Golden Photography

baby photographer Deer Park IL

November 9, 2020

When mom told me she was expecting baby number 2, I was so excited for them! I photographed their other girl from newborn to 1 year so I was thrilled they wanted me to do the same for their second baby.

Of course, life happens and a pandemic overshadowed their newborn session. I wasn’t able to photograph him as a newborn, but we managed to shift their first session to an older baby session and mix it as a regular family session. I tried to tire him out but naturally he didn’t sleep since he was a few months old. However he was still pretty happy to be wrapped up like a little newborn. It totally worked for me! He also was big enough to fit into a few of the baby outfits the studio has, so I was happy to bring some along that mom picked out from my stash.

What a beautiful session they had at this spot in Deer Park, IL. I cannot wait to see them again when dude is sitting up for more milestone photos.

family posed with baby for photo session in Deer Park IL

black and white photos of family of four in Illinois

mom posing with children outdoors in Lake County IL

parents with new baby and daughter in Deer Park

black and white of baby boy in white onesie for outdoor photos in Deer Park

family of four posed with new baby outdoors at Vehe Barn

three month old photo session in Deer Park IL

big sister posing for photos during family session in lake County IL

black and white of baby boy wearing bonnet outdoors

baby wrapped in blue sitting in crate dir baby photo session in Deer Park IL

baby boy swaddled in green posed outdoors for photos in Deer Park IL

I love how beautiful their evening was. No one was a sweaty mess and the bug weren’t awful. So those are two huge wins in my book! Add in the fact this older guy was happy to be wrapped like a newborn (and could still fit into my stuff) makes it even better.

I would love to chat if you are researching a maternity, newborn, child, or family photographer. My studio is in downtown Lake Zurich, IL however I photograph all throughout the county. This spot was in Deer Park, however I have other spots I love in Barrington, Arlington Heights, Palatine, and more. Outdoor sessions start just before sunset to get that warm glowing like that I love.

Sessions book months to weeks in advance, so please contact me today!

Vernon Hills IL newborn photography

November 2, 2020

I met this family a number of years ago when their first daughter was born. I was lucky enough to photographer her several times during her first year Earthside and beyond. When they contacted me that they were expecting again I was so happy I would get to do the same for this girl, as well.

She was little but so round and chunky. I don’t think its any secret that rolls on newborn are my favorite. I’m sure many parents agree with me, too. One of of those newborn things that quickly changes and goes away (and sometimes comes back right before they learn to crawl and then again just before they begin to walk).

It is so fun to be able to see this family grow and their first-born to become a big sister. Older siblings are always tricky – sometimes they are jealous or don’t understand what is happening. Lucky for me I’ve been doing this forever so I do have a few tricks up my sleeve to encourage them to cooperate.

baby girl asleep under pink blanket on white rug near Vernon Hills IL

swaddled baby girl posed on bowl with newborn photographer near Vernon Hills IL

baby girl sleeping on rose color fabric for newborn photo session

sleeping newborn swaddled in purple in Vernon Hills photography studio

baby girl asleep on pink cloth in photo studio near Vernon Hills IL

black and white macro images of newborn baby details

baby girl asleep on rose fabric in Vernon Hills IL newborn photo studio

big sister holding swaddled baby sister during newborn photoshoot

mom posed with newborn baby for photo session in Lake County IL

newborn girl on mauve fabric during newborn session outside Chicago

parents holding newborn baby girl in Vernon Hills IL photography studio

black and white of newborn baby girl alseep for Vernon Hills IL newborn photographer

Its hard to believe I just took her 6 month photos, as well! Time really does fly!

I specialize in newborn photography and would love to photograph your growing family, as well. My studio is located in downtown Lake Zurich IL and I photograph families throughout Lake and Cook Counties including Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Mundelein, Palatine, Arlington Heights, and more. My studio is stocked full of wraps, hats, tiebacks, and more just for your newborn photo session with me. Sessions are reserved before baby arrives and then take place when they are about two weeks old.

