Happy Holidays!

'Tis the season to get together with family and friends.  I didn't host this year, but I was working hard nonetheless.  We had a family portrait session on Thanksgiving!  What fun.  Everyone together at the same time.  With nephews in college out of state it's the only time we're all together.  Whether you get together with a large extended family or keep it small at home, to create memories that last, don't forget your camera!

A gem of a baby

Introducing little baby "R".  After a rocky start mama's arms gently rocked her to sleep (which made for a more willing subject).  And then the sun burst through the clouds and it was all good.  I just love the tiny hands and feet.  Lucky parents.  She is quite a gem.

FALL

So many photos, so little time.  It's been a while since I've blogged.  I have been doing a bunch of portraits for holiday cards and I'm swamped with all of the post-processing.  

I did manage to squeeze in some shots of my kids when it was unseasonably warm recently (unlike today!)  

Our Maple tree in the back yard has finally dropped all of it's leaves and the kids are having so much fun raking and jumping in them.  It's always one of my favorite times of year.  And the photo-ops are endless... 

Weddings! - Chicago photographer

Back to back weddings these past 2 weekends.  Steve & Mary had a beautiful day.  And check out the brides maid dresses!  They were awesome in orange with shoes dyed to match, naturally.  The bride was super-fun to shoot.  Good times were had by all.  

For this wedding I was shooting w/Johnny Knight Photo

Holiday Cards! - By Popular Demand - Chicago Portrait Photographer

I am very excited to introduce the new Holiday Card Designs for 2008!  We have 8 new designs for the season.  Both folded cards and flat cards. These designs are unique, versatile & classic.  There is a design to fit every individual style & personality.  All cards are press printed and UV coated for durability with a gloss finish.  

You can preview the designs on the Chouinard Photography website @ www.chouinardphotography.com  Once there, click on CLIENTS in the lower right corner for the proofing galleries.  The password is "cards" to view the 8 designs.  

Call 773.817.5067 or email cathy@chouinardphotography.com for price list.  Personalize your holiday cards this year with a professional portrait by Chouinard Photography.  

When it rains, it pours!

WOW!  For those of you not in the Chicago area, it's been raining here all day.  It's flooding.

We've been lucky here with only a little water in the basement.  But others are not so fortunate.  We're keeping everyone effected by the flooding in our thoughts.  Stay dry.

Thinking Christmas Card Portraits?...

The winds have shifted.  It's getting cooler.  Time to break out the flannel and start thinking about... you guessed it.  Holiday portraits!  This family is on the ball.  They had their shirts picked out this summer for their photo op.   I just loved the look on baby "M"'s face.  She was cracking me up.  The red, black and white really popped.  Call soon.  Sessions are filling fast.

773.817.5067

Oh Baby! - Chicago Portrait Photographer

Not easy to get this one to fall asleep!  

So cute! Little boy "S" is very alert and only 2 weeks old.

And getting his feet in just the right place...Fun stuff!

A short season...

The first day of school marks the official end of summer for our family.  It also marks the beginning of a more flexible schedule for me.  With my "baby" in pre-school (sniff-sniff ) I will now be available weekday mornings as well as weekends for portrait sessions. 

Weekends in September are full.  If you're interested in an "outdoor" session time is running out. I like to stop the outdoor sessions mid to late October.  

The holiday season will be here before you know it.  

Now is the time to book your holiday portrait sessions.  

Give me a call or email me for availability.  

Time Flies

They grow-up so fast!  I've been taking his picture since he was hours old.  Every summer they visit and I get to shoot the "B" Boyz.  He's almost as tall as his father.  By next summer I'm sure he will be.

Bride & Groom

This was so much fun. Went to a wedding workshop @ Studio 3047 and had a good time with these beautiful models. We were under time pressures and wide open. And I used my 50mm fixed (so I had to use my feet to zoom :-) Here are some of my favorites. FYI the "groom" was near a real window (natural light) and the "bride" was by a simulated window (strobe in giant soft box)

Shooting at a 1/60, the groom's fleeting crack-ups were hard to catch.

Little miss "S" was so fun to photograph. She kept looking at me like I was nuts. LOVE her eyes! This is one of the last images I took with my Nikkor 18-135 zoom lens. I was shooting her on our tire swing, switched hands with my camera (no strap around my neck!) and dropped my camera and broke my lens. Boo Hoo :-[ Time to buy some new glass.

Italy

Good times in Italy! As usual I took way too many pictures. Here are a few from Florence & the Chianti region.

been too long...

Been a while since Iv'e "blogged"
Spent time in Italy at the beginning of the month. (Actually ran into a friend from Chicago in Florence!)Took 2,626 photos. I've been spending much of the rest of the month going through them.
Photo posts coming soon!
Busy, Busy...

Harp

Harp player head shot. Fun time with natural & studio lights.
This job is easy when you have eyes like this to shoot.

Ring around the Rosie

I've updated the site! I have an "Expecting" gallery. Mama J.'s kids were so cute I have them in the "children" gallery now. They LOVED having their picture taken. (unlike my kids) It was a blast. We got so many great shots, it was hard to choose the best. These are a few of my faves.

Belly Shots

Yeah Belly Shots! Mama J. is due any minute now! Had so much fun shooting this expectant mother and family. They'll be up on the website soon in my new "Expecting" gallery. My fave is the belly button shot.

Flash Fun

Having fun with flash! Slow-sync flash to be exact, for you photo-geeks. Me with my remote, camera on a tripod, and a flashlight. I could have fun for hours!

Happy Easter

Here is what it looked like in Chicago on Easter! When is it gonna warm up?

New Website!

Well it's finally done!

My website has been updated and it is LIVE!

www.chouinardphotography.com

I spent much of February on it.  

Enjoy.

Lighting Class Shots

Cindy Sherman lighting re-creation.