Woods pregnancy reveal photos: Chicago IL and Tips for Booking a Pregnancy Reveal Photo Session

Being chosen to photograph a pregnancy reveal causes such a cacophony of emotions. I feel so honored to be chosen to document this huge milestone for new parents-to-be Josh and Sarah, so excited for this new little life that will soon be joining us, and soooo frustrated to not be able to shout from the mountaintops about it. Now that I can finally reveal these photos, I thought I'd put together a list of tips about which to think as you tell the world your special news.

Tip 1: Pick a photographer that can work with a short timeline, especially if you want to surprise grandparents-to-be with a print. Keep in mind the time it will take your photographer to edit the photos and get the proofs to you, as well as the time it takes for ordering and shipping the prints. Josh and Sarah are ordering prints and two-day mailing them to family who live out of state so that all the packages arrive on the same day.

Tip 2: Ask if the photographer will do a "mini-session" rather than a full-priced session. Many parents-to-be want photos of a pregnant belly, but reveal photos are usually taken well before the momma starts to show. Thus, a good solution is to pick a mini-session for the reveal and a full session for a time in the last trimester.

Tip 3: Choose a personal way to reveal. Think about something unusual about you as a couple that could offer a clue that a pregnancy is brewing. Remember that you are telling the story through visuals. And it should be specific and personal to you. Josh and Sarah are avid scuba divers and decided on mini flippers as their visual clue.

Tip 4: If you don't have a good way to reveal, touch base with your photographer. They may have a few great ideas in their back pocket.

Tip 5: Think about the tone of your reveal. Would you like a sophisticated reveal, a sweet reveal, or a humorous reveal?

Tip 6: Ask your photographer if they offer pregnancy reveal announcements. Many photographers enjoy a little graphic design on the side.

Rayola family photos: Joliet IL and Six Tips for Capturing Your Family's Personality in Your Photo Shoot

Nothing makes my day more than photographing a family with major personality, and when the Rayolas busted out their old-school dance moves, I laughed so hard I could hardly click the shutter button. Seriously, scroll down for some whole family "sprinkler," "lawn mower," and "shopping cart" action. As I thought about their session and what made it so successful, I was struck by a few items:

 Tip 1: Get off the beaten path in terms of location. Mom Jen and I considered a beautiful garden and a weathered barn, but after I sent a few test shots from this alley and the surrounding urban areas, we were sold on the cool grungy vibe. Plus, alleys offer natural shade which can save your images on an insanely sunshiney day. Intense shadows on your face are not your friend.

 Tip 2: Capture the little connections that family members share. This photo says so much about the relationship between these sisters. Moms and Dads don't always enjoy being at center stage, but can still be in on the action by conversing in the background.

Tip 3: Speaking of connections, eye contact is king. And that doesn't always mean looking right at the lens. So much emotion can be conveyed by the look in people's eyes when they look at someone they love.

Tip 4: Bring props that have special meaning and encourage interactions. A ball for a child-parent toss, books to read together, or a family heirloom all demonstrate the connections between family members. The Rayolas also brought a special quilt rather than use my standard blankets.

 Tip 5: You want your kids to look like themselves in photos. You want to exclaim "Look at that face!" and "Oh, that is *soooo* her!" And that means letting go of the overly posed, perfect looking kiddos. When you relax and enjoy the process, your kids will be their goofy, lovable selves. I mean, really, look at that face!

Tip 6: (and this is key) Get Dad to participate. Many dads dread family photo day, but they don't have to equate the process with getting a tooth drilled. These photos resulted with a simple request of "Who wants to dance with Dad?" I expected a sweet, formal waltz type of pose, but within 10 seconds all three kids piled into the shot just for a chance to "sprinkler" dance with Dad Nick.

Which turned into "lawn mower" dancing. Look at that intensity...

And "shopping cart" dancing. Ha, that face!!!

Even Mom Jen couldn't resist getting down with her man. I love the look on Dad Nick's face as his girl busts a move to some classic Vanilla Ice.

Rayola family photos: Channahon IL

The Rayola family also asked me to stop by a family birthday party and grab some shots of the extended family together. Here are the five cousins.

And goofy poses of the extended family.

Weber family photos: Yorkville IL

The Weber family is tops among my favorite families to photograph. They have a large family, and all their kids have such diverse personalities. This photo shoot was for mom Heather's extended family, but also to update the Weber's own shots. The setting was a favorite of theirs, and it has quickly become a favorite spot of mine as well. Although it was a bit cold that day, the Weber family played in the leaves like the troopers they are.

Tim and Teresa rock the dress photos: Naperville IL

Jim and Megan engagement photos: Chicago IL

I just love a good engagement shoot. And this was it! Megan is such a goofball and she really brings out the big kid in Jim. As avid Cubs fans that live in the city, there couldn't have been a better location than Wrigley Field and its surroundings.

 We also worked in a nod to the band that brought these two together with a little ode to Dave Matthews.

We were even able to convince a local business owner to change his signage to reflect Jim and Megan's wedding date. Chicago is such an accommodating city!

Tim and Teresa engagement photos: Chicago IL Naperville IL

Engagement shoots are my absolute favorite type of shoot. There is nothing sweeter than that time when it is all about how much love is spinning around those two people. I was lucky enough to be asked to shoot three locations for Teresa and Tim: downtown Chicago, downtown Naperville, and the bride's backyard.

Okay, I'm really about the portraits, but this ring shot is an all-time favorite of mine. Yowzers!

These amazing purpley-red gates have since been removed, but as we strolled by on our way to catch the El, I yelled, "Stop!!! We have to grab a shot here."

I love the painterly-effect created here by the lighting of an overcast day and the super steady hands of the father-of-the-bride.

This classic spot was near a top contender for their wedding reception.

That ring!

And sometimes you get some goofy photobombers that just won't leave your shot. Tim and Teresa were so chill about it and just giggled at my funny face-pulling.

The bride and her mom are like master gardners, especially compared to me. I kill off anything I look at.

The bride is crazy in love, with Tim and with anything purple, so I thought this doorway would be a fun setting.

A favorite shot of mine. From our Lincoln Park setting.