Yes, it is true! Those news anchors weren’t kidding- Saundra Karol has a new loft studio! Located in the heart of the Chicago Arts District (Halsted and 19th street), my loft is very easy to get to no matter if you’re coming from the city, the suburbs, or northwest Indiana. This abode is perfect for the photography in which I specialize and helps create the experience I so wish to make for all of my clients. It’s a relaxing space, and I welcome you all there.

To celebrate my new loft studio, I have two wonderful promotions going on for the month of February! Portraits at the loft will be discounted $100. Actors and musicians, please contact me for a special rate for a one-look headshot. These are fantastic offers, so please contact me as soon as you have a couple of dates in mind since I am booking only a select number of clients and am on my way to a busy month already.

Why choose a loft session? Let’s face it- I love working on location and using the environment to create unique and interesting photographs. The home may be more convenient and even interesting if incorporated into the portrait. The loft gives me the ability to offer you even more of an experience though. At the loft, I have more props which means more possibilities with posing- more everything. I can make the space as warm as needed, which is perfect for those newborn photographs I love to make. I haven’t forgotten about the parents either. I have a changing table, rocking chair, and other necessities for your convenience. Calm music, a cup of tea, and aromatherapy will help you relax. A comforting and enjoyable time is my goal!

I will continue to do location photography, and while I love the challenges and unique images it presents, I am thrilled about my new loft and can’t wait to have you there so that I can give you even more of an experience!

See you there!

Saundra

www.saundrakarol.com

I had a wonderful time this weekend meeting and working with four-week-old Baby Christophe. He was wide awake for quite some time, which is great for images of his beautiful, blue eyes! When the babies are sleeping, I have more control over posing them, so we worked on calming him down. After he went off to dreamland, I got him comfortable in a basket and was able to work my magic to get some poses. You may remember the maternity photographs of his beautiful mother seen here.

“Always on My Mind”

“You Said to Dream Big”

“I Find Security in Small Spaces”

“All it Took Was One Look to Love Each Other”

“Peace out”

Congratulations to all of you (including Bella)! Your beautiful family is an inspiration!

Cheers!
Saundra

www.saundrakarol.com

Yesterday I photographed nine-day-old Santiago at his home in Hammond, Indiana. I braved the winter storm, sometimes traveling 20 miles per hour on the expressway (yeah, like heavy traffic is much worse), but I made it there! Once Santiago was asleep and the shooting area was warm, the photography was a breeze. He slept and slept and slept for me. And, well, I captured a nice variety of poses of this little beauty! You may remember the maternity photographs from his parents’ maternity session here.

“Santiago Sleeps”

“Hats Keep My Dreams Safe”

“Respite”

“Hold Me Close”

“Young Soul”

“These Little Piggies Stayed Home”

Cheers!
Saundra

I left this house smiling, knowing that I had just met and photographed a very special little boy. So full of life, this little guy has a family who loves and adores him more than anything. At eleven months old, he’s fighting a couple of battles of his own stemming from his birth, but he’s winning. And, my, did he win my heart!

“Baby Toes, Baby Toys”

“It’s Just Another Day”

“She Has My Back”

“On My Level”

“I’m Serious About This”

“You Can Count On Me”

Cheers!
Saundra

I am extremely excited to announce my newest project entitled “Cry Like a Little Girl.” This project will focus on the innate and stereotypical gender roles and traits affiliated with males and females in America, specifically with children. I will dive into their effects on our youth, while hopefully shedding some humor on the subject and crossing a few barriers.

My goal is not to sound like a research paper. I’ve been there, done that, and have the degree. While I share different photographs from my sessions, I still hope to inspire interest and thought processes that perhaps initiate a greater conscious view of how we raise our children and the implications of our actions and expectations.

I hope to be able to have this project finished by spring and be able to have a gallery showing of the entire project and my subjects.

Currently, I am looking for subjects between three and ten years old. If you are interested in participating or know of someone who may be, please e-mail me at
info at saundrakarol.com with “Project” as the title for further information. I am looking to bend and push social norms or even over-emphasize the ones we have in place, but I will only work within your comfort level.

Again, it’s a work in progress, so the name may change, dates may move, and I may find a new direction in which to work. All I know is, for now, this is going to be quite a project!

The following are some photographs from my first two subjects:

Cheers!
Saundra

www.saundrakarol.com

Late at night I find myself vulnerable to writing the most heartfelt entires. I feel a little warmer inside. I’ll happily toss my pillow aside for a soft place for my thoughts. Then, in the morning I’ll feel extra tired, wondering how much caffeine I’ll need to consume in order to meet the demands of my boss- you know, the 2-year-old little man.

I have this desire to photograph my son when he’s sleeping. I mean, a lot. Creepy? Let me explain: I will creep tiptoe into his room and check on him before I head to bed, and I feel my heart fill up. I reach over the crib rail and place my hand on his back, on his head. He’s like a breathing machine of love and peace. All of a sudden, all is well, and all of my problems vanish, if only for those few moments. I want to hold onto this moment. Who wouldn’t?

