It was truly a blessing to meet this family and capture their love and connection. I believe that everyone who has met them or their son, Baby Joshua, has been touched and changed in a way that words can not express. Their strength and love is something that I will keep with me in my heart forever and opened my eyes to how important my work really is. Their son, Joshua, found his peace and passed away only fifteen days after I captured these pictures. My deepest sympathies and love go out to this beautiful family.

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It’s always a blast for me to work with friends’ babies, and this was no exception! Yep, I’ve known Mom and Dad for years; we were all Indiana kids who migrated to the big city. Now, we’re all having kids of our own….

Baby Rachel is just starting to want to move around to explore more, and her expressions were fantastic the whole session. You’ll even see some great “serious” captures below of her and her beautiful, big eyes. (I am more into photographing a variety of expressions- not only smiles, but your child’s true expressions and personality.) Yep, it’s that wonderful age of around six months that tends to photograph very nicely! Keep in mind that all babies develop differently, but when they can sit on their own and give a nice range of expressions, it’s a great time to call your photographer. I recommend this one: www.saundrakarol.com!

Thanks, you guys, for coming to the loft and having me do Rachel’s portraits! See you all soon!

This was another beautiful day that clients and I decided to take advantage of while it was there. It’s Chicago; you take them while you can! We started out in the loft as many of my sessions do, then moved outside for more urban flair. They were a great-looking couple with such good energy! I think the “worst” part about this couple is that I now have to wait until at least the end of August to work with them again when they bring their baby. Oh, and their baby’s sex is a surprise….what’s your guess from looking at the pictures?

There are a lot of great areas to take advantage of around the loft!

Thank you, Adam and Lindsay, for such a great session! See you soon!

Yes, I have been away for a while. My apologies! I even had to look up my password to get into my blog, but I suppose I could also blame that on sleepiness since it’s almost 3:00 a.m. Things have been really busy, which is wonderful, but that does make for some late nights! So, let’s back track a bit and see some of what I’ve been up to…

This family was so laid back and fun, and Baby Dylan gave me so many great faces that meant for a really nice variety of portraits. As much as I love the newborns, the older babies, with their slobbery smiles and baby rolls, make for some fun captures that show an emerging personality! We started in the loft and then took a stroll around the neighborhood to enjoy the day and try for some great urban images.

Thank you, W Family, for a great session!

I am sharing some images from a session that took place a while back, but I just have to get these up. These kids are just too darn awesome to keep them hidden! Sweet Caroline and Nathan came to the loft for the Little Zen sessions I offered a while back. Mom and Dad happen to also be friends from my college days. I love sessions like that with friends and their kids, even if it makes me feel old.

This is a “Nathan” face!

Great seeing you all again!

- Saundra

I met with Miss Jackie’s mom to talk about the session, and she gave me fair warning- Jackie is fast and is always on the move! I assured her that I was fine with that and had a two-year-old at home, so I completely understood. After showing her I was up for the challenge by dropping and giving fifty (okay, maybe not), I met her little Jackie soon after our consultation. Let’s just say that she was not kidding around, but I am happy to say I met the challenge with many successful captures of this active toddler!

Here are some of my favorites from her session…

This one below was ordered as a 20×30 gallery wrap for the studio because I liked it so much!

Thank you, Mom and Jackie! It was great getting these for you before your big trip!

-Saundra

Wedding photography is not my usual focus, but this past May I broadened my horizons a bit when hired as the photographer for two of my friends’ nuptials. One reason I decided to capture their day for them was that I knew it would have a lot of original flair. I also already felt compatible with them and knew they would be fun to work with for the whole day. Oh, and the bride wore red (a beautiful dress she made herself), the “cake” was made of solid chocolate slabs, and the night ended with a pie fight! It proved to be one of the most romantic, entertaining, and heartfelt weddings I have ever been to. Their wedding day was held in Long Grove, Illinois, and their lovely ceremony and reception were held at the beautiful Seasons of Long Grove. (You’ve got to check that place out if you’re looking for a unique and charming venue!) Thanks, Libby and Rick, for having me capture your special day! What an honor!

My talented friend, fellow Chicago photographer, Patrick Warneka, second shot with me, capturing a great variety of images that rounded out their overall album. I was thrilled to have him there, and the teamwork was phenomenal. Thanks again, Patrick!

I wish I could share all of the images here since there were so many more, but a taste is better than nothing.

I just wanted to share with you all one of my recent Zen Layflat coffee table books. It came out beautifully, and I can’t wait to get it into their hands (just a couple more days, I promise). I love using Asukabook for my coffee table books since I am in love with their quality and know my clients will be too. It really is a “love at first site” sort of thing with them. The Zen Layflats come with a frosted plastic case that helps protect them and allows you to see the cover. The case and the layflat, “invisible” binding give it a modern feel. This is something you’ll want to pass around for years to come.

I was recently afforded the opportunity to capture a very dear friend’s baby, Amelia. After spending two weeks in the hospital due to prematurity and almost a couple of weeks more getting settled in her new home in northwest Indiana, I finally got the chance to make Amelia’s first professional portraits.

Her parents and I go way back to college days, where we were involved in theatre together. There is no bonding quite like “backstage bonding!” Unfortunately, life gets busy, and sometimes it’s rather difficult to align schedules to see even the best of friends. Thankfully, photography makes a great opportunity to see friends again!

Baby Amelia was probably the “oldest” newborn I have worked with, yet she was still one of the smallest and allowed me to get a great variety. There’s no doubt that this little beauty will remain as one of my most memorable sessions!

Here are just a handful of the images captured…

Thanks to the both of you for letting me capture your little “firecracker!” :)

Cheers!
Saundra

www.saundrakarol.com

Kids love being outside. My two-year-old son learned to say “outside” as one of his first words, although it sounded more like “ouss-eye.” Thankfully, my toddler interpreter keyed me in to what he meant. You should really get one of those if you haven’t already!

So, when Aiden came to the loft and didn’t want to change into his “portrait clothes,” he let us all know exactly how he felt. After trying to let him calm down, I suggested we just go outside for a “walk.” Oh, that certainly unleashed the happy, bigger-than-life Aiden! Thank you, spring time air, for your miraculous powers!

Cheers!
Saundra

www.saundrakarol.com