Alyssa Staats - Candid Clicker

Had the best time with these two Wednesday night! Chad & Katie are friends of ours and when they asked me about doing wedding photos for them, I was like ummm YES 😍 I'm so honored that they asked, and loved getting to see them all fancied up! It was such a gorgeous night, with the best, gentle lighting, a perfect little crescent moon, this stunning couple, and lots and lots of bugs 😂 Thanks for fighting off the swarm with me you two... it was so worth it for these gorgeous photos!!

Meghan & Gabe won a mini session last month for a couples sunset mini at New Buffalo beach. We had their session on Tuesday evening and OMG was it gorgeous! I’m obsessed with her dress and the way it billowed in the wind — so happy we ended up with such a windy day because the dress was just perfect and the waves were HUGE so we got some really awesome shots with them crashing behind these two! Also, be sure to swipe through to see the moon! It was a clear night and the moon was such a pretty, crisp little crescent so I played around with it and got some awesome shots of the two of them with the night sky 🤩

Sunday morning I was in Chicago and photographed Julie & Caleb’s maternity session at the Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk! I love this spot, one of my favorites in the city, because of the variety of backdrops it offers! The early morning light is just so pretty there, the way it comes through the trees is magical! Seriously love how these photos turned out, and I love Julie’s outfit choices! They both were so gorgeous, and showcased her adorable baby bump so well! Be sure to swipe through to see a little snippet of their insanely beautiful maternity session!

Remember that behind the scenes photo I shared in my stories the other day?! Here’s how it turned out! Be sure to swipe through to see more photos of the O'Doherty family! They had me take some Chicago-ey photos before their move at one of their favorite haunts, the Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk! This is one of my favorite spots in the city too, and I'm so glad I got to photograph them there at sunset Friday night! We had the best hazy sunset and everything was just so magically beautiful 😍

I can't believe that it's been a whole year since Fitz was born! I got to photograph Lindsey & Neil's maternity session last spring (you may remember their gorgeous session in the woods at Brincka Cross Gardens, and then at the beach at sunset!), and Fitz's outdoor newborn session last summer, so I was thrilled to see them again this year for his 1st Birthday session! We had such a great evening session, at an amazing location with the most gorgeous light! Lindsey found a neat old tricycle to incorporate into the photos (his birthday party was bike themed so this was perfect!) and we did a little picnic setting for his cake smash, complete with a champagne toast to celebrate for the adults! (He tried to get in on the champs action, but was shot down 😂 20 more years, buddy!)

Sweet little McKynley! This itty bitty little lady slept through her entire session and was just so darn sweet! I was super excited when I walked into Callie & Nick’s home and saw a beautiful mirrored mosaic artwork hanging on the wall. I asked if we’d possibly be able to get it down to lay it on the floor and have her lay on top of it and they said sure! 😍 these photos of her in the creamy white swaddle & jeweled headband are on that artwork and I just LOVE them! Thanks for having me photograph your beautiful family!

These two won my Valentine’s Day give away back in February and @laurenanglin_ said she wanted to do beach photos this summer! Well— we did beach photos and I LOVE THEM!!! Had so much fun with these two at sunset the other night! Lauren and Drew were such good sports and up for anything, including dancing on a log Dirty Dancing style, running up dunes, down dunes, in the water, and pretty much all over, getting just *a little* romantical, and Titanic posing on the rocks 🤣 Enjoy this little snippet of our fun from Tuesday night at New Buffalo Beach!

We may have almost been attacked by geese, but it was totally worth it to get these gorgeous photos 🤩 So excited for these 3 to become a family of 4! Paisley is going to be the cutest big sis! So happy for you guys, thanks for coming back to me for all of these special moments! I love capturing them for you! 😘😘😘

One of my favorite things about my job is the ongoing relationships that I’ve kept with my clients. I absolutely love it when people that I’ve photographed for their wedding, senior photos, newborn session, etc come back for more photos down the road. I love being a part of these big moments, and all the small ones inbetween, too! I photographed Danielle & Mike’s wedding a few years back and I was thrilled when she contacted me to tell me that she was pregnant and asked if I would photograph their newborn session! So honored to get to photograph them again, now with their sweet little peanut! 🥰

Little Liam 💛 This guy was so sweet and gave me a serious stare down + some heart melting giggles and coos upon arrival at their home. Shortly after that, he got into a deep sleep and we go so many sweet, sleepy shots (swipe through to see more!). Then, back awake for family photos, he kept us on our toes, and was just so cute the entire time! Loved getting to meet these 3! Such a sweet fam ☺️

Got together with these guys for Darci’s 1st Birthday and family session this past weekend! Another session at Brincka Cross Gardens that I just loved 🥰

In April, I gave away a mini session at Brincka Cross Gardens and @essentialswitherica won! We had their session Saturday morning and I just love how their photos turned out! Mommy & Me sessions are just so sweet, and I love that this mama got these photos to cherish forever! If you’re interested in entering to win a mini session at the end of this month, make sure you check in on my stories tomorrow (Wednesday) for details on location, type of session, and how to enter! And as always, you can also check in on my highlight to see if there is anything else you should know!

It’s been a little while since wedding photos have hit my feed but SURPRISE I’m still photographing beautiful couples getting hitched! 🤪 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I photographed Walter & Courtney’s wedding at @cantignypark a few weeks ago and they asked me to wait so they could share the gallery first with all of their loved ones, so of course I agreed to wait and not share any pics, even though it killed me to do so 🤣 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’ve said it before but I love large, grand weddings, but an intimate micro wedding is pretty darn nice too! 5 people or 350 people — all that matters is the couple and the love between them, and yes, I am down to photograph weddings of all shapes and sizes so let’s do the dang thing 🥳 • • • #shelbycobra #shelbycobragt500 #shelbycobralovers

It’s only 7pm and I want to cover up with a cozy blanket and sleep just like this little dude 💤 Photographed sweet little Chandler yesterday and just had the best time with him and his sweet fam! I’ve been photographing them since mama and daddy’s engagement session back in 2016! I remember having a one month old of my own and driving home from their engagement session so excited about their photos, and so excited to snuggle my baby boy. Now they have sweet little Scarlett who will be 3 this year, and Chandler! Thanks for coming back for all of these sweet moments guys! I appreciate you and love getting to watch your family grow!

I’ve been MIA on here the last week or so but I think this session is a great way to get back into the swing of things! Layla’s 1st birthday session last night was so darn gorgeous! I love the mix of nature & beachy vibes we had, and we also got a great mixture of baby & mama photos too 🥰