Thank you!

I can see the end of 2014  and I have reflected a lot on this year.  My photography business grew a little. I got a lot of exposure at events I shot and through recommendations of my clients. 

I look forward to it growing my client base further and furthering my photography education in 2015.

Thank you to those who have supported me on the start of this venture. Thank you to those who have recommended me to others.  Your support and encouragement mean so much to me!

Wishing you a wonderful rest of 2014 and into 2015.

2015 Bookings

Seasons Greetings!

I am starting to book my calendar for 2015. 
Do you or someone you know in the northern Illinois area need to have their photos done or updated? 
Maybe it's their family or a high school senior or a new family addition - I would love to talk to them.

I can be emailed at: jenmcgee34@yahoo.com or through my Facebook page: Photos by Jen McGee

Thank you!

New project - 2015

Seeing as how 2014 is coming to a close, I am looking at some goals for next year.

In addition to photo shoots next year, I will be taking on a personal photography project.  Project 365 - a photo each day next year.  We'll see how long I stick with it!

I am going to link up over at Click It Up a Notch
I plan to use the hashtag:  #project365jenmc2015

Who else will join us? 

The S Family - Winter Wonderland

I was scheduled to take this beautiful family's photos on Saturday. Due to some factors, they pushed it off to Sunday morning. I am SO glad they did! They wanted Christmas card photos - well, we had the weather for it!

 

Before we left their house:

 

 A little break to play in the snow

 

 I had thought about cropping big sister out but decided I liked her in the background

 

Daughter #1 is the caring big sister - I have never had a problem shooting her 

 

 

Little girl sweetness

 

I love their coats and hats!

 

Daughter #3 trying to figure out the white stuff falling from the sky, I believe her to be the inquisitive one

 

Mom and Dad

 

Can you tell this was toward the end of the shoot? Patience was running thin for some...

Isn't she sweet? Daughter #2 is the strong willed one but she did FANTASTIC yesterday!

 

Oh those three sets of eyes - so sweet!

 

One more of Daughter #2

 

 And Daughter #1

 

 

I am pretty happy with these (and many more from yesterday) - I hope they will be too!

 

Thank you S family for a fun, easy wintery shoot. I had a great time, as usual with you all.

 

2015

The new year is right around the corner! I am taking bookings for 2015.

 

Contact me to book your family/children's/high school senior session.

 

I look forward to taking your photos!

Autumn beauty!

Princess Portraits

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to be asked to shoot a local event.

Princess Lessons by A Royal Remembrance.

 

Saturtday, Snow White shared her knowledge of inner and outer beauty with several younger princesses.

 

Sunday, Belle taught manners and table etiquette at a wonderful party she held for even more local princesses.

 

Thank you Snow White and Belle for including me in your events!

 

Miss S

I love this precious face!!!!

 

St. Louis, 2008

Hello, St. Louis!

 

Inside the City Museum:

(if you like to climb and play - this is a GREAT place to visit while in St. Louis!)

 

Glass bottle wall inside City Museum

 

 

Meramac, Missouri (about an hour west of St. Louis):

 

Meramac Cave

 

Have you been to St. Louis?

What are your favorite things to see and do in that area?

Autumn splendor

Here are a few shots (of the 100s I've taken) over the past couple of weeks.

Northern Illinois is gorgeous right now!

 

 

Last week, my daughter looked out the kitchen window one morning and said,

"Ah mom, you might want to get your camera and go outside."

So I did, without looking out the window. I went out on the porch and this took my breath away!

 

 

I hope your fall is beautiful!

 

Northern Illinois readers...

I know this is a busy time of year for a lot of people.

If you live in the northern Illinois region, I have a few more dates available this year. Remember, the holidays are coming and photo gifts make wonderful gifts for loved ones!

Contact me to schedule your photo shoot at:
jenmcgee34@yahoo.com

Why Should I Have my Photos Taken?

Do you know how many times I have heard:
*My child doesn't behave very well.
*I look fat in pictures.
*My husband/wife/child doesn't like to have their picture taken.

Let me tell you WHY you should have your photos taken:

*Your child is growing up everyday - each stage of their life deserves to be preserved.
*Don't worry about how you look! This is YOU - and that's the most important thing I want you to remember.
*A member of your family doesn't like to be in front of the camera? We will have fun and I will do everything I can to make them relaxed and comfortable in that situation.

Guess what?

Everything doesn't have to be perfect in your photos! (Some of the best photos I've taken are of an "unhappy" looking family member or maybe a spontaneous moment during a session)


Some tips for shoots with clients under age 5
*Set your time for after naptime or at a time where your child is usually content and happy.
*Bring snacks and water/juice - but please try to avoid things like cheese crackers, chocolate and red or purple juices.
*If I take a younger child away from the group (with your permission!), it is to try to get them to relax. Some little ones don't "perform"well under the eyes of others.
*Parents: be patient! Getting worked up isn't going to help a meltdown.
*While working on a certain shot, small ones sometimes don't look where they're supposed to - and that's ok. I will work the best I can to get and hold their attention for a few seconds. Your "job" during those moments, is to look where I have asked you to and keep smiling.

Tips for the whole family
*Most importantly, relax and have fun with each other (and me!).
*When picking your wardrobe for a shoot, wear something that is COMFORTABLE for you! If someone is wearing something they don't like - it will reflect in your photos.

The R family

I had a photo shoot with a wonderful family this past Sunday. Here is the first set of photos I will post:

Thank you for looking!