Wasn't there a whole section of pregnancy photos on your website? Yes there was, and I will try to get them back on there soon. I have been doing maternity portraits for 10 years, the first one was a selfie. The majority of them were studio style and when I started there weren't a lot of other photographers in the area doing the style of image I was doing so it was fun and new. After a few years I started to see the same images I had been doing shot over and over by newer photographers so it was no longer new and fun so I took a break from that area. Not that I don't love doing maternity portraits, I do, I just wanted a little change for a while. But yes I still do and here are some photos from a maternity session last month. And I would love to do some new images so I am offering a couple of sessions in the next month at half price, a full session for a mini session price. These are not studio image, email or call if interested.

It is a really lovely time to meet people, especially when they are having their first baby together.

and where better to photograph a couple expecting their first child than their new home

I still do the studio style images too and am happy to mix and match a session, get a little lifestyle and a little posed.

And if you are pregnant and want a full session for half price and are willing to go in the snow give me a call.

Flashes of Hope is an organization that 'are volunteer driven organization solely focused on children's cancer' they/we 'photograph more than 50% of the children annually diagnosed in the United States.' I am one of the many photographer to donate my time and it is a great honor to a part of this project.

Tuesday I spent the day at a Chicago area hospital and photographed 12 children battling cancer. From 10 weeks old to 13 years old these kids were an inspiration. Here are some of the photos.

http://flashesofhope.org/

Here is one of the other volunteers getting in on a little photo action.

Having fun is a big part of the project. Taking their mind off the treatment just to play and feel good.

 Most of the photos are done in my pop-up studio in the hospital lobby, but some are done bedside.

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I was at Lincoln elementary last week to photograph Oak Park Education Foundation science alliance class and the theme was worm dissection.

Did you know this is what the inside of a worm looks like

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It was entertaining to watch the expressions of the kids face over the hour.

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My Oak Parker Project took a long break but now I am back to finish it. I had originally planned on 52 portraits in a year. I didn't get 52 finished in the year. Some people were not available and I have two young kids and a small business so not really surprising that I didn't whip it out. But I did meet a lot of very cool and inspiring people, and I got kinda attached to the number 52. And so I am back at it.

Tony at Tony's Shoe Repair in number 41 and I have a list that would put me at about 70. Over the next month or two I hope to finish with 52 (or not 52, either way is good).

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If you haven't been to this place you should check it out. It's pretty awesome. So I was privileged to get into the back room where it all happens, but just going down the stair off Oak Park Ave. is an experience in itself. It's a little like stepping back in time even though this a thriving current business.

One of the very first portraits in the project was of John at Pieritz Stationary and the feel of these stores remind me of each other. 

I love the tiny space, the chemicals, the smoke, all the personality.

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I have a few more lined up but if there is someone who stands out to you as an Oak Parker I'm always open to suggestions. It about a half and half project, half the people are people I pick and half have been recommended to me.

I love working with the same family over time. Something magical happens when everyone trusts each other and relax into the shoot.

The first time I work with a family I learn their relationships, who might be shy, who doesn't want to sit long. Then after the session I see which photos they are drawn to. This gives the next session an easier flow. Over time the kids know me and their true personalities shine through so much more often.

Another family I have worked with over the years, since the birth of their oldest daughter is this group.

I have done newborn portraits of each child and a few sessions in between. From the more posed to documentary it is fun to watch them grow.

Sometimes it is the simplest shots that stand. To me this capture everything a family should be.

Comfortable and happy together, no big production, just taking a moment to sit and BE with eachother.

And then have a little Fun!

This was the last family session I did before Christmas, there had been lots of snow but it was too cold to hang outside for very long but we did go out long enough to get a few nice winter shots.

I worked with a lot of families this fall and early winter on images for their holiday cards. It is a nice lead up to the holidays meeting families and seeing how they interact to each other. I will try over the next week or two go back through and post some images from these sessions.

With three boys 4 and under, having a photo of everyone sitting looking at the camera at one time it likely not something you want to attempt too often. They just want to run and around and be batman after all!

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Rob Breymaier   Social Activist, Fair Housing Advocate , Executive Director at Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Cheryl Munoz  The Sugar Beet Co-op,  foodie, grower

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Elaine   represents the good neighbors of Oak Park, extra grandma

David Patterson    Music Historian, autoharp collector

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David Sokol,  Art Historian

Faith Humphrey-Hill,    Artist, Community Art Organizer

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George Bailey   artist of many genres

Debbie Becker   bee keeper

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Dr. P

Dr. Paul,    green medical practice

Stephanie Clemens,  dancer, teacher

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Hilary Kaiser,  homebirth midwife

David Lyons,  street entertainer

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For anyone who has been following my Oak Parkers project here are some of the additions. You can read a little more about each person and see some more of the photos over at http://emphoto.blogspot.com/ 
 

The last day of May I spent at Comer Children's Hospital as the photographer for the Flashes of Hope photoshoot. If you don't know about this non-profit please take a moment to view their site.
"Flashes of Hope is a nonprofit organization that changes the way children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses see themselves through the gift of photography and raises money for pediatric cancer research."

I got to work with eight families that day, from toddlers to late teens. Here are some of individual portraits.

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What does one do when they have no place to be all day.
What does one do when they have no place to be all day and they don’t have a home to rest in. Some sit in a park, some sit in a bus shelter.
For weeks now as I drive or cycle up Harlem Avenue I see two men sitting in the bus box. One is sometimes lying on the bench, is he ill? Do they eventually get on the bus and go somewhere? Do they stay here all night?

Today I stopped to talk with them; today I went into the bus box for a few minutes. It was loud and unnerving with the passing traffic.
 

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I first met Joe a few weeks ago. From what I know of him in our few meetings, Joe is gentle man.

At 54, with chronic back pain he can no longer find work. With lack or work came lack of money, with lack of money, well we all know...

We sat in the park on a sunny morning and Joe told me about his life, growing up in Cicero, falling off a garage as a kid, messing up his back, followed by years of work at different jobs around here and in Texas. Now he sits in the park and wonders what he will do, where he will spend his nights now that the local night shelter is closed for the summer. Will he eventually get disability and go back to having a place of his own?

Joe tells me he doesn’t like being on the streets, he hates it. He had lots of jobs, he liked working and going home and cooking his dinner.

I hope Joe gets disability, I hope he get a little home and I hope this happens soon for Joe.
 

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