{Personal Expressions} I Heart Faces - Books | Naperville Lifestyle Photographer

I instantly knew which photograph I wanted to submit for this week's I Heart Faces photo contest. This picture is from a few months ago but is so appropriate for the theme and just brings such a smile to my face!

I believe in training them young and encouraging reading anywhere! and yes, it is a book about plants in Hawaii! :)

Check out some of the other cool entries here

{Lifestyle Portraiture} Sneak Peek - The S family - 3P's for having a good time | Aurora Family Photographer

I always worry before a photo shoot involving kids. How am I going to occupy them? Distract them, keep them engaged while I peer into their faces with a camera? How do I ensure they have a good time and not hate me!!! :) - I like being "liked" - after all, happy kids = happy parents, right!

Well! I did not have to worry too much during my latest shoot. It had three elements very important for a successful photo shoot :-
1) Park!
2) Play!
3) Photos!

Little Ms.K was a natural. It also helped that mom choose a park that she was very familiar with. So while little Ms.K played in the park, I clicked photos ;)

So S family, thanks for a wonderful morning and enjoy your sneak peak!

I love the play of shadows on her face! - they match her dress :)

{Lifestyle Portraiture} Sneak Peek - The K family - a tale of two sisters | Naperville Family Photographer

I have a sister so I could really relate to this family with two adorable girls. I spent about 30 minutes with these two girls and realized that they are so different...two different personalities, two different tastes and two different directions!

Ms. N was all of 3 years and was so excited to be out and about. She was curious about the trees, about the birds in the branches, the fishes in the water, the bridges in the park - everything! She had a constant smile on her face and was ready for anything.

Little Ms. K on the other hand was so interested in walking - that all she wanted to do - reminded me of Forest Gump!...She did not want to be carried, did not want to be held, did not want to be told where to go and what to do. She was happy picking leaves and presenting them to her mom as if to say "Would you look at this facinating piece of brown!"

After 15minutes of being with these two, it was clear that I were not going to get them to sit together - so I had to resign myself to the fact that I would at least try and get these two in the same frame - to prove that this was at least a photoshoot for two sisters!!!!

Enjoy your sneak peak! and all the very best with two adorable cuties! :)

This has got to be the world's best present for any mom - dried leaves picked by your child! :)

{Lifestyle Portraiture} Independence: What does it mean to you?

Independence means so many things to so many people. Freedom to do what you want, freedom of speech and expression, freedom to practice any religion without fear of persecution...etc...etc...etc.

For those in the US, July is synonymous with Independence day. Come July, the flags come out and fly strong and proud all across the country. 

For me as a parent, everyday is Independence day as my kids learn to do things on their own - walk unassisted, wave bye excitedly while being dropped to school instead of the desperate clinging of your arm or leg! and lately, riding a bike without training wheels. 

That is what we achieved this past week - our little Ms.Independent rode a bike without the training wheels. 'I want to try' , 'I can do it...I know I can' is all that we heard all week. Sure enough, it took just 5 minutes of assistance and away she went. I wanted to weep....really, I mean I wanted to sit down and bawl so hard...I did not care about independence, freedom, doing what you want...nothing. My baby was growing up and I did not want to be left behind. I wanted to savor the memories and moments of her holding my hand as she peddled her tricycle...I wanted to remember all the conversations and countless questions I would hear as we peddled miles on our tandom bike :(

 Just give me a push, dad!

This one melts my heart! - I see the pride as well as the sadness as we realize she is growing up and getting ready to explore - one peddle at a time!

And away she goes! - here, there, everywhere....

This was special "by request" picture - "Take one of my cooooollllll bike" - yes, honey - it is very cool :)

We rode to the park and as we were going, I saw this guy in the swamp. Right when I put to camera to my face, he took off.

For some reason, this picture captured the emotion of the moment - Ms.Independent taking off in her bike - her "wings" that would take her to new places and new adventures!

The tandom attachement is already left behind as we practice our riding...I miss it already and she has just learnt to ride her bike. At this rate, I am going to have a meltdown when she goes to elementary school :(