Sniff, sniff… Everly’s first year portraits are complete. I completely teared up when I first saw her at our one year shoot – little Miss is walking and such a big girl – and just keeps getting more and more gorgeous! What a joy it was to watch her grow and change over the past year. While I’m sad that our quarterly play dates are over, I look forward to our annual portraits going forward. Can’t wait to see you next year sweetie!

Newborn, three month, six month, nine month and one year portraits. Photography by Tracy Petersen Photography in Chicago, IL.

Hard to believe that little Everly is already nine months old. Check out her newborn, three and six month portraits to see how this little sweetie has grown…

March has been busy! I again participated in Janie & Jack’s in-store portrait promotion, doing not one but TWO stores for the spring promotion – Orland Square and Northbrook.

Four days shooting anything can be tiring, but four days of photographing little ones was exhausting. A ton of fun, but exhausting. For eight hours a day I danced, sang, mooed and fake farted in an attempt to keep these kids attention.  I needed them to sit relatively still and smile, but right where the light was optimal on my white backdrop. And that sweet space of light on a studio set up is all of about 2 feet. Some kids did this no problem, but many had a hard time, not wanting anything to do with sitting still.

The fun comes in figuring out what works for different kids. After two and half years of capturing little ones of all ages, I have developed a pretty good repertoire of attention gaining and interest retaining tricks. Some kids didn’t require any, some took up my whole arsenal of stunts and then some. I had several parents who thought their session was a complete diaster because their child was not in the cooperating mood, but I assured them that I always manage to get a few shots. At the viewing and sales appointments, I had a couple of parents who were absolutely blown away but what we managed to get after such a challenging shoot. I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from amazing parents with beautiful images of their children that they will treasure for a lifetime – love it!

I met so many beautiful kids and wonderful parents over my four days – I truly enjoyed (most ) every exhausting moment. Here are some of my favorite images ~ be ready for some extreme cuteness…

Some of my favorite images from  Janie & Jack’s in-store portrait promotion at their Orland Square location. Be sure to check out images from the Northbrook Janie & Jack shoot too!

previous post: Chicago Dance Marathon

next post: Janie & Jack Northbrook

Yep, it’s official… Six months is my favorite age for baby portraits. Still a baby, but getting big enough to sit up and tons of personality. I am doing portraits every three months of sweet Miss Everly’s first year and it is such fun to see her changes between visits. Check out her newborn and three month portraits too.

A few shots with her big sister Helena…

Sweet, happy Lachlan! I couldn’t believe it when his mommy sent me a note to set up his six month baby portraits, it seemed like just yesterday that we did his three month and newborn images. It is such fun and a privilege to watch my little subjects grow and change. This sweet boy is such a joy to capture – can’t wait for his nine month session!

I spent two days in October capturing holiday portraits at the upscale children’s clothing store Janie & Jack and oh my was it fun. Completely and utterly exhausting, but so much fun! It was an honor to shoot for Janie & Jack and an absolute pleasure to meet all the kids and their parents. Here are some of my favorite images – enjoy the uber cuteness!

At the beginning of our session, Nina’s mommy informed me that Nina was a little shy and hoped she would do ok. Umm, yeah – not shy at all. Miss Nina and I totally hit it off and we captured so many awesome images. After we were done with our shoot, Nina’s mom had her try on a few items she was considering buying and Nina grabbed her mom’s sunglasses. Had to capture her in the impromptu outfit too – I mean just look at her!!

This sweet little brother and sister duo just melted my heart. Absolutely adorable and super sweet kids. And check out their sweet Janie & Jack outfits. That little velvet purse, love it!

Little blonde sweeties – those curls and big blue eyes!

Little miss M – where do I even start?

Yep, each new client was cuter than the last, it was ridiculous! This little guy – so incredibly sweet and adorable and he did such a great job, looking right at me. So much fun to capture him!

The little sweater vest and cap – such a sweet boy!

I know, stop it – you can’t stand it right?! Yes, that is a little camel blazer and plaid tie & suspenders he is wearing and his sister issporting a gorgeous red velvet dress with matching plaid accents.

This little guy and I became fast friends.

Sweet and sassy little Miss E!

Argyle vest + corduroy cap + sweet baby = happy photographer

This little guy has the thickest head of hair – such a sweetheart

And this is his big brother, who absolutely refused to have his picture taken with his baby brother. We begged, pleaded and tried to bribe him into sitting with his brother for a few shots with no luck. And he was leaving he turned and said to me “sorry Tracy, maybe next time”. It made me laugh so hard, it was classic!

Big brother and his baby sister – too cute.

Mr. O did such an amazing job getting his portraits taken – he just sat there and looked at me. I was dying, he is the sweetest little guy with the most gorgeous big brown eyes!

Another one of my little buddies who absolutely rocked it for the camera.

This seven year old was an absolute champ handling his little twin brother and sister.

This sister and brother duo are the bestest of friends. Or maybe they were bribed to act that way prior to portrait time? Regardless, they were so much fun to capture.

previous post: gabriel ~ newborn photography

next post: katherine & jonathan ~ wedding photography

I get so much joy and satisfaction from my photography, but a little validation from a client always makes me really happy. I got the following note from Fisher’s mommy after I sent her the proofs from our session “oh my god, i am dying, crying, dying, crying, dying. i love, love, love these! i will spend some time with them once fisher goes down for a nap. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. you got all of his ‘faces’. i am in heaven.” I’m the one in heaven – getting to do what I love and having clients who love what I do.

Fisher turned six months old on the day of our shoot and it just might be my favorite age to capture. At that age they’re still babies but have such little personalities. They can (almost) sit up so we can do some fun poses but they can’t yet run away. This little guy is so darn cute with the most beautiful blue eyes – I completely fell in love with him. I think you might too…

Little Fisher is a fourth – named after his dad, grandpa and great grandfather – so he has this little “quatro” onesie – how cute is that?

He and his mom touch noses after every meal, but sometimes he misses!

Being a model is very tiring. You did great sweetie!

It was an absolute joy to capture you on your big six month milestone, sweet Fisher. Keep up the cuteness!!

♥,

tracy