I vow to wake early and have my camera ready so I can photograph him just as he is but with the light threatening to wake him and break this peace. I need that light to get the look I want. It’s a gamble though, because if I open the curtain too much, the spell may be broken.

Morning comes, and my camera is ready. I know the sound of the shutter will wake him soon enough, and I only have a few seconds, so I fill the frame. I stop breathing and tense up (as if that will keep him from hearing me). I press the shutter.

My son sleeping may be an everyday activity, but the feelings I get from it I want to remember. I will now have these photographs to look back on for years and years. When I hold them ten, twenty years from now, I will remember this feeling. That is why photography is so important. It’s about remembering. It’s about feeling. It’s about him.

“All is Right”

“When Little Boys Dream”

And now I will bow out and go check on my son before heading to bed.

Cheers and goodnight!
Saundra

I can’t get over how lovely this family is. I photographed these eleven-week-old twin babies first, then brought in the rest of the family for some of my regular ‘ole family portraiture. These photos just warm me up on this cold night, between the beautiful babies and the love between all of these family members. My goal was to show that love and their connection to each other.

Thank you for letting me into your lives that day to capture some memories for you!

Cheers!
Saundra

We clicked right off the bat, and Aia’s November session was fun from the get-go. The Chicago cold hit us hard that day, but we were rewarded with beautiful belly images. This next month I will have the opportunity to capture her baby’s photos, and I am thrilled.

Thank you, Aia, for being wonderful with the cold and for the opportunity to photograph you. I look forward to next month!

Cheers!
Saundra

When I sat down to blog, I wasn’t exactly sure where to start. I have been pretty bad about keeping up with my blog, but I did survive these past months (two months of holiday photos), which deserves some recognition. With the new year only three days away, I have been busy trying to get everything in order. Last night I shipped the last of the busy season’s orders. While many photographers have slower months during the winter, I still have a lot of newborn and maternity sessions. Those give me a smile on even the coldest of nights. I am also looking forward to working on one of my projects that I put to the wayside due to being too busy for it.

Looking forward to the next year has me reflecting on the past 365 days- well, 362 days, really. I have grown tremendously. Sure, my client list has grown, but I am referring to more than just numbers. I have grown into my style, which continues to evolve and mature. I am confident in what I have to offer. Most importantly, I have realized the impact that my photography can have on someone. This next year, I am going to see just how much by really pushing myself to get to a new level with projects and images that really “speak.” I still have a lot of growth to do though, such as finding a balance between my personal and work life. I know I’m not the only one thinking that!

Here are some things I have learned this past year which have really stood out to me…

- My style and service are not for everyone. And that’s okay too.
- Using the words “delicious” and “yummy” to describe elements in photos, such as color, saturation, lighting, or expression will not make me a better children’s photographer. It just makes me hungry.
- Using prime (fixed focal length) lenses keeps me moving around, so there’s no need to join a gym.
- When I really work on the small details of my business, clients will take notice and appreciate it.
- If I say I am a newborn photographer to a stranger, my reply to their next question will be, “No, I don’t put babies in flower pots.”
- If I “run to the store” in my painting jeans with my hair messy and no make-up, I can expect to run into a client, even in a big city like Chicago.
- When I’m at home and a client calls, my toddler will automatically begin vying for my attention by making strangle jungle noises.
- When holding a nakkie newborn, I must keep all camera equipment a minimum of 10 feet from the “danger zone.”
- And finally, there is nothing else I would rather be doing right now than photography!

There will be more posts coming that share some of my latest sessions, so please check back for a look at some of that work.

Cheers!
Saundra

www.saundrakarol.com

Beautiful Living
Give Thanks. Give Art.

This season reminds us to be thankful for so many people in our lives who have warmed our hearts by living beautifully. Their selfless acts and helpful ways have brought an entire community or just a small family closer together. They are your neighbor, your friend, your co-worker, your sister. They are the beauty in this world.

Now you can show your appreciation by nominating an individual you believe should receive the gift of artful memories. Four individuals (and their families) will be chosen to be photographed and will be profiled on my Saundra Karol Photography blog.

Those individuals selected will receive the following:
A complimentary portrait session for the nominated individual and immediate family
Online gallery slideshow of 20-30 images
Printed 4×6 proofs of session
DVD of high-resolution images from session
Three 8×10 desk gallery prints
Four 5×7 desk gallery prints

Individuals must live within 40 miles of Chicago, IL (zipcode 60618).
Sessions will be scheduled during January.

To nominate someone deserving of the Beautiful Living gift, please e-mail me at info@saundrakarol.com with “Beautiful Living” as the subject. Please include your name and phone number, as well as the following: 1.) Nominee’s name 2.) Nominee’s phone number and e-mail 3.) Why the nominee should receive the Beautiful Living gift.

All nominations must be made by December 31, 2009.

- Saundra