Lisa + Jash sitting in a Bucktown tree!

What can I say?? I love LOVE. This sweet couple keeps their cozy Chicago home in the hip area of Bucktown / Wicker Park. Just down the street from their abode is a bevy of delish restaurants, quaint watering holes and the recently opened Chicago treasure for outdoor activity, The 606. As with any Rose Photo custom engagement shoot, we never have the same shoot twice because we truly love telling our clients' unique and personal stories. With that in mind, we met for a tequila toast at their favorite taco bar, Big Star, and then casually sauntered down Damen Ave to the floral and fauna framed city scapes of The 606. Finally, the money shot was captured just down the street from their condo in front of the ever popular LOVE signage brought to Chicago by the brilliant marketing geniuses behind @Properties. 

So from location, location, location to love, love, love I am thrilled to say I will travel with these two love birds to their Arizona wedding next spring for an amazing celebration in Scottsdale. Yep - have camera, will travel! Though I've visited the incredible scenes that make up the desert areas in and around Scottsdale with camera in hand and forced family members to be my willing subjects (see 'Love your sister' blog post a year or so back) , I'm so excited to travel with these two awesome people and continue to tell their story. Ice down that tequila because we snow birds are comin' in cold!

love,

Rose + Co

keeping the kids happy!

I often get asked how I keep my tiny bosses happiest during our lifestyle family photo shoots! There is a short answer and, of course, a long answer; especially if you are asking me!  First for the long, professional answer. Keeping the shoot moving, finding fun things to distract these lil managers of my time and always thinking on my toes has a lot to do with keeping the imagery fresh and 'looking' oh so calm. ( I'm pretty sure any parent can attest to these tools being in their back( & front pockets) when negotiating with tiny toddlers aka terrorists that can wreak havoc on your plans at any moment!! The short answer though is simple: bribery.  I consistently carry lollipops,  bubble gum and other age specific tools of concise bargaining for my bossy babes.  Not to worry , I do ALWAYS ask mom first about a) the bribing technique and b) the amount of sugar used to concourse this careful situation in my favor.  Generally though, I approach every family photo session with the patience of the Pope and the tactful skill set of a ninja, never knowing exactly how the session will go but always being certain I WILL GET GREAT IMAGERY, even if I have to have a heart to heart, in gibberish, with a two year old about eating grass. 

These two little buds where actually pretty awesome though. I only busted out the lollipops at the very end, after we had captured most of the photo gems I wanted. However, this new flavor of my favorite brand of lollis threw me a little curve ball by turning these kiddos to a delightful shade of blue!! So glad these brothers were absolute champs through the end of the shoot and we didn't find this out the hard way, mid session as it made for some super cute last captures!!

Jack + Charlie, you two of the sweetest suburban brothers with mad photo style( thanks, Mom!)    I can't wait to see you again next season and keep your picture books current and smiley!!

love,

Rose + Co