Wen's Blog || Chicago Wedding Photographer » Kids & Families

Rachel: the same pink-donning, super-active, pretty little girl…now with a new little sister!

Wen — Wed, 26 May 2010 04:54:28 +0000

Back in 2008, I photographed Rachel on a cold fall afternoon. I had just decided to go professional with my photography, and was looking for any/every opportunity to shoot anyone who was a willing subject. If you have a pulse, I’ll shoot you.

Rachel’s mom, Linda, was a colleague of mine back when I was still working a 9-5 office job. When she found out that I was going into professional photography, she quickly offered her oh-so-cute baby girl for me to photograph.

Now, almost two years later, Rachel is much taller, has twice the energy, and is totally having conversations (yeah, I knew her back when she was just mumbling words!) Some things never changed though — she still loves pink, her unforgettable chubby cheeks are still chubby as ever, her beautiful curly brown hair, and her rambunctious personality that never ceases to surprise you.

Also, I’m convinced Linda fed her at least two bottles of Red Bull before I got there. Where does all that energy come from??

Oh, and something else that is new — Rachel now has a little sister! Welcome to the world, Maddie!

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Jen – Italian Prego Chick with an Opinion on Everything

Wen — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:17:18 +0000

Yes, that’s what she calls herself on her new, but already popular blog: JLEE’s Blog; If You Think I’m A B*TCH So Be It. She’s got quite an online personality, and I have to admit, her blog posts are beyond humorous. This is one girl who puts everything out there for all to read, and provides more entertainment than you’d expect from a typical prego chick, or any chick for that matter!

Jen is expecting her first child sometime in June, I believe (she was 7 months as of last week), and she’s definitely one good looking mama! This is my first maternity shoot, but I approached it very much like an engagement session, with a little less smooching, and alot more “belly hugging.” It was a beautiful day, and with a cute family, it just can’t go wrong.

Enjoy!

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Today’s Maternity Session – Teaser

Wen — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:21:34 +0000

A couple of images from today’s maternity session at the Busse Woods Forest Preserve with Jen. The sun is finally out for me, though a little chilly. More later, but I just can’t wait to post a couple of teasers!

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Our pets, our babies, our lives..love.

Wen — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:25:14 +0000

Well, the early months of the year tend to be vacation time for wedding photographers in the midwest, because few people get married in the bitterly cold winters here, and equally few people want to take on my suggestion to do winter engagement sessions =).

So it gives me a whole lot of time to do things I HAVE to do, but don’t WANT to do – taxes, accounting, paperwork, boohoo. I was buried in WI and IL taxes paperwork..and I can’t get out! Anyway, thought I’d distract myself by posting some recent images of our love in life – our pets and babies (no, not my babies!). Here’s what’s been happening:

Kiwi is sick. She has what looks and sounds like human cold – her meows have a lower pitch – nasal meows..that makes sense? She’s sneezing and coughing, and has HEAVY snot. Its really strange seeing this happen to a cat! Her sneezes are soo soo cute *pppppzzzht!pphhhhszzzzsst!* and since she doesn’t have hands to hold a kleenex to wipe off her snot, she sometimes end up with snot all over her face. Like this one:

Occasionally, friends will ask me to take photos of their pets, or kids, and I LOVE requests like these. Just no pressure, fun, casual, and easy excuse for me to pull out my camera for some practice. Here is Ranger. He’s about twice my weight, and stands taller than me when on his hind legs. He’s VERY strong, VERY active, and can be intimidating (his nose is the size of my fist!) but he’s just one big baby =)

Oh, since this is about love and life, here’s Paul, my <3 =) Taken while we were having lunch on a boat in Cambodia last year. =)

Now back to QuickBooks… =(

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The Famous Twins!

Wen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:11:12 +0000

ok..ok.. maybe they are not famous YET..they will be if they keep on being so cute!! Introducing Navya and Nayan to the world! These two cute chickadees are fraternal twins, but I’ll be surprised if you can tell them apart! I have actually never photographed newborns before, but after this shoot, I think I might do it more often! It takes alot of patience and time to photograph babies — I never know if they’re going to cooperate, or choose be awake and crying when their “regular baby schedule” says that they’re supposed to be asleep. I have to be very gentle with them, and provide a warm, comfortable environment for them as they “model” for me =) Most importantly, and also something I am most grateful for, is the trust that their mother have on me, allowing me to be close them, carry and position them, and photograph them. When I’m engrossed on the job, its sometimes easy to forget that my subjects are tiny, fragile little human beings, and I must be careful around them (e.g., I reminded myself to carry my camera around my neck and hold tight when photographing over the babies!)

Post processing newborn photos are SUPER fulfilling. Nothing is better than staring are their cute faces all day! I caught myself unconsciously smiling at the screen several times while editing =) It is extremely satisfying to be able to take these already beautiful baby photos and turn them into gorgeous, perfect, work of art! Enjoy!

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Baby Shower of the Century!

Wen — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:05:22 +0000

Raj and Preeti are one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met..so I was very honored to be able to take photos at their baby shower extravaganza. This is baby shower indian style =)..and actually, I like this version better than the typical baby shower, which is normally about showering baby and mom with gifts. This shower, on the other hand, seemed more about connecting with friends and families, prayers and giving our blessings to the mom-to-be, which makes perfect sense!

I took a number of group photos that day, and if you’re looking for your specific photo, you can find it in the full gallery (caution, there are 250 images in the gallery!): http://clients.wenphotos.com/gallery/9242298_49bdd

Wen – Contact me (wen@wenphotos.com / 312.436.2221)

Engagement & Family Portrait Session in Madison, WI – Amanda + Joe

Wen — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:19:46 +0000

Despite the poor weather, I managed to get out with Amanda, Joe and their 3 kids for some fun family photos at Vilas Park! The sun NEVER came out that day, and in fact, it started to rain as we were wrapping up. I did the best I could with the dreary weather, but why worry, this gorgeous family is all I need to make beautiful photos!

Amanda and Joe are getting married at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells on Memorial Day weekend and I’m super excited about it! The ceremony is going to be outdoors (YAY!), and the reception will be in one of their banquet halls. The Wilderness Resort have even assigned a planner for their event (how nice!). All I need to do now is figure out how to do the rain dance so that I can guarantee perfect weather that day! =)

Annaprasana = First Feeding

Wen — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:28:05 +0000

I was fortunate enough to get invited to an Annaprasana event for my friend Ani’s baby nephew. Annaprasana is a celebration of the baby’s first time eating solid food. Wow. We get to have a party just for that?? woohoo! we even got an official invitation. I expected nothing less than spectacular this weekend!

A cold November afternoon with Rachel

Wen — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:45:08 +0000

Last month, I offered to take photos of my friend Linda’s baby girl, Rachel. She is a little under 2 years old. Boy, she was a non-stop Energizer bunny! The day was cold and cloudy, so I was actually a bit worried about how my photos would turn out. Linda was so sweet — she assured me that Rachel and her are ok spending time outside in the cold (because she knows that it would make for better photos). It turned out great!