Child Photography...Why I Do It.
Not everyone photographs children. Here’s why I do.
Isaiah / 2021
When I started my journey into photography, families and kids were where I started. For me, it was the love of capturing the emotion and love of families and the joy of children. Photographing the step in the journey of life was my mission. The hope was that my children would have something to look back on and remember the important memories. And even better yet, have something to show their children and to tell them the story behind the images.
My mission is to bring the same energy into every client session I photograph. One of my favorite to photograph is children’s portraiture. Allowing the child to be the center of image is what I love to capture. Their innocence, personality and character are always on full display! Mostly, I love to see the parents reactions to the images as they immediately connect to them. Their expression of knowing exactly who their children are in a single image makes it all worthwhile.
Trevor / 2021
Photography with Purpose - Michael Airhart & Taste For The Homeless
Michael Airhart & Taste for the Homeless / 2021
Photography should always serve a purpose. And when you are blessed to find that purpose, it is truly inspiring.
Earlier this year, I had the amazing opportunity to photograph an amazing portrait session with Michael Airhart of Taste for the Homeless and Social Works. In late 2020, Michael invited me out to document his Taste for the Homeless mission in Uptown Chicago. I wasn’t sure what to expect but after photographing the session I can honestly say that I was blessed on many levels to see and document the pure love that Michael and his group have for the homeless community of Chicago. During our time, I witnessed someone who from his heart gave to those who were in need the most basic human necessities and treated them with dignity.
When Michael reached out and wanted to photograph his new product line, I was honored to have the opportunity! It was an amazing session and we created so great images for his mission.
Having the chance to photography passion and purpose is so special. Being able to freeze the amazing moments in time is something I cherish.
More Than A Photograph
Isaiah | 2021
One thing that I love about photography is the ability to freeze time. A great image is a mile marker in life. It can be looked back on and seen as a celebration of a moment or an opportunity to enjoy the journey of life.
This image is so special to me because it is my amazing son, Isaiah. Isaiah is full of personality! He loves living life to the fullest and there is never a dull moment with this guy. Even through quarantine he has found so many ways to find the joy in an otherwise boring situation. The number of forts we have built and dinosaur adventures we have gone on are endless.
We took this headshot because he is wanted to possibly get into modeling. He was so excited to get in front of the camera! I asked him to show me his personality so that the people we were sending the images to would know all about him. And what can I say, he absolutely nailed it!
Smile More!
Tatsu / 2020
One thing that everyone can do more of these days is smile! A smile is a great expression of joy but it’s also a workout for your facial muscles too. The importance of smiling can never be understated. It’s essential to our mental health and well being.
In this image, I was so captured by the expression of joy on Tatsu’s face that it naturally made me smile when I was reviewing it. This shot was taken between two other posed frames when both Tatsu and I realized we were capturing some truly great images.
I always enjoy working with Tatsu because she has so many different looks and her emotions are always real and raw! I almost never have to coach her to give me something genuine because she is always genuine and flawlessly moves through a shoot.
So take a moment today and find a memory that means so much to you that you can’t help but smile!
For The Love of Portraiture
Madison Evans / 2020
Since I first started photographing images when I was young, I’ve always loved portraits. There has always been a fascination with telling the story of a person. Revealing the complex nature of the subject in one shot has been my drive in portrait photography. In 2020, I made a more conscious effort to take photos that told a story, sparked a question, or conveyed the emotion of my subject at that given time.
This image of Madison quickly became one of my favorite photos of 2020. A year that would be marked by pandemic, tragedy, and isolation. Our session came together out of chance and I really wanted to make the most of the opportunity.
Our inspiration was music and the attitude that it brings to the surface. Capturing the raw emotion in a portrait is always the goal in any shoot I do. Whether it’s a wedding, portraits, or families; I’m always looking for the moments that happen in between that help to tell the story.
The main reason I love this portrait is the expression on Madison’s face. I asked her to sum up 2020 in one facial expression and I feel like she gave me two. On one side, she plays to the shock of how 2020 just kept outdoing itself. And on the other, she played more into the tired and frustrated feeling that many of us felt this year. In all, a full gambit of emotions can be taken from this image and that is why I love this shot so much.