can sometimes be hard for us photographers to keep up with lol

But now on top of the usual challenges that come along with photographing a toddler, add the fact that I was working with a camera with no preview on the backside, limited rolls of film, and an old slowly manually focusing camera.  Needless to say J gave me a good workout that morning as I chased after her, her little legs darting from here to there.. oh that flower! the sun! c’mon mom and dad, keep up! 

When we’d had enough of the flowers, we headed back home for some play time with their lovable pup, Cooper (clients often ask if I’m an animal lover as they forewarn me they have pets – YES! We’re crazy animal people and have 3 pets of our own, and I love love love when all of your babies are involved).  Back at the house J took the reigns and pulled out her toys, ‘made a few calls,’ and read to her big brother all on her own (which I whole heartedly believe is far better and more meaningful than anything I could have staged or coerced her to do).

But to show you just how good of a time we all had together, here are some of my favorites.  Thank you so much Lindsay & Daniel for a totally fun morning and for the yummy mocha you brought me, but more importantly for yet again trusting me with your most precious treasures 🙂

Until next time… XOXO

NOTE: Check out www.bumpclubandbeyond.com for more information on Bump Club and how you can participate or become a VIP member.  I will be doing monthly casting calls where one lucky BCC VIP family will get the chance to have a gifted session with me.  Email info@bumpclubchicago.com for more information. 

above: “Hey! Those look like tomatoes, which are my faaavorite!” 

above: There is no medicine, force or power on this earth more great than a mother’s love.. thank you Lindsay for encouraging moms with Bump Club to start making memories with their children even as infants.  My most prominent memories as a child are the things my mom did with or said to me.. She always kissed and hugged us and told us she loved us; she took us to weekly trips to the castle parks and summer picnic lunches at the Botanic Gardens; she would even put secret notes in with my school lunch that said “Just wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you as you eat this sandwich.. love you and hope you’re having the best day ever!”  

above: one of the neatest things I’ve realized through photographing families is that people are happiest and most relaxed when they are physically touching and literally connecting with each other 🙂 

above: J didn’t care so much for the flower clip we placed in her hair.  And as much as I longed for a perfectly posed shot of her smiling with the adorable barrette clipping her hair out of her face, I suppose J’s messy tousled locks are far more ‘her’ and years from now I imagine will make mom’s heart swell with memories of J just as she was as a toddler… playful and carefree. 

above right: nothing like a little motion blur to make you feel the belly laughter just bursting from J. 

above: my favorite favorite shot of the entire day.  J reading to her big brother after she tuckered him all out 🙂