HOW HAVE I NOT BLOGGED THE HGP STUDIO?!

Yes, the all caps was intentional.  I mean, seriously.  Come on, Jen.

I have two children, so I have to say that they're my pride and joy.  They bring me happiness, more than I ever imagined.  But my newborn studio?  It's my happy place.  The place was bare bones (concrete floors, missing walls, pipes exposed) when I fell in love with it, but I knew the first time I saw it it should be mine.  It's been a little over two years, so better late than never with the blog post, right?

If you're here, you know that I specialize in wedding photography.  I don't really need a studio for that, other than the consultations and planning meetings.  So when I opened the studio, it was specifically for newborns and has evolved so much since then.

When you plan a wintry engagement session in December, you hope for snow, right?  We didn't get snow (I think it came literally within 48 hours).  But we also didn't get the sub zero temperatures that have been plaguing Central Illinois.  It was chilly, but definitely tolerable for the time we were outside.

Needless to say, I'm looking forward to Jayne & Ryan's summer wedding. They were such naturals at all the posing I threw at them that they session flew by and our quick session turned into a full gallery that usually takes way longer!  My job seriously could not have been any easier.  Half the time they were doing the poses I was about to tell them to do.  It's no wonder we managed to get everything done in the near freezing temps so quickly!

Obviously, we don't have much color since we're in the middle of winter right now, but Forsyth Park had lights decorating a few of the evergreen trees that added such a pretty and festive element to the session, that happened just days before Christmas. 

Henry is one lucky little guy.  His mom contacted me months ago to get his studio newborn session penciled in, and while doing so, we booked a quick maternity session.  It was a tad chilly, but oh that light at Forsyth Park!  And Cara's baby belly!  Little did we know that his momma would be having him a earlier to be expected, just 11 days after the maternity session.  But his birthday is a really cool one.

When you are told around the 30th that they're going to keep you for observation, I'm sure the thought goes through your mind that you may be having a baby in the very near future while the hope is you keep baking baby a bit longer.  Inevitably, you think maybe baby will be a news years baby.  But Henry's due date is even a tad cooler.

There were so many elements to Tim & Britany's day that I had to start taking notes as I was going through their gallery for the blog!  We had a bit of wind, but we really, we could not have asked for a nicer day to have an October wedding, and a fantastic way to end my 2017 wedding season (you'll find me behind the computer editing for the next three months!).  Arpeggio Winery does not disappoint when considering a wedding venue.  Not only is it a gorgeous barn rehabbed to be the dream venue, it happens to be positioned to have the most amazing light pouring in at all the right places.

We started the day at the lake house to get the guys' pictures taken before the whirlwind began.  The property was amazingly perfect for getting ready pictures.  Plenty of room, plenty of light, and the guys were enjoying the day in the country.

I wanted to do these last year, but life got in the way.  Mainly, a little girl named Ella that arrived in June and was not, and is not still sleeping.  We're trying to not hold grudges about the lack of sleep, and thus productivity.  But I digress.  Must be sleep deprivation!

Anyways, we're thrilled over at HGP that Santa will be in the studio November 18th & 19th again.  Since this was relatively unplanned and other sessions are happening both days, there are only four spots available each day.

While these are Santa Sessions, parents, you are welcome to get in the picture too if you're hoping to get the family picture for the Christmas card.  Images are GUARANTEED to be delivered by November 27th so you can get cards ordered and sent out.