If you’d like more information or would like to book, please contact me today!

newborn photographer Crystal Lake IL

October 26, 2020

A few weeks ago I blogged this family’s maternity session. We’re closing in on their baby turning one as this posts, so its finally time to show off their newborn session! About time, I know.

After a cold maternity session I know I was ready for a warm and toasty newborn session. Haha. I keep the studio pretty warm during newborn sessions since I’m trying to recreate that womb feeling for them. They’re used to being wrapped up in tight quarters at about 98 degrees, so naturally I like to swaddle them up in my overly heated studio to help soothe them and knock them out. Secrets of the trade, I guess you could say.

baby girl wrapped in grey during newborn photo shoot

newborn baby swaddled in pink laying down for newborn photos near Crystal Lake IL

newborn baby girl wearing pink on white rug in Crystl Lake newborn photography studio

baby asleep in buck on wood floor of newborn studio in Lake County IL

black and white close up macro photo of newborn lips

newborn baby girl posing for newborn photos near Crystal Lake IL

baby girl wrapped in cloth for best newborn photos

mom holding baby girl for posed newborn photos in Lake Zurich IL

dad holding baby girl for newborn photos

She did so great for her session, too! Like anyone, babies are all so different and I never know what to expect when they come into my Lake Zurich, IL studio. Some babies are very sensitive and wake up each time I move or touch them. Some sleep through everything like a rock. Others want to eat more than sleep. The list goes on and on!

This little one was a great sleeper, but she did peep her eyes open at the very end. When that happens, I take full advantage of getting a few photos. Seeing their little eyes open, yawns, sneezes, stretches, and other expressions are super fun photos for mom and dad to have!

black and white photos of awake newborn baby

This little two weeker was a dream to photograph!

If you’re expecting a newborn and live in the Crystal Lake, Cary, Mundelein, Lake Zurich, Barrington, Palatine, or other surrounding suburbs I would love to photograph your growing family.

Newborn sessions are scheduled when they are about two weeks old. It is best to book your session before baby arrives to ensure space on my calendar. For more information about session options, please shoot me a message and I will be happy to chat with you.

Cake smash photographer Lake County IL

October 19, 2020

Reaching that first birthday is such a huge milestone not only for the birthday boy or girl, but also as a parent! It’s a sign that kid is on their way to walking and talking in no time. So what better way to celebrate that bridge from baby to toddler than with a cake smash session?

This mom wanted just that and requested a boho theme with flowers. I had the perfect decorations to help transform my studio for that theme. A little fringe, some floral hoops along with some floral garland is all it took! Mom brought in a beautiful ombre rosette cake for her daughter, too!

Random story – as I was getting set up dad realized I photographed his friend’s newborn when he saw his photos on display and connected the dots. Small world!

Enjoy this sweet little one’s cake smash session!

little girl eating cake in Lake Zurich photo studio

1 year old standing by 1st birthday cake in photography studio near Chicago

1 year old eating cake for smash phots in Lake Zurich IL

little girl eating boho pink smash cake in Lake County IL

pink cake for first birthday in Lake County IL

I get a lot of questions about cake smash sessions. They are for baby only (because honestly, the cake can be scary for some kids and adding siblings and more family to the mix it too much for birthday boy or girl to handle). I do have some tricks to get them interested in the cake and to really dig in since most have never seen a cake before. Some are super dainty eaters, too, like this sweet girl.

When it comes to getting a cake, I recommend Blawsome Cakes because not only is she talented but she’s also a local lake Zurich business! I’m so thrilled to be able to recommend her to all of my families.

If you would like to know more and you’re in the Lake County or northern Cook County areas, please reach out and I’d love to answer any questions you may have. It’s best to schedule several few weeks in advance to ensure space on my calendar and enough time for the baker to make your cake.